Page 106 of Done Waiting

And for the first time since I’ve murdered my father, I hold her in my arms and cry for the boy who lost all shred of his innocence that day.

42

MADISON

Sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace, sipping a mug of coffee, depressing thoughts roll through my head. It’s a week until Thanksgiving, and I’m missing my dad. Staring into the flames, I wonder what my mom thinks of my absence.Surely she’s noticed by now?

I’ve asked Jagger repeatedly if we should involve her in this. Every muscle in Jagger’s body grows taut as he gives me the darkest look I’ve ever seen from him. It makes me rear back as though he’s slapped me. I don’t understand the hatred that flashes across his face when I mention my mom. I’ve asked him about it, but he refuses to tell me.

“I need a cigarette.” Jagger nods toward the patio door, pulling me from my thoughts. “Why don’t you text Abby? She texted me, asking how you’re doing.”

My face lights up as I reach for his phone. I love Jagger, but this issue with my mom… I don’t understand it. It’s putting distance between us. A giant, unspoken elephant in the room that I desperately want to talk about, but I know he’ll get pissed and clam up.

I could use Abby’s advice.

Not wasting time on formalities, I launch right into it, my fingers flying over Jagger’s phone. I intend to delete this conversation before he can read it.

Me: Hey, Abby, it’s Maddie. I could be better. Every time I bring up my mom, Jagger shuts down. I don’t understand why we can’t tell her I’m okay. Or Ryan, for that matter.

Abby: I’m sure he has his reasons. Your safety is the first one. Jagger probably thinks your mom would look for you. The more people who know your whereabouts, the more it endangers you.

Dammit. She has a valid point.

Me: I know. But it’s nearly Thanksgiving. With my dad gone… I’m hurting.

Abby: I understand, Maddie. This situation sucks. It’s a sacrifice you’re making, but I’d rather you stay safe in Jagger’s cabin, hidden until the danger has passed.

Impatience runs through me, making me scowl as my foot bounces uncontrollably. I take a drink of my coffee before answering.

Me: Why can’t anyone find Ben? If he’s that hard to find, maybe he’s far away from here and I’m no longer in danger.

Abby: I know you’re frustrated, but it’s too risky. We need to remain cautious until we know where he is.

Setting the phone down beside me, I heave out a frustrated breath. Feeling like a petulant child, I slam my coffee cup on the wooden table, dropping his phone beside me. Glancing out the window, I see Jagger turn around, looking at me with a frown. Giving him a chagrined look that I don’t think he’s buying, he exhales his cigarette, the cloud of smoke floating around him, obscuring his face.

Jagger’s phone vibrates again. Figuring it’s Abby, I pick it up, not bothering to glance at the screen. A video is on the screen. I press play, and what appears on the screen shocks me.

Terror slithers up my spine as I watch the video, bile rising in my throat. I desperately want to look away or turn it off. Instead, I sit there, frozen, watching the macabre scene unfold. Ben’s gruesome smile as he tortures the young lady is the most horrifying thing I’ve seen. And I love horror movies, so that’s saying a lot.

Oh, God. No. A scream pierces the living room. It takes me a few beats to realize I’m screaming with the girl in the video.

“Maddie, what is it?” Jagger’s warm presence surrounds me, filling my numb body and returning me to reality. I finally look away from the grotesque video on the screen.

Swallowing hard, I close my eyes, but the images won’t disappear. “I-I w-w-was t-texting with A-Abby.” Pressing my fist against my trembling lips, I will myself to calm down. Taking a few deep breaths, I open my eyes, meeting his concerned black irises. “A video was sent to your phone, and I—”

Jagger’s body tenses. “Let me see the phone, Maddie.” His voice is low yet commanding.

Nodding, I hand it to Jagger, who stands with it in his hands. Taking a few steps away, he presses play, his face growing pale as he watches what is on the screen.

“That girl was at the club that night you and Ben had that confrontation…” I trail off, sucking in a couple of breaths before I can speak again. “She was one of the waitresses.”

“Oh, fuck,” he mutters, eyes widening. “Ben is a sick motherfucker.” His eyes flick to mine, taking in my despondent state. Rushing over, he gathers me in his arms, rocking me gently. “I won’t let him fucking touch you, Maddie. I’ll doanythingto keep you safe.”

Sagging in his arms, I let his words wash over me. I know Jagger will do anything to protect me. I’m feeling foolish for my ranting texts to Abby. A vile psychopath is gleefully torturing a woman, sending a video of it to my boyfriend to taunt him.

The image of Ben using a saw and slicing the woman’s breasts from her body nearly made me vomit.

“He wants to do that shit to me,” I whisper, my unseeing gaze flickering around the room. “He plans to torture me…”

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