Page 127 of Done Waiting

Ben strides through the room and I cringe as I see the peeling, dirty linoleum, and the ancient dirty hardwood floor beneath his feet. He tosses me on a dirty mattress, the musty, metallic scent wrinkling my nose.

“Home, sweet home.” He stands there proudly, gesturing around the room like we’re in a mansion, rather than some small, dirty, likely cockroach-infested cabin. I appear to be in the living room that holds an old wood stove, a dirty couch, a small stand, and a small television.

Drawing my knees to my chest, my eyes dart from the dirty couch to Ben’s gloating face. “So lovely.” My voice drips with sarcasm. “I’m sure the cockroaches adore it.”

He chuckles, running a hand through his hair, the leather gloves on his hands illuminated by the gray light coming through the small window. “Snarky.” His face tightens, eyes stormy like the ocean during a violent storm. “Not as nice as Jagger’s place, huh?”

“Not even close.” I wiggle my hands, the pins and needles sensation irritating me. “Can you loosen these damn ropes?”

Ben’s smile is pure malice as he says, “Hell no.” Then he spins on his heels, going after my mom.

I wiggle into a sitting position, my back hitting the wooden wall of the dingy cabin. My gaze darts around, taking in the small space with very sparse furnishings. It’s a very small, rustic cabin.

The faint sound of a door shutting reaches my ears before I hear Ben’s footsteps on the rickety porch. The doors open, the screen door banging shut behind him before he shuts the door. The click of the lock echoes like a gunshot through my head before his footsteps get louder. He hurries in, dropping my mom beside me on the mattress. He’s out of breath from carrying both of us and judging by what I just saw, my mom squirmed and wiggled just like I did.

As my mom wiggles into a sitting position beside me, shoulder-length blonde hair tangled and hanging in her face, my head turns to Ben.

Why the hell did he kidnap my mom and me? What sinister plan does he have in store for us?

49

MADISON

With a frustrated sigh, I say, “Why am we here, Ben? What role do we play in your twisted game?”

“Awe, Maddie, don’t look so depressed.” He saunters across the room as though he has too much energy flowing through him to remain still. Rubbing his hands together in delight, a big smile curls his lips. His blue eyes lighten, a fanatical gleam emanating from them. “Both of you an instrumental part of my plan. There are things you are unaware of. Don’t worry. I’ll educate you.”

A slight shiver goes through me, but I do my best to hide it from him. “Oh, goodie. I can’t wait for my lessons.” I roll my eyes, a gasp coming out of me when he flies across the room and wraps his hand around my throat.

My mom gasps as he leans over me, a maniacal gleam in his eyes. “I’d watch how you talk to me, Madison. You’re in no position to be sarcastic and bitchy.” He squeezes, cutting off my air, before he releases me.

Greedily sucking in air, I slowly push myself up against the wall again. Drawing my knees up, my bound hands move to mythroat, rubbing gently.Fucker.I know I shouldn’t push my luck, but I can’t help the glare I shoot him.

Luckily, Ben is pacing again, not paying attention to my glares as the manic energy swirls around him. He’s wearing jeans and a dark hoodie. His killer hoodie that I recognize from that infamous night in the woods behind campus. His voice is tinged with anger when he speaks. “It’s a shame you fucked around with Jagger, then came to campus and saw me with Brittany.”

An image of his hand around her neck, choking the life out of her as he raped her, assaults me.

"Oh, Maddie. You fucked around withJagger?” My mom shakes her head and I shoot her a withering glare.

“Yet you have no problem with me fucking a serial killer who just admitted to being with the raped and murdered victim. One of the ones you were supposed to be investigating her abduction.” Shaking my head, I continue. “Or didn’t you bother investigating her disappearance? You know, like you didn’t bother to do with me.”

“Madison Rose.” Her eyes flash with fury. “That’s enough.”

Ben laughs as though he’s entertained by us. He crosses his arms over his chest, a wide smile covering his lips. He reminds me of a twisted clown.

Turning my head back to my mom, I shrug. “I’m not wrong though. You weren’t looking for me.”

She bristles beside me. “I didn’t know you were missing.”

“Right. Because you’re always too involved with your job to worry about me. While I’m on campus watching Ben assault and kill a young woman while you were—I’m guessing here—safely in your warm bed, asleep?”

Bed chuckles. “Sick burn, Maddie.” He paces closer to us, peering down at my mom. “She raises an interesting question. What were you doing while the Falls Creek killer was runningrampant, abducting and murdering young women?” He tsks. “Seems to me the police force is grossly incompetent.”

I snort. “I have to agree with Ben on that one.” Shooting her a withering look, my face twists up from disgust.

“Neither of you have any idea what you’re talking about.” Her body is taut as she says, “The police force isnotincompetent.”

This time, Ben and I breathe out disgusted snorts at the same time. He smiles at me conspiratorially, as though we share something in common, which raises my hackles.

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