Page 126 of Rat

Sebastian hummed, then turned back to the woman. Rory snorted at his feet. He was buying lunch for the man about to kill him.

Sebastian popped a chip in his mouth, then groaned. “That taste,” he said. “That’s exactly how I remember it.”

The doorbell rang when they left, and Sebastian walked down the stone steps to get to the beach. “What time is it now?”

“12:00.”

Sebastian nodded, then gestured for Rory to come to him. “Let’s take a walk.”

Rory’s steps faltered. “A walk?”

“Yeah. Come on.”

Rory joined him, and they strolled side by side along the beach. The pebbles crunched and slipped underfoot, and Rory looked at them more than the swirling sea. Sebastian offered him a chip, but he shook his head and studied his feet so he wouldn’t trip.

“Sebastian…I—”

“Not yet, Rory. Not yet.”

Rory pressed his lips together, catching his words. The wait was torture, but he imagined it was intentional. Sebastian wanted Rory to suffer, to fill him with so much tension and fearhe wouldn’t fight or run when the moment came. Rory wanted to tell him it wasn’t necessary; he had fully accepted what was about to happen and had left a letter at home with instructions for Erica and himself.

That’s if anyone found his body.

The waves battered the nearby cliffs.

He doubted a body would be able to stay intact under that relentless beating, but at least Erica and their father could be reunited. He looked up at the grey sky. His family were waiting for him.

“Can we stop here…” Rory asked.

Sebastian pointed his chip ahead. “Not yet.”

“I can’t take it anymore.” Rory bit his lip. “Just do it.”

Sebastian sighed. “Over there—”

“Please,” Rory said, stepping closer. He smacked the chip from Sebastian’s fingers, then grabbed his hand and held it to his throat. “Go on.”

Sebastian glared, but the look wasn’t intimidating, or like ice; it was full of confusion. Rory closed his eyes and pushed Sebastian’s hand into his throat. He held it to him with both of his hands, trying to force Sebastian’s fingers to curl around him.

“Do it,” he begged. “Please, Sebastian.”

He jumped when he heard a dull thump on the pebbles. Sebastian had dropped the chips. Seagulls screeched above them. One crash down to the pebbles on his right.

“I can’t wait any more, I can’t have this dragged out. Do it.”

“Do what?” Sebastian asked softly.

“End this.”

Sebastian held Rory’s throat, and he tilted his head back, exposing it, giving Sebastian more space to work with and get a better grip. He knew it would hurt. He might even panic and try to stop it from happening, claw at Sebastian’s hand, but in the end, he’d get weaker, he’d accept the inevitable and let go.

He wanted to let go.

Sebastian didn’t apply any pressure.

He didn’t squeeze or suddenly clutch with force.

He didn’t do anything, and it made Rory’s heart pound and his head spin. The wind whistled, salt from the sea covered his lips, and he could smell the closest pile of seaweed along with the chips resting by his feet.

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