Page 47 of Perilous

Shh.

“Annika, what the fuck is this?”

Molly’s voice crackles.

“They’re protecting me,” I say. “Okay?”

“Protecting you? Why?” Molly looks at me. “What is happening here?”

I stand up. “It doesn’t matter. I wanted to see you, Molly. To show you I’m alive and well, okay?”

“What does that mean? You’re just going to leave now? With these guys? Everything is true, isn’t it? Things we’ve heard? These are…”

I walk around the table and close in on my best friend.

“Give me a second to process this,” Molly says. She looks scared. She smiles. “These guys are real. This is a lot to take in. That one behind you. That’s… I’ve heard of him. I’ve seen him before. He’s a fucking psycho.”

“Yes, he is,” I say, speaking another ounce of truth.

“He’s fucking you.”

“Yes, he is,” I repeat.

“And the other three…?”

“I’m alive and safe, Molly. You can’t say anything to anyone though. Okay? Just play it off. You heard from me. Whatever. Lie through your teeth. You have to lie.”

“This is crazy,” Molly says. “Now don’t get me wrong, being surrounded by three guys in robes and masks is right up my alley. But this is…”

I hear aclick. Followed by two moreclicks. The three men in robes and masks are all holding switchblade knives. Chills run throughout my body.

Molly sees the knives and she sucks in a breath.

Not into knife play? Thought you were super slutty and kinky?

“Time to go back, doll,” Peri’s deep voice rumbles from behind me.

“Don’t leave me alone with these psychos,” Molly pleads.

I look back at Peri. No offense to him or anyone but I am not leaving my best friend behind with three masked men holding knives. It would be one thing if Molly was turned on right now but she’s scared.

Peri slowly lifts his right pointer finger to his lips.

Shh.

“Molly,” I say as I turn my head to look at her again. “Do you get the message now?”

“This is too much. I feel like my best friend is threatening me.”

“No, I’m not threatening you. I’m warning you. Listen to me, Molly. I don’t understand everything right now, but I know these guys mean business. Everything is true. All you need to do now is lie.”

I’m not done talking but I feel Peri’s presence close to me. And it doesn’t help that Molly’s eyes widen once again. I feel Peri’s hand grab at the back of my neck, over the hoodie and my hair.

“We’re fucking leaving, right now,” he growls.

“Lie,” I say to Molly. “Fucking lie.”

Peri pulls at me and I stumble back from my best friend.

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