Page 3 of Demise

I shiver at the memory. After my fun, I’d wrapped her up. The butcher knew not to question it when I took her to him. After all, we’d taken bodies to him on more than one occasion.

“I’m the one who’s going to do the killing anyway. Put this on.”

Hegazes down at the mask before looking back at the road. He’s quiet, and I see his expression change as he jerks his hand up to scratch at a sore infesting his cheek.“Give me a hit of that before we get there.” He pales.

“We haven’t got time.”

“Come on. You promised. I need it. I’m feeling like shit here.”

I notice the sweat forming on his brow. “When did you start doing meth, anyway?” I ask, grabbing the bag of chopped crystals from the console.

“Just give me the shit, would you?”

I toss it over to him. He holds the wheel with his knee. Dipping his long pinkie nail into the bag, he sniffs, his head falling back. He goes for one more and then smiles, nodding repeatedly.

“Yeah, man.” He hits the wheel, his whole character changing from the little scared bitch he was only moments ago.

He looks over at me, his pupils stretched, his smile wide as his jaw already begins working back and forth.

“Let me have a go at him before you do it,” he says, moving his jacket’s hood away from his head so he can slide the mask on.

He wears the same coat as me, and his hair is a similar color. I took in account that we’re the same height as well and told the bastard to keep his head down so Sweep wouldn’t be able to tell it wasn’t me walking from my house to my truck as I hid inside its cabin.

Because Sweepwasthere, sitting and watching, waiting to catch me fuck up.

But I was one step ahead. I checked all the boxes. Even damaged my head so my tale would seem legit. I was robbed, knocked in the head, you see.

I suspected Sweeps’ suspicion sooner than he anticipated. He began asking too many questions, which is abnormal for Sweep. The man hardly speaks at all.

I’ve known him for how many years now, and all of a sudden he cares about my family and the mud on my tires? I’m surprised at how careless he’s been. How uncharacteristic of him. Bones’ disappearance has really gotten to the evil fucker.

My fingers lift the rubber band from my wrist, popping it and enjoying the sting. My eyes widen at the sound.

“How is your plan working out?” Bones asks me in a weak, condescending tone.

“Just fine,” I say. I’m lying. Ma and Paul are protected by a goddamn fortress.

“Are you lying?” he asks skeptically.

My neck burns. “Come on, Bones. Do you really want to fuck with me?” How dense are you, fool? I have you and the woman you love. I could kill you both right now and be done with this.

But the game is much more fun.

He tilts his head up, looking over my mask and the coats in my hand. “I must have really done something, huh?” he says lowly. That tone. That run-scared little boy tone he likes to give his enemies. I clench my jaw and my shoulders straighten.

“I must have ruined your whole life for you to go to all this trouble.” He shakes his head. “Tell me, man, who’s so big and bad he has to hide behind a mask and voice disguiser? What was it? Did I fuck your wife? Did I kill your brother, your father? What did I do for you to keep us here like your little pets?”

I drop the coats onto the floor, going to the window. Motherfucker wants to die. Does he care so little about his bitch? The bitch who married his pussy little brother? I should fuck her in front of him and slit her throat.

“I’ve always thought you were a smart man, Bones. But it appears that you’re not.” I gaze out, thinking how if it wasn’t for this man, I would have a family. I would have a good life. I should beat him, like they did my father. I should rape her, like they did my mother. Snap, snap, snap.

My breath stops. It’s done before I realize it. I’ve shown who I am. Did he hear it?

Fuck!

My throat dries and sweat trickles down my back.

How could I be so damn stupid?

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