Page 146 of Psycho

I licked my parched lips.

I couldn’t even remember the last time I had a drink of water.

After leaving Dad’s trailer for the last time, I thought I would never have to see Tyler again. He wouldn’t—shouldn’t—be a part of my world. He should have stayed in the past where I had left him. Instead, he was right there, working with my classmates to… what?

I didn’t know, and I really, really didn’t want to know.

I didn’t even know how Tyler knew the boys.

I looked over at each of them.

Josh was smiling, something like malicious glee in his eyes, while Dylan was looking at me with a look of anticipation.

Only Ricky looked uneasy, but he wasn’t doing anything to stop it, and I had a feeling he wouldn’t be doing anything to stand up to his friends.

No.

He would take part in whatever they were planning.

I swallowed when Tyler moved closer to me, the boys following about a step behind him, obviously deferring to him to take the lead.

He cupped my cheek and tilted my face up until I was looking up at him.

I pulled my head away and glared at him, even as fear had left me immobile and unable to speak.

“Such a defiant little thing,” he cooed, as if he was fond of my defiance—or looked forward to beating it out of me.

I gulped when he stepped back.

“Untie her,” he said to the boys.

Josh and Dylan stepped forward.

I watched as they untied me, and as soon as I felt the ropes loosen, I kicked my legs out, hitting Dylan between his legs, and slammed my fist into Josh’s neck.

Both boys groaned and crouched beside me.

I didn’t wait.

I stood up and ran for the door.

I didn’t care that the place I was at was an unfamiliar place to me.

I would much rather take my chances out in the cornfield than be stuck here with them.

Just as my hands reached the barn door handle, arms wrapped behind me and pulled me back to a large chest.

“No!” I screamed, struggling in his hold.

He tightened his arms around me. “You best not fight me. I don’t have a lot of patience for you, and you’ve already made me mad about that little stunt you pulled.”

I closed my eyes, hating how Tyler’s lips touched my ears as he said it.

My nails raked over his forearms that were clutching my middle so tight it was almost hard to breathe.

He shook me against him and walked out of the barn.

I tried to push back as if that would stop him.

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