Page 98 of Goose

I stab him right by his tailbone and drag the knife up toward his ribcage. Joker moves out of the way as blood pours down. He grabs the rope and ties his legs together, then ties the rope to a hook in the wall.

“It’s a punishment for the most honorless people.”

I put on a pair of gloves and pull his skin away, leaving his ribs open to me. I pick up an axe next and hack away at his ribs. They each come off backbone, and I spread them like fingers.

Snake screams and cries as I make my way down.

“I have no clue! I promise! Ask that crazy redhead!”

I stop and stalk to the front of him. “What the fuck did you just say?”

Blood flows out of his mouth, and his eyes are slowly losing light. “The...red... headed...bitch.”

I look toward Joker and we both know he means Ellie Jo. I walk back and grab the vile.

“You’re still gonna die, asshole. You don’t deserve to live another day on this earth.” I take the vial and insert the syringe in it. “This should make you suffer while we find my woman. Inland Taipan venom. Most toxic snake venom in the world.”

I stab the syringe right in his lung and step away. Joker follows me as Snake screams as the venom takes over his body.

It will only take an hour for the venom to kill him, but that hour will be the worst hour of his pathetic fucking life.

Joker and I stalk up the stairs back into Church. Everybody looks up and stares as we move through the room.

“It’s Ellie Jo. Snake will be dead within the hour.”

Striker nods and turns to Maverick when my phone rings. I take it out and look down to see an unknown number. Sliding my thumb across the screen, I answer.

“Goose.”

A frantic woman’s voice comes over the line. “Help, please! She’s here! She’s fucking here!”

“Sweetheart, calm down. You need to tell me more. Who is this?”

“Olivia! Ellie Jo is at the hospital right now! She’s looking for me and now heading to Zane’s room!”

I place the phone down and put it on speaker. “Oliva, how do you know?”

“I was walking when she snuck out of my room. I hid in the supplies closet and watched her pace outside of Zane’s room. Please...”

“On our way. Hang tight.”

I hang up and turn to Striker. He looks up and points to some of us.

“Go. Go with Goose, now!”

Joker, Mad Dog, Thor and I all run out and toward our motorcycles. Revving them up, we fly out the gates and toward the Medical Center.

––––––––

WE PULL UP AND LEAVEour bike’s right up front, running into the building. I race up the stairs and pass Amanda and Doc on my way.

Finding the supplies closet, I slow down and carefully knock. “Olivia. It’s me, Goose.”

She slowly opens the door and collapses into my arms. I pick her up and carry her to Zane’s room.

“Doc, let’s go!”

We all rush into Zane’s room, and I place Olivia on the sofa near his bed. Turning to Doc, I put my hands on my hips.