Page 23 of Poison Vows

In that moment, I see the complete darkness in Emmett.

All the humanity I always thought he showed was all just a cover… That’s not who he is at all.

No one can go from a perfectly serene persona to a violent disposition in a matter of seconds like this, but yet, here he is, proving me wrong.

He’s impassive, dark, cold, completely detached with a calm, dangerous exterior, as if he sees nothing wrong with what’s happening… This is the real Emmett.

And he’s about to kill me.

Tears well up in my eyes as I choke.

Horror, pain, and fear swell up in my chest, taking over as I realize my gamble was wrong… and I’m about to die for it.

“E-Emmett,” I choke.

My body starts weakening at a rate faster than a skydive.

I start to feel lightheaded, and my vision is no longer a blur. All I see now is a white film…

I can no longer breathe.

A strange euphoria like emptiness takes over me.

My limbs fall weakly at my sides.

Some memories and thoughts that I had at the back of my mind are no longer there.

This is it…

In that second, Emmett suddenly releases me, and I drop to the cold floor, coughing and spluttering, fighting to suck in air back into my oxygen-deprived lungs.

Tears run unchecked down my cheeks.

My body is trembling with fear, but Emmett just stands over me, watching me.

After several seconds, I look up at him, hate and agony raving in my chest as I caress my sore neck.

Emmett crouches down, reaches for my chin with two long, calloused fingers, then lifts my chin, tilting up my head until our gazes are firmly locked on to each other.

I’m crying, while he calmly and impassively stares at me.

“Is this how you think I’ll let you go?” he asks in a rough voice. “How can I let you die so easily without having you fully experience the consequences of your decision?”

It’s the complete unbothered expression on his face that does me in.

To my horror, tears start falling down my face, fast, hot, and so annoying, I hate them and myself for falling apart in front of this jerk.

A rage unlike anything I’ve ever felt before springs up in me, and I explode.

Without thinking, I launch myself at him.

The impact is so sudden that he has no time to brace. I knock him down to the floor.

Not giving him time to react, I quickly straddle him, and I start pummeling his chest with my balled fists, as pain and anger take over me.

“I hate you!” I scream, pounding his chest. “I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!!”

My voice is hoarse and unpleasant to my own ears, but I don’t stop.

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