Page 15 of Pushed

“You're choice was stupid, you were a nosy little thing that couldn't help yourself. That man, that man made a choice that affected me directly, and there's no erasing what he did.” The rope tickled my wrist, slithering over the skin as he pulled a loop free.

My lip trembled, unsure if he was trying to calm me down or throw me off so I didn't fight against him. “When will my choice get me killed?”

I felt his muscles tighten as his fingers stopped moving and his breathing picked up. I wanted to keep him talking, I wanted him to hopefully see me as a human and not something he could just dispose of if he felt I deserved it.

“I have family you know, they're probably worried about me. Could I call them? Will you let me—”

“Enough with the questions!” he yelled, yanking my wrists down hard as he slammed his hand against the mattress. “There's nothing I can do, this is your reality now. You put yourself here.”

“I didn't do anything to deserve this. I already told you I wouldn't say anything about what I saw. What more do you want?”

“It's not what I want, it's what I need. I need everything and you're going to give it to me.”

“I'm not giving you shit! There's nothing you can do to make me do what you want!” Pursing my lips, my jaw crooked to the side.

I knew he couldn't see my eyes, but I was hoping he could feel them. He had to, there was no way the daggers in my gaze didn't stab him where he sat.

Machi's hand brushed the side of my face, gently stroking my jaw. “That's where you're wrong.” Pinching my chin, he turned my face up, touching his nose to mine. “The more you fight, the worse it will be for you. The more you struggle, the harder it will be for you to be set free. That's what you want isn't it? To go home, back to your life, back to your little innocent world? I can only do so much, you'll need to do the rest.” The rope freed, dropping off my wrists. “I need you to think about what means more to you—your pride or your freedom?”

What kind of question is that?

He didn't own the rights to either, he didn't own the gavel that should decide what was mine to keep.

“Why can't I have both? You don't own the right to steal either one from me.”

“You lost that right the moment you decided to stick your face in that window.”

“You're lying!” I screamed, throwing my arms in the air. “I saw that same car before I saw you. It slowed down, it watched me as I walked, minding my own business! Don't try to tell me they weren't following me!”

“Those men weren't looking for you.”

Then who were they after?I was tempted to ask, but I didn't. The answer wouldn't help me, it couldn't get me out of this place.

“How can I believe you? How can I even trust a word you say?”

“You can't, but you don't really have a choice now, do you?” I felt his fingers run up my spine, gently plucking at the ends of my hair. “Get some rest, we have a lot of work to do if I'm going to get you where I need you to be, we only have so much time.”

Pulling my arms into my lap, I rubbed the raw skin. “I don't understand.”

Machi stood up, taking heavy steps back towards the door. “You will, trust me, you will.” The door shut and I heard the metal clank of a lock, followed by another, then another.

And as I sat in the silence, I left the blindfold on. I was afraid to see what was being shoved down my throat, taking it off would mean bringing this nightmare into reality.

Maybe the darkness was saving me?

Maybe not seeing could keep me whole?

I didn't have any answers, but I knew one thing. . .

This was just the beginning.

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