Page 20 of Last Summer
The only sound in the room is the ping of the computer behind us as we both come down from our high. My entire body slumps as though I have expended all of its possible energy. I’m so fucking tired. And so fucking sated. Chris does not seem like someone I can trust, but he’s definitely a good fuck.
“Well, we definitely gave them a good show,” he whispers in my ear, quiet enough that the camera won’t be able to pick it up. “Maybe now we have a chance to escape before something bad happens to one of us.”
Suddenly, my relaxed and sated exhaustion is replaced with intense dread because the truth is, I’m not sure I’m ready to leave the woods.
Chapter ten
SAW
CHRIS
SundayNight
Abby’s body tenses as I slowly pull out of her, already missing the warmth. The smell of sex lingers in the air. I open my mouth to speak, when suddenly, Danica bursts into the yurt. “Seriously?” she asks, throwing her arms in the air. My fingers move to my lips—trying to silence her. I nod at the computer which I’m pretty sure is still streaming.
But she continues talking anyway. “Did you guys get a red envelope too?” Her lip quivers, and it almost makes me feel bad seeing how scared she actually is.Almost.
Abby is the first to speak as she begins to gather pieces of her discarded clothing. “Yes, we both did.”
Danica looks at us with confusion, eyebrows knit together, face grimacing in disgust. “And you’re fucking like nothing happened? Are you two serious?” She raises two digits in the air. “There’s two people fucking dead.” Her gaze shifts between us. “TWO!” she shouts.
Not knowing what to say or what to do, I just plop myself on the small lounge chair inside the yurt, folding my arms behind my head. I watch Danica pace as Abby finishes getting dressed.
“We need to go,” Danica mutters to herself.
“Oh yeah, Sherlock, and how do we do that?” Abby’s beautiful face turns into a cold scowl. “Danica, what do you want us to do?” She folds her arms in front of her chest, and the two women face off before Danica resumes her pacing around the room.
“Maybe don’t just continue to fuck for money like nothing is wrong. Maybe find a way to get help.” Her voice cracks in the end as she glances over at the screen that is very much still on and watching everything we are doing. If we want to get out of here alive, we might as well play along until we can find a way to escape. But how can I reason that to Danica?
“Okay,” Abby scoffs as she shakes her head. “So, let’s be clear here.” She points at Danica. “You want us to not make money because of two accidents.”
Accidents. Well, that’s one theory.
Gaslighting in its finest form. Women sometimes are the cruelest creatures. “How about you both calm down?”
They both turn towards me, and in unison, they snap, “NO!”
Fine. Can’t say I didn’t try.
I sink back into the chair and watch the screen. It’s too quiet in the chat room—maybe whoever is behind the screen isn’t watching anymore. But now, how do I get them both to stop bickering and actually come up with a plan? Danica is right, we do have to find a way out of here—sooner rather than later.
“Danica, just try to relax. Freaking out won’t get us anywhere,” Abby demands which sets off the bomb.
Danica's nose flares, her chest rising quickly as she holds back whatever she’s about to say. Quickly, she shoots me alook. “Whatever, you two can continue to fuck and make your precious coins. I’m going to get the fuck out of here.”
And with that, the precious little bird leaves the nest. Abby lets out a deep breath I'm sure she’s been holding in this entire time. “Danica, wait.”
I guess I have to follow them. It’s safer if we stick together, you know strength in numbers and all that. The yurt’s flap swings wildly before it settles. Rising to my feet, I throw on some pants and follow behind —slower than the two storming and stomping angry women. My eyes flit around, observing our surroundings, you never know what waits for you in the woods.
It’s dark out—abnormally dark—no moon, no bugs chirping away, no wind, just the sharp chill of something lurking. And I fucking hate it.
Danica’s farther ahead of us, but I can see her silhouette as she walks past the firepit. Abby manages to catch up to her. Her voice is low, but I can still hear it.
“Are you seriously trying to tank this for all of us?” She closes in on Danica. “Did you see how much money we are getting, what we would be walking away from?”
Not the words I expected Abby to say since she doesn’t seem like the type who’s desperate for cash, but she’s not wrong either. It seems like we’re all willing to put our safety at risk for cash, drugs, and sex. Kinda fucked up.
“Newsflash, Abs, I don’t care about the fucking money,” Danica retorts, placing a finger to her temple as if mimicking a loaded gun. “You think a few grand is worth dying for?”
