Page 71 of The Black Lotus
“The screams you hear at the end of that movie won’t compare to the ones I plan on ripping from you,” he threatens, bracing his arms on the armrests and boxing me in.
He doesn’t have his gun on me anymore, and he’s in the perfect position.He may have been smart enough to catch me, but he’s too stupid to keep me.I keep my eyes pinned on him,not giving anything away as I kick out, hitting him right where it hurts.
He curls over me with a yelp of pain, and I headbutt him, shouldering him onto the floor and rushing towards the exit.This is my only chance. My heart pounds as I sprint through the chains.I need to get free before he can stay true to his threat.
Stepping into the dark hallway, my body slams into the ground, my head cracking against the floor as Deputy Wiley tackles me. Our bodies spin as we fight for control and, even with all the training Aster gave me, I’m no match for a trained deputy.
I thrash under his weight, kicking my feet up, punching my restrained arms at his face, and just as I’m about to land a hit, he pulls his damn gun stopping all movements. “I suggest,” he gasps, his eyes wild, “you be a good little girl and do as you’re told, or this will be over rather quickly.”
I turn my head, submitting to his threat and laying limp in the dirt.
Grinding my teeth, I’m angry at myself for not being strong enough to take him. My nose burns, begging me to keep fighting. To not give up.If I had use of my hands, I might have stood a chance.
He wraps his fingers around my wrist, digging them into my flesh, not bothering to make me stand as he drags me across the floor back to the chair. My legs scrape against the cold concrete, leaving a tiny trail of blood as he tosses me onto the ground just below the spot I fear might be my end.
Pointing the gun at me, he motions towards the chair. “Try that again and I’ll put a bullet in your leg. Now, get up,” he demands.
Without a sound, I crawl onto the chair, trying to pinpoint the real metal from the decorations, but this room is so poorly lit, bathed in a dull orange I can’t tell real from fake. Scanning the walls for a loose nail, I drop my head in defeat, seeingnothing aside for the already bloody and peeling wallpaper, which is no help. There isn’t anything around except this chair I’m in. There is not even a shelf I could throw down to slow him down.
“Spread your legs.” My head shoots up, eyes widening as I stare at him.
“Excuse me?” I ask, baffled at his demand.
“Spread your fucking legs before I lose my patience.”
Is he about to rape me?Sweat beads on my forehead.That would be far worse than any torture he could do to me. Him forcing himself on me would break me.
“Please, don’t,” I breathe as I slam my legs shut.
He grips each calf, digging his nails in to make his point. “Good to know you fear my dick more than my gun.” Throwing them open, he secures them in place against the leg chairs. “I’m no rapist,” he spits, tying my bonds tighter than necessary. “Even if I was, I prefer my women older and,” his lip curls in disgust as his beady eyes trace my body, making me feel exposed, “smaller.” I press my lips together to keep from spitting in his face.
Not only is he a dirty cop, but he also shames women for their weight.Makes me want to cut off his tiny dick and shove it down his stupid throat.I stare daggers as he tells me not to try anything while he cuts my arms free.Where did that knife come from?I glance at the sharp blade and weigh my odds. Could I take the weapon and use it on him before he has a chance to react? I nibble my lip, even though I want to, I know if I do, he would shoot me without a second thought, so I let him wrap my arms behind the chair and trap me in place.
“Oh, look, youcanfollow directions.”
I so badly want to carve his skin, my fingers aching for the moment I can retrieve the blade I know Aster keeps in the first house and drag it through his flesh. Glancing towardsthe darkened hallway, I’m thankful Wiley set up shop here.He doesn’t know all the houses are connected.I fight a smile.He doesn't realize how close to his death I am.
He turns his back and walks away, looking over his shoulder as he says, “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.” He laughs, his face twisting. “Not that you could.”
Is this what Aster had to go through?Will I get the same chance to escape as he did? He told me she wanted him to escape and fight to the death, but Jason doesn’t look like he has any plans for me to try anything.
He doesn’t want a fair fight; he wants me dead.
FORTY
SERENA
“Wake up!”
Cold water cascades over me, jolting me awake as it drips down my hair and soaks into my clothes.When did I fall asleep? How did I fall asleep?I slowly lift my head, looking up at him through my wet hair as I grin.Guess Jason isn’t as much of a threat as my exhausted mind thought he was.
“What are you smiling about? You’re trapped here; you’re going to die here,” he sneers, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind.
I shrug, sucking my teeth. “I fell asleep.”
His eyebrows pinch together. “Why is that funny?”
“Because…It means you really aren’t a threat.”
