Page 49 of Don't Speak
“I see prison hasn’t been kind to you, Sean.” The words come out stronger and calmer than I feel right now.
There’s a punch to my stomach, and I lose all the air I had in my lungs. I look over and make eye contact with James. “You punch like a little bitch,” I spit, gasping for air.
He goes to punch again before there’s a shout. “That’s enough, James. Take a walk. There are a few things I need in town. Go grab them for me.” James walks over to Sean, who hands him a piece of paper. James looks back at me one last time before he leaves.
Sean moves closer to the table, the light illuminating his face.
“Well, Nikki. It looks like it’s just you and me now.”
Shit.
CHAPTER FIFTY
I was out all night looking for her. I contacted David to see if he could hack the security cameras around the surrounding area, and I was able to get the license plate number of a white Nissan van that passed through around the same time she was taken. David ran the plates, and the car was reported stolen in the next state over several weeks ago. Sounds promising. I went back to her house this morning to feed Simba. She’d kill me if anything happened to that cat. Now, I’m out searching the town again, hoping to find that van out and about.
My mind races with the possibilities of what she could be going through. Anger courses in my veins, knowing she’sprobably with Sean right now. I slam my fist on the steering wheel at the thought of that possibility. He’s proven to be a challenging foe. I’m angry with myself for not being able to find him sooner, but somehow, he managed to stay several steps ahead of me, remaining off the grid and out of sight, beyond any capability of location. I seethe. I was already planning to torture him, but if he touches a single hair on Nikki’s head, I will drag his pain out for days. He’ll be begging me to kill him. Thoughts of my sister drift into my mind, and sadness consumes me. The idea of Charlie’s abuser also being Nikki’s is almost too much for me to think about right now, afraid I’ll crash my truck if I stay lost in my thoughts much longer.
I’m just passing through Main St. when I look over to the right and spot James walking out of a hardware store with several bags in his hand. I make a right at the next street, pulling off to the side and out of view. Since the hardware store faces the main street, most parking lots are located in the back. Next thing I know, James is passing in front of me, oblivious to his surroundings. Exiting my truck, I slowly creep up behind him, hooking my arm around him in a chokehold. I drag him out of sight again, looking in all directions to ensure no one sees what is happening.
He tries to fight back, dropping the bags onto the ground and attempting to punch me, but he’s unable to from this angle. I squeeze harder until the fight eventually leaves him listless. I grab the zip-ties and duct tape I keep in the back of my truck and secure him before he wakes. Then, I go back for the bags he dropped. I head back to my truck and toss the bags into the passenger seat.
For a brief moment, I sit there, taking in this moment. I finally have this piece of shit in my grasp. There’s only one place fitting enough to take him, and this time, I’m not leaving this fucker alive.
James woke up rather quickly after leaving the hardware store. I was able to get him to the warehouse, where he sits in the same chair Eric did. His mouth is still duct-taped while I organize everything. I brought the bags in, and I’m currently examining their contents.
“Rope, chain, duct tape, cleaner, and trash bags. What does a dipshit like you need with these items?” I already know, but I want him to say it.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he seethes, his face turning red, fighting against his restraints.
I grab my knife and walk toward him. Without a second thought, I drive the knife into his left thigh. His brain finally catches up to speed, and he screams, thrashing around in the chair. “I don’t have time for your bullshit games, James. WHERE IS SHE?!”
“FUCK YOU, MAN. I’ll never tell you! The bitch is as good as dead!”
I punch him straight in the nose, the resounding crack filling the air like music to my ears. He screams again, and I grab him by the back of the neck and cut him loose from the chair. His hands are still bound with duct tape as I drag him to the back where the silo is, forcing him to walk on his injured leg, and open the door on the side. Holding my breath, I shove him inside, pushing his face down to meet what’s left of his friend. “You remember Eric, don’t you? I wish I had taken my time with him, but I tied him to that same chair you were in. Tortured him for the piece of shit he is and tossed him in here when I was done. You’re next unless you start talking!”
I quickly drag him back out, closing the door and marching him back to the chair. I throw him back down on it, not bothering to tie him up again. With his gimp leg, he wouldn’t make it far. I walk to the tool table and grab the meat cleaver, bringing it back over to him. I bend down, pulling his shoe and sock off. He flails frantically, but I hold it to his dick and look him dead in the eye. “Keep moving like that, and I’ll cut this off.”
He immediately stills, his eyes widening. “Good. Now, where is Nikki?”
I can see his mind at war with itself. If he tells me, I’ll kill him. He knows he’s not leaving here alive. But if he doesn’t tell me, I’ll start taking him apart piece by piece. He hesitates too long, so I bring the meat cleaver up and slam it back down, taking off every single toe on his right foot. The scream that leaves his throat is primal, almost monstrous-sounding. It brings a smile to my face.
Next, I remove his sock and shoe from the other foot, lining the blade up with his toes.
“Where is she, James?”
“Okay!” he cries. Please, man. Please don’t do it again.”
“Tell me what I want to know. Now.”
“She’s at the abandoned asylum outside of town. You should know it well. It’s where you killed a man already.”
“So that was you I heard in the woods?” I laugh, cackle almost. “What a small world.”
“I was scoping out areas for my father. He needed a place to…” He trails off, realizing he just royally fucked up.
“A place towhat, James?” I glare at him, fire filling my eyes.
“To contain Nikki and her mother.” He’s full-on crying at this point, accepting the inevitable. Snot pours from his nose.
