Page 43 of When Sinners Rise
“Why are you saying all of this? You’re just a number. Another girl to sell. That’s your worth. And revenge isn’t something you can put a value on. Remember that.”
“I’m glad you think that.” I lunge for the plate on the outside of the bars, tip the food and pull it back inside with me. I lift it and smash it on the floor, shattering it into a dozen pieces. Scanning the debris, I grab a triangular wedge and run my thumb over the edge. Sharp. Good. “Wouldn’t it be a shame if I bled out before you got your revenge or your profit?” The words don’t feel triumphant; they grate as I speak them, and I am suddenly terrified he won’t take the bait.
Shaw looks, and his eyes latch onto my hands. I force them to still, determined to stop the tremor travelling any further down my arms. There’s no other reaction from him, though, so I guess he’s calling my bluff.
Just breathe.
One step at a time.
I push the jagged edge into the vein at my wrist and watch as the skin gives and a small pool of blood gathers where it punctures the skin.
“Hey, Miri, quit it. Stop. You don’t want to do that.”
Yes. I win.
His reaction is all I need.
I look up and make sure he sees me and smile as I deepen the pressure, pushing the edge deeper into my skin and ignoring the bite of pain. I’ve had worse. Much worse.
He’s up on his feet and wrestling with locks and keys before I have to cause myself any more damage. I let up with the pressure and wait, letting the blood trickle down my wrist for effect.
This is the moment. This is my only chance. Everything that I’ve learned from Neil, all my efforts and training, needs to pay off now, making up for not fighting before. It doesn’t matterif I stay compliant or not. They won’t suddenly give me the information I want, so I have to fight. I tried it their way, and now I don’t have any other choice.
Shaw is inside the cage with the door open and steps towards me, his hand going for the weapon still resting at my wrist. I take a deep breath, and then I let loose.
I lash out in a sweeping arc to give myself space. Shaw backs out of range as I do, but I don’t let up. Dropping the china, I attack, positioning my feet and jabbing with one, followed by the second fist. Both land against Shaw’s already cut-up face. His arms come up in a defensive position, but it doesn’t stop my volley of attack. Next, I kick out, knee him in the leg and manoeuvre him to the side of the cage, giving me a clear run at the door. But as I take a moment to check my exit, he comes back at me. He staggers but shoves me off balance, and I end up running into the bars, missing the door and setting a ringing noise off in my head. It only slows me down, and I re-balance and push through with my legs, propelling me forward.
I’m out.
Into darkness, but I’m out.
Only I can hear Shaw after me.
I look both ways and choose the opposite to the one we came down. I run away from the other sounds that have been taunting me.
My footsteps echo in the tunnel as I pick up pace.
“Miri!” Shaw yells after me. He’s injured and hurting, so I should have a head start, but after only seconds, I can feel him on my heels. My chest heaves out a breath, determined to keep going, desperate to find some added strength from somewhere, but all I feel is the tap of Shaw’s hand on my leg. It knocks me off-balance again, and this time I crash to the ground, landing heavily on my shoulder.
“Urgh,” I groan as I roll to get back up, scrambling as fast as I can. My feet slip, and I stumble as I find purchase, giving Shaw just the chance he needs to pounce and pull me back to the ground. He climbs over me, but I lash out with my fists again, hitting one after the other at his face and chest. My knuckles hurt and sting, the throb of pain radiating down my wrists, but I keep going.
“Fuck off, Miri.” He rolls to the side to escape my bombardment and I try again to run. My legs stay sure under me this time, and I get a few paces away. My heart races as panic begins to take over, clouding my vision and thoughts as I keep running.
Shaw runs into me, sending me sideways into the wall. “Ahh!” He shoves all of his weight behind him, plastering me against the immovable barrier. It keeps me pinned in place as he holds me with his hand against my shoulder.
“Why did you have to run?” he asks, snarling against my cheek. He’s breathing just as heavily as I am, although I’m fighting for my freedom. I’m not sure what’s driving Shaw.
I knock his hand out of the way with my forearm and twist my body, elbowing him in the ribs. His body doesn’t move so easily, though, and he still cages me as he moves to shut down every offence I try. He wrangles me back the few inches I gained, back against the wall, and I can feel how hard he is, rubbing his crotch up against my body.
I still as my body sparks to life at the thought, but he notices, grabbing my jaw with his hand. “You like that, Miri? You like the fight?” I don’t want to say anything because it will be a lie. My body feels like it’s on fire, either from the adrenalin or the physicality of our fight, but it’s alive. “If only I knew sooner.”
He braces his forearms across my collarbone and chest while his other hand sets to work, freeing my jeans.
In the dark, I can’t make out his face or the glee I expect to see, and I’m glad.
His hand rips at my jeans, and his fingers delve under my knickers, sinking deep into me. My eyes close as they roll back in pleasure, and I bite my lip to keep my mouth closed.
This is different. This is charged with heat.
