Twelve
GRACE
The metal door scraped against the cement floor.
I groaned as the sound hurt my ears. The bright light hurt my eyes.
I covered my face.
My body ached every time I tried to move. The adrenaline and the anger dissipated. I wanted it back. It kept me warm.
“Gracie.” Papa Scott chuckled and walked in.
At the sound of his voice, it was back.
I peeked up at the joy in his eyes. He thought he had won.
I couldn’t wait to rain on his fucking parade.
“Clean her up.” He said to the guys behind him.
I gasped as I was doused with two buckets of freezing water.
I coughed and choked on it.
I scrambled backwards.
Strong arms grabbed me from behind. Fingers dug into my arms.
I fought the chill seeping into my bones. I let them hold me up. I saved my strength and waited for the right time.
“You know Gracie,” Papa Scott paced in front of me. “All of this could have been easily prevented. That’s what makes the moment so sad for me. I don’t regret much, but I regret the situation we find ourselves in here. I really did love you like a daughter.”
“Fuck you!” I screamed. My voice was still hoarse from calling for help earlier.
He grabbed my neck.
I spit in his face.
He wiped his face with the back of his hand and looked at it.
I laughed.
He grinned.
He reared back and slapped me across the face.
I didn’t see it coming.
I groaned as the pain exploded behind my eye. The world swayed in front of me. I giggled.
The hands around my arms loosen and my body careened back.
I heard popping sounds in the distance.
The door behind me suddenly flew open and the light from the hallway was snuffed out.
“Let her go.” Mase said.