Page 79 of Between Earth and Eternity
He pushes something on the other side, a speaker, I realize, as he says, “Comfortable in there, Miss Andrews?”
I want so badly to be brave, to show them threats won’t shake me, but he has thrown me into my nightmare, pushed me to the cliff’s edge of my worst idea of death, and the only way out is to cower like the absolute fool I am. This was all orchestrated by a sick-minded bully.
“Slade. Listen to me.” My throat is tight. “Please let me out.” I’m trembling. There’s no strength I can muster to cover that now.
My voice must be coming through on their side, because he responds, “Not so brave now, are you?”
I search frantically for some kind of safety release. There has to be one in case of an emergency, but I have no idea what to look for.
“It was time I remind you of your place.”
“This isn’t funny,” I say, trying to conjure the woman I wish I were. The woman who can take care of herself, the smarter version of me who can pick her battles and win them too.
But there’s no winning when you’re up against a Mannox. Even one as pathetic as Slade.
“It isn’t supposed to be funny,” he snaps. “It’s meant to teach you a lesson. One for everyone to remember.” He looks over his shoulder. “No one stands up to me or my family.”
Most of the group is frozen in shock, some watching with morbid fascination. Gemma looks like she’s about to faint, her face as white as a sheet. I can only imagine what I must look like right now.
“You’ve done this to yourself, Skyler, and now you will learn what happens when you dare to think you could ever stand up to the name Mannox.”
“Please!” I shout. And his features change from anger into wicked delight.
“Say you’re sorry for calling me a prick and embarrassing my father.”
“What? Are you seriously going to kill me for calling you a name?” I choke out through a laugh somehow.
“Go on,” he says, like he’s bored of the show already.
I glare, but my vision is blurry with tears. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of crying, and the absolute worst thing of all would be to beg. But what choice do I have?
“I’m sorry,” I say, looking him straight in the eye, and there is nothing inside him I find that would warrant him as redeemable.
“Now beg for my forgiveness.”
I clench my jaw so tight, I’m shocked it doesn’t break a tooth.
“I’m waiting,” he sing-songs. “No? Okay. Enjoy yourself out there, yeah?”
“Wait wait wait wait,” I plead, falling against the door. “Please. Please forgive me.” I choke on a sob. “Please.” Tears stream down my cheeks, and he smiles, knowing he has broken me, utterly shattered my will. I can tell it’s his favorite game to play: breaking people until they realize they are nothing.
“Hmm . . .” He rubs his jaw, pretending to be in thought. “Sorry. I’m still not convinced. Goodbye, Miss Andrews.”
I scream, my own voice deafening as I slam on the metal door over and over with my fists.
The countdown begins for the bay doors to open behind me, the alarm buzzing loudly.
I don’t dare turn around, terrified of what I will find there. Maybe a sea of stars—a light as bright as a thousand suns. No, there will only be darkness to swallow me up. It’s what awaits us all in death. I shut my eyes, anticipating for the alarm to ring its final warning, but after a few seconds, I realize the only sound is my heartbeat galloping in my ears.
I open my eyes, prepared for death to sweep me away, but instead of cold blackness, I see red.
Blood.
Crimson ripples drip down the window, all coming from the source that is Slade’s broken nose pressed roughly against it.
“I said open the door. Now.”
Vallen.
