Page 37 of Sweet Venom
“I think we’ve established that I don’t give a fuck what you think.”
“Fine.” I release a breath, feeling exhausted by just looking into his unfeeling eyes. “Can you tell me why I’m here? I’m tired and could use some sleep before my early classes tomorrow, so if you don’t mind…”
I start to stand up, but the look he gives me pins me in place.
Finally, however, he turns around and flips on the TV. “Don’t move.”
Before I can ask what’s going on, he pulls out his phone and sidesteps me.
My eyes trail after him, but he disappears around the corner.
Even with his absence, I don’t feel relaxed, not in the least. If anything, my shoulders are crowded with tension as I stare at the screen. I’m not in the mood to watch TV?—
My lips fall open.
The scene playing before me is familiar.
The video is cut, set to vertical mode, showing only two people.
A man and a woman I’ll never forget for as long as I live.
My breathing comes out in harsh pants as the man stabs the woman.
Then he does it again.
And again.
Andagain.
Her blood spills on the pavement, on her beautiful white-and-yellow sundress, her blonde hair, and her eyes turn lifeless.
Bile gathers in my throat, and my heart nearly rips out of my chest, but I remain frozen. Just like the time I saw this same scene play out right before my eyes.
And just like then, Mama’s words play in my head like a mantra.
“Don’t meddle, you little bitch.”
“Do you think anyone would need the help of an ugly whore like you?”
“Who do you think you are?”
“Useless.”
“Useless.”
“Fucking useless.”
Tears stream down my cheeks and my fingers twitch, my entire body trembling so hard, I’m wheezing.
That’s when I hear it.
A muffled moan of pain.
A groan.
A bang.
It’s not coming from the TV since there’s no audio, and the woman, Susie Callahan, is lying in a puddle of her own blood, her empty eyes staring at nothing.
