Page 156 of Run Away Home: Tempered

“Stupid kid left his phone here?” Tristian walks toward me and kneels. He holds Danny’s phone in front of my face.

“Where is he? What did you do to him?”

“We haven’t even seen him. Shut the fuck up!”

“STOP LYING!”

I push against the floor and try to stand. My elbows tremble and give out. I fall back down.

“He’s not home. He’s fine, Peter!” Hayley says, speaking for the first time in a while. Tristian looks away from me and toward the kitchen.

“Then why the fuck is his phone here? He wouldn’t leave his phone at home, you fucking MONSTER!”

Tristian stares at me, nervous and wide-eyed. Then he pulls my hair and yanks my head back.

“Look at me. Is the kid home?”

“I have no fucking idea!”

Tristian pulls the knife from his pocket and holds it to my throat.

“I’ll slit your throat right here, right now. Is the kid in his fucking bedroom?”

“You’re such a coward. A fucking coward!”

Tristian pushes me back down and walks toward Danny’s room. I thrust myself up with all my might and lunge, grabbing onto his ankle. He stumbles, looks down at me, and frees his leg from my hold with one quick shake.

“Tristian, please,” I beg. “Please.”

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

O come, let us adore Him

Christ the Lord!

He smiles and pulls his leg backward. He kicks it forward, and—

Danny

I’M DANGLING OUT THEwindow. If I let go, I might break my legs. How am I ever going to get help? I have to aim for a bush or something and just hope for the best. It’s the only option I have. The music keeps getting closer and closer... Christmas music? It’s not Christmas!

Something claws at my hands. I look up. Tristian’s staring down at me. He looks like a devil! Fuck! I should have let go sooner.

“LET GO OF ME!” I yell. “HELP!”

He yanks me back up and through the window. I try to run, but he’s too strong. I punch him, and he laughs. I punch him again.

“Stop tickling me,” he says.

Tickling? I’m not that weak, am I?

“HELP ME! HELP!”

He pushes me against my desk and starts tying me to it. I use all the strength I have, even my back-up strength—my angry strength, my panic strength—but I can’t get myself free. I cry and cry. Guess I’m not as tough as I thought.

“STOP! Tristian, leave him alone. Please!” Hayley yells as she falls into my bedroom.

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