Page 83 of Heathens

A chill rushes down my spine as I struggle to force my eyes open. I can’t see a thing. All I hear is music.

“Is that the fucking Temptations?” I groan to no one in particular.

This isn’t how I wanted to experience their greatest hits.

Every one of my new aches and pains slowly make themselves known, dull pangs traveling all across my hips, down my spine, and all the way to my toes.

What the hell happened to me?

I know three things: I hurt so badly I want to throw up, I’m on my back, and I’m bound with the least comfortable rope I’ve ever felt.

Slowly, I try to lift my head. The dull ache turns into searing pain and I stifle a scream, which only causesmorepain to shoot through my body. My heartbeat picks up, and I look around the pitch black room, eyes wide open as I struggle to seesomething. Anything.

I strain against the ropes again, but my arms and legs barely move, save for my heels slipping against sheets.

Silk.

I haven’t touched silk sheets in years.

This doesn’t smell like my musty room; this doesn’t feel like my bed.

I’m not in my clothes. I’m not inanyclothes.

Panic sets in and my breath comes out in ragged wheezes. This is all wrong. A wave of confusion washes over me. Where the fuck am I? And why am I tied to the goddamn bedposts?

Suddenly, the door swings open and I recoil as much as I can. Through a sliver of moonlight, he comes into focus.

Dominic.

I’d recognize that Cheshire grin anywhere.

“You’re awake.”

His voice is low and raspy, and I can see his pearly white fangs and yellow eyes glowing in the dark as he shuts the door. Some of the night’s memories rush back to me, jumbled out of order, and Ice water floods my veins. He took my knife, I have no way to defend myself. Is he going to kill me? Is that why he brought me here?

A bloodcurdling scream rips through my body and echoes off of the walls, piercing my own eardrums. His yellow eyes remain still and empty as I flail against the bed, hoping against hope that I can somehow break my restraints and take a swing at this motherfucker. But every time I try to move, the ropes around my wrists dig and rip into my skin.

Another memory floods back to me: the terrace. Dominic fucking me. I couldn’t walk in my heels. He took them off, and then everything went dark. He must have put something in my food, or maybe the wine? I never saw him do it, but I was so transfixed by the apartment that I let my guard down.

A wave of nausea hits me and vomit creeps up the back of my throat, but I swallow it in favor of letting out another, ear-piercing wail.

My chest is in a vice, and every part of my body is tender. Even the silk sheets against my bare legs send little shockwaves of pain rippling through me. I sob, gasping for air. The muscles between my ribs clench, like they’re clamping down on my lungs and I weep harder. Through the tears, I can barely hear Dominic trying to talk to me, stroking my face.

Sofie, my love. Listen…

Sofie…

“SOFIE!”

I freeze, shaking like a leaf as sweat drips down my forehead. My palms are clammy and cold. I’m going to pass out, and all I can do is stare into those golden eyes that float above me, beautiful but empty.

There’s a softclickand the light next to the bed turns on, bathing the room in a gentle yellow glow that’s far too bright. I turn my head to the side, jamming my eyes shut to block out the brutal reality I’ve woken up in.

“Sofie, look at me.”

“Fuck you!”I yell, burying my face in the sheets.

He laughs.Laughs.

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