Page 32 of They Will Fall

Suddenly, I’m flipped over onto my back, face to face with Twisted. “You know what we do to whores who don’t know how to behave?”

“No,” I answer, lifting an eyebrow at him because I’m a glutton for punishment. My own worst enemy, as Scar would say.

“We treat them like dirty whores,” Twisted grits out, and each word will now be permanently etched in my memory. But what’s worse, what will really stick with me, is the sound of my shoes thrashing against the tree, one after the other because the wrenching of my gut tells me my pants are next.

I press my legs together so tightly, it would take all three of these guys to pry them apart.

“Hold her hands,” Twisted barks to Vicious.

My fearful eyes land on Vicious and I mouth the word, “Please.”

He’s hesitant. It’s possible he has half a heart and isn’t as cruel as the other two. He’s the one I need to get through to.

His shoulders shrug and when he kneels at my head and pins my wrists to the ground, I know exactly who I’m peering up at. It’s the Maddox of the group, the softy. The one who does what everyone says because he wants to be liked. Yet, even Maddox broke free from the chains that bound him. He’s different now, I can see it. I have to pray that there’s hope for this vicious guy hovering over me, too.

“This is a big mistake,” I tell him, ignoring the other two because anything I say to them is a waste of air. “I wasn’t kidding when I said there’s a manhunt for me. I’m wanted for the murder of, like…five people.” I had to think about it because I’m not really sure how many guys were murdered in total. Obviously, seeing as I didn’t do it.

“Yeah, fucking right,” Vicious says with an airy chuckle. “You? Murder someone?”

“You have no idea who I am, do you?”

“Shut the fuck up,” Twisted snaps. “We don't know, and don’t care.”

One of them fights to pry my legs apart, but I don’t make it easy on them.

I clench every muscle in my body, making it clear I’m not going down without a fight. My eyes pinch together tightly and I search for my own inner strength.

All of a sudden, my wrists are freed and the guys around me begin cursing. “You fucking bitch!”

“Get the hell outta here.” This voice is a new one. One I haven’t heard before. A girl’s voice. “Now!” she snaps. “Or I’ll call the headmaster and tell them exactly what you guys are up to!”

The sound of footsteps scurrying away has my eyes popping open and I immediately see continuous flashes of light that are nearly blinding.

The girl comes behind me and helps me sit up.“Are you okay?” she asks, now crouched at my side. “Did they hurt you?”

I shake my head. “No. They tried, but they didn’t, thanks to you.”

I look down at her hand and see a large camera. One of those fancy ones with a long lens. She reaches her hand out and a smile creeps across her face. “I’m Temper.”

My shaky hand rests on hers and my voice cracks as I say, “Riley.”

I can’t believe I just said my name, but for some reason, I’m not worried. Something tells me Temper is on my side.

“It’s nice to meet you, Riley.”

I watch her as she stands up and wanders through the nearby woods, collecting my shoes.

She’s a tiny little thing. Probably only five-two at best. Jet-black hair, and eyes that match. Her skin is as pale as the snow falling around us. She’s dressed head to toe in black and in a way, she reminds me of Scar, but more gothic-like.

“Here you go.” She hands me my shoes. “I take it you’re not a student here?”

“Umm. No.” It’s all I say; I don’t have the emotional capability to explain myself at all right now. I’m still too shaken up and working on accepting the reality that I’m no longer under the hands of those men.

“Thank you for helping me. I have no idea what those guys would have done if you hadn’t.”

“I do,” she says. “They’re notorious for doing whatever the fuck they want, to whomever they want. Tonight, they must have decided they wanted you.”

I lace one boot up then shift to the other. “You know them well?”

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