Page 95 of Their Cruel Love

I turn to Phoebe and Razor and make a decision I may regret. I’m compromised more than Razor. I know I can be an ass, a shithead, someone who chooses to do stuff too quickly, like spending more than I can afford—a bit like Phoebe, I guess. I signal them, waving abruptly.

“Go! Get going! They’re coming here, and I’m off to delay them!” I say it just loud enough to carry.

Razor rises, perplexed.

“Get the fuck going! Somebody needs to!”

I jog toward the entry to the enclosure and lights come on, spreading faint illumination wherever I run. So far, the area where Razor and Phoebe traverse is staying black. If they can get over the fence, maybe they can hide. Hide for long enough for this reaction force to arrive?

I need to do something to delay whoever is coming for us.

I turn and throw two last words over my shoulder. “Trust me!” Then I’m out the gate and running downward.

I meet them coming up, twenty or so seconds later. Six men in black gear, carrying guns. Most of them are guests. I can imagine keeping staff unaware of, or happy with, the murdering would be a problem.

For what I am about to try to do, may the lord protect me. I don’t care which lord—the Cat Lord from Planet Zap will do, but I figure I’m going to need forgiveness and help. I raise my hands. In my right hand, I hold Simon’s phone. I dropped my own in the enclosure, under a shrub.

Bastion is still in a suit. The little prick likes to look fancy.

“I want to make a deal with whoever is in charge. You?” I address Bastion. “I’ll give you Phoebe and Razor and my co-operation. I know you make snuff films. I know what you want to do to her. My cooperation is yours if you let me help to kill her. You can even keep that money I gave you, plus a bit more. The little bitch planned to get rid of me after we leave this island.”

“Oh? Really?” Bastion has this smug smile. He’s panting and I guess they were hurrying upward. “Where is she? In there?”

“Yes.” I hope they are running fast and clever, can dodge this pursuit. Lying won’t work for me.

“Go!” He sweeps his arm. “Get them. Her, alive! The man, too, preferably. Send some men around the outside in case they jump the wall.” They wrench open the gate and four of them enter the pool. One of them is calling for others on a comm. “Handcuff this one.”

I let them do it, cuff my hands at my back. I’ve no choice, really. Not if I want this to seem genuine. It’s a last-minutedeal I’m seeking, and maybe it won’t help, but every few minutes I can postpone the end is worth it.

Delay. Delay. Delay.

“I will let you be involved in her death, but be aware that if you do anything stupid, you will suffer. I’ve yet to make one with a man being skinned alive then pulled apart into four pieces, like they used to do in medieval times. Now that would be fun.”

It’s hard not to spit on him, but I manage.

“Tough guy, hey? How do you want to ‘help’ us? Anything specific?”

“I want to do it like in that movie,Hostel, hang her upside down and let me cut her with your sword. Thesoshukatana you’ve got on display here. I want to taste her blood.”

“Ooooo, my. You are an evil bastard. Agreed. I cannot wait. You won’t be allowed to kill her but cut her, slice her, yes.”

“Tell me,” I ask, making light conversation.“Why is that big croc hanging around this island. Is it normal?”

“Him? We feed him regularly, of course.”

That is sick, and not in the good way. I can guess what, or rather who, they are feeding to him.

37

Phoebe

There is shouting from within, before we even make it over the fence. Once he’s atop the enclosure wall, Razor reaches down with his hand. I take it gratefully. My climbing skills are respectable but with nothing to grab or stand on, being shorter has drawbacks. We drop down on the other side and start jogging.

“Keep low.” Razor ducks, and I follow him, watching for obstacles.

Tripping now would make noise, and people are coming from somewhere in the resort, are spreading out and combing the undergrowth. Flashlights carve into the darkness. The palms and nurtured shrubs make for barely adequate cover.

We pause behind a pile of boulders, catching our breath.

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