Page 32 of Deeper

“You will not touch that tape. We’re playing this game by my rules. Do you hear me?”

He continues his sniveling.

“Rule number one: You will acknowledge me when I ask you a question or give you a demand. While your mouth is taped, you will nod to indicate you understand me.”

Cortland doesn’t move or indicate understanding, and anger swarms inside me.

“I’m fucking waiting. I won’t ask again.”

The click of the safety on the gun is deafening through the silent night.

His head jerks up and down, and his hands drop to the dirt.

“Rule number two: You will obey immediately when I demand something. I don’t want to ask things twice. Are we clear?”

Cortland nods, and my amusement level rises. I like my new toy.

“I’m going to remove the tape from over your mouth, and you aren’t going to make a sound. Don’t test me. Understood?”

He nods, and I rip the tape away from his mouth, taking some skin and stubble with me. An angry red mark appears around his mouth.

“I have money, man. I’ll give you as much as you want. Just let me go.”

I don’t respond. He can’t buy me.

“Tell me, Cortland, what’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?”

“Wha-wha-what are you talking about?”

I knock him upside the head with my gun.

“Did I ask you to question me or to answer me?”

“I don’t know! I’m a good person. Just let me go, and I’ll give you whatever you want.”

I reach for the pile of items I dumped from the bag and grab the collar I brought. He struggles while I fasten it around his neck, but I easily overpower him.

Once it’s secure, I stand and hit the button on the remote again and again while I speak, “I want you to answer my question. You must have done something to land in this position. I want to know what it is.”

He jolts the first time the shock collar zaps him and develops a tic by the fifth zap. I smile through his helplessness.

“Fuck, all right. I’ve lied, cheated, stolen, walked all over people. But, worst of all, I’ve abused women. I came from privilege, man. I was taught from a young age that what I want is mine.”

I might have found my answer. A scorned woman can do horrific things.

“What do you mean, you’ve abused women?”

“I just haven’t treated them so well, okay?”

I press the zap button again, and Cortland flops around in the dirt.

“I need you to be more specific. Like you hit them? What?”

I let go of the button, and he takes a moment to catch his breath.

“Something like that. It’s happened a couple times. Sometimes, they like it, though.”

I undo the tape from his ankles. “Stand.”

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