Sweat gathers along her hairline.
“Brooke, listen to me,” she shouts, focusing on me again. “You want revenge. I understand that. I understand wanting him dead. Elliot deserves every single thing that is coming. You don’t have to kill me for that.”
I step closer to the tub and look down at her.
“I don’t want revenge, Sophie. I want you to suffer. I want you dead.”
She tries to push her body up to keep her head higher. The motion only lasts a few seconds each time.
Her breathing turns shallow and fast.
“Brooke please. I’ll drown if you keep doing this,” she pleads.
I raise an eyebrow. “You tried to drown me first.”
Her mouth opens, then shuts again.
The water climbs to her waist.
She bends her knees tighter, pressing her back harder against the bars, trying to keep her chest above the surface. Her wrists stay tied. Her ankles stay bound. Her movements grow jerky.
“Please,” she begs finally, voice cracking. “Brooke, think about this. You’re a good person. I’m sorry.”
I watch her eyes, not the water.
“You’ll never touch anyone again,” I smile. “You’ll never hurt anyone again.”
Her jaw clenches, and she swallows hard.
The water reaches her ribs. Her breathing hitches every time the surface rises higher.
Seth checks his watch casually. “We shouldn’t be late. It sends the wrong message at these events.”
The water keeps rising. It reaches the base of her chest, then the top of it. She strains upward, trying to gain another inch.
“Turn it off!” she yells. “Turn it off, Brooke. You made your point. You win. Turn the water off!”
Her voice cracks on the last word.
I let it run a few seconds longer, watching the line near her chin.
Then I turn the handle and shut it off.
The tub is nearly filled. The water reaches almost to the top of the crate. Her knees press against the metal ceiling. Her neck strains upward to give her nose room.
She pants, each breath shallow and quick.
Her nose hovers barely above the surface. Each slight movement sends ripples across the water, touching her lips.
Her eyes are huge now.
I crouch so she can see my face clearly. Her gaze locks on mine.
“We’re going to go get Elliot at his party,” I say. “We’re going to handle him, and then we’re going to come back for you.”
Her throat works as she swallows.
“If you hold still, you’ll keep breathing long enough for us to finish,” I add. “If you panic, you’ll speed everything up. The choice is up to you.”
