“Wait, let’s film it so he can learn!” Jessica exclaims.
“No way,” Marcus balks.
“Why not?” Grant shrugs, his menacing glare locking on mine. “He’s not going to tell anyone. He wants it.”
I should’ve told Andrea.
“He totally does,” Jessica giggles.
“Even if he does try, we’ll edit the video to show just how much of a slut he is for us. No one will believe him, especially not his little boy toy.”
Panic sets in. Adrenaline dulls the agony radiating through my skull and side. Rolling onto my knees, I scramble to get my feet beneath me. My sneakers slide on dead leaves, fingers sinking into the earth—
A blocky heel descends on the back of my hand.
I scream.
“One of you, shut him up before I press record,” Jessica barks. The fine bones in my hand screech as I flail, desperate to free myself from her.
Legs bracket either side of me.
A meaty hand slaps over my mouth at the same time one sinks into my hair, grips the roots and rips my head back.
“And… action!” Jessica shrieks.
“Fight me and I’ll make it hurt more,” Grant hisses in my ear.
Fuckfuckfuck.
The threat isn’t enough to stop survival mode from kicking in. I'm bucking and thrashing and howling—
He drops his full weight on my ass as he yanks my hair hard enough to tear tufts out, forcing me to arch. The tendons in my neck strain. The canopy above blurs. A few fat raindrops smack my cheeks. Marcus kneels in front of me, palm flat and lips puckered—
Blowing pink dust in my face.
Stinging. Burning. Choking.
My heart rate skyrockets. Heat spreads through my limbs. Marcus’s face warps, his lips stretching into a horrifying Cheshire Cat smile. Radio static roars in my ears. Hands grasp my wrists, pulling them out from beneath me—
Damp earth fills my mouth.
Grant’s voice is slowed and reverbed. “Hold him.”
So… dizzy.
Rough hands tear my pants down.
Grains of dirt crunch between my molars. My tongue is sandpaper.
Coughing, I twist my head. My lips move around the word, “Stop,” but no sound comes out. Tingling stretches to my fingers and toes. Two torn foils crumble to the ground inches from my gasping mouth. Each breath is like inhaling fire ants.
No. I’mcoveredin ants. Tiny legs skitter all over me and they’re biting and biting and—
“Wait, I think he wants you both at the same time,” Jessica cackles.
“Get him on all fours.”
Like a ragdoll, I’m hoisted between two men twice my size. They’re giants. Enormous and grotesque. Curling hornssprout from Marcus’s skull, wrapping around like a ram’s as he straightens and unbuckles his belt. Then unzips his fly.
