Page 30 of Bloody Quarter

“What I did was save your life. You can’t move because I have you strapped down for your safety, of course. What you feel is a tube down your esophagus and into your stomach. I pumped most of the alcohol out with an OG tube, but I figured you wouldn’t like waking up to a tube down your throat, so you now have an NG one in its place.”

“How considerate,” I mumbled. “I don’t like to be tied,” I said and then mentally kicked myself.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get over that.” I didn’t know if that was supposed to be comforting, but it really wasn’t. “I’ll finish pumping your stomach like this with a saline solution.” He stepped closer, wearing the same hood he had on at the shelter, leaving his face hidden. “If you’re wondering why the saline, it’s because it will prevent an electrolyte imbalance.” He leaned on the table. “Pretty impressive to down two bottles and still be able to run. You must have been quite the track star.”

I turned my head away from him as every life choice that had brought me to this moment flashed behind my eyes.

“You should’ve just let me die.”

He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him. There was something utterly unnerving about him. The hood made him look like the Grim Reaper. It felt like I was begging death itself to finish the job.

“You don’t see it yet, but we were made for one another, just like stars and a dark sky. Don’t worry, though. Death is always chasing us. There is no escaping it. You will get your wish, but not yet, Doll. I have plans for us, plans to fix you.”

Pfft left my lips before I could stop it. The alcohol still running through my system had emboldened me not to care as much about trivial things like where I was or what happened to me. But I was scared for when it wore off completely. “There is no fixing what’s wrong with me. My mother tried, doctors tried, hell, even prison tried, but I’ll always be broken.” I searched the darkness of the hood, trying to find his eyes. “Take me back to the bridge and throw me over or shoot me. Do whatever you want. Death is the one thing I’m looking forward to.”

He pushed the hood back off his head, and I wasn’t sure what was worse: the black void or the piercing blue eyes that made my pulse pound harder from just a glance. He smiled, and it felt like being touched by something cold.

“But where is the fun in that? No, Doll. Breaking you and remaking you…now that’s far more exciting.”

Great, I had to be kidnapped by a complete and utter psycho. I couldn’t get the run-of-the-mill rapist or murderer, no, of course not. I had to attract the most insane of the bunch, like a fucking moth to a flame.

He ran his knuckle down my cheek, and I didn’t realize I was crying until he lifted his finger to show me just before sucking it into his mouth. “You taste like despair. I wonder if your pussy will be just as sweet.”

My breathing stopped, and my heart felt frozen in my chest as I watched him lick his finger again and groan. Nothing he did should be erotic, and yet there was something more than fear and sadness stirring inside of me. That was the most terrifying part of all. My lack of self-control had always been my worst enemy, and I could already tell that he was going to be worse than any bottle of vodka.

Dear Lord, I know I don’t deserve it, but please help me.

Greyson

Stripping off the leather coat, I hung it up before circling Alora, debating on what I should do first. She thought she was weak, but her mind was resilient and more determined than she gave herself credit for. There was defiance burning in her eyes even through the glassiness of the alcohol still invading her system.

Her eyes followed me wherever I walked in the dining room, even when I knew I was out of the light. They were drawn to me.

“Are you not going to ask where you are?”

“Would it make you feel better if I did,” she asked, her voice thick with sarcasm, once more showing the strength that most didn’t possess.

Chuckling, I leaned on the table and looked down at her. “You’re at my family home. Well, what used to be the family farm, but my parents no longer live here, and I’m the only one who steps foot on the property. You’re currently strapped to my dining room table, and I must say you look like a delicious meal that I want to fucking eat.”

Alora’s cheeks turned red, and her eyes were wide as she bit her lip. There was confusion. I could see the warring emotions written all over her face as easily as if she were speaking the words.

“I need to use the bathroom,” she said, and I smirked at her.

“Then go.”

“What?”

“Pay more attention to your body, Alora. Tell me what you feel.”

She blinked at me and then lifted her head and looked down, her face turning a ghostly shade of white. “I’m…I’m naked, and…oh my god, did you put a catheter in me?”

“I sure did, and as soon as I’m done pumping your stomach, I’ll switch over to giving you supplements. You’re an unhealthy weight, and you’re lacking in all essential nutrients.”

“Oh my god. Is your first fix to strip me of any dignity,” she asked, laying her head back down. “You really are a psycho.”

“Try socio, and no, I’m thorough. I’m doing what you should’ve done, which is taking care of your body.”

“Oh, okay, Mom,” she said, and I marched over to where she was strapped down to the massive oak dining room table and grabbed her face.