Page 81 of Kill Me

She slumps back against the trolley, looking like she’s about to pass out. “Uh, I don’t think so, bitchface. Wake the fuck up.” I jolt her out of her stupor and force her off the trolley. “Stand up, you fucking cunt.”

She does as she’s told. “Step onto the edge.”

“What? Are you crazy?”

“Did I stutter? I told you Eric would be safe if you did as you’re told. Do I need to make a phone call?”

“No, no, no, please don’t hurt him. I’ll do it.”

She steps up to the side of the bridge. Stones crumble beneath her feet, and she freaks. “Please. I’m going to fall.”

“No,” I correct her. “You’re going to jump.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Remember your little baby, Eric?”

“Why are you doing this to me?” She can’t stand steady because of the blows to her head, and the blood is cascading down her arm and hands, dripping off into the precipice below.

“I told you, I’m a hunter. You’re an abuser. The perfect prey for this kind of predator. My favourites are the ones that stand there in pissy knickers crying.”

“I’ll do anything.”

“Then jump.”

“Except for that.”

“I’m disappointed in you, Andrea. I was told you would do anything not to be separated from Eric, but the way you’re going, you’re both gonna have to reunite in Hell.”

“But…”

“Shall I let you into a secret, Andrea?” I continue without her answering. “Not so long ago, after months of planning, the spot you’re currently standing in is the exact space Quinn was standing in when Harley found her about to end her life.”

“What a surprise, yet another thing she failed at.”

I baulk at her words. “What the fuck did you just say?” I slam my box cutter into her shoulder, pulling it back out as the music of her screams dances around me.

“Nothing. I didn’t mean it. I-I’m s-s-sorry.”

“In the words of JoJo, ‘You know, it’s just a little too late,’” I sing to her. “Time’s up. Jump.” I move closer to her, and she stumbles as more rocks fall from beneath her. “But I’ll die.” She whimpers.

“What a shame. You have a choice: jump or I push. You said she failed because she didn’t jump; are you going to be a failure too?”

“Please don’t make me do this. Don’t do this to my husband. Quinn wouldn’t want him to be alone,” she pleads.

“I’m really bored of your voice now. I was determined to make you jump because that would be ironic. But I actually can’t be assed to listen to you moan anymore. It’s grating on my ears. You’re fucking overstimulating, you know.”

“Ok, I’ll shut up, ple—”

I accidentally lose my temper and push her off the bridge. “Oops.” I peer over the bridge, her screams echoing around it as she falls to the water, and I hear a splash and then silence. I wait for a few moments before I hear the whir of a boat engine and my guy shouting up, “She’s dead.”

“Woohoo! Thanks mate. I owe ya! Drop her to the usual spot, please.”

“You’ve got it!” I hear the engine of the boat drive off into the distance, and X turns to look at me. “Feel better now?” he asks.

“Yep. One down, one to go.” He chuckles as he rolls his eyes.

“Remind me never to get on the wrong side of you.” He hands me the bottle of ammonia for the blood drops—not that it really matters—and I grab hold of the trolley, link my arm through his and head back down to the van.