Page 172 of I Never Stopped Loving You

“You motherfucker!” he screams as he pulls harder against the restraints twisting his arms at a weird angle causing him to wail louder.

“Ouch, I bet that hurt. Didn’t it, James?” I mock.

“F…fuck you.”

I can smell his breath from here, and I know my time is limited. I can smell the rotting decay seeping from inside him. He’d better not die before she gets to see him.

“Here, drink this.”

I hold a cup out to him, but he closes his mouth and tries to turn away. I grip his hair, roughly yanking his head back. The sting causes him to scream, so I quickly dump the water into his open mouth. He chokes and gags as it goes down the wrong pipe. It takes him a moment to get his lungs to start functioning again, but when he does, he glares at me with such hatred that even I’m impressed.

A man on the brink of death who’s still so alive from spiteful hatred.

“You should’ve drank it when I offered it. Now here, take another sip.”

I hold the cup out again after dumping the last of the liquid inside. He opens his mouth and allows me to pour the remaining liquid in before swallowing it.

“What the fuck was that?”

“Just some water, an extra hydration packet, and some nutrients.”

“Why?”

“Gotta keep your heart pumping. I need you to still be breathing when she comes down here so you can beg for forgiveness before she kills you.”

I can’t help the sick satisfaction I’m getting from watching the hope leave his eyes. Did he think that when she came back she would’ve forgiven him for everything he’s done if he gave her a bullshit lie?

Fuck that. He doesn’t deserve to be forgiven, let alone to keep breathing. No. She said it herself. She wants to kill him.

“Please…Don’t make her do this.”

“It’s too late, James. You’ll get what you deserve.”

“What if she doesn’t forgive you?” he asks desperately.

“What do I have to be forgiven for?” I ask as I spin around to my table of toys.

“What if when she sees me, she doesn’t want to kill me? What if she’s had a change of heart and forgives me? I wasn’t myself back then. I was a drunk. I’m different now.”

“Bullshit!” I scream as I slam my fists down onto the table.

The metal tools all bounce on the wooden tabletop as my fists connect. I need to regain my composure. I turn back to him holding a syringe with a red liquid in it.

“You weren’t just a drunk, James. You were an abuser. A monster. You not only physically hurt her, but mentally too. You fucking ruined her life, and you’re going to pay for it. So for now, I’m going to keep you alive for her.”

*Ding*

“Oh, look. I guess you’ll get to avoid any more pain tonight. She’ll be back inside shortly. I can’t keep my woman waiting now, can I?” I say mockingly as I get closer to the syringe.

“What the fuck is that?”

“Shh. Don’t worry about it. I just can’t have you trying to escape when I put clothes on you for when we have this fucked up little reunion. Say goodnight, James,” I laugh as I stab the needle into his arm.

I press the plunger letting the red liquid flow into his body. His eyes are wide. I watch as his pupils blow to fully cover his irises. His breathing is rapid but raspy as if he’s trying to breathe but keeps getting pulled under the water.

“You motherfucker.”

His words are slurred as his head begins to sway back and forth.