Page 47 of Merciless

Why are you doing this?

Why do you think?

I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking.

It’s only fair that I torment you. Just as you’ve been tormenting me. How does it feel to be on the receiving end?

Please, just leave me alone.

No.

Two letters. Two measly letters, and they’re enough to tear my world apart.

No.

The fear kicks in. It’s four in the morning, and I haven’t slept since returning to the dorm after the race. My eyes are heavy, and my head is fuzzy from exhaustion, but the terror keeps me on high alert. I can’t close my eyes, let alone sleep, even if I try.

A tremor wracks my body as I stare at the door, waiting for it to open and for the masked man to fill the doorway.

What did I do to deserve this?

Who did I upset in my past life to go through this kind of torment?

My phone buzzes with a text message.

I squeeze my eyes shut and tremble.

“I shouldn’t read it,” I whisper. “Don’t do it.”

My hand inches toward my phone, already knowing where it’s at on the bed. I open my eyes and pull up the thread with the unknown number.

Unknown Number

I see you. You look so pretty, trembling with fear.

My heart sinks into my stomach.

I. See. You.

I slowly turn my head toward the open window. I’m an idiot for thinking he wouldn’t linger outside to watch me.

A hand slaps over my mouth, and I’m shoved backward onto my bed. He wasn’t outside watching me. He was already in my room!

My head hits the pillow, and I stare up at the masked man, his eyes dark and full of delight. Tears blur my vision, making it harder to see him. I struggle against his hold as he straddles my stomach and presses his weight into me. He catches my wrist and turns my palm up and kneels on it, then does the same with the other.

“You have no survival instincts, do you?” He tilts his head, his eyes roving from my face to my chest before flicking back up again. “Is it because you want me to use you like the slut you are?”

I shake my head.

His finger taps my cheek. “I don’t believe you.”

I glare at him.

“F-k uhu,” I say through the hand over my mouth.

“I didn’t catch that.” He cocks his head so that his ear is closer to me. “Repeat that.”

“Assh-ol.”