AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?” He grabs my cheeks, squeezing. “Cat got your tongue?”
I remain silent.
Warren’s eyes flicker with rage as he shoves me back hard. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll have you screaming soon enough.”
And then he walks away like he didn’t just threaten to kill me.
Warren didn’t leave me there for long. When he returned, he was quieter. He didn’t utter a single word as he untied my restraints and threw me in the cage.
I don’t know how long I’ve been here. Time has no start or end within these four steel walls. The only hint of the world beyond is the sliver of light that pours in through the roof. It’s darker now, a silvery hue instead of the glint of sunlight earlier.
I stretch my legs, trying to fight off the numb feeling. My muscles ache, the cold floor beneath me hard and unforgiving. The restraints Warren used earlier left lacerations around my wrists, but something tells me it’s the least of my worries.
When he appears again, I smother a whimper. But he doesn’t approach me. Instead, he drags a chair to the empty space in front of the cage. I don’t know if it’s the chair from before, but it doesn’t matter.
This is it.
The final act of this living nightmare I’ve found myself in.
At least it’ll be over then. Hopefully, James will figure out a way to end Warren. He’ll keep Conner safe. Ace and Cole will be right by his side, and Remi and Hadley will comfort him. He’ll be okay.
Conner will be okay.
I have to believe that.
I have to believe that all this is worth something. Because one of us deserves to get out of this thing whole.
Tears prick my eyes as the pain of never seeing Conner again washes over me. If only I’d have known it would come to this, I would never have let go.
Warren glances my way and I steel my expression, my teeth grinding.
I want him to die. I want Conner to find him and tear him limb from limb.
I’m just sad I won’t get to see it.
Another wave of pain crashes over me. I want to be strong, I want to look Warren in the eye as he does it... however he chooses to.
Fear floods my veins, making my body tremble. It’s an involuntary action, a visceral response to knowing I’m about to die.
Warren disappears again, and I drag in a shaky breath. When he returns, he’s got a bunch of equipment with him. Meticulously, he sets up a tripod and camera, pointing it at the chair. I try not to think about what it means, pulling up every memory I have of me and Conner instead. The way he loves so fiercely. Tears roll down my cheeks as I remember how happy he was the other night when he gave me the key to Betty.
“I love you,” I whisper into the dusty air. “I will always love you.”
Warren stands back and surveys his handiwork, running a hand over his jaw. To think that I ever wanted him. But monsters wear many faces, and Warren Kraven had us all fooled.
“It’s almost time,” he says, approaching the cage. He unlocks the deadbolt and beckons for me to go to him. I don’t. If he wants me, he can come and get me.
He lowers himself and reaches inside, grabbing my ankle, but I kick out with all my might, slamming my boot into his face.
“Fucking bitch,” he grunts, reaching back in and wrapping a hand around my leg. This time I can’t shake him free and he drags me from the cage.
I try desperately to buck and bronc, but his arms are like a vise around my weary body as he dumps me on the chair and restrains me to the spindles.
“It’s a shame it’s come to this, baby,” he croons. “We could have had some more fun yet.”
I spit at him, feeling a lick of smugness. “Fuck you, Warren. Fuck. You.”
“Sadly, we don’t have time to play. Things to do, lives to ruin.” His lips curl with wicked intent as he stands tall before me like the reaper come to collect his payment. Fear trickles down my spine as I fight the tidal wave of emotion rising inside me.
