The Lake

FIFTY-EIGHT

Mace bunched his lips in a fake kiss.

“Smile for the birdie, sweetheart,” he murmured, putting the camera to his eye. Moving back slightly, he extended the lens and adjusted it, twisting it around between finger and thumb.

He wanted all of Deana in the frame. First off, standing against the cabin wall. It’d be the perfect foil for her pale, bruised body. Plus the fact there’d be no giveaway clues…

Just Deana and the shitty ol’ pinewood wall.

Deana: tears coursing down her cheeks, jaw hanging loose, bloodied lips all swollen… eyes dark, frightened, pleading…

He aimed to cover every angle.

Left side…

“Stay still, sugar.”

Front.

Then the right side…

“I’m comin’ in now…”

He zoomed in. Getting one or two head shots in close-up.

Engrossed in his work, Mace clicked away for fifteen minutes or so, changing the film when necessary.

That done, he replaced the camera in the holdall.

Deana blurted a gasp of relief. She slid down the wall, feeling the floor cold and damp beneath her buttocks. She felt wrecked. Salt tears welled, spilling down her cheeks, nipping at her cut lips.

Eyes on Mace the whole time.

Watching him warily, like a mouse in the thrall of a cat.

Mace beamed, showing his rows of straight white teeth. “How ’bout breakfast?” he said, zipping up the holdall. “I’m starvin’!”

Over at the food box, he brought out a sandwich. “Here,” he said, peeling down the wrapper. “Take a bite.”

Deana couldn’t stop the rush of blood rising to her head.

“Get some therapy, Mace,” she spat through thick, puffy lips. “Think I’m gonna do exactly what you want? Go fuck yourself. You’re a goddamn sicko and you know it! When they find me, you’re gonna fuckin’ pay for what you’ve done!”

Mace shrugged his shoulders, set himself astride the hardback chair, bit off a chunk of bread. He began to eat, grinning around his food, crumbs flying from his mouth.

He pointed the sandwich at her.

“You don’t wanna eat, then don’t eat. And I ain’t gonna kill you. Yet. Things to do first. But you’ll regret not eatin’, sugar. Could be days ’fore I decide to…”

She trembled, holding on to her voice, keeping it low and level trying to form the words without showing how much he’d hurt her. It wasn’t easy.

“Before you decide to do what?”

“You’ll see, sugar. You’ll see!”

Done with his sandwich, he bent down and picked up the blanket. Opening it out, he threw it over her head, held it tight over her shoulders.

Deana spluttered, screamed.

Kept on screaming and struggling.

Pulling her close, calming her down, Mace was amused. He huffed out a short laugh. “May as well stop that, honey. There’s no one around to ride to your rescue—least of all that prick of a boyfriend a’ yours. Whassisname? Warren? Huh! Warren cocksucker Beatty?”

Mace was in jovial mood; he chuckled to himself, like he had just made the joke of the year. Still holding Deana tight.

Then, snatching away the blanket, he grabbed at her top, gripped it tight, twisting it around till she almost choked.

He wasn’t laughing now. Instead, he had that wild-animal look again. Baring his teeth, he lifted her off the floor, slammed her against the wall, and held her there.

A mirthless grin twisted his mouth.

He let go. She slumped forward. Then, quickly, he began winding the blanket around her.

Holding her up with one hand.

Unbuckling his belt with the other.

Snapping it like a bullwhip, looping the belt around her, trapping her arms.

Drawing it tight.

Buckling it up.

Still holding her upright.

Deana wasn’t screaming now—she’d almost stopped breathing.

Can’t breathe… and scream at the same time.

Gotta breathe.

Short, shallow huffs.

Panic welled. Her head hurt.

Sweat oozed, slick and hot, from every pore.

My God. He really, really means to kill me!

I’m gonna die, and no one’ll ever know…

Hoisting her onto his shoulder again, he shifted around, his bulk kneading her guts as he balanced her weight. Her head swung low, and the blood throbbed and pounded, hard.

He stepped forward, catching her head as he went out the door. Smashing it sideways with a sickening thud.

She felt blinding, flashing pain. Her head spun…

A rush of vomit surged in her throat…

Mace was outside now. His breath coming quick and heavy as he traveled over rough terrain—undergrowth, bushes—snagging his boots. With each step, each lurching jolt, his shoulder humped into her belly, pummeling her aching gut. She gasped, heaved, not knowing how much more she could take…

Through the blanket, the sun scorched her back. Nausea rose again. She retched, forcing it back down.

Then she hit dirt, feeling hard knobbly humps beneath her buttocks. She rolled over, steadied herself… and came to rest on her back.

Listening to Mace stomp away.

Seconds later, a door opened.

Mace returned. Hoisted her onto his shoulder again.

A sudden draft caught at her legs. Earlier, jolting along on his back, it’d been hot.

Now… it’s icy cold…

Where am I? Where’s he taking me?

Deana started to cry.

Wishing that Warren were here.

If—when Warren finds me, he’ll get even with Mace. Pound his brains out. Tear him apart. Kill him with his bare hands. Then he’ll take me home.

She smiled faintly, feeling Warren’s hand caressing her thigh, his mouth hard on hers, moaning as her fingers curled around his shaft…

Dank, earthy odors stole through the blanket, curling into her nostrils. It was cold here… wherever it was… Damp and so cold.

A sunless place.