A whole newreality enters my mind, what if Fournier has something even worsethan violence planned for me? What if he and his cronies areplanning a gangbang with me as the hostess? With this thought, myknees and hands tremble.
“Get them inthe SUV,” says Fournier.
Tank walks upto us and wraps his massive hands around the back of our necks andthen steers us to the large truck. Once inside the back seat,Slinky and I push our bodies close together for security. Fournierslides in beside Slinky and Tank gets in the front passenger seat.Next, I see the driver from the Lincoln pull something silver outof his pocket and hold it in his hand. He walks up to the SUV andgets behind the wheel. The man that came with Fournier, jumps intothe Lincoln and starts the car, lighting up the forest ahead.
I watch asleaves on trees rustle and flutter from the wind. As cold as it isunder the clear night sky, I wish I was out there, running towardsafety, rather than in here facing my impending fate.
Fournier clearshis throat and looks past Slinky at me, “With all the shit you’vebeen causing, I thought you’d be bigger.”
I look down atmy feet.
“I’m sure thatSlinky the rat has told you all about how I knew your parents whenyou were just a child?”
I shake myhead.
“No? Oh, comeon, Jules. Don’t take me for a fool.”
I saynothing.
“Anyways, it’strue. Your mother and father were the best…junkies that is,” helaughs.
I want to lookinto his eyes and tell him that I wish he were dead, but I can’t;I’m too afraid.
“As for you,Slinky, I think you know that you’ve crossed a line. You met withJules here and who knows what kind of information about me youshared. The last time you met with her, I gave you a break. Andwhat did you do to thank me? You were disloyal again. So, this timeyou need to be taught a lesson.”
I can feelmyself start to hyperventilate. I put my hand on Slinky’s leg. He’ssurprisingly calm as he turns and winks at me. I look down at myhand resting on him and notice how badly I’m trembling. Please,Slinky. Please say something to Fournier. Beg him not to hurt you.Don’t just give up. I squeeze his boney leg, hoping he’ll snap outof his silence. He doesn’t.
Fournier leansforward toward the driver and asks him if he remembered to bringthe little gadget? I see the man nod and then hand the silver thingI saw him carrying and passes it to Tank. What the hell is that? Isit a knife? What are they going to do to Slinky? I bite my bottomlip so hard that the sharpness of one of my teeth punctures thetender skin. Tank turns sideways in the front seat then leans overinto the back and quickly darts at Slinky, grabbing his hand.Slinky doesn’t pull away. He just sits there. I nudge him hard withmy elbow. Please wake the hell up old man, fight! But hedoesn’t.
Tank separatesSlinky’s hand and then takes a hold of his pinky finger. With hisother hand, he reveals the small silver tool and pushes down on alever. The contraption opens up and Tank pushes Slinky’s fingerinside. My heart is pounding so hard on the inside of my chest, I’msure everyone else can hear it. Tank raises his gaze to Fournier.Fournier gives him a nod. At the last second, I turn away and lookout my window. Then, I hear it. The sound reminds me of a sharpknife slicing through a carrot. Everything that happens next goesin slow motion. The deep guttural groans that boil up from the pitof Slinky’s stomach and out his mouth. The sound of pure pain.
I still can’tlook. I feel like I’m here and at the same time, I feel like I’mnot. My mind feels like it’s escaped my body, and I’m floating overmyself, unable to move. My eyes are still glued to the passengerwindow. Slinky starts to choke and heave. Fournier yells at Tank,“Get this fucking rat out of here. He’s bleeding all over myboots.”
A shudder runsup the back of my spine. Tank exits the truck. At the same time, Ifeel Slinky lean into me, his body cold and rigid. Tank opensFournier’s door. Fournier jumps out of the back seat. I feel a voidas Slinky’s frail body is pulled away. I turn my head to see Tankdrag the limp old man to the back of the Lincoln and toss him likea rag doll into the back seat. Fournier slides in next to me andcloses the door. I shut my eyes and brace myself for what’s tocome. Then, I feel Fournier’s boney hand slither across my leg ontomy inner thigh. Every muscle and nerve tighten, as he caresses me.A nauseous urge bubbles up from the pit of my gut. Trying not tovomit, I swallow hard, and again bite my lip.
“You know, along time ago, your parents owed me a lot of money, and I neverforget a debt. Maybe you could do us both a favor and work itoff.
Terrified, Ipush the words out, “What do you mean?”
He chuckles,“Oh, come on. You know what I mean, don’t you?” He says, reachingdangerously close to my sex.
In a knee jerkreaction, I grab his hand and shove it away.
“Oh, that’sright. You’re a dyke, aren’t you? You like snatch instead of cock,”he laughs. “Yeah, I can’t say I blame you after seeing pictures ofthat sweet little honey of yours. What is her name again,Katie?”
As soon as hername leaves his lips, I turn and stare in his eyes, “How the helldo you know about Katie?”
“The same waythat you know who I am. Research, Bitch!”
“I don’t carewhat you do to me, but I swear if you go anywhere near Katie,I’ll…”
Fournier laughsmaniacally, “You’ll what? Get your daddy after me?”
I can’t thinkof a response because my mind’s reeling with fear and anger. Ishake my head and whisper, “Please, just leave Katie alone.”
“Forget it.I’ve got no use for a couple of lesbo’s anyway. What I want issomething more meaningful.”
“Like?”
“Like scratch,and a lot
