As they come out, their eyes are full of excitement and they begin rushing toward the door. One runs out and one of the reapers in their thirties notices them and charges them. The inmate somehow dodges him, and another reaper comes and finishes the job.
Soon, three more run out and before they are handled another ten run out in another direction. Each second, more and more inmates are fleeing their cells.
What the hell is going on? I take a step closer needing to see more.
“We need to go.” Christina’s tone is urgent. “We’re just going to get in the way.”
At this point, inmates are now rushing past us. They avoid us because they can sense death even when it’s not visible. Our human bodies are only used as a vessel, a weapon, and, at times, a resource.
“No.” I can’t leave my brother behind. Something isn’t going right, and I may have came for myself, but I can’t leave knowing that something is going awry. “They might need help. What if something happens to Charlie?”
The demon from earlier appears across the room. The inky blackness following his every move. His eyes find me, and a smug smirk crosses his face. He winks at me and waves his hand.
A cold chill courses down my body. What the hell was that? Why would a demon focus on me at a time like this?
“Hey, baby.” A large callused hand grabs my arm, pulling me toward a prisoner. “What are you doing in a place like this?”
Wait. How in the hell is he seeing me? Just a few minutes ago they couldn’t. Did that demon remove the spell? The smell of body odor hits my nose. I tug, but the prisoner’s grip is too firm.
“Now, don’t be like that.” He tugs me against his tubby belly and moves us against the wall so we’re out the way. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had some loving from a woman.”
Oh, crap. This is real.
“Hey, get your hands off her.” Christina’s tone is hard and her jaw clenches.
The guy doesn’t even seem to register her, his hot, rotten breath blowing into my face. “You’re gonna love it. I promise.”
Nope, not going to happen. I jab out with my right hand targeting his throat.
Somehow, he blocks me and his hold on me tightens. “I knew you were a frisky girl.”
Shit, I’ve got to get away. I search for a weapon, needing something to help knock him out.
Christina slides behind him and meets my eyes. She places a finger to her lips and then slams her foot up between his legs, kicking him in the crotch.
“What the….” He groans, and his hold loosens on me. He slumps forward and turns around. His beady dark eyes meet hers. “You… you b….”
“You better not finish that.” She strikes him hard in the face with the butt of her hand, breaking his nose with a crunch.
Damn, that sounds like it hurt. That bastard deserves it. I’m pretty sure I figured out why he’s here.
Blood pours from his nose. He reaches up and tries to stop it, but it just gushes over his fingers. He wipes his fingers off on his shirt and stumbles toward her. “You’ll pay for that.”
He charges Christina, but she spins at the last second and he crashes into the wall with a loud thud. His breathing becomes ragged and he turns to glare at her once more. “Once I get my hands on you, I’m going to have more fun with you than I had planned to with her.” He grabs her arm and tugs her against him.
As soon as she’s up against him, she bends down, making him shift his weight. Thrown off balance, she’s able to flip him over her back.
To watch her in action is amazing. There’s a glow to her and her survival skills just spring to life.
The man gets up and snarls at her. His eyes are wild, his hands are clenched. He grabs her by the hair and pulls her to him.
She whimpers and tries to pull away, but his grip is firm and tight. “This is where I get my revenge. Be prepared for a very long night.”
13
The inmate pulls Christina to him and begins dragging her toward the door.
“You’re not taking her anywhere.” I run toward them, but an inmate runs between us, cutting me off. “Get out of my way.”
A hand touches my shoulder and I spin around ready to punch but stop short when I see Charlie.
His body is tense. “Where is Christina and why are you yelling?”
Thank God. If I ever needed my big brother, it’s now. “That inmate. He has her.” I point to their direction. “He’s taking her to do who knows what.”
He rushes past me and breaks through the crowd, gaining ground on the creep and Christina. When he’s within reach of them, he holds his hands out and after a second touches the man’s back.
The inmate stumbles but still maintains his grip on her. “You’re not going anywhere.”
My brother doesn’t let go as he draws the life out of the man.
The man jerks and releases Christina. He falls to his knees and convulses on the ground.
“Both of you get against the wall now.” Charlie’s tone is urgent, and his focus is still on the soul he’s reaping.
I rush to Christina and pull her toward the wall. “Are you okay?” I pull back and scan her.
“Yeah, I think so.” She lets out a breath, but her hands are shaking. “I just never want to go through something like that again.”
“Girl, you and me both.” I hug her again. I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost her. She’s my other half.
“As touching as this is,” Charlie says as he walks up with his jaw clenched, “what the hell are the two of you doing
