I’m so cold my body is locked up tight, and where one throbbing wound ends, another begins. There’s only so much skin left, and it scares me.
Watching him militantly, I lick my dry lips as he cocks his head to the side and scrutinizes me closely while Tiffany sits, trembling pathetically, her head hung low.
I don't think I can count on her for help, but I can’t fucking do anything tied up as I am. If he doesn't plan to untie me, I’m basically the sacrificial lamb, and I don’t want to die. I want to live. I didn’t survive my dad and his horrible actions to die here at the hands of this dick.
As much as I’d like to be brave, the thought of the pain he’s planning to bring leaves me terrified and bitter. Can I withstand what’s coming?
I don’t fucking know, and my resolve to not give in wavers under his maniacal stare and crazy threats. Fuck. Staring into his eyes, I lower my own and attempt a cowed expression, even though bitter rage flies through me so rapidly I’m shaking with it.
“I’m sorry,” I say, swallowing. “I’m sorry, Teddy. I didn't know it was you. You never told me. I wish that you had told me!”
“Is that right? And what about Colt?” he sneers.
Moistening my dry lips, I try to find the words he needs, but he’s so fucking unstable, I’m afraid to say the wrong thing.
“I know, I know he’s done bad things, and I’ve tried to give him second chances, but that was before Teddy. I didn't know. I didn't know how you felt. You’ve always been so good to me, Teddy,” I say, a single tear sliding down my cheek.
It’s not untrue, he was the best of friends, accepting me into his world despite everything, cheering me on, and giving me advice when I needed it most, but this I don’t understand.
“Really, so when I told you yesterday, and you ignored me, again?” he mutters, disbelieving.
“I was shocked! You didn't give me a chance to say anything. You left!”
“Really. So, you’re saying what?” he asks, staring at me with greedy eyes.
“I love you, Teddy, I always have. I just didn't think you liked me that way. You’re my best friend- “
“I’m not your friend!” he screams, the veins in his neck bulging.
Flinching, I whimper and turn my head away, meeting Tiffany’s eyes. She gives me a weird look I can’t interpret, but it gives me hope that she’s not as checked out as I thought.
“You’re right, I only meant, you’re the best friend I’ve ever had, and I love you,” I whisper.
“Enough! It's too late! I had such plans for you, but now they’re ruined. You fucked him for everyone to watch just yesterday! You’re a whore, Finn! You’re no better than fucking Sarah. Ha! At least she tried. Bitch.”
“No, please, Teddy. No,” I sob.
“Move!” Teddy snarls, and Tiffany crawls out of the way quickly as he drops from his chair.
He’s surprisingly agile as he pulls himself over to me with just his arms, and holding my breath, I shiver as he runs his gaze over my naked body.
Thankfully, I’ve still got my undergarments on, and I pray, oh how I pray that if I’m going to die, it isn’t after he rapes me. Please, if there is a God, let me live through this.
Teddy pulls himself up my body and sits beside me, adjusting his legs, so they lay straight before him, and with lascivious eyes, he runs his hands over my face, down my breasts, and over my torso.
Shuddering, I turn my head away, which earns me a slap to the face. “Look at me!”
With tears in my eyes, I meet his gaze, flinching away from the greed portrayed there. He’s enjoying my pain, feeding off it. Fucker.
Visions of my dad raging when she refused to look at him as he sat over her and stabbed her over and over race through my mind. Is this how she felt when she stared at me? Helpless. Afraid. Cold. Alone.
I don’t want to die, but I also don’t want to give in. I’m cycling between begging and telling him to fuck off.
Is Colt alive? Do I want to live if he isn’t? What’s the point? Everyone I love is gone. I guess Colt was right - loving others really does make you vulnerable. Ha!
“Knife!” Teddy snaps, and Tiffany holds it out to him with shaking hands.
I plead at her with my eyes, but she’s back to avoiding my gaze.
Turning back to Teddy, I have no time to beg and watch in horror as he grabs my fingers and lays them flat, driving the knife through the palm of my hand without hesitation.
Screaming my pain into the night air, my body bows off the ground as white dots pass over my vision.
Panting out a sob, I keen low in my throat, willing back the vomit surging up my esophagus, which doesn’t stop the painful gagging as I gasp for air against the tightness in my throat.
Teddy stares at me intently, licking his lips as I buck and writhe in the air, pulling on my restraints wildly. This does nothing but tighten them around my wrists, but I can’t feel the pain, not with the throbbing in my palm now staked to the fucking ground.
Sobbing, I wrench and pull, buck and struggle, all while Teddy watches with greedy eyes, my resolve to live circling the fucking drain at his crazy actions.
He truly is a monster, and I fell right into his trap. I guess I’m more like my mom than I wanted to be. The jokes on me, I thought I was strong, but I’m just as weak as she was.
“You know, Finn,” he croons, maneuvering over my body to settle on my other side. “I knew the moment I saw you. You were meant for me, and
