Page 26 of Sin Like the Devil

Taking a big bite of the apple, I crunch through the sharp tartness, unfazed by whatever is unfolding around me. Better them than me. You don’t get far in a place like this by having an ounce of sympathy.

But as the shrieks continue to grow in pitch and intensity, feeling soon slinks back in. Ever the deadly assassin. What if it were Rae in there? Or Holly? Everyone is somebody to someone.

A brother. Lover.

Father. Sister.

Just because I don’t give a shit about the screamer one cell over doesn’t mean they don’t have family out there, praying for their safe return from the brink of insanity.

How different would this world be if we all cared a little bit more? Or allowed ourselves to admit that we give a shit about other people, even when they refuse to care about us?

No, Ripley.

I cared before.

Look where that got me.

To pass the time, I imagine Lennox in there instead. Screaming like a red-faced toddler begging for a snack. Hmm, nope. What about Lennox attached to electrodes, convulsing as he’s shocked repeatedly?

Much better.

Add in some bulging eyes and wet sweats too. What an awesome image. I’d pay to see that motherfucker torn apart for someone else’s entertainment. I don’t even want the leftover pieces. I just want to see him suffer while his limbs are removed.

I’ve yet to see the almighty keeper of his short leash. Xander was the only person who could ever keep that rabid dog in check. If Lennox is here, then his psychopathic overlord won’t be far behind.

I meant what I said.

This time, I will be the one to take everything from them. As soon as they let me out of this goddamned cell, I’ll plaster on a pretty smile to get myself back in management’s good books, then let the games begin.

A sharp rap on the steel door is my only warning before it’s unlocked and clanks open. I jut out my bottom lip, pouting like a child at Elon’s displeased glower.

“Poor, Elon. Sent to babysit the naughty patient.”

“Get the fuck up, Ripley.”

“Maybe I quite like it here.”

“You wanna stay another night?” he snorts. “Be my guest.”

Turning his back to leave me here, I quickly scramble, finding my feet. He tosses my confiscated shoes at me to put on. They took them when I was dragged here, like I’d attempt to use the laces to string myself up or something.

“That wasn’t so hard, was it?” he sneers.

Shoes slid on, I surrender my wrists to be cuffed. “Whatever.”

He easily restrains me, then I’m dragged from the padded cell, out into a well-lit corridor surrounded by other occupied cells. This is the wing rolled out for clinical inspections and investors’ tours.

Trust me—if you’re taken into the other wing, you don’t walk out. Cuffed or not. And that circle of hell sure doesn’t make it into the fancy brochures laid out in the reception area.

“I thought you were smart enough to keep your head down,” Elon says disdainfully. “You want to lose the privileges you’ve been given, inmate?”

“Nothing about this life is fucking privileged.”

With a hiss, he spins and slams me up against the white-painted wall. I squeak in shock as his hand clenches around my already sore throat, squeezing on top of the fresh bruising inflicted by Lennox.

“You want to see the real horror show, Ripley? Don’t think for a second that you have it hard here. Watch your goddamn mouth, or you’ll lose it all.”

He tightens his grip until I nod, admitting defeat. I slump forward when he releases me, rubbing my aching throat. I’m going to be walking around like some kind of bruised up sex doll at the rate I’m pissing people off.

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