Page 65 of Pretty Little Fears

Ragefor myself.

Ragefor my unborn child.

Ragefor vengeance.

Themale voice booms through the room again as the numbers change on the screen. “Alrighty, we’ve got two million,” then another, “Threemillion from the gentleman in room ten, thank you.”

Myanger rises. “Youfucking pigs!”Icontinue to shout and curse, no longer caring about the blood leaking down my legs.Ifeel dizzy and the pain is agonizing but the suffering in my body is nothing compared to the pain in my heart.

Theman speaks once again over the speaker, “She’sa feisty one, makes them more fun to break.Ah, five million from the gentleman in room thirteen.”

Withevery new bid, my body grows weaker, the drops of blood starting to pool under me.Nolonger able to stand,Ilower my body to the floor.Ihate myself for getting tired, for not putting up more of a fight, but sleep is calling my name.Ihate myself for allowing them to take my child.Ihate myself for not being more aware of my surroundings.

Nexttime,I’llfight.Nexttime,Iwon’t get tired,Ipromise myself.Thenumbers continue until they’ve reached ten million.Ifight with my own body to keep my eyes open.Unfortunately, sleep wins this battle.Idon’t know what happens after that because the secondIlay my head down on the cold, sticky cement, my world once again goes black.

EMMETT

Myknuckles are split open and my blood is dripping all over the floor.Myjaw is bruised and the back of my head no doubt has a lump forming from whatever hit me, but none of the physical pain compares to the way my heart is shredding itself to pieces right now.

Lookingthrough the one-way mirror,Isee my little obsession.Thesame mantra that beat through my head whenIfirst laid eyes on her starts pounding against my skull.

Mine.

Mine.

MINE.

Mywrists are raw and the skin has ripped from yanking on the ropes that have me tied to this chair.Behindme, the barrel of whatIassume is a gun is nestled against my skull.It'sfunny they think that would stop me, though. “Keepyour eyes open, son.WatchasImake millions off of the distractionItold you to get rid of.”Jamesgrowls while pushing the gun harder against my skull.

Aloud voice reverberates through the speakers, causing my head to snap towards the glass in the front of the room.Abright spotlight shines down. “Gentleman, welcome to the bidding.Tonight'smerchandise is twenty-year-oldBlairStirling.Herstatus is non-virgin, no diseases, and healthy.Ms.Stirlingwas with child, but as of now, that is no longer an issue.Thebidding starts at one million, you may begin.”

Theblood stops pumping in my veins and it feels as if all the air has been sucked from my lungs.Iimmediately see red.

Shewas pregnant.Theblood dripping down her bruised skin is from our unborn child.Achild they have taken away from me, from her, from us.

“FUCK!”Ishout, not caring that there’s a gun to the back of my head.

Iwould rather die trying to get to her than to spare my life.I'vewished for death before, if anyone paid attention to me during my younger years, they would have known that.Myvision has long since turned red andIcontinue to thrash against the ropes binding me to the chair.

Mypiece of shit father is going to die, andI'mgoing to kill him.Everyworthless sick fuck in this building is going to die by my hands if it’s the last thingIdo.I’mlong past rage, there is no word in any direction that can express the way the darkness leaks out of its cage and completely takes over my being.

Mywrists have started to bleed asIcontinue twisting and yanking on the ropes, the lubrication making it almost possible for me to slip my hands out.Igrit my teeth and keep going,Ifeel nothing besides an intense need thrumming through me to escape and findBlair.Jamesmust be too wrapped up in the sickening scene as he pays no mind to my twisting wrists.

Hervoice screams through the speakers in the viewing room, begging for someone to help her.Hercurses and insults fill my ears and the beating organ in my chest continues to chip away with every plea that falls from her lips.I'mgoing to save her,Ihave to.

Theyhave what's mine.They’vetaken something from me andIintend to get it back.Mylittle obsession.Iwill get her back even if it means my skin is coated in blood and my soul is clouded with death.Iwould do whatever it took to save her.

MINE.

Mywrist slips free andI'mout of the chair and tackling my father before he can even blink.Stupidfuck didn’t think to tie my ankles.Heloses his grip on the gun as we fall to the ground and it clatters onto the floor.Igrab it quickly before he can.Myalready bloody fists meetJames’sface and the satisfying crunch of his bones fills my ears.

Butthat's not enough.Theneed to snuff the life out of him consumes me.

Hedid this.Hetook her.

My.Obsession.

ButIcan't yet,I'llneed answers. “Nightynight,”Igrunt while slamming the butt of the gun against his temple, knocking him out.Iturn back around at the sounds ofBlaircalling them pigs.Iwatch as she starts to lose her fight, her curses slow down while she begins to lower her head onto the cement.

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