Page 68 of Psycho

HADLEY

My bloody hair sticks to the side of my face, as the man I now know is Jimmy, the same one Massimo was going to sell me to, pulls his leg back to kick me again. This time, his boot lands right at my chin, knocking me to my back.

A harsh cry escapes from my throat. I can’t run from him, because I’m too weak. I have not eaten, or had even a sip of water, since I got here, and I don’t even know how long I’ve been here. My will to live is nearly non-existent, because I just want this to be over. Massimo is dead, and I will be too, soon, but not soon enough. My heart aches, thinking of him dying in that house, burning to death. The pain in my chest is almost worse than the rest of my body.

Finally, he stops the attack, and I look at him through my swollen eyes to spot him on the phone.

“It’s for you.” He looks down at me with humor dancing in his eyes.

“The man of your dreams, I think.”

He chuckles as he presses a button, and the voice I thought I’d never hear again sends a bolt of terror down my spine.

“Hello, whore,” Carlo says, with venom dripping through his words.

My limbs shake uncontrollably, even though I know he can’t touch me. Instead, Jimmy’s hands will be Carlo’s. All of his bidding will be done. There have been many times I wished he would’ve killed me instead of Michael. How I ever thought I got away from Carlo is beyond me. Stupid girl. I should have known one day he’d get me exactly where he wants me.

Massimo’s face enters my mind again. The possessive boy that stole my heart all those years ago, and the man he was only days ago. My real name falling from his lips, as recognition set in. I’d give my life to hear that again, just one more time.

“Your whore looks white as a ghost, man,” Jimmy says over the speaker-phone.

“Good,” Carlos quips.

My eyes dart between Jimmy and the phone, wishing I had a way out of here, but I don’t. After being beaten the way I have been, I don’t have it in me to run. I’m exhausted. There’s simply nothing left. As if reading my mind, Carlo laughs maniacally.

“Today you die,Hadley,” he says my name with pure disdain. I know he hates me, because he’s in prison, but it wasn’t me that murdered our son. Still, he blames me.

“Jimmy is going to take you outside. If you run and get away, then you’re free, but I doubt that’s what will happen. It’s the end of day three with no food or water. I don’t imagine you have much time left, so make a run for it. Oh, and be careful, whore. There are traps, and it’s going to be hard to see in the dark. I hope you think of Michael dying while you die. Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”

“You’re a sick bastard,” I scream with a shaky voice.

He laughs again, thoroughly enjoying my pain. This isn’t new for him. He has always gotten off on hurting me, whether the torment has been physical or emotional.

They disconnect the call, and Jimmy leans down, grabs me by my hair, and drags me to the back door facing a wooded area, while I kick and scream, trying to get free from him. When he lets go of my hair, I make it to my feet, breathing hard, my heart racing in my chest, and he shoves me forward.

“Run, bitch. Straight into a bear trap, hopefully.”

My eyes dart around, trying to figure out where to go, there’s nothing but trees, and I have no idea what’s on the other side, if anything. I already know there’s no way out of here. This was their perfectly executed plan.

The sky is dark; the only light is from the moon, a sliver shining through, as I try to make it through the trees, crawling, not running, because I’m so fucking tired. I want to curl up in a ball right here, and sleep forever.

“Move. Or I’ll come kick your ass into gear.”

His voice is loud, and echoes in the night like he’s using some kind of loudspeaker. I move slowly, my eyes scanning each area before I progress, watching to see if there are actually traps, or if he was attempting to scare me. If it was a scare tactic, it fucking worked.

If I’m honest with myself, everything Massimo did to me was better than this. I swallow past the lump in my throat, trying to stop myself from thinking about never seeing him again.

“Massimo!” I scream for him, even though I know he’s not here. Tears blind my vision, as I move forward, and a loud snap of metal echoes in the quiet night.

The noise causes me to scream, as I look down and realize it narrowly missed my leg, as I am met with laughter from the loudspeaker.

“Oops. Looks like you found a bear trap.”

The ground is covered with leaves, making it more difficult to see. On either side of me, another trap snaps. The loud metallic clunk causes my heart rate to spike, as it thunders in my eardrums, and my panic rises. I stop for a moment, attempting to breathe.

Calm down. Showing fear makes you weak. You are going to get through this. Breathe.

I nearly laugh at my attempt to think positive, in this very fucked up situation. Every time I move, I might be going right into a trap. What kind of person does something like this? I already know he is following Carlo’s instructions.

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