Page 42 of The Road Less Traveled By

Vince picks one up, and I swear, I see something on the side. “What’s that?” He doesn't answer me. “Vince, is there something on the side of it?”

His eyes narrow at the bullet, and I watch his eyes go cold as he looks at Nico. They have some sort of telepathic conversation before I speak.

“No secrets, Vince. What does it say?”

He sighs heavily before he turns it so I can read it. Scratched on the side of the bullet is my name, and when I look at the other one, I see Liv’s name.

“What about the note?” Nico asks, and I look around the table. Sure enough, I see a small piece of paper.

I feel my palms start to get sweaty, my heart starting to race, and I know that this might finally be my breaking point. Vince can’t bear to read it outloud, so he just shoves it toward Nico and me, and as I read it, my body goes cold, my hands start to shake, and my throat feels drier than a desert.

One for you and one for your sister.

She’s keeping you from me, her and that supposed boyfriend of yours, so why not make it a two for one special? He’ll never look at you how I do, Bree. You know that.

You ruined our moment last time, and I’d hate to use one on you, but I’ll still enjoy watching the life drain from your eyes while I finally have my way with you.

Your last moments will be with me, just like I’ve been dreaming of.

Sleep tight, Bree. I’ll see you soon.

— R

I’m not in my body anymore. I can’tfeelanything but the cold fear that courses through my veins.He’s going to kill me. Ralph has never escalated this quickly, and all I can think about is when he shoved his gun in my face and touched me without my consent. I have no energy. I’m drowning in the deepest end of my mind, the water starting to overflow, leaving me no room to breathe.

I feel disgusted. I want out—out of my body, my skin. I can’t do anything but stand here and tremble because I’m too afraid to move.

“Bree? Bree!” I hear someone yell my name, but I can’t seem to pinpoint who. I feel tears leaking out of my eyes, but I’m frozen where I am.

And that’s when I feel a hand on my shoulder.

“Don't touch me!” All I can remember is him. Him touching me, him breathing in my face, his calloused hands grabbing my skin.

I need to get out of here. I need to get out of my old room. I'm not safe. I’ll never be safe. The only voice in my head is his.

“Haven't you dreamed of this? Me sneaking into your room at night?”

“You’ve been a bad girl.”

“You’re going to take it, Bree.”

“I’d hate to blow your pretty brains out before I’ve had time to enjoy you.”

“S-Stop. Please, d-don't,” is all I can manage to say before a pair of arms sweeps me off of my feet.It’s him. Ralph is here, and he’s going to make good on his promise.“Let me go! Please, I won't fight this time. I’ll do whatever you want, just don’t hurt me or my sister.”

I hear a rumble from the chest I’m against, and I remember how he growled at me when I fought back.

“I’ll be good this time,” I say as more tears leak from my eyes. “Please, just get it over with.”

“Nico! Turn the shower on cold for me.”

Nico? He wasn't there that night.What’s going on?

Before I can try to answer that question, cold water attacks me from above, and a strong pair of arms wraps around me while I try to regain my bearings. I look around at the familiar space and realize that I’m in my shower.

“W-what?” I say as I shiver, my body slowly coming back to reality.

“Leave, Nico. Go deal with how this got past the door.”

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