Page 21 of Save Me
“Here goes nothing,” I murmur as I leap off the sill, clinging on for dear life as I slide down the sheet with my eyes closed until I feel my feet hit the ground.
Then, I run.
As fast as I can through the quiet town to the train station on the far side, which takes me about twenty minutes. By the time Ireach the station, the first train is leaving, and luckily for me, it’s passing through Westfield, a hundred fucking miles from here.
I settle back as we set off and try to slow my rampant thoughts about what this sleezebag wants and, more importantly, how I’m going to give it to him. I can’t have this video getting out. Even though, on the surface, it’s just a sex tape, if he recorded us fucking, who knows what else he recorded. Exchange of cash? Choice words that will tell the whole story?
Time flies by, or maybe it’s just me being preoccupied, but Westfield rolls into view. I figure once this shit is sorted, I’ll stop by Mum’s and see if she’s okay.
The old neighbourhood hasn’t changed much. Same rundown buildings, same heavy air that feels like it’s pressing down on you. I used to walk these streets with a hunger in my belly and fear gnawing at my heart, selling myself for a few crumpled bills just to get by so I could stay at university to try to escape this godforsaken place.
Now, I’m back here in this shithole with nothing more than when I left.
Except my dad. And the guys.
If they even want meifthey find out about this.
I snake down the alley around the back of Al’s and see a guy standing there waiting. He turns and I recognise him instantly by that oily smile that always made my skin crawl.
“Vogue,” Leonard greets me, looking me up and down. “Looking good, as always.”
“What do you want?”
Down to business, Leonard wastes no time. “Money,” he hisses, cornering me against the cold brick wall.
“I don’t have any.”
“Please. My mate saw you with that rich kid last night, fucking around like no one was watching. Same old, Vogue.”
My stomach drops, but I don’t let it show. “How much?”
“A lot of it, for keeping my mouth shut and my videos to myself.”
“I don’t have that kind of cash.”
“Then you better find it,” he says, grabbing my arm. His grip is like iron, and I know I won’t shake him off easily.
“Please, there has to be another way,” I plead, trying to reason with him. The thought of losing the guys over my filthy past sends a wave of panic through me.
“I’m willing to take a down payment,” he says with a disgusting wink. “Until you get the money.”
I feel sick, trapped. Every part of me wants to run, but I can’t risk it. I have to play along for now and find some way out of this nightmare.
“Fine,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. But inside, I’m already plotting how to end this, once and for all. I just need to get close enough to use the knife, still hidden at my back. Somewhere private, somewhere no one will see me.
I follow Leonard to his nearby flat, each step heavy, like I’m marching toward the gallows. It’s a dingy place, the kind of apartment where hope comes to die. He unlocks the door, and I step inside, the stench of old cigarettes assaulting my senses.
“Come here,” Leonard orders. “Remind Lenny what that pussy can do.”
Ergh!
I move closer, every cell in my body screaming to fight, to run. But I can’t—not yet. I have to wait for the right moment. As his hands grab my breasts, revulsion rises in my throat. I swallow it down. I can’t afford to show fear, not now.
He pushes my coat off my shoulders and grabs the hem of my tee, yanking it up and over my head.
He’s going to see the knife. Move, Vogue, move.
My fingers wrap around the handle, and a surge of adrenaline floods my veins as Leonard dips his hands into my joggers.
