Page 96 of Shadows Within
Sophia will be upset, but she’ll be okay. She has so many amazing people in her life to support her.
Finally, I think about Callum, the one who saw me when no one else did. The one who connects with every real part of me and accepts it.No, I can’t think about this. It’s not going to happen.I can tell whoever it is that Elliot tried to rape me. They’ll understand—they have to.
We’re almost at the bottom of the stairs, when he pushes me. My face hits the ground. I look around for a window, or anything I can try to fit through and escape.
He keeps walking as I struggle to get up.Don’t let him win.My forehead rests on the ground—the strength in me is draining. The cold stone is stained with the blood from my nose.
One time at boxing, I didn’t lift my hands up in time and I got punched in the face. I can hear Ricco’s yelling, “Keep going, protect your face Scarlett”.Where is Ricco now that I’m losing the only fight I’ve ever trained for?I can’t give up, not like this.
I push up off the ground with my shoulder, move my legs underneath me, and slowly standing. He doesn’t turn around as he walks in front of me. I taste the blood from my nose as it runs down my face.
Finally, I charge at him. Even though he’s at least twice my size, I use my weight to shove him to the ground, and I do the only thing I know best.I fight.
He falls onto the ground and tries to get up. I kneel behind him, and with my arms still tied, I place my hands in front of his neck, pulling hard. I choke him. For a moment, it feels like I’m going to break my own fingers. The rope burns my arms as I use all my force. I wrap my knees around his back and attach myself to him.
He gasps for air and tries to pull my hands off. I tug harder and slightly lift my wrists. His flailing arms slow down.Keep going. Ricco’s voice echoes in my head. I keep fighting.
Suddenly, an abrupt pair of hands pulls on the back of my shirt. I fall and stumble to get back up. I look back to see another man, around the same age but very well put together. He yanks he shirt hard, ripping it as I try and pull away from him.
“You’re coming regardless, so stop fighting.” He says calmly as he stands over me.
I look him in the eyes, and I lift my heavy feet. I kick him, shoving him back.
I flip onto my knees and stand, but he pushes me back down, already on top of me. Blood pours from my nose and enters my mouth. He’s stronger and much leaner than the first man I encountered. This guy knows what he’s doing and doesn’t give in as easy. He fights like he kills for a living. I can’t win this time.
He tugs on my hair, ripping it as he pulls me up the stairs. I try to place my feet under me while my hands pull at his. My scalp burns. At the top of the steps, he throws me on the ground, face up.
I slowly lift my head and spot white pillars in front of me, lining the room like an aisle. It looks like we’re in a church that screams wealth and power. There’s an altar at the front, but there are no chairs or pews. It’s like a temple from a Greek mythology textbook.
A circle of men stands at the altar, their faces blocked by the shadows of their hoods. Tears and blood run down my face as I realize what’s happening. This is what the man meant by eternity. It’s a sacrifice.
I’m going to die.
Betrayal
Callum
I know where she is.I’m an idiot for not figuring it out sooner. You’re only brought to the temple for one reason.
My car’s engine roars as I press the pedal all the way to the ground. One slight movement would send me airborne. I tightly grip the steering wheel.I can’t lose her.
I reach for the pack of sour gummies in the main console—my “just in case Scarlett needs them” stash. Running my fingers over the wrapper.Anything to make me feel closer to her.The rage builds, nothing can calm the fire inside me.
I slow down as the gravel from the driveway chips the sides of my car. I head past the mansion and toward the temple down the back road. Cars are lined up outside. I throw the car in park and jump out, slamming the door behind me as I run toward the temple.
The double doors creak as I open them. I see her at the altar, surrounded by The Highers. She looks to me—a sight that stops me in my tracks. Blood runs down her face, her eyes are wet, and she’s gagged, but she still calls for me.
“Callum!” She cries.
I run as fast as I can toward her. No one stops me.
I drop to my knees, pull her gag down, then wrap my arms around her. I shield her from everyone around us.
“I’m here, Angel,” I whisper in her ear as she sobs. I cradle her head between my hands and rest my forehead on hers.This is the end. There is no way we can get out of this now.
I stand in front of her and look at the six men on either side of us. Even though they try to conceal their identities, I knowwho they are—it’s my job to know who they are. I know which one is Sophia’s dad and which one is Harrison’s. They’ve known me since childhood—the Highers, fathers, brothers, and sons. They decide who lives and who dies, and today, we’re the ones that have to die.
“I was the one who fucked up, let her go. You can have me, but please, let her go.”
