Page 4 of The Raven
He didn’t stir as I got to work, preparing everything I needed forwhat I had planned. When I was ready, I leaned over and slapped his face, hard enough to leave a print in the shape of my hand. As he stirred, I sat on the wooden chair I’d dragged in from his living room and placed next to his bed, propping my feet up on the mattress.
His head lolled to one side as his bloodshot eyes fluttered open. Murmursslipped from his mouth along with a drop of dribble sliding down his chin.
What a delight.
“Ra…Raven?” he slurred, his eyes narrowing on me, attempting to focus.
“Hey, Boogie. Long time no see, huh?”
He gulped like a fish, his head rolling as if he had no control over it.“Wha…what’s going on?” he said, slowly looking around the room.
I rolled my eyes.
Boogie was a mess.
He’d passed out after drinking three-quarters of the bottle of vodka,and attempting to eat a burger, only to end up wearing half of the contents on his bare chest, even spilling some of the grease and sauce on his already stained sheets.
The whole time he was knocking back vodka like it was water, he wasoblivious to the raven perched on his balcony window, watching his every move.
When I’d made my decision to go back and finish what the Vipers started,Oz had produced a bird out of thin air like a magician. He explained that the raven would be my guide. She would lead me to where I needed to go, show me where I could find those who had taken my future from me.
Oz warned me, though. I was connected to the raven. If she got hurt, I wouldfeel it. The message was loud and clear; if anyone discovered she was my weakness, I risked losing everything.
“You’re not Raven, you can’t be,” he mumbled.
“Why can’t I be Raven?” I replied, tilting my head to the side.
“You…you’re dead.”
I smirked. “Am I?”
He shook his head furiously as if he thought he was dreaming and needed towake up. Attempting to move, his head whipped to the side when he realized that his arms were stretched out and his hands were tethered to his headboard, the same way his feet were bound to the footboard.
Bound and at my mercy.
“What the fuck is this? Let me go, you fucking bitch!” he squealed, thepanic instantlysobering him.
He flailed around, trying his hardest to free himself from his shackles,and going as far as attempting to use his teeth to gnaw through the ropes tied around his wrists.
“Someone help!” he screeched when the ropes didn’t fray.
I watched in amusement as a wicked grin spread over my face. “Not verynice, is it, Boogie?” I stood, drawing his attention back to me. “You know, asking for help, and no one coming to save you. Just standing there. Watching you suffer,” I added, my tone conversational.
His lips curled into a snarl. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,you crazy whore!”
The tugging of the ropes began again, only this time it was joined byhis legs flailing around too, his tiny cock flapping as he twisted.
Did I mention I’d stripped him of his pants and boxers?
He’d seen me naked; it was only fair.
I tapped my lips. “Don’t know what I’m talking about, huh?” Boogie’s eyeswidened as I took a step toward the bed. “Allow me to remind you.”
Like an eagle diving on its prey, I leaped on the bed and straddled his chest,pressing my palms against his temples, just as Oz had done to me when he showed me what had happened.
Underneath me, Boogie’s body stilled, his mouth falling open, frozen inhorror as I let the memories play.
“Boogie, please,” I whimper, tears streaming down my face as I try toblock out the pain searing through my body, while Butch takes his turn to violate me.
