Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 85183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85183 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
There's a beat of silence, and I fucking pray he hangs up, that he thinks this through, that he goes to Jude!
"Where?" Caleb responds.
I don't care that this guy might shoot me. They're going to kill me anyway. There's no way I'm getting out of this, and I will not let Caleb die. "No, Caleb!" I scream. "Do not..." Something collides with the side of my head, and everything goes black.
I don't know how long I've been here. It seems like weeks. This room is pitch-black, the only chink of light coming from under the door.
My body is done. I can take no more. Every time Joe touches me I want to die. I know he's going to kill me, and he's only dragging this out in some sick bid to antagonize Jude. That's the worst part. I'm suffering through this, and yet, it's pointless. He thinks Jude cares about me, but he doesn't. I heard the cold indifference in his voice as he told Joe I meant nothing to him. Nothing. I feel so stupid.
I just want it all to end. He keeps me handcuffed to this pipe. The only thing I can reach is the bucket that functions as a toilet. They sometimes offer me food, but I don't eat. I'm constantly nauseous. I may not die of starvation, but starvation and the pain mean that I'm barely conscious when he forces himself on me. It's a small mercy.
The sliver of light under the door is interrupted, and I hear the clink of keys before the door swings open. I don't even open my eyes. He steps into the room and releases the cuff from around my wrist.
"Get up."
I don't move. I'm too weak to stand. Septicemia has set in, and I'm burning up with fever. My body is shutting down, and I'm thankful for it.
The man grabs my arm and drags me to my feet. I slump against the wall, struggling to keep my eyes open. He growls and pulls me from the room, my feet numbly find the ground as he holds me upright. Eventually, he gets bored of trying to hold me up and throws me over his shoulder. My head lolls to the side as he moves down the corridor. A door creaks open and I hear voices before he dumps me onto the floor. My limp body sprawls across the ground, and I don't have the strength to try and move or fight. Honestly, I'm almost happy about it. I can sense the end fast approaching, and it feels like a mercy at this point.
"Oh, God. Ria!"
It's Caleb. I want to cry, and scream in frustration. Why would he do this? Why the hell did Jude let him come here? It has to be a plan, surely? Jude always has a plan. I frown and try to open my eyes. My fingers dig into the worn carpet. Warm hands skim my face, fingers barely skimming over my skin.
"Ria." My name's spoken on broken breath, so quiet I can barely hear it.
There's a loud clap followed by Joe's laughter. "Well isn't this touching?"
Fear has me dragging my eyes open. I see Joe standing over me, that twisted smile of his on his face as he glares down at me. My eyes dip in and out of focus as I try to find Caleb's face. I squeeze my eyes shut as a shudder wracks my body. I pray to anything and everything he isn't acting on his own, because if he is, then he's going to die. My eyes flutter open again, and he's on his knees beside me. Tears streak down his young face as his eyes lock with mine.
"You shouldn't be here," I whisper, shaking my head.
"Please," he croaks. "Please, just let her go. You have me. I'm the last family my brother has. Take me, kill me, do what you want with me, it will hurt him more."
No, no, no! I want to scream at him, but it's too late.
"I did tell you I would let her go if you came here, didn't I?" Joe smiles slowly. "I lied, surely you knew I was lying?"
Joe signals his guys and they pull Caleb to his feet.
"Please, let her go! She'll die." Caleb's voice breaks and tears slip down my temples. I was so close to death, and now Caleb's here. How can I wish for death when I know I'm leaving him to this?
Joe glances at me as though I'm nothing more than a dog he's bored of taunting. "That's the idea." He smirks before turning his back on me. "Put him in with her. They have some catching up to do."
The door closes, but instead of the usual darkness, a small dim light bulb swings back and forth above our heads. I lay on my back and watch as it moves into my vision, then away again. My body trembles and convulses as the fever rages through me.