plan. Harlow is going to retract her statement, stating that what my brother is saying, is in fact, the truth.’’
“And what makes you think she will agree to that?’’ I snarl, venom hitching in my voice.
“Oh, this is where you come in. I’m going to make sure she knows how you’ll end up if she doesn’t. Oh and, I’m not stupid, I’m going to want proof before releasing you,’’ he grins, thinking he’s got it all worked out already.
“Let me go?’’ I ask, hoping filling my voice. “But my mom...you said-‘’
He laughs loudly interrupting me and I cut my eyes into tiny slits. “I’m not really letting you go. I’m going to have my fun keeping you alive, to suffer, and if you don’t cooperate with me, then you’ll go the same way she did.’’
“She?’’ I ask, wondering who the fuck he’s on about now.
“Yeah, she,’’ he grins then gets up, moving to another lamp to turn it on. What I see will be forever burnt into my brain. I scream so loud that my throat feels red raw. I keep screaming and staring at the scene in front of me, praying it’s not real, but deep down, I know there is no way that the sight in front of me could be faked. My back is pressed hard against the wall and I begin to get hysterical.
Another slap to my face has me heaving and I lean over as far away from the ratty mattress as I can and vomit all over the damp, burnt floor. The burnt wood startles me, and then hope seeps into my pores for the first time since waking up. I’m at the old Gunner’s house, no wonder there is hardly anything to the stairs. How ironic is it that he brings me here?
“Please, please cover her back up,’’ I plead, crying out.
“Pleasure honey, after all, the bitch fucking stinks,’’ he laughs then covers her back up with the dirty sheets.
His phone rings, playing a new rap song and I want to roll my eyes, but after seeing Hannah’s dead, bloody body, I don’t want to provoke him.
“Yeah? So the pussy phoned the police,’’ he laughs to whoever is on the other line. “You sure they’re all gone? Good. Send me the girl’s number, let’s get this going. I have shit to do,’’ he tells them before ending the call. Not seconds later a message alert tings.
“Now, let’s get one thing straight, yeah. You’ll do as you’re told. I’m going to ring your little bitch of a friend, and you’re going to tell her to drop the charges. I don’t care what you have to do, just fucking do it. If you try anything... and I mean anything to alert them to where we are, I will fucking slice your throat open,’’ he growls, holding up a shiny, silver butcher knife that I saw him holding earlier. I nod my head, wiping tears from my now dirty smudged cheeks.
He dials a number and I can hear it ring, just as he turns it around I get a glimpse of the screen and notice it’s on video call, not a normal call. Fuck!
“Hello? Oh My God! Denny? Denny? Oh my God. Guys,’’ she screams and I hear footfalls stomping towards her, but whoever pushes her out of the way I don’t see because my eyes are filled with thick tears.
“Shut the fuck up,’’ Carl roars, quickly putting the knife to my throat. I squeal completely startled, and fix my eyes on the screen and notice Harlow and Mason on the screen. Both expressions look pained, sad, and angry.
“Are you okay, babe?’’ Mason asks, his voice sounding hoarse.
I nod my head yes, too scared to speak, but then Carl pushes the knife sharper into my neck and I cry out.
“Harlow, Harlow, I need you to... I need,’’ I cry out, not able to say the words. It’s not right.
“Fucking speak to her now you bitch, or have you forgotten that I’ll slice your throat? Maybe I’ll cut that baby out of you first,’’ he sneers and I cry out, completely scared out of my mind. My whole body is quaking with fear, my body shaking uncontrollably now.
“Harlow... I need you to go to the police and tell them what happened here was a lie. Say that you didn’t know how much trouble he would get in, please. I’m begging you,’’ I cry out and hope like hell I get out of here alive.
“Times up, bitch. You