Page 9

Cat and I look at each other, my melting ice cream forgotten. After the last blood bath, the noise inside me has remained a dull buzz. I figured it’d stay nothing more than a murmur for at leasta few more weeks, but when a perfect piggy walks so willingly to slaughter, how can I deny him?

His wavy black hair brushes against his shoulders as he strolls to our table. The intoxicating scent of leather and smoke rolls off him. His dark brown eyes lock on mine, and I raise a finger to my lips, twirling my tongue over a trail of ice cream before sucking the whole thing into my mouth. “Name’s Sterling,” he chuckles, tracing his top lip with the tip of his tongue.

Cat’s eyes narrow, looking from me to him and back again. She lifts her foot, moving it over to stomp mine, but I cross my legs, removing my foot from her reach. “Sadie,” I purr before I nod my head towards Catalina. “And that’s my step-sister, Cat.”

“Sisters,” he drawls. His eyes burn brighter, like the thought lit a fire deep inside him. Cat clears her throat, breaking the spell, and he laughs. “Don’t think your kitty likes me very much.”

“She’s partial to blondes with pigtails,” I say, flipping one pigtail over my shoulder.

“We have that in common,” he agrees, winking at her and taking a step closer to me. His movements are slow, calculated—predatorial. A heat forms low in my center before spilling out to the rest of my body in a river of fire. I suck my bottom lip, pulling one corner between my teeth.

“There a bathroom ‘round here?” he asks. Cat leans back in her chair and laughs, getting up to head to our truck. I try to stifle my delight, but a giggle still bubbles out.

I stand and brush my body against him as I head around the corner. I look over my shoulder and motion with one finger for him to follow. “Come on, baby. I’ll show you where it is.”

BLOOD AND BROKEN MINDS

BENEATH HER SKIN: A HORROR FEMININE RAGE ANTHOLOGY

BY IZZY RAVAS

CONTENT WARNING:

Revenge Murder

Blood and Gore

Forced Orgasm

Serial Killer FMC

FMC has Auditory Hallucinations

No Romance

Body Mutilation

Torture

PLAYLIST:

Hypocrites and Critics - Jinjer

Someone’s Daughter - Jinjer

Because I Let You - Infected Rain

Mz. Hyde - Halestorm

Menocide - Otep

1

Iweave through the crowds of families and screaming children, the smell of sugary treats and grease hanging heavy in the air. The carnival’s family night is in full swing, the rickety booths and colorful tents a stark contrast to the darkness that lurks beneath. I put my fire dancing props away for the night because the family-friendly crowd isn’t suitable for my usual routine. My voice, the constant companion in my head, hums a discordant tune, echoing my disgust and frustration.

“What a boring night we’re gonna have tonight.”

You’re telling me! Nobody to fuck and nobody to kill. I hate family nights. Why does Cade insist we have to have them? It’s not like the night of Inferno doesn’t bring in a shit ton of money.