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An old, boring scare tactic. I used far superior ones when I terrorized Shiloh’s attackers.

They cried when I backed them into the school bathroom’s wall. I’d promised them we’d all attack Shiloh together, that this time, no one would stop us.

Then I locked the door behind me. And I put on my mask.

ThenIwas the one using my hands on them.

“He’s being paid to keep his mouth shut.” Dick laughs at me. “You can forget about him selling me out. I’m here to do whatever I want with you, at fucking last.”

He edges toward me. His voice lowers.

Am I supposed to tremble in fear? At this? Is this guy for fucking real?

I’d roll my eyes if I weren’t trying to bait him into coming closer.

I flinch as Dick towers over me. Roll my shoulders forward, curling into a ball.

“You’ve been a pain in my ass since day one.” There’s something else in his breath. On his clothes. Stale alcohol. Irecognize it, thanks to my old man. “Fighting back. Being Doc’s favorite lunatic.”

Spittle flies all over my face.

I’ve survived worse.

“He isn’t here to protect you anymore.” His rage grows the farther we get from the hospital. Face turning purple. Eyes bulging.

There you go, loser. Let your anger take over.

“What do you have to say for yourself before I beat you black and blue?” He kicks my shin. “Huh? Huh? Huh?”

All I do is stare at him.

“Fucking freak.” His roar is a frustrated one.

He wishes I’d beg, cry, or apologize.

Yeah, no.

“Talk already! Why won’t you fucking talk?”

When we lived together, Ididtalk. I talked to Shiloh. The most I’ve spoken to anyone.

I haven’t in years. She hasn’t visited me. No one’s been allowed to—doctor’s order. She’s never written, either. Since I was only permitted to write to someone if that someone sent me a letter first…

She’ll be punished for it.

A bump in the road snaps me out of it.

Both Dick and I sway left. Right. Left.

We’re both settled again.

“Sblablendblada.”

The complete nonsense I spew has him scrunching his eyebrows. “What?”

“Sblablendblada.”

“Jesus fucking Christ.” The baton slams into my abdomen. “Louder.”