Page 91 of Forbidden

Billy does not move away. He does however move his hands, and he is fidgety.

Think fast, and now. “Not here,” I say anxiously. “Come this way.”

I scoop up my cell and my notes, and I walk ahead of him. I weave quickly through slim passages and message fast

Pls help! Need you fast. Library.

Just as I finish, Billy walks alongside, and we reach the remote table. “Sit,” I say, eyeing a water cooler.

I walk to the cooler and as I pour water into a cup, water splashes. I try to control my hands, but I drop the paper cup.

Good, I tell myself.

Buy time... Buy time...Buy time.

As I crouch, I see a small gun in Billy’s boot. No fucking way. I feel his toxic eyes on me, and I know I’ve milked the water game enough.

I bring Billy a water, but I sit on the far side of the table. Billy grins and he has lost another tooth. Dear God.

“Don’t be afraid, little girl.”

I tell myself to be strong and to be far stronger than I really am. “I’ve moved on Billy, and you need to. Nothing good will happen from-”

“Pretty confident for a small-town girl.”

“I’m not the same person, Billy. You kept me down.”

Our eyes meet, and his are wild psychotic slits.

“I found us a place. A new home.” There is silence and my hands reach for my paper cup. They’re shaking too much to hold it. “You’ll learn to love it.”

Breathe. Drink. Buy time.

“Billy, we-”

“Angel, listen to me!”

“Billy, I need you to consider your actions.”

“Have y’met someone?” I do not answer. “Answer me, girl!”

As my cell vibrates near me, I gasp. Billy has not seen it, because he is slowly rising. He walks around the table, and he stands over me.

Suddenly a chopper banks around the big old windows and brick walls. Its blades roar outside, and the noise is intense, like him… now inches away.

Billy leans over me and there is a loud BANG in the distance. There are murmurings from people, and I spell his rancid breath.

I stand and turn, inches from Billy’s foul odor. Inches from his toxic eyes and poisonous energy.

Please please please…

Billy reaches for my throat, but at the last minute, he runs a dirty finger across my cheek. “Look at me!”

I look up from his hand, and chipped nails. Past his sweating jaw to those eyes.

Those scary yellow eyes.

Just when Billy reaches for my hair, and smiles, he goes flying across the room. He hits a huge bookshelf that collapses on top of him.