Page 73 of Freaks Of Nature

Then I saw Emily, creeping out of the shower, wearing no more than a towel, and then nothing at all. I felt my hand clench into a fist.

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK!

I DIDN’T FEEL THE KNIFE!!!

My fingers squeeze the throttle, and I feed the machine more gas. I still remember the first blackout I had. Or at least what happened before and after the episode.

We never told our father the extent of Ely’sgames. He didn’t care what we had to do to clear him as long as it kept him out of trouble with the man.

Ash and I dealt with it on our own. As always. Mostly by staying away.

We hardly spent any time at home anymore in fear of them catching us there when our father’s bills came due again.

His luck actually turned around for a while.

But we knew it wouldn’t last forever, and 6 months later, they broke down our door and dragged us out.

I rub a hand over my temple. My head throbs. Jonathan’s fist hit me so hard I collapsed and saw stars before he grabbed me.

I heard Ash yelling for me to run from the hallway, but I couldn’t leave him.

I turn my head toward Ash, sitting next to me on the couch, as Jonathan pours him another shot.

But either he can’t hold his liquor as well as I can, or they drugged him because not five seconds after downing it, his body goes limp beside me.

I watch the glass drop.

Ely lets out a little laugh from across the room, and my eyes drift to him apprehensively, my neck too stiff to move.

He gives a nod to Thomas who grabs me by the arm and pulls me to a stand. I feel light headed at the rush of movement, but I catch Ely turning and opening a door before stepping inside. I stumble after him as his guy half-drags me into the next room.

My eyes snap to the bed and I panic. Everything starts spinning when Thomas shoves me toward it. My feet trip. My knees go soft. I fall.

I collapse onto my hands, but whip around in time to see the door slamming shut…

…leaving me alone with Ely.

His black eyes focus on me in a cold, menacing grin, and all blood drains from my face with a tingling sensation.

I scurry back on the mattress, my fists clenching the rough comforter underneath me. Shallow breaths shoot in and out of my lungs. My heart is racing.

“You liked it, didn’t you?” Ely starts, his voice like a scrape down my back. “I bet you’re going to think about how it felt every time you wrap your hand around your dick to rub one out.”

I can’t open my mouth to respond. I’m too scared. I’m petrified.

Ely turns and paces a step. My chest heaves as I watch his tall, dark shape move through my blurry vision.

“See, Mason”—he tips his head over his shoulder, looking at me—“pretty little boys like you and your brother could make me a lot of money. If you just…behaved.”

“Behaved?” My eyes narrow. He meanscomplied.

“You know,play nice. No fighting.”

No resisting.

“Trouble is,” he prompts, holding up his forefinger. “I don’t think Ash has it in him to submit to anyone. He doesn’t cave. He’ll be a problem.”

Ely stops pacing right in front of me at the side of the bed, his shins touching the edge.