Page 27 of Kalix
LAINEY
Drip. Drip. Drip.
The smell of a musty old house invades my nose as I try to roll over, but I meet resistance.
I quickly snap my eyes open and look up at my wrists. They are snuggly wrapped with rope that’s attached to the posts on the headboard above me.
“What the—” I murmur to myself while trying to tug my hands free.
My heart thumps violently in my chest as I start to realize what’s going on, and I try to take deep breaths to calm myself.
Lifting my head, I listen to the rain pelt what sounds like a metal roof and take in my surroundings.
The room is dimly lit by a table lamp, and it’s fairly small, with the bed taking up the majority of the space.
There is an oversized pot outside of the doorway, collecting rain drops dripping from the ceiling.
A chair sits in the corner across from the bed that has a small table beside it.
There are no pictures on the walls, and the window is on the other side of the room.
It’s dark out from the storm, so I can’t tell where I’m at.
How long have I been out?
I try to see if I can make out any other noises in the house, but all I can hear is this storm raging outside and my heart beat ringing in my ears.
Where is he?
Did that motherfucker leave me here to die?!
My stomach squeezes and I close my eyes as I recall the moments before everything went black.
Earlier That Day
Quietly, I unpack my books and study supplies.
The library is dead, but that’s not surprising because it is a Sunday. Usually, I prefer to study alone, but today Kalix will join me and I’m actually looking forward to the company for once.
He probably has a million better things to do, but I take comfort in knowing that he wants to spend time with me. I didn’t realize how much I missed being around another person in my own space.
I decide to go to the restroom before beginning to take notes.
I wash my hands and dry them really well before heading back to my table.
As soon as I step out the bathroom, I smack into a figure when I turn to walk down the hall .
“Oh… excuse me.” I shake my head and look up at him, “Alex.”
Fuck.
My stomach sinks at the expression on his face.
He takes a step toward me “I’m sorry, Lainey.” I take an immediate step back.
“Sorry for what?” My heart races and I get a horrible gut feeling that this isn’t going to be a good conversation.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
He lunges for me, grabbing me by the arms. I try to pull away, but he over powers me and pulls me to his chest as we both fall to the ground.
His hand slaps over my mouth to prevent me from screaming as he climbs on top and straddles me.
He pins both of arms beside me on the ground.
The last thing I feel is a pinch in my neck…
Present
“Oh good, you’re awake. I was beginning to think I might’ve overdone it.” Alex pushes off the doorway and sits on the bed beside me.
I lay still, not sure what his plan is.
He reaches over and strokes my cheek with his cold hands. “I’m sorry, baby. I knew you wouldn’t have come willingly, so I had to force you. But I want you to know I only did that so that I could prove to you that we are perfect for each other.”
I feel myself start to spiral. I’m on the verge of a panic attack. “Alex. Untie me, please.” I try to make myself sound strong, but my voice wavers.
He smiles and shakes his head, “Sorry, love. I can’t do that just yet.”
A tear slips down my face and he wipes it away. “Don’t do that. We’re going to be happy. You’ll see.”
He leans in and presses his lips to mine. I clamp mine shut, hell bent and determined to prevent his tongue from assaulting mine.
He gets irritated and lets out an unpleasant groan as he squeezes my cheeks forcing my mouth open. I fight him, shaking my head, trying to make him stop, but I fail.
He manages to latch his mouth onto mine, and sticks his tongue in my mouth. I bite down hard, drawing blood.
He rears back “You stupid fucking bitch.” His forehead connects with mine and my head feels foggy before everything goes black, yet again.
Kalix
I have to get her.
I have to get her.
I have to get her.
I have to get her.
The guys are looking for her, at least that’s what Issac said. Right? He said that, right? And I’m looking for her. So we have to find her. That’s, like, four people looking.
How many people took her? Who took her?
Fuck, what if she’s hurt? What if she’s dead?
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
No, she can’t be dead.
No, she’s okay. She’s okay.
How can I kill the person who did this?
Will she want to watch?
Murder. The only option. Right? Yeah. Right. No other way.
Murder.
Murder.
Murder.
Fuck, that car was close. How fast am I even going?
Where haven’t I looked yet in town?
How many acres of woods are uncharted. How can I chart them all?
I’ll burn every fucking building and tree down if that’s what it takes to get her back to safety.
Wait, no burning. What if she’s stuck and can’t escape?
Yeah. No fire. Not yet. Not until I find Lainey.
Lainey.
Lainey.
Lainey.
My sweet little rabbit.
Where’s my helmet at ?
How can I find her?
Fuck, I should have activated the tracker through the app when I had the chance. Stupid me for trying to be semi-decent and not totally invade her privacy.
Stupid.
Stupid.
Stupid.
Why does my hand hurt?
Oh yeah, I punched the wall.
Does Lainey think scars are cool?
If not, I can always get them tattooed over, or lasered, or some shit.
Lainey.
Lainey.
Lainey.
This has to be Alex’s doing, right?
No one else would dare touch what’s mine.
Alex.
Death.
Murder.
How can I torture him?
I have my gun and knife. That’s enough, right? To make it hurt? To kill him?
Murder.
Death.
Torture.
Blood.
Lainey.
She better fucking be okay.