Page 87 of Like An Animal

I don’t want his hand on a single strand of my hair. I don’t want to even be on the same planet as him. If I could put that big of a separation between us, I would.

“No, Father Isaac.” Tears linger in my eyes, wondering what kind of torment he will put me through. My arms are bound tothe chair as well as my legs. I can’t move anything other than my head.

“There, there. Don’t worry about a thing. You’ll be just fine.” He pats my head one last time before pulling away. “See, we have a problem we need you to fix to prove your loyalty to us. You see, child, Father David has been taking more than his share in the last four years. He has not brought you to our regular meetings, but still takes what he wishes. That can’t be tolerated. The Fathers and Mothers have come to a decision concerning Father David. Him and his wife need to be disposed of.”

I would gladly kill David and Kathy any day considering what both of them have taken from me and Jeremy, but what I don’t understand is why The Fathers want Kathy dead, too?

“Kathy?” I don’t know who else he could be referring to. “Why?”

“Because it has been decided. If she is still alive, no one would believe your step relative is responsible.”

The dots start to click and horror fills me.

“What? I’m not going to frame Jeremy for murder. Are you crazy?!”

Before I have fully said the last word, a stiff hand strikes my face, throwing my head back.

Jeremy Borza is one subject I don’t play around with. I love him. I would never betray him. Plus, we’re going to be moving across the country in a few weeks, far away from any of this. I’ll be outside of The Fathers reach.

“You will do as you are told!” he screams, but my backbone kicks in.

I love Jeremy. He’s everything to me. There is no me without him.

I won’t destroy him like that.

“I will not!”

Another hard slap comes, but I barely feel it from the determination coursing through my body.

I would never screw Jeremy over like that.

“Bring her in!” Isaac yells and the door behind him bursts open. One of the men wearing a cloak with his face covered in a white mask walks in while dragging a blonde woman in only wearing her underwear. The cloaked figure throws her to the ground and she screams.

“What do you want from me?!”

My eyes widen when I realize who it is.

“Missy?”

She lifts her head and I get a good look at her face, her makeup smeared all over the place.

“Bronwyn?”

We haven’t been friends for two years now, but I still care about her. Clearly, they kidnapped her to use her to convince me to do their dirty work.

However, if the choice comes down to Missy or Jeremy, the choice remains the same. I will always choose Jeremy.

Missy was a shitty friend, but she doesn’t deserve whatever they have planned for her.

“Run, Missy!” I yell before Isaac slaps me again.

She tries to get up, but with her hands bound behind her back, she’s not quick enough. The cloaked man grabs her and drags her to her feet. Her breasts and stomach are covered in scrapes and bruises as if they tortured her before bringing her in here.

These people are fucking evil.

The masked man shoves her against the table, holding her down by her bound hands.

“Bron, are you okay?” she asks as tears come to my eyes.