Page 15 of Wicked Winter Night
“Of course she doesn’t. If she knew, she’d be just as disgusted with you as I am,” I spit. “It disgusts me that you even got to touch her with those vile hands. You should have been sent to prison for what you did, but we’ll rectify that soon enough. In the meantime…”
Taking the hammer and a nail, I align the nail over the top of his right hand and slam the hammer down, sending the nail directly through his hand and into the wooden armrest. Then, without pause, I do the same to the left. He screams, the sounds still muffled from the rag and tape, but they still bring me joy, and I smile.
“That’s for touching her with your tainted hands,” I growl. “Now, we need to dress you up a bit. Get you in the holiday spirit. What do ya say? Hold please.” I quietly jog up the stairs, cracking the door open just a bit to make sure Ella hasn’t woken up early. When the coast is clear, I walk out to the Christmas decor boxes and grab a few more items—a Santa hat, extra lights, and some bows. I make my way back down into the basement and drop everything on the workbench. Grabbing some shears, I walk over and begin cutting off his shirt. His skin has a slight bluish tint to it from how cold it must be down here.
I untie the rope from the pillar, still leaving him secured to each chair leg and, well, nailed to the arms, and pull it forward off the pillar. Taking the Christmas lights, I begin wrapping them around his body until he’s secure, making sure to leave his chest exposed. I plop the Santa hat on him and then cover him in bows. Finally, I save the best for last.
“This is gonna hurt,” I state, taking one of the ornaments in my hands. I grab the hook, straightening it out just a bit before grabbing one of his nipples. He registers what I’m about to do and begins thrashing again, unable to move much but just enough to throw me off.
“If you don’t stop moving, I’ll make sure your dick is next.” He stills, shaking his head. “Good, now hold still.” Holding his nipple firmly, I pierce it with the ornament hook, threading it all the way through before bending it to hang like jewelry. A deep, guttural sound leaves Liam, but it’s caught and dies behind the tape. Just like with the nails, I waste no time moving on to the next and repeat the process, pushing the very dull-pointed tip into his nipple. Then I stand back, admiring my work. Blood drips from both sites, and I consider taking up art classes after this because this is a masterpiece.
I check the time, noticing that hours have gone by and we’re getting close to sunrise. I need to make sure I have time to set up. Pulling out another syringe from my back pocket, I pop the top and walk over to Liam.
“I’m afraid it’s lights out again, but you’ll join the party real soon. Can’t have you making any noise before she’s awake, and you’ll be much easier to move when you’re passed out. I stab the needle into his neck and inject, watching what little fight he put up drain from his body. Then, I get to work hauling him upstairs as quietly as I can.
Once we’re upstairs, I situate him next to the Christmas tree, using the outlet nearby to plug both of them in. Both the tree and Liam light up, and it fills my chest with a sense of pride knowing I’m about to give my little dove a Christmas she’ll never forget. Now there’s only one thing left to do.
We wait.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Christmas Day
Light shines brightly through the curtains, and I groan, dreading what this day might bring. I’m starting to regret every decision I’ve made, specifically the one to come out here thinking I’d have a moment of peace. I look over at the door, still seeing everything I piled in front of it untouched. This provides a tiny sense ofcomfort, and I almost just want to lie here in this bed all day, knowing that it’s probably my safest bet. But, against my better judgment, I crawl out of bed, sitting up and stretching. Checking the clock, I see it’s 7:30am and sigh in relief that I at least got a decent amount of sleep.
I pull everything away from the door one by one until I’m left staring at the wooden barrier between me and god knows what lies out there. Where did Liam go? Did Luke ever come back like he said he would? I look out the window and notice that it’s still snowing. It’s slower than it was last night, but the ground is covered in what I’d estimate to be about 8 feet of snow. There’s no way he could have made it back here with the weather. Right?
The door creaks as I pull it open, peeking through the tiny slit I left. Gradually, I open it wider, holding my breath, waiting for the next shoe to drop. When no one pops out, I pull the door fully open and stick my head out, looking side to side before heading to the top of the staircase. I can see the front door from here, and it’s still bolted shut, silence filling the space from below. I take a step, the wooden stair creaking beneath my weight. Silence. Then another step. Silence. Then I hit the third step and freeze when the soft sound of Christmas music reaches my ears. My heart begins pounding in my chest, but I push forward, taking each step just as slowly. The living room comes into view, and the sight before me makes my stomach drop.
Liam sits in a chair bound in Christmas lights, his nose, mouth, and chest covered in dry blood. His mouth is taped shut, and he has… WHAT THE FUCK?! Two red ornaments hang from his nipples, pierced directly through the sensitive buds. He’s wearing a Santa hat, and he’s covered in bows. My eyes dart around the room until they come in contact withhim.
“Merry Christmas, little dove,” Luke purrs from the kitchen, leaning up against the kitchen counter. “Do you like your gift?” He grins.
“What the absolute fuck, Luke? Why is Liam tied to a chair? And why does he have…”
“His own decor? Well, you see, I was making my way here when I heard you scream last night. When I ran inside, Liam here was banging on your door and soundingverythreatening. No one gets to scare you but me, little dove.”
“So… so you did this?” I ask, waving my hand around Liam.
“Yes,” he responds bluntly, arms crossed over his chest.
I stare at him, dumbfounded. I look around the cabin again, trying to figure out what to say or do next, when I spot the tree.
“Did you get a tree for me?” I ask, eyebrows rising in shock.
“I did. Do you like it? The one you were trying to pull was still there when I went back, so I grabbed it, brought it here, and decorated it.” He smiles, almost as if he’s proud of himself. But then I realize what he just said.
“How did you know where I left my tree—WERE YOU STALKING ME?” I shout, throwing my hands in the air and giving him a death glare.
“You’re lucky I was; otherwise, you wouldn't be standing here, now would you?” he taunts.
“You’re a fucking creep!” I scream. “Get out, or I’m calling the cops again!”
“Sweetheart, don’t you think by now that’s a waste of time? You’ve seen how useless they are.”
My blood is literally boiling. This man isinfuriating. “Untie him,” I seethe, pointing to Liam.
“No can do, little dove. Not only was he aggressive with you, but I have some information you may want to hear.”