Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 80969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80969 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
I shook my head.
“They go to jail, and they never see their mamas again.”
“I don’t want to go to jail! Please don’t take me to jail!”
“I won’t so long as you do what I tell you. Will you do exactly as Daddy tells you, River?”
I looked down at the floor. My hair fell into my eyes. It got wet from my tears.
“Yes, sir,” I whispered.
“What will happen, River?”
I force myself to look him in the eye. “I’ll go to jail. I’ll never see Mama again. She’ll be left alone with you, and you’ll have no choice but to hurt her.”
He smiles. It makes me hate him more.
“Is that what you want? You want me to hurt your mama, River?”
I take in a breath. “No, sir.”
“I didn’t think so.”
He strokes his fingers down my cheek. I clench my teeth.
“Now, I’m going to go and sit down at the kitchen table. You’re going to get me a beer from the fridge. When I’m done drinking it, our game will start. Understand?”
“Yes.”
I turn and walk over to the refrigerator. My hand shakes when I open the door. I clench it to make it stop. Then, I reach inside and get a beer from the top shelf. I twist the cap off and put it in the trash, trying to prolong the inevitable.
When I turn back around, I catch sight of his gun again.
It’s just sitting there, on the counter.
I look at him. He’s sitting on my chair at the table.
My chair.
He’s moved it out from under the table and turned it, so it’s facing me.
He’s also taken his pants off. He’s only wearing his shirt.
My insides tighten.
The bottle trembles in my hand.
My eyes go to the gun on the counter again.
“What are you waiting for, boy?” he barks. “Get over here.”
“River, get over here.” His hand thumped against the bed he was sitting on.
Mama’s bed.
He’d never brought me in here before to play his games.
It was always in my room.
I didn’t want to do this. Not in here.
My hands started to shake. They did that a lot now. Especially on Sundays.
I curled my fingers into my palm until my nails started to hurt my skin.
“Now, River.”
I walked over to the bed and stood in front of him.
He smiled.
I dug my nails deeper into my skin.
“River, I won’t tell you again! Get your ass over here! Now!”
“No!” I yell.
It’s like a thunderbolt has just hit the room.
I’ve never said no to him before. My whole body shudders with fear.
He stands up. “No?”
“I-I …”
“You dare to tell me no, boy?”
I open my mouth, but no words come out. My heart is beating so fast. I’m so scared. I dig my nails into the palm of my free hand until I feel the skin break.
My eyes dart to the gun on the counter.
“River, it’s time to play, and Daddy has a brand-new game for us today.”
“I didn’t fucking think so. Now, get your ass over here, boy!”
My hand tightens around the beer bottle. I bring my eyes to his. “No,” I say again.
His face turns to stone. His head tips to the side. “The rules have changed, River. You tell me no one more time, and I’ll kill your mama the second she steps through the door. And, instead of you going to jail … I’ll keep you here with me. It’ll be just you and me here, alone, in this house. And I’ll do what I want to you, whenever I want. Just think … I’d be able to hide my baton in your holder every single fucking day if I wanted to.” He brushes his finger over his lips, smiling. “Actually, I like that idea more … so maybe I’ll just kill your mama anyway—”
“No!” I yell.
Then, the beer is on the floor and his gun is in my hands.
And I’m pointing it at him.
His eyes widen for a moment. Then, he laughs.
The sound hurts my ears.
“And just what do you think you’re gonna do with that, huh?”
My hands are shaking like an earthquake. The gun is so heavy.
“I-I …”
“I-I,” he mimics. “You what, boy? Speak up.” He cups his ear, making fun of me.
“I-I w-want you to l-leave!” I cry, lifting the gun higher. My arms are aching.
His head tips to the side. “Leave? I’m not leaving, River. I’m never leaving you. You’re my special boy. And Daddy loves his special boy so very much.”
“You’re so good, River. So special. Time to play a new game.”
“Stop! Just stop!” I scream. My head hurts so much. Everything hurts. I just want to stop hurting. “I just want you to stop! Leave me alone!”
“I-I d-don’t … w-want to p-play anymore.”
His hand grabbed my head, and he pushed my face into the pillow. “Be quiet. You’re spoiling the game.”
There wasn’t any air. I couldn’t breathe.
Mama, help me, please.