Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“He’d film the two of us together and hide the videos in his bedroom so my sister wouldn’t find them. I was too afraid to tell her because I thought she would hate me or get me into trouble. That’s what my father told me would happen, anyway.” My voice lowers, and I can no longer ignore the way Dr. Sterling shifts in his seat. “He told me his friends wanted to see how much I loved him.” Even as I recall the memories, I no longer feel anything. I’m numb to the past. “He’d keep his face hidden when he was filming. He told me the authorities would take me away and he’d get into trouble if he was recognized, but he made sure I was always looking right at the camera. I tried to be a good girl for him so it wouldn’t hurt.”
Over the years, my father trained me to be obedient. There was no fighting, no crying, just making sure I kept him, and those he brought into our home, happy. The biggest monster of them all, though, was Bane. When Caia was taken, my father told me she was in a better place. I thought she was living in a life of luxury while I was stuck with Daddy and his own brand of love.
Growing up, I very quickly learned how to read men, and as I sit here, fighting back the tears and focusing instead on the anger, I know the man sitting in front of me is turned on.
The doctor squirms as he looks at me. I’m sure he’s remembering the videos he watched that featured me. Every name on my list will be ticked off as I finally get my revenge. His name is second from the top. Just below Bane’s.
Dr. Stirling paid millions for the home movies my father made.
Bile rises in my throat as I push to my feet. He tips his head back when I make my way toward him, and I wonder what he’s thinking now. Maybe he’s imagining I’m enjoying this and hoping I’m about to please him. Reaching down, my fingers wrap around the handle of the blade that’s concealed down the side of my boot. I pull it out before slowly bringing it into view.
I stop in front of him and lean in. “You see, Dr. Stirling, there have been many times, over the years, when all I wanted was to see fear in a man’s eyes,” I hiss, keeping my voice low and steady.
“What…. What are you talking a-a-about?” He mumbles his question, his voice drenched in concern as his brows furrow together.
Pleasure skates down my spine as it occurs to me how much power I now wield.
I bring the blade to his old, wrinkled cheek, and I smile.
“You don’t remember me do you, Doctor,” I whisper, keeping my voice low, almost feral.
When I’m in this mindset, when my focus is on the kill, no one can stop me. Not even Dante.
I press the sharp tip against the underside of his left eye, making an incision, and can’t help but laugh when a fresh drop of blood adorns the glinting silver of my blade.
“W-Wh-What do you mean?” His voice is quivering with fear.
“I’m sure you remember your old friend Amoretto,” I say to him, and tipping my head to the side, I pin him with a glare so fierce he cowers.
The moment he realizes who I am, his mouth pops open. Taking my opportunity, I press the sleek blade onto his tongue to ensure his lips remain parted and he’s unable to speak.
“I don’t need to hear I’m sorry and I didn’t mean to,” I mimic some of the excuses I’ve listened to before. This isn’t my first kill, and it certainly won’t be my last. “You knew what you were doing. For years you knew all the bad things that were happening, yet you supported it. You paid millions to my father so you could watch.”
He attempts to shake his head, which only angers me more, and I press the sharp side of the knife against the fleshy meat of his tongue. Blood trickles from the cut, and I can’t help pressing even harder until there’s a waterfall of crimson gushing from his mouth. The gurgling sounds of the doctor choking have me grinning as I finally remove the blade.
“I think you need help, Doctor,” I say to him in a sing-song voice that has his eyes widening in horror. In my other hand, I pull out a slim, metal stake. It’s only about 3 inches in length, but it’s perfect for what I need it to do. “I don’t think you should be able to see anymore, because you enjoy looking at bad things.” My voice has taken on a childlike lilt, and I giggle at the idea of a younger version of me being able to fight the monsters away.