Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Winter
My head is swimming. A jackhammer is wreaking havoc on my skull. Still his voice calls to me, forcing my eyes open. Lifting my head is challenging, it must weigh a hundred pounds. With great effort, I manage to lift it enough to see him. The man that visits me in my hallucinations. Fang.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t get my eyes to focus enough to see if he’s really here, or if this is another hallucination. Everything is a big blur, but I know he’s here. I can feel his presence. “F—Fang?”
“Yes, baby, I’m here.” His voice is like a balm to my soul. I try to reach for him, but my arms won’t budge. Rope rubs against my wrists. Seems I’m tied up like cattle.
“How touching.” That voice. It seems so familiar, and not because I’ve been listening to him all night. I know that voice. “Who will it be, Fang?”
Sweat drips from my hairline as I struggle to turn my head.
I know I saw his face earlier, but I can’t help but feel like we’re old friends.
The man is standing across the room. Too far away for me to see his face.
My vision is still cloudy from the drugs.
Squinting, I lean forward as much as I can, doing my best to focus.
Little by little, his features become clear. For the first time tonight, I recognize the man standing across from me. The one who laughed at my demise. Dark hair, dirty and unkempt. Hazel eyes that I once loved. My heart stills. It can’t be. How could a man that once loved me, hurt me so cruelly?
I gasp because I can’t believe my eyes. “Oh my god. It’s you.”
The man everyone calls Ghost sneers my way. “Yeah, I’ve been me all night long.”
“But why?” Make it make sense. This cannot be happening.
“Because you’re Fang’s.” His tone is full of disgust and rage.
“So, you would kill your blood because I’m dating your enemy?” Am I really that worthless to him?
“My blood?” All color drains from his face. “Wait, your name is Winter?” His eyes stare into mine like he’s searching my soul. Whatever he’s holding in his hand, falls to the floor. “You’re Winnie?”
Tears fill my eyes and for the first time in my life I know what betrayal tastes like. What happened to the man I once knew. The one that bought me gifts and took me out for ice cream. “Yes, Uncle Josh, it’s Winnie.”
“Uncle?” Three voices ask in shock.
Whizz-crack.
The sound catches me off guard. It’s quickly followed by a loud gunshot. I watch my uncle crash to the floor, blood oozing from a hole in his neck. Behind me, a thump quickly follows my uncle’s fall. Did someone shoot Rat? Man, I sure hope so. I’m ready for this nightmare to end.
Boots thud on the hardwood. Next thing I know, Fang is kneeling in front of me. “You okay?”
“Uh, huh.” Suddenly, I’m so tired. My body shakes uncontrollably and sweat drips from my pores like a leaky faucet. My arms feel like they’re going to break when the rope is jerked back. Seconds later the bothersome rope falls away and its sweet relief.
Fang is cutting away at the rope binding my legs to the chair. As soon as he gets me loose, he lifts me in his arms. “I’ve got you.”
Closing my eyes, I rest my head against his chest, smelling the scent that has quickly become my favorite smell. The sound of the Iron Devils gathering around meet my ears, but I can’t bring myself to open my eyes and thank them. That will have to wait for morning. Right now, I need sleep.
I hear Rage telling Sinner about Ghost being my uncle. There are loads of questions that follow, but my mind is vastly drifting off. Voices get fainter as we move through the house. A door is shoved open and then I’m being laid on a soft mattress.
When his arms leave my body, I cry out, “No, don’t leave.” The last thing I want is to be left alone. What if the Hollow Bones come for me again? There’s no way I stand a chance against them in my current state.
“I’m not goin’ anywhere, baby.” Fang kisses my forehead. “But I do need a shower, I’m covered in blood.”
“No.” I reach for him but my hand falls to the mattress like lead.
There’s a pause and I think he’s left me anyway. Then I hear the rustle of fabric. The bed dips and then warm arms wrap around me. “You’re so cold.” Sitting up, he tugs the blanket over us, then pulls me flush against his bare skin.
He mumbles against my hair, but I’m too tired to understand. Nuzzling into his side, I finally allow the darkness to claim me. With Fang next to me, watching over me, I know I’m safe. The Hollow Bones can’t get to me as long as he’s here.
Thoughts of Uncle Josh follow me into dreamland. The good guy I knew as Uncle Josh was my hero. Ghost was a monster. Both versions of him plague my dreams.