Chapter 8 #3
My eyes raised as the man stopped outside a strange door, opening it before stepping inside a dark room.
“Wait.” My fingers reached out, gripping the doorway to stop it, but once again they slipped free.
“No. No!” I didn’t want to go inside with him, but I had no choice.
The door shut behind him, leaving us in complete darkness.
“No! Help! Help! William! Will—” Another harsh hit to my face cut my words.
My body hit the floor as the man dropped me, and I groaned, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the floor.
“Please,” I begged, struggling to calm my breathing.
“Please, let me go!” The lights in the room flickered faintly as the power seemingly returned, and I noticed I wasn’t alone.
“No.” My eyes widened in absolute terror.
Standing in front of me in all black wasn’t just the man who brought me here, but three others, dressed the same—except one. The smallest of the group was wearing a red mask.
“Tie her up,” they grumbled.
“Wait. No!” A fifth person approached me from behind and gripped the back of my neck, yanking me to my feet.
“No!” I shouted as the others joined and forced me into a chair.
“Please! Stop!” Tears burned my eyes as the largest of the group held me to the chair from behind.
The two other men taped my wrists to the arms of the chair and my ankles to the legs with duct tape.
No matter how much I struggled, pleaded, and thrashed, they all ignored me, listening only to the red-masked person.
I took in the room we were in as they tied me up, trying to get my bearings.
They had brought me to the old party room, a room we only used now for storage.
It was filled to the brim with old clown mascot dolls, prizes for the games, party supplies, and pizza boxes.
It was organized chaos and Tawny hated every inch of it.
The flickering lights finally settled as the others stepped aside, the person in the red mask casually walking up to me as everyone else looked around.
Clearly also taking in their surroundings.
The red masked intruder stopped less than a foot away and revealed a large kitchen knife.
I immediately began to panic, trying to free my limbs as I cried and shouted for help.
They rushed me, covering my mouth. “Shhhhh.” Pressing the tip of the blade along my cheek and tilting their head.
“Give us what we want and maybe, I’ll let you go.
” Their voice was purposefully low and disguised.
“W-what do you want?” I asked, my voice quivering with fear.
“Money.”
My brows furrowed. “M-money? But I—I don’t have any.”
They pressed the tip into my flesh, cutting my cheek. I cried out, begging them to stop, but they didn’t. “The register. Give us the money from the register.”
The largest masked man stepped forward. “Enough! We just need her to open the register. We don’t need to hurt her.”
The red masked person groaned, dropping their head down as they removed the knife from my skin and shouted back to him, “Can you just let me do this?” I instantly recognized the voice.
“S-s-Sybil?”
She stopped and turned back to me, removing their mask as her long, red hair fell freely down. “Surprise,” she sang with a bright smile.
My blood ran cold at the sight of her. But more than anything, I was pissed.
“What the hell?” I shot my eyes to the others, realizing who they were.
“Ryder? Token? Lavender?” I glared at the fifth masked person, the largest in the group.
“Montey?” They all looked at one another, slowly removing their masks to reveal their faces.
“Unbelievable…what, is this another one of your sick pranks?” My question snarled from my blood-stained clenched teeth and right to Sybil.
She rolled her eyes. “Oh chillax, freak. Just give us the keys to the register.”
I glared at her, fuming. “Hell no. Besides, I don’t even have them.” I tried to lie.
Token scoffed. “Fucking liar.” He rolled up his sleeve, revealing a small, bloody wound. “You fucking stabbed me with them!”
Ryder rushed over to his twin and examined his arm. “What the hell, Crissa?” He snipped at me.
“Seriously? He punched me in the face, knocked me down, dragged me through the pizzeria and then kicked me and you’re mad at me?” I shook my head.
“Just give us the keys!” Sybil hissed as my attention returned to her. “Lavender told me how your boss always leaves them with the nightshift employee. I know you have them.”
My eyes moved to Lavender. Her blue eyes fell as she rubbed her arm anxiously. “Just…give her the keys, Crissa. The sooner you do the sooner this will all be over.”
My jaw clenched. “No.”
Sybil pressed her red lips together and crossed her arms. “Montey?” My eyes rushed to him as he stepped forward and to her side. “Search her.”
He nodded and walked over to me, refusing to make eye contact.
“Hey!” His hands reached into my pockets, turning them out.
“Montey—stop it. Stop it!” His eyes finally lifted and locked with mine.
Their usual warm color was now dull and cold.
I nearly gasped at the lack of life behind them.
“Please,” I whispered. “Don’t.” His eyes lowered to my chest. “Don’t—”
Montey gripped the collar of my work shirt and ripped it down the middle, exposing my chest to everyone.
Tears of embarrassment and shame flowed down my face.
His entire body went rigid and he leaned in close, his breath dancing along my ear as he spoke softly to me.
“I’m sorry, squish.” He then plucked the keys from my bra and stepped back, handing them to Sybil.
“Good boy,” she purred as he stepped into her shadow.
Sybil played with the keys, smiling as though she’d just won the lottery.
“Poor, pathetic, Crissa,” she cooed, walking towards me.
“Always coming in last.” She stopped inches away from me and bent down, her head level to mine as her long hair sprawled along my lap.
“But freaks never win, do they?” A low laugh played from her throat.
My swollen eyes fell in defeat. “You got the keys, so leave me alone.”
Sybil gripped my chin, forcing my head high.
Her blue eyes bore into mine with such fiery hatred, and I knew she wasn’t going to let me go so easily.
“You don’t get to tell me what to do.” She pressed her long nail into the cut along my cheek, digging it deep while I winced, tears dripping down my bloodied face.
“You think you’re so tough, don’t you? So untouchable, hiding behind your boss.
” She pressed harder. “But you’re not.” I noticed a quick flash of light out of the corner of my eye, which was immediately followed by a sharp pain in my left hand.
I cried out, screaming as Sybil pushed the knife deeper into my flesh with a sinister grin.
“Sybil, what the fuck?” Montey shot forward and gripped her hand, still firmly grasped around the handle. “Knock it off! You got the keys—let’s just go!”
She clenched her teeth and nearly growled at him, twisting the blade as I cried out in pain.
“No! I’ve had it with this freak ruining everything!
Even now, she’s got her claws in you!” Montey ripped her arm back, taking the blade with it and I screamed, blood shooting across the room and splattering along Lavender’s face as I bit back tears.
She screamed, wiping it from her cheeks as my hand bled onto the floor.
Token erupted into laughter and taunted her, and the two began to bicker, completely desensitized to how serious all of this was. Ryder rushed to Lavender and used his mask to clean her face, the three bickering and arguing amongst themselves.
Montey squeezed Sybil’s wrist, forcing her to drop the knife. He yanked her close and hovered over her with a stern look. “You’ve gone too far,” he growled.
She ripped her hand from him and snarled. “You’re wrong. I haven’t gone far enough. And if you try to stop me, I’ll fucking kill you.” Thunder boomed above as the power flickered again.
Sybil shot her head back to me and charged me, slapping me across the face. Everyone hushed and watched, shocked by how loud the impact was. “Even now, he still tries to save you,” she growled. My head slouched forward as blood dripped from my nose and cheek onto my lap.
“Please,” I wheezed.
Sybil gripped a handful of my hair and forced my head back.
She coiled her arm back and slammed her fist into my face.
My head dropped from her grasp and bobbed, dropping back down.
Everything on my face ached and hurt, swelling and bleeding as she repeated the action at least two more times.
Truthfully, I began to lose count as my head swirled around, my consciousness slipping faintly. And I lost my will to fight.
“You win,” I rasped softly.
Sybil stopped. “What did you say?”
I didn’t answer.
She leaned in close, tucking her hair behind her ears before gripping my wrists tight. “What did you just say?”
I didn’t answer, unable to fully form words.
Sybil moved her hands, digging into my palm and pressing her nail into the bloody wound. “What did you say?” she demanded. “Tell me!”
My head shot back with a loud groan. “I said you win!” I paused, too broken to fight.
“Please…let me go…please.” My eyes raised ever so slightly to find Montey’s reddened from fighting back tears.
“Montey…please.” Tears rolled down my beaten face.
“Help…me.” And just like that, he looked away.
And the last bit of love I felt for him dissolved.
Oh my. Things have really taken a turn for the worst now, haven’t they?
Zeth’s voice slithered around my brain as I struggled to keep my eyes open.
Sybil ripped her hands back and scoffed. “You dare say his name?” Her tone was filled with hatred and disgust, and I knew she wasn’t done with me.
Criss-s-s-sa. If there were a time to let me free, now would be it.
Sybil gripped my throat and dug her nails into my neck. “I’m sick of sharing the same air as you, freak. And I won’t share any part of him.”
“Stop,” I strained as she choked me.
Lavender suddenly spoke up. “Sybil…stop. You’ve done enough okay? This—this isn’t right.” She tried to rush towards me, but the twins held her back. She struggled between their grasps, shouting to Montey to help me, but he was too far gone.
Speak my name, and I shall save you, Crissa. Do it. Let me out.
Sybil tightened her grip as I tried to fight Zeth back. I opened my mouth to speak, but she only smiled and squeezed harder.
Do you not see, Crissa? The very humans who have continuously harmed you would see you dead.
Whatever love and affection they once held in their hearts for you has been replaced with a deep hatred.
Stop protecting them and take back your power.
You came to me, seeking vengeance on them that night, your blood thirsty for revenge.
Well, it is time to quench that thirst, dear Crissa.
Lavender forced herself free from the twins and ran to Sybil knocking her over, releasing my throat. I gasped loudly, coughing and gagging as the air filled my lungs. Lavender tried to peel the tape from my wrists, but it was no use.
“Crissa? Crissa!” My eyes fluttered to see Lavender standing before me. “I’m so sorry, Crissa. So sorry. I’m going to get you out of here, okay?”
My head wobbled a bit. “Lavender,” I whispered.
“Yeah?”
“It’s too late.” My head fell forward as I whispered the demon’s name. “Zeth.”
Finally.