75. Noah
NOAH
After we finished breakfast, Willow and I went back upstairs to sleep. We woke up around one and I made her come three times before we finally got out of bed. We DoorDashed Thai food for lunch for all four of us, then just hung out in the living room watching movies.
The rest of the day passed quickly. Before the sun was starting to set, Jeremy convinced Jenna and Willow to go on a walk around the property since the snow has started to melt and it’s not freezing cold out now.
I told them I was tired and had a headache, but I just needed an excuse to be able to hang back and make a quick trip downstairs. Thankfully, they believed me. Jeremy said he’ll text me when they are coming back inside.
When I open the door to the labyrinth, I’m immediately assaulted by the scent of decaying flesh. Maybe Jeremy is right. Maybe this fucker is closer to death than I thought.
“Well, well, well. My favorite killer is back to see me. Still not bothering with the mask anymore, I see. Where’s your boyfriend?” James says before coughing.
I stopped wearing the mask around him after Rayes. He knows who I am, and he’s never getting out of here alive, so what’s the point? This way, he can see from the look in my eyes how much I truly hate him.
“I came to make sure you’re still alive.”
“Barely.”
He hocks before spitting at my feet. He looks up at me through sunken eyes and grins. If you could even call it that. Most of his teeth have started to fall out or are rotten.
“I need you to hold on just a few more days.”
His interest is piqued. He tilts his head and closes his mouth, setting his dried lips into a stern scowl.
“Why?”
“Because…There’s someone who wants to see you. She told me herself that she wants to kill you.”
“You…found her,” he stammers before tugging at his restraints. “Let me see her!” he shouts.
“No. Not yet. She’s had a rough couple of days. We actually went and had a lovely bonfire last night…at your old house.”
“You burnt my house down?” he snarls, and I can see his upper lip quivering.
“It was actually my house. I bought it for her. I knew one day she’d want to burn that fucking hellhole to the ground. Your old alcohol stash helped fuel the fire, so thank you.”
“You motherfucker!” he screams as he pulls harder against the restraints twisting his arms at a weird angle causing him to wail louder.
“Ouch, I bet that hurt. Didn’t it, James?” I mock.
“F…fuck you.”
I can smell his breath from here, and I know my time is limited. I can smell the rotting decay seeping from inside him. He’d better not die before she gets to see him.
“Here, drink this.”
I hold a cup out to him, but he closes his mouth and tries to turn away.
I grip his hair, roughly yanking his head back.
The sting causes him to scream, so I quickly dump the water into his open mouth.
He chokes and gags as it goes down the wrong pipe.
It takes him a moment to get his lungs to start functioning again, but when he does, he glares at me with such hatred that even I’m impressed.
A man on the brink of death who’s still so alive from spiteful hatred.
“You should’ve drank it when I offered it. Now here, take another sip.”
I hold the cup out again after dumping the last of the liquid inside. He opens his mouth and allows me to pour the remaining liquid in before swallowing it.
“What the fuck was that?”
“Just some water, an extra hydration packet, and some nutrients.”
“Why?”
“Gotta keep your heart pumping. I need you to still be breathing when she comes down here so you can beg for forgiveness before she kills you.”
I can’t help the sick satisfaction I’m getting from watching the hope leave his eyes. Did he think that when she came back she would’ve forgiven him for everything he’s done if he gave her a bullshit lie?
Fuck that. He doesn’t deserve to be forgiven, let alone to keep breathing. No. She said it herself. She wants to kill him.
“Please…Don’t make her do this.”
“It’s too late, James. You’ll get what you deserve.”
“What if she doesn’t forgive you?” he asks desperately.
“What do I have to be forgiven for?” I ask as I spin around to my table of toys.
“What if when she sees me, she doesn’t want to kill me? What if she’s had a change of heart and forgives me? I wasn’t myself back then. I was a drunk. I’m different now.”
“Bullshit!” I scream as I slam my fists down onto the table.
The metal tools all bounce on the wooden tabletop as my fists connect. I need to regain my composure. I turn back to him holding a syringe with a red liquid in it.
“You weren’t just a drunk, James. You were an abuser. A monster. You not only physically hurt her, but mentally too. You fucking ruined her life, and you’re going to pay for it. So for now, I’m going to keep you alive for her.”
*Ding*
“Oh, look. I guess you’ll get to avoid any more pain tonight. She’ll be back inside shortly. I can’t keep my woman waiting now, can I?” I say mockingly as I get closer to the syringe.
“What the fuck is that?”
“Shh. Don’t worry about it. I just can’t have you trying to escape when I put clothes on you for when we have this fucked up little reunion. Say goodnight, James,” I laugh as I stab the needle into his arm.
I press the plunger letting the red liquid flow into his body. His eyes are wide. I watch as his pupils blow to fully cover his irises. His breathing is rapid but raspy as if he’s trying to breathe but keeps getting pulled under the water.
“You motherfucker.”
His words are slurred as his head begins to sway back and forth.
“Sleep tight, James.”
I sit and watch as he falls unconscious within a minute. I quickly grab the pair of shorts and slip them on him. When I do bring Willow down here, I don’t need her scarred more than she already is.
With half his body covered, and double checking he’s still passed out, I quickly make my way upstairs. I have something set up in our room for her and I can’t wait to see the look in her eyes when I show her the surprise…Well, one of her surprises.