Chapter Nineteen
As I daydream, my mind drifts along the winding road, wrapping around the large rocks and navigating the countless bends that climb the mountain.
As many times as Uncle Jesse has driven these tricky roads, I can almost picture him driving them with his eyes closed.
His voice abruptly interrupts my thoughts.
“Does it bother you that your mom never wanted you?”
I jerk my head to look at him, gaping in disbelief. “What?” I mumble, my voice barely escaping.
He chuckles softly, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
“None of us wanted you…You were a mistake.” My brows furrow as a wave of heaviness settles in my chest. Could he really mean that?
Is it true? I look away, turning to stare out the window as I feel tears welling up in the corners of my eyes.
I can’t cry. Dad has told me that men don’t cry.
He scoffs beside me, clicking his tongue.
“Is that why you burned us alive…because you knew?” A sharp, needle-like pain shoots through my stomach at his words.
For a moment, the smell of burned flesh clouds the air in the truck.
I cover my mouth and nose with my hand, slowly turning back to Uncle Jesse.
My eyes feel wide with shock as I nervously stare at him.
Half of his face is melted away, exposing his teeth and jaw.
I hold my breath, watching as it travels up his cheek; his eye now protrudes from its socket.
I grab my hair, leaning forward and pressing my palms into my eyes.
This can’t be real, this can’t be real, I repeat over and over in my head.
“Look at me, Ezra!” Uncle Jesse yells. The truck slowly fills with smoke, causing me to cough and gag.
I cover my mouth and look back at him. He’s no longer looking ahead at the road.
He stares at me with a haunted expression.
His right eye dangles along the bone where his cheek once was.
I can’t control the tears that stream from my eyes.
“You’ve always been a worthless piece of shit.
” I can’t comprehend what’s going on. He’s never spoken to me this way.
His venomous words sound just like him—my father.
“It’s your turn to die, boy.” His voice drips with malice as he slams the gas pedal, sending us hurtling around the curves at breakneck speed.
I clutch the dashboard, gasping for breath as the acrid smoke envelops us, thick and suffocating.
Uncle Jesse jerks the wheel sharply to the left, veering us across the road.
Straining to see what lies ahead, I find the smoke growing denser and darker by the second.
Suddenly, BANG! The truck comes to an abrupt halt, jerking me against the passenger door, my head slamming into the window.
Dazed and trying to catch my breath, confusion washes over me.
My hand fumbles along the door, seeking the door handle.
But before I can find it, I hear a low, sinister chuckle beside me.
My heart races as that familiar laugh echoes in my ears.
I turn my head slightly, squinting through the haze to catch a glimpse of the figure next to me.
Just for a heartbeat, the smoke lifts enough to reveal his wicked smirk glowing in the dim light.
Nausea creeps into my stomach, traveling up my esophagus.
Nothing makes sense right now. Why is this happening?
Why is he here, and how? As if he hears my rapid thoughts, he growls beside me.
“I’m here to finish what I started.” I panic, grabbing the door, feeling for the handle.
Once I locate it, I try to open it, but it won’t budge.
I slam my shoulder into it as hard as I can, but nothing.
He laughs beside me; the sound of a blade scraping against metal ring in my ears.
My body freezes at the vile sound of it.
I’m going to die. My breathing becomes unhinged as my chest tightens.
Without warning, I feel something sharp poke at my neck, sending stings down my spine.
I squeeze my eyes shut, unable to move. I’m frozen.
I can feel everything, but when trying to lift my arm, my entire body is paralyzed.
The blade slides across my skin. Hot, scorching breath beats against my ear.
I can hear his heavy breathing. “Bleed out!” he snaps.
Just as a whimper comes from my throat, a sharp, jagged pain shoots through my neck into my chest. My breathing instantly turns into gurgling as I try to reach for my throat.
Thick, metallic blood pours from my mouth and neck as I sit helplessly, drowning in my fate.
My eyes snap open in confusion, scanning the ceiling above me.
A heavy weight presses down on my chest, and I feel heat building.
The frantic thumping of my heart reverberates through me.
I clutch the bedsheet tightly, trying to steady my breathing.
Glancing down, I notice something fuzzy lying on my chest. I blink harder, straining to make it out in the dim light of my room.
Slowly, I lift my hand and brush my fingers against the furry creature.
A soft meow breaks the silence. Fucking Mango.
I scoff, quickly scooping her up and leaning over the edge of the bed, gently placing her on the floor.
I’ve had her for a few days now. I tried to keep the little beast in the bathroom the first couple of nights, but she just scratched and meowed at the door until I let her out.
I’ve lost countless hours of sleep to her annoying habits.
But I keep reminding myself that she’ll be gone soon—I’m just putting up with this for Raina, considering I owe her for my shitty decisions.
I reach over and switch on the small lamp before glancing at my phone to check the time—it’s already past seven in the morning.
Letting out a heavy sigh, I lean back against my pillow, pressing my hand to my racing chest. It’s been days since I last woke up from a nightmare, and this one felt completely different.
I shake my head, closing my eyes and starting to focus on my deep breathing.
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I push my dark hair back from my forehead.
Mango jumps back up onto the bed, and I watch her closely as she rubs against my arm.
I tense slightly, expecting the touch to irritate my scars…
but it doesn’t. Staying still, I continue to observe her.
She eventually climbs onto my stomach, facing me directly.
Her big green eyes blink slowly at me as she inches closer.
I squint at her when she presses her little cold nose against my hand resting on my chest. Then, she steps over my hand and curls up, settling higher on my chest in a cozy ball.
I draw my head back slightly, looking down at her.
This is the first time she’s ever done this, and I’m a bit unsure of how to respond.
I’ve never really been around cats before.
I reach to move her off me, but I hesitate, feeling the gentle vibrations of her purring against my chest.
As the soothing sound washes over me, I notice my heartbeat and breathing begin to slow down.
Why does this actually feel comforting? And why does she look so cute, curled up like that?
I suppose this is what Scottie experiences when he’s home with Fluffy.
I grunt and quickly shake off my slight admiration for the little orange beast.
A few minutes have gone by of me observing her sleeping.
I gently slide my hands under Mango and place her on the other side of me.
As I hop out of bed, I hear her let out a soft meow, prompting me to turn and look at her.
Once she has my attention, she rolls onto her back, stretches her legs, and blinks up slowly at me.
How ridiculous. She knows she’s cute and is trying to win me over as some sort of crazy cat lover.
Not happening, Mango. Not fucking happening at all.