Tobias
I sprinkle the last bit from the canister in the kitchen. With this lake house being mostly wood, I’m afraid it won’t need much to catch on fire, which only makes my stomach twist even more.
The lake house.Ourlake house. If it wasn’t for me and my twisted, fucked up baggage, this shit wouldn’t be happening.
“Alright. Perfect.” Derrick waltzes into the kitchen, flipping through documents in his hand. “Got our passports, birth certificates and—” he flicks the last folded document, giving me a wink. “The deed to the restaurant. Oh baby, that’ll be fun to sell.” He laughs, stuffing it into his pocket.
“What makes you think I’ll agree to doing that?”
Derrick stops in his tracks, turning to me. “What makes me think you won’t?” He asks, running his hand over his gun.
I bury my tongue under my lip and look away. This is so fucked.
Seeing that I have no answer, Derrick snickers, resuming his tasks. Whatever the hell he’s doing.
“Just need to find some matches and we’re good to go.” He shuffles around, looking through the cabinets.
My eyes flick over to the dining table, where I know for sure there’s a little matchbox.
I wait for him to turn his back before I reach out, quickly snagging the packet and stuffing it in my pants pocket.
I pick up the discarded canister and try to play off my movement by sprinkling little droplets of gasoline on the floor.
A chill runs down my spine when I realize Derrick has stopped moving. His head hangs low as he leans against the counter.
“You know…” he sighs deeply. “Every time I think we’re on the same page, you find a new way of disappointing me.” He shakes his head.
I swallow deeply. “What?”
In a swift moment, he marches over to me. I turn to try and push him away, but he catches my arm. Swinging it behind my back and pushing me forward until my chest hits the table, forcing all the wind out of my chest.
I struggle against him, but he only winds my arm up even further up my back, shooting pain up my arm and through my back.
I yelp out as he strains my arm even more, pressing into my waist. “Not so tough now, are you?” He pants in my ear. “You’re lucky your little boy toy isn’t here to see what a little bitch you are.” He starts patting me down as if I’m some sort of criminal. He finds the packet of lights and throws it on the table in front of me.
I feel his cheek press against my temple, liquor fumes heavy on his breath. I try to turn my head to avoid inhaling the stench, my eyes watering from the sting.
“You know, now that I think of it—” He continues patting me, his hands unnecessarily patting and squeezing the back of my thighs. I struggle against him, but he keeps me pinned. “Maybe Ididmiss you.” His poisonous words, seeping into my ear.
That’s it. I dig my feet into the ground and push with all my might, launching us both backward. The force throws him off me.
He stumbles and lands on his ass, and I waste no time rushing over. Straddling his chest, I wrap my hands around his thick neck, feeling the veins pop as my fingers dig in.
I never thought of myself as a killer but I’ll do it. I’ll do it because he has given me no other choice.
His eyes start to strain and I pray he passes out. I close my eyes and hope that any second now, he’ll stop struggling and just accept it.
Suddenly, I feel a chilling poke to my ribs.
Fuck.
I open my eyes and see that same sinister grin on his face as he cocks the gun.
I don’t want to die. Not like this. Not without saying goodbye to Elijah.
I loosen my grip, feeling his chest heave underneath me. I slide off of him, feeling defeated and tired.
I tried, Elijah.
