“So what, you’re gonna carry me around until then?”
“Unless you’d rather crawl.”
“No, thanks.”I didn’t protest this time whenhesweptme up.My arms were so sore from the crutches, I would actually prefer being carried this time.“Can I have a piggyback ride?”
He swiftlyrearranged and I wrapped my arms around his neck. A rush went through my body when he lifted my legsfor a better grip. He stepped back to let Sean open the door.
“Bye,Ari.”I turned to wave as we stepped out.“I love you.”
“Love you, too. Good luck.”
I leaned into Dennis’back as we left the complex. I had no idea what to expect, but I’d never been so excited. We reached the car and he placed me in the backseat. I slidover with some effort, careful to get my foot inside before he shut the door.
“We’re going to the woods behind Craven Lake, right?”I asked once they were both in. Sean confirmed as he shut the passengerdoor. “And you figured out a way to keep me from murdering everyone around?”
“Yup,” Dennis said.
“I’m so excited.”I was trying to contain it, but I couldn’t keep from bouncing in my seat. My emotions kept switching between excited and painfully nervous.“Is it gonna hurt?”I asked, looking at the back ofDennis’ head. His lack of response made my excitement run cold.“I take it that’s a yes.”
“It might not be too bad,”Sean said.
“It’s okay. I’ll deal with it.”
“I’m sure you will,” Dennis said, followed by a quiet laugh.
I gazed out the window, trying to keep the butterflies from coming back. Sometimes I enjoyedpain. At the right moments and to a certain extent.Hopefully, this would be one of those times. It probably would be with the kind of off Dennis was. The reactions he always caused, the immediate arousal whenever we touched. The slightly unnerving, borderline sadistic way he acted—even laughed—was always enough to excite me. But of course, I wouldn’t know until it happened.
A few minutes passed before we pulled to a stop near the park. I fumbled with my seatbelt and popped the door open, then waited for someone to come get me.
“I’m guessing piggyback again?”
“Yes, please.”I let Dennis turn around before scooting forward to get on his back. He hoisted me up withbothhandsresting near the hem of my shorts.“You’re holding too high.”
“I’m trying not to drop you.”
“Whatever.” Iwrapped my arms around his neck with half a mind to choke him.
“It’s not gonna work.”
I didn’t respond. I was too busy admiring the treeswhile we passed the lake and entered the woods. They were so thick in this area. It was nearly impossible to see.“I’ve never gone this far,” I realized.“My uncle never let us go past the edge when Ari and I were little.”
“How often did you visit?”Sean asked.
“Every holiday break until I was twelve. So Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, spring break, and summers. My parents used to send me here anytime school was out.They used to come too when I was super young, but they started sending me alone when I was six. Probably to sell drugs at home without me getting in the way.” I laughed at Sean’s expression. “Don’t get weird. It’s fine. Also, Ari’s right. These woods are super creepy.”
They were getting thicker and darker the further we went. Eventually, the trees broke and we entered a small clearing. The trees and brush along the edge were so thick that anyone on the other side would never know it was here.Dennis walked to the thickest tree and lowered me from his back to a sitting position.
“Do we start now?” I straightened my legs and leaned back.
“Not yet.”Dennis held back a smile as I pouted, then turned to Sean.“Canyougatherthe bodies while I bite her?”
“Bodies?”
“People,” he corrected. “I forget you care. Can you gather the people while I bite her?”
“Sure.”Sean dropped a pile of chains at my feet.
“The fuck?”I tried to scurry away but bumped into the tree. “What are those for?”
