Holding the knife under my back, I flipped open the blade as I sat up. My fingers trembled as I gripped the knife.
With the blade pointed up behind me, I pressed my fist into the mattress. I pushed with my legs to scoot forward. My arms shook as I concealed the knife.
When I got to the edge, I waited.
As I barely breathed, he stepped between my legs.
I gritted my teeth, forcing a calm I didn’t feel.
He stared down at me, a far-off look in his eyes. As if it wasn’t me he saw in the moment. As if a different girl lay before him on the bed.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
“Even though you know you’ll never be good enough…” He held his hands out for my wrists. “Be a good girl and put effort into it. I’d hate to have to hurt you.”
I gave him my empty left hand. He gripped my wrist so tightly I whimpered.
It drew a low, chilling chuckle from him. “Ohhh, I liked that. Maybe I want to hurt you…”
Winking, he squeezed tighter, and he groaned as I cried out.
He dropped his head back, eyes closed, as he whispered, “It’s so much better when you scream.”
I swung my arm around my body. Using his distraction. Slamming the knife into his side.
And yanking it out just to do it again.
My eyes widened as blood sprayed.
His fist connected with my side, but I barely felt it.
Only the need to escape existed. It was the only thing that mattered. I had to get away from him.
I had to protect myself.
And I’d kill to do it.
I tugged the knife free and jabbed it straight into his gut.
Ben’s bloodcurdling scream pierced the silence. Echoing off the walls, it rang loudly in my ears.
I reared my legs back and then kicked him away.
He clutched his side, stumbling backward.
Gaping in horror as crimson seeped through his shirt, he swayed on his feet.
And I froze, shellshocked, as it bled through his fingers.
“You fucking bitch.” Croaking out the words, he spat blood with them. “You’ll pay for this.”
His body sagged into the wall, eyelids drooping. They rolled back in his head.
I didn’t know if I’d killed him.
And I didn’t care.
Scrambling off the bed, I darted for the door and ran.
