Sandman might stop by, and if I’m not there…
“Right, it is a school night,” Jace states, his tone becoming businesslike. “Have you ever seenBeauty and the Beast?”
“Is that a trick question?” I give him the side-eye. “Hello, I’m a girl. I’ve seen the animated and the live-action adaptation only, like, a gazillion times. I even saw it on ice once.”
“So you’re aBeauty and the Beastexpert?”
“I sure am,” I state proudly. “Have you seen it?”
“Only the live-action adaptation,” he answers. “You know it’s all bullshit, right?”
“What’s bullshit?”
“Belle falling madly in love with the Beast. No girl would ever fall in love with a hairy, grotesque beast-man with sharp teeth. Girls are just too superficial.”
“Hey.” I lightly punch him on the arm. “Don’t lump us all intothe same category. Some girls look past the physical. And isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black? All your testosterone-slinging counterparts care about are looks.”
“Not—”
The front door bursts open.
I scream, my heart jumping into my throat, as a barrage of big bodies swarms into the living room. All dressed in black from head to toe, their faces hidden behind ski masks. There’s no time to react. My mouth is taped shut, wrists bound behind my back, and a hood secured over my head in less than sixty seconds. Then I’m thrown over a hard shoulder and carted outside.
This is Sandman’s doing. Iknowit is. I should scream, kick,dosomething,anything. But I can’t move. I’m frozen. Oh God, please. I don’t want to die. I’m placed in a running vehicle, fear palpable in my trembling limbs. I hear doors slamming shut, then we’re moving. Thumping and muffled screams come from my left.
Jace.
I didn’t see what happened to him in the commotion. I was unsure if he had been taken like me or killed. A loud whack followed by a pained groan startles me.
“Quiet,” comes a gruff demand. “Another sound from you and I’ll cut out your fucking tongue.”
Though the threat isn’t directed at me, I go completely still, afraid to even breathe. These men, whoever they are, mean business. I don’t want to do anything to incur their wrath. The zip tie binding my wrists together is painfully tight, slicing through skin and tissue. I bite back my whimpers, keeping as quiet as possible. Blood pools onto the floorboard, coating my fingertips.
Where are they taking us?
I close my eyes and pray. Pray that if I do meet my end tonight, it’s quick. That’s all I can do. After what seems like an eternity, the rumbling beneath my cheek stops, and the doors creak open. I’m relieved and petrified at the same time, though the latter emotion is more prevalent.
It’s extremely loud wherever we are. Roaring engines and revelry greet my ears. A racecar track comes to mind.
“Up and at ’em, sweetheart,” someone jeers, jerking me to my feet.
I’m unceremoniously hauled across uneven terrain, losing my footing several times in my failed attempt to match my captor’s brisk stride. Bright lights are visible through the threadbare hood covering my face. What is this place?
Oh my God.
I’ve seen horror movies with this exact premise: a cult kidnaps unsuspecting teenage victims rehearsing for the school musical to sacrifice them to their demonic deity and bring about the apocalypse.
Calm down. You’re letting your imagination run away with you.
I’m callously shoved to my knees, the zip tie cut, and the hood snatched off my head. “Welcome to God’s Glory, sweetheart.”
No, no, no.It takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the glaring lights. Motorcycles surround me, the high beams casting the spectators in shadowy silhouettes. They’re silent now, waiting… watching.
This is far worse than any horror movie I could’ve ever imagined. Several feet away, a hulking bear of a man holds Jace captive in an unyielding headlock. Sandman looms beside them, a fierce scowl contorting his angular features.
I try to speak, to ask him why he’s doing this, but the words won’t come. I’m going to die at eighteen years old. Die before I’ve even had a chance to truly live. And my poor, innocent classmate will meet the same fate.Guilty by association.
“You really thought you could start some fairytale romance with this asshole right under my fucking nose?” Sandman spits, violent anger vibrating his hard body.
