Page 48 of Burn For Me

“Please, man, I don’t want to die. Jim ordered me to do it, or I’d be fired.”

I paused and looked down at him.

“So, what you’re saying is that your job was more important than doing the right thing? Then destroying a sweet woman’s soul?”

Tears slid down Jason’s face, and I felt nothing for this creature, this slob of a man that didn’t deserve to continue breathing.

Squatting down, I took in the agony that was etched into his features, the fear that was tearing him up inside. Grabbing his face, I forced him to look at me. “Don’t worry, Jason, it will all be over very quickly, which is generous considering the crime.”

“You can’t judge me. You killed four people. Your actions landed you in that place, and then you killed hundreds when you escaped.” Spittle flew from Jason’s mouth and landed on my sweater.

“I’m not going to waste my breath explaining the whys of my actions to you.”

I smacked the small propane tank down hard onto his crotch and loved the instantaneous groan-whimper. His chest heaved as he continued to struggle. I had to give him credit. Most would’ve given up by now. I taped the thing in place and gave it a pat.

“So, you think you’ll feel your dick being blown off before the rest of your body is ripped apart? Huh, interesting thought for later.”

“What can I do? How can I make this right? I’ll do anything, Derek, please.”

My finger traced along the line of my chin as I contemplated the request, but nothing came to mind. The only thing he could do to make this right was to die.

“Sadly, Jason, there is simply nothing you can do. I have nothing left, so there is nothing you can do to make this better.”

I smacked my hand off my leg.

“I almost forgot.” I wandered around the space until I found his wallet and then got down on the floor in the small room to grab the knife.

Kneeling down, I stared under the bed. My hand froze as it slid over the handle of the blade. Asher’s scared face floated in front of my eyes as the bang of the door in my mind made me jump. Closing my eyes, I braced my arm on the bed and tried to settle the racing in my heart.

Steeling myself from the memories and weak emotions that were threatening to take over, I pushed myself to my feet. Thumbing through his wallet, I found only cash. There was nothing else useful.

“Thanks,” I said, holding up the wad of cash and dropping the empty wallet onto his chest.

Jason made one last valiant effort to wiggle out of this. I watched as he literally tried to inchworm his way across the floor on his side.

“You’re a pain in my ass Jason,” I grumbled. “Just accept this is going to happen. You were meant to die tonight. The spirits guide my hand.”

“You’re fucking crazy, man,” Jason whined as I once more grabbed him by the feet and hauled his ass into the center of the room.

I quickly finished setting up the C4 by adding the blasting cap and attaching the detonation line that would be just long enough for me to get out of the cabin and far enough away from the deadly debris.

I strung out the line and wandered back over to the struggling man, giving him a hard right hook across the face. That did the trick, you annoying prick. I wandered over to the couch and groaned as I picked up the heavy wooden piece of furniture. It had to have a bed inside it because it weighed way too much. My muscles strained with every step, but I wanted to make sure Jason stayed put this time. He was proving to be a slippery one.

“Please…god…don’t,” he wheezed with the weight on his chest.

Arranging the couch over Jason, I let it go and then leaned on it as I stared into his eyes.“This is what was always going to happen, Jason. Your master whispered in my ear, calling you home, but God is not his name.” My lip curled up as I stood and grabbed my things before making my way to the sliding glass door.

“Goodbye, Jason. I’m sure I’ll see you again. You all tend to visit me.”

Pushing down on the rowel of the lighter, I lowered it to the line but kept my eyes on Jason’s horror-filled face the entire time. I wanted to savor every second I could.

The loud hiss started a little flame that made its way across the floor like an animal sniffing out its prey. Grudgingly, I took off, ran for the spot I’d arrived at, and darted behind a large palm tree, getting low to the ground. The cabin blew, and the explosion had been a lot louder than normal. The added propane probably did the trick.

I peered around the tree. A smile spread across my face as the sparks and debris fluttered to the ground. What was remaining was burning bright, an unearthly beacon to those dark and twisted creatures that wanted Jason’s soul.

I could almost see the wispy shapes sliding and crawling across the beach to reach what they desired. Not able to stay any longer, I tossed the pack over my shoulder and jogged for the truck.

Reaching my wheels, I quickly tossed the bag inside and hopped in. A shudder raced through my body as the image of the beach cottage and Jason’s face danced erotically in my mind.