Chapter 4

It’s black-on-black. A shade of absolute darkness. Pure sadism shines in his irises as he holds my head hostage, and the worst part is that if he lets go, I’ll surely tumble backward. A frightening smirk lifts his lips. “Being on your knees is highly recommended indeed. Now, should we begin?” This can’t be real. It isn’t. Shouldn’t be. And yet, as my eyes clash with the stranger’s muted and absolutely lifeless ones, I’m unsure of whether this is real or if I’m caught in a nightmare. Probably the latter. It’s not even about his savage hold on my hair, which I’m sure if I attempt to fight, he might tear from my skull—or worse, use to yank me over the cliff like he’s been threatening ever since I met him. In hindsight, I should’ve been ready for something like this, considering my family. I’ve always thought I had unusual family and friends. Heck, Grandpa is a ruthless sociopath. So is my uncle. My brother is even worse. But maybe since I’ve known them all my life, I’ve normalized their behavior. I’ve accepted it as if it were a given. Because they’re functioning members of society, and I’ve never been their target. I was blindsided and thought I could handle people like them if I met them in real life. But then again, nothing could’ve prepared me for being in this position with someone I’ve just met. The sound of crashing waves comes in sync with my chaotic thoughts. The cold air seeps through my jacket to underneath my top, chilling the sweat clinging to my skin. I’ve been on fire ever since the rush of life flowed into my veins earlier so the sensation is welcome. Despite my instinct that keeps screaming at me to run away, I’m well aware that any sudden movement will probably get me killed. So I swallow the saliva that’s gathered in my mouth and respond to his last statement, “Begin what?” “Payment for saving you.” “You didn’t.” I throw a trembling hand around. “I’m still on the edge.” “And you’ll remain that way until you give me what you promised.” “I didn’t promise you anything.” His head cocks to the side and so does the camera, following the axis of his body with haunting, methodical motion. “Oh, but you did. And I repeat,whatever you want, remember?” “Those were words I said in the heat of the moment. They don’t count.” “They do to me. So either give me what I want or…” he trails off, craning his neck toward whatever’s behind me. He doesn’t need to voice it. I can tell where he’s aiming. It’s an intimidation factor. A looming threat. And he knows damn well that it’s working. “Can I get up first?” “No. What I want happens in this position.” “And what do you want?” “Your lips around my cock.” My mouth falls open, and I hope it’s a nightmare. I hope that this is some sort of a twisted joke that’s gone too far and I’m supposed to laugh it off now, then go home and text the girls about it. But I have a feeling that if I so much as breathe wrong, the situation will escalate to the worst. “If you’re not into that option, I have alternatives in mind.” His hand slides from the top of my head to the hollow of my cheek and then down to my lips. In my life, I’ve never been as frozen as I am right now. And it has everything to do with his cold touch. It’s callous, devoid of any care, and absolutely terrifying. This must be what it feels like to have your soul ripped out by the Grim Reaper. His fingers slide down to my throat and he squeezes the sides hard enough to make me lightheaded and establish who holds control in this situation. “You can get on all fours so I can stick my cock in one of your remaining holes. Probably both and in no particular order.” I wish this was a façade, but there’s no ounce of deceit in his tone. This crazy bastard really won’t hesitate to make good on his promises. It’s only now that I realize what deep trouble I’m actually in. This psycho will devour me alive. If I thought I was hollow for weeks, then this will definitely end me. Decimate me. Tear me to pieces. He must sense my distress, considering the trembling of my whole body. I’m like a stray bird in the middle of the windy night, being pushed in all directions. “Which option will you go for?” the stranger asks in his casual voice that could belong to dukes and aristocrats. There’s unnerving ease in his movements and manner of speech. As if he’s a robot that’s running on some fucked-up battery. But at the same time, it’s like he’s at war. He escalates the events so quickly that the nature of his actions turns unpredictable. And I’m not staying around to find out to what lengths he’ll take this. Using the element of surprise, I spot the chance where his grip is somewhat relaxed on my throat, and I lunge up. My heart soars with the explosive fireworks of adrenaline when I feel him losing his merciless hold. I did it. I— I’m not even finished celebrating in my head when a loud thud sounds in the air. The air whooshes out of my lungs when my knees hit the rocks with a lethality that knocks my thoughts from my head. I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe… That’s when I realize that he’s brought me down with a violent squeeze around my throat and a shove on the top of my head. And this time, he’s out to choke me. My nails dig into his wrists, my survival instinct kicking in like that of a trapped animal.