I don’t wait. I launch my head into his nose with enough force to crack something, either his or mine. Doesn't matter.
He stumbles.
I knee him in the balls with everything I’ve got.
“You fuckingbitch!” he howls, collapsing like a sack of cement. “You’re gonna pay for that!”
“Get off the floor first, fuck face,” I spit, then roundhouse kick him in the temple so hard my old cheer squad would throw a goddamn parade. He collapses, but he’s not out for long.
I run.
Down the hall. No idea where I’m going, but I know where I’mnotstaying.
The bastard’s up behind me. “I’ll kill you as soon as he’s done with you!” he shouts, heavy boots pounding the floor.
I tear around the corner, left, then right. No stairs. No exit. Maze-like halls stretch on endlessly.
“This isn’t a house,” I gasp. “It’s a fucking trap.”
I find a door at the end of the hall, dive inside, and slam it shut. It’s quiet.
Too quiet.
And then… “Cressida?”
She’s on the bed. Pale. Hollow. Eyes wide with something between regret and madness.
“What are you doing here?”
“Oh, Athens…” Her voice is a whisper. “I’m so sorry.”
My stomach drops. “You didn’t bring me here. Right?”
She won’t meet my eyes.
“Cressida?” My voice sharpens. “Right?”
“He made me do it,” she murmurs. “I didn’t want to play his games. But he’s cruel. You don’t understand.”
“Who?” I demand.
A voice behind me answers.
“If you say one more word, I’ll kill you both.”
Before I can turn, he’s on me again, grabbing my hair, yanking me back like I’m nothing but a rag doll.
“You’re gonna learn respect the hard way,” he sneers.
“LET ME GO!” I scream. “Cressida,help me!”
But she just stares.
And then…smiles.
Something in hersnaps, her whole face morphs.
“You want help?” she laughs, dark and brittle. “I’m the one whobroughtyou here. You’re finally gonna get what you deserve.”
