Total pages in book: 238
Estimated words: 231781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1159(@200wpm)___ 927(@250wpm)___ 773(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 231781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1159(@200wpm)___ 927(@250wpm)___ 773(@300wpm)
A Catholic grave. Did they even allow that?
I wouldn’t. It wasn’t happening. I—
“Eat!” he barked.
I jumped, sticking my hand in the bag and pulling out the burger as I turned my head out my window and away from him.
I took a bite, chewing about a hundred times until I could swallow it.
“I got a deal on it,” he said. “Since the plot had been used, of course. Get to keep the headstone, too. It’ll be shaved down. They’ll start working on her name in the next week.”
My chin trembled, and I felt the bile rise.
“One down,” he whispered. “And one embarrassment to go.”
I sat there, the burger with one bite taken out of it lying in my lap.
“I have plans, Emory.”
He unfastened his seatbelt, and I closed my eyes.
“And you would fit in nicely if you stayed in school and stopped troubling me.”
His hand whipped against my face, and my head hit the window. I let out a small cry, fire and pain spreading across my cheek and skull.
No… My body started to shake.
No matter how I read the signs and braced myself, it was always so much harder than I thought it would be.
“I didn’t ask for this!” he screamed, grabbing my collar and slamming me into the door again. “I didn’t want it! Why can’t you help me out? Why can’t you be better?”
I opened my mouth to scream, but I gritted my teeth and bared down instead as he slapped me.
“Goddammit!” he yelled, gripping my collar so tightly the skin on my neck burned.
“Just…” He sucked in a breath, and I saw tears fill his eyes. “Just be fucking normal! Why do you do that, huh? Why?”
“Martin, stop…” I gasped.
I turned and opened the door, but he grabbed the handle and shut it again. Gripping my arm, he threw another hand across my cheek.
I squeezed my eyes shut. “Not the face!” I cried out.
But he didn’t listen—no longer able to think or care about who saw or knew. He’d lost his mind.
The rain pummeled the car, drowning out the sounds of his fists and curses as I dug my nails into the seat and the taste of blood filled my mouth.
Will’s truck flashed in my memory—the smell and the feel of him next to me.
But after a few moments, I couldn’t think of anything. I couldn’t remember anything.
No green eyes. No beautiful smile. No warm arms around me.
My glasses spilled to the floor and then…something wet dripped into my eye.
After a few moments, I couldn’t even remember his face.
• • •
I sat there, staring through the windshield and the wipers, barely mustering the motivation to breathe.
Martin sat back in his seat, lighting a cigarette as blood spilled off my eyebrow and the cuts stung in my mouth.
“It’s Devil’s Night tomorrow,” he said as we sat at the stoplight near the village on the way home. “The little devils fancy themselves dangerous, but no one is more of a threat than the person willing to do what everyone else won’t.”
I cast my eyes to the side, seeing his shotgun in its holder. Sobs lodged in my chest.
I could take it. It would all be over.
I could sleep at night.
“This is my town, Em.” He didn’t look at me, the blessed exhaustion calming his voice now. “It will be someday. This will all seem like a dream compared to the nightmare that awaits everyone who stands in my way.”
I could sleep forever.
I looked out at the rain, my vision blurry through the tears that wouldn’t stop.
I was tired. And sad.
And if he didn’t die, I would, and it had to be tonight. My insides screamed. I couldn’t take it anymore.
My fingers balled into fists, every muscle in my body tightening, and my legs were moving before I’d even made the decision. Pushing the door open, I leapt out in the rain, hearing him bellow my name and telling me to come back, but I just ran.
I was at the edge, and I didn’t want to stop.
Digging in my heels and splashing through the puddles, I ran as hard as I could, up the sidewalk and through the grass, back to the cathedral.
My hair coated my face, and I didn’t look behind me, because I knew he wouldn’t leave the car to chase me, and he might suspect I went into the church, but he wouldn’t be able to find me.
I dashed into the church, slowing my steps to not bring attention, and made my way through the nave to the stairs again. I escaped up to the gallery, behind the door, up the steps, and back inside The Carfax Room, locking the door behind me.
Safe.
Hidden.
I walked to the trunks by the windows, found the dress, and pulled it out.
Emmy Scott was tired and sad.
But Reverie Cross was going to Homecoming.