AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My mind snaps back to the present, and I meet his gray eyes. “Sorry, what?”
We’re in a room of chromakey green walls that’s empty, save for a quartet of cameras placed on tripods at each corner.
“You didn’t hear my confession?” he asks.
I shake my head.
“I’ve been a fan of you from the beginning.”
“Oh.” I shift on my feet.
“Although I got a bit confused when you started broadcasting about Xero Greaves. That wasn’t your style at all.”
My brows pinch. “Reverend Tom?”
“But you made up for all that in the graveyard. That performance was probably one of your finest. I loved watching you triumph, but you were so beautiful in your humility. Exquisite.”
Every molecule of oxygen leaves my lungs. He saw that video, too?
Before I can even process that thought, the door behind me swings shut, and he advances on me with a manic smile.
“I’ve always wondered what it would be like with you. If I could ever defeat you or die at your blade like the others.”
ONE HUNDRED TWO
AMETHYST
My breath hitches, and my skin breaks out in a chill. Why does Reverend Tom speak like we’re in a death match?
“What are you talking about?” I ask and back toward the door.
As he turns toward the nearest camera, I whirl around and pull down its handle.
“It’s locked,” he says and switches on the first camera. “You didn’t think I’d let you dismiss me so easily? It feels like I’ve known you for years. Now, it’s your turn to reciprocate.”
This man must be having a psychotic break… Or he’s friends with Jake. Either way, it’s time to leave. I glance from left to right, taking in my surroundings. The room is twice the size of my little studio at home, but with windows also painted green. This must be where he films his Christian podcast.
He walks to the next camera, and I reach for the knife I left in my pocket. My mind spins. I can’t make sense of what’s happening, but I position my body in a defensive stance, ready for what the hell comes next.
“Let me out,” I say through clenched teeth, trying to take control of my mounting panic.
Ignoring me, Reverend Tom strolls to the next camera and turns it on. “How do you want to play this?”
“Play what?” I rasp. Blood roars through my ears, muffling his footsteps as he activates the fourth camera. “What the hell is going on?”
He spins around, his eyes shining. “Alright then. I’ll go first,” he says, sounding like he’s acting a part. “Welcome to the confessional, my child. Tell me your sins and I will absolve you with blood.”
I back into the wall, my eyes widening as he unzips his fly and pulls out his erect penis.
My heart pounds against my ribs in a panicked drum beat. The time for questions ended when I stepped into a room and let the door swing shut. The answer is obvious. Reverend Tom is connected to X-Cite Media and wants to record a snuff movie with me as its victim.
I scramble for something to say to buy time and figure out a way to escape, but all I can think of is Xero. He warned me not to associate with the priest. Was that because they were in competition?
My gaze darts around the green walls, searching for inspiration. Reverend Tom reaches for his crucifix and draws out a blade, making my mind sharpen.
Raising both palms, I shake my head. “Green room backgrounds won’t cut it. The studio wants original content, not plagiarized backdrops.”
His face falls. “St. Anne’s interior is too recognizable. I can’t use it, even for an audition.”
