Page 55 of Kill Me

I refuse to be his victim.

My only option is to become a survivor. And the only way that can happen is when he dies at my hand.

I bolt upright and scream. I scream and scream and scream until big strong hands grab hold of my shoulders and shake me. “Magpie,” I scream and scream some more. Cries ring through my ears that sound so unlike me. It’s like I’m expelling a demon from my soul.

My shoulders are shaken a little harder. “Magpie. Open your eyes.”

“Wait, wha—” I open my eyes, and the light blinds me. My body aches. But the moment my eyes land on Harley, it all but disappears. I touch his face. Softly, like I’m scared if I make contact he’ll disappear. Like he’s a figment of my imagination.

“You came for me.” He nods.

“I did more than that, Little Magpie. I came for you, and I stole you away forever.” His words don’t register for a second. I take in my surroundings and realise I’m no longer in the facility.

“Where am I?”

My sobs recommence, and he comes and sits next to me, bundles me into a hug and leans back with my head on his chest. “Somewhere safe. It’s okay. Let it all out.”

“I’m so tired. But I’m so happy to see you. I didn’t think you’d come.”

“I told you to think of a safe word, didn't I? What does a safe word mean?”

“It means you drop everything and come for me.”

“Exactly, Little Magpie. Exactly. Now get some rest. We’ve got lots of work to do, and there are some people here that are really excited to meet you.”

“I think I remember.”

“Remember what?”

“I think I remember where it all began and why I’ve been losing gaps in time. And it’s not my fault. It wasn’t something I was doing to myself.” I cry from sheer relief.

I snuggle into him as he strokes my hair and shushes in my ear. My eyes are drooping within minutes.

“Bones?”

“Yes, baby?”

“Thank you for saving me.”

“Anytime, Little Magpie. You say the safe word, and I’ll burn the world to find you.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

Quinn - Present Day

It’s been a few days since Harley rescued me from the facility. Every time I’ve woken up, he’s been next to me. Sometimes asleep, other times awake and scrolling on his phone or reading a book. Today is the first time I feel well enough to get out of bed and try to be a functioning human.

The bed I’m lying on is big enough for at least three people, and there are soft, fluffy pillows for me to lay my head on. There are no curtains, just a blackout blind and a door to an ensuite bathroom. It’s basic, but in comparison to where I’ve been living, it’s heaven.

“Good morning, Little Magpie. You look a little more human today. Here’s your meds. We’re gonna get you in to see a doctor friend of mine and get these meds checked so we know you’re taking the right things for the right reasons. While I’m suspicious of what they’ve been giving you, the risk of you going cold turkey isn’t worth it. Your body is used to whatever they’ve been giving you, and making you sicker is not on my agenda.”

“You think they could have been using the wrong ones for me?”

“I wouldn’t put anything past them after meeting them.”

“You met them? And you’re still alive?”

“Never underestimate a man who knows what he wants, Magpie. I had a great time. Your mum and Eric didn’t enjoy our conversation as much.”