Page 106 of Bleed Me

At the awaiting cage, I kissed my family. With my heart pounding, I then sent them on their way, heavily guarded.

As for the rest of us, we walked silently back to Sapphire’s. I didn’t try to hide my tears when I saw her body again. There was no shame in crying over the loss of the mother of my children. So, I let every agonized silent tear fall as I bent over and scooped up a body I had once been so deeply personal with.

It was eerie. It was haunting. It was death.

As I lovingly cradled that lifeless body, I realized it hadn’t been my first time.

My chest split wide open as my last memory of Jenny alive slammed into me, full force. With that wicked split, it felt like my organs and flesh were exposed to all that feeds in the night.

There were two raised structures in the center of a vast and historical looking room. On those tables were Jenny and I, and we weren’t alone. High ceilings were held up by four massive pillars, accented with incredibly detailed carved wood trimming. The walls were a dirty cream, or at least looked that way against the abundance of candlelit chandeliers. I remembered all the fine details because I knew they were to be my last. The tight grip around my throat increased its pressure, and I had little hope that it would let up.

From what I could tell, Jenny was experiencing the same. A large man hovered over her petite body, surging in and out, grunting and sweating. Beyond him—beyond us—the focal point— was a circle of people who stood witnessing the act. Instead of helping us, they seemed to be enjoying the violence. I couldn’t see their faces clearly, with the dark cloaked robes they all wore, but I could see hidden hands moving under their cover. They were masturbating to the gory sight.

Desperately, I wanted to help my sister but was a victim myself. On my back, my knees to my chest, a man was raping me. Everyone watched as a fat man fucked a child. Tears of fear poured from my eyes, not only because of our dire situation, but because I was running out of air. And so was my Jenny.

Lying on her back, on the raised structure next to mine, her little hand reached out to me. I couldn’t reach her. I cried and cried and stretched my arm and fingers as far as I could as the man impaled me. Her face was turning red, her sweet green eyes beginning to bulge as she was strangled. But I was too small. I was too young. I was unable to stop the man from hurting her. I was unable to stop him from ending her life.

I failed my Jenny.

As my vision began to fade from the lack of oxygen, I watched the light in her eyes dim and extinguish.. I witnessed all the life drain from the adorable face I loved…

Startled, I woke in some sort of dark pantry that was attached to a very old-fashioned kitchen, almost castle-like in appearance. At least, it felt like a castle to the child in me. Next to me was a cold body. I didn’t have to look to see who it was. I didn’t want to see those dead green eyes. I only wanted my Jenny alive. I only wanted my sister, my only friend. But that was taken from me. We had been used then left for dead and discarded, to be dealt with in the morning.

I sensed what would happen to me once they found me alive.

I didn’t want to die twice.

After closing her eyes, my young arms cradled my sister, and I found our way out of the castle and walked us into the woods…

“You still with us, Giver?” Dagger was standing in front of me, Sapphire still in my arms.

As I recalled where I had buried my sister, I nodded. “Yeah, I’m with ya.”

With his face full of sympathy, he told me, “We have to bury her, son.”

Remembering all the scrapes and ripped skin I received while burying my sister, I nodded. “Yes, sir.” Jenny’s naked little body was my only companion that night in the woods.

“Giver, we’re with you, brother,” Torque told me.

More tears fell… “Thank you.”

Lynx touched my shoulder. “Let’s get your girl home.”

Home…

Another tragic event had happened in my life, and I had another beautiful girl to lay in the ground, but I found peace in knowing I was no longer… alone.

The young Prospect kept apologizing for failing us—for failing Sapphire. He’d had no idea her boyfriend was our enemy. What Prospect would’ve known? We didn’t let them into the Stalls. They weren’t given any privileged information. Only our enemy knew who was truly against us.

After burying Saph, I went inside, more drained than ever before.

Waiting in our dark bedroom was my wife. Our kids were asleep next to her, in the middle of our bed. I crawled in and stared at the Church Eyes I needed to give me guidance.

She whispered, “Thank you for taking care of her.” Tears fell to her pillow.

“I can’t believe she’s gone.”

Justice reached over our children and laid her palm to my chest. “She isn’t. She’s right here, safe with our love that will never die for her.”