28. Gage

28

Two months later…

My knuckles turn white as we speed down the highway toward Denbigh, Wyoming. Aurora sleeps peacefully in the passenger seat, unaware of the true purpose of our "vacation." My mind races with dark thoughts, images of what I'll do to her father flashing through my mind.

Phoenix came through for me, digging up the information on that sick bastard's whereabouts. I owe him one, but right now, I can only focus on the rage burning inside me. The things that man did to Aurora... he deserves everything I'm going to do to him and more.

I glance at Aurora's sleeping form, feeling a surge of love. She's been through so much, and I want to ensure she gets the justice she deserves. Even if she doesn't know it yet.

The darkness inside me whispers, urging me to indulge in my most violent fantasies. I imagine the terror on her father's face when he realizes why I've come. The sound his bones will make as they crack under my fists. The way his blood will feel, warm and slick on my hands.

I need to stay focused to keep my urges in check until the right moment. This isn't about satisfying my bloodlust. It's about Aurora, about giving her closure and taking away the power her abuser has held over her for so long.

A calm settles over me as we cross the state line into Wyoming. We're getting close now.

I pull over to the side of the road, gravel crunching beneath the tires as the car comes to a stop. Aurora stirs beside me, her eyes fluttering open. She looks around, confused, as she takes in our surroundings.

"Where are we?" she asks, her voice thick with sleep. "Are you going to tell me where we're going?"

I clench my jaw, my grip tightening on the steering wheel. I knew this moment was coming. I take a deep breath and turn to face her.

"I found your dad," I say, my voice low and steady. "I know where he is."

Aurora's eyes widen, and emotions flash across her face. Shock, fear, anger. I can see the wheels turning in her head as she processes my words.

"What do you mean, you found him?" she asks, her voice trembling slightly. "How?"

I hesitate, not wanting to reveal too much about Phoenix's involvement. "I have my ways," I say finally. "But that's not important right now. What matters is that we'll make him pay for what he did to you."

Aurora's breath catches in her throat, and I can see the tears welling up in her eyes. "Gage, I... I don't know if I can face him," she whispers, her voice breaking.

I reach out and take her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. "You don't have to face your dad," I say, my voice fierce with determination. "I'll face him for you. I'll make him suffer for every moment of pain he caused you."

The darkness inside me stirs, images of violence and retribution flashing through my mind.

"I don't want you to get hurt," she says softly, her eyes searching mine. "Promise me you'll be careful."

I nod, lifting her hand and gently kissing her knuckles. "I promise," I say, my voice rough with emotion. "But I won't let that man hurt you or anyone else again. He'll pay for what he did."

Aurora takes a shaky breath, nodding slowly. "Okay," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "Let's do this."

I grip the steering wheel tightly as we turn onto a narrow dirt road. The headlights cut through the darkness, illuminating an old, dilapidated farmhouse in the distance. My heart pounds with anticipation.

"That's it," I growl, nodding toward the rundown structure.

Aurora tenses beside me, her breath catching in her throat.

I park the car far from the house, killing the engine. The silence is deafening. I turn to Aurora, her face pale in the moonlight.

"Stay here," I order, grabbing my mask and putting it on. "I'll come get you when it's done."

She nods, her eyes wide with fear and something else—a hunger for justice, perhaps. I step out of the car, the gravel crunching beneath my boots. The night air is crisp.

Approaching the house, my footsteps are heavy with purpose. The porch creaks ominously as I climb the steps. Without hesitation, I kick in the door, wood splintering under the force of my boot.

The stench of stale beer and body odor assaults my nostrils as I enter. In the dim light, I see Aurora's father sprawled in a ratty armchair, a bottle dangling from his limp fingers.

He stirs at the commotion, bleary eyes focusing on me. "Who the fuck are you?" he slurs, struggling to sit up. "Get the fuck out of my house!"

I stand there, silent and menacing, my fists clenched at my sides. The darkness inside me roars, demanding blood. But I wait, savoring the moment.

"I said get out!" he bellows, staggering.

Then I hear soft footsteps behind me. Aurora. She steps into the light, her face a mask of determination and fear.

Her father freezes, the color draining from his face as recognition dawns. "Aurora?" he whispers.

The air crackles with tension as father and daughter face each other for the first time in years. I stand ready, waiting for Aurora's signal, prepared to unleash hell upon this pathetic excuse for a man.

Aurora's face contorts with pain when her eyes lock on her abuser. Her body trembles, and for a moment, I worry she might bolt.

"Don't be scared, little one," I murmur. "He's going to get what's coming to him. I promise you that."

The darkness inside me surges forward, a tidal wave of rage and violence that I've been holding back for too long. My vision narrows, tunneling until all I can see is her father's terrified face.

"You," I snarl, taking a step toward him. "You don't deserve to breathe the same air as your daughter."

He stumbles backward, tripping over his feet to get away from me. "Please," he whimpers, "I don't know who you are, but?—"

I don't let him finish. My fist connects with his jaw, the satisfying crunch of bone reverberating through my knuckles. He crumples to the floor, blood trickling from his split lip.

"You know exactly who I am," I growl, looming over him. "I'm her vengeance. I'm your worst nightmare."

The voices in my head crescendo, urging me to inflict more pain, to make him suffer as Aurora has suffered. I oblige, raining down blow after blow on his cowering form.

I'm dimly aware of Aurora watching, her eyes wide with horror. But I can't stop now. The monster inside me has been unleashed, and it demands blood.

I grab a nearby bottle, smashing it against the wall. The jagged edge glints in the dim light as I advance on her father. His pleading falls on deaf ears as I carve into his flesh, each cut a testament to the pain he inflicted on my Aurora.

I feel Aurora's hand on my arm, pulling me back from the brink of madness. She wrenches the jagged bottle from my grip, her eyes blazing with a fury I've never seen before.

"No," she says, her voice trembling but firm. "This is my fight, Gage. I need to do this."

I hesitate, the darkness inside me screaming for more violence, more blood. But as I look into Aurora's eyes, I see a strength that takes my breath away. This is her moment, her chance to regain the power stolen from her so long ago.

Stepping back, my chest heaves with exertion and barely contained rage. Aurora turns to face her father, the broken bottle gripped tightly in her hand.

"You took everything from me," she whispers, her voice raw with pain. "My innocence, my childhood, my sense of safety. But you don't get to win. Not anymore."

Her father cowers on the floor, his face a mess of blood and snot. He opens his mouth to speak, but Aurora doesn't give him the chance.

With a scream of rage and anguish, she plunges the jagged edge of the bottle into his chest. I watch in awe as she twists it, driving it deeper, her face contorted with agony.

Her father gasps, his eyes wide with shock. Blood bubbles from his lips as he struggles to breathe. But it's too late. The light fades from his eyes, and he slumps to the floor, still and silent.

Aurora stands over him, her chest heaving. The bottle slips from her fingers, clattering to the ground. I move to her side, gathering her in my arms as she collapses against me.

"It's over," I murmur, stroking her hair. "The bastard can't hurt you anymore. You're free, little one."

We stay like that, holding each other amidst the carnage. The darkness inside me quiets, sated by the vengeance we've wrought together.