22. Elijah

P ulling Francesca up by her hair, more cries follow.

Should have shoved the grater down her throat and destroyed her vocal cords while I was at it.

Missed opportunity.

Because Jesus fucking Christ, she is getting on my last fucking nerve.

Her blood stained white-blonde hair is tangled between my fingers, the sight makes me sick. Only one female’s hair that should be here is Rain’s, while on her knees, choking on my cock.

“I know what you’re thinking. And later,” she says, bopping my nose then wrapping her arm around mine, and continues, “I’m glad you’re back. I was worried. Feeling helpless. Not sure how to make it better. I hated it.” Her face falls into my body as she holds me tighter.

It’s an all too familiar feeling. It’s exactly how I feel when she’s sad.

“I’ll never disappear like that again, I swear it, little bat,” I reassure her, kissing the top of her head. It’s something I’ve come to notice she likes. Head and forehead kisses, they always make her smile while her shoulders fall into relaxation.

“Let’s finish taking care of this bitch and go home,” I say, whispering into the crown of her head. I can feel her nod against me as she begins to let go of me. Her eyes pierce into mine. “I’ll grab your bat.”

I wink, so she pushes my shoulder, and I lower my mask over my face. The chain jingles as she bends over, picking the wooden bat up between her fingers. Looking up at me, she smirks. Her entire demeanor has changed, she seems relaxed for the first time since we landed in Colorado.

Pulling on my cousin's hair, I drag her body behind me as I walk to the door.

Rain pulls her own mask down before I open it. The moment I crack it open even an inch, the loud music begins shaking the room, which is soundproof. The house is still dim, but voices are louder as more people must have arrived.

Stepping out, the Elders are no longer standing against the balcony and the aerial artists have since vacated their ribbons. A few Pawns are up here, leaning against the wall, hiding from the main room’s commotion.

Reaching the ledge, I drop the bitch. Her head bounces against the wood floor beautifully. Gripping the iron railing, I lean over and reach for the red ribbon left hanging.

As I grip the soft silk between my fingers, I pull it back with me and my feet meet the floor once more. Holding it out next to me, Rain grabs hold of it.

I sit Francesca up, leaning against the bars. Her head falls to the side, and her eyes are barely staying open, as more blood drains from her. If we don’t do this now, we will lose her before I even get to finish.

Should have shot her with adrenaline, but fuck it, let’s do this.

Taking the ribbon back, I toss it around my cousin’s neck. Unable to pull her forward without her falling, I work quickly. I end up completing the noose knot on her front side.

Looking at Rain, I make eye contact with her, then point to the decorative table against the adjacent wall. Leaving my bat, she rushes over and pulls it over to me.

I scoop Francesca up from under her arms, then throw her on the table. I hop up on it next, and the legs shake as I stand on the top of the surface, bringing my cousin to stand with me.

My arm reaches under her, gripping around her chest while I hold her against me in order to keep her on her feet. My other hand rotates the ribbon so the noose knot is toward me, at the back of her neck.

Placing my lips next to her ear, I shout, ensuring she hears every fucking word, “If you don’t place your feet on the ledge, I will do it for you. Either way, you are dying here tonight.”

She is lethargic.

Goddammit.

Quickly, I move my hands to her waist, hoisting her up so her feet touch the iron rail. The moment I let go, she’s dead.

Looking off to the side, my eyes wander to the main floor. A couple familiar faces are standing, watching and waiting.

“Look, your dad’s down there watching.”

The last vision she will see. Her own father doesn’t even want to help her. Proving to her everything I have fucking said.

“Do it. Fucking coward,” I command, seeing if she has anything left inside of her to move forward. The weight of her is still relying on me.

This dumb bitch is on my last nerve.

Declining her birthright and being needy, relying on others until the very end.

She was given a choice. She didn’t pick the right one.

Now it’s time for her to face the consequences. She was warned.

Music is pounding. The floor on the second-story balcony vibrates beneath our feet as we stand on the table.

I yell once more, “Jump!”

A whimper leaves her mouth, Francesca’s body shaking with fear. Fear which she put inside of herself. It didn’t have to be this way.

My mouth grazes her ear, the last words she will ever hear. “No one will miss you anyways.”

A loud scream leaves her as my hands let go. Her final breath of oxygen enters her lungs.

Feet that were balancing on the wooden banister only moments ago are now floating in the air as she falls forward. The final seconds of her life are gone in a flash.

The silky red fabric that hangs from the ceiling dances. My eyes are captivated by it.

“Fucking beautiful, isn’t it?”

The loud snap is music to my ears as gravity pulls her body down. The red aerial ribbon stays in place, creating tension. Opposing forces. The neck breaks. Her head falls to the side with her broken jaw hanging loose. Francesca’s hair is soaked and colored red. The torn sweatpants dangle at her feet, her pussy exposed and dripping blood.

Our initiation as Disciples is complete.

Rain looks over the railing, her eyes examining the hanging body. Others below are doing the same, as loud clapping follows.

Rain’s head turns rapidly toward it.

Francesca’s dad, my uncle Gregory, is cheering.

Rain then turns to face me, her eyes squinting as she points to him. My little bat is displeased. We can’t have that, can we?