17

17

KADE

Ineed to see her. I need to hear her voice. I need to touch her skin.

I need to know this is real, that I am real.

Her hair is dark. Her lips are pink. Her freckles cluster over her skin. She has tattoos that I drew for her when I was a teenager.

She is… She is…

What was I talking about again?

There’s someone beneath me. I can’t see the person’s face. Their hands are lifting to my hair and tugging at the strands. “I missed you,” the voice says. “I missed you. I missed you. I missed you.”

Stacey? Is that you? I miss you too.

There’s a jolt, and the person vanishes, pain wracks my body, and I’m thrown backwards. The darkness of the room spins somehow, and it feels like all my nerves are being stuck with needles, my teeth gritting so hard, I’m surprised none have cracked.

Then it all stops, and someone grabs my face.

“Is he still alive?”

“Yes, ma’am, just weak. I suggest we put a halt to this method. If we force any more electricity into him, his heart might stop. He’s already had two seizures. I fear for his mental state.”

“Mum, please, stop,” I hear Cassie cry. “You’re going to kill him!”

That’s fine. Let me die. I’m not too fond of your fucking company.

“Not until he agrees to marry you.”

A deep voice interrupts. “This young man won’t be in any state to marry someone if we keep going. What you’re making me do is a crime!”

Archie laughs. “The little prick killed my right-hand man. He decapitated him. My fucking friend. More, or I’ll put a bullet in your skull and do it myself.”

Maybe if I die, I’ll reincarnate into a dog. Stacey likes dogs. She’ll cuddle me.

I like her cuddles.

Or maybe I can haunt her – make sure she doesn’t meet anyone else.

“Amp it up,” Archie orders. “Then I want him treated and freed.”

“Why are you freeing him?” Cassie asks, still sobbing. “Put him in my room and I’ll make sure he’s okay.”

I can’t wait to see Stacey beat the shit out of Cassie.

“I gave you an order,” Archie tells the man sticking up for me. “Up the voltage. That’ll teach the little cunt not to fight back.”

Stacey fought back, and I wanted to as well.

Is she alright? Where’s my phone so I can call her?

I don’t think they can hear me.

Wankers.

Cassie screams, Bernadette sighs and tells her daughter to get out, then all sounds are blocked from my ears as electricity shoots right through my skull.