Page 46 of Sing Me a Song

“Get them to the airstrip quickly.” Hail barks at him, his tone completely changing.

He kisses Sky’s forehead and I envision myself breaking his fucking nose, he’s lucky my arms are filled with my friend. I practically drag her to the car and when we both fall in, I can feel the blood dripping down my back again. The driver runs to Hail and then comes back with the bag that was on his shoulder. Inside are our passports and some more clothing.

“Do not return home, he’ll find you.” He calls out just as the driver closes the door.

I dig past the clothes and feel the stacks of bills. There’s enough here to start a new life. I look at Sky and find her already passed out again, her breathing shallow and fast.

We get to the plane and the driver carries Sky up the narrow stairs, disappearing inside. I take the trek slower, the pain almost proving to be too much, and when I finally get inside, the driver is coming out of a room.

“Where is she?” I demand.

“She’s on a bed in there,” he points behind him. “She needs rest to heal. So do you.”

“I want to go home.” I whimper, wherever that is.

“There’s some pain killers and water there. We’ll leave shortly.” He points to a small bar and then exits the plane.

I want to leave too, I want to get as far from this place as possible, but I know I need this plane to do it. I drop the bag of money and clothes then head over to the bar. There are some pills and bottles of water. I don’t know what the pills are but at this point I don’t care, I need something.

I swallow down two and ease myself down into a seat, resting my head against the back. Just as I start to drift off, I feel a hand on my shoulder, and the rumble of the engine starting. I open my eyes and stare into a set of deep brown ones, filled with pity.

“Where are we taking you?” it’s the driver from earlier, his voice is careful and tentative.

“I don’t know,” I sit up and look behind me to the door where Sky is, “we can’t go home.”

“No, I imagine not.” He murmurs, “you should pick a place well populated.”

“You’ve done this before?”

“Only one other time.” He nods. “Las Vegas sounds good, no?”

“Okay.” My voice cracks, “Las Vegas.”

I get up out of my seat and he watches me as I move towards the door I saw him take Sky. I step into the room and find her lying stomach down on the bed, the back of her shirt saturated in blood. I do the same, laying on my stomach beside her, and try to close my eyes. Her head turns and she looks at me, her gaze lit with fire, and her pain burning bright. She lifts her hand and runs it down my head, smoothing my hair as she goes.

“It’ll be okay.” Her voice is hoarse.

“How does Vegas sound?” I ask her.

“Sounds like we’d have no trouble finding jobs.”

I chuckle softly and wince when my t-shirt drags with the motion. It would be easy to find jobs in Vegas as strippers and with the money we were given, it’ll be even easier to start over. I don’t know why, if it’s something sick and twisted inside of me that has me thinking this but, do I want to start over? I know Raiden is sick, his beliefs and his lifestyle are twisted and unorthodox. That doesn’t discount how my body felt in his presence, how my very blood pumped for him, and it doesn’t explain why my heart feels broken.

Maybe I’m sick too.

Because no matter how I feel and no matter how broken-hearted I am, it won’t stop me from killing him if I ever see him again.

Epilogue

Tempest

The vibe in here tonight feels thick with sexual tension. Men seem to be a bit hungrier than usual and my skin tingles with perspiration as I move my body. Ordinary Life by The Weeknd is blaring through the speakers as I begin to wrap up my set.

The men like me here because I’m known as the witchy one. The pentagram scar on my torso is stark white against my tanned skin and my back holds a story of pain and torture. I’m not ashamed of either and have no problem stripping down to show them off. I survived something horrendous and it’s my right to display it.

“That’s our boss lady, Tempest Skeigh!” The MC booms as I slink backstage.

I haven’t changed my name nor my appearance and I made sure to pick a popular hotspot here in Vegas. I’m not a victim nor will I ever be again, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, and I crave revenge.