Viscious

Reunited.

            Kellan stood hovering until I was able to drink the broth. I had it everywhere, but I clutched the cup for life unwilling to let him assist. Things were unsettling before, but they have went completely nerve wrecking now. He nearly killed me, twice, no three times. Again. And that was just the last day in the woods and chopping my leg off. Now he expects me to help him kill Dallas, all for a flash drive that I had planted in the box. How did he get it though? Didn't Kellan pack everything? Did he leave the box out for Dallas?

          "You're really going to meet him?" I ask, testing the water. Kellan laughs.

          "Fuck no. You think I'm stupid? You know he has been in cohorts with authorities now and that this is a ruse to get me out every they can ambush me. However you've mostly been ignoring me, and I knew this would get your attention. Now, that I have your attention, let me tell you my actual intentions. I am going to kill Dallas, and I'm going to get that drive if he actually has it. But it will not be when he's expecting me, and certainly not with you with me. I'll need you for leverage, if he kills me then you would be left here alone. You'd be dead before they found you." He smirks at me.

          "But first, I have questions 'Lina." I gulp and try to hide as far into the sear as my condition allows.

           "I left nothing credible behind. So how did he manage to get this fladhdrive? Take your time, baby. I want you to think it over and give me the truth." I want to lie, I want to lie so badly, but I know this is a test. He likely knows. He had the cameras and probably knew the drive was missing the whole time. So, I take a moment to gather my intestinal fortitude before speak.

            "It... is my fault..." I choke out. I can hardly hold eye contact, so I don't even try. I just curl up and await the explosion that will no doubt follow. He stays silent though. The silence is more punishing than relieving, as I don't know his next move or what horror will follow or when.

            "How so?" He strokes my good leg and leans over me. "I'm not going away. You can refuse to meet my eyes if you please, but I want to know how."

           "I-I...you hurt me. You kept hurting me and you put me in that closet. I found the drive in a shoe and I knew not to touch it, but I took it in spite. I-I...well...I thought it was a test. But you never let on you knew, so I kept it hidden. In the pillow case, then in the actual bun if my hair once or twice. I was paranoid to have it on me though so I put it back into the case. Did you leave the case?" His face hardens.

          "I tossed it all in the fucking trash can. I set that house and barn on fire. He had to have gotten in there before he went in search of you." He turns to me. "Did he mention this to you?"

          "No. He was mostly in panic over the officer he said tried to kill me, and over my mangled state."

         "An officer tried to kill you?"

         "He said so, but my memory of that event isn't reliable."

          "I understand. Did you tell him anything else I should know about?" He slightly glares, and panic because in seriousness I don't recall half of what I might have said.

          "I don't know..." He reaches for me and I screech, scalding my throat and curl up.

          "We've been set back, big time." He groans. "I'm not going to hurt you. If I was, you'd know it."

         "That's the problem...I don't..."

         "I suppose that's partially true. Here, another cup of broth and I'll take you back upstairs."