Page 94 of Out for Blood
The clown’s eyes widen in absolute terror as I wrap my hand around his throat.
“You should’ve stayed on the floor,” I whisper.
My knife slides into my hand in one smooth motion.
The clown starts sobbing instantly.
Begging.
Promising money.
Information.
Names.
I don’t care.
All I can see is the girl shaking on that swing.
Everything we’ve seen tonight comes rushing back and plays out like a movie.
My grip compresses around my knife.
I rear back and in one slash across his throat, I take his life.
Blood gushes out and soaks us right away.
While he convulses, the bells on his costume jingle one last time before going still.
Silence crashes through me afterward so quickly it almost feels disorienting.
Behind me, Tyler says my nickname carefully, only to make sure I come back.
My chest heaves vigorously as I stare down at the body sprawled beneath the spotlight, blood covering the floor.
Then slowly, I look at the girl on the swing.
And the expression on her face hurts worse than anything else in this room.
Because she looks at me like she understands exactly why I did it.
Tyler holsters his Glock as soon as the clown’s body goes still.
He’s still next to the girl and I see her breathing is irregular and coming out in bursts.
Tyler squats as he nears her, moving with the same caution you would use around an injured animal.
“You’re going to be okay. We are getting you out of here,” he tells her, stopping next to the swing.
Hurriedly he pulls his phone out. It’s the right move to make, she needs medical assistance immediately.
What feels like an eternity but are just mere moments, three members of the rescue crew barrel inside.
Blood still drips from my hands onto the circus floor while I watch almost hypnotized, the rescue crew works as speedily and delicately as possible.
They are already helping the girl off the swing and carrying her out the door.
Tyler’s attention is solely on me and his entire expression changes.
