Page 78 of Cry Baby

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She kicked at me, but I held the bag tighter, using my other hand to lock her against me.

We were covered. The mixture of blood, semen, saliva, shit, and vomit was spilling down her face and onto the ground.

It looked like paint.

I barely felt her jabs.

Everything around me disappeared, and all I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears.

Thunk.

The floorboard.

Upstairs.

The Mistress.

My entire body locked onto the sound.

No…

No no no.

Another step.

Closer.

My heartbeat became deafening.

I couldn’t breathe.

Couldn’t think.

My lips started moving on their own.

“One.”

Melodie clawed weakly at my hands.

“Two.”

Another creak overhead.

“Three.”

Melodie’s face was turning red.

“Four.”

My fingers tightened without meaning to, intent on hearing the eight steps completed.

“Five.”

The footsteps crossed the kitchen.

“Six.”

Melodie’s struggles slowed, and I told myself to let go, but I had to continue counting.

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