Page 114 of Unhinged Kallie

“Next up is Alexandra Thomas.” We clapped as Kallie’s friend waved and made her way backstage. “Lastly, I’d like to call up Kallie Buchanan.”

My mouth fell open, and I looked down at Kallie as she gave a little cheer. She kissed me before picking up her dress and jogging for the door like this was the most exciting news she’d ever heard. She hated anything to do with Prom Queen and King. I couldn’t remember how many times she ranted about how horrible it was and all the whys.

The principal called out the names of three male seniors, and I remembered well how I was one of the names for my senior year. It felt hollow and fake, not being with who I really wanted.

“Who do you think is going to win,” Bo asked.

“Talon,” I said, not missing a beat. Unless Kallie had decided she wanted to win for some strange reason and fixed the votes. If she set her mind to it, anything was possible.

“Can I have all the contestants come out onto the stage? Everyone give our finalists a round of applause.”

I clapped along with everyone else until only two girls appeared on stage. I craned my neck to see more of the stage like she was hiding behind the heavy curtain.

“Oh, we seem to be missing someone. Kallie Buchanan, can you come out on stage please.”

I didn’t wait another second and pushed through the crowd. Adrenaline fueled me, my heart pounding hard. I knew Kallie would try something like this. She was so determined to go after Darryl herself.

Pushing through the backstage door, I didn’t see her and pulled out my phone as I poked my head into the first dressing room. I was about to move on when a small pile of glittery blue caught my eye. Running over, I looked down at Kallie’s dress and the bracelet I’d given her as a gift. There was a small note on top.

Carter,

I’m sorry. You’re my heart, but I have to do this.

LV Trouble

“Oh fuck, no, you don’t,” I mumbled and picked up all her stuff before heading for the door. Bursting outside, I skidded to a stop as I stared at the empty parking spot.

“Shit, the keys. That was stupid. Of course, she took the car.” I hit Cain’s number and put him on speaker as I pulled up my tracking app.

I pressed the code to Cain’s workroom and took a deep breath when the door hissed as it unlocked. I always felt like I was opening the door to some spaceship, and a creature would be waiting for me on the other side. Technically, I guess there was.

The door opened, and I cringed as the woman lying on Cain’s table screamed. Sometimes I just didn’t want to know.

“Is this a bad time? I can come back.” I couldn’t unsee the gore. Even standing by the door, I saw bone and muscles showing down the side of her body and legs. My stomach churned. I was used to it and still found it difficult to watch. That was what made me different from almost everyone else who lived here.

“Now is fine. Just make sure the door is locked,” Cain said. He spoke softly like we were in a library, not a torture chamber. Closing the door, I hit the lock, and the thud of the large metal bolts clicking into place sent a shiver racing down my spine.

Braving the sound of the crying and begging, I stopped a few feet away from the work table and waited for Cain to address me again.

“Help, help, help, help.” The woman’s voice was hoarse, her eyes wide and feral from pain and fear.

“Are you not going to ask who this is?”

I was curious but shook my head no. “I figure if you want me to know, you’ll tell me,” I said.

Cain looked up from the incision he was making and smirked.

“Help me, please,” the woman said, but I kept my eyes on Cain. I’d lost count of how many people had begged me to help them, but there was no saving them from the jaws of hell.

Cain grabbed the roll of wide surgical tape and tore off a large piece, slapping it on the woman’s mouth.

“There, much better.” He shook his head. “So annoying when they beg my guests for help.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from showing any emotion. “Would you like me to ask who she is?”

Cain shrugged and leaned on the table, staring at me. It never got easier to look him in the eyes when he gave me his full attention. This was what it would be like to stare down the jaws of a giant great white. Whether I breathed another day was always his decision.

“This is Jessica. She says, hi.” His voice was void of emotion, and I couldn’t tell if he was joking.