Page 83 of Payback
We reached the next floor, proceeding down a lengthy corridor in search of an unoccupied room. However, I became aware of something at the far end. Two guys were positioned in front of a white door, seemingly blocking it with a certain air of suspicion while pretending to engage in casual conversation. I released the girl in front of me, who continued her quest to find an available room, as my attention was drawn to the two goons farther away. Their appearances had changed, but I was fairly certain they were members of the old team. Just then, the door swung open, and a guy emerged from the room, still in the process of buttoning up his shirt. He wore a satisfied expression as he slipped past the two guys, who nodded in acknowledgment. I was about to approach, intent on entering the room to confirm my suspicions, when I was unexpectedly bumped from behind. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Alison’s former boyfriend, clearly intoxicated and apologizing to me. The girls behind him chuckled as he guided them away, walking ahead of me. I couldn’t help but notice their slightly disoriented behavior, their struggle to maintain proper balance. The sight troubled me, yet they were ushered into the room and disappeared inside. The girl who had shown interest in me approached, informing me she had found an available room.
“Are you coming?” she asked, her voice low and seductive as she trailed her hand up my chest. I still disliked being touched and promptly pushed her hand away.
“No,” I stated coldly, hearing her emit an offended gasp.
“Suit yourself,” she remarked as I walked by her, but I stopped again as I noticed Kyle coming back out without the girls.
Now I really wanted to gain entrance to that room. Kyle seemed too drunk to remember me, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to take the chance with the other two who seemed more clearheaded. I slipped into a nearby room, which was occupied by a couple. They sat up when they heard me enter, calling out to me. I ignored them and went to the window, opening it. I poked my head out, trying to see if I could reach the window leading to those rooms. Fortunately, a giant balcony wrapped around that side of the house. While it didn’t extend all the way to me, I could easily jump over from the window. I got on top of the window ledge, hearing the couple ask me what I was doing, but I still didn’t respond. I stood up, gripping the window before I pushed forward, grabbing onto the balcony railing. I climbed over it and walked along the balcony, attempting to peer into the dark, spacious room. I followed it around, looking for an open window, and reached the doors leading inside. I grabbed the handle, and it was unlocked. I slipped inside, hearing faint groaning, but the room was so dark I couldn’t discern what was happening. I grabbed my phone and switched on the light, illuminating the room. I could see numerous single beds and even couches where young, unconscious girls were lying. Some were still partially awake, feeling the effects of the drugs that had been used on them. They were either completely naked or had their underwear removed, exposed from the waist down. I knew this wouldn’t make me a better person, but it was a necessary step if I wanted the police to arrest them all and ensure this never happened to anyone again.
I began taking pictures, the flash disturbing the drugged girls, but they were powerless to resist. I understood that I couldn’t save them tonight. But I promised myself that after tonight, no one would suffer at their hands again. No one would have to endure their disgusting touch.
-Alison-
I was displeased with this situation. After having me remove the apron, Jared led me back into the living room. He instructed me to sit on the couch, and I looked up at him in confusion. I couldn’t fathom why he had me sit on the couch when I could have been cleaning his house, something he seemed to appreciate. Yet, a smile played on Jared’s lips as he set everything up, moving to the TV and navigating through some files. I noticed an image of myself with text beside it, stating “Jared’s plan to destroy the bitch”. I turned to him, crossing my arms.
“You seriously made a slideshow?” I growled. “Of your entire plan? Doesn’t that ruin the element of surprise?”
“No, it’s not about you. It’s about everyone else around you.”
“Around me?”
“Yes,” he informed me. Then he clicked to the next slide, showing a picture of my old best friend. I was aware that she had ended up in rehab due to a severe cocaine addiction. Though drug problems were not uncommon in my world, they were just handled more discreetly. However, what I didn’t know until seeing Jared’s slideshow was that her rehab was court-mandated. Cristy had been arrested with cocaine on her person while intoxicated. It was a smaller amount, but she opted for rehab to avoid jail time. I stared at the image in shock. While I had lost touch with most of my high school friends, this felt like revisiting the past in the worst way possible. I could now see the lives they were leading, thanks to Jared’s actions, one by one.
As my ex-boyfriend’s slide came up, I was taken aback by how drastically he had changed. Despite having a head start in life due to his parents’ wealth, he hadn’t achieved much. He was now incarcerated for his involvement in a smaller sex trafficking operation. This was something he, along with a few other guys from our high school, had engaged in during our college years.
“Do you understand why I can’t trust your claims that your husband isn’t a rapist?” Jared asked me, smiling as he walked in front of the TV, as if he were a professor delivering a lecture. The entire scene had left me so stunned that I remained silent, watching the slides transition one by one. Almost the entire football team was featured, which wasn’t surprising. I had been part of using some of the team members to intimidate him back then. I had sent them after him multiple times, aware of the fear they could instill, given that I wasn’t a physically imposing player. Sometimes brute force was the most effective strategy, but now it was clear that our actions had come back to haunt us all.
“He isn’t...” I whispered, glancing downward.
“Ah ah, eyes on the screen,” Jared reprimanded me.
“You don’t know everything,” I snapped.
“Are you implying that none of these people deserved what happened to them?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. It wasn’t that I failed to grasp the origins of this thirst for revenge, but witnessing it materialize right before my eyes was terrifying. How much time had he invested in this? How many places had he scoured to uncover their secrets and watch them crumble?
“Did you pursue them with the same intensity as you did with me?” I asked.
Jared smiled, folding his arms. “Alison, there’s no one quite like you.”
His words didn’t offer solace. Instead, they sent a shiver of dread down my spine.
“Well, you must be happy now,” I commented dryly.
“Happy?” he retorted. “Do you believe that anything I do to you could ever bring me happiness?”
“Then why the hell did you create that contract? Why not just tear me down immediately?” I yelled.
“I considered it. I pondered it extensively. But I’ve already explained why. I’ve already clarified that it’s about making you experience what I felt. It’s about ensuring you comprehend the impact of your actions on people.”
“I told you I changed. I did that in high school, and then no more.”
“Yet, that doesn’t erase the past, does it?”
“Neither does this,” I countered.
“No, but at least it will provide me with some semblance of satisfaction. That will have to suffice,” he stated, causing me to shake my head.
