Page 54 of Corruption
"That's why the plugs get bigger. It's training, doggy," he informed me.
If I could, I would glare at him, but the blindfold prevented it. Yet I sensed that he knew the storm of emotions raging within me beneath the dark silk fabric. His dark chuckle confirmed it—he was aware that my hatred was reaching new heights. However, Jared wasn't finished with his twisted game. He positioned the knife between my collarbones, then dragged it lower, letting the blade rest between my breasts before making a small incision. Leaning closer, he licked the wound, igniting warmth that chased away the cold of the room, fueling my hatred even more.
"Why don't you just write Jared everywhere?" I mocked as he pulled back.
"Not a bad idea," he agreed, causing me to roll my eyes, determined to maintain my defenses.
"Tell me, are you going to kill me tonight?"
"Death is too easy," he told me.
"I'm not so sure," I murmured.
"You don't think so?"
"When you value life, death is perfect," I pointed out.
"Interesting."
Jared abruptly withdrew from me, causing a surge of fear to course through my veins.
“Master?” I whispered, uncertain about his next move. His movements echoed around the room before his hands seized my cuffed wrists. There was a subtle click, and then I was freed. Jared lowered the blindfold, letting it hang around my neck as he tossed the cuffs onto the coffee table. I observed him as he positioned himself in front of me, then he took one of my hands. Placing the knife into my trembling hand, I got a good look at it. It had a sleek black handle and a slightly curved tip, small and easy to handle. However, his intentions remained unclear.
Jared raised my hand, the one clutching the handle, sandwiched between his own, and he guided the tip of it to where his heart was, right where I had once carved my initial, “A”.
“What are you doing?” I gasped.
“Tonight is your opportunity, Alison. Kill me, and you’ll be free,” he declared.
“You must be out of your mind! I’m not like you!” I shouted.
“But you believe that death is the ultimate punishment, don’t you? Don’t you want to exact revenge on me?” he probed.
“I am not a murderer!”
“You could be freed from me. You could return home. No one would chase you. Why would they? I’m nobody, remember?” he reasoned.
“Jared...”
“Do it,” he encouraged, a sinister smile dancing on his lips. However, I found no humor in this macabre game. The act of holding the blade to his chest, not as a mere mark, but to end his life, felt morally wrong on so many levels. My hand trembled, not from the desire to kill, although I acknowledged the opportunity before me, but from sheer fear. It turned my blood into icy.
“Come on, you can do it,” he pressed.
“No,” I shook my head.
“I mean nothing to you, so kill me.”
“Jared, this is crazy!”
“Just do it, Alison,” he insisted.
“Stop it!”
“Come on! Do it! Kill me!” he shouted, his tone almost resembling a desperate plea that tugged at my heartstrings.
“No! I won’t! No matter how much I despise you, I will never take your life, because...” I was screaming until I nearly let slip something I had vowed never to admit, not even to myself. It was a shadowy secret, hidden deep within, one I guarded even from my own awareness. Nevertheless, Jared’s curiosity was piqued, the knife still pressed against his chest.
“Because what?” he inquired.
