Chapter 8
788 Words
In a haze of semi-consciousness, Cindy was dragged into a dim, grimy room.
A bucket of ice-cold water was splashed straight at her.
Her vision blurred; the only thing she could discern was Jenna sitting ominously in a chair right in front of her.
Jenna's tone was cold. "Finally awake? Do you know Jasper took the hit for you? He's clinging to life right now. His back is peppered with over a dozen shards of shrapnel, and his face is completely destroyed."
Cindy's pupils shrank sharply.
Jenna crouched down, pressing a scalpel against her skin.
"I don't get it. He only married you because your late, pathetic father took a bullet for him. He doesn't love you at all. So why would he save you?
"Wouldn't it be better if you just died? Does he really dare to say he has no feelings for me?"
Cindy managed a mocking smile. "You honestly think he'd marry you if I were gone? Jenna, if it weren't for your job, Jasper wouldn't give you a second look!"
"Shut up!"
Jenna drove the blade into her, and a sharp, agonized cry tore from Cindy's throat.
"Don't worry, I can't go too deep. I can't ruin that perfect skin of yours, can I? After all, my senior's face is waiting for your skin graft."
Cindy recoiled in terror, her back slamming against the cold, hard wall. There was nowhere left to run.
"What are you going to do?"
The blade trailed gently along the inner side of her thigh.
"Right here. The skin is the most tender and thinnest—perfect for the transplant."
Cindy thrashed wildly, desperate.
But Jenna had come prepared. She pinned Cindy's leg down with her knee.
The tip of the knife pierced her skin.
The first cut.
Flesh split open, and blood spurted out.
Cindy bit down hard on the back of her hand, her nails digging into her own flesh, stifling the screams clawing up her throat.
The second cut.
The third cut.
Jenna's technique was precise. Blood streamed down Cindy's thigh, her entire body convulsing in agony as she bit her lips until they were a bloody mess.
After what felt like forever, the torture finally ended.
The inner side of her thigh was left a mangled, raw mess, like a plowed field.
Cindy was on the verge of fainting from the pain. Through the darkening spots in her vision, she watched Jenna walk to the door and say something to someone outside.
Moments later, two men stepped into the room. Their eyes were vicious, their faces coarse and brutal.
They were still in inmate jumpsuits—clearly hauled out from some prison.
Jenna tossed a camera to the tall, lanky man.
"Ruination. Do whatever you want with her. Just make sure the video and the shots are clear. Do this, and I guarantee you'll walk free."
The door clicked shut. The two men immediately hauled her up from the pool of blood, whistling in appreciation.
"Jasper's wife? Damn, she's a beauty. To think someone like her would end up in our hands."
Cindy turned her head away, her entire body trembling violently as she fought to stay conscious.
"Let me go. I'll pay you whatever you want. Name your price, just let me go."
The two men exchanged a glance, as if considering it.
One of them slapped her cheek with a rough, calloused palm, his voice thick with sleazy regret.
"No can do. That Ames woman promised to return the evidence of our crimes if we take care of you today.
"Besides, with a body like yours, we wouldn't mind dying right on top of you! Hahaha!"
Her collar was ripped open, and a knee forced her legs apart.
The flash flickered.
Cindy closed her eyes. The searing pain and intense humiliation were pushing her to the breaking point.
Just then, the door was kicked open with a bang.
Before the man on top of her could even turn, he was sent flying by a brutal kick. The other was instantly pinned to the ground by several dark figures.
Cindy curled into a ball, until a man stepped forward and wrapped his overcoat around her, pulling her into his arms.
The instant she saw that face—so similar to her own—tears burst forth uncontrollably.
"Ryan..."
"It's me. Don't be afraid. I'm taking you home."
Ryan held her gently as he walked out. Watching his beloved sister in such a tragic state, his heart broke, and his rage reached a boiling point.
"Notify the Northbrook authorities. This matter—I want Jasper to handle it personally.
"Also, put out a bounty on the dark web. I want Jenna to pay for this!"
- Writer
