Chapter Twenty-Four
556 Words
Could he actually do this? Nick wondered as he stared at the whip in his hands.
Ninety-nine times, the book had said. What if it didn't work, or worse, she died?
“It's time, Nick.” Liam said as he entered into his office. He saw the almost emptied bottle of whiskey on the table and didn't say anything. Hell, he would be filthy drunk if he was in his brother's shoes.
Sapphire entered. “She's ready, Nick.” When she saw his ashen face, she moved closer to him and took his hands in hers. “Don't overthink it. I know it's not in any way easy for you to do this but Skylar herself would have wanted you to go ahead with it. Please. We all hate to see her like this.”
Nick gave a trembling smile in return.
They left the office for the room were she had been put.
When Sapphire pushed opened the door, Nick recoiled as he saw her. She was tied, facedown, to the table in the room, unconcious.
He dipped the tail into a bowl of red liquid on the floor and raised his hand high.
As whip met flesh, a loud cracking sound rang out. Skylar sprang to life, a loud, agonizing wail escaping from her.
Nick continued and not once did he falter. If he did, even for a moment, he wouldn't be able to go on.
At a point, Sapphire burst into tears and ran out of the room. Her mother went after her.
Only Liam stayed. He counted with his brother, and managed to watch stoically as the whip continued falling on Skylar's skin and bits of flesh fell away with it.
Somewhere along the line, she fell silent.
Nick raised his hand and lowered it, raised it and lowered it, the action a sickening repetition that soon had Liam looking away.
When the last lash fell, he took a knife from his pocket and sliced open his palm. He squeezed his fist and watched blandly as the blood trickled
down onto her back. It would help her heal faster. Her body would do the rest.
Liam cleared his throat and swallowed, blinking back the tears at the back of his eyes. “She'll be fine now, Nick. Please don't worry.”
Nick only shook his head and gently picked up his mate.
He managed to get to the bedroom and place her down on the bed before staggering into the bathroom. He puked, wept, and pukes again.
The mirror, when he looked up into it, showed a broken wretched figure.
“Nick.” came Liam's voice as he entered into the room.
“I'm alright, Liam. I'll be right out.” he said and heard the door open and shut again.
He stared at himself in the mirror. It would be a long time before he could be alright again. The memory of what he did this evening would stay with him for as long as he lived.
He shook his head furiously but the images wouldn't come unstuck.
The whip cutting her delicate flesh and the blood splashing and the silence she eventually slipped into. They all rose to his brain.
A pair of hands reached out and took hold of him. “Come. Let's get you out of there.”
- Writer
