The knowing

Part 8

Agnes rose from the floor slowly her knees and back protesting every move. As she stood she took a moment to try to remove the rice and now mushy peas from her legs. Every tiny grain felt like a small shard of glass and as she quickly tried to remove some she couldn't help but wince and bite back small cries of pain. Mother snickered at every sign of pain and discomfort.

Placing her hand over the phones receiver "You gave one of your customers the number to my house".she hissed incredulously "When you get off this phone...." She didn't finish the sentence. She didn't need to the implied threat in her voice alone made Agnes's stomach clench.

Moving her hand back off the receiver she extended it to Agnes.

"Here Sang" Mother said " Don't you want to know who it is."

Agnes swallowed nervously and with a trembling hand reached out and took the phone from Mothers still outstretched hand.

" Hello" she replied softly keeping her eyes glued to Mother.

"Hey Sing SANG Song " the grating unpleasant voice on the other end replied "It's Greg "

"Greg" she repeated voice filled with confusion "I don't know a Greg". 

She opened her mouth to continue but the words froze in her throat as she saw Mother turn and stride towards the pantry. Breaking out in a cold sweat her heart pounding painfully in her chest she watched Mother calmly walk out with two familiar bottles in her hands. Placing both bottles on the counter Mother reached into the cabinet above her head for a tall glass.Seeing this Agnes quickly hung up the phone hanging up on whoever was on the line.

"So you have a boyfriend" Mother muttered "Greg was it."

"Mother" Agnes stuttered " I don't know who that was I swear."

"Why do you continue to lie Sang" smacking her hand down on the counter in anger.

" No mother I swear..." she began but Mother cut her off shouting " Enough! You really think I'm a fool don't you Sang" Mother said "We both know what you do when you leave this house.That you spread your legs for any man that will have you" contempt visible in her face and voice. "One of your customers calls my house and you still lie" Mother says laughing bitterly shaking her head turning again to face the items she'd placed on the counter. Agnes stood paralyzed watching as Mother moved the glass closer and began to mix the vinegar and lemon juice together moving to the utensil drawer she pulled out a spoon and began to stir the concoction together. The acidic smell so strong she could smell it from where she stood.

" I'm tired of hearing your lies Sang." Mother said in exasperation "I'm just tired of hearing you period".

"I'm sorry Mother I.." Agnes began but stopped at the look in mother's eyes.

"It's time for another lesson Sang" she said a cruel smile forming on her lips "I promise after you drink this you'll think twice before lying to me again." Lifting the glass from the counter moving toward her "Drink " she ordered "Accept your punishment like a good girl"

Just before she reached her Agnes fled from the kitchen moving as fast as her still sore knees would let her. The sounds of an enraged cursing mother following behind her.
Her first instinct was to run again to the front door but she paused hand on the knob remembering the danger waiting outside for her. "SANG!" Mother howled from close behind her "Don't you dare take one more step or I'll..."

"I can't" she cried "I can't I can't I can't " thinking about the acidic cocktail waiting for her she swung open the door in desperation and ran out into the now dark night. Running until she was out of breath she had made it across the street looking around her for any signs of the men from earlier that day. Needing to catch her breath she stopped on the lawn of the house directly across from hers bending at the knee she dragged much needed air into her lungs. After a moment she turned towards her house to find Mother silently standing in the doorway watching her. When she made no move to cross the threshold and follow Agnes sighed in relief.

"Your trapped aren't you?" she screamed "You can't leave the house can you?" she smiled triumphantly "I'm never coming back . I'll take my chances out here" she finished turning away to make her way down the road and to safety. She gasped as she felt the hair on her body stand on end. Spinning in a circle she scanned the darkness in dread. " I have to get from out in the open" she thought desperately and just as she was about to move she heard a low growl behind her.

Not turning to confront what caused the sound she once again started to run but she only made it a few steps before she was knocked to the ground by a hard shove. Quickly turning over to her back she saw forming a circle around her the same group of predatory men she had faced earlier. Seeing that she was surrounded with no way to escape she flopped back on the ground in defeat. 

"This will all be over soon" she said to herself and then raising her voice hoping to be heard by the monster across the street " Anything is better than being stuck in that house!"

" Boys I knew as soon as I saw her she was an easy meal" The lead man said with a smirk making the others laugh crudely. 

Then as one they all descended on her in a feeding frenzy each man biting into a different body part. Razor sharp teeth making Agnes scream in agony.

As they continued to feed on her she once more looked across the street at a still watching Mother as their eyes locked Agnes gave a triumphant smile.

The moment of victory was short lived because to her shock Mother left the doorway making her way across the street. Once she had reached the spot of the feeding frenzy she stood over it calmly watching the scene before her with a pleased smile on her face.

That look was the last thing Agnes saw as she began to fade into oblivion.