How to Kill a Man in Thirty Seconds

Chapter 59: Fear

My heart squeezed in my chest. The world slowed down around me.

I stared.

Shock, disbelief and grim horror filled me, absolutely drowned me, ridding me of any coherent thought as I stood helpless. Helpless as his smile widened in pleasure.

My hair stood on end. A shiver coursed helplessly down my spine. Suddenly, all my alarm bells were ringing, every single instinct in me screaming at me to run, with everything I had.

His eyes were gleaming with satisfaction as he watched me.

Reality sank in.

"Adrian," the word escaped my lips of its own, and I had darted into the house before I even knew it, rushing past the man that crowded the doorway, "Adrian!" I scrambled into the living room, panic seizing hold of me, squeezing the very breath out of me as my gaze frantically darted around the empty room.

Is he okay?! Oh God. Oh God. Please God.

"ADRIAN!" I bellowed, "ADRIAN!" Tears of panic had rushed into my eyes and my legs had turned weak as I rushed into the kitchen, searching, searching and I knew I was behaving recklessly but I couldn't think, couldn't process anything. "ADRIAN!" my voice cracked as I shrieked in desperation, terror- raw, unbridled terror- filling me.

"ADRI-!" I crashed into a tall figure just as I was rushing into his bedroom, face colliding against a hard chest before I rebounded backwards. A surprised hand shot out to grab me before I fell, tugging me forward until I was back on my feet.

Adrian stood before me, eyes wide in horror and surprise.

"Adrian!" I cried, and I was sobbing before I knew it, tears of relief slipping out of my eyes, "Adrian." My terrified gaze frantically moved over him, searching him for a sign, any dreaded sign that something unpleasant had gone down.

Adrian had come out of his shock then, for he grabbed me by the shoulders, shaking me hard, his eyes haunted by fear as he whispered frantically, "What are you doing here, Charley? You're not supposed to be here-"

"Are you okay?!" I cried. I knew I was acting crazy, but my heart was pounding in my chest and fear had swallowed me whole. I rushed, "Please tell me you're okay. Adrian-"

His eyes softened for just a split second, "I'm okay; I'm fine, Charley." The green orbs hardened, raw fear and worry filling in them, "You need to leave. Don't come back until I tell you. I don't want you involved-"

"I didn't realize you two lovebirds had gotten so close," the honeyed voice that sounded from across the room caused me to stiffen.

I saw Adrian's eyes harden, the fear that stirred in them beneath the animosity. Hairs on end, I turned.

Adrian's father was leaning against the wall; he had been watching us with an entertained grin.

"You seem to know who I am already, Charley Green," he said, voice laced with sweetness. His hand reached out again, "Call me Colton."

Adrian's grip on my arm tightened reflexively; one glance sideways told me he was shaking, though from the cold look in his eyes it was from fury, not terror.

My stare returned to Colton Hunt and it filled with venom as I returned his amused expression with a hostile one of my own.

"Fatter chance of you sticking that hand up your own ass than me laying a finger on it," the vulgar words had escaped my lips before I could stop them, and I saw Adrian's eyes widen in horror.

His grip on my arm hardened instinctively, so tight my wrist throbbed in retaliation. But I was trembling with anger and no panic in the world could make me draw my words back. My jaw had clenched, my eyes steely, overpowering all logic.

Dead silence hung in the air.

Colton Hunt was staring at me, his face bland, something in his eyes I couldn't comprehend, a nerve in his jaw ticking. For a moment, I wondered if he would march forward and crack my skull against the floor.

And then a chuckle burst from his lips. The high-pitched cackle sounded delighted. Entertained.

It halted suddenly. Amusement danced in his green eyes.

"I see now why my son's taken such a liking to your personality," Colton murmured, "He always did like it aggressive."

The air rushed out of me.

Rendered into shock, I stared, unable to form words. Adrian's gaze was guarded, eyes on the floor, his jaw clenched in silence. Colton was gouging my reaction and he seemed pleased with what he saw.

"Do you want me to tell you a little story, Charley?" he said, "A little tale, with a very important moral. A lesson you'll never forget."

I stared in silence, bereft of words. Confused. Shocked. Petrified.

Colton Hunt's lips kicked up, "Once upon a time, Charley, there was a little boy. No more than five or six years. This boy had many possessions, and many toys, and he thoroughly enjoyed playing with all of them. But out of them all, his favorite was a little toy train, a gift he had received from his beloved mother on his birthday."

"The train was a splendid little thing, complete with little wooden wheels and painted windows. It filled all the other boys with envy, and he took great pride in owning it. He enjoyed it, for a while. And then one day, years later, the boy returned home to find his little train had been strewn across the floor. His brother had played with it, you see. Its wheels had rolled away, its paint chapped and dirtied. All whilst his spoilt and careless brother mindlessly dozed off beside it."

The smile fell from Colton Hunt's face, "the sight of the little toy train so carelessly thrown away, but more so, the knowledge that it had been used, without his permission, made the little boy very angry. That night, his brother was rushed to the hospital, screaming in agony. His arm carried an angry, blistering burn larger than his face, that would scar for the rest of his life. It was from where the boy had jabbed a burning iron against his naked skin, in a fit of anger."

The smile returned to Colton's face and he took a moment to lock his gaze with mine, "A man doesn't like to share his toys with the rest of the world, little girl," he said, "Remember that well."

Goosebumps ran over my skin. Adrian had stiffened beside me. I stared, unblinking, fear gripping me so tightly that for a moment, I forgot to breath.

I swallowed hard as the words sank in.

"Run away now, girl," Colton said, "I'd like some quality time with my son."

I was rooted to the spot, too shocked to speak, too terrified to move. Adrian's vice-like grip on my wrist reminded me that he was still here.

"You won't see her again," Adrian's curt words yanked me out of my limbo.

My gaze flickered to him in surprise. Why was he caving in so easily? Adrian's gaze was guarded, and he avoided mine as he swallowed heavily.

His father's grin widened.

He nodded, pleased, "Atta boy."

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A/N- So, from today onwards until the day this book finishes, I PROMISE to update every day. One more update today!