Talk To Me

Chapter Twenty

February fourteen

The wooden clock struck midnight, its dull chime slicing through the heavy silence of the cabin. Leah felt the vibration of the sound settle deep in her bones, almost as if marking the slow passage of time had become a cruel joke. It had only been a day since they had dragged them here—just a single day—but it felt like years had passed.

Seeing is believing, she thought bitterly, watching as Lily, trembling, wiped away the last of her tears. A rough hand shot forward, tangling in Lily's dark hair, yanking her to her feet with a sharp pull. She yelped, but no one cared.

"Stop crying," Tiny snapped through clenched teeth, dragging her toward the stained bathtub. "And go clean the girl."

Leah didn't move, but her unblinking eyes followed every shift in the room. Tiny looked different tonight—less sure of himself. His skin was pale, his breath coming in uneven, ragged pulls. His blue shirt clung awkwardly to his broad frame, half untucked from his dark jeans as if he had dressed in a hurry.

Lily's breath hitched. "What?"

Tiny's grip tightened as he shoved her forward. "You heard me. Wash her."

Confusion flashed across Lily's face. She hesitated, blinking rapidly, tucking loose strands of hair behind her ears with shaking fingers. "Why would I do that?"

Tiny sighed as if dealing with a stubborn child. Then, his rough fingers brushed against her cheek in mock affection.

Lily flinched.

"I can make your life easier," he murmured, his voice a sickly purr. "Or worse." His brows lifted, dark amusement curling at the edges of his words. "I get that she's your friend, but you can't do anything for her now. Help us, and we'll reward you."

Lily's hands balled into fists, but Leah spoke before she could retaliate.

"Do it." Lily startled slightly at the sound of her voice. Leah kept her expression unreadable. "He's right," she said, her tone even. "You can't help me. Just do what he says."

Lily's shoulders slumped in defeat. She exhaled shakily, then nodded, moving toward the tub with slow, hesitant steps.

Tiny leaned against the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest, watching her closely. Lily reached for the showerhead, twisting the knob until warm water streamed from the rusted faucet. It sputtered and whined, the cabin's ancient pipes protesting. The metallic scent of old water filled the room.

She started with Leah's hair, soaking the thick brown strands, her fingers moving stiffly, mechanically. Water trickled down, swirling in dark patterns toward the drain. She worked downward, hesitating every time she had to touch Leah's stiffening limbs.

Tiny continued to watch, occasionally shifting to reposition Leah's body, but otherwise, he remained still. His presence made Lily's skin crawl.

The warmth of the water did nothing to mask the growing chill. Leah's body was already losing flexibility, the cold creeping into her joints. Lily could feel it now, the way her fingers brushed over skin that had gone waxy, unnaturally smooth.

The air shifted as a large figure filled the doorway. Diesel. He clutched a white sheet in his thick hands, his expression unreadable as he glanced at Leah's body in the tub. Tiny exhaled smoke from the last drag of his cigarette before flicking the stub into the sink. The ember sizzled in the pooled water.

"We'll hide her somewhere in the woods," Diesel said casually, unfolding the sheet. His lips curled into a smirk. "It's winter—there won't be many people around." His grin widened. "And animals like their meat."