The Dark Places by R. Whitfield (novel24 TXT) 📕

her,” he whispered, showing Parker just how deep his obsession ran. “You tried so hard to have her,” he continued with a gruff laugh, “but she was only ever mine.”

“Yours?” Parker asked, his fury building. “What about Eamon?” he added, suddenly wanting to enrage him more.

“Eamon?” he laughed, throwing his head back. “That fool had her and then thought that fucking her on the ground, against her will, was going to keep her.”

Parker’s throat went dry, and he felt the blood literally leave his face. “What did you just say?” he whispered.

“Oh, yes, little Surin loved him, but oh, she was such a tease.” He tsked and shook his head. “Poor Eamon, couldn’t take it, it’s like having a wild horse you see,” he added casually. Parker listened as the rage boiled deeper. “He loved her so much he just had to have her and boy did he cry like a baby when he realised, he had lost her.” He shook his head again. “I saw it all you know,” he said, leaning in closely, and smiling like they were two friends talking about sport. “She was so beautiful,” he whispered.

Parker instantly felt nauseous.

“I can’t wait to break her down.” His voice was so menacing that an involuntary shiver ran down Parker’s spine. He leaned in again slowly. “I’m going to let you watch, Rhodes,” he said with a grin and pointed the gun at Parker’s face. “Now, walk.”

A million thoughts ran through Parker’s mind as he stumbled around the dark forest floor. Surin, poor Surin. So much made sense now. Eamon, North East, the defiance, the bravado; his heart ached for her, and he knew in that moment, that he would make sure no one else would ever need to know.

A twig snapped in the distance. “Stop,” Alex barked from behind him and looked around suspiciously. “We’re here.” Parker could hear the excitement in his voice, and it repulsed him. “You are going to kneel,” he stated, and Parker obeyed him immediately, all that mattered now was Surin.

He watched as the man walked over to what seemed like a cluster of rocks and bent down, the gun never faltering, he lifted a handle, and a trapdoor opened.

“My little getaway,” he said with a grin. “Sure beats being home with that woman,” he added, gesturing over his shoulder. “You met her, right?”

Parker nodded silently, assuming he was referring to his mother.

“You’re going in first, try any hero shit and I kill you and then her.”

Parker nodded again, stood and moved towards the gaping hole.

***

Surin had come to realise that escape would be physically impossible. Her hands and feet were slick with blood and layers of skin from the effort of hours of trying to tear herself free. Licking her lips for moisture, she paused, sensing a shift in the air. He’s back, she thought, as panic began to spread through her body like wildfire. Fresh tears pricked the corners of her eyes, which amazed her — how many tears can one person have, she thought surreally. The door opened, bringing with it a gust of frigid air. She shivered involuntarily, cringing at her nakedness.

“Surin?” the man’s voice asked. “I brought you a friend,”

Her mind began to swim. “Is this some kind of joke?” she croaked, but before he could answer, a flicker of flame lit up the dank room and, in its shadow, stood Parker with a gun held at his temple. “Oh God, no,” she screamed, turning her head away from them and attempted to hide her tethered body, shame snaking through her like ivy.

“Surin,” Parker whispered.

“Parker, I’m so sorry, please don’t,” she stuttered. “Don’t you dare look at me like I’m a victim here,” she spat through gritted teeth.

Alex laughed delightfully. “See,” he said, nudging Parker forward towards the bed, “what a firecracker,” he added and continued, “Surin I don’t want you to be embarrassed, I have filled in the good detective here on your tawdry past.”

Surin finally turned her head to look at Parker, whose face was a mask of fear and another emotion that touched her heart. “Good for you,” she replied defiantly, trying to gain control over herself. “Rhodes,” she continued staring straight at him, “tell me you are not stupid enough to come all the way out here without backup?”

Parker smiled and looked down at his feet for a moment, then back up to meet her eyes. “You know me,” he replied, and she laughed quietly, tears running down her face.

“Idiot,” she added.

Parker quickly spied her wrists and ankles. They were torn to shreds. Her body was dirty and pale but looked otherwise unharmed. She was silently shivering. He looked back up at her to meet her gaze. “Has he touched you?” he said quietly through gritted teeth. She smiled sadly, her lips trembling slightly.

“No,” she replied, and he nodded.

“Well,” Alex interrupted with a throat-clearing cough, “now you two have caught up, let me tell you what’s going to happen.”

He pushed Parker down hard into the chair beside the bed, he was seated close enough so he could still see her, but she wasn’t within his reach.

“I’m going to have to tie you up, Parker,” he added with a smile, “because once I start doing what I’m going to do to her,” he held his hands out apologetically, “you’re going to try to stop me, and I can’t have that.” Surin let out a whimper and Parker instinctively moved to get up and protect her. As quick as a flash, Alex brought the butt of the gun down hard across the back of Parker’s head, and he dropped to the ground.

“Parker!” Surin yelled and pulled on her restraints. “Parker, please don’t,” she begged.

He moaned in response from the floor.

“Yes, Parker, don’t,” Alex mimicked and pulled him back up into the chair.

Parker held