The Life: Sacrifice (The Life 3)

“Who the hell…?” That was as far as Becky got before I hit her with the stun gun. Her body flopped around for a second in such a way that I was stunned at first. Having never seen anyone stunned like that in real life, it looked nothing like I expected. I snapped out of it long enough to move in and tie the cloth I’d brought with me around her mouth to muffle her screams before I started wailing away on her, first with my fists, and when they started to burn, I changed to the sock full of coins.

I think I lost count or track of how many times I swung, and because she was muzzled, her screams came out as little more than squeaks, so there was no real way of telling how much damage was being done. I only stopped when my hands grew tired and looked down at my handiwork. She was a mess. Because the twins had warned me not to speak, so she didn’t recognize my voice, I wanted to yell at her that it was me, that this was just the beginning of what I planned to do to her for what she’d done, but I had to satisfy myself with seeing her bloody and broken. I hope you die!

I left pretty much the way I came, and we headed back to the car. I had an adrenaline rush that ramped up the more I thought of what else I should’ve done to the witch while I had the chance, but I couldn’t be gone too long. Gabriel was under the impression that I’d gone out for ice cream.

He’d insisted on getting it himself the way he has been every night since the first time; even when we were on holiday, he did the same, which is beyond sweet. I’d had to do a lot of fast-talking, and the twins convinced him that we were going to talk about our upcoming trip and would be discussing things he had no interest in.

To further convince him, I’d asked him to look online for new luggage for me. Knowing him and how meticulous he is about stuff like that, especially when it’s for me, I was sure it would take him a while. I’d done this for another reason as well. I know from binge-watching cop shows in the past that his time online could be traced. I’m pretty sure that Becky would try to blame him for this, so this was my way of protecting him from suspicion if and when she called the police.

“Where are we going?” I was suddenly nervous when Anna took the turnoff going in the opposite direction to home.

“We have to go to the ice cream parlor, or no one would believe we went there.”

“But…”

“You don’t know my brother.” That’s all she said, and I kept my mouth shut.

Of course, the line was long, and I about peed myself waiting to order before we could leave. We pulled through the gates to see flashing lights, and my heart almost dropped to my knees.

“Stay calm; we expected this remember. No doubt she sent them after Gabe.” That’s what I was worried about. I don’t want there to be the slightest chance that he could pay for something I did.

I was out of the car before it came to a full stop. Gabriel and his dad were standing on the steps talking to the two officers, and I could already tell from the look on their faces that it was not going well. When Gabriel saw me, I saw him visibly relax as he ran his eyes all over me from head to toe as if looking for signs that I was hurt. Damn, there’s no way he can know already, is there?

“As I told you before, my son never left the house.”

“We have no way of knowing that, Mr. Russo; we’re just doing our jobs.” He sounded nervous. The two cops barely paid attention to the twins and I once they noticed our arrival, but it was obvious they had Gabriel in their sights.

“What’s going on?” My voice trembled slightly as I went to Gabriel’s side, where he’d beckoned me.

“It’s nothing. Did you get your ice cream?” His words were directed at me, but his gaze was on his sisters.

“Come back with a warrant; then we’ll talk.” Pop continued talking to the cops.

“That’s not necessary; I can show the officers where I’ve been online for the past hour and a half. I just placed an order; the receipt’s in my emails.”

“That would be enough; thank you so much.” I felt sick in my gut when Gabriel reached for his phone. The guilt was overwhelming; here, he was being treated like a criminal when the one responsible didn’t even warrant a second glance from the cops. The cops seemed satisfied for now and even apologized for disrupting the evening. My guilt only went up a notch when Pop promised to have a word with the commissioner. I hope I didn’t just get these two fired.