“Yeah, the clerk said another few minutes.”
“Duke, I’m scared. I can’t stop shaking.”
I squeeze her hand, “Don’t be. I’m right here.”
And just as I comfort her, a guard steps into the room and instructs us to follow him into the visitation hall. As we stand, I give Melanie a reassuring smile and lead her into the hall. She follows close behind and I can practically feel her breath on the back of my neck. The guard leads us to a steel table with three empty chairs—two on one side and one on the other. The guard instructs us to sit quietly until Craig arrives.
We wait approximately two minutes before a guard enters the hall and drags Craig behind him. My breath immediately catches as I get a good glimpse of him. He’s lost weight and has grown a beard but it’s definitely him. He’s wearing the usual orange jumpsuit and is bound with chains on his feet and wrists. The guard guides him to our table and sits him down.
The guard instructs, “No touching and you have one hour.”
I look at the guard and nod my head in acknowledgment. I glance at Melanie who’s completely frozen and staring at Craig. Looking at him, I catch him staring at me with a puzzled look on his face.
He points his finger at me, “You’re the kid from the prom.”
I clear my throat, “Yes, that’s me.”
Craig immediately laughs out loud, “I never thought I’d see the day that you’d be the one to visit me. So, what is it, kid? What do you want?”
Instead of treading the waters, I decide to dive right in, “I want to know where Raya is.”
Craig’s baffled smirk plants across his face, “Listen, kid, don’t know if you realize this, but I’ve been here this whole time. I have no idea where she is.”
His voice changes to a deeper, menacing tone, “What…she left you all alone and now you can’t find her?”
I clinch my fist tight as the anger begins to boil underneath my skin.
“I know you’re up to something, Craig. I’ll figure it out, no matter what I have to do. I’ll find her.”
“Why? What’s so special about her?”
I refrain from responding to his question and his malicious chuckle bellows from deep within him.
“What, you didn’t get a chance to pound her and now you want your turn? ‘Cuz let me tell you, that girl is a knock-out. I should have hurried up with her when I had the chance instead of taking my time. Perhaps I would’ve been done by the time you arrived.”
I quickly reach up, and as I throw my fist at his face, Melanie grabs my hand, “Duke, don’t. He wants to get you all riled up. It’s how he gets off.”
Craig looks at her, “Oh, where did you get this one from? I like her.”
He leans in closer to her, “I wonder if you’re a screamer, or maybe a tease?”
Melanie gasps fearfully and I wrap my arms around her, “Stay the fuck away from her.”
Craig’s villainous eyes bore into mine, “You’ve lost, kid. It’s been three years. You’ll never find her because she doesn’t want to be found. You’re in over your head. You might as well give up.”
“I will never stop trying.”
His wicked voice cracks, “Have you thought that maybe she’s dead? Perhaps she’s in a cold ditch somewhere and nobody notices that she’s missing. Or perhaps she’s on a bathroom floor completely fucked up and drugged out. Or maybe…she’s fucking someone right now.”
I suck in a breath as he says those words and he notices my unease and turmoil.
“Yeah, that’s right. She’s probably fucking some guy’s brains out and screaming his name as he pounds inside of her, thrust after thrust. Do you think she’s completely soaked for him? Perhaps she’s sucking him off instead? Do you think she begs for more? More lust, more craving, as she yearns for his dick to dive inside of her.”
My body begins to rage into a heated anger and my legs shake profusely. Melanie reaches over to stroke my arm to calm me down, but it’s no use. I feel sweat beads drip down my face as Craig continues to describe Raya being intimate with someone else. That’s it, I’ve had enough of this shit!
I jump out of my seat, grab hold of Craig’s jumpsuit, and hold my fist in the ready position. The guard jumps in and yanks Craig out of my grasp. Another guard grabs me and holds my arms behind my back, prepared to cuff them.
Craig’s loathsome laughs echo throughout the hall as the guards take him back to the holding cell.