I giggle when I notice that her tongue is now a bright shade of orange. I can't ever remember my mother like this. I don't know the last time she was so carefree, so happy and so willing to embrace another person.
"Let's go now." Cory's up on his feet and bolting across the playground before either of us can react.
We both jump and I race after him, the sound of all of our laughter filling the air.
Chapter 21
"Who the hell are you?" I'm startled by a man's voice behind me. I tense as I feel my elbow being pulled back. I have to struggle to maintain my balance.
I turn sharply trying to break free of his grasp. "Let go of me."
"That's my boy, isn't it?" He points with his free hand towards Cory who is now back near the swings. My mother is frozen behind me. I can see the fear on her face.
"Get Cory, mom." I call to her in panic. "Take him, go."
"Sadie," Cory screams when he realizes the man is grabbing me. "Stranger, Sadie. It's a stranger."
Peter lets go of me and lunges towards Cory. I have no time to react. I jump from my feet and onto his back. We both tumble to the grass.
"Stay away from him," I seethe. "You're not going near him."
"Shut the fuck up." He pushes me to the ground, his hand around my neck. "That's my kid."
"He's not."
I register my mother's voice calling for help in the distance. I can hear Cory's screams.
"I'm taking him." He's pulling his heavy frame back up.
"Like hell you are." I reach to grab his legs and yank as hard as I can. He teeters before falling forward. "Run, please," I scream into the air. "Mom, take him." I can't see anything. I can't tell if they're still close.
"You're a little bitch." He's clawing at me, trying to break my hold on his legs. "You're ruining everything."
"Leave him alone." My voice is so unfamiliar. It's so high pitched and filled with fear. "I have money. I can give you money."
He flips us both over until he's sitting on my chest. The pressure is so much. I can barely breathe. His large hand grabs hold of my neck and he squeezes.
"Please," I whimper as I flail beneath him. "Leave him alone."
"How much?" His dark eyes bore into me. He's unshaven. His clothes are dirty and mismatched. He's breathing heavily, rage coursing over his expression.
"Millions." I try to talk but my throat is so compressed. "I have millions. You can have it all."
"You have millions?" He squeezes harder and I choke. I can't cough. I can't talk. I can barely breathe.
I nod my head frantically. I feel as though my eyes are going to pop out of my head. Please let me go I want to say. Please leave us all alone.
"Sadie." I hear Hunter's voice. I hear it. I close my eyes. I'll think about Hunter. I'll remember what it felt like the first time he kissed me. I'll think about his arms. I should have said yes. I could have married him.
"Fuck," Peter's voice booms through my ears. I open my eyes slightly. I don't have the strength to lift the lids any higher. My arms fall to my sides. I can't breathe. I can't.
I watch Peter's fist rise above my face just before I hear Hunter's voice calling to me. "Sadie. No. God. No."
"You stupid little bitch," Peter growls. "You fucked up everything."
I close my eyes as the pain of the blow barrels through me.
***