Sunshine Valley

Tortured dream (trigger alert!) 🚨

     Evie realized her head was splitting. A familiar noise filled her ears. She had to work to open her eyes. At first everything was blurry. Then dim. It was night. Her entire body hurt. Her feet were tied out in front of her. It felt like her hands were tied behind her back. So tight that her shoulders wouldn’t move. Something was in her mouth and it was taped shut. 

     Across from her, in the light to a camp fire, was Doug. The light of the fire reflected off his black hair. In that moment, Evie remembered the man she married. Her heart stopped. He was no longer that man. And her current situation reminded her of why they were divorced. This would not end well. 

     She prayed for a quick end. Then hope crept in; Dillon crossed her mind. Dillon might find her. 

     Doug was putting the blade of his knife in the fire. He would leave it for awhile, take it out, study it, before putting it back. It had been awhile since she had any trouble from him. But there set trouble.

     “Well, hello. Welcome to the land of the living.” He growled. “Follow this.” He commanded, waving the knife back and forth. She did what he said. Hoping to minimize the damage. The knife was glowing so hot that it left light trails as he waved it. Was it really the knife or the ache in her head creating this illusion? 

     “I’ve been watching you.” He pointed the knife at her. “Since the bridge, I’ve been watching you. Waiting.” He ripped off her shoes. Her legs were bound so tight that she couldn’t fight. It would be a waste of energy even if she could. Her socks followed. He threw them in the fire, laughing. “Won’t be needing them.”

     “You are one lucky bitch.” He laughed. “I just can’t seem to kill you.”

     Thunder clapped in the distance. Here crept hope back in. Rain might put out the fire. At least delay the process. At least until Dillon found her. 

     As if he read her mind, laughing again, he pointed up. She thought she saw the outline of something hanging in the trees. “Let it rain.” He got up dancing around the fire, “let it rain.” Spinning, twirling, he danced over to a tree across from her; ripping off a cover. It was Dillon. Bound and gagged just like her. 

     Dillon looked around and saw Evie. A large place on his head was matted. Blood ran down his neck to his shoulder. “Lookie, here we have two love birds.”

     She NEEDED to tell Dillon not to throw up. She NEEDED to tell him not to fight. She NEEDED to tell him not to suck in air. She NEEDED to tell him to put the back of his tongue to the roof of his mouth. This stringy shit Doug had put in their mouths would choke him. But she couldn’t. 

     “Since the bridge,” he clarified. “I’ve been learning just how I could hurt you the most.” He pointed the knife at Dillon. “Big ole hard ass sheriff,” Doug laughed. He got right up in Dillon’s face. “Not to much of a hard ass when shot full of tranquilizers.” He used the knife scratching his chin, “hmm, balls.”

     He put the knife back in the fire until it glowed hot again. Jerking it out of the fire he examined it. Rushed at Evie, scorching the bottom of her right foot. The smell of burning flesh filled the air. While a sizzling sound flooded her ears. She couldn’t scream. This stuff would run down her throat. She couldn’t throw up. It would suffocate her. Nor could she lunge forward. Dillon fought for her. “There, those feet you love to caress. Touch’em now.” He put the knife back in the fire. Doing the same thing to her left foot. 

     Evie was powerless to do anything except pass out. Her last sight was Dillon fighting against the ropes. 

     She woke to the sound of rain hitting fabric. Like the sides of a tent. Her feet throbbed.

     Doug noticed she was awake, “You wouldn’t have children with me.” He pointed the knife at Dillon again, “you ain’t gonna have children with this bastard either.” He pulled at Dillon’s clothes. Unlike Evie, Dillon fought back. His ropes must not have been as tight. Doug laughed, “I like it when you fight.” With Dillon subdued, he took the glowing knife, castrating him. Dillon gagged. Tried to scream. Gagged some more.

     Doug raised his bloody prize high. Frowned, followed by laughter. “Oops. You’re too old to be having babies anyway.” He threw the body parts in the fire. He danced around the fire, “maybe your adoption paperwork will come through.” 

    Evie glared at him with tears streaming down her face. The smell of burning flesh was sickening. 

     She felt herself being shook, “Evie!” It sounded like Dillon’s voice but that was impossible. “Evie!” She started gagging, followed by screams. That smell was still in her nose. That sound still in her ears. “Evie!” Rang out again. She lunged forward. Strong arms caught her. “Evie.” That once panicked voice was now soft and comforting. “Evie.”

     Dillon was okay. This had been a nightmare. One horrific nightmare. All she could do was let him hold her as she cried.