Hot Revenge Box Set 4

Klempner

My resources: The clothes I’m wearing. A notebook and the stub of a pencil: A book on herbal toxins. A small supply of sweet water. An infinite supply, for any practical purpose, of foul water, slime and garbage. And of course, one small potato.

I’d like to give in to despair. There’s something alluring about despair, something seductive. Perhaps I should simply not play Juliana’s game; let her kill me.

But if I’m dead…

Mitch…

My beautiful green-eyed Mitch.

So alive. So energetic.

So full of courage.

So vital.

Vitale

…

Stay alive...

So, eat the fucking potato…

I prise it out from its bed of sludge and slime with a slight sucking sound. It’s small; perhaps half the size of my fist. On the other hand, adhered muck aside, it seems sound; firm, mid-brown, no sprouts or green parts. I have a vague idea that I’ve read that green potatoes are unsafe to eat.

Hauling myself up from my concrete seat, lifting my chain in one hand, with the other, I hold my meal under the water inlet, thumbing away the dirt under the clean water.

Time to live…

And I bite in.

*****

With no warning, the light blinks on and without meaning to, I groan, hiding my eyes behind my hands.

Click of heels on concrete, then Juliana emerges from the darkness. “Good afternoon,

and draped over her shoulders, with deep red lipstick. The dress is long and clingy, with a low cut neckline; designed to show off a figure which I suspect is being enhanced with well-chosen underwear. A clutch bag in black

polite little smile, then sits, on her fold-up chair, hands neatly folded. She could be in school, waiting for a favourite teacher to begin the lesson. Or perhaps in the audience at

she says brightly. “What are we

at me while we talk. She watches me, a touch of wariness in her eyes. Momentarily, her gaze drops to her painted line, but she’s well to one side of it, me to

arms, lean back against the

good to get off the

you have a selection of choice topics.” I pace a little, as much as the chain allows, unhinging stiff knees and hips,

right.” She gives me a bright little smile. “And…” She aims

Fake…

Extensions?

Exercise. You won’t do well down here if you don’t move about more

Two days?

Is there

I pause…

Seriously?

“How about a cup?”

were stupid, letting your

difficult to get a real

do with your time? Lick it off the wall if you have to. I’m not

touched by your concern for my

lost. You’re mine now and we’re playing

looking for me, the police. By now they'll

made sure the police found some clues about

My chest tightens…

“What clues?”

left your passport not too far away, close enough to link you to the spot.” She sighs, stroking a hand over her hair. “I suppose they might decide you were involved with the gangs. But I think it's more likely they'll say you got caught in the war between the Wolves and the Nightshades. You know…” She makes air

“Either way, Larry, they’re not looking for you. You’re dead.

rigged that explosion just so you

away. “Couldn't have people wondering where you are, could I?

“Juliana…”

“Sola!” she snaps.

spit back. “How many have you murdered? There were scores of people caught in that explosion.