Fools Rush In
Title: Fools Rush In
Verse: Custom/Science Fiction
Genre: Drama, Horror
Location: London
Time: June 1998
Words: 5189
Rating: R for strong language, violence and sexual content
Synopsis: Cassie takes an offer she should have refused
Until this day she wasn’t exactly sure what was real and what was in her imagination. But the day before graduation she found Her fiancé Reggie North doing things with another man that shouldn’t be done. Shocked, she turned and fled without listening to an explanation. She wanted nothing to do with him and refused to hear his excuses. She wouldn’t take his calls, or see him or even talk to her friends about what she saw. How was she to know that it wasn’t real and just a shadow manipulation created by Albert due to his hatred of her?
She never told anybody what happened. She simply took her passport, withdrew the money Conrad had for her college fund and the day she graduated she left without an explanation. Being around her friends and family was just too painful. Every time she looked in the mirror she hated herself. She used to be so confident and happy but now she was filled with loathing and self doubt.
Cassie took the first flight to Scotland since it was the only available flight that had available seating and would stay until her tourist Visa expired or her money ran out. Which ever came first.
“It Sucks doesn’t it?”
“Where did you come from? Never mind, yeah so what sucks?” Cassie turned towards Diandra as she threw the butt of her cigarette into the murky green waters.
“Being special and having nobody to talk to about it, I’m Diandra ,” Diandra said.
“Cassie,” she turned around and looked out at the ocean, “but somehow I think you already know that. So what do you want? Are you suddenly going to be my new best friend or something?” With nothing more than a roll of her eyes she turned around and stared at the water once more.
Diandra smirked, “Something like that, but aren’t you tired of living in the shadows, where nobody even knows your name?”
“I kind of like it that way,” Cassie turned around. “What the fuck do you want? I don’t like to be bothered.”
“Yeah I understand, but what if you were meant for bigger things, what if you weren’t meant to hide in the shadows. What if you can change the world, make it a better place. You wouldn’t have to hide who you are.”
“I’d say you’re the biggest bulls hitter ever and to fuck and die. You know it’s been nice and all but I gotta jet,” Cassie started to walk away.
“Aren’t you the least bit curious?” Diandra called out to her, “there are these people I know, who are waiting for you to come back with me. If your curious just you know take my hand. What’s the worst that could happen right?”
Cassie turned around, “Yeah okay,” she reached out thinking she was going to shake the girls hand, pull her close so she could sucker punch her but Diandra clenched her hand around Cassie’s holding on tight and suddenly the world changed as she knew it. She could see colors, swirls and flashes of light. It also made her nauseous.
“Shit, SHIT, what just happened?” Cassie looked around in awe, as she followed Diandra through the lobby. “Okay where are we because I thought you know we were shaking hands or something.”
“We’re in London, You were in Scotland remember? I teleported us. You‘ll get used to it.” she said pressing the button to the elevator and riding towards the floor of their hotel suites. “England. Okay so let me get this straight,” she said as the doors slid open. “You’re like walking water right?”
“Something like that,” Cassie said as she followed Diandra into the hotel room. How does this girl even know this information?
“This is Cassie and this is Edmund and Alan,” she said gesturing towards the two men while giving silent thanks that they didn’t destroy the room while she was gone. The Two men had a turbulent history that Diandra could not figure out.
“We all have abilities, like yours but different. “I thought maybe it would be easier if Cassie told you exactly what her abilities are, you know make her feel welcome.”
Cassie made her way towards the opposite side of the room, sitting on a small end chair, grabbing a pillow and hugging it tight. “I’m not very good with descriptions, so you know I’ll just show you.” She stood up and walked towards the bathroom, motioning for them to follow her. She turned on the water towards the tub.
“Need any help undressing?” Edmund asked suggestively.
Cassie cringed and watched the water for a few moments, “No but thanks for asking.” She lifted her feet and stepped into the tub. As soon as her body hit the water it immediately began to mimic it, until she became nothing more than running water in the tub.
“Oh my God,” Diandra leaned over. “Do you think she can hear us?”
I can hear you, I just can’t answer you.
Cassie answered her with a splash instead.
Diandra actually jumped a little, “That’s kind of neat.”
“Is that all you can do, just be water?” Diandra asked, “Or can you do anything else.”
Cassie didn’t answer, when suddenly the water exploded out of the tub as if somebody dropped a cherry bomb down a toilet and flushed it. The force of the water hit her face as if somebody punched her. Diandra fell backwards, hitting her head on the sink. She wasn’t the only one who felt the attack of the water. She rubbed her head as she watched Edmund’s face snap to the side as if somebody slapped it and Alan suffered a similar fate.
Cassie felt like she had so much pent up anger and wanted to take it out on these three strangers.
Then as quickly as it happened, the water fell on the floor, nothing more than a puddle of water. Seconds later she took on her human form, stood up and brushed herself off. “So do you have any questions? Does anybody want to tell me what’s going on here? Why do you even need me? How did you even find me and how do you even know of my abilities?”
Diandra dropped her hand from her head, she figured this was a good time for any other demonstrations of abilities and discussion of what was going on. Plus they had one more person to recruit, but she couldn’t remember who was in the file. Silently she walked out of the bathroom and into the main area of the hotel suite, sitting down on the couch. “I think I’m going to hand the floor over to Alan, so to speak.”
“Names Edmund, you can call me Eddie but I blow things up,” Edmund said.
“I’m Alan and I have dreams that come true. Premonitions which was how I knew where you’d be and what you’re ability is. We all have them and we have to hide them or be persecuted. But why can’t we use them for personal gain? So we’re going to break in and steal the crown jewels.” Alan said.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Cassie said.
“You know what? This conversation would be better with a drink,” Edmund said.
Cassie’s head snapped towards Edmund, a smile playing around her lips. “You know that sounds good, because this,” she gestured around with her hands, “being a lot to take in and all. I mean I could use something to take the edge off,” She said. “Plus the whole thing sounds lame. I’ve never stole anything in my life.
“The money is good and we’ll have no problem doing it. My partner is going to be Diandra which leaves you to partner with Edmund. And I mean lots of money,” Alan said.
Cassie perked up. “You mean there’s money involved? Okay I want in, and uh I want more but I also want to talk about this at some place public. You three kind of creep me out. I mean you could all be like psychotic axe-murderers you know? And I’m not down with the head chopping. So Um yeah.”
Diandra cleared her throat; this was her cue to ‘sell it’. “I think Cassie has a good point,” she stood up, “So why don’t we go down and celebrate, get to know each other,” she let her eyes rest on the two men, giving Edmund a look as if to say behave, ”because if we’re going to work together as a team,” she emphasized, “there has to be some sort of trust built, and right now I’m not feeling it.” Diandra shrugged, she trusted Alan, but as for the other two, she wasn’t feeling it just yet.
The four of them headed downstairs towards the bar. Diandra ordered a bottle of tequila, salt and a bowl of limes for all of them. Diandra sat down next to Alan as Cassie sat down next to Edmund. But they weren’t in a booth, instead they were at a table, where they could all look at each other equally. Cassie wasn’t even 18 years old, she would be in nearly three months but nobody seemed to notice or care. Plus if anybody asked she’d tell them she was 18. After all she did gradate from high school so she was almost legally an adult.
“Nothing better than discussing business,” Edmund smirked looking across at Alan, “With drunken woman.”
Diandra resisted the urge to kick him in the shins, she couldn’t understand why he grated on her nerves so badly. “I’m going to ignore that comment,” she slid a shot glass in front of each of them, pouring shots of tequila. The four of them clinked their glasses together, downing the harsh liquid. Diandra squeezed her eyes shut while sucking on a lime while Cassie didn’t so much as flinch or take the lime.
“So do you guys have some sort of strategy set up for doing this….thing?” Cassie said.
“Well that’s what I thought we’d discuss at the table,” Diandra said.
“I just have one question for you,” Edmund asked. Diandra swung her head toward him, curious that for once he spoke serious. “How many shots of tequila will it take for you two to remove your blouses?”
Diandra blinked, “Wha- WHAT? None,” she spat out nervously.
“Four,” Cassie blurted out at the same time and laughed. “Did I say that out loud?”
“Can’t you be serious for one minute?” Diandra asked tapping her foot under the table nervously. “And yes you kind of did.”
“Oh my God don’t be so uptight, I mean seriously,” Cassie laughed and pushed her shot glass across the table.
“I’m not uptight,” Diandra crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair. “Not uptight,” she repeated.
“I am serious,” Edmund smirked at Alan, pouring another round, “I enjoy mixing business with pleasure, unlike Alan here who walks around like he’s got a chip shoved so far up his ass, if he squinted really hard he might piss out vinegar. And you darlin’ are more uptight then a virgin on her wedding night.”
“You know what, he’s ten times the man you’ll ever be.“ She snapped at Edmund who responded by smirking at Alan and mouthing feisty.
“You’re not uptight Diandra,” Alan said. “And I do not piss vinegar.”
Diandra shook her head in denial. Was it true? Was she really uptight? She glanced at Alan, while she forced herself to relax her clenched fists. “Well you know whatever.” She really didn’t think she was uptight.
To compensate for being ‘uptight’ Diandra drank more and when she looked down at the table, its shiny wood seemed to mock her. This was not the same kind of drunken feeling she had as when she downed a bottle of wine back at her apartment. Come to think of it -it felt somewhat liberating. “Ahhhhh you don’t piss Vinegar. Edmunds just a jackass.”
“Are you two gay?” Cassie asked. “Is that you’re deal,” She drunkenly pointed her finger at Edmund and then Alan.
“Or maybe even married?” Diandra chimed in, “I mean if that’s so I’m betting on Alan being the husband and Edmund doing the Ironing.”
“No! I’m not gay. I’ll whip it out right now for ya and show you how not gay I am,” Edmund said.
“What the…are you drunk woman?” Alan said.
“Whoa,” Diandra poured another shot for all of them, the liquid sloshing a bit over the table, “I just had the visual and can I say, I’d like to see it in slow motion.”
“Um Dee, you realized you said that out loud right?” Cassie laughed sliding the shot glass her way.
“Wha- What? I did not,” Diandra laughed.
“You guys aren’t drinking, Its time to drink up!” Cassie said and motioned for Diandra to pour them all another round.
Cassie gripped the edge of the table; she felt hot and couldn’t explain it. Pressing a hand to her cheek, she felt flushed and attributed it to the amount of alcohol she had. She felt relaxed, she felt free, but worst of all she felt like she might actually do something stupid and remove her blouse. She needed to get out of here and quick. And why was Edmunds scooting his chair closer to me?
“One more to go ladies,” Edmund poured them each their 4th shot of tequila.
“No she said four,” Diandra motioned to Cassie, “I never agreed, Please, I’m not going to show my goodies,” Did I just say goodies, I did, I said goodies.
“I’ll show you my goodies, but not here,” Cassie, laughed but she didn’t drink the fourth shot yet. Instead she slid the shot glass back and forth between her hands, watching the liquid slosh against the glass.
“Goodies aside I have to pee,” Alan said.
“I’m curious, why are you the way you are. Why do the two of you fight so much?” Diandra asked after Alan excused himself to use the restroom.
“Darlin’, I doubt you really want to know about Alan and my history. I find it hard to believe that whatever relationship you and Squinty have is purely platonic,” Edmund leered at her, pulling out one of his cigarettes and lighting it. “He’s not here, you can tell us the truth.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Diandra said, holding the edge of the table. Everything seemed so far away and fuzzy.
“He means you can’t just be friends, It never works out. Unless He’s gay, is he gay?” Cassie laughed as she asked Edmund. “What about you, are you gay?” she finally downed the last shot, letting her fingers play with the buttons of her blouse. Edmund smirked instead of responding, his eyes hungrily traveled as he watched her fingers move along the collar of her shirt.
Please don’t let him be gay, I have to know that not every male is gay.
“We all know he’s not Gay and so what, what if he was Gay? Would that even matter?” Diandra rolled her eyes, “Oh God you can’t be serious, just take it to the room, because I’m sure Alan booked everybody their own rooms.”
“I think the bar is closing up, so everybody should go retire or whatever,” Diandra stood up, the room begun to spin around in circles. “We have plans to discuss in the morning.”
“Boring, Boring Boring,” Cassie laughed standing up as well. She gave Edmund a sly grin and walked out of the bar and towards the elevator leading to their rooms.
Diandra sighed resting her hands on the table. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and turned around quickly running face first into Alan’s chest. It was like running into a brick wall. Shaking her head she bounced back a little bit. “We‘re all heading up to our rooms,” she looked to make sure they were out of site. “I don’t think-“ she cleared her throat and started gesturing with her hands. “I don’t think,” she repeated once more as if she was trying to remember something, “Uh oh yeah I don’t think I can make it back to my room tonight” she slurred slightly. “You’re friend isn’t very nice,” she rubbed her eyes and then linked her arm through his, using him to hold herself up. “If I didn’t know any better, I think and this could just be the liquor talking, but I think he was trying to into Cassie’s pants.”
It took every ounce of self-control in order for her to keep her wits about her. Edmund and Cassie had already disappeared into the elevator and she walked over, jabbing the button repeatedly as if that would make it speed up. Turning around, she rested her shoulder against the wall, waiting for it to open. Once it did, she carefully walked inside as if she was balancing on a tight rope when she was just trying not to look inebriated.
“I don’t trust him Alan, not as far as I can throw him, but well I hope when push comes to shove that he won’t screw us you know?” She let herself fall back against the wall of the elevator, closing her eyes for a few seconds as everything spun faster. “Too many thoughts, racing thoughts, gong through my head faster than I can run, ugg make it stop.” It appeared that tonight she was faced with a lot of truths, some she didn’t want to know about. Uptight, control freak, boring.
“He won’t screw us. Remember that was what we found the girl for? As long as we have Cassie to entertain him then we can keep him in line. She’s his type, pretty, young and fun. Who cares what happens to her in the end though. She’s just here to keep him occupied,” Alan said.
The door opened and she opened her eyes, “Don’t let me drink tequila again.” Diandra said.
“I wont,” Alan caught her just as she passed out in his arms.
***
Edmund slammed the door shut and brought a bottle of Jack Daniels, complements of Alan’s generous room service tab towards Cassie. As promised she lay on the bed, propped up on one arm, the only piece of fabric covering her chest was a black lace bra.
“It’s colorful in here, or very fuzzy,” She said sitting up, taking the offered bottle and swallowing some of the harsh fluid before passing it back to Edmund.
Edmund just maintained that all-knowing smirk while he drank from the bottle. Setting it on the nightstand he climbed over the bed, positioning his body so he laid face to face with Cassie. “Do you trust them?” He spoke as if he was going to tell her a secret only he knew.
“Should I not trust them?” In her alcohol-induced state, she still maintained good judgment, but with each tick of the second hand, she felt it slip away in the dark corner of her mind. “They do kind of think they are all knowing aren’t they. What are we? Just their pawns or minions or whatever?” She scoffed.
“Oh that’s right, that’s what we are,” Edmund said with a sudden newfound awareness that Cassie would probably believe that it would be safe to cliff dive into 10 feet of water as well. “If they fuck us in the ass then we stick together.” Whatever Alan’s true motives, he had a feeling it wasn’t just to make money. In fact he knew it wasn’t for that reason. Whatever Alan desperately wanted he decided to take it all away from him, just like how he tried to fuck him in the past. Bringing Cassie over to his side was easier then he thought and as for that bitch Diandra, well when he got the chance he was going to kill her and make Alan watch him do it.
Quickly he lifted his hand, roughly grabbing Cassie by the back of her neck as he rolled her on top of him, “Now Darlin’ how about takin’ off more than just your blouse?”
Cassie smirked, turned off the light and did as he requested.
It was at this moment she realized she not only liked older man, but exciting and dangerous men!
“Well, it looks like we have a few hours to kill before sunrise and I can think of a lot of ways to entertain myself between now and then.”
“I’m sure you can,” Cassie said as she kissed him.
Edmund gripped her tightly by the back of the neck, enjoying his spoils for the evening, even if his thoughts drifted towards another woman. Unrequited love would not happen again.
***
Edmund slept soundly after spending a few hours enjoying the pleasures Cassie offered him. Sitting on the edge of the bed, sweaty from their nocturnal bedroom games, she reached over and grabbed Edmunds Cigarettes. Sighing she looked around for a lighter but couldn’t find one. Turning her head, she slid the cigarette under her nose, enjoying the scent of tobacco as she looked at Edmund. His light snoring gave her the go-a-head to look in his pants pocket. He might have a lighter inside.
His wallet dropped out and landed on her foot. “Shit,” she said bending over and lifting it up. A picture fell out, a woman in a suit. She had the most beautiful long red hair. Pulling it out, she inspected it closer just as Edmund woke up.
“What the fuck are you doing,” He said slipping his hand around her neck, holding her roughly and yanking her backwards against his chest. “Going through my personal belongings?” Edmund snapped as he applied more pressure on her neck.
“Oh God, I was just looking for a lighter,” Cassie said and then she could no longer speak. “Unnnggh,” she grabbed her throat.
“See now look what you made me do,” Edmund said as he picked up his wallet from the floor. “And you were so much fun too.”
Cassie felt something change and she felt like she was going to explode, literarily and just as the Edmunds charge took effect she shifted into water and exploded around the room.
“And she was such a good lay, what a shame,” Edmund said.
When Cassie reformed she reached over and grabbed a large lamp from the night stand. Quickly she smashed it over Edmunds head and said, “I don’t die that easy bitch. Haven’t you figured it out dumbass? You’re fire, I’m water, Guess who can cool who off? You can’t fucking make me explode when I’m in water form,” she smirked and walked up to him, lifting her foot and pushing him hard in stomach so he fell backwards into one of the chairs.
“Do you have any idea of what I can do to your body with mine?” She lowered herself down on the floor, resting her hands on his knees as she spoke seductively to him.
“I already know what you can do darlin’” he sneered at her as she moved closer. “Just keep moving your head in that direction and we can have an instant replay of the last hour.”
“I don’t think you do,” she reached up, snaking her body over his, pressing her lips against his, holding his face tight in both of her hands as she deepened the kiss. Edmund began to struggle, violently jerking in the chair until he pushed her once more to the floor.
Rolling on her back, she stared at the ceiling, maniacal laughter escaping from her lips. “Edmund, really now, are you okay?” She continued laughing as Edmund placed his head between his legs and threw up water all over the floor. The water slowly moved and joined with Cassie’s body.
“BITCH!” Edmund said wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “What the FUCK did you do?”
Cassie stood up and placed her hands on her hips. “I’m water, and I just fucking filled your lungs with it. How does it feel to drown on dry land baby? Of course, I only gave you a taste while you tried to make me a walking bomb. And for what? Some chick in a picture. I wasn’t snooping, I was looking for a lighter you son of a bitch!”
Edmund found this turn of events to be very interesting. He just tried to kill her, and she just happened to still be in the hotel room, naked no less. Interesting, he thought to himself, very interesting. “don’t touch the picture,” he said in a low dangerous voice.
“Or what? You’ll blow me up again?” She sneered.
“Worse,” Edmund said. “I’ll do something much worse. So go ahead, push me and find out what happens next.”
“You don’t scare me,” Cassie said.
“I should,” Edmund said. “And I will very soon.” He then cupped her face and kissed her passionately again. “But just so you know, I want you to remember me darlin’ and remember who’s in charge this evening.” Edmund called Room service and requested some food for the evening.
It was late, Cassie was tired and stuck in a hotel room with a hot volatile man who just ordered food but when the food came Cassie realized it wasn’t for the food, but for the woman who brought it.
“Just put it over there,” he said and watched the woman roll the cart towards the side of the room.
Edmund cracked his neck; he was looking for a good brawl. Needed to work off his disappointment with Cassie. She bored him, but she was easy enough on the eyes to pass the time and knew how to work her mouth.
Cassie ran into the bathroom and grabbed a robe so the lady would not see her nakedness when she came out Edmund headed towards her, back handed her and knocked her unconscious. Cassie collapsed on the floor just as the woman screamed.
“Now the real fun begins,” Edmund said. He punched the woman, rendering her unconscious and then pulled a chair around. He placed her in the chair and used some duct tape he had in his bag to secure her. He placed some over her mouth and then slapped her until she woke up.
Walking over towards Cassie, he figured now was as any a good time to give her a friendly little reminder to never touch his things again. Rubbing his fingers together, he placed his hand over her stomach, searing her with fingers and at the same time, he stubbed out his cigarette in her arm as she woke up screaming in pain.
Cassie’s heart beat frantically against her chest, “What the-” she looked down at the marks on her stomach, “You son of a bitch!” she jumped up, but doubled over from the pain of the burn on her stomach. Edmund roared with laughter as he enjoyed watching her stumble around in pain. She wasn’t anything more than a notch on his belt.
“Now that’s what I call a party, but I think it needs one final touch don’t you think?” He smirked as he stared at the woman in the chair.
“What have you done to her? You’re insane,” Cassie tried to run but she didn’t get far as Edmund knocked her backwards again. She was so frightened she couldn’t control her powers very well.
“Now be a good little whore and go find me something sharp, but don’t leave the room. I’d hate to hunt down you’re pretty little ass and kill you, because believe me, I will.” Edmund told Cassie before he turned his attention back to the woman bound to the chair.
“Where should I start with you?” He said tapping his chin as if he were an artist looking at the canvas.
“As much as it pains me, I would love to start with that mouth of yours but then I wouldn’t be able to hear you scream, its kind of a double edged sword you think?” He lifted his hands up as if weighing his options as the woman cried beneath the duct tape. “Shut up the annoying wench or let her scream, tough call. I think I’ll let Cassie decide.”
Cassie brought back the knife she found in his pants pocket, “What? I’m not a part of this.”
“But you are, now tell me darlin’ would you rather me cut off her ring finger, or should I cut off yours?” he grinned. “Tick-Tock Darlin’ Tick Tock.”
Cassie cleared her throat and closed her eyes but Edmund grabbed her around her throat before she could explode into water. “Gotta love pillow talk doll face, as long as I’m touching you, well you can’t extend that ability of yours now can you? You just can’t reform into water. Now,” he squeezed harder, “Make the choice or I’ll make it for you.”
Cassie hated him, there was something about the charge running through her body, when he touched her, that dampened her ability. She had never been so scared in her life, never so ashamed and never feeling so stupid for going to bed with a stranger. Did Reggie fuck her up in the head that bad?
She wished Diandra were here, or Alan, both of them seemed more level headed and she wondered why she even came back to Edmunds room in the first place. Because he was charming and hot and you have bad taste in men. “Cut off her finger,” She said staring down at the floor, ashamed at what she said. Tears streamed down her face, as she refused to look the woman in her eyes.
Edmund grabbed her and threw her down towards the floor so she knelt between the woman’s legs. “Nah you do it.” He began wrapping his fingers around her throat, pressing down on her carotid artery. “You should do it before you lose consciousness because if you do, I will kill you,” he laughed and handed Cassie the knife. He was going to kill her regardless, but she didn’t know that just yet.
“I want to hear this,” Edmund said and ripped the duct tape off the Woman’s mouth.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. As Edmund pressed down harder on her neck, Cassie cried hysterically as she sawed off The woman’s ring finger with Edmunds Dagger.
The Woman’s screams filled the hotel room as the blood spurted in Cassie’s face. Cassie recoiled but kept sawing as Edmund pressed harder on her throat.
“That’s my girl,” Edmund said pushing Cassie roughly out of the way, “Now that we got that taken care of.” Edmund bent over and lifted up the severed finger off the carpet, he pulled off the ring and inspected it. “Nice, must have cost a fortune.” He closed his hands around it, smirked, and then opened it to reveal a charred mass of twisted metal and diamonds. The ring, no longer recognizable, he forced into The Woman’s screaming mouth. Clamping his hand over his mouth and using the other one under her chin, he forced her to close it.
“Either swallow it or choke because we got a long night of fun planned,” he laughed sadistically.
Cassie had crawled across the room, reaching around for Edmunds Wallet. She found the picture of the red-headed woman and his lighter. “Stop it Edmund,” she flicked on the lighter and held it under the picture. “Just stop it!” she said, her voice trembling with fear.
“What did I tell you about touching my things?” Edmund was across the room grabbing the lighter before Cassie could light the picture with her trembling hands. And with that Edmund punched her, and then began kicking her. He broke her ribs, her leg and dragged her by the hair to the bathroom.
“I’m bored with both of you,” he said. Then he headed over to the woman and began making parts of her body explode and killing her slowly.
When Cassie woke up and found herself lying on the floor of the bathroom. She couldn’t move her right leg, as Edmund broke it, the bone protruded through her knee cap. Her left arm was twisted behind her at a disturbing angle - also broke and her right shoulder was dislocated. She thought she felt a few ribs might have been cracked, and along with her broken nose, she was missing her front teeth. How she survived, she didn’t know. But one thing she was sure of.
She was in a lot of pain. She was scared and frightened.
She fell for his honey coated words, and thought he cared for her. Now she knew she was wrong. He only cared about himself, blood, violence and death. She was sickened that she spent most of the night having sex with him, but even more sickened because she couldn’t get those hours of pleasure out of her mind. She felt sorry for the woman in the picture, an obvious twisted obsession. If she was lucky, maybe she was dead and wouldn’t have to suffer the fate Edmund would bestow on her.
So Cassie did the one thing she hoped would work. She allowed her body to become fluid, and made her way towards the corner of the bathroom. As long as she stayed in water form, she could not feel the pain of her mangled and broken limbs, but then she couldn’t leave or communicate as well. Cassie could hear everything from her corner on the floor in the bathroom and could not help but think how badly this was going to end.
Cassie stayed in water form until she was sure the commotion was over. She didn’t even want to think about what went on outside the room. When everything was silent, she formed back into her solid form. Every broken bone, every bruise, every burn mark healed. It was something she just learned right now. By controlling her molecules she could heal herself.
Edmund yanked open the bathroom door. “Isn’t this interesting. I thought I killed you,” he lunged towards her.
“You only think you did, but you didn’t. You’re a sick psychopath and you’re not going to kill me or kill anybody ever again. You’ll never hurt anybody,” Cassie said tears streaming down her face.
She then lifted her hands and did something she never did before. She began to manipulate the blood running through his body. Edmund dropped to his knees, in pain and Cassie kept going until every one of his blood vessels burst and then she kept going until his heart exploded. She dropped to her knees and cried at what she did.
She just killed a man.
But it was in self defense. If she didn’t kill him, then he’d kill her and continue killing and hurting other people. Cassie pulled herself together and flushed the toilet. Without another word, she shifted into liquid and went wherever the water would take her.
Verse: Custom/Science Fiction
Genre: Drama, Horror
Location: London
Time: June 1998
Words: 5189
Rating: R for strong language, violence and sexual content
Synopsis: Cassie takes an offer she should have refused
Until this day she wasn’t exactly sure what was real and what was in her imagination. But the day before graduation she found Her fiancé Reggie North doing things with another man that shouldn’t be done. Shocked, she turned and fled without listening to an explanation. She wanted nothing to do with him and refused to hear his excuses. She wouldn’t take his calls, or see him or even talk to her friends about what she saw. How was she to know that it wasn’t real and just a shadow manipulation created by Albert due to his hatred of her?
She never told anybody what happened. She simply took her passport, withdrew the money Conrad had for her college fund and the day she graduated she left without an explanation. Being around her friends and family was just too painful. Every time she looked in the mirror she hated herself. She used to be so confident and happy but now she was filled with loathing and self doubt.
Cassie took the first flight to Scotland since it was the only available flight that had available seating and would stay until her tourist Visa expired or her money ran out. Which ever came first.
“It Sucks doesn’t it?”
“Where did you come from? Never mind, yeah so what sucks?” Cassie turned towards Diandra as she threw the butt of her cigarette into the murky green waters.
“Being special and having nobody to talk to about it, I’m Diandra ,” Diandra said.
“Cassie,” she turned around and looked out at the ocean, “but somehow I think you already know that. So what do you want? Are you suddenly going to be my new best friend or something?” With nothing more than a roll of her eyes she turned around and stared at the water once more.
Diandra smirked, “Something like that, but aren’t you tired of living in the shadows, where nobody even knows your name?”
“I kind of like it that way,” Cassie turned around. “What the fuck do you want? I don’t like to be bothered.”
“Yeah I understand, but what if you were meant for bigger things, what if you weren’t meant to hide in the shadows. What if you can change the world, make it a better place. You wouldn’t have to hide who you are.”
“I’d say you’re the biggest bulls hitter ever and to fuck and die. You know it’s been nice and all but I gotta jet,” Cassie started to walk away.
“Aren’t you the least bit curious?” Diandra called out to her, “there are these people I know, who are waiting for you to come back with me. If your curious just you know take my hand. What’s the worst that could happen right?”
Cassie turned around, “Yeah okay,” she reached out thinking she was going to shake the girls hand, pull her close so she could sucker punch her but Diandra clenched her hand around Cassie’s holding on tight and suddenly the world changed as she knew it. She could see colors, swirls and flashes of light. It also made her nauseous.
“Shit, SHIT, what just happened?” Cassie looked around in awe, as she followed Diandra through the lobby. “Okay where are we because I thought you know we were shaking hands or something.”
“We’re in London, You were in Scotland remember? I teleported us. You‘ll get used to it.” she said pressing the button to the elevator and riding towards the floor of their hotel suites. “England. Okay so let me get this straight,” she said as the doors slid open. “You’re like walking water right?”
“Something like that,” Cassie said as she followed Diandra into the hotel room. How does this girl even know this information?
“This is Cassie and this is Edmund and Alan,” she said gesturing towards the two men while giving silent thanks that they didn’t destroy the room while she was gone. The Two men had a turbulent history that Diandra could not figure out.
“We all have abilities, like yours but different. “I thought maybe it would be easier if Cassie told you exactly what her abilities are, you know make her feel welcome.”
Cassie made her way towards the opposite side of the room, sitting on a small end chair, grabbing a pillow and hugging it tight. “I’m not very good with descriptions, so you know I’ll just show you.” She stood up and walked towards the bathroom, motioning for them to follow her. She turned on the water towards the tub.
“Need any help undressing?” Edmund asked suggestively.
Cassie cringed and watched the water for a few moments, “No but thanks for asking.” She lifted her feet and stepped into the tub. As soon as her body hit the water it immediately began to mimic it, until she became nothing more than running water in the tub.
“Oh my God,” Diandra leaned over. “Do you think she can hear us?”
I can hear you, I just can’t answer you.
Cassie answered her with a splash instead.
Diandra actually jumped a little, “That’s kind of neat.”
“Is that all you can do, just be water?” Diandra asked, “Or can you do anything else.”
Cassie didn’t answer, when suddenly the water exploded out of the tub as if somebody dropped a cherry bomb down a toilet and flushed it. The force of the water hit her face as if somebody punched her. Diandra fell backwards, hitting her head on the sink. She wasn’t the only one who felt the attack of the water. She rubbed her head as she watched Edmund’s face snap to the side as if somebody slapped it and Alan suffered a similar fate.
Cassie felt like she had so much pent up anger and wanted to take it out on these three strangers.
Then as quickly as it happened, the water fell on the floor, nothing more than a puddle of water. Seconds later she took on her human form, stood up and brushed herself off. “So do you have any questions? Does anybody want to tell me what’s going on here? Why do you even need me? How did you even find me and how do you even know of my abilities?”
Diandra dropped her hand from her head, she figured this was a good time for any other demonstrations of abilities and discussion of what was going on. Plus they had one more person to recruit, but she couldn’t remember who was in the file. Silently she walked out of the bathroom and into the main area of the hotel suite, sitting down on the couch. “I think I’m going to hand the floor over to Alan, so to speak.”
“Names Edmund, you can call me Eddie but I blow things up,” Edmund said.
“I’m Alan and I have dreams that come true. Premonitions which was how I knew where you’d be and what you’re ability is. We all have them and we have to hide them or be persecuted. But why can’t we use them for personal gain? So we’re going to break in and steal the crown jewels.” Alan said.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Cassie said.
“You know what? This conversation would be better with a drink,” Edmund said.
Cassie’s head snapped towards Edmund, a smile playing around her lips. “You know that sounds good, because this,” she gestured around with her hands, “being a lot to take in and all. I mean I could use something to take the edge off,” She said. “Plus the whole thing sounds lame. I’ve never stole anything in my life.
“The money is good and we’ll have no problem doing it. My partner is going to be Diandra which leaves you to partner with Edmund. And I mean lots of money,” Alan said.
Cassie perked up. “You mean there’s money involved? Okay I want in, and uh I want more but I also want to talk about this at some place public. You three kind of creep me out. I mean you could all be like psychotic axe-murderers you know? And I’m not down with the head chopping. So Um yeah.”
Diandra cleared her throat; this was her cue to ‘sell it’. “I think Cassie has a good point,” she stood up, “So why don’t we go down and celebrate, get to know each other,” she let her eyes rest on the two men, giving Edmund a look as if to say behave, ”because if we’re going to work together as a team,” she emphasized, “there has to be some sort of trust built, and right now I’m not feeling it.” Diandra shrugged, she trusted Alan, but as for the other two, she wasn’t feeling it just yet.
The four of them headed downstairs towards the bar. Diandra ordered a bottle of tequila, salt and a bowl of limes for all of them. Diandra sat down next to Alan as Cassie sat down next to Edmund. But they weren’t in a booth, instead they were at a table, where they could all look at each other equally. Cassie wasn’t even 18 years old, she would be in nearly three months but nobody seemed to notice or care. Plus if anybody asked she’d tell them she was 18. After all she did gradate from high school so she was almost legally an adult.
“Nothing better than discussing business,” Edmund smirked looking across at Alan, “With drunken woman.”
Diandra resisted the urge to kick him in the shins, she couldn’t understand why he grated on her nerves so badly. “I’m going to ignore that comment,” she slid a shot glass in front of each of them, pouring shots of tequila. The four of them clinked their glasses together, downing the harsh liquid. Diandra squeezed her eyes shut while sucking on a lime while Cassie didn’t so much as flinch or take the lime.
“So do you guys have some sort of strategy set up for doing this….thing?” Cassie said.
“Well that’s what I thought we’d discuss at the table,” Diandra said.
“I just have one question for you,” Edmund asked. Diandra swung her head toward him, curious that for once he spoke serious. “How many shots of tequila will it take for you two to remove your blouses?”
Diandra blinked, “Wha- WHAT? None,” she spat out nervously.
“Four,” Cassie blurted out at the same time and laughed. “Did I say that out loud?”
“Can’t you be serious for one minute?” Diandra asked tapping her foot under the table nervously. “And yes you kind of did.”
“Oh my God don’t be so uptight, I mean seriously,” Cassie laughed and pushed her shot glass across the table.
“I’m not uptight,” Diandra crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair. “Not uptight,” she repeated.
“I am serious,” Edmund smirked at Alan, pouring another round, “I enjoy mixing business with pleasure, unlike Alan here who walks around like he’s got a chip shoved so far up his ass, if he squinted really hard he might piss out vinegar. And you darlin’ are more uptight then a virgin on her wedding night.”
“You know what, he’s ten times the man you’ll ever be.“ She snapped at Edmund who responded by smirking at Alan and mouthing feisty.
“You’re not uptight Diandra,” Alan said. “And I do not piss vinegar.”
Diandra shook her head in denial. Was it true? Was she really uptight? She glanced at Alan, while she forced herself to relax her clenched fists. “Well you know whatever.” She really didn’t think she was uptight.
To compensate for being ‘uptight’ Diandra drank more and when she looked down at the table, its shiny wood seemed to mock her. This was not the same kind of drunken feeling she had as when she downed a bottle of wine back at her apartment. Come to think of it -it felt somewhat liberating. “Ahhhhh you don’t piss Vinegar. Edmunds just a jackass.”
“Are you two gay?” Cassie asked. “Is that you’re deal,” She drunkenly pointed her finger at Edmund and then Alan.
“Or maybe even married?” Diandra chimed in, “I mean if that’s so I’m betting on Alan being the husband and Edmund doing the Ironing.”
“No! I’m not gay. I’ll whip it out right now for ya and show you how not gay I am,” Edmund said.
“What the…are you drunk woman?” Alan said.
“Whoa,” Diandra poured another shot for all of them, the liquid sloshing a bit over the table, “I just had the visual and can I say, I’d like to see it in slow motion.”
“Um Dee, you realized you said that out loud right?” Cassie laughed sliding the shot glass her way.
“Wha- What? I did not,” Diandra laughed.
“You guys aren’t drinking, Its time to drink up!” Cassie said and motioned for Diandra to pour them all another round.
Cassie gripped the edge of the table; she felt hot and couldn’t explain it. Pressing a hand to her cheek, she felt flushed and attributed it to the amount of alcohol she had. She felt relaxed, she felt free, but worst of all she felt like she might actually do something stupid and remove her blouse. She needed to get out of here and quick. And why was Edmunds scooting his chair closer to me?
“One more to go ladies,” Edmund poured them each their 4th shot of tequila.
“No she said four,” Diandra motioned to Cassie, “I never agreed, Please, I’m not going to show my goodies,” Did I just say goodies, I did, I said goodies.
“I’ll show you my goodies, but not here,” Cassie, laughed but she didn’t drink the fourth shot yet. Instead she slid the shot glass back and forth between her hands, watching the liquid slosh against the glass.
“Goodies aside I have to pee,” Alan said.
“I’m curious, why are you the way you are. Why do the two of you fight so much?” Diandra asked after Alan excused himself to use the restroom.
“Darlin’, I doubt you really want to know about Alan and my history. I find it hard to believe that whatever relationship you and Squinty have is purely platonic,” Edmund leered at her, pulling out one of his cigarettes and lighting it. “He’s not here, you can tell us the truth.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Diandra said, holding the edge of the table. Everything seemed so far away and fuzzy.
“He means you can’t just be friends, It never works out. Unless He’s gay, is he gay?” Cassie laughed as she asked Edmund. “What about you, are you gay?” she finally downed the last shot, letting her fingers play with the buttons of her blouse. Edmund smirked instead of responding, his eyes hungrily traveled as he watched her fingers move along the collar of her shirt.
Please don’t let him be gay, I have to know that not every male is gay.
“We all know he’s not Gay and so what, what if he was Gay? Would that even matter?” Diandra rolled her eyes, “Oh God you can’t be serious, just take it to the room, because I’m sure Alan booked everybody their own rooms.”
“I think the bar is closing up, so everybody should go retire or whatever,” Diandra stood up, the room begun to spin around in circles. “We have plans to discuss in the morning.”
“Boring, Boring Boring,” Cassie laughed standing up as well. She gave Edmund a sly grin and walked out of the bar and towards the elevator leading to their rooms.
Diandra sighed resting her hands on the table. Taking a deep breath, she stood up and turned around quickly running face first into Alan’s chest. It was like running into a brick wall. Shaking her head she bounced back a little bit. “We‘re all heading up to our rooms,” she looked to make sure they were out of site. “I don’t think-“ she cleared her throat and started gesturing with her hands. “I don’t think,” she repeated once more as if she was trying to remember something, “Uh oh yeah I don’t think I can make it back to my room tonight” she slurred slightly. “You’re friend isn’t very nice,” she rubbed her eyes and then linked her arm through his, using him to hold herself up. “If I didn’t know any better, I think and this could just be the liquor talking, but I think he was trying to into Cassie’s pants.”
It took every ounce of self-control in order for her to keep her wits about her. Edmund and Cassie had already disappeared into the elevator and she walked over, jabbing the button repeatedly as if that would make it speed up. Turning around, she rested her shoulder against the wall, waiting for it to open. Once it did, she carefully walked inside as if she was balancing on a tight rope when she was just trying not to look inebriated.
“I don’t trust him Alan, not as far as I can throw him, but well I hope when push comes to shove that he won’t screw us you know?” She let herself fall back against the wall of the elevator, closing her eyes for a few seconds as everything spun faster. “Too many thoughts, racing thoughts, gong through my head faster than I can run, ugg make it stop.” It appeared that tonight she was faced with a lot of truths, some she didn’t want to know about. Uptight, control freak, boring.
“He won’t screw us. Remember that was what we found the girl for? As long as we have Cassie to entertain him then we can keep him in line. She’s his type, pretty, young and fun. Who cares what happens to her in the end though. She’s just here to keep him occupied,” Alan said.
The door opened and she opened her eyes, “Don’t let me drink tequila again.” Diandra said.
“I wont,” Alan caught her just as she passed out in his arms.
***
Edmund slammed the door shut and brought a bottle of Jack Daniels, complements of Alan’s generous room service tab towards Cassie. As promised she lay on the bed, propped up on one arm, the only piece of fabric covering her chest was a black lace bra.
“It’s colorful in here, or very fuzzy,” She said sitting up, taking the offered bottle and swallowing some of the harsh fluid before passing it back to Edmund.
Edmund just maintained that all-knowing smirk while he drank from the bottle. Setting it on the nightstand he climbed over the bed, positioning his body so he laid face to face with Cassie. “Do you trust them?” He spoke as if he was going to tell her a secret only he knew.
“Should I not trust them?” In her alcohol-induced state, she still maintained good judgment, but with each tick of the second hand, she felt it slip away in the dark corner of her mind. “They do kind of think they are all knowing aren’t they. What are we? Just their pawns or minions or whatever?” She scoffed.
“Oh that’s right, that’s what we are,” Edmund said with a sudden newfound awareness that Cassie would probably believe that it would be safe to cliff dive into 10 feet of water as well. “If they fuck us in the ass then we stick together.” Whatever Alan’s true motives, he had a feeling it wasn’t just to make money. In fact he knew it wasn’t for that reason. Whatever Alan desperately wanted he decided to take it all away from him, just like how he tried to fuck him in the past. Bringing Cassie over to his side was easier then he thought and as for that bitch Diandra, well when he got the chance he was going to kill her and make Alan watch him do it.
Quickly he lifted his hand, roughly grabbing Cassie by the back of her neck as he rolled her on top of him, “Now Darlin’ how about takin’ off more than just your blouse?”
Cassie smirked, turned off the light and did as he requested.
It was at this moment she realized she not only liked older man, but exciting and dangerous men!
“Well, it looks like we have a few hours to kill before sunrise and I can think of a lot of ways to entertain myself between now and then.”
“I’m sure you can,” Cassie said as she kissed him.
Edmund gripped her tightly by the back of the neck, enjoying his spoils for the evening, even if his thoughts drifted towards another woman. Unrequited love would not happen again.
***
Edmund slept soundly after spending a few hours enjoying the pleasures Cassie offered him. Sitting on the edge of the bed, sweaty from their nocturnal bedroom games, she reached over and grabbed Edmunds Cigarettes. Sighing she looked around for a lighter but couldn’t find one. Turning her head, she slid the cigarette under her nose, enjoying the scent of tobacco as she looked at Edmund. His light snoring gave her the go-a-head to look in his pants pocket. He might have a lighter inside.
His wallet dropped out and landed on her foot. “Shit,” she said bending over and lifting it up. A picture fell out, a woman in a suit. She had the most beautiful long red hair. Pulling it out, she inspected it closer just as Edmund woke up.
“What the fuck are you doing,” He said slipping his hand around her neck, holding her roughly and yanking her backwards against his chest. “Going through my personal belongings?” Edmund snapped as he applied more pressure on her neck.
“Oh God, I was just looking for a lighter,” Cassie said and then she could no longer speak. “Unnnggh,” she grabbed her throat.
“See now look what you made me do,” Edmund said as he picked up his wallet from the floor. “And you were so much fun too.”
Cassie felt something change and she felt like she was going to explode, literarily and just as the Edmunds charge took effect she shifted into water and exploded around the room.
“And she was such a good lay, what a shame,” Edmund said.
When Cassie reformed she reached over and grabbed a large lamp from the night stand. Quickly she smashed it over Edmunds head and said, “I don’t die that easy bitch. Haven’t you figured it out dumbass? You’re fire, I’m water, Guess who can cool who off? You can’t fucking make me explode when I’m in water form,” she smirked and walked up to him, lifting her foot and pushing him hard in stomach so he fell backwards into one of the chairs.
“Do you have any idea of what I can do to your body with mine?” She lowered herself down on the floor, resting her hands on his knees as she spoke seductively to him.
“I already know what you can do darlin’” he sneered at her as she moved closer. “Just keep moving your head in that direction and we can have an instant replay of the last hour.”
“I don’t think you do,” she reached up, snaking her body over his, pressing her lips against his, holding his face tight in both of her hands as she deepened the kiss. Edmund began to struggle, violently jerking in the chair until he pushed her once more to the floor.
Rolling on her back, she stared at the ceiling, maniacal laughter escaping from her lips. “Edmund, really now, are you okay?” She continued laughing as Edmund placed his head between his legs and threw up water all over the floor. The water slowly moved and joined with Cassie’s body.
“BITCH!” Edmund said wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “What the FUCK did you do?”
Cassie stood up and placed her hands on her hips. “I’m water, and I just fucking filled your lungs with it. How does it feel to drown on dry land baby? Of course, I only gave you a taste while you tried to make me a walking bomb. And for what? Some chick in a picture. I wasn’t snooping, I was looking for a lighter you son of a bitch!”
Edmund found this turn of events to be very interesting. He just tried to kill her, and she just happened to still be in the hotel room, naked no less. Interesting, he thought to himself, very interesting. “don’t touch the picture,” he said in a low dangerous voice.
“Or what? You’ll blow me up again?” She sneered.
“Worse,” Edmund said. “I’ll do something much worse. So go ahead, push me and find out what happens next.”
“You don’t scare me,” Cassie said.
“I should,” Edmund said. “And I will very soon.” He then cupped her face and kissed her passionately again. “But just so you know, I want you to remember me darlin’ and remember who’s in charge this evening.” Edmund called Room service and requested some food for the evening.
It was late, Cassie was tired and stuck in a hotel room with a hot volatile man who just ordered food but when the food came Cassie realized it wasn’t for the food, but for the woman who brought it.
“Just put it over there,” he said and watched the woman roll the cart towards the side of the room.
Edmund cracked his neck; he was looking for a good brawl. Needed to work off his disappointment with Cassie. She bored him, but she was easy enough on the eyes to pass the time and knew how to work her mouth.
Cassie ran into the bathroom and grabbed a robe so the lady would not see her nakedness when she came out Edmund headed towards her, back handed her and knocked her unconscious. Cassie collapsed on the floor just as the woman screamed.
“Now the real fun begins,” Edmund said. He punched the woman, rendering her unconscious and then pulled a chair around. He placed her in the chair and used some duct tape he had in his bag to secure her. He placed some over her mouth and then slapped her until she woke up.
Walking over towards Cassie, he figured now was as any a good time to give her a friendly little reminder to never touch his things again. Rubbing his fingers together, he placed his hand over her stomach, searing her with fingers and at the same time, he stubbed out his cigarette in her arm as she woke up screaming in pain.
Cassie’s heart beat frantically against her chest, “What the-” she looked down at the marks on her stomach, “You son of a bitch!” she jumped up, but doubled over from the pain of the burn on her stomach. Edmund roared with laughter as he enjoyed watching her stumble around in pain. She wasn’t anything more than a notch on his belt.
“Now that’s what I call a party, but I think it needs one final touch don’t you think?” He smirked as he stared at the woman in the chair.
“What have you done to her? You’re insane,” Cassie tried to run but she didn’t get far as Edmund knocked her backwards again. She was so frightened she couldn’t control her powers very well.
“Now be a good little whore and go find me something sharp, but don’t leave the room. I’d hate to hunt down you’re pretty little ass and kill you, because believe me, I will.” Edmund told Cassie before he turned his attention back to the woman bound to the chair.
“Where should I start with you?” He said tapping his chin as if he were an artist looking at the canvas.
“As much as it pains me, I would love to start with that mouth of yours but then I wouldn’t be able to hear you scream, its kind of a double edged sword you think?” He lifted his hands up as if weighing his options as the woman cried beneath the duct tape. “Shut up the annoying wench or let her scream, tough call. I think I’ll let Cassie decide.”
Cassie brought back the knife she found in his pants pocket, “What? I’m not a part of this.”
“But you are, now tell me darlin’ would you rather me cut off her ring finger, or should I cut off yours?” he grinned. “Tick-Tock Darlin’ Tick Tock.”
Cassie cleared her throat and closed her eyes but Edmund grabbed her around her throat before she could explode into water. “Gotta love pillow talk doll face, as long as I’m touching you, well you can’t extend that ability of yours now can you? You just can’t reform into water. Now,” he squeezed harder, “Make the choice or I’ll make it for you.”
Cassie hated him, there was something about the charge running through her body, when he touched her, that dampened her ability. She had never been so scared in her life, never so ashamed and never feeling so stupid for going to bed with a stranger. Did Reggie fuck her up in the head that bad?
She wished Diandra were here, or Alan, both of them seemed more level headed and she wondered why she even came back to Edmunds room in the first place. Because he was charming and hot and you have bad taste in men. “Cut off her finger,” She said staring down at the floor, ashamed at what she said. Tears streamed down her face, as she refused to look the woman in her eyes.
Edmund grabbed her and threw her down towards the floor so she knelt between the woman’s legs. “Nah you do it.” He began wrapping his fingers around her throat, pressing down on her carotid artery. “You should do it before you lose consciousness because if you do, I will kill you,” he laughed and handed Cassie the knife. He was going to kill her regardless, but she didn’t know that just yet.
“I want to hear this,” Edmund said and ripped the duct tape off the Woman’s mouth.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. As Edmund pressed down harder on her neck, Cassie cried hysterically as she sawed off The woman’s ring finger with Edmunds Dagger.
The Woman’s screams filled the hotel room as the blood spurted in Cassie’s face. Cassie recoiled but kept sawing as Edmund pressed harder on her throat.
“That’s my girl,” Edmund said pushing Cassie roughly out of the way, “Now that we got that taken care of.” Edmund bent over and lifted up the severed finger off the carpet, he pulled off the ring and inspected it. “Nice, must have cost a fortune.” He closed his hands around it, smirked, and then opened it to reveal a charred mass of twisted metal and diamonds. The ring, no longer recognizable, he forced into The Woman’s screaming mouth. Clamping his hand over his mouth and using the other one under her chin, he forced her to close it.
“Either swallow it or choke because we got a long night of fun planned,” he laughed sadistically.
Cassie had crawled across the room, reaching around for Edmunds Wallet. She found the picture of the red-headed woman and his lighter. “Stop it Edmund,” she flicked on the lighter and held it under the picture. “Just stop it!” she said, her voice trembling with fear.
“What did I tell you about touching my things?” Edmund was across the room grabbing the lighter before Cassie could light the picture with her trembling hands. And with that Edmund punched her, and then began kicking her. He broke her ribs, her leg and dragged her by the hair to the bathroom.
“I’m bored with both of you,” he said. Then he headed over to the woman and began making parts of her body explode and killing her slowly.
When Cassie woke up and found herself lying on the floor of the bathroom. She couldn’t move her right leg, as Edmund broke it, the bone protruded through her knee cap. Her left arm was twisted behind her at a disturbing angle - also broke and her right shoulder was dislocated. She thought she felt a few ribs might have been cracked, and along with her broken nose, she was missing her front teeth. How she survived, she didn’t know. But one thing she was sure of.
She was in a lot of pain. She was scared and frightened.
She fell for his honey coated words, and thought he cared for her. Now she knew she was wrong. He only cared about himself, blood, violence and death. She was sickened that she spent most of the night having sex with him, but even more sickened because she couldn’t get those hours of pleasure out of her mind. She felt sorry for the woman in the picture, an obvious twisted obsession. If she was lucky, maybe she was dead and wouldn’t have to suffer the fate Edmund would bestow on her.
So Cassie did the one thing she hoped would work. She allowed her body to become fluid, and made her way towards the corner of the bathroom. As long as she stayed in water form, she could not feel the pain of her mangled and broken limbs, but then she couldn’t leave or communicate as well. Cassie could hear everything from her corner on the floor in the bathroom and could not help but think how badly this was going to end.
Cassie stayed in water form until she was sure the commotion was over. She didn’t even want to think about what went on outside the room. When everything was silent, she formed back into her solid form. Every broken bone, every bruise, every burn mark healed. It was something she just learned right now. By controlling her molecules she could heal herself.
Edmund yanked open the bathroom door. “Isn’t this interesting. I thought I killed you,” he lunged towards her.
“You only think you did, but you didn’t. You’re a sick psychopath and you’re not going to kill me or kill anybody ever again. You’ll never hurt anybody,” Cassie said tears streaming down her face.
She then lifted her hands and did something she never did before. She began to manipulate the blood running through his body. Edmund dropped to his knees, in pain and Cassie kept going until every one of his blood vessels burst and then she kept going until his heart exploded. She dropped to her knees and cried at what she did.
She just killed a man.
But it was in self defense. If she didn’t kill him, then he’d kill her and continue killing and hurting other people. Cassie pulled herself together and flushed the toilet. Without another word, she shifted into liquid and went wherever the water would take her.