Loyal

Chapter 93

Vera's POV

            "Step forward," Cam's voice is sharp; it pierces me like the rawness on the skin of my ankles and wrists from the course rope. I tug one last time, my entire body weary, falling a part from dehydration and fatigue. I can't fight anymore. I can't.

            "STAND THE FUCK UP!" Cam grabs the back of my head, pulling for a handful of my hair. He thrusts me forward, throwing me against the mattress face first. I try to turn to my side, off of baby.  

                        "Cam, please," my voice is as weak as my body, a barely audible whimper from my lips. Please let it be quick. Please let us die quickly. I let out a cry when I realize my use of the word us. Please God, if it's possible, please just take me. But somehow, some way, let baby girl survive. Please. I'm BEGGING YOU!

                        "If you have any good left in you.." My voice falters when I realize Cam  can't even hear me. Why am I trying to talk sense into him? It's clear his mind is made up; from the moment he broke into our damn house. My mind wanders to Aunty Ray. God, please let her be okay, she doesn't deserve to be part of this damn mess. I feel tears, an endless stream of tears, wet on my face. How long have I been crying without noticing my tears?

            "I'm only going to say this only one more damn time, STAND UP," Cam's voice is forceful. I get up to my knees, the soft mattress catching me off balance. Before I can fall back to my side Cam's hand violently grabs me up, thrusting me onto my feet.

            "STAY THE FUCK UP!" He bellows. I close my eyes tightly, feeling every part of my body tense. Baby girl kicks inside me a few more times, and then she is silent. I start to sob, I can't help it. This whole situation is fucked up. I begin to choke on tears, heavy breaths that force their way out of my throat. Every limb of mine is weakening, energy seeping out of me. Aunty Ray always told me to keep my emotions under control, that baby could feel and hear everything that I do. Please be stronger than me baby. Please be stronger than me.

            Cam shoves me forward, and I can feel him fiddle with the noose around me. He pulls it down over my head, and I feel the tiny prickling strands of rope against the dampness of my neck.

            This is it. This is it.

            Cam lets out a laugh and I finally open my eyes to look at him. He stands before me on the ground at the edge of the mattress. He's casually dressed, and smiling maniacally, his eyes bulging out of their sockets. Who is this man? Surely this isn't the Cam that wooed me at dinner? That accompanied me to the Gala?

            "This is too easy. Too easy," Cam looks down from me, and begins pacing. "This isn't how I wanted it to be!" He mutters to himself, putting his hand to his chin as if in deep thought. "I wish he was here, I wish he was here to watch all of this unfold."

                        "Who?" I ask, barely able to get the word out.

            "Who do you think?" He asks, clearly disgusted at me. "Colin. Colin, Colin, Colin. I wish he were here to see me do away with his family. To do away with everything he's ever wanted." He looks up thoughtfully. "But, sometimes you can't always get what you want, isn't that right Ms. Vera?" He looks to me and smirks. I look down to my feet, willing them to stay on their toes. If I make any sudden movements I'll hang. I'm already weak, I wouldn't be able to fight the suffocation. I try to contain my breaths in short spurts.

            "The motherfucker had the nerve to come see me, in the hospital. And threaten my very presence. Do you know what he said to me Vera?" He comes up to my face, standing directly in front of me. The long scar on his face is softly illuminated, a lightning bolt across his eye. The bright light him and Trish had going has flickered into a dim glare.

            "He told me, that if I ever so much as came close enough to see you, that he would kill me," Cam murmurs.

            "And you know what Vera? I think he was serious; he damn near choked me to death in the hospital that night.... But you know what? I knew you wouldn't fall for it. I knew you wouldn't go back to him. Because your sorry ass is too damn selfish! You're too damn insecure with yourself. And it's damn funny because even though you didn't want to go back to him, you didn't want shit to do with me. Runnin me around like that..."

            Colin. Colin. His name rings through my mind amidst the craziness. I feel my heart beat faster thinking about him, and baby girl kicks me hard. How is it that even at the edge of death, you still fucking make my heart beat Colin? Colin. I let out more labored breaths, my vision blurring in tears. I am a mixture of fear and panic. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I should've told you I loved you, Colin. I should've let you tell me your side of the story. I should've told you about our daughter, our baby girl. My pride was not worth it. Not worth any of this. Colin, I'm so so so sorry. I love you. I love you, I love you. I cry in front of Cam, trying to hold myself up on my toes, bound by every limb, my silent words to Colin unheard.

            "But you know what, Colin ain't here. And this basement is wonderfully insulated, which means you can't hear shit from outside of it. After all these years, I think I'll finally be even with him," Cam says quietly, squaring his shoulders. Before I can move, Cam's hands are around my shoulders and he pulls me forward into the noose.

            The air is struck from my lungs immediately. I try to struggle to my feet but he won't let me. Strong hands hold me down; as the rope grips my neck...constricting any chance for oxygen. I am a fish thrust out of water, flailing for any chance of relief. Hold on baby girl. Please. Please hold on longer than I can. I can't see. I can't feel.

            This is it.

            "VERA!" There's a familiar shout in the distance. And I am gone.