Twisted City: (Twisted City Book 1)

by Rebekah Vasick

  John's fingertips tiptoe along my back and rest on my hip. He draws me closer to him and nuzzles into my hair, then leaves a kiss on my cheek.

  For now, I disregard his affections, finding myself too engrossed in the fish.

  “Don't you want to see the waterfall?” John asks.

  I turn towards him and he leans closer, allowing our noses to touch. For a moment, I allow him to stay, hoping some emotion will fill the void in my heart. He slides his nose alongside mine and the void expands. I turn my face away before our lips connect.

  “Which way did you say the waterfall was?” I ask, proceeding onward without his answer.

  The darkness of the cave shrouds us and I reach for the rock. My fingertips graze across the cold, damp, rough texture. It's too dark to see where John is. But it isn’t long before I feel his heat warm the length of my back.

  An icy chill slithers down my spine when his aftershave invades my nostrils. I quicken my pace, eager to find a way out of the darkness.

  Finally, a yellow glow creeps along the rock.

  “Light at last,” I cry.

  I turn my head to find John inches away from me, though the smile he wore back at the bridge has faded, leaving something sinister in its place.

  “Everything okay?” I ask.

  “Yeah. I'm fine.” A sly smile laces his lips.

  I ignore it. “Shall we?”

  He seeks for my hand and laces our fingers. Only then do I feel the anomaly surrounding his middle finger. I raise our hands towards the light to inspect the ring.

  “Since when have you been wearing this?” I ask.

  “I wear it from time to time.”

  Within the dim light, I observe the square ring with markings on it. Though I'm unable to see what they are.

  “A bunch of my army buddies have the same one. Kind of like marking our brotherhood. When there's better lighting, I'll show you.”

  My curiosity piques as I'm introduced to another layer of John.

  “How long were you in the army?”

  “Only two years. I joined once I left school but broke my back in a convoy accident and they discharged me.”

  “A convoy accident?”

  “Yeah. If it's okay with you, I'm not comfortable talking about it, but it involved a lot of vehicles and only a few of us…”

  I turn to embrace him, resting my cheek against his shoulder.

  “We can talk about something else,” I whisper.

  He sighs heavily. “I was one of the lucky ones,” he says before nuzzling into my hair.

  “Oh, John, I'm so sorry.”

  He remains silent.

  I raise my hand to caress the fabric of his shirt.

  “I'm okay, love,” he murmurs. “Especially when I have you in my arms.”

  We remain in our embrace for a few moments more. John releases me, seeking my hand once again.

  He chuckles. “Thought you wanted to see the waterfall?”

  “Yes, I still do,” I tell him.

  He guides me towards the ever-increasing glow.

  The sound of gushing water grows louder. A burst of white light saturates the cave, diminishing the darkness. Though we remain inside the cave, a wide opening lies a few feet ahead of us. Beyond that, the cascading water.

  My eyes widen along with my smile. With my hand remaining inside Johns, I run, tugging John along behind me.

  “Wow, this is amazing!” I exclaim excitedly.

  I hear John chuckle behind me, though it doesn't slow my pace.

  Only when I reach the barrier preventing me from diving into the water do I stop.

  John releases me, allowing me to rest against the barrier while stretching my hand towards the cascading, crystal water. The silky water trickles through my fingers. When I pull back, I watch with fascination as the crystal drops plummet from my hand and into the abyss.

  A set of hands rests around my waist before the heat of John’s body warms my back. John nestles into my hair before his hand releases my hip to comb my hair from my shoulder. His lips rest against the naked skin of my neck. I sense the hunger within them as they work their way towards my ear.

  Icy tendrils slither throughout my body, searching for my palpitating heart.

  “Okay, John. That's enough,” I say.

  I try to twist myself away from him, only to find I’m trapped in his embrace. My breath shudders as my body quivers, and once again, I try to evade his kisses and touch.

  “John. Please stop,” I say, but my words fall on deaf ears.

  His hunger drives him onward as he turns me to face him, holding me against the railing, while his lips seek for mine.

  I turn my face away, but his hand seizes my chin, forcing it towards him and seals his lips against mine.

  A surge of anger flows through me as I slam my palms against his chest and use all my strength to push him away. “What the hell, John?!”

  He wears a bewildered expression once he's liberated from the spell.

  He grazes his face with his hand. “Eva, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me,” he apologizes.

  I lower my gaze as the anger seethes through me. John must sense the fury as he steps back.

  “Eva, I'm really sorry,” he says.

  I look at him through my lashes, fully intent on preserving the anger, only to discover he's filled with remorse.

  I sigh. “Okay. I forgive you.”

  By the time we leave the garden, night has fallen.

  “What time is it?” I ask.

  “Seven,” he tells me.

  Though I’m wearing my leather jacket, it does little to protect me from the chill. The frigid air bites the exposed skin of my face and I hide within my scarf, allowing only my eyes to peer over it.

  I quicken my pace towards the car. It’s not much warmer inside the car, even after John starts the engine. However, by the time we exit the parking lot, the tiny car becomes sufficiently warm.

  To my delight, John keeps both hands on the wheel, even as we drive along the highway.

  I glance sideways at him to discover he wears a blank stare. “Are you taking me home now?”

  He keeps his focus on the road. “No. I’m taking you to dinner.”

  A weight materializes in my chest and my shoulders sag. I remain hidden within my scarf to disguise the disappointment on my face. I'd rather he take me home.

  After John's forceful kiss, fear has now filled the empty void in my chest. Though I forgive him, I have to wonder what compelled him to be so aggressive. The picture Patsy illustrated was of a gentle, loving man. But the man sitting beside me has none of those characteristics.

  “Here we are,” John announces after a thirty-minute drive.

  I peer through the windshield at a white building with a tall peak that resembles a church. Bright lights illuminate the entire building, along with the parking lot itself. Naked bushes line the length of the wall, while several neon lights, advertising beer, hang in the windows.

  Are we at a bar?

  We exit the car and John slides his hand in mine and guides me towards the door. Maybe I exhibit revulsion and he fears I’ll leave.

  We enter the establishment and the smell of alcohol mingled with stale smoke invades my nostrils, while the clamor of chatter saturates my ears. I can’t disguise the repulsion emanating from my features as I glance around the dark room.

  Booths and tables emerge from the shadows, each housing an assortment of people, mostly men, and only a scattering of couples. On each wall hang grotesque pictures of half-naked women in vulgar positions, advertising more beer. My feet seem to stick to the dank carpet. I lift one foot to discover discarded crumbs of food, along with liquid, adding to my disgust.

  Why would John bring me to this dump?

  “Just the two of you?” a young woman asks.

  I hadn't seen her at the podium as we entered the building. Maybe she was escorting other patrons to their table or maybe I was too engrossed in the obnoxious scenery to n
otice her.

  “Yeah, just us,” John replies.

  The young woman, with her full bust bursting from her dark-green shirt, searches her station for something. Her shimmering dark hair cascades around her shoulders as she gathers two menus, cradling them in her arms.

  Her sparkling dark eyes flutter to greet John and a slight smile caresses her lips. “Hey, don't I know you?” she asks, tilting her head to one side.

  “You should. I've been here once or twice,” he says.

  A hand flutters up to her mouth to hide the widening smile. “You're John.”

  He chuckles. “Yep, that's me.”

  While lowering her gaze, she tucks her hair behind her ear. “I wondered when I might see you again.”

  My eyes widen at her obvious flirtations. Not once has she glanced at me, nor entertained the idea I could be John's date. And even he doesn't dismiss her flirtatious advances.

  In fact, he responds with his own. “I told you I'd be back. Still waiting for your number,” he says smoothly.

  Hot lava courses through my veins.

  “How about that table?” I spit.

  The woman's smile fades once she acknowledges my presence. “Yes. Of course. Right this way.”

  As I follow along behind John, I berate myself for not requesting a ride home instead of a table. I'm such an idiot for allowing Patsy to fill my head with lies, and I'm more of an idiot for believing I could love John.

  Oh, Mr. Thompson. Couldn't you have warned me about him?

  “Here we go,” the woman says, placing our menus on a table near the window.

  I drag my chair out and slide into it, refusing to remove my jacket. I fold my arms and rest them on the table while maintaining the scowl on my face and glare out the window.

  “Your waitress will be over soon, but can I get you both a drink?” the woman offers.

  “I'll have a beer. Whatever's on tap,” John says.

  “Coke,” I say without emotion.

  “What's wrong with you?” John asks, gaining my full attention as I channel all my fury towards him.

  “You're kidding, right?” I scoff.

  Bewilderment floods his face.

  “What's with all the flirting back there?” I question. “You even asked for her number. Couldn't you have at least waited until I wasn't around?”

  He laughs, elevating my anger. “Eva, she's just a friend.”

  I scoff again.

  “Why are you getting so jealous?”

  “I'm not jealous,” I mutter.

  Wouldn't I have to have feelings other than revulsion towards him to be jealous? I'm merely appalled by his callous behavior.

  He laughs again while stretching his hands across the table to gather mine. Though I refuse to accept the invitation, he curls his fingers around my hands, dragging them to the center of the table. As I try to tug them free, he tightens his grip, crushing my fingers until I cease my struggling. I seal my lips and focus on his ring. In the pale light, I'm able to see an eagle etched into the gold ring with U.S. Army written underneath.

  “For a girl who's not jealous, you’re sure acting like it,” he says.

  I lift my head and allow my angry glare to penetrate his eyes as I channel all my rage into him, only making him laugh harder. I tug my hands away until he releases them and fold my arms across my chest. My fingers throb as the blood pumps back into them.

  “Eva, I'm sorry,” he says. “I shouldn't have done that. I promise all my attention will be on you tonight.”

  I tighten my jaw. He could gawk at every woman in this wretched bar for all I care. But he can take me home first.

  “Here we go,” the voice of a new waitress says, though I refuse to look at her. My glare remains on John as I scrutinize his interactions with this woman.

  A smile grazes his lips as he glances at her briefly. As soon as his glass reaches the table, he gathers it to take a long drink, finishing half the glass before returning it to the table.

  “Are you ready to order?” she asks.

  Until now, I haven’t even glanced at the menu. My appetite vanished the moment we stepped inside the building.

  “Yeah, I'll have a loaded burger and another beer, thanks,” John says.

  “And for you?” the woman asks.

  Instead of opening the menu, I scan the pictures of food on the front. “If you have a plain burger, that will be fine.”

  “With fries?”

  “Sure.” I lean back in my chair and watch her graceful hands gather our menus.

  “Is this how you'll be for the rest of the night?” John asks.

  I refuse to answer him. I remain staring at the cigarette burn on the table.

  “I said I was sorry. What more do you want?” he says, sounding frustrated.

  An explanation from Patsy would be nice, I think.

  “Please, Eva. Talk to me.”

  I look at him through my lashes and find no remorse dwelling in his eyes.

  “When are you working next?” I whisper.

  “Tomorrow. Why?”

  I shrug. “Just making conversation.”

  “Did you enjoy the garden? You seemed to,” he says.

  “It was okay,” I mutter. After his aggressive kiss, it lost all its previous allure.

  He gathers his glass to drain the rest of his drink. As he rests it back on the table, I watch the foam glide back down the glass.

  In the time I've known John, this is the first time I've been alone with him. Every other time has been with Patsy. I wonder if she's ever witnessed this side of his personality. If she has, then why would she portray him as a benevolent man?

  By the end of the evening, John has consumed at least five beers, and now I question his driving abilities. As we exit the restaurant, he sways across the car park towards his car, heightening my apprehension. I know I should call a taxi. The moment my fingertips caress the cool zipper of my bag, John turns to face me wearing a frightful grin.

  “Hurry up, Eva. It's freezing out here,” he says, baring his teeth at me.

  After abandoning my phone, I grip the strap of my bag. With every step, trepidation seeps deeper into my skin. I hesitate to open the door and assess the predicament I'm placed in.

  As I chew on the inside of my cheek, my gaze flutters over to the despicable restaurant we recently vacated. I'd be safer in there than riding home with an intoxicated John. However, the moment I persuade my feet to carry me to safety, a hand slaps on my shoulder.

  “Get in,” John orders.

  Though my mind screams for me to push him away, to run to the safety of the restaurant, his grip tightens on my shoulder, leaving me only one option: climb into the car.

  My body quivers. As I train my eyes forward, focusing on nothing in particular, I order my breathing to ease. But it disobeys, exposing my fear.

  The moment John enters, the stench of alcohol saturates the tiny confinement of the car. I glance sideways and watch his failed attempts to slot the key into the ignition. Finally, he accomplishes his task and starts the engine. As we make our way out of the parking lot, only now can I appreciate his grandma driving speed.

  “Are you taking me home now?” I ask in a timid voice.

  He faces me, wearing a sinister smile.

  I shrink within my jacket as my eyes snap back on the road. It's too dark to see our surroundings. I can't be sure if we're heading home or not. The quivering of my body intensifies as thoughts of John's cruel intentions race through my mind.

  Don't be silly, Eva. He won’t hurt you, I silently reassure myself.

  However, the moment I glance at him, I retract my statement. I can only see his silhouette, but a malicious aura radiates from him, further fueling my fears.

  We leave the smooth road of the highway and drive on something rugged. I look out of the windshield and find dense forest surrounding us on a single lane dirt road.

  Though I try to hide it, the panic in my voice leaks through. “Where are we?”

 
Again, his lips remain sealed.

  The thrumming of my heart escalates. My vision obscures as a fresh coating of tears forms. I knew I should have fled to the restaurant. I knew I should have stayed home.

  I fumble inside my bag as my fingertips seek for my phone. Once the cool metal connects with my skin, I wrap my fingers around my phone.

  John stops the car and kills the engine before removing his seatbelt and turns towards me. Only then, does the moonlight seep through the window to reveal his features; his intentions. Though a drunken glaze covers his eyes, the seduction gleams through. His lips part slightly, revealing his white teeth. The tip of his tongue protrudes to moisten his lips.

  The thrumming of my heartbeat is deafening. All the moisture in my mouth depletes, causing my ragged breathing to claw its way through my throat. My terrified eyes remain on him as I try to determine his next move.

  “Do you realize how beautiful you are?” he asks.

  With my free hand, I slide it along the cool, plastic door panel searching for the handle. Only then do I recall the seatbelt that traps me in my seat.

  He caresses the side of my face and my stomach turns, threating to expel what little I managed to force into it tonight. I find myself paralyzed and scrunch my eyes closed. A click reaches my ears before I feel the seatbelt retracting.

  His fingertips glide down to my chin, to grasp it and draw it towards him. With my eyes remaining closed, I silently plead with him to take me home. The stench of alcohol on his breath invades my nostrils before his heavy lips burn against mine. I twist my face away, but his fingertips dig into my tender flesh, holding me still.

  I abandon my phone and the handle of the door to slam my palms against his chest and use all my strength to sever his hold on me. But my efforts are futile. With his free hand, he grabs my hair, trapping me as he tightens the seal on my lips. I slap at his chest.

  For a moment, he breaks away from my lips. “I want you so much,” he says before forcing himself onto my mouth once again. His tongue slithers along my clamped lips, denying him entry. His hand releases my chin to fumble its way to the zipper of my jacket.

  “John. Get off me!” I scream into his mouth.