Cheryl POV

"What a pleasant surprise."

My heart pounded against my ribcage, the weight of the gun suddenly feeling unbearable as my hands began to tremble. Sweat slicked my skin, and my lips parted in a desperate attempt to draw more air.

"What should be your punishment this time? Sneaking out of your room? Breaking into mine and pointing a gun at my head?" He sighed deeply, shaking his head. "I really underestimated you, didn't I?" His gaze remained eerily calm, despite the gun aimed squarely at him. "Why do you always make me hurt you?"

I swallowed, my voice betraying me as it cracked at his attitude. "Where were you today?" I tried to sound strong, but the words slipped out like a child's whimper.

He smirked, cocking an eyebrow. "Worried about me now? Missed me much?"

"Finn," I repeated, sniffing, my voice wavering as tears blurred my vision. "Where were you today?"

His eyes lit with amusement. "Ah, so you know my name now. Steph's got a loose tongue, huh?"

"You won't hurt her," I warned, my voice trembling with tears I could no longer suppress.

"Oh, trust me, I wouldn't dare. She's my best friend." He winked and shifted to sit up, while I kept the gun trained on him.

Best friend? My mind reeled.

"Surprised?" His grin grew wider with satisfaction at my shock.

"I won't ask again, where were you today?" My voice wavered, but beneath the fear, I clung to whatever courage I had left.

He raised his hands in mock surrender, that infuriating smirk never leaving his face. "Told you, I've got a list. Two enemies down today."

It felt like the world collapsed on me. Breathing became a chore, each inhale grates against the suffocating pressure on my chest. "Was it...my parents?" My words came out jagged, barely audible.

He smiled, dark and sinister. "They're on the list, Cheryl. Don't act so shocked."

How could he act so nonchalant, so smug, with a gun pointed at him while bragging about killing innocent people?

"If you'll excuse me," he stretched lazily, "I've got some sweet dreams waiting for me." He closed his eyes, and I racked the slide of the pistol, pressing it to his forehead.

"You think you're sleeping tonight?" I forced out, trying to keep steady.

"Oh, absolutely." He laughed softly, sarcasm heavy in his tone. "Should I be worried? Are you going to pull the trigger? Is this my last breath?"

"You feel no regret, no fear?" I asked weakly, staring at the monster before me.

"I told you. I've got nothing to lose." His voice was light, almost bored.

"Then I'll be honored to scatter your skull across this room." My voice hardened, throwing his own words back at him.

He let out a laugh, straightening his lips. "Why are you so stubborn?"

Before I could react, his hand was on mine, his finger curling around the trigger over mine. At that moment, I knew I couldn't do it. My body shook uncontrollably, the weight of the gun suddenly agonizing.

"Do it," he growled, his voice no longer playful but filled with rage and frustration. I trembled uncontrollably, barely able to breathe. I was a coward. "Do it, or I'll make you do it." His shout was deafening, his eyes burning with the same ruthless intensity I'd seen the day he shot his worker behind me.

My pulse roared in my ears, panic rising as the memory of my father's words flooded my mind.

'Stay at least four feet from your enemy. It's too easy for them to disarm you.'

'Don't think of consequences when you're in danger; fear is for the weak. In that moment, your life is what matters most.'

'Pull the trigger if it's your only option because you might never get another chance. The law will understand, and with a detective father, you'll be alright.' he joked.

'It's okay to be afraid, not everyone is brave enough to pull the trigger. But surviving means you will be with those you love. So, Pumpkin, you must always defend yourself, no matter the cost. Because I need you visiting my grave when I grow old and die.'

Watching Finn, I realized I still had a choice to fight for my life. He killed my parents, and I was next on his list; he made that clear.

Either I end this nightmare now, or I spend whatever time I have left drowning in regret.

But I couldn't. I was weak. I was a coward. I couldn't do it. I couldn't kill anyone, not anything that breaths. I dropped the gun, releasing a trembling breath, just as Finn grabbed my injured wrists and stood up, shoving me back until I hit the wall.

He loomed over me, gripping my wrists painfully above my head. I screamed, struggling, but it only made him tighten his hold. His eyes darkened with malice.

"There are consequences for everything," he hissed. "Maybe this will help you calm down." Before I could even react, his lips crashed into mine, rough and unrelenting.

I writhed beneath him, desperate to escape the invasion of his mouth. If this were a kiss from a normal guy, maybe I would've responded. He tasted of mint and something wild. But no, this was my kidnapper, believing he could take whatever he wanted. This was a nightmare.

If I was breathing at that moment, then I couldn't remember because I could only feel my heart deepening to the end wall of my back.

What was he doing?

One hand clamping around my both wrists, dug into my skin, bruising, trapping me, and his free hand palmed my face.

I struggled, but his body pinned mine, preventing me from using my knees.

Feeling helpless, a cry escapes me and I suck in a breath in the confined space. His tongue forced its way into my mouth at the opportunity. Having me fully tasted him. It annoyed me because I could succumb to how good he tasted, so I acted on instinct and bit down on his bottom lip as hard as I could, feeling the satisfaction as he groaned in pain.

It felt good to hurt me, doesn't it? I could get revenge even if I couldn't pull the trigger. I didn't let go until I tasted his blood in my mouth.

"Fuck," he spat, enraged, wiping his lip with his free hand.

His blood was dripping from my mouth onto my chest as I smirked defiantly.

"You want rough? I'll give you roughly."

He twisted my arms behind me, my body stuck out. I cried in pain, thrashing in a desperate attempt to break free. I tried to bite him again, but he drew back with a smirk, his lip bleeding as he clicked his tongue in his mouth mockingly, and lowered his head to my chest, his uninvited mouth clasping my nipple above the fabric, sending shockwaves down my spine. Blood stained my nightwear—it stained my vision

I fought harder, but he was too strong. There was no escape, he was stronger and unmerciful. I screamed for him to stop, but he only tightened his grip, his face twisted in anger and his hand trained to places alarming.

My breath came in ragged gasps, and my eyes overflowed with tears. "Stop!" I screamed, fear lacing my voice. My hands throbbed, and my wrists ached. He was hurting me.

"Please," I pleaded, my voice rising as I warned the ruthless man whose lips came back to battle against mine.

Luckily, my hand managed to slip free. Pushing him was useless, I looked for anything and found a lamp within reach.

Without hesitation, I struck him on the head, the glass shattering everywhere. That made him release me.

He staggered back, disoriented, clutching his head, blood dripping down his face.

"Fuck," he muttered through gritted teeth. I almost laughed at his state, but I wasn't safe yet. I went to repeat what I had done to him the first time we were alone. This time, however, I was a thousand times angrier and more hurt than I had been before. He seemed to anticipate my actions, dodging to the side just as my knee struck nothing but air.

His eyes blazing with rage as he recovers. Before I could run as I was set to do, the tables turned, and he was back in control, pointing the gun at me.

My heart pounded so violently I was sure it would tear right through my chest, but I couldn't even care. I was about to be shot. He killed my parents. Of course, I was next.

My wide eyes locked on the fury blazing in his.

"Maybe I should just end you now and be done with it," he spat, his voice sharp, his eyes feral. "You never did know how to follow orders, did you?"

I didn't dare respond. If I said I wasn't terrified, I'd be lying. The fear was suffocating, the anticipation already shredding me from the inside out. My body drenched in sweat trembled.

His impatience flared, pure aggression radiating off him as he cocked the pistol. My eyes squeezed shut instinctively. "I'll wipe out your entire family as if Mason never existed," he hissed. The threat cut through me like shards of glass. "I'll kill you, but not like this. No, I'll do it in the most ruthless way imaginable." His voice was low, each word dripping with venom. I let out a shaky sob.

Tears slipped free, and in that moment, I was nothing more than a helpless girl.

That's when the door creaked open, and footsteps thudded closer. I couldn't bring myself to look. I was lifted roughly onto a shoulder, but I kept my eyes shut tight, refusing to face the monsters.