Lies Behind The Woods

. . Splash . . . Splash. The sound of water hitting Steve’s face as he sat tied up in a chair. Regaining consciousness, Steve opened his eyes to a tall, thin white man sitting across from him. He recognized the man immediately. It was John Dexter. “So, you’re the so-called fucking hero, you motherfucker,” John said, punching Steve in the face, making his nose bleed.
John punched Steve over and over again. Blood coming from his nose and mouth. His right eye swollen shut.
“Where is Tara?” Steve said in a soft stutter.
John laughed it off as he punched Steve again, this time in the stomach.
“You think she seduced you and gave you some ass. Y’all lovers now?” John said, lighting a cigarette.
“Hey, babe, he’s asking for you,” John yelled out towards the bedroom.
Tara walked in. This time, she didn’t look as pretty.
“What the fuck do you want?” she said as she spat in Steve’s face.
“What’s going on?” Steve mumbled, barely able to stay awake.
“You fucked up everything with your going to the cop shit,” John angrily yelled at Steve.
John continued, “Three years. Three years I spent in that fucking rotten jail because of you. You know they don’t like my accused kind in prison. I didn’t kidnap Tara. Tara wanted to be my bottom bitch. We had money dreams until you fucked it all up with your running ass.”
Steve looked at Tara. “Why did you lie to me and make love to me?”
“John always told me payback’s a bitch,” Tara replied. She took a sip of water then continued, “You fucked up everything. My life, John’s life. All because you wanted to run, you stupid motherfucker. While John was sitting in jail, you were getting praise from Jane and my mother. Getting pats on the back for putting away my lover. While you were cuddled up with my mom and having playdates. I bet she didn’t mention I ran away because she kept beating me every night and I was fucking fed up with it. So, I met John that same day and we fell in love. I started working with him. Fuck you and fuck her. I’m getting the last laugh now.”
“Love?” Steve jumped in. “That ain’t love. He’s using you and making a profit. He doesn’t care about you. Just money. You are suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.”
“Just like you, I’ve lost my dad. I lost my mom the first time she got drunk and started beating me. John took me in and loved me. And no! It wasn’t sexual love. Everyone thought we had sex. He was the father I had always wanted and never had. I will kill for him, and he would do the same for me and the others,” Tara said, smiling at John.
“Others?” Steve said in shock.
“You will see at the cabin. Let’s wrap this shit up and go back to White Pine,” John told Steve as he put a bag around his head to blind him.
“Don’t tell me you are taking me to the same cabin you got busted in?” Steve said under the trash bag.
“What, you think I’m an idiot?” John barked back. “This one’s way off the grid. No one will find us for days, and by that time, you’ll be long dead.”
“If you’re gonna kill me, just do it right here. Why waste time taking me back to the cabin?” Steve shouted as he felt his heart jump out of his chest.
John laughed. “I’ve waited three years to fuck you up. I’m gonna enjoy this. Take my time and do it right. Plus, I have to show you what they did to me in prison. I have a baton with your name on it.
I’m gonna get all in your ass, boy,” John laughed as he tortured Steve.
Boom, boom, boom. Three knocks on Steve’s front door. “Who the fuck is that?” John asked, looking at Tara.
Tara walked up to the door to look out the peephole. “Steve, are you there?” The other voice outside yelled.
Tara rushed back to John in a panic. “It’s that DA bitch, Jane,” Tara said looking nervous. “We have to kill her,” she added before John could finish gathering his thoughts.
John smiled as if he was having the best day ever. “Open the door and let her in. She’s coming with us,” John said as he opened the bag on his shoulder and pulled out a small handgun.
“Run, Ja—” Steve tried to yell before John pistol-whipped him and knocked him out.
“Get the door!” John instructed Tara as he moved behind the door.
“Do you want me to get rid of her?” She asked John.
“No, that bitch put me away like that fucker. She’s coming with us. Today’s my lucky day.”
Tara opened the door to see Jane standing there shocked, looking at Tara.
“Tara?” What are you doing here?” Jane asked demandingly.
“Just seeing my hero, Steve, and making love to him. I mean, thanking him.”
“Where is he?” Jane asked in frustration.
“He just got out the shower. Gotta wipe off that sex juice,” Tara said with a smirk, knowing it would get under Jane’s skin.
“It looks cold outside. Why don’t you come on in? I will go get Steve and let him know you are here,” Tara said as she turned her back to head to the other room.
Jane walked in, following Tara. The door closed behind her and John cocked the gun to Jane’s head.
Jane turned around quickly. “John!” Jane yelled.
“Well, hello, bitch!”

10


The Drive
You’re a wanted man. Everyone’s looking for you. Where’s Steve?” Jane screamed frantically.
“I’m in charge now. Shut the fuck up!” John yelled as he pointed the gun to Jane’s head.
John grabbed her by the hair and threw her down to the kitchen floor.
“Get the duct tape and another bag,” John told Tara as he put his pistol in his waistband.
“Let’s just kill them both now and get it over with. We can lie about it later,” Tara replied eagerly with a smile.
“You fucked him in his bed. Your DNA is all over the place. The