The tiny green antique telephone buzzed on the wooden table. Right on time. Anticipation ran through my body making the little hairs on my neck stand on end. I pick up the phone and wait for them to speak first, like always.

“We sometimes forget how easy it is to say hello to a stranger, don’t you think?” Jayce expressed on the other side of the phone.

I stood there puzzled. I was just holding the telephone up by my ear as my body shivered. I hated this.

“Ray? Are you there? You can’t just ignore me. I can hear you breathing.” Jayce badgered.

I sighed and responded. “I’m here Jayce…what do you want this time?”

“Good boy. Always responds no matter what. I just want to chat like always, nothing else.” Jayce insulted. I rolled my eyes as I tried not to hang up. I didn’t want to cause any more trouble.

I hate it when he calls me that, I thought to myself, Why can’t he just stop it?

“Talk to me boy. You know what happens if you don’t. Think of your boyfriend honey.” He nagged. Muffled noises emerged from the background.

“Do not call me ‘good boy’. Just don’t you dare touch him.” I exclaimed. “Let him go and take me,” I let out silent tears. “Just take me…”

Jayce sighed, “Now that wouldn’t be much fun, would it now?” I stayed silent.

Just take me please… I thought to myself once again.

“Would it now?” Jayce screamed. I responded with a slight no. “Tsk tsk tsk. That smart comment just got your boyfriend a beatdown.”

“No please.” I blubbered. “Don’t touch him!” Tears slid down my face and my anger started to bubble. I could hear my boyfriend being punched and kicked over and over.

Fuck, I’m so stupid. I didn’t watch what I said. Goddammit, I thought. It ran through my mind over and over again. It didn’t leave my mind as I dropped the telephone and immediately began to slam my fists into the wall. I could quietly hear my boyfriend’s screams. Memories of me and him played in my mind like a broken record, playing the same ones over and over again. The thumps on the wall got louder and faster as I tried to muffle out the screams. My hands are throbbing to the beat of my heart but getting faster the more and more I hit the wall. Blood stained the paint making it a dark red color. I stop and look at my hands as tears slide down my face.

“Goddammit.” I scream as I pick the phone back up, “Jayce get off of him please!” My boyfriend's screams slowly get quieter. I think Jayce is stopping. A few minutes later I can hear whimpers.

“Do not do that again Ray, or it’ll be worse than what I just did.” Jayce grumbled. I could tell he was frustrated with me, frustrated that he had to do what he did.

“Please, for the last time just take me. I beg you.” I sniffed as I leaned against the blood-stained wall.

“You know what, fine. Just to get you to shut up.” Jayce said. Muffled no’s emerged from the background on Jayce’s side. “Meet me at 342 Willow Street at eleven o’clock tonight and your boyfriend will be safe.”

“Okay. I wi-” I say but get interrupted.

“Come alone. No cops.” He demanded. All I say back is a simple okay and Jayce hung up the phone.

. . . . . . . . . .

It’s eleven and I’m at Willow Street waiting for Jayce to get here. I’m sitting on the park bench as I scroll through my phone. Out of nowhere I get hit over the head and everything turns black.

I awakened tied up in a concrete room with Jayce standing in front of me. “Wakey wakey Sleeping Beauty.” He chuckled.

My head throbbed as I tried to focus on the blurry silhouette. It took a few moments but I could realize that it was Jayce. “Jayce? Did, did you let him go?” I asked hoping that he kept his end of the deal.

“Well, about that.” He laughed. “No, he’s right next to you.”

What? I thought. I glanced over next to me and saw him. Tyler, he was right there. His skin was pale as a faded light trying to survive. He was all sweaty and bloody. Him being shirtless with only shorts on, I was able to see his body all bruised up.

“I did everything you told me to do and you didn’t keep your side of the deal. You fucking bastard!” I complained. Tears shed and flew down my face past my chin falling onto my shirt.

“Oh come on. It’s a party now that you’re here. There’s no need to cry. Smile. Smile for me.” Jayce turned more insistent as my tears continued, “I said smile. Stop crying.”

My tears dried up, impossibly, and my lips turned up beyond my control. A forced smile. Jayce beamed back and patted my cheek. “Now that’s better. Such a lovely smile, and now everybody’s happy.”

Everybody was happy? I thought. I glance towards Tyler. He was smiling. How? How could he be smiling? “What did you do to him?” I cried out.

“Nothing.” he laughed.