Part 30 (1/2)
”Let's get one thing straight, Carnie,” said Sylvia. ”I'min charge now. And you don't kill anybody unless I tell you to.”
”Yes, Ma'am.”
Jake and Cynthia were amazed at Carnie's metamorphosis. She had gone from monster to mouse right before their eyes. Greg was still too dazed to notice.
”Take these two and put them over there and handcuff them to beds.”
”We don't have any more handcuffs,” said Carnie.
”Borrow a couple from those women.”
Cynthia didn't want Carnie to grab her, so she walked to the right side of her mother's bed and stood.
”No, not there,” said Carnie. ”Not by your mother.”
”It doesn't matter, Carnie. Just cuff her,” said Sylvia.
Jake helped Greg stand up and walked him to the left side of Betsy's bed-the farthest distance from Cynthia. Greg leaned against the wall and slid to a sitting position on the floor. Jake handcuffed him.
”It was stupid to leave the van in the barn,” said Sylvia.
”I was planning to dump it,” said Carnie.
”Well, it's too late for that. But it doesn't matter now.”
Sylvia glanced at Cynthia and then at Greg. ”I saw your car. Nice hiding place. In fact, I parked in that area too. By the way, I hope you have a good warranty on those tires.” She pulled out a large pocket knife and held it up, smiling.
Carnie stepped in close to her grandmother and whispered, ”What's the plan?”
”Just be patient, My Dear. Now give me a proper greeting.”
Carnie hated it-even in private. Now she was being forced to do it in front of other people. She kissed Sylvia on the lips.
But it was just a peck-not nearly enough to satisfy her grandmother. Sylvia took Carnie's head in her hands and gave her an open-mouth kiss lasting five seconds.
In the blink of an eye, Carnie could have unsheathed her knife and gouged out Sylvia's tongue. And then her eyes. Then she could have cut out her heart and stomped on it.
She couldhave.
Macy tossed and turned and thought about Elmo's eyes and lips and arms. They had both wanted to make love. And they wouldhave-if Carnie hadn't interrupted. Of course, doing it on a hard floor was not what she had pictured for their first time.
She had imagined it thousands of times-waiting naked on a warm bed, under a satin sheet, when he walked out of the steamy bathroom in his robe. They would eye each other with burning desire as he walked toward her. It would be all he could do to restrain himself from running to the bed and leaping on top of her.
He would untie his robe and let it fall open, revealing his lean, muscular chest and his firm lower body, already throbbing for her.
Because Macy had not been with a man in many years, she had trained herself in the art of self-fulfillment. Through graphic visualizations, she could ring her own bell repeatedly-hands free.
But now she really needed to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a wonderful day, she thought. She got up, put on her robe and went down to the kitchen for a gla.s.s of warm milk. When the microwave beeped, she reached to open to door.
”Why are you still up?”
Macy spun around and saw Elmo, standing in the doorway wearing his robe and slippers.
”I couldn't sleep,” she said.
”Yeah, me either.”
”I'm just so excited.”
He walked to her. ”I love you, Macy.” He gave her a quick kiss. ”Hey, since we're both having trouble sleeping, you want to go down and watch a movie?”
”Sure.” She smiled. They had watched hundreds of movies and countless TV shows together. And now she could enjoy that with Elmo for the rest of their lives. As well as making love to him any hour of the day or night-any time he wanted her.
”Who's this?” said Sylvia to Carnie.
”His name is Jake. He's a friend of mine.”
”And he helped you set this up?”
”Yes, ma'am.”
Cynthia interrupted. ”Excuse me, but could somebody please tell me what's going on here? Why have you kidnapped these women and drugged them? And why are you holding us?”
Sylvia turned to Cynthia. ”Lady, I don't think you understand the precarious situation you've gotten yourself into. I have total power over you and everybody in this room. For example: Carnie, go over there and slap Jake in the face. Slap him as hard as you can.”
Carnie reluctantly followed her grandmother's orders.
Jake stared at Carnie, dumbfounded.
”No, that wasn't good enough. You hesitated. Do it again. Now!”
This time, Jake grabbed Carnie's hand before she could strike him.
”You failed, Carnie. Make him pull his pants down. Underwear too.”
”Forget it,” said Jake to Carnie. ”I'm not playing this game.”
”Oh, but you are, Jake,” said Sylvia. ”Now, do what I said, Carnie.”
Carnie reached for Jake's belt bucket, but he pushed her away.
”Okay, that's it,” said Sylvia. ”End of game. Kill him, Carnie.”
Carnie turned and gave her grandmother a stone cold stare.