Casey began gouging at Lauren’s chest with the scissors. Lauren let out a warble, like a dying animal, groaning in sheer pain. It was like her body was trying to make her pass out. But her agony wouldn’t let her.

Scott pulled at the handcuffs, then stopped. The metal bit into his hands, even at this tightness.

He was gasping, covered in tears and snot and blood. Time had slowed down; Gary’s shouting was like a drawn-out song. He heard something in the song, then his vision shimmered; he saw a smiling dog, a golden retriever, the sun shining from inside it. Then it turned, and its collar rattled: it was a cross, and the dog yapped, beckoning to Scott.

He was weeping and screaming, flitting in and out of consciousness, trying to hold the dog in place so he didn’t have to think about what he was doing; the handcuffs grated his skin, pulling chunks of it away. His mangled hand screamed in agony as it collided with the metal.

Collapsing onto his side, he pulled his other hand loose; he tried his foot, but his ankle was too wide, even on the one he’d tightened.

Such a big strong man.

Scott was weaving; the dog had gone. He’d always wanted one. Natalie had always said no.

Such a big tough guy. Do it. Do it.

Scott threw his body to the side, his legs twisting at a horrible angle. He landed halfway off the bed, stretching his body. He was upside down, clawing for Casey’s arm.

Every sinew and muscle in his legs felt like it was going to snap, and then–

He heard something crack. He roared and then threw himself forward; his vision raged red, and he saw horns, saw a gaping mouth of red teeth. He grabbed the fucking bitch; he yanked her arm so hard it must’ve blown out of the socket.

She sprawled atop him, the angle awkward as he found her throat. He wasn’t holding back now; Lauren was still moaning, sounding so close to the end. Scott hated himself for letting it get this far, for letting them help, for being the sort of man this could so easily happen to.

Casey was cackling as Scott choked her. He wrapped his arm tightly around her neck, pushing on the back of her head to deepen the choke; it was all instinct, the need to make her stop. He squeezed and squeezed, until she had no air for laughing; he kept going, screaming all the while, tears stinging his cheeks.

She went limp, and then Scott saw it again; he knew he’d always remember this.

The dog, sunlight, the cross.

He let her go, shuddering, weeping. Lauren was a moaning bundle on the floor.

Casey gasped, sounding groggy, then started sucking in breaths.

Scott’s vision wavered.

Nat would be so jealous. She'd never been able to break that door down.

A voice – his voice, and he heard it, floating in the abyss of his mind, as Gary kicked the door open and rushed into the room.