“Answer my brother, or your sister gets it again,” Abel said and raised his hand to emphasize his threat.

Jackie’s big blue eyes looked at Abel and then back to me.

“Because you like it,” she blurted out and then cried harder as the words she’d spoken sank home.

“Ding, ding, ding, we have a winner! What does Jackie get Cain?” Abel looked over at me and smirked.

“I think she’s won the right to earn her freedom back,” I said and loved that her eyes lit up with hope. The kill was always so much sweeter when they thought there was hope.

“Well, alright then, who doesn’t like a good game?” Abel leaned over and undid the bindings holding Jess securely to the chair. As the last buckle was released, she predictably bolted for the stairs. I watched her run up the stairs, her feet loud on the wood, but I smiled as she collided with the door.

“Run, Jess,” Jackie yelled, and I wondered how long her sisterly sacrificing gesture would last once she saw what Abel planned to do.

The door rattled as Jess continuously rammed herself into it, and I could picture just how fast her little rabbit heart was racing in her chest. The fight or flight panic made the decision for her even though she had no more runway to stretch her rabbity legs.

“Don’t run away, Little Rabbit,” Abel said, putting voice to the words from my own mind.

The sweet sing-song sound to his voice made Jackie shudder in her bindings, her head dropping in defeat. I memorized the way her body shook as she broke down with acceptance as it slowly settled over her. She’d better get used to that feeling. It was only going to get worse from here.

Sipping my drink, I watched Abel like my favorite television episode. The hysterical screaming began as one heavy boot landed on the stairs, shaking it like the T-Rex in the Jurassic Park movie. “Come back, Little Raaaaabit.”

Another heavy thump and more hysterical banging began. I almost spit out my drink as Abel ran the rest of the way up the stairs yelling, “Booga, Booga, Booga.”

“Awww, come on,” Abel whined and marched back down the stairs holding Jess in his arms. “Little twit just passed out. I hadn’t even gotten to do my best impressions.”

He stomped past me with the limp girl in his arms and made his way to the one-of-a-kind table I’d made for him. I preferred my table over this one, but I had to admit this piece Abel had me create for him had its benefits. The thick steel rings I’d welded to the sides allowed him to attach prey in any position he desired.