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Back When the Reckoning Comes Save as PDF
Chapters (44)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. Epigraph
  4. They are coming.
  5. I.
  6. II.
  7. III.
  8. Once, they stole away.
  9. IV.
  10. V.
  11. VI.
  12. VII.
  13. VIII.
  14. IX.
  15. X.
  16. XI.
  17. XII.
  18. Those who stayed behind found their own ways to resist.
  19. XIII.
  20. XIV.
  21. They remembered the feeling of their beloveds sold,
  22. XV.
  23. XVI.
  24. XVII.
  25. XVIII.
  26. XIX.
  27. XX.
  28. It took the babies drowning for the rest to say, Enough.
  29. XXI.
  30. XXII.
  31. XXIII.
  32. Tools meant for work became seen as weapons.
  33. XXIV.
  34. XXV.
  35. XXVI.
  36. XXVII.
  37. XXVIII.
  38. When they were caught, punishment was swift and severe in its execution.
  39. XXIX.
  40. Soon it would be morning, and those left behind would prepare for another day.
  41. Acknowledgments
  42. About the Author
  43. Also by LaTanya McQueen
  44. About the Publisher

“I’m told that the best leather is right here,” Roman said, ignoring Jeffrey’s question. He took the blade and pierced it on Jeffrey’s thigh, forcing a small pool of blood to form. Jeffrey winced again and Roman smiled.

“A buyer by the name of Aldridge has already paid me because he wants a pair of loafers fashioned from your flesh. Many will pay good money for a piece of you. Your tongue. Organs. Teeth. Skin. I’ve gotten so many offers. A man’s got to know what his property’s worth. So you see, I am going to sell every part of you and all the others. Every piece I can, and whatever’s left I’ll feed to the dogs. Even after your death you’ll still be of use to me. I want you to know that. Even dead I’ll have a use for you yet. Don’t worry, this will go quickly since I won’t have to cauterize the wound. I imagine it’ll go quickly for you as well. You’ll pass out from the pain soon enough, and your body will fail from the blood loss.”

Roman’s thumb ran along the smooth exterior of the metal blade. He kneeled before Jeffrey, stared directly into his eyes. He then whispered something to Jeffrey she couldn’t hear and Jeffrey closed his eyes, mumbled a few words before quieting. He was still after that, resigned to his fate. Roman pulled a rag out of his pocket and stuffed it into Jeffrey’s mouth.

Roman pushed Jeffrey so he was lying on the ground. He stood over him before sitting on his chest to keep him still. He took the knife and pressed it against Jeffrey’s face, beginning at the top of his jaw. He was careful not to press too hard. Jeffrey bellowed. Mira wanted to close her eyes, but she knew she had to learn the final piece of the story she’d pushed away. This is what Jesse had meant. Every day I see I struggle. She told herself not to look away. This was what was needed from her. To look. To see. She watched in horror as Roman guided the knife around Jeffrey’s face, beginning with the fleshier parts along the bottom. She hoped that by the time he’d moved from ear to ear Jeffrey would lose consciousness. Jeffrey writhed, but between his tied arms and the weight of Roman on his chest there wasn’t much he could do. However much he squirmed, Roman was stronger, and Roman worked with the skill of someone who’d done this before. He was focused and patient as he slid the blade around Jeffrey’s face.