Chapter 3The Victim's Vengeance
About 2,009 characters (~365 words) — this is Chapter 3, the last of the 3 free chapters on EditWrx Reads.
That day, some church folks came by dropping off donation boxes, and Cletus brought home a bag of rice.
Mama Mae pulled out a piece of pork, deciding to splurge, and sent Cletus out to fetch some liquor.
While tending the stove, I found the packet of powder Dr. Evans had given me. Looking at the amount, I clicked my tongue. "Still seems like not enough."
My hands were shaking as I emptied the powder into a bowl. Just as I was about to reach for a spoon, I looked up and saw Mama Mae standing right there, frowning at me. A cold sweat broke out all over my body.
Did she see?
Before I could even finish the thought, a stinging pain exploded on my cheek.
"Useless thing!" Mama Mae snatched the packet from me, dumped the rest of its contents into the bowl, and stirred vigorously with a spoon until the white powder disappeared. Still not satisfied, she added two huge spoonfuls of sugar before finally stopping. "That little bit ain't gonna do squat! Don't you even care about your man?"
Muttering curses, she carried the bowl out. Before leaving, she deliberately kicked the empty packet into the firebox under the stove, watching it burn.
Only after she left did I finally let out a breath. I unclenched my fist. The bit of powder I'd managed to palm was damp with sweat, but still usable. I mixed it into the thick gravy simmering on the stove. The gravy was dark and strongly flavored; the powder wouldn't be noticeable.
That evening, Mama Mae and Cletus ate and drank with gusto. The combination of the drug and the alcohol knocked them both out cold.
Quietly, I opened the cabin door, planning to use this rare chance to escape.
Everything went smoothly at first. In the distance, the rickety wooden bridge connected Hollow Creek to the outside world. It felt like a lifeline. Cross that bridge, and I’d be free! Head down, I hurried towards it, almost breaking into a run.
Almost there, almost there, almost free!
But then, maybe a hundred yards from freedom, I stopped. I gave up. I turned around and went back.