The Hand that Feeds

by K.M. Mixon

Now, take this fucking sack of shit away. I’m not doing a thing until what belongs to me is returned. And you can tell your boss the same thing.”

“She quit her job,” he says, and I’m tugged back to reality.

She didn’t quit. She ran!

“No, I was just saying that if you cared for her, you’d want her safe. And her not working here anymore means she is.”

ruined. Fucked-up men like you ruin everything they touch,”

“Too bad you didn’t come back with Lyla; you could’ve lived,” I say in resignation, breathing out solemnly. His face changes. “Wait, what?” They’re his final words.

“Even in death, you’re a pain in my fucking ass.”

“You can’t leave,” he tells me, tone as serious as possible. Too bad I don’t give a fuck what he has to say.

“I need to know where to find a stupid little girl who thought she could run from me.”

I’m a little proud of myself, too, primarily for escaping Neo alive.

I’m free with him. I can be myself.

“Governor Thomas, I don’t know where he is. I no longer work at the asylum. If he’s escaped, he’s probably long gone from here.”

“Why would he be far away, Ms. Morris, when you’re still here?” I stiffen. “What do you mean?”

lock your doors tonight. The Butcher loves to hunt in the dark.”

Guilt builds in my stomach because I know if Neo finds him here, he’ll kill him.

“I already told you, you’re my stupid girl. Mine. Not his!” I shout, my voice straining with pure, red rage as I point toward James.

“What are you going to do? Spank me for disobeying you. You’re as fucked up as your mother!” she spews, and fuck if it’s not expertly done.

The N is easy, and even though her screams do something confusing to my insides,

Show your God what you’re made of.” The way her eyes heat as she looks towards me tells me she knows I meant me and not the fictitious man upstairs the sheep pray to.

That he is my God, and I’m to obey him. This is how cults are made. This is how Charles Manson commanded women to do his bidding. But I’m not them, am I? The statistical woman who comes down with a case of Stockholm syndrome?

I’m the only thing that matters to him, and there’s so much fucking power in that feeling. Enough to make someone kill to have it. To keep it.

My breath stutters out of me. “You’re my God.” “Mmm, that’s right, stupid girl. Though, I’ll not deliver you from evil…”

“No, I’ve delivered you to evil. Led you to temptation and forced you to partake. And those that trespass against us will be killed from this day forward. You and I are all that matter, my stupid, stupid girl. It’s us against the fucking world. But don’t let your stupid head run away from you. I am your God, and my name is hallowed, and you will surrender to only me.”