Page 118 of Camera Stays On

What time was it? What day was it? I wondered as we ascended. How long had this all been going on? When had Lux died? Could Bea have gotten help by now? I had no concept of time anymore, and the very thought was stressful.

I clutched my makeshift weapon tightly and braced myself. Mick, Sawyer, and Juliet were still alive and wandering the house with a variety of weapons. Sawyer had said last man standing gets to live. I couldn’t blame any of them for fighting for the title of winner. I was.

We reached the landing, and Asher turned the handle slowly, trying not to make noise. Creaking the door open, we stepped out, him leading. The moment we were both out and he shut the door, we heard a loud, distinct click of a gun from behind us.

“Nice try, brother.”

We froze and slowly turned. Sawyer had been hiding behind the door and was now pointing his weapon at Ash.

“You’re not going anywhere. Go back down.”

“Sawyer,” Ash started, raising his hands slowly. “It doesn’t have to be this way.”

“Doesn’t it?” Sawyer sneered. “It’s clear that I’ll never have Purdy the way you do, even after seeing the tape, so some tough calls had to be made. Get back downstairs. Purdy, leave us.”

I shook my head as I gaped at him. “What? No, I can’t leave. What are you going to do?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just wait for me. I’ll be back later and we’ll finish this,” Sawyer said.

Finish what?

“He won’t shoot you.” I glanced at Ash, then shook my head. The words, while not untrue, felt like a lie. I had no idea what Sawyer would do. He’d shot me. But would he shoot his own flesh and blood?

“Oh, he would.” Asher’s eyes grew grim, and something told me he wasn’t lying.

Panic began to sink in as Sawyer opened the bunker door, urging his brother back down. Ash’s shoulders slumped as he stepped away from me and into the dark doorway. Sawyer swung the gun in his direction but looked toward me.

“Andi, go and wait for me on the porch. I’ll be there by sundown.”

“What happens at sundown?” I asked. My chest tightened, and my breathing became labored as I stared at Sawyer’s back at the top of the stairs.

“It will just be you and me, redoing our vows. Right this time.” With that, he stepped through the doorway and shoved the gun into Asher’s back. They went back down together, Sawyer shutting the door behind them. The finality of the door closing caused my mind to go utterly blank.

What was I supposed to do?

I knew what I’d been told to do, but I couldn’t just let Sawyer kill Asher and then take me hostage. Tightening my grip on the bar in my hand, I turned and started away. If I tried to run after them, I risked him shooting Asher or me. I needed to figure out another way.

I stayed vigilant, moving slowly to avoid making noise. My dress kept getting snagged on things, but thankfully, as I’d been wearing it for...days now, all the puffiness was gone, and it lay flat against my legs. I hoped to never wear a wedding gown again after this.

I drifted through the house, slowly, looking every which way, searching for Juliet. A rustling in the kitchen caused me to turn and walk that way. I entered but frowned when I found the room empty.

“Well, well, well, here comes the fucking bride.” Juliet’s voice from behind caused me to spin around and raise my weapon. She held hers in my direction, the jagged end of the broom staring dangerously at me. I scanned her up and down. Her hair was wild, as were her bloodshot eyes. She wore a white dress that went down to her feet, but it wasn’t as elaborate as mine. I swallowed deeply and attempted to lower the metal bar in my hand.

Where had she gotten that dress in the short time we’d seen her on the camera feed?

“Juliet...”

“Don’t speak to me, you slut,” she spat, swinging the broom side to side, causing me to leap back.

She grinned. “You’re scared. Good. You should have been scared a while ago. I told you to run—why didn’t you?”

“I did,” I said pointedly. “The gunshot wound, however, has me a little slower than normal.” I narrowed my gaze.

“Sure, or maybe you don’t detest the idea of having Sawyer as much as you claim. You like the chase, don’t you? This was your plan all along wasn’t it? To see just how far he’d go to make you his.”

I snorted. “You’re just as delusional as he is. You want him so bad, take him.” I stepped backward until my backside hit the countertop.

“He doesn’t want me. Maybe a little in the bedroom—we had a lot of fun there—but not in public. He made me so many promises when I did things for him, but I had no idea back then that it was all so he could get you back.” Her laugh rang throughout the room, sending a chill down my spine. That wasn’t the sound of someone sane. It was cold, bitter, and angry.