My mind empties. All I can focus on is the warm blood trickling down my throat.

“Do you understand what I’m saying?”

I’m afraid to deepen the cut by breathing or swallowing or nodding. Tears fill my eyes as he presses down harder. “Yes,” I whisper.

“Good girl. No one needs to get hurt.” He chuckles. “At least not yet, they don’t.”

“What do you want?”

The heaviness of the blade stays firmly pressed against me. ...