The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 45

I felt the gnawing ache in my stomach as I sat in the dimly lit shed, weak from hunger. I returned to cutting at the rope, but my movements were less methodical and more robotic as I grew tired.

It looked like midday, but I wasn’t sure if that was a whole day that had passed by, or perhaps more than that. Either way, Bruce hadn’t been back and I felt oddly less comfortable with that knowledge. I didn’t know how secluded we were, so there was a possibility that just anybody could walk in with even worse intentions. without the threat of prying eyes.

My arms were growing sore from cutting, but I was prepared to push through it before the doors of the shed suddenly slid open. I jerked away from the shovel and maneuvered the chair so that I was facing Bruce as he walked in.

Of course, he wasn’t dumb enough to ignore the fact that I’d traveled across the room. He narrowed his eyes as he walked forward, a large bag dangling in his hands.

“Up to no good?” He dropped the bag at my feet and hovered over me, observing my ropes. He kissed his teeth and grumbled, “As I thought.”

I was prepared to give him a lousy

bag caught my attention. I stretched my neck, attempting to get a glance at whatever was inside. Noticing my curiosity, Bruce laughed and picked it back up.

attention. I stretch cuse, but the savory aroma drifting from the

“You must be hungry,” he said, his voice oozing with satisfaction. He kneeled down beside me and started pulling out the contents of the bag, which were just a box. and some utensils.

When he popped open the box, my mouth watered at the sight of waffles and eggs with a side of sausage links. He took the bundle of utensils and began sawing into the sausage.

“Bruce, please,” I said hoarsely, my throat crying for water.

He simply shrugged and stove a slice into his mouth, chewing painfully slow. It seemed that a whole hour passed as he went through the breakfast, sampling each. side with intrigue, as if acquiring a new taste. All the while, my stomach roared and grumbled, calling for its own fill despite the cheap looking food.

1/6

2

Chapter 45

Eventually, he finished it off with a loud burp that he blew in my direction. Then, with a smile, he tossed the utensils into the box and shoved it all to the side.

“Delicious!” he cheered, beaming at me. “But I know you can do better. Remember those breakfasts you used to make, Coco?”

I watched him, quietly taking him in. Those breakfasts were more so for my father and 1, especially as he got leaner over time. Getting the proper sustenance every day was a priority that he gave up on entirely.

“I hope you enjoyed the meal,” Bruce taunted, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Maybe you should have brought a snack?”

His words only served to deepen my resolve to escape. I had to keep him in at relatively good mood, which I was used to.

“So, what’s your grand plan, Bruce?” I asked weakly. “Why go through all this trouble?”

Bruce hummed as he picked at his teeth with his pinkie nail. He spit out whatever residue had been lingering. “Simple. I’m going to get my share of the money you won in court.”

as the rope cut into one of the burns it had left on my wrist while I was cutting it. Bruce was quick

1. in.

petulant child. “I must say, you’re not as resourceful as I

resisted the urge to snap back at

him.

any advantage or at least for

comfortable,” I said. “It’s not every day I find myself in this kind of

chuckled. “You always did try so hard to act tough, Coco.

who Bruce seemed determined to bring up at every moment

anger flaring. “He had his own demons,

Chapter 45

them in

yes. Your dear

from slipping out. He was just trying to provoke

just like him, you know,” Bruce continued, his voice dripping with venom. “Weak, pathetic, a burden

that familiar wave of self–doubt wash over me. He noted. my hesitation and

Bruce sneered. “You know you’re just fooling yourself. No one cares. about you. Not even

eyes began to sting as fresh tears threatened to spill. His words were all meant to prod at me, but they had broken through my resolve so easily. Only from

looking satisfied that he’d drawn out my tears. “I called lover boy, and he said he’d be here promptly

in

up and dusted off his pants before kicking the bag

dimly lit shed. Every second felt like an eternity, and my heart pounded loudly in my ears. I

from beyond the walls

flooded through me, knowing

I started to call his name before receiving a harsh slap to the side

36

|

Chapter 43

Before I could scream, he pulled out some duct tape and pressed

on the knife tightening. “Don’t make

urgent.

warn Timothy, I tried to kick against the shed’s wooden walls, hoping he would hear the noise and realize I was inside. But Bruce’s iron

Bruce

a last–ditch effort, I tried to scream, but

trying to silence me, instead rushing to the door and flattening. him against the wall beside it. Abruptly, the shed

you in here?” Timothy’s eyes scanned the dim interior of the shed, hist gaze finally landing on me. He was drenched from head to toe

and gagged. Without hesitation, he rushed towards me, but Bruce sprang into action,

the knife gleaming dangerously in the dim light. “One step closer, and I won’t hesitate to use

stopped in his tracks. His gaze locked with mine, however, as