Dr. NoSleep

He looked around the room.

As if suddenly remembering Delia, he went to her and slapped a hand over her mouth, putting his blade to her throat.

I didn't think she would have made a noise anyway, aside from the low sobs that had been escaping her ever since seeing Irma opened up.

Straining my ears, I heard Lote talking from the front door, but I couldn't make out the words, not at first.

But after some back and forth, I could hear Robbie getting agitated.

The cop answered in a level voice.

I caught the words, I'm gonna need you to calm down, sir.

Shit, Salazar whispered.

Tony, keep an eye on them.

Make sure they don't move.

I gotta go deal with this.

Tony responded by jamming his bat farther into my mouth.

My jaw ached from being forced open so wide.

To keep from choking, I had to swallow blood.

Fragments of teeth scratched my throat on their way down.

Salazar left the room with his knife still in hand.

In my peripheral vision, I saw Emery twitch.

My eyes brimmed with tears, so I wasn't sure I had seen right at first.

But a moment later, I saw him turn his head.

Tony had his back to the man, unaware that he was awake.