Chapter 9

Just a few steps in, I saw Briar tying Sarah to an ancient oak tree.

Two sharp metal blades stood upright beneath the tree.

"Which do you choose, left leg or right?"

Sarah's face was bruised black and blue, but she still looked at Briar with a cold smirk.

"You didn't tell Michael you were bringing me here today, did you?"

Briar froze for a moment.

"You don't dare tell her because you're not sure who she'd choose between you and me."

"Michael always loved me. You think you're avenging him, but he'll only hate you for this."

"He didn't choose you ten years ago, and he won't choose you now!"

Briar's eyes grew colder. "You talk too much."

She adjusted the controls, moving the blades up to Sarah's head.

With no emotion in her voice, she said: "Release."

Just as the rope was about to be cut, I shouted: "No!"

Briar and Sarah both turned to look.

Sarah smiled smugly, while something seemed to shatter in Briar's eyes.