Chapter 4
But in Michael Crane's eyes, it was Emily who had hit him.
Michael finally snapped, his grip on the belt growing even tighter.
"Don't think just because you're carrying my child, I won't hit you!" Michael snarled.
"If you keep double-crossing me like this, I won't mind dumping you back with your ex-husband!"
Enjoying watching the two of them argue, I strolled along the sidewalk toward the movie theater.
Two men dressed in black, hats pulled down low, suddenly jumped me from behind.
After what felt like ages of getting jostled around, they finally tossed me to the ground.
Emily ripped the hood off my head.
My face was so swollen, it looked like a pig's head.
Emily spat through clenched teeth.
"Was it you? Where the hell did you get that dark magic from? Are you trying to get me killed?"
"They went and found actual bodies buried there. Just what are you?"
The two brothers stood there, cigarettes dangling from their lips.
"Looks to me like she's just Melissa's sister trying to play ghost and stir up trouble," one of them sneered.
"We killed your sister already. Won't lose any sleep if we have to get rid of you too," the other said coldly.
I forced out a couple of tears, desperately scooting away and hugging my knees.
"It wasn't me! I swear, I don't even know what's going on!" I pleaded.
Emily's anger flared even hotter when I denied it.
She raised her hand, aiming a slap right at my face.
But in the blink of an eye, she let out a piercing scream and grabbed her own cheek.
The two brothers looked back and forth between us, sizing us up.
"Let me have a go," one of them said, stepping forward.
He kicked me right in the gut. The moment I hit the dirt, Emily doubled over, clutching her stomach, her face twisted in pain.
Emily was holding her belly, her face all screwed up.
"Stop! Please! It freaking hurts," Emily shouted.
The brothers cracked up.
"So this is that pain-link thing everyone's always talking about. Never thought I'd actually see it!"
"We rough her up, and Emily's the one doubling over. Hilarious."
"Alright, let's try hitting Emily this time and see if she actually feels any pain."
Once Emily caught on to the plan, she straightened her back and shut her eyes tight.
The punch landed, and Emily didn't feel a thing.
Instead, my face turned ashen and I let out a muffled groan.
Emily arched her brow, looking smug as hell.
"So it's true; we've got that freaky shared pain thing," Emily said.
"Come on, all of you. Hit me together! Let's see what happens," Emily dared.
Watching Emily look so smug, I completely broke down and burst into tears.
"It's my fault, just please don't hurt me!" I sobbed.
"Please, don't hurt Emily. If you've got a problem, then just come to me," I begged.
"I'm sorry. I was wrong," I pleaded.
Seeing how freaked out I was, Emily finally believed me for real.
"You really thought you could mess with Michael and get away with it? Today, I'm making sure you learn your lesson," Emily said.
"Give her your worst. Don't hold back," Emily shouted.
The two brothers exchanged glances, understanding exactly what Emily wanted.
They stepped in closer and reached to strip Emily of her clothes.
I bawled even harder.
"Please, don't do this!" I screamed.
"Michael would never accept something like this. Do whatever you want to me, just leave Emily out of it," I begged.
"Emily's carrying Michael's child, please," I sobbed.
Not a single one of them even cared about what I was saying.
Emily plopped herself down, eyes full of defiance and a cocky grin on her face.
She instantly gritted her teeth, wincing as pain shot through her.
"Ow! This freaking hurts. Wasn't I supposed to be immune or something?" Emily blurted out.
The next second, Michael burst in, his face thunderous with rage.
"What the hell is going on in here?" he demanded.