Chinese Water Torture

It’s a difficult question, and I’m not sure you want the answer. I know you like to think that the world is good, that everything works just fine and that God won’t throw anything at you that you can’t handle. It’s a nice belief, and I might be happier if I shared it. Of course Santa exists, and he makes crazy fairy tale love with the tooth fairy every full moon. Okay, I know you’re not that bad, but do you really want to know where evil lives? Okay. Alright. If you want to know, just remember two things. First, I was there, but that’s not what I’d tell the cops. He’s my friend, after all. Second, you asked. You’re the one who needs to understand the blood beneath your fingertips and those bruises lining your neck, the ones that you’re trying to hide with that turtleneck.

Publisher's Note: This literary story is intended for adults only.