*~Chapter Eight : Unmerciful~*

"Todd... please..." Marty pleaded. "Don't hurt me. I will tell you anything you want to know; just please don't hurt me. Please let me go."

"Then tell me the truth. Why did you marry Ponytail?" Todd demanded as he looked down at the blade of his knife, turning it over and over in his hand in a menacing gesture.

"O- okay, Todd. I will tell you everything..." Marty breathed.

"Talk!" Todd barked when she hesitated.

Tears burned Marty's eyes as she began to speak. "I- I was pregnant. And you were sent to prison. Everyone was questioning me. They - they wanted to know if you raped me again. They wanted to know if I had Stockholm Syndrome. They insisted I couldn't love you... but I did love you, Todd. I loved you so much."

Marty choked on a sob as she forced the words passed her lips. "I only wanted what was best for our baby... our unborn child. So I- I asked Jason to marry me."

"Why would you do that?" Todd asked in cold voice.

"I did it out of love for Cass. I thought marrying Jason would be good for her. Then she wouldn't be known as the child of the man who was sent to prison... for kidnapping... and raping her mother," Marty managed to tell him.

Todd shook his head as he gripped the knife. "I'm not buying it, Marty," he said with a growl as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "I am Cassandra's father. You and our daughter belong with me."

"You're not leaving me," he said with determination. "In fact, I am just getting started."

"Wh- what are you talking about?" Marty asked fearfully.

She didn't like that look in his eyes. She had seen that scowl on his face the night of the Spring Fling. When angry, Todd could be cold, vengeful, and ruthless. She knew she was in a hell of a lot of trouble. Todd didn't take rejection well, and she was certain he would make her pay for hurting him.

"I've been in prison a long time, babe... and I have needs..." he said as he ran the knife blade in an almost-caress over the soft fabric of Marty's slip.

"I can't wait to touch you again," he spoke with a wicked grin. "It's time you gave me back what is rightfully mine."

Marty tried to scramble away from him, but there was no where she could go. Her hands and feet were bound tightly to the bed. With wild eyes, she began to beg.

"No, Todd... please.. not like this!"