Shadows In The Corner (#1.5 Masters Of The Dark Series)

BACK IN THE CITY

Tana and I returned home more exhausted than ever. Neither of us wanted to deal with the responsibilities that come with our exhausting lives. The first thing Tana did was try to contact Leah, to her surprise Leah answered the phone and said she had to talk to both of us about something important and quite delicate. Both Tana and I found Leah's behavior a bit strange, bordering on manic. We agreed to see her at our house in the evening, which gave Tana and I time to clean up. Our house was a mix between minimalist and rustic nightmare, I didn't care much how the house was decorated, however it drove my fiancée crazy If something was out of place, she would not forgive me, even if she was to blame for the disorder.

“How do I look? Good?” Tana said as she smothered her stripped dress down her body for the millionth time, on cue she scrunched her hair up. “Hair and makeup okay?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Tana had the particular ability to get flustered by a simple reunion with her best friend. "We're just going to have a few drinks and talk while we eat more fattening food, calm down." She shot me an embarrassed look and nodded. "What's bothering you?"

She sat down on the L shaped burgundy couch. Tana seemed defeated, so done with everything; perhaps even me. She rarely let anything consume her; seeing her worried over such a simple thing made things to me, vile things. I would probably hit somebody on the street just for existing. It terrifies me to find out Richard did have to do with her not being able to talk to me. We always talk, even when we are busy.”

“Let’s hope that’s not the case.”

Later that night Leah hopped off a cab wearing all black from head to toe. She’s a small woman with adorable features, might as well be a living barbie doll. She didn’t even bother knocking on the door or ringing the bell. Leah didn’t bother in glancing our way as she slammed the door behind her and stormed her way into our kitchen. Both Tana and I exchanged confused looks as we heard the cupboards being trashed and Leah’s heavy footsteps.

“Leah?” Tana called from the living room in a preoccupied tone, holding her hands tight against her chest. “Oh, no!”

Leah was huddled up in a corner with her head between her knees and sobbing like a child. “I’m sorry!” she choked on, “I am so, terribly sorry.” Once Leah calmed down, she told us about the things Richard had done to her. He took advantage of Leah in the worst ways and although she had not been r***d, Richard had played with her mind and corrupted her in unimaginable ways. He did not keep her in captivity as he had us, yet he had turned her into another person. In a way, she experienced the same as me; feeling pleasure when you shouldn't and getting turned on by things that aren't really normal. In any case, what does it mean to be normal? There is no label for normality in s*x, however there is one to describe what Leah had become: broken.

And while Richard hadn't really broken me if he had pushed me over a cliff I didn't want to fall down into and still fell. Part of me hated Richard for all the times he humiliated me for his own pleasure and entertainment, another part of me was at peace knowing that I was still me and shouldn't worry about ghosts that might come and steal. something that I was not prepared to give up.

“The movie is ready. I thought you might want to know that.” Leah sniffed. “I tried to stop the production but whenever I thought I had finally outsmarted him; he’d prove me wrong and make me regret ever want to cross him. I don’t know what else to do.”

“If I had known… Forgive me, Leah.” Tana’s voice shattered, “I’m sorry for not being there for you when you needed me the most.”

Leah scoffed, “Can I get more wine?” her voice was rough and shaky after crying for so long now. I smiled at her and poured the rest of the wine in her glass. She gulped it down in time’s record. “It’s not your fault Richard is one crazy fucker. He’s left me alone, though. He doesn’t torment me anymore but Caro… she is the one who doesn’t let me sleep.”

Tana’s brow furrowed as she scooted closer to Leah’s side on the couch. “Carol hurts you too?” my woman turned to glance at me. Concern marred her beautiful face. “You can stay with us or maybe we can send you somewhere for a while until things calm down.”

“Carol doesn’t hurt me. She’s been of great help and doesn’t make me feel bad after we’re done playing.”

“He didn’t hold back with you, huh?” I didn’t mean to make it sound accusingly; it just came out that way. I wanted to cut off my tongue for being such a d**k. Truth was, it kind of stinged to know Richard had been toying with Leah while we were gone. He’d said many times during our games he’d been obsessed with me for ages now. Guess it surprised me to know I wasn’t even that big of a deal for the guy.

“I guess he didn’t. Do you guys mind if I spend the night here?” Leah asked tentatively.

“Of course.” Tana immediately said. “I’ll prepare the guest room for you.”

When Tana left, both Leah and I began to talk some more. I decided to tell her about Rogers’ secret undercover investigation to ease her mind, which appeared to have worked for she relaxed. Her tears ebbed and some color returned to her skin. The least I wanted was to upset her, so the more I could do was try to give her something to look forward to; that was Richard Thorn’s fall.