The Devil's Deal

Four

Callie! Callie, take my hand.” River, my brother, stretched out his hand for me to take. The pain etched on his face was impossible to miss. He stretched further, trying to reach me. Pain sliced through my lower half. I leapt through the door and took hold of his hand.

Strong hands grabbed me from behind and hauled me back. I let out a piercing scream. My nine-year-old mind was scared shitless.

“No! Callie!” River yelled and started running back towards us.

“Leave her alone!” He yelled, trying to pry me away from the ruthless man.

His efforts were fruitless as the man carried me through the house while I dangled like a rag doll from his shoulder.

He burst into our living room and dumped me on the floor. Instinctively, I crawled towards the crumpled body of my younger sister, Sophie. Her body was battered and broken, and her dead eyes were empty as they stared off into nothing.

I choked out a sob at the sight of her dead body.

“No!” I cried. River ran to me and wrapped his arms around me. Tears poured from my eyes as I shook Sophie’s broken body, trying to wake her.

“No, please. Why are you doing this?” I asked the men watching us. They gave me no answer. River held me protectively, daring the men to come closer.

The door burst open, and a man I recognized all too well walked in, dragging my father with him.

“Uncle Trevor?” I called, not believing my eyes.

“Hi, sweetheart.” He dragged my father by the hair and dumped him in front of us. River and I ran to his side, and he pushed us to get behind him.

“Stay calm.” He ordered. My body shook with fear.

“You are his friend!” River accused. “Why are you doing this?”

“Tell them, Blake. Tell your kids that you brought this on them.” Trevor sneered.

“You won’t get away with this,” Dad threatened.

“Where’s my mother?” River asked, looking around. Trevor’s face twisted in a sinister smile. He nodded to one of his men and they dragged my mom in next. They bloodied her face from all the punches they had thrown at her.

“Please. Please stop this.” I pleaded. Tears coated my face and blurred my eyes. I shook my head, trying to clear my vision.

Trevor nodded again and his men came forward. They grabbed mom and tore off her clothes.

Dad moved towards her swiftly in an attempt to protect her. Trevor kicked him hard in the ribs and knocked him back.

“Hold her down.” He ordered. Two men pinned her hands and legs. Mom struggled against them, still trying to cover her nakedness.

“Dad?” I called shakily. “Do something.”

“Don’t hurt her.” His voice was coarse. “Please, don’t hurt her.”

Trevor nodded and c****d his head. He looked like he was considering dad’s request.

Then, he unbuckled his belt and dropped it to the floor. The sound echoed in my ears and I gasped wildly.

“Trevor, please.”

“Spread her legs.” Trevor barked. Mom whimpered and struggled harder. Trevor smiled and draped himself over her.

“I like them feisty.” Then he penetrated her.

A scream tore from my throat, and I woke up gasping wildly and looking around for danger.

It was just a dream. It was just a dream. I repeated the mantra over and over in my head, trying to calm my heart.

I pulled the sheets over me and realized I had drenched them in sweat. I stumbled out of bed and ran to the bathroom.

I reached for the sink and turned on the tap, quickly splashing water on my face.

I heaved and raised my head, staring at myself in the mirror.

The scared little girl I buried on that night, thirteen years ago, looked back at me. The dead girl, Callie Fane. I bit down harshly on my bottom lip, trying to forget the girl's existence.

I shook my head and ran the hot water for a shower. It was time to haul ass if I wanted to make it to my interview.

Jaime let me borrow a black pencil skirt and a white hatter neck blouse from her wardrobe.

“You should look dashing on your first day.” She gushed.

“It’s just an interview.’ I grumbled in return. She gave me a lift to the Crist tower and wished me luck. I took a deep breath and went into the building, which mocked me from every angle.

I went through the receptionist and gave my name.

“Ares Gonzalez.” I plastered on a fake but bright smile.

“This way.” She guided me through the elevators and down a long hallway. People bustled around trying to meet up with their duties.

We stopped at the end, and she boarded another elevator. I couldn’t understand why we made pit stops, but I didn’t dare ask.

The elevator came up to the top floor of the tower. I marveled at the sight which greeted us. The entire top floor was occupied by the office. It was decorated with floor-to-ceiling glass windows all around. The view was spectacular.

“Wait here.” She smiled and disappeared out of the office. I took a seat on the empty couch, feeling out of place.

Soon, Wesley Crist came in, looking dashing in his three-piece suit. He gave me a cold look and sat behind his desk. I went up to him and stood before his desk.

“Ms. Gonzalez.” He greeted. I gave him a nod of acknowledgement. He threw a wad of paperwork on the desk and gestured for me to pick it up.

Warily, I glanced down at the files and picked it up. I flipped through the pages and the marketing ideas floated through the papers into my head. I marveled at the meticulous work.

“This is great.” I blurted.

“Well? Can you tweak them and make them even better?” He asked. I looked up from the files.

“Of course.” I answered. The ideas were great, but they weren’t genius.

“Get to work.” He pointed to a table that must have been put in for an assistant. I bit my bottom lip nervously and moved towards the table. The doors opened, and I turned in its wake.

Trevor Crist.

In the flesh and blood. I was rooted to the spot.

“Father.” Wesley greeted, standing and buttoning his suit jacket.

“A new assistant?” Trevor asked, looking me up and down. Wesley answered him verbally, but I didn’t care for his words. Trevor had all my attention. A flash of recognition crossed his eyes, and he glowered menacingly at me.

“Those green eyes,” he said. He moved towards me with a predatory stalk. All that separated us now was mere inches. I held my breath, too afraid to move. There’s no way he would recognize

me if I just stood still.

“Callie Fane.” He snarled.