Chapter 20 - Mallory's P.O.V.
1118 Words
Mallory’s P.O.V.
My body feels as if it’s on fire.
I’m sitting, but I can’t move. I’m tied. Again.
I try pulling my arms apart, but the rope isn’t budging.
My face burns, and my stomach hurts. My whole entire body acks.
My head is pounding so much, it feels as if it’s being hammered by a sledgehammer.
I finally manage to open my eyes, but I can barely see anything around me.
I want to scream for help, but my mouth is covered.
What is he going to do to me?
Why am I here?
Where am I?
Where is he?
So many questions, and no answers for any of them.
I look around, unable to do much more than that since I’m tied to a chair. I can’t make out much around me, but I do see some barrels further to my left.
Are we in a warehouse? A storage room?
But where could it be located? Most warehouses are outside of town or close to the borders.
A door creak open, making me look forward.
Who’s coming in?
Is it Alexander?
For what seems like hours and not mere minutes, a deafening silence is heard.
“Put your hands on your head and stand up!”
Never in my life have I ever thought I’d be so relieved to hear someone's voice. This man’s voice.
Leo…
He’s here!
Tingles engulf my entire body. My shoulders relax and my heart lightens.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt this relieved to hear his voice. Not even in any of my recovered memories.
He’s here. Everything will be alright.
Suddenly, all of the lights turn on. I blink a few times, trying to adjust to the brightness of the room. Finally, I can see Leo. He’s not alone. Lorenzo’s with him.
Thank god he’s not alone! He’s got backup.
He screams my name, rushing towards me, but he barely makes is three steps before Alexanders' voice booms from somewhere, making him stop in his track.
My heart drops with the realization of what I’m suspecting might happen.
It’s a trap! He brought me here to lure Leo!
Alexander makes his way to me. His touch makes my skin crawl. In one swift move, he rips the tape from my mouth, making me cry out.
That f*****g hurts!
“Oh, I have missed those sounds these past few weeks,” he says, sniffing down my neck.
“You’re sick,” she mumbles.
I hate his voice. I hate his touch, but most of all, I hate the way he’s threatening Leo.
He wants him to suffer. He wants to cause us pain. But why?
“Why are you doing this?” I finally ask, my heart thumping hard against my chest.
“Because I can,” He replies, biting my ear lob.
I try to jerk my head away, but the hand he has around my neck holds me in place.
I look towards Leo. The sight of him, watching Alexander touch me, breaks my heart.
Unable to control it any longer, my eyes water and a strangled sob escape my chapped lips.
“Now, now, my little Orleander. You have nothing to cry about.” He taunts, looking in the same direction I am.
“Leo. I forgot for a moment you were there,” He laughs.
I can see Leo’s fists his hands tightly. The veins on his forehead bulge with how much he’s tightening his jaw.
“Why don’t we have some fun, hmm?”
“You’re the only one funding this fun,” I snap
“Oh, my little flower finding her flightiness now, is she?” He laughs, making my blood boil.
“It won’t be the only thing you find in me if you untie me,” I say, pulling at my restraints again.
His eyes darken, and in one swift movement, he pulls out his gun and jabs it against my temple.
The tip of the barrel is cold against my skin.
I take in a few shaky breaths, my eyes focusing on Leo, trying to find some courage.
“You know what? I don’t remember you being this unpleasant before you were with him. You used to be at my beck and call.” He looks at me with a smug smile. “Have you told dear old Leo what you used to do for me?” He smears, making my heart tighten.
I never wanted to talk about what happened to me while I was with Alexander. I knew Leo blame me for it, but I also knew it would change the way he looks at me. And I didn’t want that.
I let my tears fall freely. I lose focus for a moment, but Leo’s voice brings me back.
“Nothing you say will make me look at her differently. I’ve already guessed some of what you did to her.” He says, making me frown.
How could he know?
He must have known what I would be thinking. He says nothing but pulls at his bottom sleeve, looking t me with a sad smile.
Hold on a minute… Pull his sleeves…
I gasp at the realization!
Clare!
She does that a lot when she tries to be cute and have her way! She must have told him some things! But how could she? She was only four years old when she lived with me at Alexanders. Could she even remember that far back?
He gives me a curt nod before placing his attention back on Alexander.
“You know, I’m going to be straight with you.”
“Oh yeah? About what?”
“This thing you think you have control over will crumble at your feet before you know it.”
Alexander laughs maniacally, his head falling backward.
“You really are funny, Leo. Do you think you have the upper hand here? Look around. I have your wife, and soon, I’ll have your daughter back too,” He sneers, making Leo step forward.
“Don’t you even try!” He warns shifting his gun towards Leo instead of me.
“You know, I thought I wanted to play for a while, but I think I’ll just end it here and play with your wife until she begs me to reunite you together, and then I’ll play with your daughter as soon as she’s old enough!” He taunted, making Leo step again.
No! Not Claire!!!
Everything happens so fast.
The moment Leo step forward again, Alexander pulled the trigger.
“NO!!!!!!” I scream, seeing Leo fall backward to the ground, blood pouring out of his chest.
No, no no no NO!!
This can’t be happening!
- Writer
