The Shadows We Keep

CHAPTER FIVE

He came again. More times than I could count, and everytime he did, he always brought some kind of token. Flowers, junk food the hospital would never allow. It was almost like he was baiting me, trying to get me to lower my guard, trying to get me to trust him. But I couldn't, not him, not anyone, not ever.

He never stayed too long either, thirty minutes at most. It was enough for me to get info that he let me gain. His name was Matteo Morandi, didn't sound like a name I've heard before, but I was never good with remembering. He owned properties, car stores, and my father had been an acquaintance with his father. He had lent him some money once when his business was going under. Since Matteo's father died, he placed it upon himself to pay my father back. He was a mysterious man, who kept things about himself vague.

"Why did you save me?" I asked.

I didn't know how long it has been since I was here, and I didn't care either. I felt hollow, empty…

"You keep asking me a question that I don't have the answer for." He replied. Even though I couldn't see him, I could almost picture how he looked like, tall, maybe dark air, a chiseled jaw, sharp eyes..but that was just my imagination running wild. For all I knew he could be entirely different. But his voice, it was deep, smooth, and commanding, like he was used to being in charge.

"I just want to know the truth."

"You keep asking me a question that I don't have the answer to." He repeated, his tone firm. "Accept your reality, Gabriella."

I trailed my fingers over the scar on my stomach. "You should have let me die."

A moment passed before he spoke. "Maybe."

Tension seemed to slip into the air, and I could feel the weight of his words. Regret? Doubt? Or the acknowledgement of the complexity of the situation?

"I don't trust you." I said, after a couple seconds of silence. "You might think you're fooling me by dropping little details about yourself, but I'm not buying it."

His presence seemed to shift, like he was leaning forward. "It's smart that you don't."

"If you're going to kill me, then I think it's rather sick that you brought me to a hospital to heal, and try to get better."

"If I wanted you dead, I would have let the fire finish you off." He said.

A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about that night, but I kept my tone steady. "But you didn't."

"No, I didn't." He agreed, his voice low and even. "And that should tell you something."

I raised an eyebrow. "Tell me what?"

He stood up and leaned towards me. "It means I'm not your enemy, Gabriella. At least, not yet."

I sighed, blinking into the darkness that loomed around me. "I really don't care what happens. A part of me had died in that fire, and all that's left is this emptiness."

"That's all everyone ever has." He whispered.

Silence followed, and I could tell he slipped into a memory. I wonder what it was, how bad it was.

"Times up. I have to go." He finally said, his tone sharp. "By the end of the week, we're going to be leaving Miami. If word gets out that you are alive, Gabriella, you're going to really wish you were dead."

He didn't wait for my reply before he left the room, locking the door behind him, leaving me in silence.

****

The week passed by quickly, and when my room door had opened, I knew it was time. The nurse had come in earlier to help me with a change of clothes. So I waited by the edge of my bed, my nerves heightened. I had been safe in this room's bubble for weeks, and now I was finally stepping out, into the unknown. For all I know, Matteo could be working for the masked man, and this could all be a trap.

But the voice that sliced through the air, wasn't that of Matteo. "It's time to leave."

My entire body tensed. "Who are you?"

He snorted. "Matteo sent me to pick you up. You ready?"

"Do you always chew that loud?" I asked, slightly irritated by how loud and annoying he chewed his gum.

I could almost feel him roll his eyes. "Apologies. Now, are you ready to leave?"

"I'm not leaving until Matteo gets here."

"He sent me here to get you." The man said again, laying more emphasis on each word. "I'd be in trouble if I don't."

Subtly I kept my hand at the stand beside my bed, ready to hurl anything at him if he got too close. "Matteo should have known I wouldn't leave with anyone that isn't him."

"If he could get here, then he wouldn't have sent me." The voice replied dryly.

"I'm not leaving this room with someone I don't know." I said firmly. "Go tell Matteo that."

"Okay, f**k this." The voice said and began heading towards me. "I'm not being paid enough for this shit."

He grabbed me by my arm with so much force, and hurled me to my feet. "We are leaving."

"No! Let me go!" I screamed, and at instinct, picked up a vase and slammed it on his head.

His grip on my faltered and I used that opportunity to scurry away, and head for the door. But I didn't get close because he grabbed me by my hair, and pulled me back.

"You psychotic b***h! Are you trying to get me concussed?!" He snarled, gnashing his teeth loudly.

But I wasn't scared of him, I was scared of the memories he had triggered. In the darkness, images of that night flashed before me. My mother's lifeless body, My father's face in pain, me on my knees, being held down…. this couldn't be happening again. I was frozen, helpless again…help me! help me! help me! help me!

At that moment, the door swung open.

"What the f**k are you doing, Carlos?!"