Saint's Rose

A Close Call

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I slowly got to my feet, holding my breath while my heart beat rapidly in fear.

Santino was close. And he knew the layout.

I was screwed and I knew it. There was no real point in running.

"You can't run from me."

I bit on my lower lip, trying to hear which direction his voice was coming from, but I couldn't pinpoint it.

Slowly I began to creep away while my eyes moved frantically to find any sign of Santino.

I stepped back and heard the crunch of a stray branch under my foot.

"s**t!" I turned and ran as fast as my legs would carry me. I took each turn I could find in the hopes that it would lead me to safety.

But as luck would have it, I ran into a dead end.

Beautiful dark green leaves surrounded me.

I stared at the brush, the thing standing between me and my freedom.

Turning around, I screamed in surprise as Santino stepped into the only way out.

He stared at me with his cold gaze, "What do you think you're doing?"

"Getting away from you!" I spat back angrily.

I tried to push past him, but he shoved me back, a low laugh in his throat.

"You're not going anywhere. Don't you get that?"

I ran at him, swinging a fist wildly. It connected with his face, but he smacked me in mine before spinning me and pinning my back against his chest.

"You make this fun." He hoisted me up effortlessly and began to carry me from the maze. He didn't even seem to notice the way I thrashed and kicked to get free from his grasp.

He was strong.

When we exited the maze he dropped me to the ground.

Right at Danny's feet.

"Keep your pet confined, or this isn't going to work very well." Santino's voice was cold and clipped.

I looked up at Danny, his pet?

"Why am I here?"

Danny grinned, crouching beside me, "Because I want you. And what I want, I get." He leaned forward his tongue darting out to lick my cheek.

Instinctively, I punched him in the face. He reeled back, but instead of being angry, he smiled.

What the hell was wrong with him?

Santino frowned, it was the first time I had seen any sort of emotion on his face. He looked concerned, "Danny, let's not get ahead of ourselves. We might have some use for her."

Danny brushed him off, "Let me have my fun. I won't kill this one."

Suddenly, my bravery left my body at his words.

Santino reached down and pulled me to my feet, "Well, maybe this will teach you to be more compliant." He shoved me toward Danny.

"What?!" The fear intensified as Danny pulled me toward the house.

My first instinct was to beg and plead for him not to hurt me. But when I caught sight of myself in a passing mirror, I refused.

I was bruised and had marks on my face. I looked broken. I lifted my chin in defiance.

They could hurt me physically, but I would not give them the privilege of hearing me beg.

"I promise to make it hurt," Danny whispered into my ear as he pushed me into a room.

"What is wrong with you?" I asked although I was fighting not to start shaking.

"A lot." He responded.

I turned to face him as he clicked the door shut.

He had a sadistic smile on his face, "Sit."

The room was empty aside from a wooden chair and a large wooden box.

I sat down and he walked over to me calmly. Crouching down he strapped one of my hands to the arm.

"Why are you doing this?"

"I enjoy it." Came his clipped response.

My breathing sped up as the fear began to set in. I didn't want to think of what this madman had in store for me.

"You should try to run." He strapped my hands and legs to the chair before walking over to the box.

Don't start to cry. Don't give him the satisfaction. I willed myself not to give in, even though I could feel the tears building up.

He produced a long iron rod, on the end of it was some sort of brand.

Christ. He's going to burn me.

The reality of the situation setting in, and my tough demeanor was fading away.

I began to struggle against my restraints and he laughed at me. I did not doubt that he could see the fear in my face.

He came over to me and produced a knife.

"I want to hear you beg."

I spat at him. Angry that he had reduced me to this.

I screamed as he brought the knife to my leg. The sharp blade slicing through denim and skin as if they were one.

The blood ran freely from the cut on my thigh and I bit down on my lip to try and stop the sob from escaping my mouth.

Danny leaned forward, a crazy look I his eye, "I like the way you scream." He brought the knife to my neck just as the door swung open.

"That's enough." It was Enzo.

Danny stood, spinning to face him, "Saint said I could."

Enzo glanced at me briefly, "He sent me up here. Leave her be."

Danny turned to me, it looked like he was debating whether to leave or not.

"Danny." Enzo's voice was clear.

"I wasn't going to kill her!" Danny sounded like a child who had just been told off.

Enzo didn't move, "Shoul I call Saint up here?"

Danny's demeanor instantly changed and he stormed out. Leaving me bleeding and shaking with tears in my eyes.

Enzo stared at me for a moment before coming over and unstrapping me.

"Shit." He cursed when he looked at my leg, "That's going to need stitches. Saint is going to be so pissed."

I felt like telling him I was Santino's fault in the first place, but I decided to keep my mouth shut.

Stitches meant hospital, and hospital meant that I had a chance at an escape.

This was it, I could get away from these monsters.