The Father
979 Words
Author's POV
His eyes glared at Elisha, cold and icy. He had Jenine in his arms, his left hand around her neck, his right holding a dagger to her throat. The blade glistened in the light of the bulb.
Elisha took a step forward. “I said let her go. Now.”
“I'd think twice about that,” he pressed the tip of the blade against her neck. “Take a step closer and I'll nick this vein in her throat and let her bleed out.”
Jenine whimpered. She held her breath as the cold, steel blade danced around her neck. One wrong move—and it'll all be over.
Elisha could hear her heart pounding in her chest. He scented her fear.
“It's going to be okay, Jenine. Don't be scared.”
“Don't lie to the girl,” the man said snickered. “I wouldn't be so sure about that.”
“What the hell did I ever do to you?” Elisha snapped, his eyes burning. “Why are you doing this? I even tipped you generously when you drove us here and this is how you repay me? By breaking into my home and harassing my guest?”
“You… you've got the… wrong house. The wrong people,” Jenine stammered. Her body was frozen, her hands down by her side, too scared to move a muscle.
A dry, mirthless laugh slipped through the man's lips. “I've got the right house quite alright. You…”
“I did what?!” Elisha flared, cutting him off. “I f*****g did what?!”
“Elisha,” Jenine whimpered again, her eyes wide with fear. Drops of blood trickled down her neck from where the tip of the blade made contact and into her robe.
“Wait…” Elisha's voice was almost a whisper.
“It seems you've not truly grasped the situation here,” the man snarled.
“What do you…” Jenine swallowed, “...want?”
“Ask your boyfriend. Ask him what he did two nights ago.”
Jenine's eyes met Elisha's.
“I don't know this man. I've never seen him before in my life till this evening. You've got the wrong...”
“YOU KILLED MY SON!”
The house grew quiet—an uncomfortable silence filled with cold, dark, exposed secrets. Only the water dripping from the sink could be heard.
“You killed my son,” the man sniffled. “My… my boy… he… he did nothing to you,” his voice quivered. “He didn't deserve any of it.”
Jenine stared at Elisha, her eyes blinking rapidly.
“He took away the only thing I loved. The only thing I had left. I'd… I’d promised his mother he'd have a good life. You took that away from me,” his voice rose. “You took everything from me. And now I'll take everything from you. You monster.”
Jenine froze. Monster. Elisha wasn't a monster. He'd been nothing but sweet. This man must've had him confused for someone else.
“S… sir you're mistaken. You've got the wrong…” she gasped as the words caught in her throat. The skin of her neck stung where the tip of the dagger pierced her skin.
“Wait,” Elisha's voice came—low and calm. “Can I at least say goodbye?”
Jenine's eyes squinted, her mouth slightly apart. What the hell did he mean?
“That’s a luxury you'll never get,” the man replied. “You gave me no chance to say goodbye to my son.”
Jenine felt her stomach tighten. This man was serious. Her heart hammered in her chest, she forgot she was holding her breath.
“Goodnight,” he growled in her ear.
She closed her eyes, resigning herself to fate. She could hear the sound of her breathing roaring in her ears dulling her senses. It only happened when she was dead scared and right now, the fright she felt was beyond anything she'd felt. It made her frigid. Unmoving.
“What are you waiting for then?” Elisha's voice came. “Go on. Cut her throat. I couldn't care less.”
“Elisha,” Jenine gasped, her pupils dilating.
“Go on. Don't be a f*****g p***y. Kill her.”
He turned his back, heading out of the kitchen.
Jenine's heart sank in her stomach. Unbelievable. He'd leave her there to just die when like they hadn't exchanged body fluids 20 minutes ago?
“I should have listened to Laura.” Her tears rolled down her cheeks freely now. “I should have listened to…”
A heavy whoosh of air stopped her short. She heard a crack as the man's hand left her throat. She turned around to see him on the floor, Elisha hovering over him like a prey. How did he get there so fast?
He grabbed him by the throat. The man's legs flailed wildly as he held him up against the wall
“You do not threaten the ones I love. Ever.”
The man's hand moved fast as he swung the dagger towards Elisha.
He caught his arm midair, yanking the dagger off his hand.
Jenine saw Elisha's eyes glow as he threw the man to the floor. She saw his claws stiffen as his hand raised to strike.
“No, wait… don't…”
The blood sprinkled on her face, splattering on her bathrobe as he dealt the blow. The man clawed at his throat, gasping as the blood spluttered forming a red pool around him. Jenine stared unblinkingly.
“Are you okay?” Elisha held her by the shoulders. “Jenine,” he shook her, “you're safe now.”
She shuddered as he shook her. “Is… is he…” she finally found her voice. “Is he… dead?”
- Writer
