The Devil Between Her Legs

Brie Sweet sixteen!!! It would be a perfect day today. And it would be just about my dad and me. It would be all birthday cakes, dinner, dancing, laughter and a father-daughter moment today. No distractions, and I would finally have my father's attention all to myself. Nothing would go wrong today. Everything will be just perfect. Or so I thought. “Don't worry Brie. No work, no quick phone calls, no scary-looking bodyguards. It's just you and me. And we are going to partyyy.” My dad lifted his hands in the air to affirm his words. “And no stepmom, too.” I pouted, and my father gave a little laugh. “Yes, baby, no stepmom too.” As far as I know, my dad's a mob boss, but he wouldn't share any more than that with me until I turned eighteen. So my sweet sixteen is just another step to being closer to my dad. And also partaking and knowing more about ‘the business.’ It can't be so bad, can it? My dad is my closest friend. Ever since my mom died when I was just nine years old. He has always tried to prioritize me, even when it's hard for him. And today, after I had insisted he had dropped everything and we are both in our vacation home with no guards or security, literally no one to disturb us, wearing birthday hats and baking cookies just like I wanted. I'm now a grown-up woman. I definitely need my space. After so much birthday dancing, singing and having fun in general, I was living the dream and it was finally time to blow out my candles. My dad placed the cake in front of me, my favorite soft music was playing in the background and I quickly clasped my hands together to make my wish. “Here is to freedom from my dad's prying eyes,” I joked and my dad laughed. “Freedom, you say. You are just sixteen. Still a little girl.” A silent rush of footsteps distracted us and I looked up at my dad in confusion. He was already with his phone and checking through our CCTV cameras positioned everywhere in and outside the house. “What's that?” “Shhh!” My dad hushed, his finger on his lips. He was clearly alarmed, my heartbeat increased as my clasped hand dropped to my side. I had a strange feeling that my birthday was going to be one I won't ever forget. “It's nothing, babygirl, just probably Erasmus.” “Erasmus? But I thought you said it would be just us.” “I know, but he just probably came to pick something up. Who knows, it might be important.” He smiles at me. I looked at him, a little worried. I'm no longer a kid and I know when something is wrong, but my dad has never lied to me before, so I would just trust him. “Here, baby.” He circled the table towards me and brushed a kiss on my forehead. “It's going to be fine.” The sound was heard again, faint but definitely something. “Dad, something's wrong. Are we going to be okay?” “Yes, you will be. Now listen to me carefully. This is not a joke and you must do exactly as I say.” I nodded, though confused. He whisked me out of my chair and we both hurried to my bookshelf filled with my favorite books to read during the holidays. “What…” I was cut shut when he shifted a penholder and the shelf shifted open. I have always thought it was just a bookshelf, but it's actually a hideout. My dad pushed me in but he didn't get inside with me. The space in there was small and could only contain one person at a time. “What about you?” I asked, my eyes already clouding in tears. “I want you to stay here no matter what. Okay?” “Something is wrong.” I said with fear laced in my every voice. “Yes, baby. But you know the best part. Your daddy's got you.” He brushed a quick kiss on my forehead. “ No matter what, don't come out of here.” “You are going to stay here with me, too.” Panic laced my voice. He didn't say anything and I knew it would be really bad. I haven't experienced anything with my dad's line of work, so this is definitely a huge experience but it's going to be … something I'll regret for the rest of my life. “Oh my god it's my fault. I should have let Erasmus and the rest of the guards stay. I'm so sorry Daddy…” tears blurred my eyes and rolled down my cheeks. My whole body shook and I was suddenly sweaty. My dad's hands went to my shoulders and he shook me rigorously. His face was tight, but I knew he was as scared as I am. “I love you, Brie, remember that. You would always be my little girl. Stay strong and this is not your fault. Don't you ever think that?” From nowhere, he placed a handkerchief on my nose and I inhaled. It was acidic but not too strong. “What's that?” I brushed it away. My head started feeling heavy. “You shouldn't see what's coming next. It would be better for you.” He removed his knuckle ring and placed it on my finger. “Stay here, Erasmus will come for you. I love you. Happy birthday…” His voice was suddenly drowning out and everything slowed down. My vision was still better than what I'm feeling, but I couldn't hear his last words to me. Or maybe I'm imagining things now. The huge door closed and darkness fell on me. My knees betrayed me and I slid down on the floor. “Don't leave. Please dad. Don't leave me.” I kept muttering even though I couldn't even hear myself. But I have to somehow convince him to stay. I don't want my dad to leave me too. After my mom's death, it took me over 3 years before I could get over her. I don't want the same fate to happen to my father. My chest was beating loudly, and my head was pounding from whatever drug my dad had placed me on. After what felt like hours, I gathered all the strength in me and crawled to the shelf. Though my hands felt heavy, I held on to the walls for support and peered through the thin lines between my books. My vision blurred with the sudden intense brightness outside. I blinked severally times to adjust my eyes and capture the scenarios happening. Hoping against hope to see my dad… alive. But my hope shattered when I eventually saw him. He was already bloody. His hands were tied behind him. And he was holding something in his fists. Oh God. My bow string! “No!” I couldn't even hear myself. I can't even scream for help. I'm so useless. So helpless. I saw a hand with a pistol pointed at him. I tried screaming again, but my voice was too low, no matter how hard I wanted to be heard. I can't even cry, I can't even wail as I watched the bullet go through his head and blood splatter everywhere till all I could see was red. My damn music still playing softly in the background. Noo!! This wasn't how today was supposed to turn out. It was supposed to be laughter, not tears. Not this feeling of heaviness. My eyes were blurry as I tried to focus on the man who killed my dad. I couldn't see him, no matter how hard I tried. All I could picture was his silhouette. I collapsed once more as tears ran down my face. And I was completely swallowed by darkness. My dad just died. My whole world crumbled at my feet on my birthday. Who would have done this? Why? I guess my birthday wish has changed after all. All I could think about was to find the man that killed my father as I slipped into the dark embrace of slumber