CHAPTER 3- Where Monsters Keep Their Secrets
1535 Words
This wasn’t a normal house. It was just one wide, open space. No rooms, no walls, nothing.
Chained to the bare concrete floor were three men. Their wrists and ankles were locked down with thick metal cuffs forcing them to sit in painful-looking positions. Each one had a blindfold tied tightly over his eyes, and their mouths were stuffed with cloth as if someone didn’t even want to hear them breathe.
They looked like prisoners who had been abandoned. Bruised. Swollen. Bleeding.
The sight hit me so hard I couldn’t move. No one should ever look that way, not even in a nightmare.
The moment they heard me come in, they grew restless. Their chains scraped harshly against the floor as they pulled and twisted, desperate for me to notice them. One of them even started to cry. They were clearly begging for help.
I didn’t know what to do.
Did Ethan Vance do this?
What kind of person beats people this badly, and leaves them chained up like animals?
I needed to get out of there before I became the next victim.
Just as I turned to leave, a tall figure blocked the exit.
It was him.
“Why are you here?” He growled, his face twisted with anger.
Before I could answer, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the house.
"You're hurting me." I cried, wincing at the pain.
“I told you Bennett,” he snapped. “You go wherever I ask you to go. Where did I ask you to go?” Then he shoved me to the ground like I weighed nothing.
I wanted to beg, to explain, but something hot and sharp rose inside me instead.
“How can you do this people?!” I shouted, pointing a trembling finger at him. “You’re a monster!”
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
His hand slipped into his pocket, and came out with a gun.
My heart plunged.
“I-I went to the stables like you said,” I blurted out, “but-“
“What is your problem?” His voice exploded over mine. “Do you want to die?”
“You're the one pointing a gun at me.” I whispered, terrified.
He shook his head in frustration, and slid the gun back into his pocket.
“I’m not going to kill you. Your father’s debts are still hanging over your head.”
Relief washed through me.
“But trust me,” he added. “If you disobey me again, I won’t be this lenient.”
Then he walked away, leaving me on the cold ground.
I knew then that I had no choice. I had to stay in line. If not for myself, then for my father.
…
The next morning, a sleek pink SUV rolled into the estate. Mrs Lang and a few guards were already waiting outside.
A woman stepped down. She was unnaturally beautiful. Tall, slim. The kind of face you only see on billboards or TV screens. She looked to be in her late twenties. Every detail of her outfit screamed wealth, easily enough to buy my entire wardrobe.
“Goodmorning Mrs. Lang.” She said, her smile wide and bright.
“Welcome Ma’am.” Mrs Lang replied. “Always a pleasure to have you. Shall I carry your bags?”
“Of course.” The woman said, maintaining her perfect smile as her gaze swept over everyone.
Then her eyes landed on me, and the smile vanished instantly.
“And who is… this?” She asked, taking in my uniform from top to bottom.
“Her name is Andrea Bennett, ma’am. She’s our new housekeeper.” Mrs Lang spoke before I could say anything.
The woman studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Alright. Let her bring my bags.”
Without another word, she glided into the house.
I set down the last of her bags in the guest room when her voice drifted through the wall. She was in the study with Mr. Vance.
I went to let her know that all her bags were in her room. As I neared the door, I caught snippets of their conversation.
“But Ethan darling, why let her walk around dressed like that. It’s indecent.”
“How my staff dresses is none of your business, Avery.”
I knocked lightly, not wanting to be caught..
“Come in.” Ethan said.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I just wanted to inform you that your bags are in your room.” I said, stepping inside.
“You didn’t need to come here and tell me that. I’m not blind, I would’ve seen them myself,” Avery stared me down, full of disgust.
Then she turned to Ethan, her expression softening. “My love, this is exactly what I mean. She’s dressed like a w***e, and can’t even follow instructions. I think—“
“Shut up Avery.” He said firmly. “I don’t care for your silly opinions. I’m very busy, leave me alone.”
Avery stiffened, you could tell she was embarrassed in the way she lowered her eyes and straightened her posture.
“Of course, I’m sorry Ethan.” She bowed slightly as she stood. “Just let me know when you need me.”
She stormed out of the study and I followed hesitantly.
“Go make me a jug of lemonade.” She commanded the instant we stepped into the hallway.
“Alright, I’ll just inform the chef—“
“Are you deaf?!” She snapped, cutting me off. “Or do you not understand plain english? You. Go. Make me a lemonade.”
“I’m sorry, but that isn’t a part of my responsibil—“
SLAP!
The sharp sting exploded across my cheek.
“You have no rights to argue with me in my boyfriend’s house.” She narrowed her eyes dangerously. “Either you make me that lemonade, or a slap will be the least of your worries.”
I clenched my jaw, swallowed my pride, thought of my father, and forced myself toward the kitchen.
“I’ll be waiting in my room.” She called after me.
Once I was done, I placed the jug on a tray and headed to her room.
I knocked once. “Miss Goode? Your lemonade is ready.”
"It's open." she replied.
I went in and placed the tray down. Her hairbrush slid off the table and clattered to the ground. “Pick it up,” she ordered, again acting like I existed only to serve her.
I was reaching my limit, but I forced a small smile. “Sure.”
I knelt to search for the brush, and the next thing I knew, a sudden cold splash soaked my back.
Lemonade. All over me.
"Oops. My bad." Her grin was far too wide to be an accident.
Heat flared in my chest. I stood and faced her. “You did that on purpose.”
"So what?" She rose too, stepping closer, mockery dancing in her eyes. "It seems you've forgotten you're nothing but an ordinary maid. I see the way you look at Ethan. You're nothing but a poor, pathetic church rat, and I’ll make sure you suffer the rest of your days here!"
I opened my mouth, ready to throw something back at her, when a slow cap echoed from behind me.
"Well done, Avery. You've managed to make yourself lord and master of my house."
I turned, Ethan stood by the door, his expression carved in stone. He had seen everything.
"I want you out of my house. Right now,” he said, his voice low and steady. “And I will not repeat myself."
Avery’s face drained of colour. "But... But Ethan, I didn't-"
He cut her off. “Bennett, take her bags out.” Then he shifted his cold stare back to her. “I don’t want to see you here when I return.”
He walked away, leaving behind a heavy silence.
For a moment, we both just stood there, stunned.
I knew Avery could be unbearable sometimes, but I never thought Ethan would send his own girlfriend away. And because of me? The realization made my eyes widen in disbelief.
Avery snapped out of her shock, and rushed after him, calling his name desperately. He didn’t even slow down.
I stayed behind, gathering her bags in awkward silence.
I had just shut the trunk of her car when she emerged from the house, mascara smudged, and eyes swollen. She climbed into the driver’s seat, slammed the door, lowered the window, and pointed at me.
"Mark my words. You will pay."
She twisted the ignition.
The engine growled once.
Then the world erupted.
A blinding flash burst from beneath the hood, followed by a thunderous explosion that shook the ground under my feet. The car blew outward like it swallowed a bomb, metal peeling open as fire ripped through the interior. Flames shot high into the air, turning the whole scene into a raging storm of fire and smoke.
I heard myself scream in horror… then everything went black.
- Writer
