Chapter three: Psychological torture
Three days, I've been locked up inside these four walls for three days and I'm about to tear my hair out. I have lost my nerve and sanity a long time ago. The first night I refused to eat dinner and that crazy guy nearly choked me by forcing food into my mouth.So I look like a human wreck or in any case, a robot programmed to do the basic needs of a human being.I've never been subjected to psychological torture, but I'm sure this is a lot like it. He doesn't touch me, he hardly speaks to me, I haven't seen another face other than that maniac's. The asshole took my phone and put it only God knows where.I expected many things. In my mind I came to imagine millions of ways to cause myself the most agonizing pain. However, this desolate silence is a hundred times worse. I don't even remember the sound of my voice anymore. Even my inopportune subconscious has shut up and loneliness attacks me more strongly than ever.I walk around the room to exercise my cramped muscles. That madman is very mistaken if he thinks I am really going to stay with my arms crossed. As soon as he let his guard down, I'll take my chance and get the hell out of here. I'm sure my friends will be safe if he can't blackmail me.He may be very Devil, but I'm Leah Falco and at twenty-seven I've been through too much shit to let myself be screwed over by a fiery psychopath.For the first time since I've been here, I hear a knock on the door, which seems ridiculous considering I don't have the key."Good afternoon, honey," a plump old lady with well-groomed black hair enters with a tray in her hands. "I have made a cake with milk jamand I have brought you a piece, seeing as you haven't eaten much."It is fortunate that I understand fluid English very well thanks to the years I lived here. Otherwise, I wouldn't understand a single word. The woman speaks too fast and on top of that, she slurs some consonants."And you are…?", I ask wrinkling my nose. She's the first person I've seen apart from my captor. And considering that I got tired of yelling the first day, I thought there was no one else in the house."Oh, excuse my forgetful manners," she moves to the sofa in the room to put the tray on the coffee table and extend an arm to me, "it comes with age. I'm Josephine, but you can call me Joe. I take care of the house and of Dean.""Do you work for him?" I scrutinize her carefully. She doesn't seem evil, quite the opposite. However, in this place I do not trust even my shadow."You could say so," she gives me a warm smile that reminds me of my dear Mrs. Clarice. Oh sorella, how much I miss you. "Would you try dessert? I don't want him to scold me if it doesn't taste good.""Haven't you tried it?" I ask cautiously. And if it has any narcotic like the soda which brought me here?"Yes, but over the years my palate hasn't been the same. Come on," she takes me familiarly by the arm and practically drags me to the sofa, "let's do each other a little company. We don't usually have many tenants in the House.""I'm not a guest," I clarify curtly without trying the dish."Nonsense," she makes a strange gesture with her hands. "You are to me. Dean is not as bad as he insists on being."'Yes of course. Tell that to the sniper who watches my friends,' I add mentally, even though I didn't correct her. She shows she cares for him and if the feeling is mutual, I may have found my first step towards freedom.'I just have to earn her'"Come on," she insists with the dessert, "try it. I guarantee you it doesn't have any additional ingredients."I let out a small sigh and spoon up a portion and bring it to my trembling mouth.The spongy biscuit makes contact with my palate and I find it impossible to contain the pleasurable moan.For Jesus Christ's mother! How long has it been since I tried a homemade desert?I think since last Christmas. On Cassie's last day in our apartment she baked chocolate chip cookies and lemon mousse.Thinking of my friend makes me want to cry and I decide to put her out of my head for the moment, to focus on the divine cake. If it is poisoned, I may well die swallowing it. At least it would be a sweet death, not an agonizing one like my kidnapper has prepared.This is the best thing that has happened to me in many, many days.Mrs. Josephine chats animatedly about the city's advantages and sometimes she asks questions about Italy, while I take my time savoring the generous and insufficient slice."And have you been working for Dean for a long time?" I ask matter-of-factly, careful not to show my eagerness for information."I saw him born," she replies with a shrug.So that's where attachment comes from... Well, I can't blame her."Are you already leaving?" I hold her back when I see her get to her feet."Yes, I have many pending things to do and...""Take me with you," I cut her off abruptly. I need to get out of here. I need to find a way to escape.Leah Falco's POVThe old lady looks at me with a circumstance face while I can only think about leaving this hateful feudal-style room.I feel like one of those maidens kidnapped by vandals in the Mallory series.*'Mallory: book series created by Johanna Lindsey'"I can help you," I offer with a pleading expression."Dean said...""Please," I join my hands in a prayer. "Please, I've been here for three endless days and I think I'll die of a heart attack or nerves if I don't go through that door. I promise to behave myself and not running away," I add when I see her hesitating. "Well," she agrees after a few eternal seconds, "but you'll stay by my side and as soon as Dean gets here, you'll let me talk. Okay?""Thank you very much!" I throw into her arms with a sudden movement. She looks at me bewildered with surprise, while I smile ecstatically. "You have no idea what this means to me.""I can imagine," she pats me gently on the back to encourage me. "Everything will get better, you'l
Dean Frost's POVI try to focus on the papers, but it's impossible. It's like I don't have the ability to understand what I read. My body is here inside the car, but my mind has already reached the building and crossed the penthouse straight to the room of that intrepid little girl.Since she saw me she could recognize me as the ex-fiancé of her best friend. However, she has not mentioned our meeting a month ago in this same city.She does not remember me…The rage surges once more and I feel like shaking her hard, then ripping her brain open. How is it possible that she has forgotten me? Me!I am going to punish her because nobody forgets me. It is time to start her ordeal.'And to possess her,' a voice in my head adds. However, I deny the idea no matter how much tempting it may be. It is not time yet, first I have to drive her crazy, then catch her and in the end she will fall round before my feet, crying out for mercy and singing the weaknesses of my enemies to the rhythm of Travia
Leah Falco's POVI am trapped, cornered between his body and I have no way to escape. The closeness of hia skin sends me into painful spasms, and his unusual body temperature ignites sparks in the pit of my stomach.His lips are only a few insignificant centimeters apart, making me feel hia breath.Oh my Godness! Is he going to kiss me?I see him coming. I see him coming, dammit! And I do nothing at all to stop him.What the hell are you doing, Leah Falco?'No, no, no,' I chide myself.'Don't even think about kissing him!'However, as much as my rational part fights to get out of here afloat, my brain insists on locking it up and doing what it wants.He is going to kiss me. Damn, I'm going to let him kiss me! Then a rumble outside catches us both off guard and we jump up at the same time."The show has started," I hear him snort as I try to control my racing heartbeat. The organ wants to come out of my mouth and I have no idea how to stop it.I'm fucking crazy. Devil has brainwashed m
Leah Falco's POV'Get me out of here'The thought crosses my mind, but I dismiss it after mulling it over for a few seconds. I don't know who this man is, or where he came from or if this is just a Devil's trick. Plus, I prefer a known bad guy than a unknown good one. 'Not that you know Mr. Frost very well,' my subconscious jumps out."Just now…" I swallow hard still tempted to beg for help. How I wish he was my Prince Charming from my own novel! However, for some reason my instinct prevents me from believing him, "no.""Are you sure?" He pulls out a wad of bills to hand into my hands. "With this you could leave this life and be free."Free… how much I would like to be."I appreciate it, sir," I half-smile, "but I don't think I'm going to need it.""There must be something I can give you, a memory so you have this night always present."'I don't think I'll ever forget this night'I lower my eyes searching for the most correct way to reject his offer and then, something shines before
Leah Falco's POVThe man lies dying on the floor, while the blood stain spreads across the carpet and I can do nothing but watch him, completely stunned.What have I done?What the fuck have I done?!'I have killed him''I'm a killer!'"Damn…", I hear him growl through clenched teeth and then, I react."Oh my Godness!" I clap my hands over my mouth before running to his side to help him. "Help!" I yell wildly as I yank his shirt open. "What the hell have you done?""It was you… little girl", he still has the strength to speak, so I'm not completely lost. "Isn't… that what you…wanted?""Shut up!" I utter hysterically as I cover the wound with trembling hands. "Somebody help me, dammit!"Shit! The blood does not stop gushing out in droves, the Devil begins to rave, and hysteria overwhelms me when no one responds to my sobbing calls."What's wrong...?", a guy with copper hair that I hadn't seen before bursts into the place, being stunned to see the panorama. "Dean? What the fuck…? What ha
Leah Falco's POVWhat should I do?I can't say anything and risk losing someone, but... I can hear the voice of the person I love the most in the world. The only one with the ability to calm me down.I don't doubt it and with trembling fingers, I dial the number while holding back sobs."Hi…" it is all I can say."For our Lord Jesus Christ!" Tears betray me when I hear her exclamation and reality hits me all at once. "Where have you been, Leah Falco?""I'm on vacation," I manage to lie."Without telling anyone? Have you lost your mind?!" I don't even pull away when her shriek threatens to hurt my ear drum. "Or do you mean to drive Romeo and me mad?""I'm sorry, okay?" I hold my breath to hold back a sob. "I had an emotional crisis and you know how I am.""Where are you?""I came to the orphanage," I bite my lower lip, "I missed Mrs. Clarice and the children. I don't know how long I'll stay, but it will be a long time," I admit ruefully. "There's no good coverage, so don't call me. I'll
Leah Falco's POVFebruary fourteenth, better known as Valentine's Day.For many people it is their favorite day of the year, for me it is the worst and if it were in my hands, I would delete it from the calendar. I have hated this day for as long as I can remember, since it reminds me of what I am: an orphan girl. The woman who gave birth to me did not hesitate to leave me at the door of a church, without caring about the dark night, or the cold, or the fact I had only been born a few hours ago.Fucking Adriano Di Lauro. My best friend has forced me to come to this party, just because his wife wanted to keep an eye on me. So I have travelled from Florence to Oakland just to get drunk alone and walk over the hotel's backyard. "Are you lost little girl?"I gaze at the voluptuous bony figure and even lift my head as far as I can to see him completely, due to the difference in height.My God, what a man! He is not Italian, "because he has spoken too perfect in English," but he is like ch
Leah Falco's POVHis lips dance against mine and I can do nothing but respond. It is something stronger than me, my body does not obey orders of my brain and it is that it is more than fried, charred and useless.Devil is delusional, so am I; we have both become slaves to the fever.I take him by the neck while I wiggle over his abdomen, seeking to relieve the burning. His hands grip my waist to the point that I feel like he's going to pull my intestines out, but I don't stop him.I'm crazy!All the screws with nuts, lag bolts and everything are gone. I'm letting myself be kissed by my kidnapper and the worst thing is that the feeling of having already lived through this scene remains in force in the depths of my lower abdomen."You haven't caught up to me yet…little girl," he gasps against my lips, freezing me on the spot, "but you're on the right track."As if it were a dream, Devil falls back into unconsciousness and I get out of bed and walk backwards having the impression of havi