Chapter Seven
Kirsty
I bite my lip and hold back the scream which wants to escape. If I don't, it will fuel her need for cruelty, her need to make me suffer for longer. So, I squeeze my eyes shut and allow the tears to stream down my face. I swallow the metallic taste of blood from my lip. I pull on my arms a little, but it's no use, I'm cuffed and chained to the wall, ensuring there is no escape from the onslaught.
"You little bitch, are you really stupid enough to think you can escape?" Karen whips my back again, increasing the force and causing the strands to bite into my back.
I rest my head against the cool concrete wall hoping for it to be over soon. I wasn't trying to escape, I only wanted to be out in the fresh air, to see the moon and the stars.
I snap back to the present when I feel the heat of Karen's body pressed up against mine. I flinch when my back begins to sting with the pressure. She licks up the side of my face and the overpowering scent of her perfume surrounds me.
"I love the taste of your tears, knowing I've caused them. Remember, there is no escape from here, from us. We would always find you." Her cackle is maniacal as she steps back and continues my punishment.
***
Springing forward, I clutch the silken sheet to my chest. My entire body is trembling, sweat pours from my face, mingled with tears. I'm still half-trapped in my nightmare and I scramble back until my back hits something hard. I become more alert and darting my eyes around the semi dark room, I notice light coming from a small lamp on a table beside me. Confusion causes my heart to beat hard, I wait for my eyes to adjust to the dim light and look around. This is a beautiful bedroom, I finger the soft sheet, softness I've never felt before. Where the fuck am I?
The door knob rattles and I begin to panic. Pushing my back against the hardness, the sheet slides through and I notice I'm wearing only my undies. I grab at the material and wrap it tighter around me. It's then I see the drip in my hand and when I glance up, a bag of fluid overhead. I brace myself, eyes fixed to the door, waiting for someone to enter and steeling myself for whatever may happen.
"Hello, you're awake." The voice is soft, kind and I watch as the beautiful blonde approaches the bed. In her hands are a bottle of water and a sandwich in plastic wrap. She places them on the bedside table and speaks again. Her voice has a reassuring warmth to it.
"I'm sorry if I startled you and I'm sorry the sandwich is wrapped instead of on a plate. It's difficult for me to carry a plate safely and use this at the same time." She indicates the cane in her hand which is supporting her.
"It's okay," I whisper. I'm not ready to relax despite the kindness of this woman, it could be some kind of trick.
"Do you mind if I sit?" She indicates the bed.
I shake my head and watch as she slowly lowers herself. "My leg hurts if I put weight on it for too long."
I nod in understanding and wonder if I can ask her where I am.
"Would you like a drink? Doc said you need lots of fluids." She reached over, grabbed the bottle of water and unscrewed the lid before passing it to me.
I hold out a shaking hand, accept the bottle and take a sip. Closing my eyes, I revel in the sensation of the cool liquid sliding down my parched throat. It alerted me to just how thirsty I was and I gulp a few more mouthfuls. I groan with satisfaction and hear a soft laugh. I feel my face heat with embarrassment, bow my head and let my hair fall around me.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. Doc said you'd be thirsty and I was thinking, maybe I should have brought up an extra bottle. Then, I pictured myself trying to carry said extra bottle up the stairs. It was quite a challenge to carry what I did." She laughs again, at herself and her struggles.
I can't help but laugh with her at the image she has placed in my head. I can't remember the last time I laughed and something inside me twists at the realization. I start to relax, convinced this beautiful, kind woman means me no harm.
"Um, can you tell me where I am? What happened?" Her soft eyes stare at me and I notice a flash of sadness cross her face.
"You're in my home. My name is Brooklyn. Sergio and Antonio found you and Sergio brought you here to Newcastle. My fiancé, Dominic, along with Sergio, left to…." She pauses for a moment seeming to weigh her words before going on. "….meet up with Antonio to settle an issue, but trust me when I say you're safe now. No-one can hurt you here."
She reaches for my hand and I automatically cower from her touch. The moment she sees my reaction, she pulls back. I feel bad about the way I reacted.
"I'm s-sorry," I sob.
"I understand, but please trust me. I promise you no-one will hurt you while you're here."
Nodding, I wipe my face with the sheet and place the bottle down on the bedside table. "Why don't I have any clothes on?"
"Doc removed them so he could treat your wounds."
The sheet has slipped slightly, revealing the white bandages around my chest. I give Brooklyn a questioning glance."
"Doc said you'll be in quite a bit of pain for a while, you have a lot of injuries. He's left painkillers and antibiotics to prevent infection."
I lower my eyes, take a moment and lift them to hers as I speak. "I couldn't say no to what was happening. I had no choice, she would have killed me." My words tumble out and I finish on a sob. "I'm not weak."
"It is obvious, you aren't weak. Doc said you have been tortured for a very long time." She sounds sad and I see it in her eyes.
She eases closer to me, I remain still, tense. She reaches out and pats my leg before sliding nearer. "I'm just going to give you a hug," she whispers.
I nod in understanding, she wraps her arms around me and smooths her hand lightly over my back.
"I'm sorry this happened to you and I promise you, Sergio and Dominic won't rest until they find out what happened to you, why it happened, and deal with the people involved."
"I don't want anyone to get hurt." I ease back from her hold.
"You have to learn to trust us. I know it will be hard but I'll be here whenever you're ready to talk."
I want to open up to this woman but I'm afraid. How can I trust? The last time I did, I was taken from my bed and used to repay a debt. Brooklyn seems to sense, I'm not ready to open up.
She pats my hand. "Have something to eat and get more rest. I'll be back later with some clothes and when Sergio returns, he'll explain more." Brooklyn pauses and her eyes look deep into mine. "Sergio won't rest until he finds out everything about you. I saw it in his eyes when he carried you in, he'll only rest when he's killed whoever did this."
"Th-thank you." Images of the morning flash past my eyes and I take a few deep breaths to relax. "you're safe" plays on a loop in my mind.
I think about what Brooklyn has said and again wonder if I can trust these people or is it all a trick. Will Karen be here to take me back the next time I open my eyes? Tears roll down my cheeks and my stomach clenches at the thought. I roll over, place a pillow under my chest for support and take the sandwich from the side table. As I unwrap the plastic, I feel Brooklyn stand and then the soft click of the door closing. I wait for the clink of locks being slid into place, but it doesn't come.
Brooklyn seemed so sincere, can I trust her. With all my heart, I want to. I bite into the sandwich and ponder what will happen when Sergio returns. I wonder if Joey is the issue which needed to be settled.
My hands shake as I bring the sandwich back to my mouth for another bite. No use worrying, I'm too weak to go anywhere right now, too weak to fight, so I'll make the most of their kindness and see what happens next.