10 feet Under

Chapter 10

It was dark. Pitch black, and I couldn't see a thing. I felt around my surroundings, and found a doorknob. It made a click when I twisted it, but I was stopped by a warm hand and a reassuring voice.

"Not now, angel. We need to stay in here for a little while."

I knew that voice better than I knew my own. It was my mom's. The sound of a switch brought a tiny stream of light into the room; it was now evident that we were in a closet. Luckily, the door was cracked open and I was able to see into the other room.

The walls were a deep burgundy, with golden peonies adding to its beauty. I looked to the right, and saw a woman tied to a chair.

It all came back to me in a rush. I was 10 years old. My mom took me with her to see a friend in Paris. I didn't understand what was going on at the time, but I knew that it wasn't good. The woman had long, brown hair that fell to her waist. Her eyes were a deep blue. She almost looked angelic. She was beautiful.

The door to the room swung open, and a man walked in. He was tall, with a strong, muscular build. His eyes were a cold hazel, and his hair was a deep shade of brown. He looked pretty young, for a guy that was in his late thirties. pinned into his suit jacket, was the calypso family crest. I didn't know then, but I knew now. It was the man that threatened my very existence. Paulo Cafarelli.

He looked furious. If looks could kill, the woman in the chair would be dead. Despite his evil gaze, she was quite composed. Confidence literally surged through her veins. She looked him dead in the eye without so much as a flinch.

"Bella Valore... I never knew you had it in you. To so bluntly defy me, when you know exactly what I'm capable of."

"I'm not afraid of you, Paulo. It'd do you good to remember that."

He pulled out a knife and got in her face, placing it slack against her throbbing kneck.

"You should be."

The woman's breaths became quick and shallow. Paulo smiled.

"There you go, love. Now tell me...where is the crystal?"

"I would never tell you, Paulo. Even if my life depended on it."

He struck her cheek with a forceful blow, and she gasped in pain. As he was about to strike her again I turned away, but mother pushed me forward.

"You must keep watching, love. I want you to see this."

I turned my head back to the door, and saw the lady in the chair silently weep. A harsh red mark was just beginning to take form on her cheek.

"Damnit woman, just tell me where the damn thing is! If you do, I'll give you Marino. for good. He'll never see the likes of me again. Never have to sail on another voyage. He'll be free."

There were tears rolling down her face.

"You favor a stupid crystal over your own son?"

"Bella, you know how important that crystal is to me, our family-"

She cut him off.

"Well I shouldn't be suprised. You favor your damn business over your own wife!"

He remained silent.

"If you think for a second that I will tell you where that crystal is, you're wrong.That thing has ruined our family, Paulo. Are you so blind? Don't you remember what your father told you about the crystal? You've made a huge mistake, Paulo. And I swear on my life that I will never do anything to jeopardize this family."