The Barefoot Violinist

The Godfather

Bennett got into the car not sure of what to say to Cory when they were face-to-face, but he knew he had to do this. He was surprised that they were not heading to Cory's, instead they drove toward a dilapidated industrial area, coming to a stop in front of a large red brick building. Inside smelled musty and wet with rot, junk littering the floor and what looked like old chemical barrels. It was cold and dark and smelled like rust. The  room was almost in complete darkness, with only one light shining. Moving carefully through the cavernous dimly lit factory, to get closer to the light, he saw Blue facing a man tied to a chair, with a bag over his head. He seemed to be struggling against the ropes binding him in place.

"Blue, what...?" Bennett looked at her in surprise. Not sure what was going on, but he had a terrible feeling Blue was going to make good on her promise and kill Cory.

With a nod of her head, the bag was removed, and Cory's red, surprised face was staring up at them. He was gagged and tried to say something, but it only came out as muffled garbage. Then Blue stepped over to him, with something shiny in her hand. She slapped him hard across the face. The sound of her hand making contact with Cory's skin made Bennett look away. He knew when Blue was in a mood like this it was best to stay out of her way, but he also didn't want to stand by while Cory was being hurt.

"Blue," he called. "Blue please, let's just talk." When he tried to move toward her, a massive hand dropped on his shoulder. The owner of the hand shook his head.

"I'm just setting the rules for this talk Ben. I won't hurt him, much. I just need to make sure he understands what's going to happen here." She turned back to Cory, grabbing him by the hair, pulling his head back sharply.

Cory was scared out of his wits. He'd been kidnapped from his home, tied and gagged and before he knew what was happening, he felt a prick in his arm, and everything went black. When he came to, he was strapped to a chair with a cloth bag over his head. He didn't know how long he sat, but it felt like an eternity. Was this the retribution Blue had promised? Surely, she wouldn't do anything illegal, would she? He thought his his heart was racing. Blue seemed to be playing by a different set of rules, one that scared the living daylights out of him. He knew first hand the damage she could do and the pain that she could inflict, without getting caught.

He felt her slap sting his face, making his eyes water. When he could finally open his eyes, he saw Bennett behind her and in that moment, everything else was forgotten, he just needed to speak to him. But behind the gag nobody could understand him. All he wanted to do was jump up and take Bennett in his arms and tell him how sorry he was, but his restraints kept him in place, no matter how much he struggled.

When Blue turned to face him again, she had a knife in her hands, pushing the blade against his throat. He could feel the sharp edge nick his skin, like a paper cut. Cory wanted to scream, but was too afraid to move. He could see the malice and hatred in her eyes as she exposed his throat.

"Now," Blue pushed the knife harder against him. "This is not going to be a conversation where you'll interrupt anybody. You will sit and listen. If I hear so much as a peep from you, I will use this. Do you understand?"

Cory looked at her with wide frightened eyes. Hardly daring to breathe. Looking at her face, it seemed as if she was looking for a reason to slice his head off. When she didn't get a response from him, she stood up and slapped him hard with the back of her hand, making his head snap to the side,. "Do you understand me mother fucker?!" she spat at him.

Cory nodded not knowing what Blue would do next. "Just so that you know I'm not playing, let me give you a little demonstration." she moved closer to him, the knife still in her hand. Cory's eyes widened with fear, futilely trying to get out of his restraints. She pointed the tip of the knife toward his heart. Cory jumped back with a muffled scream, nearly falling of his chair, but she steadied him with her foot and in that instant she swiped a cross through his shirt, cutting in to his flesh, drawing blood.

Cory screamed behind the gag, thinking that she was going to stab him. When he felt the tip of the blade cutting into him, he almost fainted. His heart was beating faster than a race horse's and it felt like he couldn't breathe properly from fear.

"I think you get the picture now, you son of a bitch. I won't play any further with you. I'll save that for afterward." she smiled smiled sweetly at him, looking as if she was going to enjoy torturing him.

She stepped back and gestured to someone to remove his gag. Cory's breath came out in short pants, as if he'd been running a few miles at high speed. Just about to open his mouth, Blue aimed the knife at him, but thought better of it, in case he really got killed.

"Your turn Bennett. We'll be waiting just next door." she smiled at him, giving him a quick hug before leaving the room, her men in tow.

"Cory," Bennett started, grabbing the only other chair and sitting down in front of him. "Why?" was all he could get out.

"Bennett, I'm so sorry. I never meant for anything to happen. I was just so angry when I thought you were stringing me along. I didn't know what to do. All I saw was red... I'm so sorry."

"Why did you ask Jake to beat me up?"

"I never! He was lying to you!" he sobbed openly, anguish clearly written across his face. "Please believe me Bennett. I would never ask anybody to hurt you."

Bennett nodded, his eyes giving none of his thoughts away. "But you did it again Cory. How am I supposed to know that it won't happen again?"

"I promise Bennett, it will never happen. I love you too much! I'd rather die than hurt you!" he exclaimed. Just give us a chance, please?" he leaned forward, as much as the ropes around his chest would allow.

"You promised before as well." he sighed looking into Cory's dark eyes. He still didn't know what to do with this Cory mess.

"But this time is different!" he pleaded. "I was stupid and should have talked to you, instead of trying to h-hurt you." his eyes begging for Bennett to believe him. "I love you!"

"Really Cory? Are you really sure it would never happen again, or is it because Blue has you trapped here?" Bennett's eyes never wavered from Cory's, as if looking for answer.

"It will never happen Bennett, please believe me. You're my only reason for living. If I can't be with you then I might as well be dead." Cory's eyes pleaded to make him understand.

"I want to believe you Cory, I really want to, but loving your abuser isn't healthy, is it? There will always be an 'I'm sorry,' there will always be a 'It'll never happen again'..." Bennett stated quietly.

"I've been abused my whole life because I'm different, because my mind works differently to everybody else's. It took me a while to realise that it really wasn't my fault, was it? It was somebody else's problem I was paying for."

"I'm so..."

"Yes, I know that you are sorry Cory. But for how long and how many times will you be sorry?" Bennett quickly interrupted him. "Will I spend the rest of my life in fear that you might hurt me, break me to the point where I can no longer play, or push me to the point where I have no reason to live?"

Bennett shook his head as he said this, wishing his words were lies, but he had to admit to himself that those were really the things that worried him most. He'd spent all his time at school not feeling safe, but that was not by choice, this time he had control over how much hurt he'd have to endure.

"Bennett, believe me this was the last time, please? All I'm asking is that you give me a chance to prove you wrong about me. I love you!" he beseeched.

"I don't doubt your love Cory, I doubt the words that are coming out of your mouth." he sighed in an even tone. "It's easy to make promises, but you've just proven to me how easy they are to break. What would you do Cory?"

Without another word, he stood up and looked at Cory's tear stained face for the last time' "You will always be special to me." he smiled sadly, before turning to leave. Not looking around as Cory screamed for him to come back, for his forgiveness, for his love.