Sweat dripped from my face as I awakened from my never ending nightmare... Covering my eyes I wept silently as tears drenched my hands. "Elli... Elizabeth... If you are truly alive, please forgive me. I made a horrible mistake. I should have thought of another way..." After returning to Mary, a bit bloody and dirty, who was very concerned by my disappearance, told Mr. Quartez... I shouldn't have been surprised to see him sitting in a chair by my window yet whipping away my tears dread set in.
He was silent for the longest time as I stared at him. He must know what happened to me... A thin layer of bandages trailed across my arm so it would be quite hard to miss. As he opened his mouth I could feel dread rising in my stomach. I've really done it now...
"Detective Kelpie offered you another deal... Instead of something small, he has gone for something quite risky. Do you know why that is?" Even with his leg crossed I could feel the glare hiding in the darkness. "When a dog digs his own grave the only way out is to fight... Now I can say for certain that you have made a deal that could cause quite the problem for me. Mind telling me the details?"
"...Detective Kelpie has my little brother and sister... I... I thought that they had surely died...but if he has them then-"
"You won't make the deal." Mr. Quartez uttered quietly.
Chills gripped my neck as a cold sweat clung to me. That tone... My mother used it on me once. Just after my little brother was born... I had threatened to leave him outside if he didn't stop crying. It was an unreserved authority used in a manner that none would dare go against... The true meaning of authority, dominance....
Sitting up I held my wounded arms against my chest. "I have no choice! The deal has been made. I can't-"
"Ami..." Mr. Quartez growled. "I will not repeat myself..." He pinched the bridge of his nose as it flared slightly in annoyance.
"...If I don't do this... I will lose my only family again..." My voice crackled with regret. "I lost them once because of anger, but not again."
"If you go... I will not welcome you back. Detective Kelpie is a deceitful man, Ami. He will do whatever it takes to win you over. He knows your weakness and with that... You will lose everything..." As Mr. Quartez pointed his finger at me I felt as if those words hit something in my heart.
"...You will lose everything..." Didn't that horrible man that I called my father say those words? So why? Why am I hearing this from him of all people? Why must everyone say that?! "...You will lose everything..." It is so much to ask for a simple life?! To have a happy family?! "...You will lose everything..." No!!!
"...No, I won't..." Ripping the cover away I let my feet greet the cold floor. "If I can't save what family I have left...then I don't deserve to be happy..." Standing I made my way over to the closet and grabbed a coat to cover myself. "...This... This is my last chance to make amends... Turns out the man I killed wasn't my real father but he was for my siblings. If I can save them then...I have to."
"...Then you must know something of value. If you waste his time then death is intimate." With that I was left alone.
Is this his way of helping me? I thought he would try to hinder me further but he must have given up. I changed into a simple cotton dress before checking the door. It was quiet as I walked down the hallway. Mary had once showed me the study that Mr. Quartez used a long time ago. After keeping an eye out for anyone I made my way to it. No one should really be going there but I need to know something and it may have something useful.
As I arrived at the battered door I couldn't help but look at it. This is the line that should never be crossed... Mr. Quartez will know. He won't forgive or forget. Taking a breath I grabbed the handle. It was ice cold...
YOU ARE READING
Devastation (Paused)
Mystery / Thriller"Keep talking and you'll end up as my pet..."
