The Wolves Belong Underground

Chapter 13

Maria could feel the cold seep through the wall as she laid just an inch from it. Her nose was growing numb from the chill but remained in her position. It didn't matter to her; her whole body had been useless since she saw Charlotte's face. She was a shell of a person, what was left of her soul clumsily bumping to odd ends and corners of her insides like a ghost. Her eyes were dry from excessively crying, now dehydrated from squeezing out every tear. Nothing mattered to her now. First her mom, her father, and now her sister. All gone. She pondered if maybe she should off herself and end this family curse.

There was a knock at her door, yet she was unfazed as she laid in her bed. The door opened, Zorath letting himself in. She kept her eyes on the beige wall, her eyelids heavy from the endless staring.

"Mr. Clarke said he will fill in for your duties while you take time off to mourn." He spoke the softest Maria had ever heard him. Any other day she would have made a comment, pointing out that somewhere deep down he has a heart. She was humiliated that he saw her reaction at the morgue. So vulnerable and raw, she had never shed so many tears and screamed until her lungs were dry in front of somebody until then.

"Here." Zorath held out something. She peered over her shoulder, him offering a cup of tea.

"No thank you." She said flatly, turning back to the wall.

"You need to drink. You're going to dehydrate yourself." His tone was firmer this time.

"I don't care."

"Too fucking bad. Sit up and drink."

"Let me die."

"Maria!" he snapped, setting down the tea on the nightstand "Don't say things like that."

"What's the point!" She shrieked, sitting up and shooting daggers through her eyes. Zorath crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Charlotte would want you to live."

"Well, she's dead now." She threw her hand up, her voice mocking his sympathy "So what's the point? I have nobody now. I was the only person at her fucking funeral, Zorath. All that was left of my family is gone. The only thing I had to live for is now dead. And all because I wasn't there. I should have stayed; she wouldn't have felt like she needed to sell herself..." she couldn't finish, fresh tears burned her eyes, overflowing and running down her face. Zorath jumped into action, sitting next to her and taking her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest and sobbed heavily, clutching his waistcoat with her hand. He gently petted her hair, embracing her tightly. He knew she wouldn't believe it, but he recognized this kind of agony. The hopelessness it delivers, your will slipping between your fingers. He had seen and felt it all too many times. He knew whatever he said would bring her no comfort, not until she was ready to hear and accept what had happened.

Maria calmed down after some time, his waistcoat soaked as she laid her cheek against it, sniffling and hiccupping.

"What happened to your parents?" He asked gently once she was calm.

"They died." She croaked, her voice empty "My mother died of a sickness when I was a teenager. A year later my father killed himself. Everyone thought he did it out of a broken heart. But I knew it was because he was a selfish drunk who didn't want to care for two children on his own. I have no idea what happened to my extended family in France, they haven't written to my parents in years. I don't even know their address, so I've never been able to write to them. I've never even gotten to tell them they all died."

Zorath held her tighter, his hand holding the back of her head. "I'm sorry that happened to you."

She took his arm with her hand, feeling the softness of his arm. For the first time in days, she felt a warmth inside of her. His kindness meant more to her than he'll ever realize. Just holding her and knowing she was heard was enough to bring her some ease to the pain.

"Who found her? Charlotte." she feebly asked.

"One of the neighbors on that street. Arthur, I think was the name."

Her eyes widened and she shot straight up, putting her hands to his chest as she pulled away to look at him. "Arthur... Arthur Barkley?"

"You know him?" He raised a brow, surprised by her reaction.

"Was it him?" She pressed on.

"Yes. If I recall correctly, it was. Did you know this man." He held her shoulders. She covered a sharp gasp with her hand and shook her head in disbelief.

"Have you questioned him? Was he involved?"

"Ludwig didn't say, but I'm sure they did when the police were called. I don't understand what's going on, what is your connection with this man?" he tried to be as gentle as he interrogated her, trying to get some answers. Maria's mouth hung open, but no words came out. It looked as though someone had just ripped out her throat, leaving nothing behind.

"Zorath," She breathed. "I don't... that man is a predator. It could have been him!"

"But nothing came up about him, he was let go by the police. I can speak to the police and him myself, but I need to know what he's done that would make him a suspect."

"He... he was my teacher. Years ago, he taught me English when I was thirteen years old. He did it out of the kindness of his heart. He saw me struggle with English, trying to communicate with others with what few words I knew. He was my friend for so long. And then, one day he..." she trailed off, her eyes looking away from him. So much shame and trauma flooded her eyes. Zorath put the pieces together, his blood coming to a rapid boil.

"He violated you." he finished, his voice low and dark. She sniffled and nodded.

"In repayment for teaching me how to speak, read and write. My parents could not pay him, but he said it was okay. So, he found other ways of payment, whether I wanted it or not..."

Zorath had to hold back from squeezing his hands as he held her delicate shoulders. He was horrified and enraged that a grown man did this to her. When she was just a child, for who knows how long. He didn't want to press on in her fragile state.

"We don't know if he had any connection to Charlotte." He tried to steady his tone as he spoke to her "He just found the body. They might have never even crossed paths before until then."

Maria shook her head, more tears washing over her quietly "I'll kill him myself if he did." She whispered.

"I'll get to the bottom of this." He slowly pulled her back into his embrace. "I promise I will see who did this."

She wrapped her arms around his waist, finally accepting his affections. They sat there together, holding one another as though it was their last. He finally broke free, reaching over and taking the teacup "Here," he placed it in her hands "Drink it before it goes cold."

She did with no complaints, sipping the luke warm tea. It replenished her dry throat, drinking it whole. She gave him back the cup and he set it back on the saucer.

"Get into bed," he guided her under the covers. He helped her in, pulling the blanket up to her. He had never seen such a pitiful woman before, her eyes puffy and glassy, her nose and cheeks red and swollen from crying.

"Are you going to bed too?" she asked, her voice less croaky from having a drink.

"No," he shook his head "I'm staying here until you fall asleep."

"You don't have to do that." she yawned.

"After what you said earlier, I think it's best I do. I don't want to be short a maid again." he tried to jest. It worked, seeing a small smile creep over her lips. She got comfortable, laying on her side and pulled the blanket to her chin. He sat on the edge of the bed, keeping a hand on her back as he watched her body slowly rise and fall as she drifted into sleep. He had a feeling he had never felt before as he watched her rest. A feeling of protection. Protect her, keep her safe, and make up for all things stolen from her. He wanted to ignore this foreign emotion, but it was too powerful to deny it. He had big plans for tomorrow and needed to prepare, but at this moment he would keep guard as long as she needed it.