Death Wish

Chapter 8: Have a Terrible Life

After 15 minutes of not looking at me, I realize that he gives me a perfect opportunity to leave. He's too blinded by his desire for my inheritance that he didn't bother watching me. While he bores his eyes into his clock, I make my escape. I always carry my jacket around with me and he hadn't bothered to take it. Inside the right sleeve was a hidden pocket padded with stuffing to hide the dagger I always carried with me. If I wiggled just right, I could loosen the dagger from its secure hiding position. I slice the restraints around my wrists by sliding the dagger down the back of my hand and carefully navigating it into my fingers. After I loosen my hands, I move slowly so I wouldn't make any sudden movements and free my ankles. Once I finished, I put the ropes back over me so I looked tied down and returned my dagger back to it's hiding spot. At 11:45, Thibault finally tears his eyes from the clock and looks at me.

"I'll remove the gag, but you have to promise to shut up and behave," he says threateningly.

I nod furiously, and he takes a knife and slices my gag in half. I test out my jaw and scream. Although I want to die, I want it to be of my own accord. I want the coward's way of death, the quick, easy, painless death. He punches me and my head snaps to the right. My jaw pops and it takes all I have not to scream in pain as I open and close my jaw. Suddenly, the front door swings open. I can't see who it was because the figure blocks all light coming in from the door.

"Release her," the person demands.

I instantly recognize the voice and tense. Lorenzo. How did anyone know I was here? The house has been abandoned for over a year.

Thibault taunted, "And what if I don't?"

"You'll be locked in a prison for the rest of your life for assault. There are cops outside. One call and they will come running."

Thibault turned and I saw such hatred in his eyes and on his face, I'm surprised Lorenzo doesn't drop dead from the sheer force of it. Thibault goes to undo the ropes but realizes they are already loose. While he is caught off guard, I bring my knee up and it hits his stomach. He backs up and I take the opportunity to swing my right arm around and punch him in the face. Standing up, I run over to him and keep punching him in any place I could see. I don't feel any pain as my knuckles started bleeding, all I want to do is hurt him. I need revenge. He trapped me and gave me misery for over two years. He needed to die. He backs into a wall and I swipe out my dagger to press it against his neck. His face is bloody and his split lip was oozing fresh, bright red blood.

"You have tortured me for over a year. I am done with you. Now the tables are turned. I'm leaving you and you have nothing. Have a terrible life," I spit at him.

The light pressure from my dagger on his neck caused a thin line of blood to appear.

"Stay away from me. If you ever approach or touch me again, I will do more than just make you bleed," I growl.

He smiles and punches me hard in the stomach. Keeling over, I take a step back. Then he does it again. Over and over, in the exact same spot. My gut feels like a hole has been blown in it. I fall to the ground and he starts kicking me. The pain is like nothing I've ever felt before. It was as if all the air had been sucked out of me and taking another breath would kill me. I think he broke at least two of my ribs. I let my emotions fight, not my brain. The one thing my father reminded me to do when he was training me, I did the exact opposite. I fought angrily so I focused on only him, which opened a weak spot. He saw that I only wanted to see him hurt and knew that I wouldn't think of him hurting me because I was blinded by my anger and hatred for him.

This is it. He would finally kill me. I would get to see my family again.

Closing my eyes, I give up. The pain doesn't come. Instead, I hear a thump. I peek an eye open and see Thibault lying on the floor with Lorenzo standing over him. He had murder written on his face and his fists were clenched. He walks over to me and I stand up despite the pain it brings me. His usually piercing green eyes are soft and I feel a weird sensation in my stomach.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

"Fine. Thanks."

"I was walking by and saw this man enter this house and according to my neighbors down the street, no one lives here. I was watching the house when I heard a scream. I didn't want to intrude once I opened the door, but the look on his face said murder. Let's get you to the clinic. I saw what he did to you."

I shake my head. That little movement brings attention back to my ribs and I suck in a breath.

"You need medical attention!" he exclaims.

I couldn't go to the clinic. People would talk. I shake my head again. Carefully, he picks me up and carries me outside. I couldn't fight back, it hurt too much. After Lorenzo speaks with the officers, we go to the clinic in the center of town. I was mortified. We lived in a small town off the outskirts of Montpelier and news travels fast here. By the time nightfall came, I would be the poor child who was left not only by her family but also by her caretaker. Once Dr. Vasdrick checks my wound and puts a bandage around my torso, I go to the room I was in last time I was here and pass out.

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A/N

Pictured: Alexander Skarsgard as Thibault

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