Twisted - Tangled Limbs Sequel (Shannon Leto Fanfiction)

Chapter 7

(Trigger Warning: Language)

(Missi's POV)

Sunlight was peeking in the bedroom window through a small slit in the curtains. I knew where I was, but it felt surreal. Shannon was laying on the other side of the bed, making me question whether I'd been transported back in time. Something felt off and I started panicking. I closed my eyes and took some cleansing breaths before willing my brain to catch me up on what was going on.

My mind was flipping through channels but someone else had the remote, allowing only minor glimpses of the scenes being played out. Once it paused the dialog became audible.

'Missi, look at me! You need to calm down. Just breathe. That's all you have to do right now.' He said, his hands gripped tightly around my wrists. Shannon was close by looking deeply saddened. The setting was the same as where I now lay, but Shannon's brother Jared had the leading role. As I started recalling it more clearly the scene changed to something less dated.

'Sweet Melanie, so naïve. There are no rules, I own you. If it weren't for me, you'd be a blithering idiot sitting in an institution with a drool cup. As far as I was concerned your case was a waste of my surgical expertise, but the compassion you evoked from the staff with your pleas to see your prince again outweighed my opinion. Your prince never showed up afterward though, but I was there to care for you. Look how well that turned out. I'm at the top of my field now and your life is one of leisure. Everything comes with a price—fairy tales don't exist Melanie. You will respect me.' Michael was saying.

'Need I remind you that you were as inebriated as the man they blamed for the car accident you were involved in? Do you need me to refresh your memory by showing you the toxicology report again? I know how upset it makes you when I outline the consequences of your defiance, so we'll forego that. Frankly I don't find your tears as satisfying as they once were under those conditions. I'm craving something that will elicit the same response yet give me pleasure.' Michael continued.

He was about to show me his true dominance. Recalling the tightness of the strap he'd placed around my neck made my throat clench. Struggling against that strap resulted in strangulation, something I'd often considered succumbing to completely. I knew Michael wouldn't allow me to escape by death unless that was what he wanted however. He'd never gone as lightly as Shannon had when he'd exposed me to a hint of subservience. I tried pretending Michael's voice was Shannon's when he gave commands, but after a certain point it was too brutal to imagine Shannon being that dark.

The scene switched back to the previous one and I was genuinely accepting of Jared's guidance.

'Breathe in. Now exhale and release all the bad feelings. Good. Let's do that again.' He said, and I breathed deeply.

'Excellent. Keep breathing and focus on the sound of my voice. Can you do that?' He asked, and I nodded. 'Nothing's happened that can't be dealt with, and it can't hurt you unless you let it. Don't give it that power over you. You're stronger than that. I'm going to let go of your arms and I want you to open your eyes and look at me. Okay?'

I opened my eyes and returned to the present. I was so grateful Shannon had come along and taken me away. I couldn't figure out how to save myself and had all but given up trying. I had moments of clarity about who I'd once been, but my opposition was quickly dealt with by Michael. God bless this man lying next to me, he was actually willing to fight for me. He wanted me, and I knew deep down I wanted him too. He began to stir as I watched him and opened his eyes.

'Good morning princess.' He said smiling.

'Good morning.'

'Did you sleep well?'