Blood Red (Adopted by Cannibals)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The hit knocked me to the floor before I even realised what he did. My cheek stung painfully as I stared down at my feet. He backhanded me, so much for hoping he wouldn't hurt me, let's hope it doesn't get worse than this. Terror is filling my body with each passing second that I wait for the next hit. When he doesn't hit again, I take this opportunity to plead out for my life.

"I'm sorry," I whisper out hoping that he will stop.

"Oh darling, you're not sorry though. But don't worry, you will be." I shot my head up to look into his piercing brown eyes. I felt his hand wrap around my throat squeezing slightly as he lifts me off the floor. Clawing at his hand I struggle to breathe. As I feel the chair underneath my butt the hand is soon after removed. I coughed loudly as I greedily gulped air into my lungs.

My eyes trail his every move as I regain my breath. I watch him walk over to one of the many kitchens draws. I stiffen once more as I see him pulling out a long sharp looking knife. I can feel my body trembling in fear as he nears closer to me. I want to get up but hands hold me down in my seat.

"Let's try this again Nova," He stands before me the knife dangerously close to my thigh as he crouches down before me, staring into my fearful eyes. "What is his name?" He points over to the oldest of the boys. I sat still unable to determine if it is a trick question or a legitimate one. "Tick tock." My eyes turn back over to him as he moves the knife to the side like a ticking motion, like a clock.

"Xavier," I whisper out tentatively. Why is he asking me his name? I thought he wanted me to say, Mum? so what is he trying to do?

"Your..." He left his sentence hanging, waiting for me to complete it. My eyes widen once more as I realise what he wants from me. I'm not ready to accept them as my family, I don't want them. He killed my entire family and now he is expecting me to accept his family instead? This has to be some kind of sick joke. His eyes darkened and s split second later he slices the knife across my thigh. I screamed bloody murder while trying to get away from him, however, the hands continue to push me down onto my seat. Looking down I notice that the cut doesn't look deep enough to require stitches which I'm happy about.

"Wrong answer, try again." He smirked at me letting me know with his eyes that a lot of pain awaited me if I don't answer correct or on time.

"Brother." I yelped out as I noticed the knife more to another part on my thigh. "he is my brother." I whispered once more hoping that this is the answer he was waiting for.

"Good girl Nova. Now, who is this?" This time he pointed over to the younger boy. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut as more tears flowed out.

"He is my other brother, Jake," I whispered once again feeling defeated. I felt the hands holding me down gently rubbing my shoulders in comfort as I slouched defeated in the chair. Please stop here, don't go any further. Looking up slightly I noticed them all looking much happier already, but the man still crouched before me with a smirk and a bloody knife.

I felt hands being changed and I knew that Ann had moved from behind me and switched with Xavier who now held me down. Ann moved over to stand beside him, and I knew what was coming.

"And who is this to you?" He asked pointed towards his wife, Ann. No matter how much I wanted this pain to stop I can't say it. They are not my family. Saying that Jake and Xavier are my brothers is one thing, but calling these people my parents, calling them mum and dad I can't. It's too much. This tile is reserved for those who have earned it, those who deserve it. Not these sick people. I shook my head in denial.

"Say it!" He screams tracing the knife across my other thigh. I let out another blood curling scream while the hands tighten on my shoulders. I struggle to try to get out of the chair and away from him, but it is no use. My legs burn as I watch the blood ooze out of the wounds.

"Say it!" he yells once more as he slices my leg again. I can't say it. Saying it would mean accepting them as my family. But if I don't then hell keep hurting me and I can't keep this up. How long till I bleed to death? Would he let that happen if it came to it?

"M-" I cut myself off. I watch Ann closely. She has a small smile on her face, encouraging me to continue. I trail my eyes back over the man before me who is watching me intently. Can I really say it?

"Say it." He says glaring slightly. I gulp audibly as I sit still. I want to pain to end but its too much. But I have no choice. Sooner or later ill have to say it and if I do it now then I'll be hurt less.

"Mu-" I try again. I close my eyes for a moment, composing my self a bit. All I need to do is say it and then the pain will be over with. With my eyes still closed I imagined my real mother and managed to whisper out, "Mum." Opening my eyes, I noticed all their happy faces. Feeling overwhelmed a burst of tears fills my eyes unable to hold them back. I just called her mum. She isn't my mother, but I had to. I slumped back in my seat defeated as I let the tears come over me. I have just given in to the devil and his family. I fear that they see this as a submission, as acceptance into their family and deep down I fear that I am giving in too.

"Final question, what do you call me?" I let out a sob which I desperately try to muffle. I don't want him to yell at me for being weak again.

"Dad," I whisper and finally allowing myself to completely break down. Did I just accept them as my new family? No. I stopped the pain. I don't mean the words I said, it was to stop the pain.

"Good girl. Go finish your dinner quickly and your mother will help clean up your wounds." I slowly nod my head, picking up the untouched utensils and dug into the now cold food. I hadn't realised how hungry I was until this very moment. The meat is tough to cut, similar to stake but the taste is comparable to pork. I wonder what kind of meat it is, it really is delicious. I watch as the others take their places back at the table too and finish their meal quickly, just like me.

Throughout the meal, I keep my eyes downcast, too afraid to look any of them in the eyes. Accompanied with the meat was some broccoli covered in cheese and small cut potatoes covered in gravy. Starved I scarfed down most of the meal, remaining hesitant around the meat, afraid of what it was as I didn't recognise the cut. While we ate the family made small talk, although I didn't bother to listen. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day, I may even be able to escape, although with the wounds burning on my thighs, I doubt that I could even run.

When we all finished eating 'Dad' excused Ann and I from the table so that we can clean up my legs. She made me walk on my own, every step hurt like hell. It feels like tiny needles repeatedly stabbing into each of the cuts. To try and keep my mind away from the pain I took my time admiring the house as we made our way to wherever. The house was a nice comfortable, slightly larger than average maybe I'm guessing five or six bedrooms? So far, we had walked through the living room which had been nice and roomy and held three old-ish looking white recline couches and another two recliner chairs. Opposite the couches, was a beautiful fireplace that required real logs which were placed beside it in a neat pile. There was no T.V, however. I wonder why they don't have one. We had also made our way up a set of stairs. It looks like that long ago this place would have been thriving but now it just looked old, too old. Something else that I had noticed was that so far, I hadn't seen any electronics. No T.V, no phones that they boys were playing on like any other normal teenager, nothing. Its almost as if they are stuck in time, unable to move forward but still ageing, including the house.

I followed behind Ann as quickly as I could with my bleeding, trembling legs. She stalked on ahead before disappearing into one of the rooms on the left. Following behind her I made my way into the same room.

Most of the room was covered in dark red. The double bed was covered in red sheets including pillows, the curtains and rug were the same red too. How can someone like red so much? I wonder whose room this is.

"What do you think of your new room dear? We decided your favourite colour is blood red." I stared at her unable to make any words. Blood red. I have to live in a house of killers, and they expect me to sleep in a room covered in red, Blood red?