Flutter by, Butterfly

Chapter 9

We took a ride in our limo to a far off place. It felt like it was taking forever to get there. The conversation among us did not help my sanity at all. My "mother" wanted to keep me. For what, I did not want to know. My "father" managed to stand firm on not doing anything until the final transaction was made.

"Technically, she does not belong to us. She was purchased with the intent to groom and give away."

"Give away?! Since when do we ever give things away?"

"We don't. This was to be a payment for all of his services."

"Oh, what could he do that's so important? He's just an actor."

"He is not just an actor. He has worked for the government and has done many world-wide, undercover jobs. Just where do you think he received his expertise on all his written books?"

I read all of his books. If any of this was true, he was a killer on a massive scale.

"Well, it can't be that bad."

"It is. Who we are dealing with is very dangerous. The last thing we need to do is anger him, if we haven't already."

"I don't care how angry he is. There is nothing that money can't buy, or buy back. This one never responded well with the treatments anyway, and even when she was under command, all of her movements were forced and jerky. I'm certain we can find him something much more pleasing."

"You're only saying that because you wish to keep her for yourself."

"You did too!"

"Only because Alejandro said he was having second thoughts."

Second thoughts...Did that mean that he didn't want me? Not even as a friend? The thought hurt me to my core, especially at the thought that he would leave me here, with them!

"Well then, buying her back and giving him someone else shouldn't be a problem."

"We will never know for certain until we get there."

"We are here now," said my mother as we entered an abandoned alley. "You had better get to talking. You know how cranky I get when I don't get what I want."

"All too well, dear." He grabbed me by my hair, pulling hard and hurting me, and said very harshly, "Get out. Do not say a word."

I did exactly as he said. Alejandro was waiting for us outside. He didn't feel like my cold and logical Hugo. This one felt like the last one on the phone, the dangerous killer that used his skills in a deadly fashion. Secrecy and stealth were his weapons of choice. I looked around, noticing there were no witnesses other than us. I looked into his eyes as we passed by. They were clear, calculating, and cruel. Before anything was said, he looked at me and asked "Did they hurt you?"

"Sort of," I said, feeling my face, torso and back of my head.

He pulled out a pistol with a silencer attached. My mother began to scream, and before my father could finish saying, "How much-" he shot them both in the head. Blood spattered, some of it hitting my face. Both their bodies fell to the ground, the final thud making a sound to my ears that I knew would continue to haunt me. While I stood there, staring at him and the bodies of my parents, he asked me, "Are you afraid of me?"

"No," I said. I really meant it. "I trust you." I ran into his arms and wept.