Promiscuous (Who's the slut?)

Chapter Thirty Eight

I tried to stifle a scream. I almost sagged on the smelly floor. I'm not going mad again, am I?

"Maire..." He whispered. He was pitiful to look at. He had a bandage wrapped on top of his head. There were bruises and gashes on his face and body that from the looks of it... weren't tended properly. He seemed on the verge of dying... lost of blood.

I ran and knelt in front of him not knowing how to touch him. Then I heard a moan from the corner. My eyes grew wide. "Lucy?" I croaked, my eyes were getting misty at the sight before me. Her hair was mottled, she was full of dirt, she was bound and gagged. Far from the socialite Lucy I'd known who fussed over a speck of dust. I could see the shadows underneath her eyes. She was so thin, I could have joked about her effortless south beach diet.

My mind was a blank as I was staring stupidly at Rave's weary face. He tried to raise his hand to touch my cheek but it was a will to do so because of his bandaged ribs. "What... happened?" The words were barely out of my mouth as I took his hand.

"I was taken out of the hospital... Get... out... of here while you can." He whispered hoarsely. He winced as he moved his body upright. His one arm had a cast. At least he'd been checked by a doctor even just for a short span of time.

I ran to Lucy to tug the bounds in her hands but I pulled free the gag in her mouth first. "Marie Claire..." She cried out. At least I knew one thing that isn't confusing here. I'm not insane. But this was worst than I expected.

"Maire... get out of here. Take Lucy with you."

"I won't leave you." Lucy had already taken away the tight grip of the rope on her feet. I tried to get Rave to stand up. I draped his one good arm around my shoulder. He was limping badly when Lucy helped him on the other side when we stopped dead on our tracks. Lucy gasped, my eyes widened in horror.

There he was, the masked man who was portraying the Phantom of the Opera standing on the doorway lighting the place with his candle. Dead silence descended upon us. It was like death was knocking on our doorsteps.

"Riel, touch them and I'll kill you." Rave broke the silence with a hiss. He was... Riel? Of course, stupid of me. I left him asleep with the sleeping pill mixed on the milk. He looked out on the veranda... maybe he spilled the... damn.

He gave me a slow lingering smile. He had a cape on added to the effect of the Phantom. "You promised me I'll never lose you. You betrayed me, darling..." He whispered calmly. I wanted to scratch his face. Why the devil had he done this to me? To us?

"Who's talking of betrayal here Riel? I thought you love me. Why are you doing this to me?" I asked disbelievingly. I moved forward but a hand grabbed me and pulled me backwards. I felt Rave's raspy breathing as he tried to stand pushing me behind him.

"Move and you'll never see the daylight Lucy." He pulled the gun from behind and pointed it as Lucy edged on the door. But he was never leaving my gaze.

"Sit." He shouted at Rave with his gun wagging on his face. "Come to me, darling." He crooked his finger to me.

"No Maire! Kill me now Riel but don't you dare—"

"Threaten me Rave." Riel cut in and shouted loud enough to pierce my eardrum. I walked slowly but Rave pulled me while Riel took my other arm. It was like a tug of war between the two of them. But I was the pawn in the game. I pleadingly looked at Rave, sending a warning message. He let go of me reluctantly. I could see his perspiration from his effort of long standing.

Riel draped his arm possessively to my shoulders. "Why are you doing this?" I whispered harshly, not showing any hint of fear though I was quivering inside. He smiled at me. "You're excited, aren't you?" I stared at him wide-eyed through the white mask. "Aren't you!" From soft tone to near-scream. He pushed me hard to the corner that I fell flat on the floor. He walked toward Rave and kicked him on the ribs. I screamed. Riel was laughing mad.