"Just kill me."
She's out of breath, her face bruised, her eyes drowning with tears, but her head is high.
"Now why would I do that?" he asks with the usual smirk she has learned to hate.
"If you don't kill me I'll kill you", she threatens.
"I think I'm falling in love!" he exclaims.
She shakes her head. "I'm surprised."
"How so?" He's ever so curious, with the new toy he has found.
"I thought you'd drop the act when we are alone. It's just you and me now. So just quit it."
"Quit what?"
"You are always talking and acting like you have too big shoes to fill. Like a bad little boy who's desperate to look like a man."
His smile fades.
"You are pathetic", she spits.
He puts his knife on her throat again. "You can only push me so far. Even I have my limits", he warns her.
When she laughs at him her skin breaks and starts to bleed. "You think you can threaten me with a knife? Or with your little... bat? I'm not afraid to die."
He looks at her for a second with that little grin on his face. She's disgusted by his breath on her face. Then he suddenly gives up.
When he returns pacing the room she adds so silently he can barely hear her: "Not anymore."
He's playing with his knife. "You are a tough cookie, Rosita. I like that in a woman."
She can't help herself, she just has to wipe that arrogant smile off his face. "You look so gay in that women's jacket." It's her turn to snicker.
He stops, looks at her and starts to smirk again.
"I'm starting to get the feeling that you really do want me to kill you. But what's the rush? I like to have my fun."
He comes closer and lowers his voice. "You know, Rosita. A lot of unpleasant things can happen before you die. And in this wonderful new world, even after."
Now she's terrified but tries to hide it. "Your mother would be so proud of you. A murderer and a rapist!" She's almost crying now.
"Tsk tsk, Rosita. You got me all wrong. I never rape women. I marry them."
She shudders. "You are so sick."
Now he's playing with a lock of her hair. "Oh sweet Rosita, I really should make you my wife."
"I'd rather die."
He leans in even closer. "I don't think so", he taunts her.
She's very close to vomiting and refuses to look at him.
She's so tired and seems defeated. Now her head hangs low as she whispers: "Just kill me already."
But he isn't done with her yet.
"I wonder what have I ever done to make you hate me so much?" he teases her.
It takes a while before she answers: "You killed the only man I have ever loved."
"Oh", he smiles as he understands. "I'm so sorry for your loss."
He circles around her again. "Which one was he?"
She looks at him between her tears with all the hate in the world in her eyes, but refuses to say anything.
"Look, I really am sorry, but you guys needed to learn the rules."
"Who do you think you are? God? Who made you the king?"
"Desperate times need desperate measures. I keep my people safe."
"No one is safe anymore", she utters slowly.
"You're so right about that." He lowers himself again to look into her eyes.
With her last ounce of strengt she spits at his face. She can die as a happy woman if the look on his face is the last thing she sees.
Finally he loses his control and punches her unconscious.
For a long time he regards her limp body.
He caresses her hair and whispers: "I think I'm gonna have to make an exception."