The Reaper Knocks

Riccardo drove through the streets of the London suburbs, certain now that he would find Fiona. There had been a note in his pocket, telling him where she lived. It was signed by Fendari. He should have known. Only he could work such miracles. Obviously, the man wanted something in return, but he would know where to find Riccardo whenever he wanted to talk. He pulled into the driveway of the small house, smiling to himself. This was all too easy. He parked the car and got out, looking the place up and down, then walked toward the door.

There was a crash. Fiona awoke with a start, looking around the dark room. She looked around for Hewie, but he was nowhere to be found. She slowly got to her feet, hearing some sounds in the kitchen, where the main entrance opened into. She hoped the noise was just Hewie, accidentaly knocking something over while looking for a midnight snack. But a twisting feeling in her gut told her that was not the case.

"Hewie?" Fiona called from the doorway of her room, waiting to hear the dog bark in response. But a bark never came. Her response came in the form of a sardonic male voice, one she recognized with a surge of terror...

"I have your Hewie. Don't worry... I didn't hurt him. But I might if you try anything, my dear."

Fiona clasped a hand to her mouth. There was no way... this couldn't be happening...

"Please, won't you come out and join me? I'd very much like your company."

She stood, frozen, in the doorway. How was this possible? If that was Riccardo... he was dead! He fell off the water tower, he hit the bridge, she saw it! He had not been breathing... that she was sure of. Still, she could not move. Right when she thought it was all over...

"I'm asking you politely, Fiona. I won't do it again. Come here."

Slowly, more out of fear for Hewie than anything, Fiona started out of her room and down the small hallway. She was shaking badly, her mind boggled with unanswered questions, filled with dark visions of her future. She turned into the dark kitchen... and there he was, Riccardo, just as she remembered him. Cracked face, short hair, hungry eyes... He stared at her, smiling as she entered. He had Hewie beside him, unhurt as he had promised, but muzzled and on a leash. The dog was still growling at him, trying to shake its restraints loose, but to no avail.

"Ah, there you are. I was afraid I'd lost you for a while. I want to see you more closely, my dear. Come to me."

Fiona stood, trembling and shaking her head, a single tear falling down her right cheek. Riccardo simply laughed.

"Come now, Fiona... I'm not that bad, am I? I only have one thing to ask of you! I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to make you unhappy. All I want is you, Fiona."

Fiona opened her eyes, looking at him with a pained expression.

"You don't understand! I don't want to be with you! Please, just leave me alone!"

Riccardo said nothing, just stared into her eyes for a long time, neither of them moving.

"Come to me, Fiona."

Fiona shook her head once more... but despite this, she found herself obeying him. She slowly walked across the kitchen and stood before him, Hewie still growling and occasionally thrashing. She looked at him straight in the eyes, and he looked back, and Fiona knew... he didn't want to hurt her. He never had... but he killed her parents, he ruined her life... that didn't make it right... did it?

He smiled at her, putting his hand on the side of her face. Fiona's eyes closed, and she took a deep, shivering breath. She didn't want him to be here... She just didn't want to fight it anymore. He moved his hand down her body, feeling along her breasts and moving down her thighs. A sound came unbidden from the depths of her throat, and she shuddered, feeling a mixture of grief and shame... and...

Riccardo brushed Fiona's hair out of her face, and brought her face close to his. He kissed her passionately, Fiona doing nothing to prevent it. And after a few moments... she started kissing him back. She had no idea what triggered it, deep inside her, but she reached out and touched the leathery skin on his face, her lips responding to his. After a few moments, he broke it off, realizing he had her where he wanted. Hewie had stopped growling, but whimpered in confusion at the awkward situation. Riccardo slid his hand up her blouse, her warm skin drawing back at his touch, carefully removing it as he brought her down to the couch and Fiona gave herself up to him...

"You are mine, Fiona. I own you..."