Chapter 11:

Clincher

That was the final straw; by the time we reached our element he open his lips to speak with a nonchalant cool façade, I cut him off in the most polite but blunt manner. If Pissed and Insanity met, the combination would spawn my very state of mind. However, this being a crucial position, I must maintain my wits. "Eddie. Stop. Right now. And I mean that." My sentence halted everything, the music even impressed actions to stop and Eddie the Master of Disguise or so he thought, now the face of concerned repulsion. "Seriously. I need to say something. And don't take the shit I say personal because you tend to…" I stopped. "You just need to hear me out. If I'm to be committed as your wife, at least work this out. God, it's technically honeymoon." I hoped my words found him with good intentions, regardless of how I felt. Now wasn't the time to attack. Although he might've considered it personal, his rock solid front disappearing behind an understanding gesture in another hand. This time I refused.

"NO." I'm not sure from where such defiance bellowed but obviously it was rash. And instead of giving him another opportunity, the incessant speech ensued. "I did not accept your hand in marriage to be discarded especially at a moment where we formally –."

Eddie sized his potential victim as she spoke. How, he pondered, how could he explain to her the truth behind his intent; that the ultimate goal in completing the fantasy of exterminating yet another woman, the perfect wife only to be made into Eddie's personal mannequin to be treasured forever. With thanks to the Engine, the man's delusions had reached greater heights accompanied by the plagued memory of his past which ultimately influenced his perceptions of romance. Love hurt, plain and simple and Eddie knew no other philosophy. At forty-six years of age, he was the master of courting and seducing a woman. But when it got to brass tacks, intimacy was out of the question as his only experiences in intimacy began at a young age and at the hands of people closest to him, while his mother accepted the situation.

Of course, when he reached the age of puberty, where hormones are brand new to the system and his body was now subjected to physical attraction, preferences developed as Eddie gave in to the temptations of skin. Eventually, he matured into the charming personality before Chloe; however, this act quickly dissipated in the interest of avoiding all sexual conduct.

"I mean, what the fuck Eddie?!" I concluded, snatching the beautiful veil Eddie fashioned from my head in complete exasperation. Eddie scowled. "A lady shouldn't speak with such vile vocabulary." I stood silent. In that moment, his music swelled invitingly and Eddie strolled casually to his mate taking the veil from her hands gently, sweeping it over her head and adjusting accordingly. "Now." He cleared his throat and took ahold of my hands as he walked blindly to a room, a long white curtain hanging. I figured for it was part of his decorations and obliged him, looking out for objects behind. "We should have our first dance. Right?" He enthused with a toothy grin that would make the Cheshire cat blush. I found it off-putting yet admirable. The very tune he'd hum time and time again now played as lively as ever as Eddie whisked me around in cold darkness. I felt trapped and alive at the same time, indulging in the mold of this lunatic of a man in my arms. How much longer would I would have to wait?

"You have nice taste in music." I beamed during a slow left step, glancing up in an attempt to read his mind only to be met with the same mesmerized expression.

"I have a few favorites myself."

"Oh? Like?"

"Billie Holiday."

"Mm. Billie, huh? Good choice."

Eddie's breath grazed my neck as he leaned in bringing our bodies together and twisting them to dip momentarily. Again, our eyes met. "Eddie, kiss me." In one fell swoop, his hand found my modest neck and my bruised back found the wall as I looked down at my husband pro tem literally at a loss for words. At my efforts to get down, his grip tightened. "I can't! STOP ASKING ME." He pleaded through his teeth, his bloodshot eyes glowing in obscurity, unblinking as he looked into mine clenched in tears. With my oxygen depleted, my consciousness waned as my lower half searched for a weak point and in reflex, my leg jerked kicking him in the most sensitive area. An anguished grunt bellowed and at that, I dropped to the floor in a coughing fit gasping for air. This would buy me time. Fighting back tears of pain on all fours, I crawled but not quickly enough. "BITCH." I heard the spat behind me and I knew he was on pursuit. My suspicions confirmed as a heavy black boot met the small of my back, once again falling to the floor as kicks persevered.

This is it.

In the course of my beating, I passed out only to awake in the room with the bed tied at the wrists with double twist rope. The cool air passed over my body, goose bumps rising in fear and in response to the draft, the fresh discomforts in my back stung. Not only the room but the hallways were now dark, no music played and there was no stir to alert if I were truly alone. Suddenly in the dense blackness, footsteps approached and my lungs immediately collapsed. This was really it; here lying against my will, finally caught and outplayed.

Eddie's head illuminated by a candle fashioned out of hay poked in the doorway and apparently satisfied with the sight, he proceeded into the room taking a seat on the mattress beside my thigh.

"I'm sorry darling."

At my most vulnerable, I bared all. "You know. I never thought I'd get married. And here I am in a domestic situation." I half-heartedly joked. Eddie wasn't amused and again, I had to remind the wiseass personality to keep quiet. "Okay. I honestly need to know, Eddie. What the fuck is the problem with kissing? Or anything sensual for that matter?"

For once, he looked confused, helpless for an answer and almost child-like as his lower lip quivered under the pressure of keeping his lips pressed tightly together. As if he intended to keep shut and now I understood how my therapists felt. I became frustrated but I kept talking; it's what I'm good at and perceiving this as my last opportunity to speak, I took advantage. Maybe I could even convince him to lose these ropes.

"I never spoke to the therapists here. Nothing against them but I wasn't willing to submit anything they could use against me in that machine. They tried really hard to get in your mind, didn't they?" I didn't provide allotted time for him to reply. "Those assholes tried but no one could understand." I sensed my last statement struck a nerve as he adjusted his position, dropping the hay to the floor and stomping on it. My eyes followed the flame as it extinguished under his foot before trailing back to the dark shape of his face.

"No. That's an understatement."

"I believe you.

"No, you don't. Not yet."

A warm touch loitered my legs up to my thighs, his fingers digging into my loin. Naturally I leapt from the mattress and Eddie jumped in reflex, instantly composing himself on top of me. How cute, I thought, he insinuated I intended to break free from hostage, though he'd find the contrary – the ropes only added to my excitement.

I purred in gratification slightly amused by such a concerned madman. This only confused him more.

"You whore. YOU LIKE THIS?" His nail dug deeper, even going so far as to actually drag down my leg.

That's definitely going to scar.

Eddie wanted to play hardball. I would play hardball. I changed the pitch of my idea.

"Eddie, dear. Is that how you talk to your newly wedded wife, whom you've tied to a bed against her will although she has no true intention of leaving your side?"

He said nothing. I continued.

"Now I said 'I do' and I meant that. I never thought I'd do this. I never thought I possessed the capacity to care for another person let alone marry another. So please consider this as an open ear. I'm trying with all my might to know – not understand, only appreciate you darling. I'm not all there myself."
The nails eased out of my skin – a sign of a job well done. So far.

"Darling." He raised a hand caressing my cheek. "You're definitely not like other women." Eddie admitted it: most women at this point cried and pleaded for their lives. It's what gave him the most satisfaction of it all. The memories of him as a child, crying out for his mother as his father and uncle took full advantage of his adolescence – the very fiber of his hatred was the motivation behind his crimes. He wanted everyone to suffer, to exact the same deadly fate onto everyone and finally, he had his dear Chloe in his hands. But she didn't scream and she certainly didn't appear as terrified as the previous victims, including the men left hanging in the gym. She'd even embraced the role as his wife and then he wondered if she deduced Eddie as the mastermind behind the slaughter. The idea of teasing her about it stirred elation and a quick change in plan.

"You got a bit out of hand earlier."

"Well, you tell me how I should react when I actually attempt to give a shit and I'm knocked down."

Another frown.

"I can't imagine what you've actually gone through but I can imagine, like me, you have never encountered someone relatable."
The frown moved to neutral. "These Murkoff bastards aren't the only one to inflict unwanted advances and that's all I'll say."
I nodded; the answer was satisfactory and I decided to inquire about it never again.

"So. What is the problem? Kissing?"

"Well, I'm not pressing it further. You said…"

"Chloe. I know what I said. The problem – we didn't kiss after exchange of vow." A slight impediment in his speech emerged and pity befell me. Fucking Murkoff. However, I was amazed. The man appeared sane and insane all at once. I bet it was hell in his mind.
"I know."
Still straddling, he motioned for me lie to down; I obliged him again watching curiously perplexed as he leaned over undoing the left knot of rope. I thought the right hand would follow suit but obviously Eddie was careful. Swinging his left leg over, he took my hand and gently pulled me up. To make it a bit more comfortable, I pulled my legs to hang off the mattress and Eddie assumed a spot next to me with my hand still in his. Now husband and wife sat side by side and I pictured us a normal couple.

"Do you still stand by your vow as Mrs. Gluskin?"

"I do." A ring in his between the first two fingers on his left now shined in the dark. My eyes ballooned and outside thunder clapped. Though I felt my spirit literally leap out of my skin, I kept composure as Eddie slipped the small diamond onto a dainty bloody ring finger and gratefully, I beamed as I fixed my gaze between Eddie and the jewelry. Though small, it was indeed impressive that he'd even acquire it. Likely the souvenir of a previous victim but pragmatism isn't exactly an advantage.

"It's beautiful, Eddie."

The next glance up, our lips met and I was immediately drawn into the act. We kept it simple, no tongue and nothing passionate – my own personal intention to prevent another outburst, I assumed all control to Eddie. The kiss broke off, noses touching as I silently tried to read my foe.

"You taste as good as you look, darling."

His words made me tingle and grinning against his lips, vibrations uttered as his name defiantly. "Eddie…" Our lips met again as he guided my body back to the mattress in coincidental timing as the ensuing storm outside picked up. It was the first night all over, as if nothing occurred in between. The ambiance, the intensity of the murky walls, even the instability was a great addition to our pseudo-honeymoon. Tying my arms back in their rightful place, Eddie trailed small kisses down my left limb as his weight shifted comfortably on top of me.

"Darling…"

That damned voice.

"Yes?"

"I have to apologize for the state of our home…I tried to prepare."

"Baby. It's more than I could ask for." I offered encouragingly, settling nicely into my bondage baiting the test of a pet name for him. He didn't seem to mind; he continued.

"As for the mess in the gym…" I turned stone beneath him but I remembered – I have to play it cool.

"Have you seen the rest of the grounds? It's not exactly shocking."

"Well from the look of things, you've been busy yourself."

I smirked refusing to break eye contact at the mention. "I was provoked."

Eddie returned my smirk, nuzzling his face into the neck breathing in a mixture of sweat and a fragrance he couldn't identify. "See how the ropes come in handy?"

"Yeah but what if someone came in here now?"

"You said you saw the gym."

I knew it. "Indeed I did. Very nice work if I do say so myself." I tried my best to soften the sarcasm

Eddie's hands moved down the waistline of my dress, poising himself on his knees and I felt the fabric slowly rising exposing bare thighs. Thankfully, he stopped there, taking his time in the smooth texture of each thigh. It was becoming difficult to resist and I began to sexually peak, my thighs trembling under contact. There was no way Eddie could be unaware of the sensation he was causing.

"I hope this is a promise that could lose myself without worry."

"I wouldn't go that far, darling."

My right eyebrow rose at the challenge. "And what does that mean, baby?"

"It means…" He groaned as he swung his entire body off the bed in one motion and casually strolled towards out the door, without more of a hint of where he was going with this. For me, it was a simple question – were we going all the way?

A minute later he returned with my machete in his hand. My hands instinctively reached but bounded, the effort proved pointless. "I earned it fairly."

"And apparently put it to some use."

Mischief roused in his approach as he played with the knife in his gloved hands. "You seem to have this idea I'm unfamiliar with intimacy. What you're going to find out is in fact the exact opposite." At this he placed the knife on a nearby desk, his fingers danced with buttons of his vest and shirt until both items found a place on the floor and he now stood next to me, the knife directly behind him out of my sight.

"Undo them."

I attempted to monitor his hands as my right hand fumbled around his slacks, coming across the button on his slacks and purposely grazing his package in the process. Being naturally right handed, undoing the button and zipper was no feat and I'm certain he was pleased. Once the slacks came off, Eddie walked to the foot of the bed and like a magician, the illusion of my knife appeared in his hand. I fucked up again.

"Darling. I want you to have my baby."

Baby?!

"I want to raise a family, to leave behind a legacy of the highest name. Something a Gluskin should treasured. Not the foolish and untrue nature of our name. I will not tolerate such nonsense."

Now he lost me. Everyone in Mount Massive seemed to have baby fever; did the ME nurture the primitive instinct to sow ones' seed?! And his legacy must be another delusion.

"Have my baby, Chloe." That impediment showing again. I'd become fond of it in the short time I wanted to know him.

"Eddie. We haven't even gone that far yet. Do you really want to decide on children?"

"You're right. I have a better plan."

His entire body aligned alongside mine on the bedframe meant for one, the knife dangling above my abdomen. "Those bodies in the gym, darling. Let me tell you…how imperfect they were. But I know you will not fail me."
"I…Eddie, what are you talking about?" I could fake it no longer and in a whisper, I demanded to know. "What did you do to those men?"

"All of my life darling, I've been looking for my woman. I knew she'd be out here. And in a lost sense of hope, I resorted to these men to fulfill my hunger." His voice grew with intense heaves of breath accompanied by mum snarls. I hung onto every word. It was as if he felt my pain – that fucked up realization that is who you are and you must accept it. Unfortunately, Eddie fell into the wrong hands and his pain was manipulated by impudent assholes. I needed this man to take me. If anyone deserved an act of tender loving care, it was this man. This man who'd probably never experienced an act of love in his life. His explanation continued.

"I even went so far as to study the male anatomy. But alas I had to realize in the end they are men, therefore, I'm unfulfilled. Women before…they were all…filthy ungrateful whores. But you…you're what I've been looking for all along. I knew that the moment we met. There's no other reason you'd be here."

Ha, funny how that's a common thought lately.

"Now that you have a ring, I believe that makes us officially married. And I intend to see this to the end."

I wonder when that will be.

"I'm going to eventually join those men, aren't I?"

"Oh no darling. I trust you'll be more beautiful than ever."

"Now we're talking.

Lightning flashed through the window followed by thunder and the sound of rain picking up outside.

"Eddie, I'm not afraid because I knew from the beginning. We're alike, remember?"

I sat up, my arms tied at the sides like the girl in the Exorcist, adjusting myself against the bed's railing behind me as my head comfortably found the wall. "Just don't let our marriage go incomplete." This was my last request, a death wish if he preferred it that way but I had every intention of leaving Mount Massive alive. Eddie's hand slid under my dress to my undefined belly; I thanked the heavens there wasn't a knife as he rubbed it carefully. "No, no. Quite the opposite, darling." Eddie propped himself up onto one knee, a familiar motion that I noted as his signature pose, untying the knots in my ropes much to my chagrin. I'd never done bondage but I wouldn't debate.

"Thank you for untying me."

"Indeed. I wanted the pleasure of holding you down myself."

Author's note:
sooooo sorrysorrysorrysorry. a lot going on during this last month of my lease. i got into a car accident, no one was hurt thankfully but my car is another story :/ so i've been working unbelieveably to get everything sorted out. and this is about as much as I've managed in the last two weeks. I DO PROMISE to have the rest of their encounter up by Friday. I'll be attending EVO in Las Vegas so i'm hoping to score some cash to lessen the stress. anyone else going btw? :)

please enjoy. leave reviews. and please don't hesistate to PM me and tell me to get off my ass and update the story. i could use the kick.