Here's another chapter. By the end of the chapter you are all probably going to hate me, but I can live with that. Hope you enjoy why you can. Also the next update probably won't be until May or June.
I was staring at the ceiling. Papers and open textbooks laid beside me, that beautiful dress daunting in the corner. Everything was a bit overwhelming; downstairs final preparations were being made. Bruce had walked in making sure both Dick and I were getting ready in a timely manner. Alfred had been so kind as to offer his assistance in doing my hair.
He mastered a beautiful timeless up do, with elegant curls that fell alongside my neck to expose the skin. As for makeup, he gave me tips on what to use and how to apply it. I was so thankful to have his help. All that was left was for me to put on the dress and walk downstairs.
That was so intimidating.
My new-found friends would be down there laughing and eating the delicious dessert and party foods, while the rest of Gotham's elite danced on the breath-taking marble dance floor under beautiful chandeliers. Nothing in my memory could relate to the beauty of the Wayne ballroom, and I had not even seen all of it! Just a mere glance when we walked by.
Dick had already headed downstairs, along with Jason. Here I was still sitting on my bed, acting like I was the laziest person in the world. Of course, in reality my stomach was flipping like I had the eranian measles which Tamaranians were susceptible too. Anxiety makes you sick too, still I knew I had to do my part. The fundraiser was after all in my honor, which I am so happy about! I just hope I do not make a fool of myself. The last thing I would want is people to see that I am more of an outsider to their world than I already am.
Taking a deep breath of bravery, as I had been doing quite frequently. I got up and stripped myself down into my undergarments. The dress in front of me, while my body reflected in the mirror. It was so strange that I was so confident in my own skin, nudity was nothing to be ashamed of. That was common knowledge of Tamaranians, yet today I felt hallow. Something unsettling rested in my belly, which I could not decide if it was due to nerves or something else entirely. Possibly the big crowds, they made me very nervous as people tended to always look at me differently. I was very different in phenotype and stature. Even so, my body was something I was proud of. I kept it as fit as I could, all the walking to and from school really helped me physically as well as my stamina for long endurance running.
It was silly of me to just stare at the dress, I was already running a bit late. I felt my mind was going in futile circles that all lead me up to the same place. I picked up the lilac dress and allowed it to settle on my skin, the soft purple and blues bringing out colors in my skin that I had not realized were there. I loved how elegant yet flowy the dress was. It did not ooze sex appeal, instead it showed a softness and tenderness. The dress did show a bit of cleavage, nothing that was of major concern. I loved how the few curls Alfred had left after doing my hair, fell on my chest. Mr. Wayne also bestowed a simple necklace of diamonds and a pair of earrings to me for the night. Both worth more than anything I've ever worn combined.
With shaking fingers, I walked out the door and towards the ballroom. Not even half way there, I could hear the music and laughter of the guests. More flies of butter filled my belly, a bit of perspiration on my palm, show cased my nerviness. I hope Richard doesn't hold my hand right away. Of course, the thought of him holding my hand felt warm in my heart.
To enter the ballroom, it seemed I would have to walk down a huge staircase, which looked out the whole room. It felt like one of those moves, where everyone stopped to stare at the girl in the pretty dress. Expect in this reality the only person to stop and stare was Richard, his adorably goofy smile along his face.
He walked up to me looking breath takingly handsome. Those piercing sapphire eyes and thick lashed, the soft pink on his cheeks, how well he looked in a suit left me unable to move. I literally stopped mid stairs and took in all his beauty, such as he did for me.
"Richard, you look absolutely wondrous!" I beamed as he approached.
Taking my hand, he pulled me a bit closer, "your gorgeous," his lips then met my cheek in a bold move for him. He knew the likely hood of a reporter seeing that, yet he did it anyway.
"Dick! Are you not worrisome of the reporters and their rumors!" I gasped while also blushing madly. These emotions were still so new, it felt as if every day they grew stronger and stronger. With every small thing he did, he was closer and my heart beat faster. How do people not suffer from the attacks of the heart with this kind of emotion?
"Let them, I don't think I can help from being away from you."
"You are being the very cheesy this evening Mr. Grayson," I teased.
"Only for you Miss Anders," his lips curving into a cheeky smile, making my eyes roll playfully.
"Shall we join our friends? Are they here yet?" I asked glancing about the room. People of all ages were here, with the exception of smaller children. Students from school were dancing or congregating around each other. Everyone looked so stunning, Jason was with a new girl although he seemed uninterested as all his attention was on Roy. Both boys looked handsome, although I did not go up to them as Roy tended to be a bit too forward.
"We will in just a moment, there are a few people you should meet." Dick lead me towards a group of gentlemen, all around a bit older than Bruce.
"Well hello Dick!" A hardy gentlemen said slapping his hand on Dick's shoulders, "who is this beautiful young lady?"
"Kori Anders, Kori, Mr. Fox. This man helps Bruce run Wayne Enterprises."
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," I bowed my head and both Dick, Mr. Fox, and then Bruce laughed.
"Oh Kori you don't have to bow for Mr. Fox," Mr. Wayne said coming in and doing as his son did by kissing me on the cheek, which caused Dick to get red in the face and me to look shocked. All of which fueled his amusement. "This beautiful young lady is the reason we are having this gala Lucius."
"Ah the young lady from West Gotham High, well I am happy to know that some people make it out of there."
"Yes, it is unfortunate the challenges students face at WGH. The community's economic status and gang pressures, amongst other issues, makes it very difficult for students to find the desire to continue furthering their education. I am hoping that his gala will bring funding for safety measures and better resources for my former students."
"Well-spoken young lady," Mr. Fox said while Bruce looked happy. I was only thankful that I had not said too much, or the wrong thing.
"That's just what we hope to do!" Bruce said then waved as other guests went by.
It was flawless how he acted around the people, so natural and energetic. I knew a lot of it was for show, that the real Bruce would have preferred to be in the gym working out or doing whatever else he does. Yet here he is, keeping up with appearances.
Conversations continued as I met more and more people, my face hurt from all the smiling and laughing at jokes I did not fully understand. Whenever I was uncomfortable with a question Dick always knew what to say. He was a natural at this as well, winning over all of the important business women and men. After every person I said goodbye too, it felt like there was ten more waiting to say hello. How he remembers all the people's names, I do not know, my head was spinning!
Dick soon grew a bit warry of greetings, well actually that happened the second person after Mr. Fox, he felt it was time to go say hi to our friends and be more causal. Everyone was seated at one of the tables, Victor was eating a meat of some sort, Gar looked disgusted and Racheal almost smiled. Everyone else was either trying to get a glass of champagne or dancing amongst the adults.
"Greeting friends!" I was so relieved to see them! Racheal looked stunning in her dark dress, and the boys looked handsome in their suits. I laughed a bit at the dark green tint to Garfield's and the silly purple ruffles.
"Sup little lady," said Victor mouth still full of food.
"How's the people pleasing?" Gar said glancing up from his handheld video game I had not seen before.
"It was nice, although there are so many people. My face hurts from smiling so much!"
"Gar you really shouldn't have that game here," Dick said with slight annoyance.
"Why no one cares?" Garfield said without even looking at Dick.
"This is my father's event, and yes people do mind." Garfield rolled his eyes until he looked at Racheal who gave him a look of warning.
"Right, sorry." He said looking like a kicked puppy, and putting the game away. Both Dick and I sat down then, Dick looking a bit exasperated. I understood, he and Jason had the most pressure on them. It was their fathers fundraising event, no matter that Dick did not care about the publics full opinion of him being a playboy or not, he still needed to look presentable for his family.
Being nervous myself, I did not realize I was so hungry until I took a closer look at everyone's plates. Oh, the food looked so delicious! Victor was eating some ribs with greens, mashed potatoes, fancy bread, some chicken, this other wheat dish, all looking so tempting. Racheal was sipping some iced tea with finger sandwiches, while Garfield had some vegetable looking dish that any meat eater would also enjoy.
"Richard, would you like to get some food?" I asked and looked as if me asking reminded him of his hunger.
He got up and I followed him to the back part of the ballroom, food tables set up like a buffet lined the walls. Waiters stood adding and aiding in anyone who needed assistance. The meat was carved by them, and oh there was so much meat! Lamb, beef, prime rib, turkey, pork the list was endless. I was surprised Victor had not had more meat on his plate, although I imagine that may have not been his first, or even his last plate. As for the array of side dishes I could not even name have the things on the tables! Puff pastries that looked delicious, vegetables, wheat and rice dishes, shrimp and the food called sushi. Mr. Wayne currently knew how to cater to everyone's liking.
"The best part about these parties is all the leftovers," Richard whispered in my ear.
"Oh I can imagine there must be a lot, surely you cannot finish all of it!" I said surprised, the table was at least half a football field long! (I maybe am exaggerating) "Would it not make more sense to give some of the food to shelters of some sort?"
"We do," he said with a quick smile, "Bruce is an orphan, after the party we save some of the food for leftovers, but a lot of it we prepare dishes for orphans in the city."
I smiled, glad that they gave back to the city in such a way, it must cost Bruce so much to pay for all of the food. The more I get to know him the more I realize that he does not care about money too much, at least in the sense of spending. Such as he doesn't care that he's giving away so much money to pay for the ball, and the orphans. Its endearing. Everything about how the media portrays most of the Wayne family is entirely incorrect. Of course, they have their issues, what family does not? Yet, they all bound together and protect those around them and themselves for more than personal gain. If we were in an alternate universe they would be superheroes; I wondered if I would be one too. I should would like to be.
After I debated over what tempting dishes to try, both Richard and I went back to our table. Wally, Bee, Jason, and his date joined us. "Greetings!" I waved to everyone. Jason quirked his lips and looked at me with fondness and then a more heated look. He walked over and took my hand kissing it. I assume this is a tradition that gentlemen have, although I did not get the same feeling from Jason as I would from Richard.
"Kori, you look stunning. You light up the room as if you were a star." I blushed madly at his complement while Richard choked and glared at his brother.
"I only aim to please," he cheeked then grew a softer expression, "once you are done would you care to save a dance for me?" I swear I heard Richard growl.
"Jase if you don't mind, I would really like to dance with Kori first," he then looked to me, "that is if you'd like too."
I was caught a bit off guard and flattered all at the same time, "I would love to dance with both of you! Jason if you do not mind, I would like to dance with Richard first." Richard looked smug while Jason just shrugged.
"Perfectly fine by me, he's your boyfriend." My eyes went wide and I looked around the room embarrassed as we had not even discussed such a thing.
I started blubbering about in Tamaranian and no one knew what I was saying, for a second it may have seemed like I was insulting him, and I quickly corrected myself. "Forgive me, I had not realized I was using Tamaranian, but Richard ah, I um, I don't…" I looked to him for help and he was smiling funny.
"Kori and I are dating," he looked at me for reassurance for this answer, I assume my smile said it all. I was all warm inside. I felt incredibly happy! A happiness I had never felt before, I swear I could fly!
"Oh truly!" I said joyful and giving him a hug, almost forgetting the food I was holding. He skillfully grabbed it and placed it on the table then hugged me back, with a soft peck on the cheek.
"I'd love for you to be my girlfriend." He whispered in my ear and practically melted into this touch. Almost as if I was gooey cheese under the lame that heats things up! This moment was so sweet, all throughout dinner I was blushing madly.
Listening to my friends telling jokes, and looking between Richard and I smiling, it felt so unreal. It is crazy to think being with someone could feel unreal, but it did. No words can explain the elation I got when I looked at him. For the first time in my life I had someone who could be intimate with me in such a beautiful way.
I was scared too.
I had been for so long with my developing feelings. Never before having felt them, coming from such a rough background, it was hard trusting. With Richard, it felt so easy. Almost second nature, falling for him was as easy as learning to swim or ride a bike; it's scary at first but then you never stop.
X'hal. Would I ever stop caring for Richard? Is it too soon to admit what I feel in my heart? My people never were very open about such things as love or caring. The closest word we have for kind is Rutha and that means weak! Partnerships happened, but typically it was for a diplomatic reason or for higher status. Love was more of an afterthought. To even think about what having a boyfriend, or just caring for someone so much was rare in my culture.
Yes, growing up and moving to the States thought me plenty about relationships, my parents loved each other and my mother did love my step-father, no matter how blind she was to his tendencies. It happened, I just never ever thought it would happen to me. And, to have that person be Richard just made it even more special. I saw so much light in him, I knew he had his own demons. I had mine. Being around him though, I felt magical things out of fairy tales and those sappy click of flicks that boys pretend to not like. The fact it was happening to me was unbelievable, and as his fingers slipped into mine under the table. That feeling of it being a dream grew.
"YO GRASS STAIN KNOCK IT OFF!" Victor yelled pulling me out of my daze. The two boys were arguing over something they had in their hands. For a split second, I envisioned my brother and sister arguing over a toy.
"Guy's act your age." Bee hissed irritated, which caused Victor to flush of embarrassment as his ex seemed annoyed with him.
"I'm sorry Karen, but BB is trying to take my game."
"Why do you even have it, we are at a ball for god's sake!" She said exasperated. Wally began laughing, "oh what's so funny?" she said with attitude.
"Shouldn't you be bossing around Harold now?" Wally of course thought this was hilarious but no one else did.
"Girlfriends do not 'boss' around their boyfriend's Wally. But there is nothing wrong with pointing out something not socially acceptable for this kind of affair." I tried saying the kindest way I could. I do not think it was right of him to just assume girlfriend's boss around their boyfriends, or to call Bee bossy when she was simply annoyed at the childish antics.
"Thank you, Kori." Bee said returning to whispering with Harold about something, everyone else resumed conversation with one another except Garfield who was trying to apologize to a quite Victor. I felt for the boys, but I knew that they needed to resolve this issue on their own.
People had begun dancing on the dance floor, or standing off to the sides to chat. You could tell there was definitely a group of people who knew what they were doing. Couples were doing things called tangos and salsa's or things that had to do with food. No dirty dancing was happening tonight, of that I was grateful even though I already knew it would not occur at such a function.
I turned to Dick, "would you care to dance Dick?" He smiled and then took my hand, we both walked out onto the dance floor, but before we could start dancing Bruce came up to Dick.
"Pardon me, but Dick Commissioner Gordon is here and would like to speak with you." Dick sighed heavily then nodded.
"Why don't you dance with Jason," he then pulled me into his side, "just don't let him steal you away from me," he whispered teasing.
"I would never." I watched him go longingly and turned to walk towards Jason, it was as if he knew what had occurred so he excused himself from his date and walked over to me.
"Little dickie get cold feet?" I swatted at him.
"No, your father wants him to say hello to friends."
"I know, I know." He laughed and took my hand and we began to dance. It was a simple dance, as it seemed neither of us truly knew what we were doing. So, we both laughed at the numerous times we stepped on each other's toes and lead each other the wrong way.
"Who is your date this evening, what happened to your other girl, what was her name?"
"Morgan, and she and I are not super serious. My date tonight is Dianna, she's one of Bruce's rich buddie's daughters. Very, very good kisser." His cheekiness returned.
I rolled my eyes, "do you think of anything other than sex?" he spun me out and then spun me back in.
"Yes, but I enjoy sex. I think there's nothing wrong with that. I know that most people would call me reckless, but I'm just a kid in a candy shop having fun."
I debated that for a moment before answering, "that is true. As long as no one's feelings get hurt."
"Oh I mean I've broken a few girls hearts, but I've never cheated. I just was never really serious about any of them." We danced a bit faster as the music changed.
"Has no one ever caught your eye?" I said spinning him while he laughed and wiggled his butt in the process.
"I mean yeah sure, a few, but nothing special. It's not like with you and Dick. I've never seen him this happy before." My heart warmed at that fact.
"No one has ever made me feel like he does Jason. It feels almost unreal." Jason laughed loudly.
"That's love sweetheart."
My heart quickened at that possibility, of course I knew that was true to some degree. It just felt so soon. "It is too soon to tell if that is true," I paused, "but I feel I am very capable of being in love with him." Jason smirked, his eye's catching something or someone in the distance.
"I think you already have." He then stopped our dancing and kissed me hand, "thank you for this dance. I'll leave you to lover boy." I gave him an irritated look although I was not irritated at all. I hope he knew it was in a friendly way.
Turning to see those around me dancing, Richard was walking my way. He looked so breath taking. "How was his dance moves?" He teased taking my hand.
"Truly neither of us really knew what we were doing." I giggled.
"Well I hope I can do a lot better than that." He placed his one hand on my shoulder, the other on my waist and pulled me in closer to him. Electricity filled any space that was between us, my breathing became quicker. His breath fanned my face as he leaned in to rest his head beside mine. We swayed to a rhythm that did not match the pace of the music. It was slow and steady, just feeling the closeness of each other and how our bodies moved to the music.
Kissing him would have been too perfect at that moment, then I truly would believe I was dreaming. His skin was so warm against mine, his words were sweet as he whispered that I was beautiful.
Emotion overwhelmed me and I met his lips with mine. So soft and warm, his breath tasting so sweet. The crowd melted away and it was just me and him. We stopped dancing and just kissed each other slowly, it was not a kiss we have had before. It was not as slow as the first one, nor as fast or as heated as the one at the party. It was confidence and caring, love.
He pulled away slightly, resting his forehead on my own. "I believe people are staring."
I grew self-conscious and looked around flushed from both the kiss and the stares.
"I don't care though," he said with a chuckle and a kiss to my cheek.
"You do not?" I said looking at him with a raised brow.
"Of course not, your my girlfriend and I'm so luckiest guy in the room tonight." He then chuckled, "I know that sounds so clique but that's honestly how this feels."
My smile could not get any brighter or wider, "I feel the same way."
"Although—we're probably going to have a few photos of us in the paper now." Richard said laughing.
"Oh no!" I said laughing and looking about the room and then I froze.
A man was standing next to Bruce who looked very familiar, where I saw him though I could not place. His hair was ashy silver and black, he had a scare near his eye. Him and Bruce seemed like old friends, yet Bruce made everyone seem that way. There was a man standing next to him that also seemed familiar, but he was blocked off from view until the people moved.
My heart dropped as his eyes met mine.
I began walking away slowly, caught between disbelief and panic.
"Kori what's wrong?" Richard asked looking in the direction of his father, and not understanding. But I could not hear him, I could not speak. My voice was inaudible, my mouth unable to form any kind of coherent words or sounds.
"Seriously what's wrong?" Dick's voice grew of concern quickly at my unresponsiveness, and I glanced at his worried eyes before looking back at the other ones. When I looked, they had gone and I began moving away faster, getting away from the crowd and the reality of what might be.
At first I, did not know where to run to, until I ran into the library, my heart beating rapidly out of my chest. My lungs were barely receiving oxygen, knees so weak I fell to the ground trying to comprehend what just occurred. Begging my mind to make sense of his face, trying to tell myself it was not real.
But it was very real.
Slade Wilson was there, my step-father standing right beside him. Smiling and laughing with Bruce Wayne. Barbara Gordon and Jason exchanging polite pleasantries while I stood paralyzed. That is, until my step-father locked eyes with me and gave me a wicked smile.
I bolted. Running to the only place I knew was closed off from the public. Here, in the library. Somehow being surrounded by books was comforting, everything was still.
Except for tonight with my struggled breathing and the eerie setting. It was dark, the wind tapped the glass, laughter could be heard from the ball room. My broken breathing. It made this once calming place send shivers up my spin and the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
X'hal what was he doing here. How did he get here. A man like him, despicable and abusive, end up in the Wayne Manor? Talking about pastries and fine wines displayed!
It had to be a dream turn into a nightmare, I would wake up in a few minutes. Dicks arms would be around me and everything would be okay again. Everything would be ok.
The sunken feeling in my belly told me to not be so foolish. Everything was not okay, and I feared it would not be okay for a long time. Desperation overwhelmed, again my heart beat out of control. Especially as the library door swung open.
Terrified I hide in between the shelves, knowing full well that if this person moved any further they'd see me.
"Kori, are you in here?"
My heart sang in relief as Richards sweet voice filled the room. I jumped up and ran to him. He fell back slightly but regained his balance.
"What's wrong Kori?" His voice filled with confusion and concern. I only shook my head, allowing myself to be comforted by him. His scent, his strength, his warmth. It didn't matter the buttons of his jacket pinched my cheek, I was safe.
"Seriously your freaking me out." He said forcing me to look at him by pushing my shoulders back.
"Oh Richard," I almost cried, " he is here, my step-father...he is here."
He grew stoic and dark, lip curling in anger. "Where, where did you see him."
"Right here lovelies." I yelped and my heart sank as his venomous voice filled the room, that hint of laughter not leaving.
Dick spun around, his arm squashing me against his side protectively, "how did you get here, who invited you!" His voice was like burning acid, I would have shivered from it, if I wasn't already.
"Oh, your father of course! Bruce Wayne multibillionaire. Gotta' wonder where he gets it from, whose he dealing with."
"He'd never work with the likes of you." Dick spat.
"Dear boy, your father works with a dear friend of mine not me. At least that he knows." His cackle filled the room, echoing off the empty wall's, causing Dick to shudder and hold me tighter.
"Leave now, never come back. And you can best believe My father will have nothing more to do with you."
My step-father just laughed some more, turned towards the door as if to leave and then spun around pulling a shot gun from his hand. I fell, shoving Dick down with me and forcing him to hide behind the shelves.
"Stay down." I whispered even though it didn't matter.
"Kori, we need to get out of here, don't you dare do anything stupid! "
I gulped, not knowing anything that was happening or what I was going to do. I knew that any of the things that did pass through my brain would be what he'd consider stupid. I couldn't let Dick get shot though, I just couldn't.
"Is my baby girl scared? Oh, you haven't been scared in such a long time." He said deliberately walking slowly, "you know, if you just come with me I won't harm your precious boyfriend. He can go live in his mansion and forget all about you."
Dick grabbed my arm "don't you dare" I shot him a panicked look. What was I daring?
"Common, do you really want me to use this?" He said taking off the safety.
Dick crouched even lower, "please don't do anything, someone is bound to come in."
"Tisk tisk tisk you know boy wonder I can hear everything your saying. I know my Kori, she would do anything not to have another person be hurt. Except her daddy," he sighed dramatically, footsteps coming closure.
I was shaking, terrified and torn. No clear comprehension of how to calm Richard or get my step-father to put away the gun. I knew he was insane but not this mad!
"If someone walks in I'm shooting them dead, might cause a problem at the party..." He laughed out again, the sound paining my ears, "but you wouldn't have that, now would you? Let an innocent die!" He then jumped to where we were and I fell back onto Dick, his body shoved against the book shelf as I tried to protect him.
"Oh, how cute your both so scared," he pointed the gun at my head, "now stand up or I'm shooting you dead." His tone completely serious.
I gulped, my pulse racing against my temple, head ringing.
"Well, since you probably find that perfectly fine I might as well just shoot him." My step-father than lowered his gun and pointed to Dicks side. I reached too quickly jumping and pushing my step-father away, not lucky enough to miss his shot.
Burning flesh and tearing of muscle and skin, unbelievable pain filled my left arm as I fell in the ground. Dick yelling out no, bolting to get up but not quick enough and being pushed back by a bullet to the shoulder. No noise could be heard from his gun and I shrieked jumping in toward him praying he would okay.
"Richard no!" I said ignoring the pain in my forearm. But big fingers grabbed my hair and pulled me back.
"Don't you fucking dare cunt, you're coming with me or he gets it in the head." I looked up to this evil sadistic man, eyeliner running down my face pleading him to have mercy on us. Knowing the only way to insure Dick's safety was to comply.
"Please leave him alone." I begged and then he pulled my hair and hit my head against the shelf. In a fluid movement, he had me pinned to the ground, my head spinning and Richard was coming toward us until I felt the cold metal pressed to my temple.
"If you don't want your girlfriend's brains all over the floor I advise you to step away."
He stood still, true fear in his eyes but a confidence in himself, as if he was not scared of the gun anymore. "Please let her go, please, what do you want. I can get it! Anything honesty!" Dick pleaded.
Jack burst out laughing "you think I want your money! I want my daughter," he then shoved me down further, his had slapping my face. "No matter how much of a whore she is. She's mine."
Dicks whole body was tense with anger, his shoulder bleeding and I was terrified I'd lose him. "Father please let him go, please I'll go with you."
"And do what?"
"Please I'll cook and clean and I won't leave again. Just please leave him alone." My words were barely audible as I chocked on my tears.
"Very well." He then looked over to Dick and shot him, I screamed but they were quelled by a chlorophyll cloth, the last thing I saw was Richards body on the ground. And the filling of my heart ripped out of me.
_
Dark. Cold. Wet.
Metal clanging against metal.
Shoes tapping against a wet surface.
Blood dripping down from my arm, vision hazy, brain sluggish as I woke from my drug induced sleep.
Those big hands ripping my hair again and forcing my head up.
"You think I'd let you go that easily Kori? You're my daughter. " Jack breathed on my neck, before bursting into hysterical laughter and walking out of the room.
I did not even have the strength to scream. My wrists stung from the metal cuffs digging into them, blood dropped down my arms and onto the floor.
'This wasn't happening, this was only a dream.' I chanted like person on the mental brink of insanity. My heart pinched like nothing before as I prayed Dick was alive. The possibility of him not being the worst kind of torture.
His laughter still echoed in my ears, the familiar smell of the pizza parlor mixed with the heavy stench of bleach pinched my nose and I knew I was in my old room. So predictable to trap me in a place I knew too well.
Walls that constricted me, as one of his men turned on the light I screamed at the horror before me. My old room was blood red. Death spilled below me as bodies lay crippled on the floor. Their guts spilling from their bellies, making the ground a blood covered tile.
I was petrified, shivering in my shackles. Disbelief as I tried to make sense of the scene before me. Tried to pray those bodies where fake.
But there was none to be found, and that bone curtailing laughter filled the room.
"So, you think you can get away now don't you my little Star." His face was dirty with sweat and a pale paste, making him look white. In his long fingers he twirled around a pocket knife. "Tell me Kori did you really believe it be that simple to leave me?"
Gulping I took a deep breath, if I was to ever get out of here alive I had to stay strong, with whatever strength I could muster. Thinking of my mother, my brother and sister. Of my new friends and Richard, oh X'hal please let Richard be alive. I thought of the new family I was leaving behind if I didn't make it out of here. Galfore, a heart broken into too many parts. If I could not be strong for me, I would be strong for them I must.
"No answer? Poor thing." He laughed, "since your back... It's time to catch up for lost father and daughter bonding!" He clapped, "times for some fun!" He lunged at me, his hysterical laughter mingling with my feudal cry of "no!"