Gomez's arm was wrapped tightly around Morticia's shoulders as they sat in the back of Gomez's 1932 Packard Twin Six.
"Remember Lurch, cut the lights before you go down the drive way."
The butler grunted in reply. Gomez squeezed Morticia tighter against him, the fear of losing her once again getting stronger with each mile they travelled.
"Are you sure about this querida?"
Morticia caressed his face, trying to offer some reassurance.
"Darling, I will only be a minute. I left my suitcase and Cleopatra in the front closet, its's right by the front door. Besides, Balthazar may not even be home."
"And if he is?"
"He will be upstairs, he won't hear me."
Gomez was not convinced.
"Tish, let's just go to the airport. We'll buy you anything you need when we land in Paris."
"And leave Cleopatra!? Gomez, I couldn't."
He sighed and nodded.
"Maybe I should go in with you, Tish. Just to be safe."
"Darling, there is no need. Balthazar isn't suspicious, we have no reason to worry."
Gomez wanted to keep trying to persuade her, but Lurch shut off the headlights drawing all of Gomez's attention to the fact that they had arrived at Balthazar's house.
"Don't go all the way up to the door, Lurch. Stop right up there, by that tree."
"Yes, Mrs. Addams."
"Thank you, Lurch."
As the car stopped, Gomez's heart went into overdrive. His grip on Morticia was crushing, his fingers leaving bright red spots beneath the fabric of her sleeve.
"Darling" Morticia purred. "The sooner you let me go, the sooner I'll be back."
Her statement made him realize that his hold on her was delaying their departure. He couldn't resist one last attempt to sway her.
"Cara Mia," he whispered into her ear. "If I don't let go, I don't have to wait for you to come back."
She smiled seductively, and for a moment he believed he had won. Almost as quickly as her pupils had darkened, they narrowed and she pulled away. As she got out of the car, he grabbed her hand.
"Morticia," his eyes were full of worry as he clutched at her delicate fingers. "Be careful, darling."
"I will, Mon Cher."
With that, she made her way to the house. Gomez watched unwavering until she disappeared through the front door.
The house was dark, it seemed like all its life had moved to the upper floors, leaving Morticia alone in the foyer. She went straight to the closet, being as quiet as possible. Just as her fingers slipped through the handles of her bags, she was pulled back with such force that she fell on to the floor. The way she landed knocked the air from her lungs. Tears filled her eyes as she tried desperately to gasp for, her mouth opening but receiving no sustenance. The depravation created within her own body caused panic, the need to breathe monopolizing her thoughts. She wasn't even able to process what had happened until she felt the burning sensation overtaking her body quenched by the rush of air that possessed her pleading organs.
"You little whore." Balthazar's voice was gravelly and low. Morticia was still fighting to regain control of herself, gasping greedily then being forced to cough out the excess air she inhaled. Before she could respond, he grabbed her arm and yanked her to her feet.
"Who is he?" he growled at her. Her voice was frozen, her throat swollen from the sudden lack of oxygen. Balthazar had no patience, he pushed her against the wall, his grasp on her arm tightening.
"Who is he!?" he shouted, shaking her. Morticia said nothing. Fingers clasped around her porcelain neck.
"You are nothing. How dare you make a cuckhold of me!? I could snap your neck right now and it would be my right!" He tightened his hold, Morticia could feel the building pressure coloring her face. She stared at him through the darkness, seeing the rage burning within his eyes. Using his hold on her neck, he pulled her towards him then slammed her against the wall. What little air she had stored in her ribs was lost as her back hit the hard surface. He repeated the action two more times, crushing her larynx more with each pull. Then he threw her back to the ground.
"I read your filthy letter. I know that you've been making a fool of me with some other man."
He grabbed a fistful of her ebony hair, and yanked her head back. Morticia's hot, red cheeks were given brief relief as her tears created streaks down the burning flesh.
"You're my wife, Morticia. Mine!"
Again, he threw her down enjoying the sound her torso made as it smacked against the floor. Morticia sat up, clutching at ribs as she hyperventilated. Her hand traveled to her abdomen, fingers spreading over the flesh protectively. Balthazar's attention honed in on her subtle action, a new fury ignited by the sight. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her across the hall until she hit the base of the stairs. She could feel the strain on her shoulders as he hauled her up the steps. At last, Morticia found her voice.
"Balthazar, Stop! Please!"
Surprisingly, he did. Morticia felt a wave of relief that was abruptly cut short when he grabbed the collar of her dress and pulled her to her feet. He finally noticed her clothes, realizing she was not in the same dress she left in. In fact, he had never seen her in that outfit before. The idea that Morticia had to change clothes infuriated him because it meant that her originals had been soiled. In that moment, she was reminded of how strong he was. He lifted her in the air, her feet arching to find stability in the steps below.
"I should throw you over the bannister, and let the fall break your skull."
Morticia's hands were clasped around his wrists, her nails digging into his flesh.
"Please, Balthazar."
"It's his, isn't it?"
The question caught her off guard, he shook her to get a response.
"Isn't it!? He screamed at her. By not saying anything, she gave him all the answer he needed. With brutal force, he tossed her up the stairs, underestimating how far they were from the top. Her arms stretched to grab the floor while her body landed on the sharp edges of the steps. Once again, she found herself deprived of air. Balthazar climbed up taking two steps at a time then grabbed Morticia's hair and dragged her up to the floor.
The first blow rippled throughout her body making her curl into herself trying to protect the area of trauma. He was kicking her in the stomach repeatedly, building upon her pain as she tried desperately to catch a breath. No sound could escape her lips as the shock stole everything from her silently screaming mouth. Her arms were wrapped around her middle, trying to protect herself from the endless attacks. Balthazar didn't stop, hitting whatever part of her was in the way of his foot. With an angry scream, he delivered one powerful kick that sent Morticia tumbling halfway down the stairs.
When her momentum stopped, her lungs finally filled releasing the pressure behind her vocal folds and creating a blood curdling scream. The sound echoed throughout the house, bouncing between each dark wall.
"Shut up!"
Balthazar pulled her up to the second floor and pinned her between the wall and his body. Morticia's voice was turning hoarse. Balthazar clamped one hand around her throat ceasing her agonizing cry, as his other hand lifted the skirt of her dress.
"I'm going to expel this monster from your womb."
His hand had travelled to her inner thigh, her legs pressed together as she frantically swiped at him trying to keep him away.
"You want to be a whore, then I'll treat you like the whore you are. "
"Unhand her!" Gomez's voice commanded. Balthazar didn't move.
"Go away, Gomez. This doesn't concern you. My wife and I were just about to have a little discussion."
As Balthazar said that, he pressed himself against Morticia, and Gomez saw nothing but red. Gomez leapt up the stairs, tackling Balthazar and throwing off his balance. All three of them landed on the floor, Morticia brought down by Balthazar's firm grasp. As the two men wrestled, her throat was released from its strangulating hold.
The men were at each other's throats trying to overpower one another. Morticia stood against the wall, anxiously trying to overcome her pain and help her beloved. After a few deep breaths, her pain did not dissipate, forcing her to move through the agony as she lunged forward. Her fingers found Balthazar's eyes, blinding him and giving Gomez the upper hand.
"Cara Mia! Go to the car!" Even though his voice boomed, his tone was loving. Morticia let go of Balthazar ready to listen to Gomez's command. She only reached the first step when Gomez fell to the floor, Balthazar's punch knocking him out cold.
"Gomez!" She screamed as she flew to his side. Gently, she placed his head in her lap and brushed her fingers across his hair. Balthazar stared at the scene before him, finally piecing the situation together. Gomez's sudden appearance began to make sense. Balthazar was completely forgotten as he watched Morticia's face light up with hope as Gomez's eyes fluttered open.
"Mon Cher" she cooed tenderly. Although he was still dazed, he grabbed her hand and pulled it to his lips. With each inch of Morticia's arm that Gomez traveled, Balthazar's rage was brought to a boiling point.
"Gomez!? It's Gomez!?" he roared. He grabbed Morticia's arm, aggressively pulling her to her feet. The suddenness of the action, made Gomez's head smack against the floor. Balthazar paused at the top of the stairs, bringing Morticia only centimeters from his face so that his next words could be spat at her with hate.
"Remember our vows, dearest? Till death do us part." He shoved Morticia down the stairs and watched as she tumbled over herself then landed in a heap at the bottom. Gomez desperately called her name, and she could hear his heavy steps running after her before her eyes closed and darkness enveloped her being.