Page 101 of Promise to Break

Fuck, fuck, fuck. "Not yet."

"You're an interesting girl, you know that?"

Franco stands in the doorway, essentially blocking my exit. Let your enemy start a monologue so you can run if needed. Those were my father's words to us when he took part in a career day at school. It was his last. I never tried that on him because he knew all those tricks, so I just ran as far as I could. Now, however, I'm trapped.

I attempt a laugh. "How so?" My voice is light, but I don't look him in the eyes. No. People like him can see fear, and I'll be damned before I show him any.

"You look as if nothing could break you."

"Isn't that a good thing?" I ask, trying to sound innocent and confused.

"Sometimes, and for some people, yes, it definitely can be. But most of the time, people like you enter a dangerous situation by choice. They're reckless, and that isn't smart for a girl like you?" A lick of his thin lips sends goosebumps over my skin, but I still try to avoid his eyes. His other facial features are okay, fine even. But not his eyes. I know that if I look, I won't only show him my fear, but I'll see his intent as well. Probably his intent all along.

"Enlighten me."

I see his nostrils flaring now. He's letting his inner beast out to play. I've seen it a few times with Killian. Fuck. Just hearing his name in my head hurts. But not even he ever looked so unhinged when he let his nature overtake his humanity.

I wonder if the man in front of me even has such a side. Humanity isn't granted to all. It's a gift people like him see as a weakness they can exploit. They can't see the bigger picture because, for that, they need to see someone besides themselves.

"Such a brat," he sneers. "No matter what I told him to do to you, you never show weakness. You came to my house and talked back to my son as if you're someone to look down at a Fierro. 'She doesn't break, Dad,' he would say. 'Don't do a thing to Mom. I'll try harder,' he told me time and again. My son was too weak to do the one thing that would break you, but I'm not." I blink and finally look at the beast before me. "You asked him to bully me?"

"No, I told him to break you. Bullying a person is for the weak. I wanted your distraction, your full and complete decimation."

"You're sick."

"And you aren't the smartest cookie, are you?" His chuckle is filled with evil intent. "I can actually see what he saw in you. Your petite, curvy frame is a delight, that hair of yours, and the colorful eyes."

Run, Maricela, now! Run! A few more seconds. I just need a few more seconds. I try to think, but all I can hear is my heart beating in my ears.

"But I'll show you what a real man does to disobedient cunts like you."

"Don't tell me. They rape them like the human garbage they are?"

I don't think as I bolt toward the door. I duck between his legs, getting away from my room. All I need is to get out of here, and I'll be fine.

Run, Maricela, run! Run, my little girl. I'm sorry, so fucking sorry I'm not there!

It's his voice in my head. My Killer. He never hurt me like this. He took my soul and crushed it, but he always took what I gave him. Nothing less, nothing more.

"You whore! Come back here. I'll catch you, and it won't be pretty."

Run! Just run.

My legs take me as fast as they can. The stairs are near. I jump down a few of them, finding myself in the hallway that goes to the movie theater room. I was here only once, but I know it isn't a good place to hide.

Fuck, I'm at a dead end.

"I'm sure you're a screamer. My son likes to hear them scream for him, but never because of him. Some day, he'll understand."

His footsteps are heavy on the carpet. He isn't even trying to hide where he is.

Let's play a game, little sis. I'll be the cat, and you'll be the little rat that hides. Rats are good at hiding. Every time I scream for you, you run and hide. Don't even breathe if it's possible. Can you do it for me, little sis?

Little rat, I'm a little rat. This is who I am. Each breath I push from my lungs sounds like an echo in my head. I need to stop breathing. Otherwise, he'll hear me.

"I know you're here." I listen carefully to his footsteps. It sounds as if he's gone back to another room. I take the opportunity to take a big gulp of air into my lungs. Fuck, it hurts.

"I'll find you, and when I do, I'll tear you apart. Did he fuck you? I'm sure he did. He told Santino he did. He isn't a liar, my son. You may have bled on him first, but I can make it happen again."

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