Page 24 of Tempt Me (Dark Odyssey 4)

Ava

Darkness surrounds me, and the cold sting of terror runs down my spine, from the base of my neck straight down the length of my body. It always starts there once I hear the echo of footsteps against the stone floor. He’s coming again.

Before I can think it, he comes, and his breath on my skin is the reminder that what is happening is real. It’s hot, and it makes my nerves stand on end. Everything inside me struggles to flee, except I can’t.

A firm hand grips me, holding me down, then laughter. That victorious laughter of triumph that kills my soul. The laughter gets louder, the grip tighter. It hurts, and I jump.

My eyes snap open, and I’m breathing hard. I look around trying to figure out where I am as the door opens and the face of an elderly woman comes into my view.

I was dreaming. It was … a dream. But… looking around confirms I’m still stuck in a nightmare, just a different one.

The woman walks in. She’s carrying a tray with cookies and a cup. I smell chocolate. She looks at me huddled on the floor in the same position I’ve been in since last night.

“Hello, signora,” she says with a little smile. “I thought you might like this, since you have not eaten anything else.” She speaks with a heavy accent and a warmth that’s very motherly.

I’m surprised by the warmth as it’s the first flicker of safety I’ve felt since I’ve been here.

“I mean you no harm. I just wanted to check on you. You were talking in your sleep. The kind of talk a person does when troubled,” she adds.

“I…” I wonder if she knows why I’m here. She must know something.

She lowers to the floor and sets the tray down on the wooden surface. The sun catches the silver in her hair as she looks up.

“I’m half Italian. My mother was from Guatemala. Our people loved chocolate. The ancient Mayans and Aztecs believe it was a gift from the gods. We think we can tell what kind of person you are from the chocolate you like. I made yours with a kick of cinnamon and chili, sweet but fiery when you need to be.”

I look at her and decide to smile. I like what she said. “Thank you. That’s nice.”

“It is, and it tastes good too. We also believe that chocolate calms the soul. Will you have some?”

I realize she’s trying to calm me down.

I shuffle, and my legs ache from being in that position for too long. All night, I’ve been like this. I haven’t even gone to the toilet.

I reach for a cookie and smile when I see they’re the soft gooey type. I take a bite, and it ignites my taste buds, making me devour it in seconds, and reach for another and another.

She laughs. “I’m glad I was right. Try the hot chocolate. It’s good to have something hot in your stomach.”

“Thank you.” I take a sip, and oh my God, this is something I would definitely savor.

It makes me think of Holly, my best friend, and I can’t believe this is the first I’ve thought of her. Holly works with me atEscadaas a freelance photographer. She knew how worried I was about Dad. She would have called last night to check in. I can just imagine her calling me and panicking when the phone rang out. It was taken away along with my purse and keys.

As good as this delicious chocolate all is, thinking of her brings back everything to my mind, and I’m still left with the question of what I’m doing and what’s happening.

I finish the hot chocolate though. I need it. I’m starving, and I don’t think it’s going to help me if I don’t eat. I barely ate anything over the last few days as it is from my worry over Dad.

“Feel better?” she asks.

“Yes. Thank you for this. It’s delicious.”

“I’m Marguerite,” she introduces herself with a wide grin that makes her eyes twinkle.

“My name’s Ava.”

“It’s great to meet you, Ava. If you need anything, call me. I hope you do.”

I wonder if she’d allow me to use the phone. “Is there maybe a phone I could use?”

Her expression gives me the answer to that. It’s cautious, and her eyes are the same. She shakes her head. “It’s probably better if you wait until later to speak with Mr. Giordano.”

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