41 Chapter 41

"It's time to eat. I hope you're hungry."

Of course I am. He only gives me one meal a day as far as I can tell. It's the only way I have of knowing how much time has passed, and I might be wrong. I really hope I'm wrong, because he gave Alex two days to find me, and this is meal number three.

"Please just let me go, please." I'm weak and tired. It's been near impossible to sleep between being tired to a chair and the never ending fear.

"Oh, shhhh," It sounds more like a hiss than any form of comfort. He carefully removes my blindfold and I'm met with those awful glowing eyes again. Every time they get worse, every time I see them I feel sicker.

"How long have I been here?" I whimper. I hate how weak I sound.

"Does it matter?" I stare at his silver vest, hoping to get away from the eyes.

"Doesn't it? You plan to brutally torture me when Alex doesn't come in a set amount of time. I think I should know when it's coming."

He chuckles. "Perhaps, or perhaps I'll just wake you with a knife through your hand when it's time."

He's been toying with me. Every chance he gets, he drops vague threats or does something to make me scared. I've tried not to give him the satisfaction, but I feel like I'm barely able to keep my head up.

"Three days."

For once, I've caught him off guard. He takes a deep breath and cracks his neck as he tries to hide his smile.

"Yes. Very good. I hope you're ready for what tonight has in store."

I lean away as he gets closer. With a wave of his hands, the ropes around my wrist disappear. I rub the raw skin as he brings a plate.

"You have ten minutes. I will be back, remember what will happen if you try and run. Hell will seem like a vacation compared to what I'll do to you!" His eyes shine a deeper red before he walks away.

I wait until he's gone to insect the lack of food in front of me. I see and apple, a small sandwich and a bottle of water. The water is the first thing I go for. Normally, ten minutes to eat would seem ridiculously short, but one meal a day and a small one at that, everything is gone before those ten minutes are up.

The sound of footsteps makes my stomach sink. This is probably it. I didn't think Alex would come, but I can't help but wish he had. Especially after what he said while we fought.

"Because I think I could be in love with you damn it!"

So much for that I guess...

I think, and the more I think the better running sounds. Yes he'll hurt me if I do, but maybe if I'm lucky whatever he does will kill me so I don't have to endure whatever his twisted mind has planned. At least my mom will know what happened to me instead of me just vanishing forever.

My mom.... Oh god my mom... I don't think I'll ever see her again. The tears start flowing again as the footsteps echo, getting closer.

"Oh don't start crying yet, where's the fun in that?"

I feel my mouth twist into a sneer as the devil stands before me. He's dressed more casually, in just a t-shirt and jeans. I can't help wonder if he changed so as not to mess up his nice clothes with my blood.

"Don't give me that look," He almost pouts as he speaks, "Try to relax, this'll be fun... Well, fun for me. What should we start with?"

I know if I try to stand, I'll fall, because my ankles are still tied to the chair. I'd give anything to have the strength to be able to stand up and deck him.

"Eat shit and die!" I growl at him.

It's fast, and painful. I don't see it coming but I certainly feel the pain his hand left on my cheek. My head is thrown back as my face burns and tingles.

"Remember what I said about that mouth getting you into trouble," He hisses as he rubs his hand, "I'm really going to enjoy this."

I feel a pit in my stomach, I feel like I'm going to be sick but I won't show it. I'm going to be strong than him.

He doesn't even attempt to his the wicked grin on his face as he waves his hand and a camera appears across from me. A chuckle escapes him as he comes to stand behind me, gripping my shoulders tightly.

"Say hello to Alex my dear, I'm sure he'll love to see this."

I try to move away from him, but he wastes no time binding my wrists again and starting.

I scream as he takes a handful of my hair and yanks back. My neck is exposed as I cry in pain. His eyes flash with a sick enjoyment as he materializes his knife and gently runs it down my neck.

"Such soft, tempting skin. I'm sure Alex had quite a few.... Impure thoughts about you, I certainly don't blame him. Of course, I'm more interested in what's under it."

The sharp edge of the knife stings, I feel my skin burn as it's cut open along the side of my neck. I can't help but cry, but I manage to withhold screaming as he slices the side of my neck.

"Hmmm, such a beautiful scarlet," He almost moans as he smears my blood around my skin. "So pure and clean. I can't wait to destroy that!"

He lets go of my hair and stalks away, pacing in the space between me and the camera. I watch him pull a cigarette out of thin air and light it, taking a long drag as he watches me.

"You know, this kept me up all of last night. Thinking of what to do to you, dreaming of how wonderful your screams must be. I almost called up that Robert kid, thought it'd be a win win for us and it would truly destroy Alex to see you like that. I almost called him, but I remembered how much I hate to share so..." His smile only grows as he walks back over to me. "I've also come to the conclusion that you're skin is just too soft, too tempting. It needs flaws, or I won't be the only person you need fear in your life."

This time the scream comes without hesitation as he presses the burning cigarette into my arm. He sits there, watching with pure euphoria in his eyes as he repeats the process four or five times.

My body is shaking and my arm is numb as he relights his cigarette and takes a drag.

With a heavy sigh, he shakes his head, "Beautiful. Simply perfect." He leans his face in close to mine, his voice a rough whisper, "You cannot begin to comprehend the pleasure this has given me, and we've only gotten started. Now smile pretty for the camera and lets continue."

Oh god, for a second I forgot the camera was there. I can't fight the tears as I look anywhere else, this amuses him as he starts laughing.

"I was going to take this slow, but I can't help myself. So much for saving the best for last. This is going to be my favorite part," He laughs and I hear something click. Forcing myself to look up, I see a gun in his hand.

Only one word can describe my mental state.

Panic.

"Don't worry, I won't shoot to kill. Besides there's only one bullet in the chamber. We're just going to have a fun little game of Russian roulette."

He comes to stand behind me, pressing the barrel to my shoulder.

"Please don't, please, this isn't my fault. I didn't ask for any of this!" I sob as I try to pull out of the ropes.

"I know this isn't your fault, but I also know what you mean to Alex. You're the best way to make him hurt."

"If you're talking about what he said to me at the motel, he didn't mean that! We were arguing, he just wanted me to shut up! Please just let me go home! Please...."

"Beg!" He presses the gun harder into my shoulder.

"God, what do you want from me? Please just stop! I haven't done anything!" I can barely breath as I scream and sob all at once.

"Beg him to come save you, beg him to end this, or beg me to kill you!"

"Please don't make me do this..."

I scream as he pulls the trigger, but nothing comes. Feeling sick I start to breathe heavier until my stomach tenses so hard that I lean forward and throw up. It burns my throat and sends me into a coughing fit. As I cough, the devil grabs my shoulder and forces me upright again to continue our "game".

"I'll say it again, beg!"

"Please!"

Out of nowhere, a noise grabs both our attention.

"Let her go!"

My head shoots up, just as his does to find the source of the noise. My heart squeezes painfully.

"Well, well, look who decided to finally show up." The devil laughs.

"Alex," I sob as I take in the picture in front of me. He's a mess, he looks exhausted and disheveled but he stands tall.

"You heard me, let her go. You're beef is with me, not her. So let her go!"

Looking him up and down, I see the briefcase. It all comes back to the briefcase. It all comes back to that night close to two months ago.

"You can't be stupid enough to think it's that easy," The devil laughs as he waves his gun, "All this? And you think you can just come and demand things?"

"You want me, here I am, and I'm prepared to fight to end this... Even if it kills me."

The certainty in which he says that kills me. I glance up and see the devil forming a sly smile, he has a plan.

"Have a seat," He waves his hand and a chair appears.

"No."

"Fine, well what exactly do you propose here kid? Because I'm sure as hell not just going to let the two of you walk away."

"Let her go and you and I can work this out. It's that simple."

"Alex, no you can't--"

The cold metal of the gun barrel cuts me off, "But I've quite enjoyed her company, and I must say I'm quite invested in you two. She tells me you had a very heated discussion before I got my hands on her, I'd love to hear about that."

"What do you care?" Alex snaps, unable to look at me.

"You really want to argue with me?" He presses the gun into my temple, "I can blow her brains out right here and you want t--"

"He kissed me!" I shout over them, I watch Alex squeeze his eyes shut and look away, "He told me he was falling in love with me, it's why I ran off. I panicked."

I'm stunned to hear the devil burst into laughter, a hard enough laughter that he drops the gun from my head.

"You mean to tell me that she had no clue that you felt that way? She's the whole reason that damn deal didn't go through, your feelings are the reason she's in this chair! Oh that is.... Golden."

I look to Alex, "What is he talking about?"

"Don't listen to hi-"

"Open the briefcase kid, show her why she's here." It's an order, an order that came with a threat as the gun is raised again.

I try not to sob as Alex gets down on one knee and opens the briefcase. He shoves the open container across the floor. I see birthday cards, report cards, projects, pictures, postcards and more.

"What is it?"

"Eight years of memories. Every physical memory he's had since the death of his grandparents."

That's when it clicks. "You were going to bring them back." The fact that Alex won't look at me tells me I'm right.

"Smart girl, but see in order to do that, I'd have to undo those eight years. Erasing everyone's memory and making it so they just never died in the first place. Only Alex would remember anything. Would you like to show her your dealbreaker? Or should I?"

He stands there, causing the devil to laugh again. With a wave of his hand, a piece of paper rises from the pile and lands in my lap.

The article about me from the school paper.

"I needed a chance. I needed to at least have a chance, I couldn't do it knowing it could mean never meeting you Jules," He sounds defeated as his green eyes stare back at me. "I had to know you, I had to have a chance with you."

I have no words, plenty of emotions, but no words. The devil pats my head and sends the paper back to the pile.

"Now about this arrangement. I'm not letting her go, she's my leverage, and I'm not stupid."

Alex nods, looking away from me. "How about a new deal?"