Ch 18: Why did you help her out?

Lisa was not sorry for anything. 

Her anger boiled underneath a layer of fear and anxiety. It made Lisa submissive so as not to cause trouble for herself and the others around her (which were the same things with the same result - her punishment.)

Lisa's crouched self must have sent the message that she was telling the truth because the next thing Lisa knew, her kidnapper stood up and decided to look elsewhere.

"My name is Clara Black, age 38. Look for me if you need anything you want. As long as you help me, I will help you in return, alright?"

The older female sounded a little troubled this time, but she finally introduced herself.

Once she did, her identity clicked in Lisa's mind.

'Ah! She's the one mother was bitching about recently! The new girl her lover picked up as a bodyguard is the one he likes more than anyone else. Mother was afraid that she would be replaced.'

That was about a month and a half ago, but the boss has stopped visiting Lisa's mother as often as he used to.

It made her mother lash out more and become even more paranoid about keeping herself young-looking and beautiful.

"So you *do* know about me after all. That's good! It saves me the trouble of telling you how to find me. Let me know if you need help with your mother. I will always be available to take care of her."

After that, the older lady finally left Lisa alone in the park, and Lisa forcefully uncurled herself and straightened her body.

"Well, that was a disastrous date! But I did get a cool hat and free food out of it, so it's fine! Now that I think about it, it was not fine either."

Thinking of that overpriced food made Lisa's stomach turn, and she instantly decided not to think about it.

Instead, Lisa thought about heading home and how angry her mother would be about her timing.

The sun was setting outside, and Lisa was late returning home.

Although Lisa was an adult, her mother still controlled her life. The older woman dictated when Lisa needed to return if she did not want to get hurt.

"Let's head back and suffer through the abuse. I swear, being homeless would be better than what I am dealing with right now."

Lisa grumbled, but she did head back.

She might have said that it was better to be homeless than to head back home, but she could not make herself believe that.

Especially not after Lisa had witnessed a pack of dogs tear someone apart after the homeless man took food out of their trashcan.

It had been a scene that Lisa would never forget as long as she lived.

"I am back! Home sweet home."

Lisa looked up at her neighbor, who was shrouded in darkness.

It was not a nice place, and it would only get more dangerous inside there by the second. Despite that danger, Lisa walked through the streets of this place with her head held high.

She knew where she needed to head toward, and Lisa kept herself hidden until she reached the door.

Lisa was greeted by her mother, who was throwing a glass bottle toward the door for the first time this month. It missed Lisa by mere inches, and she closed the door on her way inside.

"You bitch! You helped her out. You helped that other bitch Clara, out to seduce my darling! Don't you think I would know you spend the day with her?"

Lisa had nowhere to go but outside if she wanted to escape her mother's wrath. However, Lisa was unsure if it was safer than being in the hospital.

The safest option, by far, was to let her mother run all she wanted and only step out once she was exhausted.

"Clara Black! That bitch approached you for a date, right! Do you know what you did? The boss called for her tonight, and they are spending time together. You and your curse always make things difficult for me. What do I need to do to make regret helping her?

I know! Let's get rid of your hair! No! I should disfigure your face first! That way, people will be spooked by your scary face when they meet you!"

Lisa did not feel afraid of her other's drunken rambling. No supplies left in the house could hurt Lisa in the long term. She had even made sure to keep the knives hidden.

However, Lisa had overlooked an important aspect of her plan to keep her house safe—her mother's resourcefulness.

Behind that mask of alcohol and drunkenness lay a sharp mind that had climbed the mafia ladder, and her mother had a fierce reputation.

She also had a decent following in the gang because of her beauty and being the boss's side-piece. So she could get her hands on some unconventional items.

Like the small bottle of acid that her mother got from who-known-where.

"Lisa, shall we play a small game? Don't worry! I won't touch your face. I changed my mind about that. Your face is too precious for me to harm. I need to sell that face later. But your body is another matter.

Where should we start with? Should we do your hands, your arm, or maybe your back? Which part would you like to disfigure first?"

Her mother's pleasant voice seemed to be almost singing these words. But she quickly became annoyed by the lack of an answer.

A hand gripped Lisa's hair hard, and she did not even realize it when her mother made it to her.

"I asked you a question, my dear daughter. You had better answer next time I ask you something. Otherwise, even I don't know what I would do to you."

The gentle smile and words became dark before her mother asked the same question again.

"So Lisa, decide which part you want to sacrifice first. I promise we will get to them all slowly and steadily. I will not leave anything untouched on your body."