A Confusing Pile

Waking up, I find myself in an unknown bed. Yet I recognize the bed instantly once I realize the length of how comfy it is. This is Damien’s bed. My mind starts to go into a frenzy, I begin to freak out as I pull the blanket away from over my head. Looking around, I let out an audible sigh once I realized I was alone.

I don’t think I can deal with him right now. Especially after the car ride back home. Home, I called this place home. I didn’t think I’d ever say that. I’m annoyed and slightly hurt but deep in my mind, I’m secretly very glad to call this place home.

Thinking back on what happened, my mind can't help but race and peak my bubbling anxiety. Yet to distract me, I think of my wishes. The things I hoped to get or achieve, most I don’t think will be completed. 

I lie back down on the bed silently thinking, I want a ukulele. It most likely won’t come true but it’s still a small childhood dream. I even remember crying a lot when I was younger because I was scared of the dark. When I got older- as a teen, I wanted to love but I couldn’t find it, even in school.

To be completely honest, I cried a lot as a kid. Small things like kittens stuck in trees to my neighbor's house burning down in the early hours of the morning. I was emotionally invested in many things. Yet I can’t seem to understand him. Damien, he makes no sense to me…

He utterly confuses me and strives off it. Everything about him is a reshaping and reforming mystery. The thought of him constantly plagues me. I'm terrified of him, yet my mind won't accept that. It won't accept to be afraid of the dangerous man.

Yet before I can dwindle on any more ground-shaking thoughts, there's a soft knock on the door. At the sound, I sit up and almost break my neck in the process. "Come in." I mull out. 

With a hand on the back of my neck gently trying to relax the now sore spot, Antonio wanders into the room. Lowering my arm he says, "Master Alferenzo had to leave before you woke up for a very urgent call. We shall not know when he comes back but he requested for me to look after you. So, time to wake up and get ready because breakfast is on the table."

At the sound of breakfast, I leap out of bed and rush out. Anthony laughs as he follows shortly behind me. Bolting down the stairs, I rush into the dining room to spot a stack of fluffy golden pancakes on my plate, along with a glob of drizzled maple syrup dumped on top of it. 

Yet after eating I return to my tired state and stumble off to the couch in the living room. With a small struggle, I manage to crash myself down on the couch pulling the blanket hanging on the back of the couch over my dying corpse. I sink further into the couch as my mind slowly shuts down and my body sags. 

I wish all my small childhood fears will have been eased and my dreams will come true when I awake. Yet as I stare at the back of the couch my mind can’t help but slowly hint it will never happen. I suppose that’s the hell in this world. Yet as I drift to sleep my mind creates schemes in my sleeping hours.--

Blood drips from my hands as I stare at the body. “Get rid of it, I’m done looking at this mess.” I wipe the blood of my former business partner on my white handkerchief. “I have a prize to display. What character has become the prey under the predator’s glare is my choice this time.”--

I gasp harshly as I’m shaken awake, Damien leaning over me. “Hello dear, it's time for you to get up. Dinner is done and if you continue to sleep you won't get any sleep tonight." With small grumbles, I begrudgingly nod and he pulls away, allowing me to sit up.

I rub my eyes with a small subconscious pout. "Can I watch television after supper? We never had one growing up and I want to watch something on it."

He nods and helps me up off the couch. I pad my way to the dining room with a tired mind. Sitting down in my chair at the side of Damien's, I'm greeted by a large bowl. I peek over to inspect its contents and a wide grin accompanies my face. The presentation of the chicken and dumplings was mouth-watering.

I can't even recall the last time I ate this was! So, before Damien can even sit down I begin digging into the bowl. I burn my mouth in the process but at this rate, I couldn't care less. 

I look up at Damien and blush heavily as I lock eyes with his own. He chuckles and resumes eating his dinner. "So... Um, Anthony said you had a meeting this morning, what was it about..?" I ask him hesitantly as I peek up at him and spot how stiff he is. 

"It was just an important work conference, nothing more, nothing less." I nod gently and finish off my bowl. With a soft acknowledgment of where I'm going, I usher to the living room. I want to watch television, the news interests me.

Sitting down on the couch and grasping the black remote I turn the TV on. It automatically starts up to the news, causing me to smile. "In downtown San Juan a body has been spotted hanging off of several buildings. Police have been investigating and have determined it must have something to do with possible local gangs or even worse." 

It cuts to an officer with a microphone in his face. "The crime scene is under investigation. The victim seems to be a man yet it is hard to figure out who the victim exactly is. The face is noticeably torn to shreds and the body has been massively dismembered."

I shiver and scoot deeper into the couch, glad they won't show the body but still terrified of the description alone. What goes through a person's mind to do something like that? I slowly zone back into the news over the case but not soon after, I'm startled by two firm hands on my shoulders. 

I look back at Damien and he smirks gently. I turn away quickly, "There was a murder, did the Mafia have anything to do with it?" He rubs my neck in a threatening yet dominating manner. "Perhaps it does."

I gulp nervously and nod quickly looking down. Out of nowhere a bold spark hits me. “They’re saying that the body was mangled, the legs, the arms, even the head was cut off from the body. If the Mafia had something to do with it, why wouldn’t they just dispose of the body and let this be over?” I look up at him in a defiant manner, his expression hides his thoughts as he stares back with calculating eyes.

Though not a beat afterward his eyes sparkle with a cocky lint. “Sometimes the Mafia likes to do a little bit more than get rid of the problem. More of, showing a signal to others who dare to stand in our way. Cause and effect at its finest.” 

I gulp subconsciously as he continues, “Keep that in mind Alexander, you’re damned into living your life within the Mafia. Tread lightly, you don’t know what simple things can get you killed.” He releases my neck and taps off, calling over his shoulder, “Get some sleep tonight, I want to take you somewhere early tomorrow morning.”

As the house goes quiet besides the chatter of the flatscreen, I finally take my time to go over his words and expressions. If I do something wrong will he just dispose of me? No, he’d get his money’s worth out of me first. 

With swift motions, I shut the television off and rush to my bedroom on silent feet. With the soft click of the door, I take my time to strip into pajamas and brush my teeth. After I’m finished I curl into a tight fetal ball in my bed with the blanket thrown over my body. 

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring and I don’t even know if I’m close to prepared. Yet in this time, I have no choice but to go along with this man that stole me away from my parents and old life to live with him in his damning one.