Chapter Two

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The doorbell jolted Alicia out of her not-doing-anything-mood. She was stretched on her sofa after a traumatic afternoon. Who could be at her door by this hour? She wished the intruder could just go away. She was in no mood to answer the door. Her life was at the point where nothing interested her, not even her dreams of completing college. The doorbell rang again. She had no choice but practically crawl to open the door.

"Hi. I'm Sheriff Max, from Boston Police department" said a handsome cop flashing his I.D card.

"Huh.... How may I help you Sheriff?" Alicia said slightly taken aback.

"Please call me Max. Makes everything easier".... he said with a slight smile.

" Makes what easier? Max"....

"Would you at least let me in, so you could get satisfactory replies to your questions? Max asked politely.

" Oh, sure" she let her door open to accept him in....

She sat on her sofa waiting for Max to do same but instead of sitting, he was sniffing around as if looking for some kind of lost evidence. Alicia was sure he was there to investigate Johnny's death. Is she ready to open up? She just didn't know. She got a message from Dennis that he was going to be home that night. If it was only that simple.... He threatened as usual to spill if she spills. She was trying to speak up when Max spoke up.

"You look ravishing in this picture. Is this your mum?"

Why compliment her picture when he could go straight into the business in which he came for? She kept quiet and watched as he moved on to other pictures. He paused when he got to Dennis pictures.

"Must be your boyfriend. He sure is hot! What do you call him?"

" Dennis" she said almost sadly....

Dennis was truly a sight to behold. Muscular and hot. Every lady's dream man. If only they knew the devil he was. She remembered she fought a lady over him in college. Now she wished they could come take him in peace.

"Haha! You must be the lucky one to have such rich hot guy for a lover. Who doesn't know Dennis Ottis?.... But in my opinion, you suit each other perfectly. A pretty lady with a prince charming"..... He laughed hard

" I'd rather love it if you get down to business and get what you came to do over with " Ally cut him off with a straight face. Not like anything was funny.

" Oh! I never meant to get on your nerves. Just came in for a friendly visit. Guess Cops are mostly unwelcome in homes." He feigned a sad expression

"um. I'm just not in a really good mood. I'm sorry if I acted a little bit irrational. I should have been more gentler with words." She puts in.

"Of course I should announce my visit the very next time. It is rude to catch someone impromptu. I'd get irritated if I was you too." He smiled

"Yeah, you should"....she said non-spirited and was about opening the door for him to leave.

" Would you mind if we chatted a little over coffee in the evening? Of course you have a right to refuse"....he asked politely.

A little walk to town might help cheer her mood. She had been home brooding all day. It would do her more good than harm to accept this offer. But Dennis... He said he was coming home tonight. She didn't know what time but she should be able to make it home before he arrives. If only she could disappear like smoke before he arrives. Her life was full of "ifs" these days. If anything, it makes her escape reality for a while...... Another of such "ifs"... She chuckled quietly...

" Ah-hem" she heard Max clear his throat..... "Did my request amuse you to chuckling? He asked....

" Um.. No.. I mean yes.. I'd have a coffee with you later today" she said..

He shook his head, smiled reassuring as if to tell her "everything's gonna be alright" and took his leave. She hoped he wouldn't blame her much. She had been a shadow of her self since a shadowy experience shadowed her rational sense of reasoning. She locked the door behind her and was about laying back on the Sofa when she felt a presence in the house. She saw a shadow! Why did she do a mind rhyme of shadows? She couldn't find anything that could serve as weapon, so she picked a pen and was poised to strike. She tiptoed in the direction of the vision, shivering... It moved.....

Only that it moved faster than she was because she felt a murderous grip on her neck! She was struggling to breathe! She would have concluded there was a burglar in the house but for the slanderous words that came out of his mouth....

"You bitch! You dare to invite a cop into my house! Now tell me, what did you tell him? That I killed your beloved Johnny? That you couldn't stand his haunts so you opened up? That you were tired of hiding in your closet so you need delivering? Tell me before I kill you slut!" She heard him thunder...

"Den.. Denni.. Dennis..plea...please...I'm.... I'm....choking" she choked and tried to free herself from the grip.

"Only if you tell what that asscops was doing in my darn house!"

"I.. I...did...didn't sa...say any..any...thing to...him.... Le'mme.. go..pls" she pleaded.

He released his grip on her and dragged her by the hair...

"I told ya, I was gonna be the death of you. Seems you disrespect me by hanging around cops. Now ama teach you a lesson"... He was visibly angry and was dragging her to his torture room. Her worse nightmare.

"I didn't invite him over, he came on his accord. Whatchyu want me to do? Lock the cop out? Just let me go. I won't tell".... She was in pains as he dragged her hair.

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The torture room smelt like blood. Her blood even. She had been his experimental rabbit ever since she held his secrets. How can she ever be free from this life she currently was in? Death is a betterer option than another torture. Like one high on some drugs, she shrugged away from his grips and looked him in the eye unafraid.

"If you are so afraid of getting your secrets leaked, why don't you just kill me instead of making me pass through these tortures? Just kill me you scum bastard!" She fired, surprised at even her own brevity.

"Oh, I see your cops boyfriend has given you the audacity to talk back yeah? Wait on your death!"...he slapped her hard on the face that it sent her toppling to the floor.

She sat on the floor holding her bruised face and weeping. She was tired of begging to stay living! She only regretted she had been lagging when it comes to her Christain faith. She could have been well rested in the fact that she would be in paradise after death. She wasn't even sure now..... She saw Dennis flip open his pocket knife, ready for his own torturous adventure game on her body. He has a kind of devilish glint to his eyes today. She wonder what he was up to.

"You know, you look sexy with the tears and all. I would have you now... Strip!" He said with an emotionless tone.....

She flinched and moved further away from him terrified...

"You are my girl, Asia..... Remember who calls you that?" He taunted... "Hope you haven't forgotten that yet. I own you, now and forever. Your body, soul and life!" he smiled mischievously and advanced forward like predator set to capture its prey....

She shivered......

The doorbell rang....

A saving grace......

He stopped and waited....

The doorbell won't stop ringing....

"Holy crap! Who the heck is at the door?" Hissed Dennis

"Gracious good! Blessed be the one at the door!" thought Ally

He quickly packed his stuffs and left Alicia to attend the door.... It was Sheriff Max at the door.....

"Sorry to intrude, I forgot my badge" ..... He said, afraid he might have angered her again

"Good intrusion!... Pick your badge and me along. I think I might have something that might interest you" she said resignedly.....

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To be continued....

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PS: I am so sorry this chapter came late. I promise to be more consistent ......

Read Chapter One

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