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Using her body, bending her to my will.
Fucking her.
Caging her.
Controlling her soul and her destiny, requiring her devotion.
Only then would the madness be forsaken.
Only then would I be able to enjoy a sense of freedom from the thick chains.
Only then could I seek salvation.
Until death do us part.
* * *
Eden
Only your love can end the madness, a single touch unraveling the thick chains. Soon…
I stared at the card, a mixture of emotions tearing through my soul. I had no idea who’d sent it or the accompanying single white rose, the petals delicate, the color pearlescent in the soft glow of the light over the stove. I’d been mesmerized by its beauty, the dark rich green stem and leaves leading to a perfect specimen. It had been carefully folded in gold tissue paper, wrapped with a silk red bow, and left at my doorstep. The gesture was lovely. Even the card created a sense of longing that I hadn’t felt in years.
But as I read it again, I realized that whoever’d sent the gift was obsessed. Why? I placed the card on the counter, backing away as if the thick cardstock was on fire. A slight tremor shifted through me and it became difficult to breathe. What if this had to do with my past? What if I’d been found? What if someone was watching?
No. That wasn’t possible. I’d taken far too many steps to maintain anonymity, preserving a way of life I enjoyed.
I gripped the counter, trying to control my breathing. I’d had a few men ask me on dates. I was a public person of sorts, my gallery open at all hours, my customers from every walk of life. The rose was just a nice gesture and nothing more.
I’d always had a strange sense that there was only one man capable of breaking the spell that had surrounded my life for years. As I studied the beautiful creation of nature, I allowed my thoughts to drift to a fantasy, a wonderment whether my knight in shining armor was hiding in the shadows.
Or was this from the devil, disguised as my hero? I almost laughed at the ridiculous thoughts. There was no perfect man, no fantasy where I’d be swept away, protected from the evils of this world. I was fooling myself to think otherwise.
However…
I could dream.
After taking a whiff, the incredible fragrance tickling my skin, I turned out the light. I was safe. There was no monster waiting in the darkness.
There was no new nightmare.
Only the bloody one remaining from the past.
* * *
Exhaustion had taken a toll. I’d worked every day of the last thirteen, thrilled that the upcoming show was getting so much attention. Maybe I could start to make some headway, finally achieving success. The artist was exuberant, the paintings a breath of fresh air. If she sold only five of them, I could continue expanding my dream.
One of peace and solitude, freedom from the past.
As I headed into my apartment building, moving to the bank of mailboxes, I noticed a long white box propped against the wall. A rush of excitement as well as apprehension skittered through every cell and muscle. There was no doubt in my mind who the package was intended for.
After taking a deep breath, I pulled it into my hands. My name was penned in bold, red Magic Marker. There was no address, no idea who’d sent it.
Just like before.
My pulse raced as I headed up the stairs, fumbling to get the key into the lock. Once inside, I dropped my purse, holding the box out by several inches. Then I moved into the kitchen, turning on every light. There was no reason to be frightened, but a sense of foreboding remained in my system.
I couldn’t help but stare at the gift for a full two minutes before pulling the ribbon loose. As soon as I opened the lid, I backed away. The tissue paper was the same, folded perfectly so as not to crush the contents. When I peeled it away, my breath was taken. Two roses were nestled inside, only this time they were the deepest purple I’d ever seen.
