The cold November rain pounded off my flesh like a million needles piercing my skin as I ran through the dark streets fleeing the terrible fate that threatened to consume me.
My feet and legs felt as if they would fall offโฆI had to stop but there would be nowhere to go, that he wouldn't find me. My only hope was to find somewhere that I couldn't be seen and try to catch my breath.
I could hear his voice echoing in my brain "YOU ARE MINE." It rang over and over again looping through my head and tapping song against my temples, making it so painful I could barely breathe.
I have always been powerless to resist him, but nowโฆthe thought of giving up everything and everyone I have ever cherished in my life is too terrible to face.
Suddenly a tall dark figure appears in the distance walking through the mist and I know without a doubt it is him. My heart stills in my chest as I stop in my tracks almost falling to the ground from the sudden loss of momentum. His eyes are piercing into my soul and I feel as if the very breath is being squeezed out of my chest.
He bellows to me again the anger radiating through my whole body as he fills my thoughts. "You will not hide from me little one." In my heart I know he speaks the truth but I cannot allow myself to go to him, I quickly change directions and run across the street heading into the park.
His rage pierces a sharp spike, into my brain and I scream the feeling so intense I cannot move. I bend over at the waist grabbing my head as if my brain will squeeze out through my ears. Then he is there, picking me up as if I weigh nothing he throws me over his shoulder, and walks out of the park towards his house.
My body sways with every stride and I feel as if I will be sick, but he cares not. I know punishment awaits me and my heart beats faster as I fear for not only my life but my soul.
The house looms large in front of us with pure menace rolling out of every door and window. My fear spikes when I see that instead of going on the front he is bringing me around the back towards the dark cellar and his favorite roomโฆmy biggest nightmare. The pain in my head increases until I can no longer take it and feel myself slipping into darkness.
The feel of leather cascading down my back greets me as I slowly feel myself coming back into consciousness. I am bent over the vinyl-covered table my arms secured to the chains in the floor and my face pressed into the top. My feet are held with shackles to its legs and I know without a doubt there will be no escape.
I am still not fully awake when the first-strike falls hard against my back, and, let out a squeak in shock. When the next blow falls it is harder and I bite my lip knowing that he does not wish me to make a sound.
The long tails bite into my flesh over and over again never hitting the same place twice. The blows so fierce I know he must be drawing blood. Sweat blossoms over my skin and despite the pain I can feel my body reacting to his punishment as a hot gush of fluid sparks to my core.
While his assault continues my mind escapes the pain as I look back on just how I came to be here.
My tale starts innocently enough on Halloween night as I walked from door-to-door trick or treating with my niece. Maura was seven and still at that age when Halloween was pure fun and innocent. She had yet to discover monsters can be all too real and if you let your guard down for the briefest of seconds they will get you.
The home had always somehow drawn me to it, the large Victorian frame with a black wrought iron fence standing out in sharp contrast to the 50's style bungalows that surrounded it.
The gate had never been opened on Halloween, in all my 20 years I do not recall it ever having been open at all, and, before I could stop her Maura was running up the long path leading to the front door.
I called to her but she continued forward as if she never heard me, and I followed behind feeling a sudden chill as I approached the front porch knowing in my gut that nothing but trouble waited there.
I heard Maura speaking to someone and when I stepped up to the door my breath caught in my throat. The man standing there was overpowering in every sense of the word. He was very large with broad shoulders eclipsing the light coming through the doorway, and his deep timbering voice sounded like music carried on the wind.
I was completely transfixed by him and unaware of anything until I felt a sharp tug on my sleeve. I looked down to find Maura staring up at me and smiled. Dimly I had heard him ask my name but I was so captivated that I was temporarily unable to speak.
I looked into his eyes, which were a piercing gray and had me drowning in them. Angel I recall telling him, not recognizing my own voice as his gaze burned straight through my body, and I suddenly felt very exposed.
The skimpy Elvira dress was very inappropriate for trick or treating but I had a party to go to and no time to change so I wrapped a shawl around myself and took Maura out. A cold wind fell against my back and I wrapped the shawl tighter around myself watching his eyes darken as I covered my exposed chest.
There was a dark menace in his gaze and somehow I knew the fact that I had covered my cleavage was the source of his disapproval. Chills ran up my spine and I suddenly felt very afraid.
I took Maura by the hand, and thanked the man for the treat he had given her, then as we turned to walk away his hand latched onto my arm in a vice like grip and when my eyes meet his they were glowing red.
Before I could protest his hands spanned my throat and I felt cold metal touching my skin. "My gift to you," his words weren't spoken but I felt them, and when I looked down to see what had been fastened around my neck I gasped.
It was a blood red ruby resting just above my breasts and surrounded by brilliant diamonds. The chain was black and not any metal I recognized. I turned to face him wanting to say something but when I looked up Maura and I were standing back on the street in front of the gate which was closed.