The Mafia Hidden Heirloom

CHAPTER 4 - Blindfold

JUNE THIRD

When I said we lived in a very small world, I meant that I had a prolonged isolating experience. But I didn't know it had an effect on me then. The girls and I adapted to our limited surroundings, following the established routines within that confined space given to us. I thought it was normal to be cut off from the outside world – the absence of social interaction and exposure to nature. The doctor I had been seeing in the past two days promised that I would be fine. However, I do not know if she was right when she had led me to complete blindness, having me put on an utterly dark eye device that resembles eyeglasses, only this was something else.

She said my case, after the physical and psychological challenges, I shouldn't be instantly exposed to the outside. It seems that only she and the people who work for Master knew my situation. She had studied my profound sense of loneliness and the loss of connection with the outside world. We had vision rehabilitation and physical examinations, and I am on the medical prescription supplementation that will help my recovery.

Grace was always by my side, from morning to night, offering psychological, emotional, and physical support, which I dearly needed. I needed eyes and a guide as I was in a total state of darkness, wearing the glasses that Doctor Maria had me wear to last for 3 days. It was tough, the toughest struggle I've known. I couldn't do anything on my own. Grace helped me to the bathroom, with food, walking around, and going to bed. It's not even her job; it's just that she's so kind and soft with me. I didn't feel comfortable around the rest of the maids, so she took on the responsibility of taking care of me while my vision healed.

"You shouldn't move. I won't take long. We've fed you, you're not hungry."

"And we've emptied my bladder," I interjected jokingly to a worried Grace.

"Correct. So please stay steady and don't get into trouble," she warned pleadingly, the song she had been repeatedly listening to, distinctively playing from her headphones.

"I do not have the eyes to do that," I pointed out with my ankles crossed under the cover.

"That's exactly what I mean. You do not have eyes. Making wrong choices isn't for you," she teased, as she's gotten used to.

"Know that if my eyes aren't behind the covers, I am rolling them at you," I informed her, adjusting comfortably on the bed.

"Uhm mmm," she playfully acknowledged. "Bye."

She had an emergency family matter to attend to, but she promised it wouldn't take long. I worried silently about it, given that since her appearance in my life around here, I had felt a bit relieved and relaxed. Calls with Master still felt odd and unnerving, despite his gentleness with me and extended stories of the good things he saw that he believed I would care for. Yesterday he promised his next travel would probably be with me, and he would show me surreal places that I would like to write down in my notes. I had always only listened to him, faking laughter to make him believe I enjoyed every second of our conversation. I didn't, though. If not for Grace's consoling presence, I could have run mad, enduring blindness and forced marriage with a fifty-year-plus-old man.

"Bye and do not forget the poor blind girl you left on the bed," I dramatically reminded her as she departed the room, laughing.

Throughout the days of my vision loss, I didn't get around the house, to get bonuses of sneaking on Duncan and his angry girlfriend or ex. Sometimes, while getting around my daily medication, I wondered about them, where they were, what their situation was, and if they made up after I left them the other day out of embarrassment.

She was always around him even though they fought every time. The girl wasn't afraid of him, regardless of his lies, his loudness and appearance, and those murderous gazes he had that turned instantly black and unblinking. Maybe they were used to such heated arguments. Maybe it wasn't anything serious, and now they could even be around the house talking nicely to each other like his father does to me.

Those thoughts had unstably remained on my mind, just as the glare he anchored on me before I raced out of his view. I knew he and his brother hated me, and they do have every reason why. I mean, I am to be wed to their father, and they felt disrespected and humiliated by my status and my sudden authority move them. Grace said they are in their twenties. My age was a trouble.

It's just a good thing that despite their vendetta towards me, none of them came to taste my lips or threaten me in the room again ever since the words of the Master. Ever since my eye surgery, I hadn't been in their way to remind them of my presence in their life... or not.

I swear I knew I sensed a movement.

"Grace?" I called curiously and nervously, given nothing sucks like being clueless.

Maybe she left something behind. Maybe she's playing around, and she will eventually laugh in my face, and I will jump in fear, and she will say, "I got you."

But there was quiet, no one spoke, and there was the familiar scent, which I recognized from three days ago.

And as though the person read my mind, there was a sudden swishing sound, like a wet, heavy fabric was being shaken. My heart jumped into my chest at the noise and where it was coming from.

My brain was fast to react, getting my legs off the bed, and my hand held out in front of me to confirm my safety and navigate me away from Colten.

"Get out," I screamed.

No reply, only his movement, coming from everywhere. I kept swirling around on my bare feet, getting dizzy at the nonstop movement.

"I didn't do anything to you. Just go away." I was shuddering, hating myself for not being able to see my surroundings... how can I protect myself from someone whose glare swore to ruin me?

I felt him coming, I felt him near. His breath and his heartbeat whispered in my head, like a midnight nightmare, that wasn't real, but I was there.

I stopped and began backing away, relying on my touch, smell, and breeze, while trying to gather information about what was happening around me. I know I am not crazy; he was here. Since that night, his scent has been engraved in my memory. I know it is him.

"What did I do to you?"

My whole life it's been none without boys, and now all of a sudden, I was haunted by them. I do not know how to confront them, negotiate maybe... mostly those two that aren't Master and wouldn't be gentle at any chance.

I was blind but not numb, he might move stealthily that I couldn't hear to trace, but the airflow he carried came along like a subtle sensation on my skin. I felt it to my left, and I turned around instantly. But I am uncertain if I am right.

"Colten."

The fear of the unknown and the lack of visual information set me in heightened anxiety and vulnerability.

I decided to flee but without visual cues, navigating around the room became very difficult that I ran into his embrace, and he didn't let go.

He chuckled in my ear. The sound is deep and unsettling.

The focus of fear in my head took over, and the loss of control kicked in, exposing not only the emotional tension within but those physical, that he could see. Any minute my heart might bust out of my chest. I was rapidly breathing, and my muscles were tense, while I struggled to free myself.

I was hyperventilating, forcing myself to breathe when my heart felt heavy like something was there to weigh it down.

"Let—" I choked on my tears, forgetting my words as he spun me swiftly by the waist. The clasp wasn't full, but it was firm; I couldn't run out of it.

"Shh." He whispered in my ear; he must have leaned over. I can feel his breath against my skin and his lips brushing my ear.

I jumped at his way of soothing a human.

"What do you want?" I croaked from so many emotions, unable to protect myself.

"There is a movie called Bird Box. The world ended from a virus. And the little ones left had to live blindfolded or die upon making eye contact with the outside. To survive, people with sight became good with auditory cues, sensing touch, and only perceiving." His voice was sinister, instilling more horrible fear in me. I do not know where this is going, and I do not like the sound of it.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?" I screamed at the psycho holding me. He clicked his tongue amusedly the moment he violently pulled my head back by my hair, nearly snapping my neck. The pain in my scalp and neck was too striking to endure; I let out a sharp cry, and he pulled my hair again.

"Shhh... we are just getting started." He says. I could sense his closeness against the skin of my face, his hot breath scorching my cheek. I was terrified.

His other hand came around my neck, tightly choking me. My breathing ceased. I focused on struggling to loosen the clasp.

"There were the lucky ones who saw the light of the day and lived... Mmm... let's not say lived entirely. Psycho is the word." He chuckled.

I elbowed him with all my might, but he only whispered in my ear, "Ouch! Mom."

"You are a psycho." I angrily spat, gagging.

Clearly provoked, he added pressure to his firm hold around my neck, dragging life out of me. It was hard to fight.

"Shh..." he whispered, chillingly. "Be careful with your words. You know nothing. You are a lost wild animal on a highway, the headlight is too bright for your take." Instilling in me a sense of dread and foreboding, which carries an air of darkness and malevolence, speaking of how much he hated me.

"Your father said to leave me alone." I stuttered, reminding him.

He paused for a beat. I could feel him nodding again. "Let's test if you can handle light, will you survive?" His voice sounded different now, husky and seething, maybe from what I just said.

He ripped off the protective glasses before I could stop him. And even though my eyes were closed, I saw the shadow of the brightness of the day behind my sealed lids.

"No! No no no. I can't." It was then I regained consciousness, despite the lack of air, and began to fight him, slapping his hands away from my eyes.

He laughed at my useless attempt. He was stronger; he brought his rock-heavy arm around my chest, dominating my muscles, and used his other hand to force my lids open. The pain broke loose, like a fresh wound. I screamed.

"Run, darling, I am kindly offering you a head start. I promise you don't want to be the prey. Because I will relentlessly crawl into your psychological mind like an echo, bit by bit. I will hunt you down, pull you into grief you've never known, and emptiness you will outline. I will take away your right to live, your right to survive, your confidence, and growth, and obscure any glimmer of happiness that will ever come your way. I will be the ruin of you, and by the time I am done, you will be bleak."

"My right to live was already stolen a long time ago, but hearing him say it with certainty and promise, in a kind of voice that could make your imagination run wild with fear, conjuring up dark and dreadful images in the depths of your mind, it felt deep this time.

A fragile sob escaped my lips. The sound was almost like a screech. I could taste the salty flavor of my tears on my tongue.

The pang was severe, I felt it all over my head. His words replayed in my head. He wasn't going to haunt me; he was going to kill me.

He was stronger; he forced my eyes to meet the rays pouring directly from the open windows that had been closed since I came here until now when he was the first to open them.

The room was too bright, brighter than I'd ever seen in my life. It reflected inside me harshly, piercing my consciousness, and inflating like fire, setting my soul ablaze. It ate away at me, draining me of life. My body was too weak to continue. I felt myself distancing away from existence. I stopped fighting.

"What the heck are you doing?"

Colten let me go, as though he was forcibly pulled away from behind. And my body couldn't hold up; I collapsed. Coughing and warm liquid streamed down my face, but it didn't taste like salty tears; it tasted metallic. I was familiar with it.

There were clashes, things clashing, people groaning, and heavy breathing around the room.

I also knew the other scent and the voice very well, like it was a book I'd memorized in my head.

"Do not stop me." Colten gravelly grumbled.

Wincing at the pain in my eyes and the noises of their combat, I pressed my palms against my ears to eliminate their voices and reduce the headache.

"Get out or do I have to throw you out," Duncan warned his brother. It was unlike anything I've ever heard. It came out deep, rough, and guttural, reverberating with menace and intimidation, unsettling the atmosphere, and capable of evoking fear and apprehension in whomever it was spoken to.

Even I felt chills running down my spine at this loud, promising warning of impending danger.

Once again silence surrounded the room. I held my breath, wondering if I was really alone.

I hate not having my sight.

Hands came around my back and under my legs. Fear overtook me again. Startled and terrified, I began throwing punches.

"Let me help you to your bed."

It was Duncan.

"It is you," I mumbled, petrified. Instead of protesting, I allowed him to pick me up, and I was already in the air. Honestly, something in me felt slightly relaxed around him.

He settled me back in the bed, my legs on the floor as I sat on the edge.

"What can I do?" He asked, cluelessly.

"The windows." I took a shaky breath. "There shouldn't be light."

"Oh, okay." His footsteps rushed around the room, and I heard the sound of curtains moving.

"Duncan?" I called to know where he was. I was attentive and cautious.

After a few seconds, he responded, "I am coming."

He sounded distant, and then there was the sound of running water.

"Are you in the bathroom?" I asked, and he hummed in reply.

I hugged myself in anticipation. I was feeling tired but I wasn't going to trust him.

When his footsteps approached my direction, I almost jolted up.

"I have a warm towel. You can clean yourself." He announced when he noticed my reaction. "Here."

Something didn't add up in all of this, but I held out my hand and reached over to collect the towel. I am not dumb.

When I made contact with the warm towel in my palm and brought my hands down to my quivering thighs, I thought intensely about what I was holding.

"It's meant to clean your face." He explained when I did nothing with the towel.

"How do I know you did not add a pound of pepper to it?" I inquired.

"What?" he sounded confused, or pretended to be.

"How do I know you aren't trying to hurt me more?" I asked again.

"For goodness sake." He cursed under his breath, and he stepped forward. I sensed the heat of his proximity and his scent amplifying in my space. My instinct was to crawl onto the bed, but he clasped my wrist before I could escape. I winced at the grip but immediately bit back the pain.

I could sense his height; it seemed like he had lowered or was stooping, but I am sure he wasn't towering.

"Duncan?" I warned, terrified, my heart shrinking in the back of my chest. Instantly, I felt my hand with the towel being guided, my fingertips making contact with skin... no... yes... skin. There was a mental clarity that I felt his eyes, nose...

My heart stopped all at once. It was his face.

The tips of my fingers slid over his lips. My body temperature heightened, spreading a warm feeling in my core, and when my heart picked up pace again, it surged along with an adrenaline rush. I was sweating, something inside me pulsating with force. I had so many emotions, that I did not understand, but I knew I couldn't get rid of the curiosity of feeling his face. My free hand was buzzing and felt heavy; it broke out of my control and flew to join the other hand.

His cheekbones, his jaw just as sharp against my fingertips and palm as it was obvious... his hair so soft, just as I had predicted the first time I saw him. My fingers got lost inside of it.

It's strange how I was so intrigued and keen on exploring what he felt like; I couldn't stop my hands from leafing around his face.

"Are your curiosities satisfied?" He asked, his tone almost inaudible.

That got me to finally pull away. "What?"

Did I just give it away that I found something fascinating in feeling his face under my touch?

"There is no pound of pepper," he said, exhaling an exasperated breath, and snatched the towel from me. Before I could process anything, I felt it against my cheeks. Instinctively, I jerked back slightly, but a voice in my head reminded me of the past minutes, how I had used the same towel all over his face, and nothing happened to him.

Relax, I silently urged myself. He wouldn't hurt me.

There is something about him that I was able to discern. Now, I couldn't see the probably frown on his face, but there was a warm ambient temperature residing within him. In his presence, instead of apprehensiveness, I experienced a nurturing and reassuring atmosphere that enveloped me with ardency, protection, and, most importantly, a sense of tranquility amid helplessness.

He cleaned the blood on my face with gentleness and carefulness, something his brother's grasp lacked. When he was done, he looked around the room for the eyeglasses I told him about, only to find them destroyed, definitely the work of Colten.

"Damn," he cursed again, sounding frustrated. "I will be right back," he announced, and I felt that peace I found in his safety now threatened.

"Where are you going?" I instantly asked, my heart beating faster from fear.

"I won't be long, don't move." He sounded calm and in control, the polar opposite of me.

"Duncan?" I called panicked, but there was silence.

Darn it!

"Okay," I breathed, swallowing frequently, but my parched throat only got worse.

Curling back against the headboard, I embraced myself, praying Colten didn't return. That wait was the longest of my life; I anticipated Duncan's return with shaking respiration and an uneasy mind.

"Duncan?" I quickly called when I heard movement from the door.

"Uhm mm," he mumbled, probably irritated at my constant calling.

"You're back."

"I'm back," he repeated, walking closer, and I could sense him. "Okay, don't move. I will use something for the blindfold," he warned me, and I nodded.

His hands came to my face and worked around my head. So much of his remarkably pleasant scent invaded my mind and became a permanent presence.

He didn't make the alternative blindfold too tight; it was fair and helpful. By the time he had me all set, I said, "Thank you," to him.

He didn't respond to that, he only suggested that I should see my doctor again after the bleeding, and I nodded, letting him know Grace would do that when she was done with her family situation.

"You should rest," he said above my head.

"I can't. I'm scared. If I ask you to stay..." I started and stopped, not knowing where it was going and how it would come out.

"I will stay here until she returns. But you will have to rest in return. No more talking," he indicated, and I agreed with a nod.

I readjusted under the covers, bringing them up to my neck, and exhaled.

Ping*

"Is that your phone or mine?" I asked.

"Mine."

"Oh, okay." I hated how I didn't get to study the new phone Master got for me after my eye surgery.

"Just sleep."

"You can pick up your call; I won't mind," I let him know when my mind remained relentless.

"It wasn't a call," he briefly answered.

"But it rang."

"It was a message," he retorted.

Oh!

There was silence for a bit. Please sleep!

But, of course, my head was a whirlwind of thoughts. "Is it that girl from the other day?"

Oh, shoot!

It wasn't until it left my tongue, and I heard how absurd I sounded in my own ears that I mentally cussed at myself for not knowing how to shut up.

"I thought we had a deal," he accused.

"I will stop asking. I just can't sleep," I huffed, tossing and turning under the covers.

"Do not move."

He sounded so close, my whole body tensed as I lay in the bed. So I did not move at all.

My body waited in anticipation until I felt him drilling something in my ear. It took him a few seconds before he granted me my space back. Did I want it? I did not know.

"What is that?" I asked, touching the small thing fused to my hearing.

"I will warn you, I will play a song," he said.

"Is it some kind of wireless earphone?" I wondered, and he hummed. I was beginning to think it was a habit of his. The tone sounded like a reassuring melody, fitting his vocal style perfectly, with a touch of richness and elegance.

And then, cool music started playing at a very low volume, just as he had forewarned.

"What is the man saying?" I curiously asked him.

"Should I increase the volume?" he asked.

"Yes, please." And he did so until the lyrics and beats were moderately audible.

"Duncan?" I simply asked from my mind; he was still standing by the bed.

"Uhm mm," he mumbled.

"Do you want to lay?"

"Is that okay? We can't just lay together."

"Why not?"

He had proven he was good; I could trust him. He felt safe to be around, he had helped me clean up, and I did not fear him like I thought I would.

"Why do you think?" He asked.

"I do not know." I breathed, confounded about what he meant. "I generally share a bed with my friends."

"We are friends?" He questioned.

"I guess." I bit my lip, adding, "Besides, you can leave when Grace returns."

I heard him heave a sigh as if the circumstances were difficult to decide.

"I need you nearby to know that Colten won't come back to hurt me again," I told him.

"He won't." Duncan retorted firmly, the promise strong in his tone.

He didn't say more. I felt the other end of the bed compress, and at the same time, my heart picked up the pace, and my entire body and soul loosened up in the ease he provided.

"You should rest," he said from my other side, mildly close by as I needed.

I nodded in agreement, and he readjusted, shifting probably to his side because I could suddenly feel his gaze.

The song changed, it was a male voice. The lyrics were delicate and soothing, just as the sudden contact of his fingers, sliding into mine.

He intertwined our hands, his breathing pace even, very opposite of my quickened one.

My breathing stopped entirely, and in the audible silence that enveloped the room, Duncan's existence took control of mine.

"Should've stayed

Were there signs I ignored?

Can I help you not to hurt anymore?

We saw brilliance when the world was asleep

There are things that we can have but can't keep"

When I woke up from what must have been a deep slumber, although I couldn't open my eyes, like any other normal person who woke up from sleep, I noticed there was no music playing in my ear. There was this strange emptiness I couldn't begin to comprehend. I turned over, reaching to feel Duncan by my other side, but the spot was flat.

I quickly sat up, feeling a grip of fear on my heart the size of a giant hand, and I couldn't function well.

"Duncan?" I called out, not caring about the volume, as I was panicking about the safety of my surroundings.

"He probably left for school," Grace's soft voice came up from within the room.

At least I wasn't alone.

But, oh shoot!