I come out of training with sweat trickling from my face. Well I have been training for two months now and I'm getting better. As I was heading for the room, I spot Wallace drinking lemonade on the balcony alone, so I join him and sit right next to him.
"Oh, hey princess." he says forcing a smile.
"I know you still feel bad after the poisoning. I'm sorry, but you can't be that healthy soon. We need you to be well. I need you to be well." I say.
"l don't know why, but you always gives me back a hope to live. Thank you Iris." he says and pulls me in for a hug. I see it as nothing major, so I just hug him back. Just then, the alarm goes off and we all rush into the house. Everyone is assembling outside on the porch. I am about to join, but my Chauffeur says,
"Sorry Mistress but Master had said not to allow you in. It is for your own mental safety."
"What does that mean?" I ask.
"It means they found the traitor. I understand why Raul wouldn't let you in." Wallace tells me.
"I want to see." I say.
" Sorry Princess but not today." Wallace replies. Even him! Just great. I look around and try to find a way to see it. That's when I spot the balcony.
I rush out and get to the balcony without anyone noticing. I look down to see a man... I couldn't tell if he was a man. He was so bruised, it was hard to tell his complexion. He was tied down and was kneeling in front of...
Raul!
But why? I guess I was about to find out why even the mention of his name brings trembles to people.
"My brethren. I have called for this assembly to remind you of something. I value three things in this life. Respect, Obedience and Loyalty. Especially loyalty. For us, these are our brothers. Our family. We don't betray family. And whoever does should be treated even worse than the enemy. This, is one such person." He says, with a strong anger and coldness in his voice. "Well what do we do with enemies." He asks Stefano.
"Roast them on the steak." Stefano says with a smile on his face.
"Wallace." Raul asks again.
"Well, I don't know. A million painful tortures are coming to mind. Maybe pull out all his nails, or stick a hot knife in his asshole. All I know is that he is supposed to beg for death." he replies, so casually.
"If you had betrayed me, and got me hurt, it wouldn't have been bad. But you made my brother get hurt. For that, roasting on a steak is too good. I must say, you're ballsy. Let's take care of they, shall we?" Raul says.
Without hesitation, he took a blade and cut the man's member. As the man wailed in pain, asking Raul for mercy, Raul just looked down at him, no remorse in his eyes. Was this the real Raul? He then gave them to a man who took them in.
"In the mean time, let's play a game called, try not to flinch." He says, lighting up his cigarette. "I will do something to you, and if you flinch, I cut of your finger. Okay....Wait it wasn't up for discussion."
With that, he ordered a ton of beer. Oh No. He wouldn't!
Raul ripped his clothes off and he... he....he.
He poured the beer on his wound. The man held on to his strength, but finally gave up and screamed. Wallace snipped off his finger and Stefano poured wine on the wound again. I feel my heart race, and I cover my mouth as fear paralyzed me, and tears rolled down my cheeks, with my eyes wide open. Just then a chef brought some nicely fried meat on a plate and gave it to Raul.
"Come now, feast on this meal..." he starts, but the man breaks down.
"Please, I can't eat that please..." he begs.
"But if you are ready to betray your own family, then I don't see the difference in betraying your body right." Raul says arrogantly.
Oh goodness. That was when I made it out. It was his member. How could they be so heartless. The man hesitantly took the meat and ate it as the rest watched in silence. The man finally saw that enough was enough and snatched Raul's guy, shooting himself in the head. His eyes locked with me as he pulled the trigger and I watched the life drain out of his eyes. I just stood still even as Raul gave his warning to the rest in Italian. This was what I had gotten married to. A cold, heartless , merciless murderer who thrived on blood. My legs finally gave in and I sank to the ground. Just then, my chest started pounding. I had to get out of here.
As Raul was still giving his speech, I sneaked out and ran. I ran as fast as I could, not daring to look back. Tears rolled down my face as I recalled what they did to that man. I ran as all the memories of Raul came rushing through my mind all at once. I just snapped and fell to the ground, crying hard and shaking like crazy. That was when I looked around and found out they I was somewhere in the woods. I was lost. I broke down terribly and I was sure the grass was soaked in my tears.
Just then, I heard controlled footsteps. I knew that it was his men. So I resumed my running, but quieter. I ran so hard, I felt my asthma start to act up but I force my body to accept the situation. I feet them start to catch up to me so I hide in a certain hole and cover myself with weeds.
"Iris!" I hear Raul shout. "Iris, where are you going. Come back and explain yourself." he says obviously pissed.
I stay there quietly and wait for them to leave. once they all left, I crawled out of the hole slowly. I was about to run again until I felt an arm around my waist. The scent was familiar except it had a touch of blood.I knew he would come to kill me. It was Raul. Immediately I saw his face, I saw the man who he had so harshly treated, I didn't even know whether he was human, or an animal. I felt my heart sink and a drip of cold sweat ran across my face. I was trembling like crazy and a strong paralysis took over. I just stood rooted to the spot and shut my eyes real tight.
He was hissing on my hair. I had to think fast. all I could think of was how he was going to tear me to pieces. I instinctively bit him hard and he let go I ran as fast as I could. Slowly, my body started giving in and I fell on my chest. He then came there and helped me up. I started struggling, but he easily overpowered me as the asthma took control. He then carried me into his arms and I read his lips.
"It's okay. You'll be okay." he says.
Why? I knew he was a threat to me, but I still took comfort him his words. So much so, that I actually passed out in his arms.