With a little embrace, Axel helped Tamara back to the pillow, her body still trembling with the echoes of her nightmare. He pulled the covers up on them, enveloping them in a warm embrace and settled in beside her.
His arms wrapped around her, holding her close, as if to shield her. Tamara's hair nestled into the crook of his neck, her breathing slow and ragged, as she struggled to calm the storm within.
Axel's voice smoothed her, a gentle voice that countered the haunting refrain of her lost child's voice.
Together, they lay there, entwined in a tender grasp, their hearts beating as one, as they sought solace in each other's embrace.
Slowly, Tamara breathing steadied, and their body relaxed surrendering to the comfort of Axel's arms.
And they drifted back to sleep.
The next morning….
Tamara woke up first, her eyes fluttering open to find Axel already up and dressed. She sat up, her movements slow and heavy the weight of the nightmare still pressing on her.
"Morning", Axel said curtly.
"Morning", she replied. She got down from the bed and went to freshen up.
Minutes later, she went downstairs for breakfast. As they both sat down for breakfast and when they were through, Axel offered a ride to Tamara.
After dropping his wife at her office, he picked up his phone and dialed someone's number "Find Dixon Villin", he growled, his voice low and menacing.
"Bring him to me alive and unharmed, before I get to the basement". He said.
"Okay boss", he knew better than to fail his boss, disappoint him.
Anyone who crossed Axel wrong path, is a man who would wish he had never been born.
When Axel got to the basement, his men greeted him and they brought Dixon out.
A cloth was pulled tight over his face, plunging him to darkness. His breath quickened, his heart racing with panic.
He tried to struggle and his struggles were futile because he was being tied to a cold, metal chair, the ropes biting deep into his skin.
"Remove the blindfold". Axel ordered.
With a jolt of terror, Dixon eyes snapped open as the cloth was pulled away from his face. He blinked rapidly, adjusting the dim light of the room.
And then his gaze fell upon the face of the person standing right as his front. His heart stopped. His breath froze.
His entire being was paralyzed with fear. It was a face he knew, a face he dreaded, a face he never prayed to have an encounter with.
Axel's eyes gleamed with a malevolent triumph, a smile twisting his lips.
Dixon's mind reeled with horror, his thought shattered by realization. He was at the mercy of the one person no body dare to mess with.
"Mr….A..Axel". Axel's smile grew wider his eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure.
"I guess you know me then, No need for introduction". Axel said with a cold voice, sending shivers down to his spine.
"Wh…what did I do to you", Dixon managed to reply with a hoarse voiceover. "I guess I have to remind you then.
"Should I remind you who killed my wife's mother by setting her up in a car accident?
Do you need to know that your precious wife killed her baby six years ago?
I am sure you're wondering why I am also punishing you for your wife's sin? Because you love her so much right? And you wouldn't want to see her getting hurt at least not in front of you.
"You have done a lot Dixon Villin and I left you alone but this time it's about my wife and I am going to make sure you get scared and give you a worse nightmare the same way you and your wife did to my wife". Axel said
You're doing it for that bitch… before Dixon could complete his sentence a huge blow landed on his mouth making him to cough out blood.
"Don't forget you're now talking to my wife". He spoke with anger visible in his voice.
Axel's voice was laced with cruelty as he commanded his men, "Take him away and make him suffer. Make him starve for food and make him thirst for water, let him taste the agony of hunger and thirst.
Lock him in the haunted room, where the spirits of damned will torment him, let him scream for mercy, and let him beg for death but turn deaf ears to him.
Crush his will and reduce the shell of his former self. And when he thinks it all over, make him wish he was dead".