Chapter 6

"You overrate my capacity of love. I don't possess half the warmth of nature you believe me to have. An unprotected childhood in a cold world has beaten gentleness out of me."

by, Thomas Hardy

"GET OUT," Alice screamed then stared out of the window.

Her right hand started to tremble. She stops it by placing her left hand on top of it.

Oliver nodded and climbed out. Alice watched Khan taking two steps at a time as he sprinted down the steps towards her car. He climbed into the driver's seat and sped off.

Alice looked at the ocean as they drove along the shore. The car came to a stop. Khan leaned his seat back and closed his eyes. Alice waited a second. It has been a long time since she came back to this place. She inhaled and climbed out of the car. The fresh sea wind whisked across her face blowing the daisies that were still in her hair with it. She took her shoes off and continue to walk barefoot. In front of her was a long cement pier. She walked until she reached the end of the pier. The pier was also known for its multiple suicide cases. People would jump into the sea and their bodies would sometime wash out on the beach. Alice closed her eyes listening to the waves crashing against the side of the pier. The droplets of the ocean wetted her skin as the wind blew against her.

'I heard them asking why I am this way. How could a lady be so beautiful but so cold.'

Her eyes shot open,

"They made me like this. The person who took you from me made me like this! I did not choose this. I never wanted this life. When we were little I saw my life with you. I never wanted to get separated from you. This is torture to live without you." Alice screamed out over the sea.

A tear rolled out of her eye as the memory of her past flashed before her…

She laid on the ice-cold floor which they called her bedroom. The cold was medicine to her torn flesh. They took the thin shredded mattress she call her bed. She could not remember the last time she had a bath or a decent piece of bread. Her back was aching from all the beating and whipping she received. Tears ran down her cheeks. She was tired. Barely holding on. The only thing that kept her going was the promise Kevin made her. He told her he would come and get her. Didn't he?

'He told me he would. He never goes back on his word. I must hold on a little longer.' She kept telling herself day after day. She kept believing.

She watched a figure crouching before her. She was too weak to lift her head. But her eyes followed his every movement.

"Such a shame. I must say, I am surprised by how long you enduring everything. I thought you would have died long ago." The man said.

"I heard you calling out to someone in your sleep. Mmm, what is the name again? Kevin? Is that right?"

Her heart started beating faster when she heard him mentioning, Kevin. She knew by now to keep her mouth shut.

"So you know what I did? I did some research on this Kevin friend of yours.” The guy stopped and looked in front of him, "Seems he was adopted by a mafia leader. Unfortunately, he got killed with them. About two days ago. Poor thing," He said with a sneer.

She closed her eyes letting the tears fall freely.

'Now I know why you didn't come. I can finally take my last breath and be with you again.' She thought to herself.

"Now don't go dying on me now," He said

"I know who killed him. They say he was tortured. His eyes were stuck out in front of his parents, before they all died. Such a terrible way to die. Don't you think? Now if I were you, I would take revenge against those who did this to him. Looks like the guy meant a lot to you. How can you die like this without even revenging him?"

This seems to get her attention. She opened her eyes and glared at him.

"I will help you. I will make you stronger. When you are physically and emotionally strong enough, I will tell you who killed him."

The scene of Kevin dying played out in her mind. Something broke inside of her. This guy was right she had to revenge Kevin. She had to. With the last strength, she had, she slowly pushed herself up.

"Wh- What do you get out - of this?" She asked in a hoarse voice.

"Let's just say, me and you are after the same man."

She looked at him with hesitation.

'Whatever, I got nothing to lose anyway" she thought to herself.

"Fine." She said.

"Good." He placed a piece of bread and water in front of her.

"Eat and get some sleep. I will come and get you when you wake up."

Her eyes opened as the wind brought her back to reality.

Alice slid to her knees. She threw her head back and screamed in agonizing pain as the memory of Kevin flooded her mind.

"AAAAHHHHHHH"

"I'm so sorry Kevin. I am sorry. I am doing this for you. I am doing this for you."

She kneeled forward placing her head on the cold cement floor. I am almost there Kevin. I am sorry for what I have become. Please forgive me. 'Just a little while longer then, I will see you again. I pray that you will be waiting for me on the other side.'

She stayed like that for a few minutes. She tightened her hands into fists and stood up. She recollected herself and walked with an emotionless expression back to the car.

'They said she had no heart, and they were right. The day that Kevin died her heart died along with him.'