Deviant Fixation

by Valencia Carmelita

  Anya lets out a dry chuckle. "I doubt they would rid of that one."

  I shake my head disappointedly. Why do they need to earn money from such vile professions when they already own so many corporations ?

  "Now you can perceive why I and the rest of the family are so worried over him..he means so much to us." She laments.

  "This morning even Miss Rachael agreed that no Christmas gift would be better than having to see him out and about again."

  Abruptly the double doors swing open and enters Lorna. She pauses midstep and raises a questioning brow at us. "What's wrong ?"

  Mrs.Agnelli transitions the morose topic. "Oh nothing, just about done in the kitchen here and we will ready ourselves on Mister Molotov's orders."

  Lorna nods halfheartedly before her eyes land on the plastic carton infront of Anya and she asks. "How's the eggnog I prepared ? Was it chilled properly? "

  "We're just about to try it out, actually." Anya answers passively.

  Lorna aims her attention on me. "Sanam, try my Christmas eggnog, tell me what you think of it."

  I nod in compliance while Anya begins pouring me a cup and herself. The content within the ceramic cup is a creamy golden liquid. As I inch it near my mouth, I catch a strong whiff of vanilla. "Mmmm this taste so yummy !"

  Lorna chuckles approvingly and Anya agrees. I gulp it down in one go and pour myself another cup. The taste was rich caramel and vanilla, the liquid chilled my mouth and throat. I didn't care if I were to suffer a brain freeze later on, this was too good or perhaps I was too hungry.

  "Oh dear, drink it slow or you'd get sick from drinking so suddenly." Lorna chortles airily.

  I already sensed my nose growing cold. Mrs.Agnelli offers me a portion of the chocolaty ginger bread on a plate. I wholeheartedly accept, my hunger no longer containable. While I chew on the dulcet morsels, I notice the melancholic looks return to the other three women as they go about tidying the kitchen. I sense my heart wilt and think how utterly selfish that demon is behaving towards his family.

  Within seconds, a plan dawns on me and the ideas begin to take shape.

  But wouldn't it prove risky ?

  After all, Anya had shared her story regarding him and his supposed decent heart. I pilfer a glance her way and then at the other two women.

  Perhaps it's worth the risk !

  I hate seeing the entire household in such emotional despair.

  He would surely cease his recluse when he views the side effects of his absence on his family.

  Some 15 minutes later, I'm ushering everyone in the foyer to stand side by side while I snap a pic with the phone Rachael had provided me.

  "Can you just tell us your plan?" Katie asks for the second time while trying to hold Arielle and Charlie from fidgeting.

  "She did say it would be a Christmas surprise." Rachael tries to smile but fails.

  "On a normal day I would have loved a surprise." Duffield comments aimlessly.

  "Shh! I can't reveal to you otherwise it's no longer a surprise!" I pipe in before directing. "Anya please stand closer to Mrs.Agnelli and Lorna."

  Within seconds they properly assemble to my satisfaction and I proceed to request. "Please make your most saddest faces ever, no smiling."

  They throw me puzzling looks and I suppress the secret urge to chuckle. "Please just do as I say, give me your saddest face for the picture."

  They finally comply, expressions growing even more depressed than before. I snap two to three photos before dismissing them. "Alright thanks. Rachael may I use your computer ?"

  "Oh..sure.." She studies me curiously as she continues. "follow me to my study."

  When we arrive to her private study, she turns on the computer for me. Before exiting, she informs. "Try to finish early whatever you're doing since we must leave for the Christmas musical soon. "

  Around 10 minutes later I give a final assessment to the concise handwritten note by me.

  Your family misses you a lot, the children especially. They are wondering why their uncle isn't present to care for them during this holiday season.

  I fold it in half and attach with it the printed photo of the family I had snapped earlier. I stuff the note into my satchel and as soon as I stand, a dull ache commences within my head. I shake my head to whisk the slight discomfort away before exiting the room.

  As I'm descending the steps of the foyer, the headache intensifies.

  Ughhh!!! Why now ???!!!

  I reach upto knead my forehead wearily. Lorna spots me and concern displays on her face. "Are you alright ?"

  "I don't know why I got a headache suddenly." I continue kneading at my forehead.

  Lorna shakes her head knowingly. "You drank cold eggnog very quickly, you need some rest and something warm to drink like soup."

  "Yeah I'm not feeling too well." I agree. I hated that I was this sensitive.

  Rachael and Katie descend the steps and come to a halt next to me. Rachael peers at me and Lorna before she questions. "Is everyone ready to go ?"

  "Sanam has a headache, she's not feeling well." Lorna explains.

  "Oh dear ! So you should rest unless you feel you can manage ?" Rachael asks me with worry. "Uncle doesn't know you, so you're let off the hook easily."

  ◆◆◆

  I lay awake in bed staring at the ceiling aimlessly for the past 30 minutes. The headache had subsided after a hot cup of masala chai around 10 minutes ago. I was bored, I should have gone with everyone else to see the Chritmas musical and just gotten some steaming cup of coffee there. Here I was all alone, doing nothing.

  My phone vibrates and I glance at the screen. A text message from Katie, asking me if I was feeling better. I sent her a quick message back in the affirmative. She replied back with a pic of the musical, Arielle trying to photo-bomb. I laugh, I absolutely adore Rachael's children.

  I type back, asking if they were all enjoying themselves. A prompt response in the negative arrives, they weren't genuinely enjoying without Vladimir.

  I arise from my bed and pluck out the note from my frayed leather satchel and contemplate over it.

  Should I slip this under his door right now?

  Or should I await the night before Christmas ?

  Arielle's sad words echo throughout my mind, 'Uncle Vladdy would buy me tons of gifts n stuff! I missss hiiiiim!!!"

  I decide I should slip it under his door now, perhaps he will realize how unfair he was being to his niece and nephew. Surely then he would have an extra day left to buy them gifts before Christmas morning.

  Some three minutes later, I stand infront of the demons bedroom door. Nervousness creeps over me ever strongly. On the way here I had been constantly arguing in my mind whether I should put my plan to fruition or not. A part of my conscience warned me against it while another part referred to me as a coward.

  Think of the smiles you'd bring to the family's face...they have done so much for you !

  No ! He's a monster! Don't do it!

  His door is massive compared to the other bedroom doors in the manor. I briefly wonder whether if the interior of the room resembles a mini luxury apartment. Otherwise how else can anyone remain isolated for so long in just a regular bedroom connected to a bathroom?

  My palms have moistened in slight unease while clutching at the note. Eww don't soak it with your sweaty hands, just slip it under his door already!!

  I kneel down carefully and start to slide the note under the door frame.

  Instead of slipping in easily, it jams and won't go in more than half way.

  I frown, that's strange....

  Brushing my hair aside, I inch my head all the way to the floor and peer through the lower crease of the doorframe. The note is partially stuck under a heavy rug edging next to the door. I can't see anything beyond except I notice the room is illuminated by dimmed lights.

  I pull the note back out and this time try avoid getting it stuck under the rug. It gets jammed again but I manage to nearly push it up over the rug. My
head bangs inadvertently against the door in the process.

  For a second or two, I freeze in discretion while hoping he hasn't heard the noise. Within seconds my hopes are crushed when abruptly the remainder of the note is snatched in under the door.

  I rapidly try scrambling to my feet while the door swings open. However instead, I end up tripping on the hem of my ankle length dress. My derrière unceremoniously hits the ground with a painful thud. But my entire focus is aimed ahead at the opened door.

  In shock, my vision slowly journeys upwards the tall and foreboding figure in the doorway. Finally my gaze locks with familiar ensnaring pair of blue eyes. Perhaps I had forgotten over the past weeks, of how much fear his presence instills within me till now.

  Nothing has modified in his captivating appearance, except for the slight dusting of dark blonde stubble on his shapely chin. Hair in a tousled bed head look. He's garbed in a navy blue v-neck t-shirt stretched over his broad shoulders and chest and a pair of navy blue Scottish checkered pants. One of his defined and toned arms extend at the doorframe, hand holding onto the door knob. While in the other hand he possesses the note.

  He steps out fully into the corridor, without looking away from me and slams the door shut behind him. I flinch at the impact.

  His face contorts in a most resentful expression aimed at me as he crumples the note in one large fisted hand.

  My eyes widen in fright. Did he even read it ?

  He begins ambling forward towards me, mouth twisting in a sordid way. In utter trepidation I scramble backwards utilizing my elbows. I notice he's inadvertently blocking the path I would have tread to my bedroom.

  In matter of seconds, a rush of adrenaline kicks in and I leap to my feet. Without sparing him a second glance, I hastily canter in the opposite direction towards the foyer.

  My heart hammers at abnormal speed as I rapidly descend the length of the stairwell. Once I get to the landing, I risk a glance up only to discover he hasn't pursued me. A heavy sigh of relief escapes my mouth as I standstill trying to calm my breathing.

  This wasn't supposed to happen according to plans!

  I wonder how I would manage to get to my room with him out in the corridor. A deep regret fills me for having attempted such a foolish idea of delivering the note to him. Considering the both of us were the only occupants currently in the manor, it was highly incongruous of me.

  I should inform Katie by a text, the demon finally emerged out of his lair. Perhaps she'd get the hint that I'm indefensible right now, cueing the family to cancel the rest of their plans and return.

  I shove my hands into my cardigan pockets, only to be extremely disappointed for having abandoned my phone in the bedroom. Distress transudes over my mind as I contemplate what to do next. I needed to get to my room without running into him.

  What if he's decided to return to his room ?

  Maybe I should wait five minutes just to be sure, then I can sneak upstairs and peer around the corner. Check if the coast was clear.

  The vacant foyer appears erie in the absence of the rest of the family. I decide to fare time in the kitchen.

  I arrive to a kitchen enshrouded by darkness. Strange..

  I vaguely remembered whether I extinguished the lights off after making tea.

  I carefully tread in while feeling around by my hands. The outline of the kitchen islands guided me towards the light switch next to the fridge. Reaching successfully to the counter, I lean forward while extending my hand and flip the switch. The bright ceiling lights illuminate the kitchen.

  As soon as I swivel around, I let out a startled shriek. He's standing there rigidly, a distance of few steps in between us. I clutch at my chest in repleted panic.

  How the hell did he get here?! He was upstairs !!

  With cerulean eyes burning in ire, he commences in an equally torrid tone. "Even the slightest amount of bootlicking by you would fail to elevate your plebeian state."

  How did I forget he could have used the other entrance to come down here ??

  My eyes frantically flit towards both exits that were currently out of reach for me. If I try to sprint for it quick enough, I'd be able to flee back to the foyer and into the safety of my room..unless he gets there before me.

  Sensing my apprehension, he sneers. "I see no one is present to offer your pathetic existence any form of security."

  Then he begins predatorily treading forward. My heart continues hammering in dread as I ask. "W-why do y-you want to k-kill me?"

  "You and your kind deserve nothing but elimination." He provides a loathsome retort.

  The evil of his words serve only to inflict further terror within me. My eyes warily skim past him to the double door exit on my right.

  Distract him, then you can easily escape him.

  "B-But why ?!" My voice quaking.

  Before he can answer, I take this opportunity to dash past him. Just as I attempt to, he works in a quick reflex and obstructs my path. In dread I rush away from him and around to the opposite side of the last kitchen island. Misery takes root in me as I observe I'm clearly trapped, he is much too swift in his reflexes.

  "P-please !" I entreat him as tears collect in my eyes. "D-don't h-hurt me! Please d-don't.."

  His expression darkens familiarly and his mouth presses into grim line before he questions. "Answer me, Muslim..that day..did you enjoy..when I took his life ?"

  I furrow my brows in a sudden mixture of anger and perplexity. Why is he asking me such a morbid question again ?

  "I bet it turned you on.." He lets out a dark masculine chuckle, eyes gleaming with malice as he took another step forward.

  My focus is drawn to his steps inching closer as I rear back a step instinctively.

  "Answer me !" He asserts menacingly.

  I feel nothing short of revulsion at his putrid question. "Why do you keep asking me that !? What's wrong with you !?"

  " you must have enjoyed the sounds of his bones fracturing under his skin.." His voice lowers sinisterly.

  "Not everyone is a sick and twisted monster like you !" I bellow in repleted fury.

  What the hell is wrong with him?!

  With a disquieting tone, he continues. "Oh but you're wrong little girl..deny as you may ..you're sick in your own little way.."

  "W-what ?" I question, narrowing my gaze at him in further puzzlement.

  A distant look fogs his eyes. "I know you got daddy issues.."

  I gape at him before new found fury wracks through me. "That's none of your business!!"

  How dare he !!!

  The atmosphere thickens with an adverse form of tension. I felt like I was suffocating by breathing alone.

  "Hit a nerve, did I ?" A cruel smile tugs at his lips as he studies me. "Go ahead..cry little girl."

  Without realizing it, tears had been streaming down my cheeks.I balled my fists at my sides in burning rage. "You're sick ! You need help!"

  Evading my statement, he treads nearer and mutters. "I'll fracture your bones just as I did his..and it will feel oh so good.."