Art of Darkness

prologue

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, events, and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This story contains mature content.
Abuse, violence, use of weapons, blood, death, and r-18 scenes.

Google translate is used for other languages. I apologize for the possible inaccuracies.

English is my third language so please bear with possible typographical/grammatical errors.

No character here is perfect.

—

NATALIA ELYSE DELAVIN
Florence, Italy

"Happy sixth birthday, dear Natalia Elyse Delavin."

I gulped when I heard that voice. I quickly got out of bed and went to the corner of the room slowly sitting down, hugging my knees while tears slowly fall from my eyes out of fear.

I don't know who they are but I know for sure, I've been in this room since I was born.

"I have a special gift for you," the voice started to get louder as that person was already on the other side of the door.

Please, I don't want another beating. I didn't... I didn't even do anything to you.

I repeated those words inside my head again and again in hopes that they will have a little ounce of mercy on me.

I'm just a kid...

"Oh, don't be scared now, little one. I won't hurt you today. It's your birthday!"

It sounded like he was just playing with me. I don't want to believe him. It sounds so... fake.

"Well, physically," he laughed.

What does he mean?

"Come here Natalia! Or I will fucking chain you again to a wall and whip you!" another tear fell from my eyes when he shouted.

I had no choice but to stand up and walked toward him, sobbing.

My whole body was covered in bruises. New and old cuts and up until now, I can feel soreness in my stomach from yesterday's beatings.

He handed me a small box with his wide smile. It has a red ribbon on its lid. "Go on, little one. This one is for you," he said while caressing my hair making another tear fall from my eye.

"Why are you crying?!" He shouted again holding my face tightly making me face him.

I didn't answer. I tried to suppress my tears because if he gets mad, who knows what torture I might get to.

"Open it!" he excitedly said smiling again as if he didn't get mad earlier.

My hands are shaking as I slowly pulled the ribbon and took the cover off. My brows furrowed when I saw... photos? and a small device which they call a video tape I think.