Sea of Temptation ; Simon Riley.

Chapter 39.

Trusting someone again was a thing she completely avoided at all costs. She saw her father on everyone's faces, she could only see betrayal and wickedness. Then, she met John Price, the oh so famous lieutenant of her team back then. It was during a sleepless night, when he entered the armory, that he saw her sitting all alone cleaning her own rifle, with the small siren lucky charm hanging from it.

Her silence and loneliness didn't make him pity her. He felt so damn attracted to her aura, to her blue eyes that contrasted with her long black hair. Though she stood on her own during missions, she was always the first one to help her teammates and have their back.

He admired her deeply, but he refused to let her know the hidden feelings or soft spot she held secretly in his heart.

Meridia hadn't realized that she zoned out, the cigarette almost finished between her fingers. Heaving out a sigh, she pulled towards her the ashtray on the bedside table and turned the cigarette off.
"Scylla, you want something to eat?" John's voice echoed from the other side of the apartment, cracking from her a small smile.

In the end, she wasn't alone. Not anymore.

"Nothing!" She replied, loud and clear enough for him to hear. The whole Task Force always had their arms open for her — except that bastard. She was glad she accepted John's offer, even if she realized too late how much of a pain in the ass she was being to them.

She unpacked her things and put them away, before changing into a loose t-shirt and comfortable shorts. It was almost midnight, she had no idea where they were ordering food from. She only knew that she was exhausted and her body was craving nothing but a comfortable bed.

"Fuck you! You should've ordered yourself the fries." She could hear Soap yell at one of them, "Yeah, I thought about it too late, okay?! It's just fries, man." Gaz bickered back before Ghost shushed them with his usual grumpiness.

Heaving out a sigh, Meridia threw herself on the mattress and rolled over her side, burying her face into the pillow. It didn't take long for her to drift off to sleep.

*

"Mama, why does he always lock me in the basement? I never do anything.. bad.." The little one spoke so quietly, sad tears making her eyes sting. She stared down at her bruised wrists, this time the restraints were closed tighter that it made her frail skin rip apart.

A small sigh fell from the older woman, her blue irises were filled with guilt, desperation, "I'm so sorry, honey. You don't deserve it." Her voice came out gentle and sweet, soothing the little girl's pain. "I'll be back, I need to get bandages for you. Stay seated here, mh?"

Two minutes went by. They turned into five. Then into ten.

The little one got off the toilet and mustered all her courage to check. And she wished she didn't at all.

Blood covered the entire room, it sticked under her bare feet, the metallic smell was making her nauseous. "Mama?" She asked quietly, her voice breaking slightly from the fear and anxiety. Too much blood, too much silence and darkness.

She shut her eyes tightly, and when she opened them back the image of her lifeless mother welcomed her. Her blue irises bore into hers. Dull, dead, filled by terror. The knife's handle poked out from her bloodied chest.

"He's coming for you, Riri." Her pale lips moved, the words coming from her making the little one burst into loud sobs.

With a gasp, Meridia sat up on her bed. Tears flowed down her cheeks, beads of sweat formed on her forehead. Her chest rose and fell quickly, she could feel her heart rate rising. It has been so long since she had a nightmare, maybe weeks, maybe one month.