SHE

Chapter 40: Strings of Sanity

"Her boyfriend is abusing her." Sheer stated when the girl went into the bathroom to clean herself.

"Her name?" I asked.

"Emily Wheelers. Seventeen years old, her parents are in California. She was there a few months ago but was taken and brought here. I assume the boyfriend took her."

"The boyfriend?"

"His name is Leonus Trevino, twenty two years old. One of the gang leaders here in New York. His dangerous and reckless actions would put every weak person in their place, everyone in the streets know him as the Lion."

I hummed, looking at the picture of the man she described. Dirty blonde hair with dark eyes. A tattoo of a roaring lion painted over his nape down to his back.

"We can tell she was taken by force, she might be threatened. But I wasn't surprised when her parents didn't report to the police for kidnap. Being the man that he is, he must have more than three moles in the government."

I nodded, taking in all the information.

"He's twenty two and yet goes to take a minor. She must be in a state of shock." Sheer added.

We both went silent when the shower in the bathroom stopped and we can hear her getting dressed in Sheer's clothes.

"I don't think she is now." I said the moment the door that separates her and us opens to reveal her young face.

She wore a simple black printed shirt with a face of a woman and denim shorts that reached in the middle of her thighs.

"Thank you for making me use the bathroom, and for the clothes." She mumbled, fumbling her hands behind her back whilst bowing her head slightly.

"It is nothing, Emily. You are welcome anytime." Sheer assured but she still won't raise her head.

Sheer cleared her throat and waved her hand to me.

"This is my friend, Rue Scarce. She came here on my behalf to help you as well."

Emily raised her eyes to glance at me but it was only for a moment until she looked down on the ground again.

"Raise your head, Emily. I won't harm you." I spoke with gentleness that I surprised myself even.

She reluctantly submitted and looked at me with those eyes. Just looking at them can tell me she wouldn't surrender without a fight. Just like how a real woman should be.

"Come, child. Sit." Sheer called, gesturing towards the single couch in front of us.

She slowly made her way and sat without speaking a word and her eyes glued to the glass table. Sheer handed her a cup of tea and told her to calm herself down before we start the business.

"I assume your father is the client." I spoke, not even bothering to speak slow and steady.

The girl stilled but she continued to sip the drink to calm her nerves.

"Yes, ma'am." She spoke, her voice almost inaudible to the ears.

"Can you tell us how your father got ahold of a Mafia member?" I asked again.

"One of my father's close friends knew of you. He told him that you are one of the best and that you could help me with my condition. Although I don't believe so." She answered and that made my eyebrow raise.

But Sheer being herself tried to lighten the atmosphere and spoke with enthusiasm.

"Your father's friend is not mistaken and neither did your father do anything wrong." The girl then placed her eyes on Sheer with a shocked expression.

"We are a part of the Mafia. As far as wishes go, the Mafia is real and we are one of them." Sheer added but the girl's doubtful look never wavered.

"I don't believe you."

Stubborn as a fierce tiger. But at her frail and flimsy self, she is nothing but a small growling cat.

"We don't want you to believe. Heck, we don't even need you to trust us. You just need to trust your father's judgement and use your will to free yourself. It won't hurt to try."

As Sheer spoke, the girl shook her head, her damp brown hair falling heavily over her shoulders.

"No, he will get me. Even if we try we will always fall in his hands." She spoke with her voice sounding helpless and empty.

"Like I said, we won't know if we try--"

"You don't know him, okay? He is ruthless and dangerous. He could kill anyone without a second thought. He's a monster and a heartless fucker that could kill my family right now and I'm wasting time with you. You don't stand a chance." She spat, her emotions surfacing.

Wow, I never expected that but she is in fact in a state of being terrified. Not for herself but for her family.

Sheer looked annoyed. She doesn't like getting interrupted and seeing a mere sixteen year old girl speaking to her out of spite may have cut some of her strings.

"We don't know him?" Sheer chuckled and I sighed.

This is going to be difficult.

"Darling, I know him more than he knows himself." And there goes her smile, not a smile of assurance nor a forceful one but one of her charms as an evil doer.

"I hate to say this but seeing you like this would give Leonus the satisfaction. Being terrified of a small insect like him would only cause your demise."

The girl looked astounded at Sheer's new behaviour as she leaned over with a dark face.

"You are fool to speak to me like that, young one. You know Trevino, but you don't know me. You know what he's capable of, but don't go talking like a spoilt brat when you don't know who you're dealing with, insolent fool."

And there it is, the dark side of Sheer Blackett. She may be smiling and has her own sense of humor, but she has a very, very, very short temper. Once you cut all of her strings of sanity, you will have to meet the gallows in an instant.

The girl looked shaken as she took in Sheer's horrifying attitude, so I took the matters in my own hands.

"So Miss Wheelers, shall we start with the plan? I'm sure you wouldn't mind me asking personal questions about your stay with Mr Trevino?" I asked, my voice still steady and unconcerned with my companion glaring at the client.

The girl hesitantly turned her head towards me and with a gulp, she nods her head.

"Good. Let us start with the question, did you or did you not lose your virtue with the man?"