Warnings: Gruesome descriptions ahead!
Z
(Unedited)
My fingers drummed on the dashboard in tune with the song playing in the car.
It had been one of the few melodies I had loved before he threatened me to never listen them again. Never had I ever since.
He slapped me hard. Stumbling from the force, I fell to the floor, palming my burning cheeks.
' What did I say ,Z? Worthless activities as such will only make you more weak and more pathetic than you already are.'
Clutching my hair, he pulled me up as I screamed in pain and brought his mouth to my ears.
' What did you come here for? To seek revenge, to kill, to be fearless. I think you're still the miserable little girl I brought here, two years ago. Do you think you're ready?'
I kept silent , tears rolling down my cheeks.
His grip on my hair unbearably tightened as he yelled again.
'DO YOU?!'
I shook my head vigorously murmuring , 'No, No.'
He released me and pushed me to the ground as he called out.
' Derek!'
My eyes widened at what he was planning.
'No. Please. I'm sorry. Please, I promise I won't repeat it. '
Derek walked upto his father and awaited his order.
' Fifty.'
I let out a gasp at the number.
He walked towards me , with eyes cruel and empty.
Clutching the collar of my shirt , Derek tore it off leaving me with only my bra and pants.
I screamed in pain as the first whip made contact with my skin. I could feel new cuts on my back and the older ones crack open as he kept beating me mercilessly.
When I was close to passing out from the pain and exhaustion, my ears caught hold of a whisper from the other end of the room ,even through all the screaming I did.
'This is for your own good.'
"I am sorry."
My head snapped to J who was in the drivers seat. He was staring into the road, occasionally glancing at the GPS as we made our way to the Winstor Mansion.
"What for ?"
" For...for what happened in the café."
A hint of a smile adored my face at his struggle.
I can't waste this chance.
I leaned back into the seat and brought my hands to the back of my head, acting nonchalant.
" I don't see why you should be sorry for me having some coffee."
I held back a smirk at his stunned and irritated look.
" You know that's not what I meant Z."
"Oh , so not the coffee...wait, let me guess are you sorry, 'cause of you were a dick ? Oh that's alright J ,you don't have to apologize for the way you are."
His grip on the steering visibly tightened as he gave out a heavy sigh.
"Z, dont-"
" One more thing. Z? Why the sudden change of attitude? Ooh...wait! You're not crushing on me are you? 'Cause that would be awkward and... you're really not my type. No offense though."
I smiled to myself at my perfect queen bee acting, like those girls with squeaky voice and fluttering hands.
He was silent for a moment.
Yup. Take it all in. You're worth it.
" You know what? Forget it. You don't deserve my apology. Now, get out. We're here."
***********
We were standing, facing the entrance to the Winstor household.
It was a large mansion with a long driveway, huge fountain in the centre of it, perfectly kept gardens and all.
" Should we knock? 'Cause I don't see a bell or-"
Suddenly,the doors were pulled open by a tall man. He looked around forty with brown hair and wrinkled eyes ,wearing a black waistcoat with a crisp buttoned up white shirt.
" Yes? How may I help you?"
His eyes narrowed at us disapprovingly as he waited for our answer.
" We are here to meet,Mr and Mrs Winstor. We are from-"
" Master and Mistress do not meet visitors unless an appointment is made."
What is this? Medieval England?!
My instant dislike was so obvious in the next sentence.
" Well then, butler. Allow me to complete my previous statement.
We are assigned to investigate the case of Michael Winstor, son of your Master and Mistress.
And a while ago, we got a call saying they have received a rather peculiar gift . We would gladly like to check it out. So, kindly move out the fuckin' way, butler."
His face was decorated with a furious look as his brows knitted together in annoyance and maybe a bit of surprise. He opened his mouth to reply when the voice of a woman came from the inside.
"Who is it, Alfred?"
Without taking his off mine, he called out ,
" A man and woman claiming to investigate Master Michael's....death."
There was a moment of silence.
" Oh .Let them in then. "
I smirked at the man while pushing him out of the way and sauntered into the mansion.
From the corner of my eye, I could see J looking at me curiously.
" What?!" I snapped.
" Should you always be like this? I mean, that man was just doing his job. You didn't need to go all crabby on him."
" Yeah, not everyone can be perfect now, right Captain J?"
I sped up my pace without giving him a chance to reply.
He needed a woman with personality?
He got the wrong one.
The mansion was huge , like the ones you saw in the regency movies.
Large chandelier in the centre, two spiralling stairs, wooden cabinets with exquisite carpentry, rugs of the highest quality.... Who were these people?
As the living room came into view, I saw a woman sitting on one of the couches as she turned pages of what I thought was a picture album on her lap.
I cleared my throat to let her know of our presence at which she raised her head.
She looked around sixty , wearing a night dress. Her eyes were bloodshot, probably from crying as she looked at us curiously and smile in recognition after a few moments.
"Oh. Hello there. You must be from S.C.A.R. I am so sorry if Alfred caused you any trouble. He is actually very alert after...after what happened."
Her voice shook with her words as her eyes began to fill up again.
J spoke up.
"That's alright Mrs.Winstor, he was just doing his job."
Yeah..... I couldn't agree more.
" My name is J and this is Sergeant Z .
We got a call about something you.. received ?"
" Yes. Alfred, Could you....?"
"Yes mam."
Seeing him heading to the kitchen, I turned to the woman.
" Mrs. Winstor, if it's not too much trouble, may I know how you got hold of this package."
She took a deep breath and replied.
"James and I were having breakfast this morning when we heard a knock on the door.
It was unusual, since the guards at the entrance always notified us about any visitors.
Alfred went to check it out and came in with a box wrapped in some dirty newspaper. He said that he found it on the floor and that there was no one else at the door.
We opened it... and saw a ...a hand.
Michael's hand."
"I'm sorry, James?'
"Oh. My husband."
" Right, and how are you sure that it was your son's?"
" Mike always had a ring on his hand. It was a family heirloom. This one also had it."
"Hmm.."
Just then Alfred came in with a box and placed on the side table.
I put on my gloves and opened the lid. Immediately, we were hit with the smell of rotten flesh.
Pinching my nose, I peeked inside.
It was not just a hand. It was a heavily disfigured hand.
It was chopped off from the wrist with the arteries , veins and the muscles dangling from it.
The fingers were cut open in slices with the a large hole in the palm surrounded by gashes with dried blood and mud.
It looked as if it would come apart any moment.
I slid my hand into the box and carefully turned the hand over.
There was a gold ring, now stained with blood. It had a large ruby encased in spiralling gold vines.
The flesh on the front of the hand was carved into words.
Changing the angle of the hand and tried reading it .
"I give what is due".
Hmm....Not exactly a death threat.
A sharp intake of breath and a gasp was heard beside me.
I turned to see Mrs. Winstor's eyes widen and clasp her mouth with her hand.
She began visibly shaking.
" Its them! They're back!"
What the hell is she saying?
" Who?! Who is back?"
" Them! They killed her too! "
With that she collapsed on the floor sobbing.
J crouched near her.
" Mam, are you-"
Suddenly a deep voice spoke.
"Alfred, take Marie to her room. It's time for her medicines."
I turned to see a tall man in a business suit at the stairs. His hair was black with streaks of grey in between. And he looked strikingly similar to Michael .
His face was rigid and eyes calculating as he looked at us passively.
Alfred helped Mrs. Winstor to go to her room. She looked tired and pale , yet scared out of her wits about something.
The man descended down the stairs and stood in front of us , giving us a blank look.
He held out his hand.
" James Winstor. You must be the ones assigned to investigate my son's case."
J shook hands with him.
" Yes Sir. My name is J and this is Sergeant Z. We are fro-"
" I am the one who hired you Mr. J . I know where you're from."
Of course you do.
He took in a deep breath and looked at us.
" Michael's attorney and I assigned you to find out my son's kidnappers.
Since it's apparent that he had not been kidnapped, I withdraw my case. There is no more need for you to look into it.
You will receive however the said price in full."
I stepped in and faced the man.
" But sir, don't you want to know who killed him and why?"
" It won't bring him back, will it Ms. Z?"
" Don't you at least want find his body to bury?!
My voice rose with every word.
" Like I said earlier. It . Wont. Bring. Him. Back."
" But he needs justice. "
" Well, if I am ever in need of that satisfaction, I will be sure to handle it myself ."
What kind of a father is he?
" Now, if you will excuse me, I have a meeting to attend. Alfred , please show them out."
Saying so, he made his way out of the room as Alfred came behind us , ushering us to leave.
"We can show ourselves out, Cadbury."
I said.
A black Benz zoomed past the lawn as we came to the entrance and walked to our car in the driveway.
" Well, that settles it then. If the man doesn't need it, who are we to judge."
I turned to J.
" Something doesn't feel right."
He audibly sighed.
" There is nothing we can do, Z."
My eyes narrowed at him.
" You're just happy that I will leave soon, aren't you?"
Looking at me in amusement, he gave a perfectly faked smile.
" Of course not. How could I? I looove you soo much!"
" Sarcastic rascal." I muttered under my breath.
" Come on, we have to report to the bureau about this."
I paused near the car as he slid into the driver seat.
"Umm...You can go. I have some shopping to do. "
He raised a brow.
" You. Shopping."
" What dude? I am a woman. I have needs."
He put up his hands.
" Fine. Do whatever you want. Think you know your way around New York? Its a big city."
"I am not twelve J. Now, leave."
*************
" Hey Macaroni, . You free right now?"
"Z? Umm...No, I'm kind of in the middle of something."
" Good. I have sent a location to your tracker. Come find me there . Now."
"Wait. Where is J? You're supposed to be with him right?"
Ugh. This guy asks a lot.
" Yeah. He..uh..went for shopping."
" Shopping?"
" Yes Macaroni. Shopping. A man has his needs . Now, stop talking and come fast. Give me a call when you reach ."
I cut the call , not giving him a chance to reply.
Sliding back the phone to my pocket, I glanced at my target, the black car now, parked on the street.
Suddenly, two men in jackets, appeared out of nowhere and pulled open the doors. After a while , a familiar face stepped out of the vehicle and followed them into the building on the other side of the road holding a suitcase.
Standing up from my hiding spot, I silently followed them.
Let's see what you're upto, Mr. Winstor.
Okay guys, so this it.
Next chapter we're gonna have some action.
I am soo sorry for updating this late.
And I am not exactly very happy with this chapter. Hope y'all forgive me.
So, I don't really love Alfred. I mean he is soo rude.
And Mr Winstor is not exactly the father figure, huh?
How did you all find the chapter?
Drop in a comment.
Thank you so so so much for your support.
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Byeeeee❤️❤️