Repeatedly, seconds after seconds, all I could hear was the deafening, terrifying sound of gunshots.

I clutched my pillow tighter, pressing it against my chest and shut my eyes. Repeatedly flinching anytime I heard the horrific sound.

It was the most ungodly hour of the day, 3:00am, yet I still climbed out of bed and crawled to the window, fearfully peeking out.

The sound was coming from miles away, still in the enormous compound of the villa. The building didn't look anything like a warehouse so I just guessed it was a shooting range.

Dropping from my knees, I held my chest and breath out in relief.

I was tired and sleepy but my hoplophobia kicked in and all I could do was stare at the emptiness of the room.

I had gotten my clothes back from Julía over three hours ago and I was now in one of the summer gowns.

I hated the fact that I couldn't fall asleep because if I could, I would, yet I keep remembering what happened some hours ago.

After Ermanno had left, I briefly cleaned myself up before leaving the kitchen. Ermanno was no where to be found and I melted as Jovani gave me a knowing glance before leaving.

Facepalming, I lay on the floor and fiddled with my fingers. I hated the way it resurfaced in my head every three minutes.

Pulling myself up from the floor, I weakly walked to the bathroom. I scooped some water from the sink and rinsed my tired face.

In the mirror, I saw my exhausted reflection staring back at me. My bright hazel eyes had turned dull and black bags surrounded beneath my eyes.

Helplessness filled me which slowly turned to rage and before I could comprehend what was going on, my left hand was balled up and risen against the mirror.

I punched it with all my strength but not much damage was done to it, instead blood trickled down my hand to the floor.

I wanted to scream so bad as I stared at my wounded knuckles but instead I bit my lips and watched my tears roll down my cheeks.

With blood flowing down my knuckles and glass shattered on the floor, I walked out of the bathroom to the wardrobe.

Ripping the light material of the summer gown I wrapped it round my knuckles.

I was a medical student taking online courses but I didn't want to treat my wound. I wanted it to hurt so much so that maybe I could get used to a little pain.

I lay on my bed watching how the light material quickly got soaked. The shooting had stopped minutes ago and I could feel myself drifting into sleep.

***

There it was. I felt it again, that hopeless feeling of wishing everything was just a nightmare. I hoped I'd wake up and realize that my life these past few weeks was just a bad dream.

Sadly, I was met with the same white ceiling when I looked up. I wasn't waking up to the warm feeling of my room back at home and my ugly rug which I'd come to miss. I was waking up to this cold and empty room. A room which always taunted me.

I pulled the covers off my body and lazily walked to the bathroom. My knuckles stung and shattered glass was still on the bathroom floor.

After carefully gathering all the pieces of the glass, I disposed of them in the bin and proceeded to have my bath.

***

There it was. The unkept garden I had always admired from my window. Although the flowers had wilted and the grass had turned yellow, it still fascinated me. It looked more like a graveyard than a garden but I'm sure it was gorgeous when it was taken care of properly.

I looked over my shoulder to the man in a suit who had been following me since I stepped out of the mansion. His hand lay on his gun in his  back pocket but I was sure that wasn't his only weapon.

“Can I?” I asked, waiting for his permission to cross the beautiful metal gate and step into the garden but he ignored my question and just kept on staring at me.

I scoffed silently as I wandered the garden with my eyes. “Does anyone take care of this place?”

Once again he ignored me, and that's when I decided I had had enough. Rolling my eyes, I left the sight Infront of me and walked back to the boring mansion.

As soon as I stepped into the mansion, I felt my heart pause. My eyes widened In disbelief as I saw my phone on one of the side tables. It just lay there, calling me.

It took everything in me to stop myself from stepping forward. Why, all of a sudden was my phone there? It wasn't laying there when I went outside. This must be a trap..but Ermanno wasn't around. The car he always used wasn't in the compound. Plus, I could swear that I saw him leaving this morning and since then he hadn't returned so..how?

My curiosity and hope got the best of me as I found myself taking small steps to the table. Immediately at the table, I grabbed it, thanking God it wasn't an illusion. It was my phone but had several cracks on it.

I exhaled raspily as soon as I found Rachelle's number. I glanced around making sure I was alone before my shaky hand rose to dail it.

As soon as it began to ring, coming from the shadows of the living room, I heard a chuckle.

My brain and heart stopped simultaneously as I watched his silhouette get up from the chair and come towards the light.

Shit! It was a trap. I'd never hated being right as I did right now.

Still intimidating as ever, he stood a few feet from me, his fog grey eyes burning into my soul, with a smirk watching as Rachelle's number rung in my hands.

I was just about hanging up when she picked the call.

“Hello? Mercedes?” her voice sounded hoarse and desperate, it brought tears to my eyes. I never thought I'd hear her voice again. I forgot how beautiful and angelic her voice sounded.

“Mercedes are you there? Are you safe? Are you alright? Where are you?” she bombarded me with questions and all I could do was stare pleadingly at Ermanno with tear filled eyes.

“Merc, I know you're there. I can hear you breathe. Please say something.” I heard her break down into sobs which only tempted me to let my tears fall.

With my eyes still on Ermanno, he grabbed the phone from my hand and hung up.

Before I could say another word, he grabbed my jaw firmly as I fought hopelessly to free my face.

“I keep on underestimating your stupidity Mercedes.” he tsked.

“I sucked your dick. You owe me atleast one phonecall.” I glared at him.

His grip on my jaw tightened.
“I own you.” his other hand held my waist and pulled me closer until I was pressed against him. “I do not owe you anything.”

Finally letting go of my jaw, he turned to leave, my phone, still in his hand.

“Just let me speak to her, please. I promise I'll never ask again-”

“One more word about her and I'll be sending you her ashes.” he threatened, making his way to the staircase. “Julia is going to get you ready, make sure you cooperate.”

Those were his final words to me before ascending the staircase.

Going to get me ready? For what?

I felt so tempted to cry as I remembered Rachelle. Her voice, I had missed it. Her smile, her scent. Tears stung my eyes as I imagined how she must've felt when she saw me calling. Imagined the shock she must've been in as the call was cut.

I was so engulfed in thought, I didn't notice that rain had begun falling. Rain splattered on the rooftop, drop after drop. It wasn't heavy rain, more of a drizzle and the calming smell of wet ground filled the living room as the door was still open.

I hurriedly ran to the window and watched as the rain visited the garden. I smiled half way as rain watered the dying garden. It wasn't much but it'll do.

I lost control of my legs as they made their way to the door and beyond.

I felt so alive as the rain drops watered me as well. The bright sky turned grey and the rain intensified.

I looked up at the sky with a genuine smile as it bath me even more. I was a dying flower and this rain was bringing me back to life. Amidst my smile, a tear drop rolled down my cheeks, I was certain it wasn't the rain.

Then another and another. Still smiling and looking up at the rain for deliverance, I cried.