Made of Steel

57. Where are you, Adriano?

Cassandra Reid

'Wake up'

'Wake up'

My eyes snap open, but I have to close them again. I can't focus my sight. Everything spins around me and constant movement of the ground worsens my condition.

I blink several times until I get rid of the dizziness. Then, I meet the psychopath's face. I only remember arriving at an empty ambulance under threat. Then everything becomes confusing.

How much time will have passed since then?

'Oh God. I have been kidnapped'

"That's right, honey," he pats my head like I'm an abandoned pet. "Here"

He opens a bottle of water in front of me before sticking it to my lips. The bottle was sealed, so I gladly accept the drink.

I am sitting on a chair, tied hand and foot.

From the slight movement I can deduce that we are on water and that increases my fear. I am afraid of sea, how am I going to escape from here?

"Why are you doing this?" I ask in a whisper.

"Why?" he laughs out loud. "You should ask your dear husband that question."

"Well, he's not here... is he?"

"No", he doesn't stop smiling. "I'll just give you a hint: he took from me what I loved the most. Now I'll return the favor."

A shiver runs through my body from head to toe, but they are nothing like the ones Adriano gives me. I am afraid very afraid.

The subject sits in front of me and begins to play with a gun on his hands.

"Do you like it?", he asks pointing to the gun. "I bought it at the Black Market a few years ago. The seller told me that even a three-year-old could hit a target with it."

"I don't like violence," I reply.

This can end very badly.

'Where are you, Adriano?'

"Smart girl," he reaches out with the intention of nuzzling my chin, but I turn my face away. Then he tightens his grip and lifts my chin to give me a closer look, "and very pretty. He doesn't deserve you. It almost makes me sad to have to kill you."

I close my eyes to suppress another tremor, not wanting him to see my fear.

I need to buy time. My husband is a control freak and he's been paranoid since the accident. I'm sure it won't be long before he notices my absence.

"Was it you who sabotaged the car?". I probe the terrain.

"My mistake," he admits, raising his hand guiltily. "I got desperate and got carried away, but I still have time to correct that mistake. His worst punishment will be living in solitude, being miserable and having nightmares every night because his life has been taken from him right under his nose... without being able to do nothing at all."

"Who are you?", I ask. "Since I'm going to die, I at least deserve a bit of information."

"An old friend of your husband," he answers evasively. "One who did what he couldn't: to love his wife."

"His wife?" I force myself to swallow hard. I feel that I am about to discover the origin of the Steel wall.

"Hasn't he told you?" He gives a small laugh. "Of course not. Stella was mine, we had our whole life planned and then he killed her. He killed her along with that monstrosity and had the gall to name the bastard like her."