You Are Not Alone [Charles Leclerc]

🌠Forty-forth chapter🌠

"I'm a soul survivor, I made it through the fire
I started with nothing, I've got nothing to lose."
Soul Survivor; Rita Ora

-

*TW - torturing*

-

Ariana's POV
After tiring hours full of questions and torturing, I was finally able to sleep a little. It was quite rough, whipping, slapping, electric shocks, shooting right next to my head, etc. Sánchez is really determined to ruin me, he could ask someone else to torture me but he's doing it on his own. And hell, he is clearly enjoying this. However, his effort didn't pay off as I haven't said a single word to him. You know, after some hours you stop feeling the pain, you stop feeling anything. And you stop caring about everything. You are in some kind of trance, completely numb. And that's exactly what happened to me and also a signal to Sánchez to leave me rest so he can start again. I was sleeping, my mind switched off when suddenly a big splash of water hit me. I gasped loudly because the water was freezing. I felt my whole now wet body tremble with cold as I slowly opened my eyes. Sánchez was standing in front of me with a bucket in his hand and a mischievous smile on his face.

"Rise and shine!" he called excitedly and threw the bucket in the corner, the loud bang made me wince. My eyelids were quite heavy but Sánchez making loud noises while moving around didn't allow me to. I see where this is going, sleep deprivation. Smart move.

"You seem cheerful for sleeping...how much, 2 hours?" I asked with a chuckle while Sánchez was sitting on the chair.

"Coffee and RedBull is a magical potion, my dear Ariana. You feel like you can fly to the sun," he laughed but I was just watching him with a murderous look, "anyway, I've been thinking a lot about why are you so silent. I was thinking: 'Who is that close to you that you are covering them so desperately?' And then I got it! It took me so long to figure out, I can't believe I was that stupid!" he stood, slowly walking closer to me. That he leaned to me so there were just inches between us. I had a big urge to look away but I couldn't, his snake eyes were burning a hole in my soul, "it was you," he breathed out and I gulped, trying not to be obvious, "you are not talking because it was you. The only thing that you are covering is your poor ass. Because you caused the massacre and you killed Tristan," he took a step backward, curiously watching my face, "I gotcha, huh? It's game over, Ariana, no need to play dumb. Let's come clean, shall we? It will be a relief for you and for me. What do you say?" I slightly lifted my head to look at Sánchez, a provocative smile on my face.

"I don't know anything," I breathed out with a slightly trembling voice. Sánchez just sighed and shook his head.

"I'm starting to think that you are actually enjoying this. It's your decision, after all, we can have some more fun for sure," he grabbed the bucket from the floor, "prepare yourself for some swimming."

-
Charles' POV
I can't believe I'm actually doing this. Standing in front of Sergio's house, the man I literally hate the most right now. But he might be the only person who knows what is happening around Ariana. I wouldn't be surprised if he knew about Ariana's past all along. She once told me that he is a great listener and that's why are they so close friends. It makes me feel guilty that I wasn't like him, that I wasn't able to listen. And understand.

"Charles," Sergio stated with a stone-cold face when he saw me standing behind the door.

"Hey," I said while scratching the back of my neck, my eyes flickering all around, "listen, I know we are definitely not buddies but I could use some help. It's about Ariana."