Chapter :8
"Zayden"
( cold water + confused feeling)
The darkness of night had long since consumed me, yet my mind remained restless, haunted by the image of Nala. My principles, forged in the fire of my troubled past, dictated that women and children were to be spared. But Nala was different. She was my enemy, a ruthless murderer.
As the shadows danced across my walls, I struggled to reconcile my conflicting emotions. I needed to uncover the truth about Kaiden, and Nala held the key.
Did she even know who Kaiden was? The question lingered, taunting me. Likely, I concluded, considering her calculated execution of Max.
The ghosts of my parents' tragic fate began to resurface, stirring the embers of my rage. I was Mortifer, the feared killer, the bringer of death.
The first light of dawn crept into my room, illuminating the turmoil within. I rose from bed, my movements mechanical, and made my way to the kitchen. My maid had prepared breakfast, which I devoured without appetite.
With my hunger sated, I reached for my phone and dialed Harper's number. "Harper, take care of the company today. I won't be in. Inform Aidyn about Kaiden and instruct him to locate him immediately."
Harper's reassuring voice calmed my frazzled nerves. "Don't worry, boss. We've got this."
My thoughts returned to Nala, and with them, a renewed sense of purpose. It was time to uncover the truth.
I descended into the basement, the silence enveloping me like a shroud. Nala, still tied to the chair, lay unconscious.
I filled a glass with water and splashed it onto her face. Her eyes snapped open, shock and fear etched across her features.
The game was about to begin.
Nala's gaze darted around the room, her face a picture of innocence, her eyes wide with fear. But the moment she locked onto mine, her expression transformed. The innocence gave way to a cold, calculating mask, her brown eyes flashing with anger.
"So, you're awake now," I said, my voice low and even.
She remained silent, her lips pressed together.
"Don't want to talk? Let's see how long you can keep that up," I taunted.
Her expression didn't waver, her eyes burning with a fierce determination.
I stepped closer, my voice taking on a persuasive tone. "I don't harm women and children. Tell me about Kaiden, and I'll let you go, unharmed."
For an instant, her face betrayed her, shock and confusion flickering across her features. But the cold mask slid back into place.
"One last time, girl. Tell me where Kaiden is, and you'll walk out of here without a scratch."
Still, she said nothing.
My patience snapped. "I'm losing my mind! Talk!"
Her silence was deafening.
"I don't care that you're a woman. You're a murderer, and today you'll pay for your crimes."
I gripped her hair, pulling hard. Slapped her. Punched her. Still, she remained silent.
"Why won't you speak? Don't make me forget my rules. This is your last chance. Tell me, and I'll let you go."
The silence was suffocating. I began to wonder if she was capable of speech.
Suddenly, I loathed the silence. It was a tangible, living thing, mocking me with its presence.
"Speak, damn you!" I growled, my control slipping.
But Nala's lips remained sealed, her eyes flashing with defiance.
I stormed upstairs, my anger boiling over. "Maid, bring me two tanks of ice water, now!"
Thirty minutes passed, and the maid returned with the tanks. I instructed her to leave them in the basement.
As I descended the stairs, the maid's sympathetic gaze lingered on Nala. "You can go now," I dismissed her.
Nala's silence was infuriating. "You're making this harder than it needs to be," I warned, belt in hand.
The ice water splashing against her skin elicited a faint gasp, but she remained resolute.
"Fine, remain silent," I growled, losing patience.
I unleashed the icy torrent, and Nala's body shuddered. The maid's worried expression flashed in my mind, but I pushed on.
"Still silent?" I spat, activating the basement fans.
The chill enveloped us, Nala's trembling intensifying. My maid arrived with more ice.
"Fill the bathtub with ice and cold water. Put her in it," I ordered, my tone laced with menace. "Make her talk, or you'll suffer the consequences."
I retreated to my room, dialing Harper. "Get Aidyn on the line."
Aidyn's calm voice was a balm to my frazzled nerves. "Zayden, what's going on?"
"I need your help. This girl's silence is driving me mad."
Aidyn's words were measured. "Remember, she's a murderer, Zayden. Sometimes justice requires difficult choices."
"Advise me, Aidyn. What would you do?"
"Let Harper or others handle it if you're struggling. Don't compromise your values, but don't forget the greater good."
Aidyn's words echoed in my mind long after the call ended. Justice, morality, and the blurred lines between them.
As I stood at the threshold of my room, the sound of Nala's muffled cries drifted up from the basement, haunting me.