Melanie

My eyes came in contact with Nikolai Volkov’s, as soon as they fluttered open. He was seated on the only chair in the room, his legs crossed over the other, with a cigarette in hand.

“What do you want, you beast?” I growled in annoyance as I tried to get up from the bed, but my hands hit resistance. I yanked, and the cold bite of chains around my wrists tightened, pulling me back. A fresh wave of hot anger washed over me as I realised that I was still in those fucking chains.

“If I were you, I wouldn't speak to the boss in that manner.” A voice sounded behind me and I stared at the direction of who was speaking. It was the same man that had brought me here that day.

“To hell with you and your boss." I spat. “Let me out of here.”

A low, amused rumble started deep in Nikolai's chest, growing into a soft chuckle that sounded more like a predator purring. And I just glared at him, suddenly hoping that my eyes have the ability to kill. "I want to set you free, Miss Melanie.”

I stared at him in confusion, wondering if what he said was the truth, if I had really heard him clearly.

“What did you just say?” I asked, while hoping that I'd really heard him clearly. Why on earth would he suddenly want to release me? What if this was some kind of joke?

“You heard me right, baby girl. I want to let you go.” He repeated and I couldn't help but sigh in relief. Finally! The heavens had answered my prayers.

“Thank you so much.” I spoke out. I didn't try to hide my relief. Poor me!

“But first of all, you need to perform a task. After then will I release you. Are you game?”

The feeling of relief disappeared almost immediately and I groaned in response. I knew it. He wouldn't just let me go easily. But then, the image of Betty's face, so pale and fragile, filled my mind. Anything for her. "Yes!" I breathed. “I am game. Name it.”

He let out a derisive laugh. “Are you sure you want to do it, baby girl?”

“Stop calling me that!” I glared at him. “And to answer your question, yes. I'll do it.” I answered breathlessly.

He rose up from the chair and made his way towards the door. Just when I thought that he wouldn't say anything, he spoke up. “You need to eliminate someone for me. I'll be back in two hours. Get ready.”

"Eliminate someone, as in kill them?"

“Right.” He nodded slowly.

A startled gasp escaped my lips. My stomach twisted. Why on earth would he want me to do that? He had an army of men for his dirty work, so why would he suddenly choose me?

“Tell me you're joking, please.” I don't want to be a murderer. I'll never bring myself to take someone else's life. No! I can't do that!

He walked out of the room without saying anything to me.

“You are doing this for Betty.” I chanted the words a mantra as I stood outside the door. This was where the person lives, the person that Nikolai wants me to eliminate.

Deep down, I feel bad that I am about to kill an innocent person, but I had no option. I am doing it for my sister and if I don't do it, I'll never get to see her again.

Nikola sure knows how much I love my sister, hence the reason he came up with this deadly task. Fucking asshole! I hissed as I pulled my hair in frustration.

The beast knows that I wouldn't hesitate to do it, the same way I didn't hesitate to lie against him in court. Anything for my sister after all.

I closed my eyes and said a little prayer of forgiveness. I hope God forgives me for what I am about to do. I hope he understands that I have no other options.

I pushed the front door open after taking a deep breath, and it swung inward.

The house was cold, darker than the outside, and smelled faintly of dust. It was an abandoned house. Who could possibly live here? I wondered as I made my way further into the house.

"You are doing this for Betty," I chanted over and over again in a desperate manner, against the dread creeping up my throat.

My footsteps echoed on the polished floor as I moved deeper inside the house.

Nikolai's voice buzzed in my ear through the tiny earpiece he'd given me earlier. "Seventh room on the right, Melanie. Don't waste my time."

I found it easily. A heavy, dark wood door. I took a shaky breath, the gun feeling impossibly heavy in my hand. My finger found the trigger. "Please forgive me," I whispered, my voice barely audible even to myself.

I pushed the door open.

The room was dim, lit by a single candle. In the center, tied to a sturdy wooden chair, sat a figure. Their head was completely covered by a rough, dark sack, just as Nikolai had described. A wave of nausea hit me, but I forced it down. This was for Betty.

I raised the gun. My hands trembled, but my aim was steady enough. I wasn't any novice to guns after all.

The person in the chair was still, their covered head tilted slightly. I could feel Nikolai's eyes on me, even through the silence of the earpiece. My finger tightened on the trigger.

"Pull the fucking trigger, Melanie," Nikolai's voice cut through the quiet. His voice was sharper now, laced with impatience. "Now."

My finger twitched. I could do this. I had to.

But something stopped me. A strange intuition.

The way the figure was slumped, the slight angle of their shoulders... it looked oddly familiar. A cold knot tightened in my stomach. Could it be someone that I know? I thought as I stared at the figure one more time. No. It couldn't be.

"I said, pull it!" Nikolai's voice came out in a harsh command, pulling me back from the edge of that thought. I guess he hadn't heard the sound of gunshots yet.

I hesitated, the gun still pointed at the sack-covered head. A wave of dread washed over me. I couldn't. I couldn't just shoot. Not without knowing who it was. At least I should see who I was sent to kill.

Against everything he'd told me, against the explicit threat hanging over Betty, I lowered the gun. It clattered to the floor, echoing loudly in the silence.

With trembling hands, I reached for the sack as I got ready to see who it was.

“Pull the trigger now!” Nikolai roared in my ear, "Melanie! Don't you dare!" He yelled through gritted teeth.

But I ignored him. My fingers gripped the rough fabric, and with a desperate pull, I yanked the sack off.

The face staring back at me, wide-eyed and terrified, was none other than Betty's, my fucking sister.

"BETTY!" I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat before I could stop myself. Fucking hell? He wants me to kill my sister?