Love In The Shadows Of Madness

I had lost my appetite and the thought of eating felt like a chore. The past week had been a blur of sadness and emptiness, as I struggled to come to terms with Wu's senseless murder. Gabriel's brutal act had shaken me to the core, leaving me feeling lost and alone.

I still couldn't understand why Gabriel had killed Wu. That day was a haze of confusion and pain. I remembered being a mess in the car, and Gabriel taking me to his place. I was an empty shell, numb and disconnected from the world. He gave me a room to stay, and I hadn't left it for a week. The walls had become my refuge, my hiding place from the pain and the memories that haunted me.

Every day, food arrived punctually at 7 am, 2 pm, and 6 pm, but most meals were wasted on me as they went untouched. I'd lost interest in sustenance, and my appetite had withered away. Showering became an afterthought, and tears were my constant companion as I grieved for Wu.

Gabriel, the man responsible for Wu's demise, would occasionally visit, attempting to coax me into eating or taking a walk. His gentle demeanor was a stark contrast to his cold-blooded nature. He had sent various people to try and lift my spirits, but their efforts were futile.

It wasn't until a Tuesday afternoon, eight days after I'd received the devastating news about Wu's passing, that a stranger appeared at my door. I assumed they were another attempt sent by Gabriel, tasked with trying to lift me out of my depression.

I wrapped my arms around my legs, pulling them tightly to my chest, as I watched him drag a chair from the corner of the room to beside my bed.

"Isn't it time you stopped this?" he said, his voice cold and detached. I glanced up at him, taking in his features. He had brown eyes and brown hair, with a soft yet masculine appearance. Despite wearing a hoodie and joggers, he looked athletic.

I turned my back to him, lying on my side, and ignored his presence. He let out a soft sigh, and then dropped a bombshell.

"Wu was hired to be your guardian. Gabriel hired him."

I sat up, my mind reeling with confusion. I gazed at the boy, but his expression was unreadable, a blank slate that betrayed no emotion. I searched his face, trying to discern if he was lying, but all I saw was a hint of annoyance. "What do you mean by that?" I asked, my voice laced with skepticism. I refused to believe that my last two years with Wu had been a fabrication.

I knew Wu loved me; he treated me like a daughter. He wouldn't have taken care of me with such kindness and devotion if he was merely being paid to do so. And we had struggled financially, many times going without meals or warmth. It didn't add up. How could Wu have been paid to care for me if we were struggling to make ends meet?

The boy sighed, and I felt a spark of irritation ignite within me. "Who are you, anyway?" I demanded. "And what do you hope to achieve by lying to me?" I glared at him, my eyes blazing with anger.

He gazed back at me, his expression unyielding, and handed me a tablet. On the screen, a photograph displayed a man in a suit, seated in a grand chair. His features were chiseled, with sharp cheekbones and a pointed chin. His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, cold and calculating. A silver streak ran through his dark hair, giving him an air of distinguished elegance. To his left stood Gabriel, his eyes cast downward, a submissive look on his face. And behind Gabriel, standing tall and proud, was Wu.

My heart skipped a beat as I gazed at Wu's familiar face. It was definitely him; I would never mistake him for anyone else. I felt a pang of betrayal and confusion. What was Wu doing in this picture? And who was this man, who seemed to exude an aura of power and control?

I turned to the boy, my eyes demanding an explanation. "Who is this man?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "And what does Wu have to do with him?"

"Name's Ryan," the boy said curtly, retrieving the tablet from my hands. His expression turned icy, and he warned, "You'd do well to watch your tone. Gabriel's protection won't last forever." He seemed put off, as if our conversation was an obligation he'd rather avoid.

"It's exactly as I said," he continued, his tone dripping with disdain. "Wu was hired to care for you, a substitute for your incompetent parents. And let's be honest, you're not as skilled at theft or deception as you think you are." His gaze pierced through me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Gabriel has been watching over you from the shadows, protecting you from those who would do you harm." Ryan's words hung in the air, leaving me with more questions than answers.

"Those who would do me harm?" I repeated, my voice laced with confusion. Ryan's expression remained unyielding, his eyes seeming to bore into my soul.

He sighed, as if speaking to a simpleton. "This would be so much simpler if you had the capacity to understand the basics. Did you genuinely believe it was normal to be sold and then set free? Have you ever heard of someone being freed after being sold? Do you not comprehend how slavery works?"

His words cut deep, and I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes. "Gabriel has been buying you out of every brothel, every drug dealer, every shady business your parents sold you to. That's how you've survived this long."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. His words were a harsh reality check, and I couldn't catch my breath. "And do you not know how much tuition is at our school? How did you think you could afford to go there? You think you got a scholarship?"

The tears I'd been holding back began to flow, and I couldn't stop them. "And why were you the one given the scholarship among the other deserving candidates?" Ryan's words pierced through me like a dagger, and I felt my world crumbling around me. I didn't know when I started crying, but I couldn't seem to stop.