Sophia's POV.
And I heard it. I heard that deep voice that always manages to warm my heart. I heard the voice that sent shivers down my body.
My heart swooned and I felt like it was melting.
“Sophia?”
A sob almost escaped me but I quickly swallowed it as Harvey's eyes stared glaring at me. “A–Alex.” My tears blurred my eyes but I didn't let them fall.
Oh God! I missed his voice. I missed him so much. How can I do this without breaking down?
“What's going on? I've been unable to reach you for two days now. Are you alright? Did I do something?” I know we were miles apart but I could feel his care and concern wrapping me in a soft embrace. My heart clenched.
“I...” I took a deep breath, trying to make my voice as normal as possible. Harvey pointed his gun at me again.
“I need to see you,” I said, my voice completely low. The line went silent for a few seconds.
“Are you sure you're alright? You don't sound fine. C'mon talk to me, I'm going crazy here.”
“I'm fine. I mean... I–I need to....tell you something. I have a particular matter I wish to discuss–with you.” I'm such a bad liar!
“What do you want to talk to me about that you can't say over the phone? I was on my way to the police station to report you missing!”
I should've known he wouldn't be convinced that easily. Police station? Oh, my baby.
My breath hitched and it was becoming harder not to break down right there and then.
“That's exactly what I want to talk to you about. It's about why I've been absent for the past two days.” I lied as tears strolled down my cheeks but I refused to allow them to affect my voice. “I need to discuss that with you, I won't take up much of your time.”
“I don't care if you take up my whole day. I just want to know that you're fine. Where are you?”
“The country cinema tomorrow at 5.”
“Tomorrow? I can't fucking wait till tomorrow! I need to see you now!” He sounded frustrated.
“I'll explain everything tomorrow,” I said. He said nothing for the first few seconds.
“I see. Alright then. Tomorrow.”
“I guess I should go back to the office then.” My tears cascaded down harder than ever. No…. don't hang up.
I won't see you even if you go there...
Harvey quickly moved to get the phone away from me but I talked faster.
“Y–you know, I saw a butterfly some minutes ago.” I stuttered into the phone and Harvey's eyes glared with anger.
But I knew I was at least saved for the moment. He can shoot or do anything reckless because that would alert Alex.
I knew he couldn't possibly ruin his plan by just shooting recklessly.
Alex went silent but he didn't hang up. I continued.
“The butterfly was caught in the web.....of a devious spider,” I whispered.
He continued his silent brooding but I knew he was there. I knew he was listening to me. I felt it.
“The spider was getting closer and the butterfly couldn't escape.” I cried softly, trying my best not to make it obvious. Damn.
I must be out of my mind. Just what am I blabbering about?
I don't know! I just don't want to hang up just yet. I don't want to lose the warmth I'm currently feeling.
“Closer and closer. The spider is scary and ruthless. It might devour the helpless butterfly without any mercy.”
I felt silly at what I was saying. But I continued forcing my tongue to form the words.
“The butterfly is scared and unable to escape. The spider's web is too, too dark.”
Every single part of my body felt numb.
What am I doing? I should hang up.
He was probably wondering what had gotten into me. I started to shift, preparing to give the phone back to Harvey when I heard him.
“And where....” He paused, then continued. “Is this butterfly?” The warmest sentence I'd heard in days. Did that mean that he understood my silent plea for help?
“Somewhere so dark, so dark I can't even remember where I'd seen it,” I muttered, tasting the saltiness of my tears as they slipped into my dry lips.
Harvey held up his gun murderously, his eyes glinting because of the metal.
I shuddered and truly started moving to give him the phone.
“And what,” Alex echoed again and I stopped. “Does the butterfly need to escape?”
Somewhere along his words was a hint of understanding. Uncertainty?
Harvey huffed at the barrel of the gun for the second time today and he placed his hand over the trigger.
“The butterfly,” I muttered weakly, “needs its wings to see the light of day again.”
Save me… I want to see the light of day again.
It was then that Harvey directed his gun at Andrea, impatience flicking through his eyes. It was obvious he's had enough of me. I officially lost it all.
I begged him with my eyes, shaking my head vigorously.
“Ho–how s–stupid of me to be telling you such a silly story and taking so much of your—” I swallowed. “Time.”
“Trust me, that butterfly will fly again.”
I blinked through my tears at his soothing, warm voice. I slowly straightened my head and the phone slipped from my shoulder into Harvey's hands. He turned the phone off and thrust it into his pocket.
I opened my mouth to say something but before I even had the chance, something slammed against my right cheek and I flew. Something hard and merciless. His hand.
His left hand slammed my cheeks so bad and I flew off balance. It knocked me to my left and I landed beside Andrea.
“Sophia!”
“Curse you!!” She screamed at Harvey but he just laughed.
“Sophia, can you hear me?” She was crying. I can hear you.
“Sophia, please say you can hear me. Do something!”
I can hear you. I swear I can. But I can't say it.
Everything was spinning. Everything was black. The sky outside remained the way it had been for the past two days.
Light. I want to see light. I want this darkness to end.
“This will teach you never to disobey me again. Do that again, and I will crush you more than an insect.” Harvey barked. That butterfly will fly again.
Alex's words echoed in the back of my mind and I felt a glimmer of hope.