Chapter Seventy-Eight

Chapter Seventy-Eight
My heart almost failed me. Nelson was back, to meet me in this disorganized state. What was I going to tell him? 

I thought about the mess which I made in the kitchen, the food which I'd left unprepared to go ahead with my investigation. 

The mess I'd made in his room, with his clothes roughly scattered all over the already dusty floor, and the pile of dirty clothing that I had emptied onto the ground. 

The secret room whose key I had found and gone into. I hadn't even locked it. I was doomed and done for.

Nelson was definitely not going to spare me. 

I heard the door slam open, and my heart sank. It was true; Nelson was really back.

“Baby, look at you. You're covered up in so much sweat and dirt. Is this the work of the kitchen?” Nelson asked as he walked into the living room, but I stood there in front of him, dumbfounded and not knowing what to say.

“Is everything okay?” he asked again, his suspicion now up.

“Why aren't you saying anything for goodness sake? Speak to me!” he shouted with strain in his voice. 

“Yes, I'm good. You're welcome, babe. How was the hangout with the boys? I hope you enjoyed yourself?” I asked, my body language conveying a different expression which he noticed of course.

“The outing was great and my friends extended their warm regards to you, but babe, what's the matter? You don't look like you're okay? Talk to me please. Is it the fever? Oh my God,” he complained, a look of concern on his face which I knew was fake. 

“Hmmm, yesss… noooo… I mean, it is the fever, maybe,” I said, looking very confused. 

“Look at your shoulders, they're smeared in dust and dirt particles, where did you go? Did you find your way out of the house?” he questioned me, rubbing the dirt off my shoulders. 

“And your hair too, it's so messy and dusty. Wait, what's that smell?” he asked, pausing to ensure he was not making a mistake.

“What did you do, May?” What?” he thundered, storming out of the sitting room into the passage area. 

There was utmost silence as he walked inside, while I just braced myself for my death which was undeniably looming.

From the spot in the living room on which I stood, I heard a loud groan from inside the bedroom, of which I wasn't sure, because I'd left the door of the two rooms ajar.

I panicked greatly, vigorously shaking my legs and biting my lips in regret. There was no way of escape from this trap and danger was looming. 

My mind was racing, my thoughts jumbled. How did I think I could get away with this? He was going to kill me.

Nelson's eyes scanned the room as he walked back in, and then they landed on me, and his grin froze. His face turned red with rage, and I felt my blood run cold. He stormed towards me, his footsteps heavy and deliberate. 

"What have you done?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. I tried to speak, but my voice caught in my throat. I was paralyzed with fear.

“How dare you witch? How dare you?” he thundered, hitting his large palms on the dining table where he had walked up to again.

“Please, Nelson, I'm sorry, truly sorry. I didn't mean to interfere with your privacy. I didn't mean to…” I finally found the courage to say but he interrupted me rudely and harshly. 

“Shut the stinky pit up now! You are so stupid, so messy, so nosey! How the hell did you get in there? Who handed you the keys?” he roared, his eyes now as red as a fiery furnace that resisted water.

“No-no-no none…” I cried, waving my hands in panic. 

“Wow, I didn't think you could stammer or stutter. You are that scared of your actions, aren't you?”

“Nelson, please,” I cried the more, falling carelessly and helplessly on my knees not minding if I sustained any injury, and rubbing my palms together, pleading for mercy from him, but it seemed like it flared him up the more. 

“Don't even dare beg, girl. You went in search of the keys knowing fully well that I'd warned you about the room! I'd warned you, baby, to stay away from them. But your inquisitiveness and unease didn't let you be great. They were bent on leading you astray and now that you've been caught, you dare to apologize?”

I just froze to the spot, speechless and lacking the strength to explain any further or justify myself. 

Nelson's eyes blazed with anger as he paced around the living room the more and I took a step back, my legs trembling. I was desperate to escape but not under his watch. 

Even if I had the key to the door, my feet felt rooted to the spot and I felt like I'd lost the ability to walk. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel my breathing getting shallower.

His face twisted in a snarl, and he spat, "You shouldn't have done this, May." His voice was cold but dripping with venom, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

I tried to dash towards the door, but Nelson was too quick. He caught me by the arm, his grip like a vice. I cried out in pain as he spun me around, his eyes flashing with fury. I struggled to break free, but Nelson's hold was unyielding. His fingers dug deep into my skin, and I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

His anger escalated and I knew I was running out of time. With his hard preying hands still wielding a grip on me, I thought of a self-defence mechanism but none was coming through as realistic or helpful enough, especially for a strong man like him. 

I tried to knee him in the groin, but Nelson anticipated the move and twisted my arm behind my back, making me let out an ear-deafening scream. 

A searing pain shot through my shoulder, and my vision began to blur. Nelson's hand clamped over my mouth, as I screamed, but the sound was muffled. The last thing I saw was Nelson's twisted face before everything went black.