Tough Love

Chapter Ninety-Two

Chapter Ninety-Two

Dani

This is one of the strangest feelings ever. My insides are trying to panic, but it can't quite push through the haze of medication. I don't know if that will last. It depends on who is in that photograph. It might be so terrible that the panic rips through this fog. When Eli hands me the picture, I look at the floor and then shut my eyes briefly before glancing at it. My eyes widen and my blood instantly turns to ice. It's those demon eyes.

I drop the picture and I hear myself chanting, “No, no, no, no...”

Now comes the familiar sense of panic. Although it is reduced drastically, I can still hear the whooshing in my ears and the racing of my heart. I remember what Sam said and I grab the band on my wrist and snap it like my life is depending on it. I'm trying so hard to fight back the memories but all I can see are those evil, demonic eyes.

Just when I think I can't take it anymore, Eli's face appears in front of me. At first I jump back because of the intrusion on my personal space, but then I remember it's Eli so I try to focus on what he is saying. I can see his lips moving, but I can't hear him. I reach for him and he grabs my hand before placing it on his chest.

It takes me a good few minutes to calm down and the images keep flashing before my mind's eye in waves. I whimper as I remember some of things that man did to me. I don't want to remember.

I don't realize I'm thinking out loud until I hear Eli say, “I know you don't want to remember, sweetheart. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”

I take a deep breath and try to get a grip on my emotions. That is easier said than done, by the way.

Eli whispers, “You know who it is, don't you?”

I blurt out, “It's those demon eyes, Eli! Those eyes...”

I think my outburst catches him off guard, because he says nothing for a little while. It's the Captain that speaks next.

“Do you know his name?”

“No sir.”

“But you've seen him before?”

“Yes sir.”

“No name at all? Not even a nickname?”

“Devil man.”

“Is that what you called him or they called him?”

“Me. He's the one...! He sold me...!”

I gasp when I realize I just said that out loud. The room is silent and I can just hear my ragged breathing. I shouldn't have admitted that, but it's not like the Captain doesn't know already. He probably knows far more than I think.

After a long silence, Eli's voice breaks it, but he's not talking to me.

“Hiding in plain sight, Cap. Probably most of the guys that go there have no idea who he really is. They really can't give away his location, because they don't know it's him we're looking for. That's pretty crafty.”

“I'm sorry you had to do that Dani, but I thought it would be better for us to show you rather than some random suit. You've really helped us. Though I'm not sure that's much consolation at the moment. I do need to make some calls now.”

Eli tugs on my hand and helps me to stand up. I feel like I'm in a daze; like I'm here but not really here. Maybe it's a good thing I have a session with Sam tonight. I never thought I'd say that, either. A lot of strange things are happening today.