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She dreaded the day that she would have to pay her debt back. In fact, she lived her life almost too blissfully to not remember anything. She finished elementary school, she went to middle school, and during that time, she changed schools because her family moved to another district. It didn’t stop her from visiting and seeing Artie like she used to. She graduated high school and even attended college. Her deal with Ivan seemed like a terrible nightmare and she would have completely forgotten about it, if it weren’t for her mark. It long since healed but the sunflower was visible. Her family inquired once about it. The best answer she had was that when she was that accident as a child, she got it. It was believable, since she didn’t have it prior. However, she soon regretted her decision to make a deal with Ivan, partially. She didn’t mind that it helped her papa; it was her mother who deserved death. She became a vindictive, heartless, narcissistic shrew of a woman. It started with little things, then when ________ got into high school, it became worst. She started stealing her husband and daughter’s money, thankfully Papa had enough for her schooling. She became embittered by her daughter, for no apparent reason, saying things like ‘You’re an evil child. All you do is take and take’ and ‘You’ve killed all of the love I have for you in heart’ and ‘I know you hate me! God will punish you’. Nothing, _______ figured, Ivan could ever do to her for her to wish death like her mother had made her wish. She made her escape years ago. She was happy living on her own however, she knew it wouldn’t last. Any moment, Ivan could come by and tell her it was time to pay her debt. She tried not to think about it but it would be sooner than she thought. When she came home from her dead end job, she found something unusual. On her doorstep was a bouquet of sunflowers. She went pale. She shakily took out the card and it read:

Be ready in two days, bring nothing but yourself.
You will be collected in two nights. I suggest you make
Peace with everyone and your affairs. You may never be
Back.

She stared at the note and immediately thought about calling a travel agent to get herself out of town or country. She picked up the phone. There wasn’t a dial tone, only a voice.

Don’t think about calling. No one is
Coming. Well will hunt you down.

She dropped the phone. She looked out the window. She didn’t see anyone. She closed her blinds and started on her preparations to leave. She called her papa and told him that she’ll be out of town for awhile.

“It’s a bit short noticed but a scholarship came through and I have to go now,”

“It’s okay dearest!” he said over the phone.

“Maybe she’ll finally get enough money and get out of our lives,” said Mom in the background. She sighed. Papa ignored her.

“Just write when you get there! Have fun!” she hung up. After getting her little bit of things packed and her deposit from her apartment, the landlord said she could sleep there until her ride came. There was a knock on her door at midnight. She groggily woke up and cautiously opened the door. Three men stood in front of her. Two were tall and the other was short. One had brown hair that was pushed back into a ponytail, green eyes, and a scar across his left eye. He had a confident look on his face. The second one was a blonde with green eyes and glasses. He looked colder than the other two. The last one was a curly haired blonde with eerie violet eyes. His expression was very bored, like he didn’t want to be there.

“Are you _________?” said the glasses blonde.

“Yes,”

“We’re here on the behalf of Ivan. Are you ready to go?” she nodded, “Follow us,” she trotted behind them. They stopped in front of a black car. She got into the back, next to the shorter one.

“Wait, who’s driving back?” said short one.

“Toris,”

“Is that a good idea? Remember the last time?”

“He’s the only who can drive better at night, Ravis,”

“Fine, if we fucking die, I’m haunting you both,”

“Right after I shit on your graves,” said Toris laughing.

“Do you really have to crude right now and in front of a woman?”

“Come on Eduard lighten up. Besides, we have a long way to go. May as well break the ice a bit. The ride to the house, however, was quiet. No one made a sound. She was so scared that she couldn’t bring herself to say anything. She looked at the three men in the car. She could see why the pair was worried about him driving. He wasn’t really good and loved to fly through lights because he could. The other two swore at him to slow down and stop being an idiot. Surprisingly, _________ was so tired and her nerves were shot, she dozed off. In the morning, she was ushered out the car towards an imposing, dark manor. She gulped and looked around. She was in the middle of nowhere. She didn’t even recognize the area. Ravis took her inside. She barely had a chance to look at everything. Just a clock that showed it was about five in the afternoon. She really must have been tired to sleep that late. They stopped at the door. He knocked.

“She’s here,”

“Leave us,” Ravis opened the door. She hesitated but went inside. He closed it and it closed loudly. She jumped. A figure was standing in front of the window. She cautiously came closer until she was in the middle of the room. She recognized the scarf. He turned around to face her and confirmed it. She was now in the room alone with Ivan, his master for three years. She was too scared to move. He didn’t say anything for awhile, and then he approached her. It’s been years since she’s seen Ivan. He towered over her at full height with crimson eyes boring into the deepest depths of her souls.

“You have grown,” he said.

“S-So have you,” she said trying to show that she wasn’t scared. He circled her, like a wolf would before attacking his prey. He moved her (h/c) aside and found the mark he was looking for. He grunted in satisfaction. He moved to the front of her. His red eyes locked with her (e/c) ones. She felt her heart was in danger of leaping out of her throat.

“From now on, you belong to me,” he said, “You have free range of everything here, no room is off limits to you, but at night, I want you in my chamber before the sunsets unless I tell you otherwise. You will also do what I say, when I say it. Understand?”

“Y-Yes,”

“Good,” he left her there. She almost fainted. Eduard came to collect her shortly.

“Tonight you’re staying in one of the guest rooms. Tomorrow we’ll have breakfast downstairs and start the day. Don’t be late,”

***
In the morning, she got up and stretched. For a few moments, she forgot that she was living with four madmen. Ivan didn’t say much to her. It worried her a bit. She came down for breakfast. The three men were carrying on

“I can make anything,”

“I-It’s okay! I can make something,”

“No,” Ivan said. Both jumped. It came out loud and frightening. Eduard looked at her with impatience.

“I-I’ll have (favorite breakfast),”

“Done,” he said went off. Toris and Ravis stared at her. She looked uneasy.

“So, where are you from?”

“Oh…umm (hometown),”

“Never heard of it. Why were you living in that apartment?”

“It was the only place I could go. It was near the college I went to,”

“Ah, at least she’s smart,” said Eduard coming back with her breakfast, “What was your major?”

“(your major or whatever you think is cool),”

“I did chemistry myself,”

“I still think that’s a quack subject just for mad scientist,” said Toris.

“Yet, whenever you need someone to give you a chemical weapon, you turn to me,”

“That’s because you’re not quite evil, I mean you're madman evil not mad scientist evil, yet”

“There’s a library upstairs,” said Ravis as the other two talked, “There should be some English ones there. If not, just tell someone and get it for you. The romance one are okay. Just don’t mess them up,”

“A man who likes romance novels, pretty sad,” said Eduard.

“Least I don’t hide in my laboratory creating shit that no one needs,”

“At the moment,” said Toris, “Bet he can hold a whole city hostage if he wanted,”

“Show her around,” said Ivan standing up. The room became quiet, “Be sure she comes to my chamber at sunset,” they exchanged glances but nodded. He picked up his pipe and a briefcase and went outside. Educard cleared everything. Toris was first and showed her the bottom floors.

“Everyone basically just does their own shit here. You’ll get used to it. It’s quiet most days. We’re here because of circumstance just like you. Only difference is that you get to leave in three years. More if that old bastard likes you,”

“What do you mean?” she cringed.

“If he likes you, he’ll hunt you down until you return to him; it’s just how shit is. Like I said, no one has a choice in this. He told me to go over the rules with you. You can’t leave unless one of us is with you. Don’t think about going outside without permission or clearance, if you want anything, ask. Don’t piss him off, seriously, just don’t, and finally do whatever he asks, no questions. Understood,”

“Yes,”

“Good, now this is the bathroom…” the manor was huge and she had a terrible feeling that she was going to get lost many days. Ravis took over and showed her the rest of the manor. When sunset arrived, he showed to Ivan’s chamber. He even told her how to get there from different places in the house and wrote them down.

“Just don’t be late! Do what he says and just…just be careful,” he opened the door and hurried away. She walked inside. There was a small fireplace, a large window, a closet, and bed. She found a pair of pajamas waiting for her in her size. She changed and waited on the bed. Ivan came in fifteen minutes later. He didn’t say anything or acknowledged her. He threw off his coat and took off his scarf. He sat on the bed, prompting her to jump off. He kicked off his boots and stretched. He climbed into bed. He moved the blankets on the other side off. She looked at it and placed two and two together.

“Get in,” she froze. He gave her the coldest look she’s seen. He was in nothing but his underwear. She tried not to stare as she slowly climbed in and draped the blanket over her. For a few moments, she laid there and didn’t move. She summoned all the courage she had to turn around. Ivan was staring at her. She jumped and rolled away, almost falling out of the bed. He wrapped her body under a massive arm and pulled her into his chest. He had a strong grip, she felt as though she was being crushed. She squeaked a bit. He loosened up a bit so she could breathe. He didn’t say anything and soon she noticed he was sleeping. She sighed. At least he wasn’t going to do anything to her…yet. She dreaded the thought. She was to be his for three years, it’s only been a day and she just wished to survive.

***
Living in the manor wasn’t too bad. Ivan wasn’t too cruel, just distant and she got used to the other three’s personalities quickly. She started tagging along with them. Toris was the brasher of the other two. She often wondered if he ever thought things through before doing anything. Ravis was the level headed one but also one of the most outspoken. He openly told Ivan that if ________ wanted to go out, at least let one of them be with her.

“Seriously! Who the fuck wants to stay in here all the time? And she can do things too if you let her,” Ivan shrugged it off but she noticed that Ravis had a mark on his face the next day but Ivan had a few bruises. Since then, she was able to have scheduled time out the manor every month or so. Eduard was the quiet one but just as dangerous. He was also tinkering in his workshop with chemicals and technology. She became his lab assistant when he needed one. Ivan on the other hand would leave her alone most days. He often left all day and came back in the evening, usually worn, covered in blood and holding his pipe. He would retreat to his study for a little while before getting something to eat. She tried to make him food but he always told her no and went to his study. One day, however, it changed a bit. Ivan woke her up.

“Get dressed,” she nodded. Asking questions wouldn’t give her any answers. He had a lovely (f/c) dress waiting for her with a pair of black gloves, the same ones he often wore. Soon they were in his car heading somewhere she really didn’t know. Soon they stopped at a secluded worn down looking house. She swallowed something in her throat. He pulled in front of it. He took out a briefcase and gave it to her. It was heavy but manageable. They walked to the door. Ivan knocked three times. A fidgety looking man answered the door. He cowered when he saw Ivan but he felt a little at ease when he saw _________. He moved aside.

“P-Please, come in,” the interior of the house looked old and run down but it was cozy, like if someone’s grandfather lived there. The man ushered them to the table. Tea, cake, and vodka was set at the table. There was also an elderly woman sitting there. She looked so forlorn and fragile. She was shaking. Her son comforted her.

“Shh, everything will be okay now, Mom,” she got a closer look at the pair. The man has dark skin with brown eyes and looked no older than she was. His mother was a sweet looking woman with chestnut skin long graying hair. They seemed more at ease when they saw her with Ivan. She didn’t blame them. He had an unnatural air of evil for some reason.

“Is he another conman?” said the woman.

“No Mom, he…makes things happen. Everything’s going to be okay,” Ivan took a drink of vodka.

“Tell me what you want,”

“Well, we need help. You see, it happened last year. Mom was swindled by a conman with her savings and pension from Dad. It left us all in a state. We can barely feed ourselves. We have to make a decision between food and shelter. This is the only place we can afford. We’ll do anything to get justice for what has happened. Please,”

“How much did he take?”

“A net worth about fifty thousand dollars. If you can get it all back, we’ll pay you any price you want,”

“I don’t want money. You will do me a favor when I call again. No questions asked. If not, I’ll take anything or anyone I want,”

“W-What sort of favor?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said coldly. The man looked at his mother. She looked uneasy and looked at Ivan and then to __________.

“Are you guaranteed? Will I get everything my husband and I worked for?”

“Da,”

“Please, don’t get my boy into trouble. Anthony, do it,” Ivan took the briefcase takes out a branding tool, much like the one he used to brand her only it was the soviet insignia instead. He took out a blow torch and heated it up.

“Take off your shirt,” Anthony nervously complies as Ivan brands his back. He screamed in pain. After he was done, he packed his tools and left the house without another word. ________ stared at him. She wondered why he took her to something like that, “Tomorrow morning, I want you to being them the documents. They know you’re my representative now,”

“Umm…okay,”

“Come straight home afterwards,”

“Okay,” since then, they performed a slight alliance. Because she looked a bit friendlier than he did, she delivered what the clients needed after Ivan “took care” of what needed to be done. The whole situation was frightening but she didn’t really mind. In a strange, unsettling way, Ivan was helping people, in exchange for something later but he was still helping. He couldn’t be all bad. Right?

***
It was a cold January day when Toris, Eduard, and Ravis told her they were not coming back for at least a week. They didn’t tell her why, just that, this is the beginning of the worst day of Ivan’s life. Since she wasn’t permitted to leave, they left her. She noticed a few changes in Ivan’s mood. He became more jumpy, more irritable, and colder, even at night when she curled up on him, he didn’t return any affection, and he became a hermit. She decided to make him something to eat. She found a Russian cookbook and started on it borscht. She placed it on a tray and headed upstairs. She could smell the alcohol on the stairs. She gulped and gently knocked on the door.

“I-Ivan? Ar-Are you okay? Pl-Please answer me,” the door was ajar. She pushed it open. Ivan was at his desk. About thirty bottles of vodka littered the floor. She puts the soup down and went towards him. Ivan was out, drunk. She sighs and it took all of her strength to drag him back to his room. She managed to get him changed and into bed. In the morning, Ivan groggily woke up the next morning. He looked around and immediately had to sit down. He was completely hung over. He thought that all that vodka would make him sleep at least three days. Something he really didn’t mind, as long as he didn’t have to face this day. He stumbled downstairs and smelt coffee. He didn’t know where it was coming from. He was sure the trio left him to the wallow. He followed the smell. In the kitchen, a pot of coffee was indeed brewing. Saw a figure in his kitchen making food. He searched in the cabinet and found something labeled ‘pickle brine’.

“You’re awake! Are you okay? Of course you’re not,” she then whispered, “I-I made you something to eat,” she watched as he downed the pickle brine in one gulp. She winced.

“Bring it upstairs,” he laid in bed with _________ fussing over him and trying to be good company and hoping he was fine. He didn’t mind hearing her. In fact, he actually enjoyed it. She talked about old friends, old times in her life, and of the fun things she did with his three subordinates. She made him eggs and toast and bacon, something to soak up the alcohol and sober him up a bit more.

“I thought I said no cooking from you,”

“Well, I didn’t really have a choice this time,” she said, “We’re the only ones here and I wanted to make sure you were okay. Are you okay?”

“I didn’t want to be alone today. I thought drinking myself into a stupor and waking up later would have done the trick. It didn’t,”

“You could have killed yourself you know! That was enough to kill ten people!”

“I’m Russian; I’ve had more than that and was fine. You could have ran away, why didn’t you?”

“No one deserves to be alone on the worst day of their lives,” she smiling, “I couldn’t leave you here completely inebriated not knowing if you were going to be okay. You could need help,” he looked at her. He slumped into bed. He didn’t want her worrying about him.

“Also…I did something to make you feel better. If you’re up for it,” not waiting to be in bed most of the day, he nodded. She ushered him into study. The room was exceedingly brighter than it’s ever been. All around the room were large sunflowers in planters. They were on the table, on the couch, on the bookshelves, next to his weapons, they just brightened the room. She changed his curtains to pale yellow and even found an old bright yellow carpet. He stared at this for awhile. She gulped. Maybe she overdone it a bit, “I-I’m sorry, maybe I went a bit—,” he pulled her into a hug, a very tight hug, so tight that she felt her back crack. He pulled back. Before she could say anything else, he pulled her into a very passionate kiss. That surprised her. Mixed with the tight hold and rough kiss, she whimpered a bit, feeling herself about to faint from lack of air. He lets her go. She fell into his chest panting. He rubbed her back.

“Are you okay?”

“You’re so affectionate so much that I couldn’t breathe,” he looked down. She smiled and pecked his cheek, “But it felt really nice,”

***
“Hello? Mom? Hi how are you? W-What do you mean? I’m your daughter! Mom, wait, stop calling me that will you?! Put Papa on…please? W-Why are you saying that! I did write! Stop! Bye!” she hung up the phone. Tears rolled down her face. Ravis lingered for a few moments. He heard sobbing then the sounds of her running off. Ivan found her sitting by the window. She looked more troubled than usual. He didn’t like it. He didn’t know what happened today but she looked really miserable. For days, she didn’t eat as much. She was tossing at night, sometimes not sleeping until late. She didn’t say much either. He wasn’t much of a talker but he liked listening to her. She didn’t talk a lot, just enough for him. She was often in a room by herself, reading, watching a sad program, and sometimes just looking out the window. This wasn’t the first time she was like this. He noticed when she got like this; she would stay like that for a few days. This time, however, she wasn’t snapping out of it and it’s been going on two weeks now.

“Find what’s wrong with her,” he said to the trio. They exchanged glances. None of them actually have seen Ivan care about someone in a non-torturous way. Ravis took over the duty since he partially knew. He didn’t mind. He liked her. She didn’t irritate him but her being mopey and sad was worrying everything. He found her in Ivan and her chamber. She was curled up in a fetal position looking towards the window.

“What’s the matter?” she didn’t reply, “Everyone is pretty worried about you. Did something happen? Look I’m not being nosey or snoopy; I just want to know because well…you’re no fucking good when you’re like this. It’s freaking us out,”

“To be honest, I wish I had a logical answer. I’m happy but my happiness depresses me,” she said looking out the window, “I spent my years in hell, a personal hell, then a literal hell. I dreaded what was going to happen to me once I had to pay my debt back to Ivan for my sin years ago. I dreaded it, dwelled on it, the fact that I was frightened of the unknown. I soon realized that it became my only salvation. So much that I prayed for death. Nothing rips a soul or a heart apart than hearing your own mother not only telling you how evil and bad you are as a child and preteen but to tell you that you, her daughter, is killing the love she has for you. She gave the one and only thing that every mother should have for her kids and placed a price tag on it. I just shut down, refusing to love or see anyone in my family as people, just a commodity, until I could better. What frightened me the most was how easier it became over time,”

“Your mother sounds like a fucking cunt,” he said, “But why are you so depressed now?”

“In a strange way, I feel like once you all get tired of me, you’ll all start to hate me like my mother does,”

“You really are damaged goods. Listen, just because we’re cold as shit, it doesn’t mean that we’ll hate you exclusively. We’re master haters here. We just hate you a little less than we would another person. Besides, Ivan likes you and that’s creepy enough,”

“He actually likes me?”

“He actually let you go outside without an escort. He knows you’ll come back to him. He’s really paranoid about that type of shit. And FYI, when you’re upset, he’s upset and when he’s upset, he breaks things, like skulls and limbs. Please snap out of it soon. He’s been going after his lower minions, it won’t be long before me and the other two are in his sights, more so than usual,” she turned around. He looked at her with a dead serious expression.

“Okay, I’ll cheer up,”

“Thanks, we appreciate it,” that evening, Ivan was pleased her mood improved. She didn’t like being in her funks for too long. They always took a toll on her. But she had to admit, feeling something warm around her, wrapping her in their sweet embrace and loving her was a far better way she’d rather feel. In the morning, Ivan stayed. This was unusual. He was usually up and around before she even woke up. He looked at her. He was lingering for an ulterior motive.

“I don’t want you to be sad anymore, I don’t want to see you unhappy like that again, moi podsolnechnik,”

“I can’t help it. It just happens like that. I can’t help it. The memories are still there, even if I feel better now,” she started to feel down again. Ivan glares at this. He was going to make her feel better, even if it was the last thing he did.

“Your mother, da?”

“Yeah…she always made me feel like I was the worst person in the world. I often gave her second chances, I often gave her the benefit of the doubt, that maybe I’m the horrible one that I deserved to be punished, and that I deserved to have the love in heart, taken away from me. But I just woke up, woke up and saw, just what she was, a miserable, conniving, evil shrew who cares of no one bet herself,”

“You are not terrible,” he pulled her into his chest. She could feel tears stringing her eyes, “Do not worry, I will make everything okay,”

***
It was almost a year since __________ left without a trace. Papa was worried but he had letters coming in every week to know that she was okay and happy and living with a man named Ivan. The problem was that he never received these letters. Mom seized them before he got the mail, took them and hid them. With a lot of effort, he was starting to manage to convince her husband to turn against his daughter and to make things more fun; she managed to pin the sudden loss of money on her as well. She could care less what happened to her. She was a thorn in her side for years. If they didn’t have to support her, they would have had a better life. And what pissed her off more was how her husband treated his daughter. SHE was his wife not HER. They went everywhere together, they talks a lot, and even went to those boorish manly activities. SHE wanted to go even though she would have hated them. However, _________ was her bitch when her sweet Papa couldn’t rescue her. Oh she used to love to punish her, call her names, treat her like shit, and there wasn’t much she couldn’t do about it as a preteen or a teenager. Then again, she did start to run away to that creepy Kirkland boy’s house. Even when they moved, she found solace in that horrid boy. The bell rang. She was the only one in the house. She went to the door. Standing in the frame was a tall man wearing a black overcoat and a gray scarf but what set this monstrous being apart was his brown hair and piercing crimson eyes. Mom scoffed, she knew teens liked those student contacts but this man was an adult.

“May I help you?”

“Are you (m/n) (l/n)?”

“Yes, why?” without warning she was smacked across the face with a pipe. She was faded in and out of consciousness. The last thing she saw before she blacked out was red eyes. When she came to, she realized that she was in a dark room and suspended in the air. Her eyes started to adjust. She noticed the red eyed man in the room. He was sitting at a small table smoking and savoring a cigarette with a large bottle of vodka on the table. When he was finished smoking, he flicked the butt away and took a long gulp from the bottle, “H-Hey what’s the meaning of this! Put me down this moment you…despicable man! I swear you think you look good looking like that? You vile, disapproving, uncouth thing! I demand that you untie me and get me home this instant! Now! Hey are you listening to me?!”

“Da, and please shut the fuck up,” he said irritable, “How no one haven’t put a bullet into their brain after spending five minutes with you is a miracle,”

“Not to mention the cunt thinks she sounds smarter by using bigger words,” Toris chuckled from nearby.

“How dare you! What’s the meaning of this?!”

“Judgment Day,” said Ivan, “No harm will come to you if you don’t annoy me and answer my questions truthfully. If not, we have fun,” she didn’t like how he said that. There was something off about this man and it frightened her. Then again, she did nothing wrong, “Where is your daughter?”

“What does that have to do with anything? The ungrateful bitch just up and left one day to who knows where,” Ivan said nothing but point his finger down. Eduard and Toris let the rope, that was holding her, go. She fell feet first into the tank with only her head and neck above the water. That was when she felt something bite at her with multiple, razor sharp teeth. She screamed and struggled. It was only for a few seconds when Ivan pointed his finger up and she was lifted out of the water, “Each time I don’t get the right answer, I create more fun,” she realized what he meant as fun meant for him, “Where is your daughter?”

“She’s with some person. She left some months ago,”

“Did she ever write?”

“Nary a letter came to my house from her,” Ivan made a slicing motion. Ravis walked over towards the tank. He was dragging a spear in his hands. He started to slice and cut at the woman’s legs, tearing chucks of flesh, allowing them to fall into the water below for the hungry piranhas. This wouldn’t be enough to satisfy their bloodlust, but she didn’t know that. She was just begging and crying and pleading, “Okay! Okay! She did write! I just took the letters and hid them!” Ravis stopped.

“Why would you do that?” said Ravis looking at her.

“I don’t have to tell you shit!” the spear slice through her chest and stuck there. She screamed in agonizing pain. Ravis had another spear ready.

“Now, why did you do that? Answer my question,”

“Be-Because I didn’t want my hu-husband to find them,” the women whimpered and sobbed, “I-I didn’t want him to know that she still loved him,”

“Are you trying to break them up?” said Ivan.

“Yes, I’m sick of that evil, God hating child taking everything away from me! It’d be better if she was never born at all,”

“What was the real reason why you were all in debt in the first place?” The trio looked at Ivan. This was all new to them. They knew that _________ sold her freedom to get them out of debt but according to her, it was because her mother was sick and so her papa went into debt with that shady man for money, “Answer me! Were you really sick?”

“I had a small bout of allergies that season, but they were unbearable! I couldn’t breathe! But then that little cunt caught the flu and (fa/n) fawned all over her! I wanted attention to! I’m the wife! So I made it a bit more…lethal,”

“Psychotic bitch has Münchausen syndrome,” said Eduard. Toris and Ravis looked at him, “I wish you two would pick up a fucking medical book sometimes. It’s when a person who isn’t sick, make themselves sick just so that can get attention from someone else,”

“How did you do it?” said Ivan lighting another cigarette, “If you lie, you will regret it,” she stared at those eyes. It was like looking into those of a wounded wolf, daring her to lie, daring her say something stupid, daring her to disobey.

“It-It wasn’t easy. I took a lot of things, enough to make me sick but keep me alive. I made a deal with X. We’re old friends. So, we both pocketed the money but I still didn’t want that little brat around so I arranged the car accident. I knew I was going to survive. But she did and that was what I didn’t want. However, my husband still gave money for me so it was win-win but I didn’t want my daughter around anymore and the final act was (fa/n) selling his only precious little bitch to X so we can have more money and I would be rid of her and have my husband back. Who knew she’d finally leave and never come back?”

“Fuckin’ brutal,” said Toris looking at her.

“That’s the only thing a kid needs at that age and you destroyed that. No wonder she gets depressed,” said Eduard, “I just have one thing to ask, did you ever love her?” the room became still and very quiet.

“I could have more money and attention if she wasn’t around. If I had money at the time to terminate her I would have done so. She’s only caused us grief. Being a little lay about and I’m glad I don’t have to deal with her anymore,” they looked at Ivan. He looked murderous, “Yo-You can’t do-do anything to me! I-I-I answered everything you wanted me to! Please! Have mercy,”

“Mercy is for the weak,” she moved away from the tank dangled over the ground below. All four men surrounded her. The pipe smashed her face first. Her nose bled out as a boot kicked her stomach. She spluttered blood as another spear ripped down her middle. The last method was hand claws that clawed her arms and flesh. She screamed. They looked at this with satisfaction and continued with their beatings. They stopped after a few minutes. Ivan shouted something in Russian that sounded like kislota. Another tank was brought in and they placed it under her. She was dropped inside. She was immediately burned by the acid. She could feel her flesh burning off as the acid ate through her scars and wounds. She swallowed some of her as well as it burned though her organs. She was pulled out again and swung over to the piranha tank once again. Ivan looked at her. A sadistic smirk etched on his face.

“Do svidaniya suka. You will never hurt my moi podsolnechnik again,” he shot the rope. She fell into the tank. She screamed as the piranhas ate her body. She could see the men looking over the tank. It was an eternity before she died. The clock chimed eight. This made the men perk up, “Clean this mess up. __________ and I will have supper. Don’t disturb us,”

***
She was waiting in the dining hall. Ivan appeared. He had (favorite food) waiting for her. She was surprised, especially since it was just them.

“It looks great!” she said smiling. He grunts and started eating. She learned to decipher his grunts as just his way of responding. He ate without saying a word. After it was done, he told her he wanted to show her something. He took out a tape recorder. She listened to her mother talk about her crimes, how her mother hated her, and what she had done. ________’s eyes welded tears. She knew the truth now. She was just going to have to accept it.

“Can you send this to Papa for me? Please? He needs to hear this. She’s not alive, is she?”

“Niet,”

“Oh…Why did you show me this?”

“I want you to stay here forever,” he said looking at her, “I don’t want you to leave me,”

“Ivan…”

“I will make you happy. I want to protect you from people like her. Just stay and be my moi podsolnechnik, forever,”

“I was going to ask you, actually. I really like it here but…I want to be able to come and go once in awhile without an escort, please?” he looked a little uneasy about that. He trusted her but he didn’t want anyone else harming her. He sighs.

“Da,”

“And I want you to go outside with me once in awhile,”

“Da,”

“You also have to let me call Papa too if I feel sad,”

“Da,”

“And let me cook for once in awhile,” he looked a bit uneasy at this but nodded.

“Da,” she hugged him tightly. He wasn’t used to hugs and they still made him feel weird but she did it, he had to suck it up and just let his guard down, “You don’t mind sleeping with me?”

“No! You’re the best pillow I ever had!”

“Pillow?!” she laughed. It was good to see her smile again. She was his ray of sunshine in his gloomy world.

“I actually have a question…why don’t you want me to cook? I don’t mind being waited on but I don’t like disturbing Eduard or anyone else when I’m hungry,”

“I don’t want my moi podsolnechnik to dirty her hands with minion work,” he said, “Are you staying here? You have two more years with me,”

“I want to stay because; I can’t even imagine life without being around you and the others. I really don’t think my heart can handle any more pain,” he grunted and pulled her into a kiss. He couldn’t imagine going back to live in constant darkness. It was good to know his sunflower will always be there to brighten the darkest depth of his heart.

Description
She dreaded the day that she would have to pay her debt back. In fact, she lived her life almost too blissfully to not remember anything. She finished elementary school, she went to middle school, and during that time, she changed schools because her family moved to another district. It didn’t stop her from visiting and seeing Artie like she used to. She graduated high school and even attended college. Her deal with Ivan seemed like a terrible nightmare and she would have completely forgotten about it, if it weren’t for her mark. It long since healed but the sunflower was visible. Her family inquired once about it. The best answer she had was that when she was that accident as a child, she got it. It was believable, since she didn’t have it prior. However, she soon regretted her decision to make a deal with Ivan, partially. She didn’t mind that it helped her papa; it was her mother who deserved death. She became a vindictive, heartless, narcissistic shrew of a woman. It started with little things, then when ________ got into high school, it became worst. She started stealing her husband and daughter’s money, thankfully Papa had enough for her schooling. She became embittered by her daughter, for no apparent reason, saying things like ‘You’re an evil child. All you do is take and take’ and ‘You’ve killed all of the love I have for you in heart’ and ‘I know you hate me! God will punish you’. Nothing, _______ figured, Ivan could ever do to her for her to wish death like her mother had made her wish. She made her escape years ago. She was happy living on her own however, she knew it wouldn’t last. Any moment, Ivan could come by and tell her it was time to pay her debt. She tried not to think about it but it would be sooner than she thought. When she came home from her dead end job, she found something unusual. On her doorstep was a bouquet of sunflowers. She went pale. She shakily took out the card and it read:

Be ready in two days, bring nothing but yourself.
You will be collected in two nights. I suggest you make
Peace with everyone and your affairs. You may never be
Back.

She stared at the note and immediately thought about calling a travel agent to get herself out of town or country. She picked up the phone. There wasn’t a dial tone, only a voice.

Don’t think about calling. No one is
Coming. Well will hunt you down.

She dropped the phone. She looked out the window. She didn’t see anyone. She closed her blinds and started on her preparations to leave. She called her papa and told him that she’ll be out of town for awhile.

“It’s a bit short noticed but a scholarship came through and I have to go now,”

“It’s okay dearest!” he said over the phone.

“Maybe she’ll finally get enough money and get out of our lives,” said Mom in the background. She sighed. Papa ignored her.

“Just write when you get there! Have fun!” she hung up. After getting her little bit of things packed and her deposit from her apartment, the landlord said she could sleep there until her ride came. There was a knock on her door at midnight. She groggily woke up and cautiously opened the door. Three men stood in front of her. Two were tall and the other was short. One had brown hair that was pushed back into a ponytail, green eyes, and a scar across his left eye. He had a confident look on his face. The second one was a blonde with green eyes and glasses. He looked colder than the other two. The last one was a curly haired blonde with eerie violet eyes. His expression was very bored, like he didn’t want to be there.

“Are you _________?” said the glasses blonde.

“Yes,”

“We’re here on the behalf of Ivan. Are you ready to go?” she nodded, “Follow us,” she trotted behind them. They stopped in front of a black car. She got into the back, next to the shorter one.

“Wait, who’s driving back?” said short one.

“Toris,”

“Is that a good idea? Remember the last time?”

“He’s the only who can drive better at night, Ravis,”

“Fine, if we fucking die, I’m haunting you both,”

“Right after I shit on your graves,” said Toris laughing.

“Do you really have to crude right now and in front of a woman?”

“Come on Eduard lighten up. Besides, we have a long way to go. May as well break the ice a bit. The ride to the house, however, was quiet. No one made a sound. She was so scared that she couldn’t bring herself to say anything. She looked at the three men in the car. She could see why the pair was worried about him driving. He wasn’t really good and loved to fly through lights because he could. The other two swore at him to slow down and stop being an idiot. Surprisingly, _________ was so tired and her nerves were shot, she dozed off. In the morning, she was ushered out the car towards an imposing, dark manor. She gulped and looked around. She was in the middle of nowhere. She didn’t even recognize the area. Ravis took her inside. She barely had a chance to look at everything. Just a clock that showed it was about five in the afternoon. She really must have been tired to sleep that late. They stopped at the door. He knocked.

“She’s here,”

“Leave us,” Ravis opened the door. She hesitated but went inside. He closed it and it closed loudly. She jumped. A figure was standing in front of the window. She cautiously came closer until she was in the middle of the room. She recognized the scarf. He turned around to face her and confirmed it. She was now in the room alone with Ivan, his master for three years. She was too scared to move. He didn’t say anything for awhile, and then he approached her. It’s been years since she’s seen Ivan. He towered over her at full height with crimson eyes boring into the deepest depths of her souls.

“You have grown,” he said.

“S-So have you,” she said trying to show that she wasn’t scared. He circled her, like a wolf would before attacking his prey. He moved her (h/c) aside and found the mark he was looking for. He grunted in satisfaction. He moved to the front of her. His red eyes locked with her (e/c) ones. She felt her heart was in danger of leaping out of her throat.

“From now on, you belong to me,” he said, “You have free range of everything here, no room is off limits to you, but at night, I want you in my chamber before the sunsets unless I tell you otherwise. You will also do what I say, when I say it. Understand?”

“Y-Yes,”

“Good,” he left her there. She almost fainted. Eduard came to collect her shortly.

“Tonight you’re staying in one of the guest rooms. Tomorrow we’ll have breakfast downstairs and start the day. Don’t be late,”

***
In the morning, she got up and stretched. For a few moments, she forgot that she was living with four madmen. Ivan didn’t say much to her. It worried her a bit. She came down for breakfast. The three men were carrying on

“I can make anything,”

“I-It’s okay! I can make something,”

“No,” Ivan said. Both jumped. It came out loud and frightening. Eduard looked at her with impatience.

“I-I’ll have (favorite breakfast),”

“Done,” he said went off. Toris and Ravis stared at her. She looked uneasy.

“So, where are you from?”

“Oh…umm (hometown),”

“Never heard of it. Why were you living in that apartment?”

“It was the only place I could go. It was near the college I went to,”

“Ah, at least she’s smart,” said Eduard coming back with her breakfast, “What was your major?”

“(your major or whatever you think is cool),”

“I did chemistry myself,”

“I still think that’s a quack subject just for mad scientist,” said Toris.

“Yet, whenever you need someone to give you a chemical weapon, you turn to me,”

“That’s because you’re not quite evil, I mean you're madman evil not mad scientist evil, yet”

“There’s a library upstairs,” said Ravis as the other two talked, “There should be some English ones there. If not, just tell someone and get it for you. The romance one are okay. Just don’t mess them up,”

“A man who likes romance novels, pretty sad,” said Eduard.

“Least I don’t hide in my laboratory creating shit that no one needs,”

“At the moment,” said Toris, “Bet he can hold a whole city hostage if he wanted,”

“Show her around,” said Ivan standing up. The room became quiet, “Be sure she comes to my chamber at sunset,” they exchanged glances but nodded. He picked up his pipe and a briefcase and went outside. Educard cleared everything. Toris was first and showed her the bottom floors.

“Everyone basically just does their own shit here. You’ll get used to it. It’s quiet most days. We’re here because of circumstance just like you. Only difference is that you get to leave in three years. More if that old bastard likes you,”

“What do you mean?” she cringed.

“If he likes you, he’ll hunt you down until you return to him; it’s just how shit is. Like I said, no one has a choice in this. He told me to go over the rules with you. You can’t leave unless one of us is with you. Don’t think about going outside without permission or clearance, if you want anything, ask. Don’t piss him off, seriously, just don’t, and finally do whatever he asks, no questions. Understood,”

“Yes,”

“Good, now this is the bathroom…” the manor was huge and she had a terrible feeling that she was going to get lost many days. Ravis took over and showed her the rest of the manor. When sunset arrived, he showed to Ivan’s chamber. He even told her how to get there from different places in the house and wrote them down.

“Just don’t be late! Do what he says and just…just be careful,” he opened the door and hurried away. She walked inside. There was a small fireplace, a large window, a closet, and bed. She found a pair of pajamas waiting for her in her size. She changed and waited on the bed. Ivan came in fifteen minutes later. He didn’t say anything or acknowledged her. He threw off his coat and took off his scarf. He sat on the bed, prompting her to jump off. He kicked off his boots and stretched. He climbed into bed. He moved the blankets on the other side off. She looked at it and placed two and two together.

“Get in,” she froze. He gave her the coldest look she’s seen. He was in nothing but his underwear. She tried not to stare as she slowly climbed in and draped the blanket over her. For a few moments, she laid there and didn’t move. She summoned all the courage she had to turn around. Ivan was staring at her. She jumped and rolled away, almost falling out of the bed. He wrapped her body under a massive arm and pulled her into his chest. He had a strong grip, she felt as though she was being crushed. She squeaked a bit. He loosened up a bit so she could breathe. He didn’t say anything and soon she noticed he was sleeping. She sighed. At least he wasn’t going to do anything to her…yet. She dreaded the thought. She was to be his for three years, it’s only been a day and she just wished to survive.

***
Living in the manor wasn’t too bad. Ivan wasn’t too cruel, just distant and she got used to the other three’s personalities quickly. She started tagging along with them. Toris was the brasher of the other two. She often wondered if he ever thought things through before doing anything. Ravis was the level headed one but also one of the most outspoken. He openly told Ivan that if ________ wanted to go out, at least let one of them be with her.

“Seriously! Who the fuck wants to stay in here all the time? And she can do things too if you let her,” Ivan shrugged it off but she noticed that Ravis had a mark on his face the next day but Ivan had a few bruises. Since then, she was able to have scheduled time out the manor every month or so. Eduard was the quiet one but just as dangerous. He was also tinkering in his workshop with chemicals and technology. She became his lab assistant when he needed one. Ivan on the other hand would leave her alone most days. He often left all day and came back in the evening, usually worn, covered in blood and holding his pipe. He would retreat to his study for a little while before getting something to eat. She tried to make him food but he always told her no and went to his study. One day, however, it changed a bit. Ivan woke her up.

“Get dressed,” she nodded. Asking questions wouldn’t give her any answers. He had a lovely (f/c) dress waiting for her with a pair of black gloves, the same ones he often wore. Soon they were in his car heading somewhere she really didn’t know. Soon they stopped at a secluded worn down looking house. She swallowed something in her throat. He pulled in front of it. He took out a briefcase and gave it to her. It was heavy but manageable. They walked to the door. Ivan knocked three times. A fidgety looking man answered the door. He cowered when he saw Ivan but he felt a little at ease when he saw _________. He moved aside.

“P-Please, come in,” the interior of the house looked old and run down but it was cozy, like if someone’s grandfather lived there. The man ushered them to the table. Tea, cake, and vodka was set at the table. There was also an elderly woman sitting there. She looked so forlorn and fragile. She was shaking. Her son comforted her.

“Shh, everything will be okay now, Mom,” she got a closer look at the pair. The man has dark skin with brown eyes and looked no older than she was. His mother was a sweet looking woman with chestnut skin long graying hair. They seemed more at ease when they saw her with Ivan. She didn’t blame them. He had an unnatural air of evil for some reason.

“Is he another conman?” said the woman.

“No Mom, he…makes things happen. Everything’s going to be okay,” Ivan took a drink of vodka.

“Tell me what you want,”

“Well, we need help. You see, it happened last year. Mom was swindled by a conman with her savings and pension from Dad. It left us all in a state. We can barely feed ourselves. We have to make a decision between food and shelter. This is the only place we can afford. We’ll do anything to get justice for what has happened. Please,”

“How much did he take?”

“A net worth about fifty thousand dollars. If you can get it all back, we’ll pay you any price you want,”

“I don’t want money. You will do me a favor when I call again. No questions asked. If not, I’ll take anything or anyone I want,”

“W-What sort of favor?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said coldly. The man looked at his mother. She looked uneasy and looked at Ivan and then to __________.

“Are you guaranteed? Will I get everything my husband and I worked for?”

“Da,”

“Please, don’t get my boy into trouble. Anthony, do it,” Ivan took the briefcase takes out a branding tool, much like the one he used to brand her only it was the soviet insignia instead. He took out a blow torch and heated it up.

“Take off your shirt,” Anthony nervously complies as Ivan brands his back. He screamed in pain. After he was done, he packed his tools and left the house without another word. ________ stared at him. She wondered why he took her to something like that, “Tomorrow morning, I want you to being them the documents. They know you’re my representative now,”

“Umm…okay,”

“Come straight home afterwards,”

“Okay,” since then, they performed a slight alliance. Because she looked a bit friendlier than he did, she delivered what the clients needed after Ivan “took care” of what needed to be done. The whole situation was frightening but she didn’t really mind. In a strange, unsettling way, Ivan was helping people, in exchange for something later but he was still helping. He couldn’t be all bad. Right?

***
It was a cold January day when Toris, Eduard, and Ravis told her they were not coming back for at least a week. They didn’t tell her why, just that, this is the beginning of the worst day of Ivan’s life. Since she wasn’t permitted to leave, they left her. She noticed a few changes in Ivan’s mood. He became more jumpy, more irritable, and colder, even at night when she curled up on him, he didn’t return any affection, and he became a hermit. She decided to make him something to eat. She found a Russian cookbook and started on it borscht. She placed it on a tray and headed upstairs. She could smell the alcohol on the stairs. She gulped and gently knocked on the door.

“I-Ivan? Ar-Are you okay? Pl-Please answer me,” the door was ajar. She pushed it open. Ivan was at his desk. About thirty bottles of vodka littered the floor. She puts the soup down and went towards him. Ivan was out, drunk. She sighs and it took all of her strength to drag him back to his room. She managed to get him changed and into bed. In the morning, Ivan groggily woke up the next morning. He looked around and immediately had to sit down. He was completely hung over. He thought that all that vodka would make him sleep at least three days. Something he really didn’t mind, as long as he didn’t have to face this day. He stumbled downstairs and smelt coffee. He didn’t know where it was coming from. He was sure the trio left him to the wallow. He followed the smell. In the kitchen, a pot of coffee was indeed brewing. Saw a figure in his kitchen making food. He searched in the cabinet and found something labeled ‘pickle brine’.

“You’re awake! Are you okay? Of course you’re not,” she then whispered, “I-I made you something to eat,” she watched as he downed the pickle brine in one gulp. She winced.

“Bring it upstairs,” he laid in bed with _________ fussing over him and trying to be good company and hoping he was fine. He didn’t mind hearing her. In fact, he actually enjoyed it. She talked about old friends, old times in her life, and of the fun things she did with his three subordinates. She made him eggs and toast and bacon, something to soak up the alcohol and sober him up a bit more.

“I thought I said no cooking from you,”

“Well, I didn’t really have a choice this time,” she said, “We’re the only ones here and I wanted to make sure you were okay. Are you okay?”

“I didn’t want to be alone today. I thought drinking myself into a stupor and waking up later would have done the trick. It didn’t,”

“You could have killed yourself you know! That was enough to kill ten people!”

“I’m Russian; I’ve had more than that and was fine. You could have ran away, why didn’t you?”

“No one deserves to be alone on the worst day of their lives,” she smiling, “I couldn’t leave you here completely inebriated not knowing if you were going to be okay. You could need help,” he looked at her. He slumped into bed. He didn’t want her worrying about him.

“Also…I did something to make you feel better. If you’re up for it,” not waiting to be in bed most of the day, he nodded. She ushered him into study. The room was exceedingly brighter than it’s ever been. All around the room were large sunflowers in planters. They were on the table, on the couch, on the bookshelves, next to his weapons, they just brightened the room. She changed his curtains to pale yellow and even found an old bright yellow carpet. He stared at this for awhile. She gulped. Maybe she overdone it a bit, “I-I’m sorry, maybe I went a bit—,” he pulled her into a hug, a very tight hug, so tight that she felt her back crack. He pulled back. Before she could say anything else, he pulled her into a very passionate kiss. That surprised her. Mixed with the tight hold and rough kiss, she whimpered a bit, feeling herself about to faint from lack of air. He lets her go. She fell into his chest panting. He rubbed her back.

“Are you okay?”

“You’re so affectionate so much that I couldn’t breathe,” he looked down. She smiled and pecked his cheek, “But it felt really nice,”

***
“Hello? Mom? Hi how are you? W-What do you mean? I’m your daughter! Mom, wait, stop calling me that will you?! Put Papa on…please? W-Why are you saying that! I did write! Stop! Bye!” she hung up the phone. Tears rolled down her face. Ravis lingered for a few moments. He heard sobbing then the sounds of her running off. Ivan found her sitting by the window. She looked more troubled than usual. He didn’t like it. He didn’t know what happened today but she looked really miserable. For days, she didn’t eat as much. She was tossing at night, sometimes not sleeping until late. She didn’t say much either. He wasn’t much of a talker but he liked listening to her. She didn’t talk a lot, just enough for him. She was often in a room by herself, reading, watching a sad program, and sometimes just looking out the window. This wasn’t the first time she was like this. He noticed when she got like this; she would stay like that for a few days. This time, however, she wasn’t snapping out of it and it’s been going on two weeks now.

“Find what’s wrong with her,” he said to the trio. They exchanged glances. None of them actually have seen Ivan care about someone in a non-torturous way. Ravis took over the duty since he partially knew. He didn’t mind. He liked her. She didn’t irritate him but her being mopey and sad was worrying everything. He found her in Ivan and her chamber. She was curled up in a fetal position looking towards the window.

“What’s the matter?” she didn’t reply, “Everyone is pretty worried about you. Did something happen? Look I’m not being nosey or snoopy; I just want to know because well…you’re no fucking good when you’re like this. It’s freaking us out,”

“To be honest, I wish I had a logical answer. I’m happy but my happiness depresses me,” she said looking out the window, “I spent my years in hell, a personal hell, then a literal hell. I dreaded what was going to happen to me once I had to pay my debt back to Ivan for my sin years ago. I dreaded it, dwelled on it, the fact that I was frightened of the unknown. I soon realized that it became my only salvation. So much that I prayed for death. Nothing rips a soul or a heart apart than hearing your own mother not only telling you how evil and bad you are as a child and preteen but to tell you that you, her daughter, is killing the love she has for you. She gave the one and only thing that every mother should have for her kids and placed a price tag on it. I just shut down, refusing to love or see anyone in my family as people, just a commodity, until I could better. What frightened me the most was how easier it became over time,”

“Your mother sounds like a fucking cunt,” he said, “But why are you so depressed now?”

“In a strange way, I feel like once you all get tired of me, you’ll all start to hate me like my mother does,”

“You really are damaged goods. Listen, just because we’re cold as shit, it doesn’t mean that we’ll hate you exclusively. We’re master haters here. We just hate you a little less than we would another person. Besides, Ivan likes you and that’s creepy enough,”

“He actually likes me?”

“He actually let you go outside without an escort. He knows you’ll come back to him. He’s really paranoid about that type of shit. And FYI, when you’re upset, he’s upset and when he’s upset, he breaks things, like skulls and limbs. Please snap out of it soon. He’s been going after his lower minions, it won’t be long before me and the other two are in his sights, more so than usual,” she turned around. He looked at her with a dead serious expression.

“Okay, I’ll cheer up,”

“Thanks, we appreciate it,” that evening, Ivan was pleased her mood improved. She didn’t like being in her funks for too long. They always took a toll on her. But she had to admit, feeling something warm around her, wrapping her in their sweet embrace and loving her was a far better way she’d rather feel. In the morning, Ivan stayed. This was unusual. He was usually up and around before she even woke up. He looked at her. He was lingering for an ulterior motive.

“I don’t want you to be sad anymore, I don’t want to see you unhappy like that again, moi podsolnechnik,”

“I can’t help it. It just happens like that. I can’t help it. The memories are still there, even if I feel better now,” she started to feel down again. Ivan glares at this. He was going to make her feel better, even if it was the last thing he did.

“Your mother, da?”

“Yeah…she always made me feel like I was the worst person in the world. I often gave her second chances, I often gave her the benefit of the doubt, that maybe I’m the horrible one that I deserved to be punished, and that I deserved to have the love in heart, taken away from me. But I just woke up, woke up and saw, just what she was, a miserable, conniving, evil shrew who cares of no one bet herself,”

“You are not terrible,” he pulled her into his chest. She could feel tears stringing her eyes, “Do not worry, I will make everything okay,”

***
It was almost a year since __________ left without a trace. Papa was worried but he had letters coming in every week to know that she was okay and happy and living with a man named Ivan. The problem was that he never received these letters. Mom seized them before he got the mail, took them and hid them. With a lot of effort, he was starting to manage to convince her husband to turn against his daughter and to make things more fun; she managed to pin the sudden loss of money on her as well. She could care less what happened to her. She was a thorn in her side for years. If they didn’t have to support her, they would have had a better life. And what pissed her off more was how her husband treated his daughter. SHE was his wife not HER. They went everywhere together, they talks a lot, and even went to those boorish manly activities. SHE wanted to go even though she would have hated them. However, _________ was her bitch when her sweet Papa couldn’t rescue her. Oh she used to love to punish her, call her names, treat her like shit, and there wasn’t much she couldn’t do about it as a preteen or a teenager. Then again, she did start to run away to that creepy Kirkland boy’s house. Even when they moved, she found solace in that horrid boy. The bell rang. She was the only one in the house. She went to the door. Standing in the frame was a tall man wearing a black overcoat and a gray scarf but what set this monstrous being apart was his brown hair and piercing crimson eyes. Mom scoffed, she knew teens liked those student contacts but this man was an adult.

“May I help you?”

“Are you (m/n) (l/n)?”

“Yes, why?” without warning she was smacked across the face with a pipe. She was faded in and out of consciousness. The last thing she saw before she blacked out was red eyes. When she came to, she realized that she was in a dark room and suspended in the air. Her eyes started to adjust. She noticed the red eyed man in the room. He was sitting at a small table smoking and savoring a cigarette with a large bottle of vodka on the table. When he was finished smoking, he flicked the butt away and took a long gulp from the bottle, “H-Hey what’s the meaning of this! Put me down this moment you…despicable man! I swear you think you look good looking like that? You vile, disapproving, uncouth thing! I demand that you untie me and get me home this instant! Now! Hey are you listening to me?!”

“Da, and please shut the fuck up,” he said irritable, “How no one haven’t put a bullet into their brain after spending five minutes with you is a miracle,”

“Not to mention the cunt thinks she sounds smarter by using bigger words,” Toris chuckled from nearby.

“How dare you! What’s the meaning of this?!”

“Judgment Day,” said Ivan, “No harm will come to you if you don’t annoy me and answer my questions truthfully. If not, we have fun,” she didn’t like how he said that. There was something off about this man and it frightened her. Then again, she did nothing wrong, “Where is your daughter?”

“What does that have to do with anything? The ungrateful bitch just up and left one day to who knows where,” Ivan said nothing but point his finger down. Eduard and Toris let the rope, that was holding her, go. She fell feet first into the tank with only her head and neck above the water. That was when she felt something bite at her with multiple, razor sharp teeth. She screamed and struggled. It was only for a few seconds when Ivan pointed his finger up and she was lifted out of the water, “Each time I don’t get the right answer, I create more fun,” she realized what he meant as fun meant for him, “Where is your daughter?”

“She’s with some person. She left some months ago,”

“Did she ever write?”

“Nary a letter came to my house from her,” Ivan made a slicing motion. Ravis walked over towards the tank. He was dragging a spear in his hands. He started to slice and cut at the woman’s legs, tearing chucks of flesh, allowing them to fall into the water below for the hungry piranhas. This wouldn’t be enough to satisfy their bloodlust, but she didn’t know that. She was just begging and crying and pleading, “Okay! Okay! She did write! I just took the letters and hid them!” Ravis stopped.

“Why would you do that?” said Ravis looking at her.

“I don’t have to tell you shit!” the spear slice through her chest and stuck there. She screamed in agonizing pain. Ravis had another spear ready.

“Now, why did you do that? Answer my question,”

“Be-Because I didn’t want my hu-husband to find them,” the women whimpered and sobbed, “I-I didn’t want him to know that she still loved him,”

“Are you trying to break them up?” said Ivan.

“Yes, I’m sick of that evil, God hating child taking everything away from me! It’d be better if she was never born at all,”

“What was the real reason why you were all in debt in the first place?” The trio looked at Ivan. This was all new to them. They knew that _________ sold her freedom to get them out of debt but according to her, it was because her mother was sick and so her papa went into debt with that shady man for money, “Answer me! Were you really sick?”

“I had a small bout of allergies that season, but they were unbearable! I couldn’t breathe! But then that little cunt caught the flu and (fa/n) fawned all over her! I wanted attention to! I’m the wife! So I made it a bit more…lethal,”

“Psychotic bitch has Münchausen syndrome,” said Eduard. Toris and Ravis looked at him, “I wish you two would pick up a fucking medical book sometimes. It’s when a person who isn’t sick, make themselves sick just so that can get attention from someone else,”

“How did you do it?” said Ivan lighting another cigarette, “If you lie, you will regret it,” she stared at those eyes. It was like looking into those of a wounded wolf, daring her to lie, daring her say something stupid, daring her to disobey.

“It-It wasn’t easy. I took a lot of things, enough to make me sick but keep me alive. I made a deal with X. We’re old friends. So, we both pocketed the money but I still didn’t want that little brat around so I arranged the car accident. I knew I was going to survive. But she did and that was what I didn’t want. However, my husband still gave money for me so it was win-win but I didn’t want my daughter around anymore and the final act was (fa/n) selling his only precious little bitch to X so we can have more money and I would be rid of her and have my husband back. Who knew she’d finally leave and never come back?”

“Fuckin’ brutal,” said Toris looking at her.

“That’s the only thing a kid needs at that age and you destroyed that. No wonder she gets depressed,” said Eduard, “I just have one thing to ask, did you ever love her?” the room became still and very quiet.

“I could have more money and attention if she wasn’t around. If I had money at the time to terminate her I would have done so. She’s only caused us grief. Being a little lay about and I’m glad I don’t have to deal with her anymore,” they looked at Ivan. He looked murderous, “Yo-You can’t do-do anything to me! I-I-I answered everything you wanted me to! Please! Have mercy,”

“Mercy is for the weak,” she moved away from the tank dangled over the ground below. All four men surrounded her. The pipe smashed her face first. Her nose bled out as a boot kicked her stomach. She spluttered blood as another spear ripped down her middle. The last method was hand claws that clawed her arms and flesh. She screamed. They looked at this with satisfaction and continued with their beatings. They stopped after a few minutes. Ivan shouted something in Russian that sounded like kislota. Another tank was brought in and they placed it under her. She was dropped inside. She was immediately burned by the acid. She could feel her flesh burning off as the acid ate through her scars and wounds. She swallowed some of her as well as it burned though her organs. She was pulled out again and swung over to the piranha tank once again. Ivan looked at her. A sadistic smirk etched on his face.

“Do svidaniya suka. You will never hurt my moi podsolnechnik again,” he shot the rope. She fell into the tank. She screamed as the piranhas ate her body. She could see the men looking over the tank. It was an eternity before she died. The clock chimed eight. This made the men perk up, “Clean this mess up. __________ and I will have supper. Don’t disturb us,”

***
She was waiting in the dining hall. Ivan appeared. He had (favorite food) waiting for her. She was surprised, especially since it was just them.

“It looks great!” she said smiling. He grunts and started eating. She learned to decipher his grunts as just his way of responding. He ate without saying a word. After it was done, he told her he wanted to show her something. He took out a tape recorder. She listened to her mother talk about her crimes, how her mother hated her, and what she had done. ________’s eyes welded tears. She knew the truth now. She was just going to have to accept it.

“Can you send this to Papa for me? Please? He needs to hear this. She’s not alive, is she?”

“Niet,”

“Oh…Why did you show me this?”

“I want you to stay here forever,” he said looking at her, “I don’t want you to leave me,”

“Ivan…”

“I will make you happy. I want to protect you from people like her. Just stay and be my moi podsolnechnik, forever,”

“I was going to ask you, actually. I really like it here but…I want to be able to come and go once in awhile without an escort, please?” he looked a little uneasy about that. He trusted her but he didn’t want anyone else harming her. He sighs.

“Da,”

“And I want you to go outside with me once in awhile,”

“Da,”

“You also have to let me call Papa too if I feel sad,”

“Da,”

“And let me cook for once in awhile,” he looked a bit uneasy at this but nodded.

“Da,” she hugged him tightly. He wasn’t used to hugs and they still made him feel weird but she did it, he had to suck it up and just let his guard down, “You don’t mind sleeping with me?”

“No! You’re the best pillow I ever had!”

“Pillow?!” she laughed. It was good to see her smile again. She was his ray of sunshine in his gloomy world.

“I actually have a question…why don’t you want me to cook? I don’t mind being waited on but I don’t like disturbing Eduard or anyone else when I’m hungry,”

“I don’t want my moi podsolnechnik to dirty her hands with minion work,” he said, “Are you staying here? You have two more years with me,”

“I want to stay because; I can’t even imagine life without being around you and the others. I really don’t think my heart can handle any more pain,” he grunted and pulled her into a kiss. He couldn’t imagine going back to live in constant darkness. It was good to know his sunflower will always be there to brighten the darkest depth of his heart.