The Unmasked Stranger

The whip is so strong that it not only tears her lips but also her gums and knocking one of her teeth. Mrs. Martin yelps and wriggles in excruciating pain. The stranger stuffs the cloth inside Mrs. Martin's mouth and tapes it. She cries in pain. She looks helpless yet her eyes are burning in rage. "How pathetic!" I think.

"We gave you the chance to repent. Turns out that once a bitch will always be a bitch!" the stranger shouts.

"Stop! Please, she's already in so much pain!" Andrei asks still trembling from shock when he witnesses the lashing of his mom's mouth. The new Andrei is back, no more manic disorders. "Who are you? Why are you so mad at her?"

"Andrei, she is your sister and you know her very well. Like you, she's been a victim of abuse, sexually, emotionally, physically... name it. At the hands of this woman and unfortunately... yours, too!"

"What?! Who is she? Baby, who is she?" Hearing him call me baby once more asserted my positive feeling about this. I glance at Mrs. Martin who looks defiant despite all the bruises and torn flesh. I turn to the stranger and nod, giving her the signal to finally reveal herself. "It's time," I say without removing my gaze at Mrs. Martin.

Andrei's eyes round and his face turns pale upon realizing who she is. "Oh my god! You're joking! No! No! This can't be true!" he cries and quickly looks away.

"Look at me!" the stranger commands, but Andrei covers his head with a pillow. So afraid to confront her. He slaps himself, hoping to wake up from this horrible nightmare.

Years ago, I made a startling discovery. It was the end of winter, snow began to melt. Crisp air blew, rustling trees danced. As usual, the castle became my refuge.

"Your name is Rose, isn't it?" It wasn't a question. It sounded more like a statement. There was a moment of surprise then it changed to a questioning look.

"I'm afraid not," she replied. I sighed.

"I can prove it to you." I handed her a sealed envelope. She stared at it. "It's your DNA result!"

My heart was beating so fast that I thought it would explode. I was clueless about the result but my gut feeling told me that I was in the right direction.

"How would I know that you didn't fabricate this? You took my sample secretly in the first place," she doubtfully said.

I met her eyes and we stared at each other for an eternity before she looked away. "I don't have any reasons to harm you. As a matter of fact, you're not the only person I secretly took samples from. There were dozens of you. I made a promise to your parents. That's the least I can do for them."

With trembling hands, she slowly opened it. We held our breath as she pulled the document. She gasped. I watched her eyes plastered onto the paper as tears fell freely from her eyes. I gave her a tight embrace as she cried and cried.

I told her how she and most women ended up in this unforgiving place. From that day on, she became my greatest ally.

Back to the present...

"This is not happening!" Andrei sobs. She goes to him and gives him a hug. And slowly, she wipes his wounds and puts his clothes on. "Why you?" The pain in his voice begins to unravel.

"You didn't have a choice. You were victimized by her. She is the reason why!" I answer, pointing at Mrs. Martin, who is shivering in pain and anger. She writhes, again and again, yanking the chains and fetter, trying to escape from them. "How dare she get angry?!" I say in silence.

"Your sister was four when your family visited this heavenly place. Your parents spent their hard-earned money to bring her here as her birthday present. Unsuspecting that the happiest day of their lives will end tragically. All because of this woman's greed and jealousy!"

"I don't have a complete recollection of what happened that day, but what I remember was her luring me to a place full of candies and anything a four-year-old child would want. She lavished me with toys that I haven't seen before. I had free access to all the fun rides in the castle. Until one day, my sweet dreams turned to nightmares. And the rest is history," Rose says. She can't help herself from shedding tears as she retells the story.

Andrei remains quiet and still. Then, he looks at me. "How would I know that you're not fooling me?" he asks coldly. I chuckle. He gets surprised by my reaction but keeps a straight face.

"Sorry, you had the same reaction when I told your sister about it." Rose laughs with me and nods.

"Brother, I was dumbfounded as you when I first saw our DNA test result. Our DNA never lies," she adds.

Andrei's breathing becomes erratic. His eyes turn dark and his hands are clenched. "So, you toyed us!" he grumbles in Mrs. Martin's ear. Even from afar, I can feel the chill from his icy voice. Before we know it, the pen is buried in Mrs. Martin's neck. Rose panics and holds her brother's hand still, preventing him to pull the pen. Because if he does, Mrs. Martin will surely die.

"You wicked bitch! You made me marry my own sister, made me fuck her, and torture her! Even the devil will envy you!"

"Brother, stop! She must not die in your hands!"

"I already paid someone to do that!"

Almost like a magic word, the well-built bodyguard and two other men enter the room. They are appalled and horrified by the scene but are quick to conceal their fright. Their presence gives Mrs. Martin a string of hope but is quickly cut they bow to me.

"You know what to do" is all I say. He nods. Mrs. Martin quivers but manages to give me a questioning look as the two other men help Andrei to his wheelchair.

I smile at her. "So funny that the MONEY you love so much, the reason why you turn to your friend and killed countless innocent lives, this the same MONEY is going to be your demise. Remember this before you die, the one who has the power is the one who has the money. And today, I am the power! Look at you! You're a speck of dirt covered in sparkly diamonds and golds, but no matter how you disguise yourself, you're always who you truly are--- a speck of dirt!"