Mariah (Catherine)
When we came home from Leonnie there was a large vase of roses on the kitchen table again. This time Nick saw them and he fell in love, so I can’t throw them out.
“They are so beautiful, mommy! Who gave them to you?” His small fingers carefully touch the soft petals.
“Maybe it was Michel.” I say with a strained smile. I know for sure that it isn’t Michel. These are too expensive for him to have bought.
“I like Michel. I like Tom and Sally. They are nice. Tom has a playstation.” Nick jumps down from the chair. “Can I have a playstation?” I laugh and usher him to the bathroom to wash his hands.
CatherineI carry Nick until we are a few blocks away from the daycare center before putting him down.“Where are we going, mommy?” He looks so small and innocent as he looks up at me with his brilliant blue eyes. I give him a shaky smile and caress his cheek.“We are going to the police station. There are men and women there that will help us. We have to move to another city.” I take his hand and start to lead him towards the closest station. It is a small station and we will surely not be able to get the help we need from there, but they can drive us to a larger station.“Why do we have to move? Will Harry and Will move with us?” I chuckle
CatherineThe car takes us to the airport. Nick behaves exemplary the whole way as he looks out the window to see the city rush past. Alessio listens to his rambling about what he sees and acts like every cool car Nick points out is as fascinating as Nick thinks. They laugh, ooh and aah together as if they really are father and son. I sit stiffly in the middle staring at the divider between us and the driver.The comfort and recognition I feel by finally being with Alessio again is still heavily shadowed by my fear. Fear of what he will do to me. Fear of what my life will become the second we land back in Indianapolis. I don’t think he will kill me but I am sure he will punish me to the extent that death might be a better choic
AlessioNicholas is a real champ! He was so brave and tough when his mother lost it. After that he refused to let go of her. Catherine carried him in her arms for almost half an hour as we went through the airport towards the gate for private flights. We have to be up in the air in less than twenty minutes and Catherine is sagging behind from the weight of Nicholas in her arms.“Come here, Nicholas.” I say and reach out my arms towards him. He presses tighter against Catherine’s chest and she gently strokes his hair.“My arms are too tired to carry you. Either you walk on your own or you let Alessio or Vincent carry you.” I clench my jaw in irritation. As if I would let Vincent carry my child?! And Alessio
CatherineMy whole body is shaking, but I am not sure that it is from fear even though I feel afraid. I am afraid of what is going to happen. I am afraid of what Alessio will do to me. Of what he’ll do to Nick. I see the love and pride shining in his eyes as he looks at Nick. That should be comforting, but my mind always wanders to what he does to me. He claims that he loves me but he still beats me and rape me. He let his brothers fuck me against my will as well.I don’t think he will rape Nick, nor let anyone esle sexually abuse Nick. But what if he hits him. What if he locks Nick in the dungeon if he misbehaves. What if he hits me in front of Nick! All those things can be extremely traumatizing and not something I want Nick to go through. And what happens when Nick gets older? Will he teach Nick, my sweet inno
AlessioShe is completely drained as she lies on top of the very uncomfortable bed in my private airplane. Her eyes are boring into mine, searching for something. An answer to all her questions perhaps. But I don’t know what those questions are. Her eyes show contentment but also sadness.“Why are you sad, tesoro?” Her eyes fill up at the question and she shakes her head. “Answer me.” I growl at her defiance. She knows better than to object to my demands. At least she used to know.“I…” She falls silent as the tears start to fall. I bend down to pick up my belt again. Her eyes widen as I wrap the buckle around my hand, leaving a long strip of leather to whip her with. 
CatherineI am aroused from my slumber by insisten knocking on the door of the private room. Alessio groans next to me and pulls me tight against him.“Mommy!” I jerk upright as I remember where I am and what I have done. And that my child has been left without me in an unfamiliar environment. I scramble out of Alessio’s hold and off the bed.“Vincent..” He mumbles.“No! Not Vincent! Nick needs me.” I pull on my clothes as fast as I can, deciding to scrap the bra and only pull my t-shirt over my head. Half a minute later I open the door to meet a sleepy but quite cheerful Nicholas. “Are you okay, sweety?” I kneel down in fr
CatherineThe mansion looks and feels like it did all those years ago. It is still beautiful, luxurious and scary. It is a jail and will always be a jail for me. A place where I am not allowed to move around freely or leave when I feel like it. Every step I take further inside squeezes harder around my chest. It feels like I can’t breathe. Like I can’t move.Nick is running up ahead of me, excited about the big house, the beautiful furnishing and artwork. And the grand staircase. He touches the railing, runs up a few steps and jumps down again and does a roll on the soft carpet. I want to tell him that the carpet is dirty but my voice won’t work. I open my mouth but nothing comes out. And nothing comes in. I can’t breathe. The panic rises as I watch Alessio jump down the stairs together with Nick. No
AlessioWhen I enter Nicholas’ room I am met with the loud cries of a frightened boy. Bianca is holding him in her arms as she rocks back and forth and sings softly in italian. Her eyes lift to meet mine as she hears the door close behind me. They are filled with anger and concern.“Mommy!” Nicholas cries out loudly and Bianca hushes him.“Mommy will be fine. A doctor is going to take a look at her.” I walk over to the couch they are sitting on. Nicholas notices me as I sit down next to them and I reach out my hand to stroke over his soft black hair.“Where is mommy?”“S