Chapter 38: Torn between the past and the present
"Do you think that begging for mercy will make me spare you?" Xalor sneered; his voice was dripping with disdain. "Do you really believe that if you show enough fear, I might let you go?" His mockery was clear, and it felt like a sharp blow to Cassian’s hope.
Cassian’s mind raced; he was desperately searching for a way out. He felt trapped in darkness with no escape. The regret of being out so late turned into a desperate need to survive. Every breath felt like a struggle, and the tight grip on his chin made it hard to breathe.
Xalor’s gaze shifted between curiosity and cruelty. "You know," he said thoughtfully, "there was a time when I would have done anything to see you smile, to see those same eyes light up with joy." For a brief moment, his voice softened, hinting at a past affection. But this was quickly replaced by his current harsh demeanor.
Cassian felt lost; he really couldn’t understand this man’s motive. But I was sure of one thing: that the man had mistaken him for someone else, or how could he explain this situation? And he was just merely unlucky to stumble into this situation.
Xalor released his grip slightly, but his eyes remained locked onto Cassian’s. "Do you know what it’s like to lose control?" he asked, his voice now tinged with a darker tone. "To have a part of yourself that you can’t control, no matter how hard you try? That’s what I’m dealing with."
Cassian struggled to understand Xalor’s words. The intensity of Xalor’s gaze was overwhelming, and the hint of personal struggle in his voice sent a shiver down Cassian’s spine. It felt like both a warning and a glimpse into Xalor’s inner turmoil.
"You think you’re the first one to face my anger?" Xalor continued, his tone growing colder. "You’re just another person in my life." His eyes narrowed, and his grip tightened again on Cassian; it was a reminder of the power he held over Cassian.
Cassian’s mind was spinning; he was trying to make sense of Xalor’s twisted logic. The idea that he was just another person in his life, then why the f*ck he was torturing him like this, and just let him go. He wanted to scream at his face and wanted to add some senses to his mind.
But he feared that one word from his mouth could lead to a dire situation, and given the timing, if he even screamed at the top of his lungs, no one would come for his rescue.
Xalor’s expression softened for a brief moment as he considered Cassian’s fear. There was a hint of hesitation in his eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed by his dark demeanor. "You’re a fragile thing," he said quietly, almost gently. "But that doesn’t mean you’re safe from what I’m capable of."
The cold truth of Xalor’s words sank into Cassian. The brief glimpse of compassion in Xalor’s voice was overshadowed by the threat it carried. Cassian felt his strength fade and his hope slip away.