Just a Taste Part 7

Ch 7: The Ugly Truth

Isabella

December 19th, 2024- Basement of Montgomery Estate- Time: Unknown

This was officially the worst winter break ever! First, I lost my virginity in a closet to a stranger, whom I'll never see again, and then I incurred the wrath of Daddy by keeping it a secret, and the icing on the shit cake: Daddy trapped me in the basement!

Also, what the hell was he talking about? That I 'ruined my meat'? What does that even mean?

Also, what the hell was he talking about? That I 'ruined my meat'? What does that even mean?

I tried to reason with him and fight him off as he dragged me like an animal downstairs, scratched up my arm, pulled some of my hair out, then chained me to an old radiator pipe. He ignored my pleas, opting to shake his head in disappointment, muttering, "Selfish little bitch."

After screaming and sobbing for hours, Rhonda came downstairs. She didn't say much, just that Daddy sent her to 'tend' to me. I begged her to release me from my chains, but she shook her head.

"Sorry, Ms. Isabella, I can't." She whispered, touching my face gently. "Mr. Montgomery wants you down here. For now."

"Why!?" I questioned. "What did I do wrong?"

She gave me a sympathetic smile. "You broke his rules." She grabbed a bucket and a crate full of supplies. "Now, let's use the bathroom, get washed up, and eat something, yeah?"

Full of resignation, I nodded. Rhonda's not the enemy here; Daddy is.

And, evidently, I broke some invisible rules that he never disclosed to me.

When he shows his face again, I plan to question him thoroughly.

Mark my words, Daddy, your sins can only survive for so long.

Like clockwork, Rhonda came and 'tended' to me. Over and over. For at least a day, maybe two? I don't know anymore.

The frigid darkness of the basement has dulled my sense of time and awareness. If it weren't for the pathetic throw blanket that Rhonda gave me, I would've frozen to death down here. 

She left a small battery-powered lantern as well. I loved its dim light and the hope it provided.

God, think of the headline: Healthcare Mogul Daughter: Found Dead Wearing Pajamas in Basement. 

I shook my head. No, knowing Daddy, he would spin the story in his favor.

Maybe he would fake a kidnapping or dare I say, a murder?

Another chill ran up my spine at the thought. Would he really leave me down here to die? If so, for what purpose?

The basement door opening broke my thoughts. Oh, it must be time for Rhonda again.

Footsteps echoed eerily through the dark, freezing space; growing closer and closer by the second until a person appeared. A middle-aged woman with soft blonde hair cut into a short bob, hazel eyes, wearing a silk burgundy robe.

She looked like…

"Mommy!?" I gasped, eyes widened with shock. What's she doing down here?

"Oh, my sweet girl!" She sobbed, fanning her face. "You've been down here this whole time!?"

I nodded frantically, tears filling my eyes. "Yes, I have. Daddy put me down here, and Rhonda's been caring for me."

Trembling, Mommy dashed over to me and wrapped my near-frozen body in the best hug I've ever received.

Almost immediately, warmth enveloped me. I shuddered at how incredible it felt. It was like a steaming bubble bath after a trudge through the snowy wilderness, or a hot cocoa on a Christmas morning.

"I knew something was weird!" Mommy cried, tightening her hold. "Rhonda kept coming down here and wouldn't tell me why, so I snatched the key from her apron when she wasn't looking."

My heart pounded. A key? Does it work for other things too?

"Mommy, do you think the key might unlock these?" I asked, rattling my shackles.

"Oh! Maybe!" she said, releasing me, then fumbling with her robe.

Quickly, she extracted the key from her pocket, repositioned my arms, and tried it out for size.

The key wouldn't fit.

"Dammit!" Mommy grunted, trying to force the key into the lock. "Go in there you piece of crap!"

With a heavy sigh, I replied, "It won't work. It's too big for the lock, Mommy."

She slumped down next to me. "Yes, that seems to be the case." She nuzzled her cheek against mine. "I'm so sorry, Issa."

"It's okay, I know you tried." I sniffled. "You should leave before Daddy or Rhonda find you down here."

Her eyes widened, and her mouth fell open in shock. "Issa, I can't leave you alone like this! It's inhumane!"

"L-listen to m-me," I said shakily. "I'll be alright, but I won't be if something happens to you." Mommy's eyes filled with fresh tears. "Daddy is evil, and I'm not talking 'child abuse' evil, but real evil. Like the kind that people need exorcisms for!"

Mommy gasped.

"Please leave." I begged, shivering slightly. "Maybe we can work on a plan together later, but for now, you have to go!"

Without argument, she jumped to her feet and ran upstairs.

Hopefully, away from Daddy's grasp.

Hours passed, and neither Rhonda nor Mommy came back.

Anxiety swirled in my gut at the implications. What if Mommy was discovered coming down here? Would Daddy truly hurt her? Or would Rhonda say something if she found out instead?

Fidgeting, I pressed my legs together as much as possible.

Not having a toilet sucks! Hell, ‌I would worship that damned bucket if they would keep it down here for me!

My bladder is at maximum capacity, and I don't know when my 'caretaker' will be back.

Ear-splitting shrieks broke the eerie silence.

What the fuck is happening now?

The basement door flew open and slammed against the brick wall, allowing me to hear the commotion upstairs.

"How dare you question my authority!?" Daddy roared.

"What authority? You have our daughter chained up like a fucking animal down there! You're pathetic!" Mommy snarled.

I heard several objects shatter. "Pathetic, am I? Oh, you're really testing me, Helen!" Daddy sneered.

"Oh, man the fuck up and release our daughter, you piece of shit!" Mommy retorted.

Suddenly, Mommy shrieked and tumbled down the stairs. Her body flopped into a discarded pile of used rags.

"Mommy! Are you okay?" I asked, full of terror.

She groaned in pain.

Daddy stalked down the stairs; each step he took was slow and deliberate, as if he were savoring the act. Once his visage came into view, I saw the ugly truth.

Daddy was covered in blood from head to toe, and he gripped a meat cleaver in his scratched, bloodied palm.

And his disheveled clothing suggested he had been involved in a struggle.

His lips curled into a wicked smile. "Sorry you had to see that, sweet girl."

As Daddy stepped closer to me, Mommy lunged at him, screaming at the top of her lungs, "No, you don't, you rotten bastard!" She sank her teeth into his partially exposed calf.

"Argh!" Daddy growled, flailing his leg around. "Let go, you old hag!"

During the chaos, a cellphone rang.

Still trying to detach Mommy's teeth, Daddy reached into his khaki pockets and pulled out a phone.

It's different from his personal phone. Almost like a cheap, throw away phone that one would buy at the grocery store.

He answered it, remaining silent for a few seconds.

I wonder who would call him on such a sketchy-looking phone?

With a scowl, Daddy boomed, "I told you, we’re done! Don’t call me again! I’m busy!"

Finally, Mommy unlatched from his calf, flying into a section of wall with a loud, spine-chilling crunch.

"Mommy, no!" I cried, thrashing around in my shackles.

Daddy dropped his phone on the ground, then stomped on it. "Now, where were we?"

His gaze bored into me as he stepped closer.

Dear God, I'm next, aren't I?

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places, and incidents are fictitious and the product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, organizations, or events are entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. Thank you for reading this eBook. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the author.

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