The Stay

Mary cried at the bottom of the stone steps of her Grandpa's house. Her parents waved goodbye from their Mercedes car. Her mother said, “We'll be back in two day's time. Faster than you know it.”

Mary didn't smile back. Two days was like two years for her. Grandpa was a big man and had a crooked smile plastered to his face whenever she saw him. Grandpa stood behind her and placed his bony fingers on her small shoulders. She moved away.

The car turned out of the gate and disappeared.

Mary knew it was embarrassing for a 14-year-old girl to be crying. A little woman, Grandpa called her when he saw her in her rosy pink dress. She took her red box-shaped suitcase into the house reluctantly.

“Cheer up little lady, Grandpa loves you the most. You know that right?” Grandpa stroked her hair gently, the same smile revealing yellowed teeth after years of constant smoking. She saw him smoking in the porch once a few years ago and thought he was a fire breathing dragon. He had thick grey eyebrows hooding a pair of piercing green eyes, like a hawk. She sometimes trembled when he stared too long at her.

The house was filled with marble statues mainly of Greek gods and goddesses. Grandpa was a statue maker and spent most of his time chipping away in the basement. Mary was drawn to a statue near the entrance. It was of a man, muscular and naked. The man had a full head of curly hair with a strong protruding jaw. The sight of it gave her a strange sensation. Grandpa noticed her curiosity and said, “This is no thing for young girls. Come along now.”

She was thoroughly fascinated with it and took out her hand phone to snap a quick photo. She felt a little breathless suddenly as blood rushed to her face.

“Come on.” Grandpa trudged up the stairs and the narrow corridor revealed three doors. She usually stayed in the first room. She walked up to the door and turned the knob.

It was locked. Grandpa's smile faded into a frown. “Nope, the second room is yours now. I use this one for...storing things.” Mary heard a whimpering sound from inside and a shiver ran up her spine. She wanted to say something but Grandpa steered her away.

The second room, her room, was neat and cosy. The bed was brand new, the woody smell permeating the lilac coloured room. A window overlooked a pine forest towards the sea. Grandpa said, “I'll leave you to rest. Want some cookies and milk?”

Tea break was usually her favourite but Mary shook her head. Grandpa left and his footsteps banged noisily down the staircase. Probably going to his basement to craft a new statue. She laid flat on the soft bed and took out her phone to scrutinise the photo again. She liked that mystery man whoever he was.

She suddenly remembered the sound from the other room. She kept her phone in her pocket and pressed her ear against the wall. Nothing. She knocked twice on the wall and waited.

She heard a metallic clang and she leapt backwards hitting the bed frame with a loud thud. She rubbed her aching backside, checking to see if Grandpa was coming up the stairs again. She quickly closed the door.

What should she do? It seemed Grandpa had trapped someone inside. A prisoner perhaps. She pressed her cheek against the wall and said, “Hello? Who's there?”

No response. Her voice couldn't travel past the wall. Her mind raced frantically as she paced in a tight circle. She got an idea but it was certainly risky. She ran to the window and poked her head out. The sea breeze stroked her face. She said loudly towards the other window, “Can you hear me now?”

“Help me,” a voice said, so soft that Mary hardly heard it. She wasn't sure till she heard it again. She looked down the window at the grassy patch below. A fall would mean certain death. But she had to help that poor fellow somehow.

She climbed out of the window onto the ledge. Thankfully, the ledge was rather wide and connected to the other window but still, her nerves were getting to her. She quickly clambered back into her room, sweating profusely. She failed miserably.

Her room door opened and Grandpa entered with a plate of cookies, freshly baked and piping hot. Mary pretended to be looking out of the window. Grandpa said, “You're sweating girl. Been exercising?” He placed the plate on top of the dresser and took out a red handkerchief to dab her forehead. He stood very close to her, his cigarette breath against her cheeks. She held her breath till he finished.

The doorbell chimed. Grandpa frowned. “I wasn't expecting anyone.”

Mary said, “Can I meet your guest?”

Grandpa bit his dry lips, looking worried. “Sure, let me check. You stay here.”

Mary followed behind Grandpa eagerly. He went down the stairs and opened the oak door. “Ah, Renaldo. I didn't know you were coming.”

What an exotic name, Mary wondered. After Grandpa opened the door, Mary was taken aback. Renaldo was a tall man, with long curly hair framing a strong jaw. He was wearing a tight olive white shirt which displayed his muscular physique and V-shaped form.

Mary glanced at the statue of the naked man. No doubt it was Renaldo all right. Renaldo grinned, eyes fixed on her as she stood a few feet behind Grandpa. “Why, who is this angel Stanley?”

“My grand-daughter Mary,” Grandpa said blandly. “Renaldo, this isn't a good time for you—“

“Mary, come nearer.” Renaldo interjected, pronouncing her name slowly, tasting the words. He knelt down on one knee and she shifted uncomfortably, hands clenched up. He pointed at his statue and said, “That's me.”

“I can't be sure,” Mary said. “Till you're naked.”

Grandpa sucked in a great hiss of air and tried to pull Mary away. Renaldo glared at him and held Mary's shoulder firmly. Grandpa backed away like a coward. Renaldo laughed gently and said, “You're a funny girl Mary. I like your honesty. I might let you confirm it's me next time.” 

He winked.

She felt a lump form in her throat as she stared at Renaldo. She never felt this way or this bold before.

Renaldo didn't answer and just smiled at her. He turned to Grandpa who was pale faced and said, “She's quite a girl isn't she?” Grandpa didn't reply, fear written on his face.

“Run along now, we’ve got grown up things to discuss,” Renaldo said. Grandpa led him to the basement and the door slammed shut.

Mary was still feeling hot under her dress. She hated boys before but Renaldo was different. He wasn't childish, he was a real man. She scampered to the basement door and pressed her ear against the cold wood.

Grandpa's voice was echoing inside.

“Please, not my granddaughter. She's too young.”

“Nonsense! The younger the better. Mary is a perfect addition to my collection.'

“What about the girl I have?”

“I'll check her out first,” Renaldo said.

Mary was confused now. Collection? Grandpa must have been keeping a girl as a prisoner. She had to save that poor girl somehow. Some sex trafficking ring? And Renaldo wanted her too? She shuddered at the thought though the idea toyed with her heart. She dashed back up the stairs and into her room. The window was still open wide.

Mary steadied her breathing as she climbed out of the window and onto the ledge. It was narrower than she realised. The wind was blowing her dress around and her hand phone fell out of her pocket to the ground below. It smashed with a crack. She forced herself not to look down as she pushed her back hard against the wall. Inch by inch she crept sideways whistling her favourite song. That's what her mother asked her to do when scared. Now she couldn't even call her without the phone.

After what seemed like an eternity, her fingers touched the next window frame and thankfully the window open.

In one quick movement, she slid through the window and fell into the room with a thump. Her kneecaps hurt. She looked up and her blood froze. A girl, slightly older than her, was chained to the wall. She was only wearing red undergarments and her body covered with purplish bruises. A crooked scar that snaked down her tummy was caked with dried blood.

The room was rather sparse and a straw mat laid in the corner. It too was matted with dried blood. Mary felt hot tears welling up as she went over to the girl. “I'm Mary and I want to help you.”

The girl's face was pretty but so thin and bony. She seemed semi-conscious, her blue eyes half opened.

“Where are the keys?” Mary asked. The chains were strong and cutting into the girl's wrists.

The girl whispered, “The Master has them.”

“The Master?” Mary asked.

“Tall, old man.”

Grandpa? 

How could Grandpa do this evil thing? She had to get the key somehow but she had no idea where to start. Then she heard footsteps coming up the stairs. More than one pair of feet meaning Renaldo was accompanying Grandpa. This was the girl Renaldo wanted to check.

Mary looked around the room for a place to hide. There was no time to climb back out the window. The room only contained the bloodied straw mat and a wardrobe. She opened the wardrobe and felt her stomach lurch. Inside were racks of sharp instruments, all neatly displayed. There was a wide range of shapes and sizes, and one of them looked like a giant wine opener. Most of them were rusty and covered with dried blood. The coppery smell almost made her vomit.

She heard the sharp click of a key in the door and Grandpa's voice. No time to waste. She moved into the wardrobe carefully, avoiding the racks and managing to tuck herself into a tight corner. She reached out and pulled the wardrobe door shut.

A moment later, the room door opened. Mary couldn't see anything inside the wardrobe, it was pitch black inside. But the smell of blood was even more pungent.

“What the heck happened to her?” Renaldo said in a hard tone. “Did I tell you to touch her? Did I?”

Mary hoped that Renaldo would save that poor girl from Grandpa. Her legs were starting to cramp up because of the weird angle she was tucked in. She didn't dare move just in case she hit the nasty instruments.

“I rented her to some visitors,” Grandpa said after a long pause. “I can't control what they do. But I taught them a lesson after that.”

“This girl is trash. I will not leave without one.”

“But there's no more.”

“Think harder old bugger,” Renaldo said.

“With all due respect, Mary is out of the question!”

She let out a small gasp of horror at the thought of being sold off. Did they hear her? She then heard a crash and a cry of pain.

“No one says no to Renaldo.” Suddenly, the wardrobe doors flung open. The light blinded her for a few seconds then she saw Renaldo's smiling face, his curly hair ruffled up.

“Speak of the devil.” He grabbed Mary's arm and dragged her out of the wardrobe roughly. She screamed as loud as she could. Grandpa was lying crumpled on the floor, blood pouring from his nose like a tap.

Renaldo grabbed a lean knife with a serrated edge from the wardrobe and pressed it against Mary's neck. “You listen to what I say or I'll kill your grandpa.”

Her whole body went numb with fear. 

He said, “You are given the honour to join my harem of girls.'

“You're crazy,” Mary mumbled. “Grandpa, help me.”

Grandpa was stirring and the front of his shirt was soaked in blood. He stood up slowly. “Let her go. Fight me like a man.”

“You think you can win me?” Renaldo laughed. Mary stepped hard on his foot and he let out a guttural moan. His knife dropped momentarily and she dove aside.

Grandpa lunged at Renaldo, ramming him towards the wardrobe of knives. Mary scrambled backwards, watching the two men tussle, arms flailing, blood dripping on the wooden floor. They smashed into the wardrobe and she only saw their legs.

Then Grandpa's legs twitched violently before stopping. Renaldo stepped out, blood masking his face and chest. His shirt was torn and bloodied. He was smiling.

“Grandpa,” Mary said, dread settling in the pit of her stomach. She saw blood pooling at the base of the cupboard slowly where Grandpa's leg was spasming. 

Mary huddled in the corner of the room on the straw mat. Renaldo stripped off his shirt and tossed it aside. His body was rippling with muscles. Then he took off his belt and held it in his hand like a whip. “You've been a naughty girl Mary. But I'll teach you about respect.” His eyes were wild.

She dashed at the door to escape when she heard a sharp crack and her back exploded with pain. She fell face down and felt the belt hitting her back again and again. The pain was almost unbearable.

She rolled into a ball and used her arms to shield herself as the blows continued raining down. It was precisely aimed at her exposed flesh. She was crying for him to stop but he didn't.

“Still want to run?” Renaldo said. She was trembling, as blood snaked down her arms from the whip gashes. She shook her head as tears welled up. The gashes were swollen and ugly, the pain like millions of ant bites.

She hugged her arms tightly around herself. “Please, let me go. Why are you doing this?”

Suddenly, the girl chained to the wall said, “Don't please. Let her go.” Mary was quite shocked she was still conscious.

Renaldo laughed. “Mary, this is Glenda. She has been rented out to men since she was a young girl around like your age. She never saw her parents again.”

Mary shivered at the thought of becoming like Glenda one day. Renaldo continued, “But if you're a good girl Mary, you wouldn't end up like Glenda, garbage that nobody wants.”

“I hate you.” Mary stared at Renaldo. “I'll never go with you.”

“Really?” Renaldo stepped towards Glenda and wrapped his fingers around her throat and choked her hard. Her face became bluish and her eyes looked like they were going to pop out. He was going to kill her.

“Stop!” Mary said, crawling over and holding Renaldo's leg. “I'll go with you. Just don't kill her.”

A cruel smile played on his face and he let go. Glenda was gasping for air, her chest heaving.

Renaldo caught Mary's hair and jerked her head up. 

She had an idea and threw all caution to the wind.

Mary bit down on his hand as hard as she could. Blood exploded in her mouth and Renaldo let out a primal scream. She chomped harder with her teeth till his bones crunched. Then she let go.

Renaldo fell to the ground, blood spurting on the floor from his wound. "You witch. I'll... I'll kill you."

Mary watched in ecstasy as Renaldo writhed in pain. She thought about spitting out a tidbit of flesh she chewed off. She wiped the blood from her lips with the back of her hand.

“I’ll leave,” Renaldo moaned.

Mary just stood there. She went over to the wardrobe and saw Grandpa's bloodied corpse, a knife protruding out of his skull.

“Mary, what are you doing?”

She looked about and saw it. The hand drill that looked like a giant wine opener. She felt powerful, invincible now as Renaldo stared at her in horror.

“Little girls shouldn't be using that.” Renaldo winced.

She heard the dread in his voice and almost pitied him.

“I was a little girl before you beat me,” Mary said holding the sharp drill above Renaldo's face. She squeezed the button and drill whirled to life. “Now I'm a woman.”

“Stop,” Glenda muttered. “You’ll be no better than him if you kill him. Just call the police.”

Mary sighed as she felt anger brimming. Glenda was right. 

She lowered the drill.

Suddenly, Renaldo laughed and sprung at her.

With a roar, he pulled Mary’s legs from under her and she fell back. He climbed on top of her and instinctively she activated the drill and pressed it upwards at Renaldo's throat.

The drill dug into Renaldo's throat and blood spurted on Mary. His face was still contorted in a grimace as he gurgled on his own blood. 

Mary found Grandpa's keys and unlocked Glenda. Then she dialled the emergency number.

An hour later, the police came.

Mary's parents also rushed back from their trip.

---

6 Months Later...

Mary sipped on a cup of hot chocolate as she sat on the living room couch. It felt good as it warmed her chest.

She heard the doorbell ring and got up quickly. Opening the door, Mary was pleased to see Glenda, fresh and pretty. Half a year really changed both of them. One outward, the other inward.

They hugged and Mary relished the moment with her.

“You look different,” Glenda said.

Mary flicked her hair. She was glad her makeup had an effect on Glenda. “Just wanting to look good. You like it?”

“It's lovely.” Glenda scanned Mary's arms and said, “The scars are almost gone.”

“They'll never be gone,” Mary said. “You look beautiful.”

Glenda was going to say something when her eyes trained on an object in the hall. She went speechless.

“'What?” Mary turned around. “Oh that? I insisted on taking it back.”

Renaldo's statue was standing prominently in the living room.

Some scars were better not forgotten.