14. Pity

Igor looks at me like I’m crazy for a few beats.

I repeat my words. “Let my brother go and I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”

“You say that now, after you stabbed me?”

I gulp, unsure of what to say to that. He keeps the ball of tissues on his chest and then he turns around to discard them before pulling new ones. His whole back is covered in the not detailed tattoo of a skull I’ve ever seen before. There’s a cross right on its forehead, and I can’t help but wonder what it means.

So far, nothing is going according to plan. I didn’t plan on begging him to not hurt my brother. He was supposed to be dead by now but I couldn’t see it through. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the feeling of sliding the knife in him, even if just the tip.

It’s the most horrible feeling in the world.

“I don’t quite know what to do with you, Clara,” he says, and I have to admit that he sounds honest.

I stare down at my feet as humiliation rocks through me. I remind myself that this is for my brother, and s