#32 GLORIA VICTIS
The whole situation changed a couple of weeks ago with the murder of her aunt. From then, it started to be all-horrible. She returned to Warsaw and was surprised by an unexpected guest in her grandma's apartment. A man she remembered well. He didn't change. She already had a strange feeling when she came to the door and wanted to open it.
When she opened the door, it was very quiet inside. Her grandma was always listening to the radio and now the radio wasn't turned on.
Mia went in carefully and she noticed that somebody was in the apartment. She went down the corridor and looked over to her room, because the door was open (although she always closed it). Everything seemed to be all right. Nothing changed. Then she looked to her grandmother’s room and she wasn't there. She went into the kitchen and saw a man sitting on a chair. He was waiting for her. He had a scary smile on his lips.
She was surprised and couldn't pull herself together for a while.
He continued to smile.
He was taller than in her memories. He didn't change. He was still looking like 30-35 years of age. He had some wrinkles and small, sharp eyes. Scary eyes with an evil glow. A shiny bold-head with a wonky smile stood there. He was wearing a black suit and a purple shirt. He was a little overweight and had fat fingers. He started drumming a melody on the table when he saw her. She stood at the kitchen’s door. He was sitting at the table in a room, which was hardly used by her and her grandmother. They could easily look at each other. Between them was a timeless silence. It was just like a photo; they weren’t in motion, were just watching each other. Finally, he moved a little bit.
-You have changed. Do you still know who I am?
She didn't move and followed his movement with her eyes. He got up and made two steps in her direction.
-Of course you know who I am. I saw it in your eyes.
He was speaking in an overly confident manner, smugly. He was indeed proud of how he was coming up in her memories. He was almost flying in front of her in glory. In addition, she just thought: Gloria victis.
-Let me see you, come closer, my child. - It wasn't an invitation. It was an order.
Mia still stood in the same place without the smallest movement. Her eyes were blank. He couldn't read her as he used to do it with other people. She wasn't scared. She was proud.
-Come here! - He screamed and thought his louder tone would make more impression on her. But it didn't work. She was like a rock.
This ignorance annoyed him so much that he went towards her and with each step, his anger grew. Then he beat her for the first time. He slapped her into the face and because of his strength; she lost her balance and stumbled backwards. He didn't know how powerful he was and he even didn't care much to explain her anything or to control himself carefully right now. He liked to rule over people and until now, he was very successful in this domain.
-You don’t have to be a brave heart. You already lost.
Mia still looked the same as few minutes ago. He was annoyed by this attitude.
-What’s your name? – He finally asked after he breathed in deeply two times.
It wasn't about killing her now, she had to suffer. This was his task. She should pay for everything she brought and may bring into his life.
She didn't answer.
He came closer to her and slapped her again. This time he didn't want to hit her into the face, he kicked her into the stomach. She bent for a minute, put her arms around her tummy and breathed shorter.
-We can continue it this way and you end up like your aunt. You can choose.
Mia tried to stand up. She took three deep breaths and came back to her upright position.
-Your aunt wasn't important for me. I just wanted to give you a sign. She didn't suffer very much, what a pity. – He was sarcastic and he enjoyed it.
-So, tell me, what’s your name, or else I will tell you how it is going to end tonight.
She still didn't say a word. He, again, came so close to her that she felt his presence next to her body. He looked at her with a terrible pity in his eyes.
-You don't like to talk with me. Just like your mother. Nevertheless, as you know you can’t run away from me. I’ll find you everywhere.
He hit her for the third time, once again in the tummy.
-I think that’s enough for the beginning. If you want to keep your beloved grandma alive, you should come and visit me. You will get orders at a time I choose and you will be there. Otherwise, you cannot imagine what will happen. –He was speaking loud and clear. To see how she was suffering gave him a great satisfaction, but it wasn't the worst thing she was about to witness. He went past her towards the stairs. As he was closing the front door, he added:
-I didn't introduce myself: I am Jonas. Meeting you was a pleasure for me, Emilia.
Lovefool (Introduction) Page 33