"You're lying." I choke out, backing up farther and farther away from the rancid man.

"No no, dear, I never lie." He hisses, slowly taking a step closer. "I have little mummy and daddy in my mansion, but I guess they won't be able to leave until my son is dead."

"You're sick!" I scream, my voice harsh and breaking. "You're sick, you fucking bastard, you fucking liar!" I am screaming my head off and wondering why Octavius hasn't burst through the door yet.

"That may be, Alessandra." He keeps moving closer, and I press my back against the wall harder, hoping, praying that reality will melt away and let me sink through the wall.

"But I am not a liar. What kind of monster do you think me to be?" A smirk is painted on his lips in red.

"Stay away from me, you beast!" My back slides against the wall, moving closer and closer to the door.

"I'm afraid that's not quite possible, my dear."

"Stop calling me that!" I turn and grasp the handle, turning it, but it won't move! "Unlock this door now!" Tears are streaming down my face, I can't breath, oxygen pours into my throat but stops before my lungs, my lungs reaching up to grasp at the air, but it falls through, escaping me.

"You really must calm down, Ale."

I whirl around at my childhood nickname falling from his lips.

"What did you just call me?" I whisper, my eyes squinting into slits.

"Ale? Oh that's right, that was your father's nickname for you, the name he called out before I cut off each of his thick fingers."

"You're lying! You're lying!" My jaw snaps with each phrase. "You're trying to mess with my mind, you sick fuck. What are you trying to pull here?"

"No games, my darling. Just a single negotiation. I want something, and you so desperately want something. Tis the way of life and compromise, dear."

"My parents have been dead for years, Titan. I watched you kill them."

"You watched me murder your mother. How foolish and naive of you to assume my malevolence! Daddy-dearest is alive and well."

"Get out! Stop playing with my head!" I claw at my temples, my nails dragging against my skin and roots. Pain is pulsing through my entire body, and oxygen is a distant memory. I feel myself going insane.

"As I stated, no games. I'll give you time to consider my offer. But a little motivation," He shoves me against the wall, his forearm against my throat. "If you do not accept my offer, you will watch every single person you have ever loved be ripped apart, piece by piece. Keep that in mind, my darling."

He lets me go and I slump against the ground, and he heads for the door.

"Oh, and Alessandra," He turns to me before he leaves, "If you mention a word of this to anyone, I will skin him alive as you watch me peel back each layer of skin, until your mind is burning with the insanity of your memories. You have 24 hours, chop chop, darling."