@silverlightsfm || SHARIAH
Going into her basement feels like entering the belly of the beast. It isn’t because she’s concerned of cobwebs or, a spider that could make itself comfortable on her shoulder. Nor is it because of how she momentary shrouds herself in utter, almost mysterious, darkness. No, Delores’s apprehension exists because of the fact she will be encountering the bound man who has been in Salvatore’s custody for seven days.
Seven days.
The first two days, Delores was blissfully unaware. Carefree of what was beneath her feet, she laughed with Sal and her children, danced with him when he let the record spin. Even allowed him to lay her down and partially undress her on the loveseat once the yellow bus took Bianca to school. For the following five days, Delores has not laughed. Or slept well. Or slept with Sal.
It wasn’t because he was torturing a man as domestic activities took place above him. It was because this man, of all men, happened to be her ex. She felt horrible trying to ignore it. It was natural, for a man like Salvatore to do something like this -- and yet it was unnatural for the victim to be her ex. She felt like she was betraying Sal by simply bringing him a plate of chicken parmigiana. Ultimately, Delores made the decision to do so not by arguing with Sal of how a hostage’s health was important, but waiting until he was gone - until Louis and Bianca were settled playing together in front of the television to do this.
“Shariah?” she asks, as if uncertain he was among her even when fully knowing he was. Turning on the light, looking at his face, she almost feels at loss for words. ( Looking at Shariah always felt like stumbling across him for the first time. ) “I-” pause, “I brought you some of our dinner.” Delores dare not say this was actually something Salvatore cooked himself for the family, it could cause blunt refusal.
