My Bloody Revenge novel Chapter 12

"Is this her?" the unknown man asks pointing at Lyra.

"Indeed, it is." Tiana beams happily.

"Hello. What's your name?"

"Lyra, sir."

"What a beautiful name. How old are you?"

"Ten, sir."

The man stands up again and takes in her appearance without saying a word.

"Well mannered. Good, very good." he says appreciatively to her parents.

"Why don't we settle down to dinner while it’s still warm?" Tiana asks politely but without

waiting for an answer she walks away with Ben and Jenny trailing after. Left in the hallway is

her dad, the man and herself. She doesn't dare move until someone tells her to.

"Lyra, why don't you escort Elmir here to the table and show him where to sit."

"This way sir." Lyra repeats the well-rehearsed lines. Together they walk to the dining room

where Lyra places Elmir at the head of the table, reserved only for really important guests.

Usually that's her father’s spot. "Here is your seat sir."

She waits for him to sit down before taking her own seat at the corner of the table but she never

gets that far before the man, Elmir, lifts her up and sets her in his lap. Confused she looks at her

parents for some kind of answers but they only smile brightly.

"She seems very light for a ten-year-old. Doesn't she eat?"

Tiana and Mike quickly exchange uneasy glances in silent conversation.

"I want her to eat properly and gain a healthy weight." Elmir continues not bothering to wait

either of them to answer. The entire dinner continues with her sitting in his lap getting fed forks

full of food from his plate and every time he tells her how good she is. It’s the first time another

person has touched her without slapping, kicking, pushing or doing anything else that hurts.

"This chicken was lovely and so was the mashed potatoes."

"Lyra made tonight's dinner and dessert. She loves to cook and bake, isn't that right pumpkin."

"Is that so?" Elmir says with a huge smile. "My, aren't you a talented little girl."