07

« I’m sorry ! I was just confused why you’re on the floor, » he said quietly. I scrunched my eyebrows and looked to the bed through the dark room.

He doesn’t want me on the bed, does he ? I haven’t slept in a bed since I was nine… before my beatings started.

« Here, » he said, extending his hand out and my eye flickered to his slow movement warily. My nervousness grew and I hesitantly started moving my shaking hand to his steadied one.

I placed my fingers on his warm palm and jolted it back at the contact, more fear shot through me and a quick thought that this was a trick ran through my mind.

« You can trust me, » he whispered like if he spoke any louder I’d break, keeping his hand out to me patiently. I continued to question if this was a trap.

Regardless, I slowly replaced my hand and his fingers wrapped over the back of it sluggishly. Heated tingles started to form where our skin touched after a few seconds and the feeling was oddly enjoyable, causing my lips to tug up into a tiny smile.

« Let’s go, » he stood up, gently pulling my hand upward to signal me to stand and I copied. My hand tightened around his and I stared at our feet, a foreign heat filling my face.

He seemed unfazed by my grip as he pulled me toward the bed, using his other hand to move the blankets. He tugged me toward the mattress and a frown quickly overtook my smile as I obeyed, climbing onto the bed without releasing him.

« Sleep here, okay ? » He said, taking a seat on the edge and I gave a small, singular nod.

He unwrapped his fingers from around my hand and started pulling away, the pleasurable feeling began to fade and I hastily dug my nails into his skin to stop him.

I don’t want them to go away, the sensation is very nice. I’ve never experienced such a pleasant feeling.

I lifted my other hand to his stilled figure, pressing it on his forearm with no immediate outcome. Then, the same tingles began to show and my smile ever so slightly reappeared.

« Do you feel them ? » He suddenly asked, going to place his other hand over the one I had on his arm but my brain instinctively ripped away with a jolt.

« I’m sorry ! » He breathed, my eyes followed his hands that went up and hit himself in the face. The noise made me flinch but my eyes were entranced on his features. His hand was rubbing over his eyes in a stressed manner and I tilted my head to get a better view of the rest of his features.

His stubbled jawline was sharp, trailing up to his black hair, the moon shined over his messy strands and made it look silky. From the little I saw, I couldn’t help but become mesmerized. I haven’t seen a grown man up close like this when he’s not trying to hurt me since my father, especially one who’s physical appearance allures my eyes. Why do I feel a temptation to stare at him ? I normally wouldn’t dare to look at anyone in the face after what she’s done. I haven’t looked at anyone above their lips since she burned my sight away.

He stopped rubbing his eyes and I quickly averted my line of sight before he had time to catch me, another wave of heat flushed my face and I swallowed roughly.

« I will be in the next room so just get some rest and I’ll be back in the morning, okay ? You’re safe here, » he reassured, getting off the bed and covering my legs with the thick blanket. My body stiffened in discomfort and fear until he backed away, walking over to the door and opening it, « goodnight. »

With that, he closed the door quietly and my body began to relax. I don’t know how it’s possible but he’s the first person I’ve ever trusted yet not trusted at once. I don’t trust that he won’t hurt me but I trust everything he says… it’s so confusing my head hurts.

I laid down on the squishy materials, falling asleep hardly a few seconds later.

️

A clinging sound jolted me awake and I jumped a mile, ripping my eyes open widely with a cold explosion in my chest before spotting a plate on the bedside table. My gaze found the man from last night standing next to it holding a glass full of some orange liquid.

« It’s okay ! I brought you breakfast, » he said softly, sluggishly placing the glass next to the plate of food and taking a few steps back, « if you don’t like it I can make you something else. »

I slid toward the delicious smelling food and grabbed a piece of the many yellow chunks, reluctantly putting it in my mouth and the warm flavor melted on my taste buds. I’ve only ever eaten cold leftovers of the same three things : mashed potatoes, pasta, and tofu.

« The utensil on the plate, you use that, » his voice interrupted my moment and I glanced over to make sure he wasn’t approaching. Then, I vaguely heard him mutter, « I wish I could take away your pain… »

My hand reached for the silver object, picking it up and stabbing into the yellow chunks. I eagerly shoved it into my mouth but the object stabbed into my lip and I threw it down, covering my face and sucking the metallic taste off.

« Are you okay ? » He panicked, his arms were around my body instantly and fear strangled me. My heart physically moved my chest with its harsh, rapid beats and I clenched my eyes shut with expectation of inevitable pain.

My anticipation made me flinch when I felt his finger connect with my injury but my scrunched face started to relax, his thumb grazing my lip gently and warm tingles followed the painless action.

« Please be careful, you’re hurt enough, » he mumbled, trailing his thumb away from my lips and sliding his hand the rest of the way to my left cheek. I clenched my jaw with tense muscles, not daring to open my eyes because I knew I’d be face to face with him.

« You don’t have to be so afraid of me… I only want to help you, » he whispered, the feeling of his hand on my face began appeasing my sensitive skin in heated tingles and my tightened jaw loosened.

I felt his body lean forward and my guard shot right back up, causing the warm feeling in my chest to vanish, my breathing quickened until it came to an abrupt halt when a smooth pair of lips pressed against my forehead softly.

I sat there paralyzed and shocked, feeling him linger a moment before leaning back and caressing my cheekbone, « I’ll never ever hurt you. If I have to say it everyday in order to assure you then I will. »

His hand left my face and I hesitantly opened my eyes, seeing him walk out of the room and close the door quietly as though he was the one afraid to displease me.

Did he poison the food ? Was that his weird way of convincing me to eat more so I’ll die ? Why would he waste his food on me ? He didn’t eat any of it, it looked untouched, so he must’ve put something in it.

I frowned at the plate of steaming yellow chunks, hearing my stomach rumble aggressively at the scent after teasing myself with two bites. It looks appetizing but I can’t eat anymore, he laced it with something. Ignoring my hunger, I made my way to the door and left the room cautiously. I won’t wait around and find out what they’re planning to do to me. They might’ve contacted Jade and are stalling me until she gets here. I won’t stay and find out.

I trust the animals lurking in the woods more than the humans roaming the streets. At least animals have good reasoning, they attack when they feel threatened or for hunger. Humans do it for joy, they do it just to do it. I’m not meant to be one of them, I always felt deep down that I was born to be something more. I could never be so evil.

The long lost exit finally approached my view and hope sparked inside me for the first time in forever. My feet took off like a bullet and I rattled the door loudly with the force I applied to open it, not bothering to close it and fully sending myself straight into the trees.