Wasthisthe punishment? Being able to see what I could have had if only I just obeyed Sabastian? Now, was it going to be dangled over my head as something I’d never get?
Sniffing, I slowly backed away, shutting the door on my way. The books no longer held my interest. Nor did anything.
This was one of the cruelest punishments. Hanging the best treat I’d ever want right there, out of reach.
And it was all because of my own doing.
I even shut the bedroom door, not wanting to see the hallway or the reminder of what was across the way.
Not in the mood to be sneaky now, I went to the bathroom, getting ready for bed. I brushed my teeth, twice, to make sure that I behaved the best I could.
I shut off the light, and only then did I remove the two books from under my pillow. Hoping that Sabastian couldn’t see in the dark, but just in case he could, I took a blanket and the pillow to the corner. There, I slipped the books behind the dresser, but right where I could grab them again.
After fixing the pillow, I tucked myself under the blanket, my entire body hiding from the darkness. Maybe, this way, the monsters outside wouldn’t know I was left alone in a house that wasn’t mine.
***
Sleep wasn’t nice to me. What had I expected? I didn’t sleep well most nights when I was with Sir, so why would that change now?
I should be used to long nights, used to the noises of the monsters trying to break into the house, into the room. But I wasn’t.
My thumb found its way to my mouth, not caring that the suction stung on the bite marks. I couldn’t care when my body jerked with each creak, with each pop.
The monsters were there, looking for me. I could feel their eyes on me. I could hear their steps through the house.
Pulling myself into the tightest ball I possibly could in the corner, I hoped that tonight wouldn’t be the night they found me. Or maybe, they could find me and free me from my chains. Would they help me escape this crappy life?
I was covered in sweat, but I didn’t dare poke my head out. Or my toes. I would suffer if it meant the monsters didn’t get me tonight.
I yelped as a door somewhere in the house slammed.
Was there a better spot to hide? Or was it better if I stayed still?
Sometimes, it was best if I stayed right where I was. If I moved, then there’d be sound and I’d be found.
One time, a monster had gotten a hold of me. That one time, the monster came through my door and held me down face-first. They touched me with cold hands like they were dead. They hurt me, too. And Sir had loved that, telling me that he’d let the monsters come to get me again.
I held my breath as the bedroom door flew open. It banged against the wall, echoing around the room. My heart was in my throat, and I feared it was going to take off, bursting from my chest.
Not daring to move, not daring to make a single sound, I listened with both ears through the rushing air that pounded through my head.
There was no sound. No footsteps. No breathing. No scratching.
I knew better than to peak out, though. That was when the monsters pounced. They liked games, just like Sir did. The monsters with cold, slippery fingers were waiting for me to make a mistake.
I had to wait them out.
I could. I had no choice but to do just that.
“Oakley?” One of the monsters called me. My name dragged out in a whisper.
I closed my eyes, trying, and most likely failing, and leveling my breathing. Pretending to sleep waspossible. I’ve done that before. Although the monsters liked that game too, it didn’t hurt me as much.
A strangled scream tore from my throat, muffled around my thumb, as the blanket was taken off of me in one swift move.
They found me.
Chapter 15
