“Thereare.”
“Is that what happened to your face?”
Oh, right. I forgot about those marks. I nodded. “They…they found me. Sir sent them, and they got me. They…” my breathing became harder to control as I remembered the hands of the dark creatures over my body. I could feel the nails digging into me, burning me.
“Oakley, it’s okay. You’re safe.”
Instantly, I was moved to sit in Sabastian’s lap, his heart against my ear. I let his arms hold me, to hide me away from the monsters that were waiting for me.
I wasn’t safe. What if the monsters wanted Sabastian too, since he was being nice. Would they go after him and make me watch as they tore him apart? Would they enjoy my pleading, my crying, as they did so while I was chained up, too far away to stop them?
“Look at me, little one.” Two warm hands cupped my face, forcing it up. I couldn’t see through the tears. “Nothing is going to happen. I won’t let them get to you. You’re mine now.”
I sniffed, trying to catch my breath.
“Th-th-they hurt me.”
So much, they hurt me. The monsters clawed at my skin. They touched me in places I didn’t like. They played worse games than Sir ever did.
I clenched my eyes tight, willing the monsters to not come during the daylight. It would be the first time ever, if they did. But I could hear them creeping closer and closer to the house. I heard them call my name, coaxing me away from a place they couldn’t yet reach.
“Don’t let them take me.” I sobbed, not sure if Sabastian could understand a word that came out.
I didn’t understand why they were coming now. I didn’t understand why they wanted me to begin with.
I just wanted them to go away. And never come back. but that was too much to ask for. I was stupid for even thinking it.
“Little one,” Sabastian pulled me against him, and I did nothing to fight his hold. I physically couldn’t.
My fear of the monsters was stronger. I knew, as long as I was in someone else’s hands, the monsters wouldn’t be able to get to me. and if Sabastian said I was his, then the monsters would have to wait to get to me.
I sobbed, tears clogging my throat. I couldn’t catch my breath, my lungs aching with much needed air.
I gasped, gagging, as I fought against the darkness that wasn’t desperately to take over.
I wasn’t sure I’d survive it again, but as the monsters got closer, a small poke in my shoulder made everything disappear and my body fell fully against Sabastian’s, a small plea on my lips.
“Help me.”
Chapter 21
Sabastian
I shot a glare at Collin, even though there wasn’t much heat behind it.
I told him to not give the boy meds, yet the stupid fucker didn’t listen. It didn’t matter that Oakley nearly passed out from not breathing.
“You know there was no other option,” he huffed, taking a seat back on the couch.
“Next time you touch what’s mine-“
“What? You’ll shoot me? I’m not scared of you Sabastian. Your threats are nothing to me. You won’t do a goddamn thing.”
Just because he was right didn’t mean I would admit that.
“But I’m glad you’re keeping him. That boy needs someone like you.”
I wasn’t sure how much more I could take of his tears, though. The poor thing was broken in a way I wasn’t sure I could fix. Still, I held him tightly to my chest, arms wrapped around him.
