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I heard my mother go back downstairs, but I didn't get up to leave right away. Staring down at Emery, I started to feel something. My heart began to hurt, it ached in a way I had never felt before.

Pushing that feeling away, I forced it down into the box in my gut. It wasn't even something I had to think about anymore. It just happened naturally.

Cold and emotionless was easier, it gave me the strength I needed to do what I had to. No feelings meant no hurt. No feelings gave rise to the killer that had been built inside me.

I was out for blood, and nothing would satiate my hunger until I had devoured every last asshole that held me stagnant, keeping me a prisoner in my own existence.

If you don't care, why did you take her?

Even I couldn't believe my own lies anymore. Because the truth was I did care about what happened to this girl, she was too innocent to just walk away from.

Touching her cheek with the back of my hand, I ran my knuckles over her delicate skin. “I won't say I'm sorry for taking you, but I can't let you go until I know you'll be safe.”

Emery turned her face towards me, her eyes fluttering behind her lids as she let out a quiet groan.

I don't want to hurt you.

I just hope you can feel that.

Chapter Seven

Emery

Ifelt the warmth onmy face, and could see a brightness against the back of my lids. Opening my eyes, I blinked hard as the sun burned my pupils.

The room around me was fuzzy, but I could make out the walls surrounding me, and a window right beside the bed. Turning my face to the window, the sun was coming through in thick long streams, lighting up the particles of dust like tiny sparkles.

My body was cradled in the most delicate way, wrapped up in blankets and cool sheets. The softness of a pillow curled around my skull, but it did nothing to stop the slamming headache that pierced my brain.

Clutching my forehead, I moaned and rubbed my temples. I felt like I had been hit by a fucking truck, and dragged for miles underneath the wheels. Rocking my jaw back and forth, I dragged my hands down my cheeks.

It hurt to keep my eyes open, but I forced them wide, refusing to let them close. Looking around the room, there was a tall dresser against the back wall, and a door beside it. Pictures of flowers and old fashioned cabins decorated the cream colored walls.

Long shadows crawled over the bed, causing my eyes to follow the black iron bed posts, twining up like metal vines above my head. Confused, I tried to figure out where I was. I couldn't remember anything after he swept me off my feet.

Is this his house?