Page 4 of Hysteria Rises (Dark Falls Hollow #1)

None of us have explicitly been told what the process is when we have new arrivals. But I assume what’s in my thoughts—or any of our heads, really—is child’s play in comparison.

And I’m on the verge of finding out.

My heart begins to thump a wild, curious rhythm behind my rib cage.

Adrenaline spikes in my blood in a rush so swift it has my head spinning.

I clear my throat. “Sounds good. I’m looking forward to it.

” Shooting him a tight smile, I continue, “I didn’t expect this yet, but I want to help. You know I’ve been ready for a while.”

I also know the best way to remain in my father’s good graces is to pretend like I believe he’s smarter than I am.

I huff out an internal laugh. He might be.

But I doubt it. I work my jaw to the side, my eyes drawn back to the girl on the table.

Under all the mud and debris, she wears dark clothing.

I think her hair might be blonde, but it’s hard to tell.

It’s clear it was pulled up on top of her head, but it’s a mess of mud and leaves and twigs after the rain and the time spent in our mountainside forest.

I chew the inside of my cheek, pondering for a brief moment. “Seems like she got more than she bargained for out there. Wonder what she was doing.”

“Your guess is as good as mine. Not really my primary concern now.” My father pauses to clear his throat. “So. No time like the present to get some hands-on training.” He eyes me. “Not nervous, are you? A little trial by fire never hurt anyone.”

Even if I were, I wouldn’t say so. No way in hell. “No. I’m good.”

“Perfect.” He peruses the girl’s body, wetting his lips as his gaze wanders slowly. “Not a bad one to learn the ropes on either. Did you have a chance to read the pages I marked in the books I gave you last week?”

“I did.” Neither of us had any way of knowing I’d need that knowledge tonight, but I’m glad I took a look at the resources he’d offered me. If he thinks it’s time for me to begin assisting him with the women, I’m all for it.

Not to mention, it’d been eye-opening. I had devoured every bit of information in the medical textbooks, my curiosity piquing with every page I turned.

As each member of our commune reaches manhood, we’re pulled aside to make sure we’re aware of the rudimentary basics of procreation so we better understand what’s expected of us and how it’s done.

Of course, by fifteen, most of us had been caring for animals all our lives, so the mechanics of how babies are made was no real secret.

We know what our cocks are for, but the specifics of how semen meets egg were more of a mystery until one by one, we were sent to Nolan when we came of age.

He’d explained when women are most fertile and had shown us a replica of a woman’s anatomy, including a plastic fetus that popped out of the womb.

There’d also been hints about how to make sure the woman conceived, which is, of course, the goal.

That day, my father had leaned in and looked me right in the eye.

Something about the intensity of his expression made me pay attention.

And I remember exactly what he said over three years later.

Cross, you must bring her to orgasm. There’s a higher chance that your seed will reach its destination if you do.

I remember how my brows had drawn together in confusion.

I’d simply nodded, even though he hadn’t explained how to do that.

It wasn’t long after that I’d taken matters into my own hands.

My heart rate picks up, remembering the explicit content of the books at the back of his bookshelf. I’d hidden away to read them, my eyes flying over the words in amazement, taking in the story that’d made my cock swell in my pants. I hadn’t been able to resist pulling it out and tugging as I read.

Thinking back, I’ve never made a woman scream the way the one had in the story.

But now that I’ve studied the medical textbooks, I have even more knowledge.

And combining that with what the man had done to the woman in that novel has given me a very good idea of how to make it happen.

My anticipation increases by the second.

Digging into the pocket of my pants, I pull out an elastic, then with both hands scoop my hair back from my face and tie it out of the way at my crown.

With lips pressed into a thin line, my father gestures toward the girl, absolutely still on the metal table. “Let’s get to it, then.” He claps his hands, shooting me an obnoxious wink. “I’m interested in checking over what’s brought itself right to our front door.”

I don’t hesitate. The truth is, I’m strangely excited, and my curiosity is at an all-time high. Together, we wash up at the double basin sink, then when he sees I’m done, he waves me over to stand beside him. “We’ll more thoroughly assess any injuries after we’ve cleaned her up.”

My eyes are magnets, and the current problem is like the most seductive steel.

Nothing could keep my gaze from pinning on her body, and similarly, it’d take the most violent act of nature to pry them away again.

There’s no sense in fighting a losing battle.

Call it human nature. Call it temptation of the forbidden fruit.

There’s no fucking way I’ll deny myself what is within my grasp.

The need to slake my thirst for knowledge is intense. Overwhelming.

I’d love to know how she got here. Life within the compound is all we know.

Time and time again, we’re told that all we need is within the boundaries of our home.

This mountain valley shields and protects us.

But the arrival of this girl reminds me …

there’s another world out there. One I don’t know much about.

A life that might be very different from the one we live here.