Page 37

THIRTY-SIX

BELPHEGOR

I don’t know what to think.

All I can do is feel.

And I feel…

“No! Stop!”

The gag was removed. My cries were echoing and echoing. Bel was screaming as?—

“Gore! Gore! It’s okay, baby! Just look at me!”

I could hear the pleading in his voice. The things I saw them do to him while he watched…

“It hurts!”

I hang my head as my skin crawls, desperate to peel it off my body and live as a skeleton. There are gentle hands washing every inch of me, paying special attention to the area that was… But I don’t say a thing.

“Princess,” Mammon mumbles in my ear, kissing my cheek. “You’re home now. You’re safe.”

I’ll never be safe again. Maybe from outside threats, but never from the memories.

I can still feel him everywhere. The way he?—

“No! Get off me!”

“I’ll fucking kill you!”

“Bel! Help me!”

I flinch from the hands trying to help me and rush out of the shower, my body dripping as I dive into bed and crawl under the covers. Curling into a ball, my breaths come out short and labored, and I squeeze my eyes shut. They want a conduit to look me over, but I can’t stand to be touched right now.

I just need to be alone.

I don’t want to think anymore. I don’t even want to breathe. Mammon and Bel call for me, but… No. No, no, no, no . I’m tainted now. I’m not their princess or their baby, I’m just…

Wishing it were over, crying on the floor. My pants around my thighs.

No more. No more, please. No more?—

“It’s okay, Gore. I’m here now.”

I open my eyes and a brief moment of relief crosses through me. I’m safe now. Everything is okay.

And as I take the hand of the man in the pink tuxedo, I know I’ll never need to worry again.