Her Beast

Chapter 9: Why?

Zoey's heart thumped against her chest as her vision was pierced with black. She couldn't see anything, but she knew her eyes were open. Zoey could feel sticks and rocks underneath her body. They dug into her skin but she was unable to get her body to move. Tears fell from her eyes as she cried out in frustration.

Zoey listened to the sounds around her. She could hear wind pushing against trees causing them to groan and heard crows in the distance. She felt on edge in this mysterious place that didn't sound at all pleasant.

Suddenly Zoey felt fingers brushing against her cheek. She whimpered letting more tears fall down the sides of her eyes and into her hair. She let out a sobbing sound, hoping whoever or whatever was touching her would stop.

The fingers stopped moving along her cheek but stayed put. She felt hot air brush against her ear causing her to shutter.

"You're mine now."

Zoey gasped, waking up back in her room. She let out a sigh of relief as she looked upon the bright sun shining through her curtains. Her body felt uncomfortably stiff, her eyes and face were slick with tears.

Zoey rubbed her eyes and leaned up in her bed. She looked around her room and wondered how she must have gotten here. The events of last night hit her like a ton of bricks. She sprang out of bed so fast she got a head rush. She ran to the mirror and peered at her neck. The swelling had gone down, and it wasn't as red as before but the bite was still noticeable.

Zoey put two fingers on the bridge of her nose. Did the Beast bring her home?

Zoey looked for her phone and found it on her nightstand. She turned it on to look for any notifications from Amber since Zoey had left them without saying anything. She didn't see anything.

Thorns dug into her heart. Did Amber really not care about her? Zoey shook her head and groaned, a tear falling down her cheek. She looked up at the time, gasping as it was three in the afternoon.

"No! I'm going to be late for work!"

Zoey hastily ran to the shower since she was not going to work covered in makeup, blood, sweat, and dirt. She stripped out of the black dress, which she thankfully still had on, and hopped in the shower.

Zoey took the quickest one she ever had and got changed into a blue hoodie and some black leggings. Luckily the cafe didn't have a uniform. She kept her long hair down and had it air dry while she ran out to her car.

Zoey arrived to work a half hour late and was scolded by Gracie. She apologized and went to take the customer's orders. Gracie and she were the only ones working which made the day take forever to end.

She went to the back to restock the supplies while the cafe had no customers. She double checked her phone waiting for a text or a call from Amber but there was nothing. She leaned her head against the cool metal trying to calm her inflamed skin. I shouldn't have come to work today.

Her body felt as if it was boiling like she was coming down with a fever. Zoey shrunk to the ground, feeling a need to rest her legs.

The pain brought her attention to the Beast. How did he know where she was? How did he know where she lived? Zoey now knew it had been him who has been watching her, so that must have been how he knew where she lived. But why was he watching her all this time? What did he want from her?

Why... why did he bite me?

"Zoey, customer!"

Gracie shouted from the front of the cafe. She shakily got up from the ground and walked to the customer. She paused as familiar red eyes bore into hers. She took a breath and went to take his order. She could now see his face since he no longer had the mask but she recognized him from his red contacts he still wore.

"What can I get for you?"

"What's the best thing you sell?"

The man asked, his voice coming out in a deep, husky sort of way. She was so caught off guard by it she almost choked.

"W-well, if you're looking for a food item, our club sandwiches and our coffee cake is a town favorite. If you're looking for a drink, our strawberry milkshakes or really any of our coffee drinks are delicious."

He nodded, looking over all the desserts and pastries.

"Well, in that case, I will take a slice of your coffee cake to go." she smiled widely at him and placed a piece of coffee cake on a to-go container. Zoey took his payment while he grabbed the cake.

"By the way, he wants you to go straight home after work." she tilted her head quizzically.

"Who-"

Zoey went to ask but stopped as his eyes shot up to hers, and she knew exactly who he was talking about. She slightly stepped back from him. How did he know the Beast?

The man winked and was out the door before she could say another word. She placed a hand over her beating chest and leaned against the counter. Gracie then yelled at her to go back to stocking the inventory.

After work, Zoey went straight to her car and then home. Even without the Beasts order, she always went straight home after work. For some reason, since he wanted her to go home, she almost wanted to disobey him in hopes he might show up again.

Zoey groaned and facepalmed heself from the stupid thoughts she was having. She sat down on her couch and turned on the tv. The house was quiet as usual.

After an hour or so of watching tv, Zoey could barely keep her eyes open, so she decided to go to bed. She changed into an oversized t-shirt and climbed under the covers of her bed. She shut her eyes but felt the feeling of being watched. Zoey leaned up in her bed and traced her eyes over all the shadows in her room.

"I know you're in here. Come out." she commanded while glaring in the darkest section of her room. A figure emerged from the dark. Separating itself from the shadows. Zoey jumped back in her bed at the sudden movement. She may have known he was there but was still frightened to see.

The faceless Beast walked closer to her before stopping just before her bed. It was a strange sight to see as the shadows that covered his face followed him as he moved.

"Why can't I see your face?" zoey asked the Beast. Silence filled the room, but then he spoke.

"It's for your own good and the towns." His calm voice slightly echoed through the room.

"What are you?"

"I can't tell you."

"Who are you then,"

"I will tell you someday but not today."

"Can you answer any of my questions? Why... why did you bite me?" Zoey murmured, noticing her voice fading.

"Forgive me. I wish I could've given you more time, but even that was out of my hands." A puzzled look covered her face as Zoey tried to understand, but she was worried that he wouldn't answer any of them if she asked too many questions.

"I don't understand. More time?"

"There are laws, rules I must to follow. Someday I will help you understand, but for now, I just need you to trust me."

Trust him? Was he insane?

"How can I trust you when I don't know you."

He took a deep breath as he figured out his following words. "I know, but I need you to know that I would never hurt you."

"Never hurt me? You bit me! I passed out from how bad the pain was."

"I didn't do it to hurt you. I did it-..." he stopped himself. Zoey could almost sense an inner battle in his voice. "I'm not here to cause you harm. I'm here to protect you."

Every word that came out of his mouth sent her further into confusion. "Protect me from what?"

"Someday I will explain but not today." He spoke before Zoey felt his presence drift away.

Thanks for reading!!