The Devil Walks Among Us; Book l - Completed 4/21/22

Thirst for Contact

Friday, October 19th, 2018

Mia came to Smith's Grove unannounced as she was scheduled to see Michael every Tuesday, and sometimes, every Tuesday and Wednesday, depending on how she felt. She was hoping to surprise Michael as she made something special for him in hopes of keeping his mind stimulated with things outside of Smith's Grove that he never could encounter. That is, unless he escaped. 

Today was Michael's birthday, although it wasn't celebrated. She wanted to have another session with him, just like normal, except presenting him with a gift she had made for him. Actually, two. A small photo album of her horses, knowing he showed interest in the animal, either it was to take their life too, or to wish he were there as he knew it was something he had never encountered in his life. The other gift was a blank journal, small enough to fit into his pocket if he wished or if he desired to hide it as for the past few sessions, had begun to show interest in doodling, which was a massive improvement towards Mia, who again, was a person he began to trust as she never hovered anything above him. His inner rage he had towards doctors and in people in general kept telling him to kill her. To end her life that she had cherished so much, but he didn't. He thought about it... a lot. But was he ever going to do it? Probably not. He couldn't bring himself to do it, to even touch her, to even see the fear of him in her eyes that he had wanted. She wasn't afraid of him, but was afraid of what he could do. 

As usual, Michael sat at his desk that he had moved recently, completely unaware of Mia's presence as the all-too-familiar lock on the door rattled, a person entering his room. "Michael?" He heard her say. He breathed in heavily, happy of her arrival. A person who brought so much calmness to him, easing his evil thoughts. "I heard last week that your birthday was today. Happy birthday!" She smiled, seeing him turn his head to the right to look at her from over his shoulder, seeing a small bag in her hands. "I brought you something. Well, actually, two things." She explained, removing the items from the bag, approaching him slowly by his right side, now knowing that he was more hesitant on his left side as he was completely blind and vulnerable. She sat the photo album in front of him first, opening it to the first display - the two horses that he had grown to be curious about. He wanted desperately to turn the page to see the other photos, but didn't want to show vulnerability towards her by looking. 

She didn't force a reaction from him as usual. Instead, placed the other item in front of him, showing him that it was a small, blank journal. "You drew great pictures the last time I saw you this week. I saw you were running low on paper, so I got you this. I know them guards will try and take these from you, but I know you'll keep them safe," She explained, daring to pat his shoulder gently. "Happy birthday, Michael. I'll see you next week. I know you'll have some great drawings to show me next week." She smiled, turning away to walk towards the door, unaware that Michael had put on his favorite mask, second to his first choice mask that he couldn't get back, quietly and quickly standing to his feet to get to her before she could open the door. 

She gasped, feeling his strong grip turn her around to face him as he pinned her against the wall. She wanted to fight back, but knew that would be a mistake as it would urge his intentions quicker. Instead, she forced herself to not show him the fear that he was hoping to see, but to show him a brief urge of resistance physically, but curiosity. Unbeknownst to her, the gentle gesture of unromantic compassion she had done by patting his shoulder snapped something inside of him. He wanted to feel that touch of compassion again as he was more than touch starved. He wanted to be loved, to be understood. Aside from his mother, Mia was the only one to ever get this close to him. She gulped heavily, afraid of what he was planning to do to her. He had eased his grip on her wrists that he had pinned against the wall next to her shoulders, eventually letting go altogether, waiting for her to run or call for help, but she didn't. She stood there, examining him, watching his chest rise and fall softly, waiting for him to strike. Instead, he examined her back, his eye looking at the features of her face as he had never done so before. Her curly hair reminded him of his mother, she was so beautiful to him. There was no way he would hurt her, he vowed it to himself. 

She had the same color eyes as his mother, too. She never dared to break eye contact with him as it would show her vulnerability towards him, easing his mind back into the rage he had held for other people that was intentionally meant for her. Slowly and hesitantly, he brought his hand up to grip the base of her throat, holding himself back as he wanted to squeeze the life out of her. But instead, he trailed his hand up to the base of her jaw, his fingers curling into the soft flesh once more before the back of his fingers curled against her cheekbone, admiring the color of her eyes. She breathed hesitantly, wanting desperately to be afraid of him as his stance alone towered over her and the stare was enough to sear a hole into her, but she saw an innocent soul in those eyes, thirsting for any type of attention that he could get only from whom he chose as it was shown in the past the last type of affection he received was nothing more than a ploy. 

She stood still as she let him explore her body. He trailed his hand back down her face to meet her throat again, giving the base of her neck a light squeeze as he continued to talk himself out of killing her as he had the perfect opportunity. His hand leaving her throat, both of his hands trailed down her arms, grabbing her wrists, watching her face stay stationary as he slowly, doubting himself in the process, brought her wrists up to his shoulders, indicating that he wanted to be held. 

With a prideful smile, she did just that, although she had to stand on her toes to reach him comfortably. At first, his arms stayed to his sides, enjoying the loving embrace he had never had from a female that made him feel like he was normal, aside from the main reason as to why he was there. Feeling him take a breath, he brought his arms to snake around her waist, pulling her into him closer, resting his chin on her shoulder, able to dismiss the usual smell of his ivory soap that was state issued to the smell of her shampoo in her hair, inhaling her scent for as long as he had desired. 

Losing track of time, they had stayed like that for a few minutes. She obliged happily, knowing he had been so starved for loving contact and didn't know when he'd be able to receive it again.