Devil in White

Chapter 2

The alarm blares at 4:30 AM, making Anastasia jolt awake. A deep sigh sounds as she groggily makes her way to the bathroom to start her morning routine.

It had been one month since she had to set these alarms.

One month since she was brutally assaulted, with no choice but to leave her dream job.

The nightmares came and go, luckily she was free of them for the one night.

Hopping in the shower, she feels the hot water cascade over her body. The warmth of these showers always seemed to wash away every bad moment that surrounded her mind. She looked forward to every single one. Even if it was for a second, it was worth it.

She looked over the clothes she had laid out and ready for her to wear for the first day.

A surge of excitement coursed through her veins as she began to get dressed. She was finally getting back to work, and to say she was excited was an understatement.

But going back to work wasn't the only reason why she was excited.

Anastasia couldn't stop thinking about those same piercing eyes from yesterday. So inviting, yet so dark. He seemed like someone who could lure any person wherever he wanted, and they would go willingly.

She had a strange suspicion that he was guarding secrets.

But setting those intruding, yet important, thoughts aside, she strode out to her car and headed to her first day of work.

Henry stood in front of his mirror, going over his usual morning routine of practicing his tone and smile.

He felt as though he had gotten better at it. The kids didn't seem as scared of him as they were with the other orderlies. Which is exactly what he wanted. Their trust.

Now as he went through his routine, he practiced his smile for Anastasia.

Not getting an ounce of sleep last night, all he thought of was her and how to make her want and worship him. He ached for her last night, and he never did that with anyone.

Henry didn't understand this obsession, but there was something different about her. He wanted her to only need him. He wanted to wipe that beaming smile off of her face as he slammed himself into her. He wanted to bruise and mark her body. Make her utterly and only, his.

And he would go over every last plan to do exactly that until he achieved it.

When she walked through those elevator doors, he made sure to be there waiting for her. "Good morning, Anastasia."

"Good morning, Peter! Are you my guide today?" She grinned as she walked up to him. "Indeed, I am. I'm practically assigned to you today."

She shook her head as they steadily walked together, "That is such a strange way to say it. Although, I very much appreciate it. I'll try not to drive you too crazy."

Oh, I hope you do. He thought.

"Are you nervous for your first day?" Henry had practically practiced every question, every possible response, over in his head multiple times. "A little. But I know nursing like the back of my hand. So, I'm excited."

With his calm demeanor, and his hands clasped behind his back, he continued his questions. "Where did you work previously?"

"Umm, Hawkins Hospital."

"Really? Why would you leave that place?"

She froze, and seemed to twitch a little at the question. She was biting on that lip again. "It just wasn't for me, I guess."