Jhin's Masterpiece

Chapter 10

I woke up screaming, all I could see was more blood, then that white mask smirking at me before it too was covered. I had gone back to my own room when Jhin was satisfied, as he had instructed. For the longest time I couldn't fall asleep. The events of the day finally caught up to me. Every time I would picture the scene I felt nauseous. Once I finally did sleep, I got no rest. Every second of sleep was bloody. I wondered how many people Jhin had mercilessly killed. I then wondered if I might be next.

He treated me different though, right? He may be a monster, but maybe I'm the one he'd spare? I didn't know, all I could see was that sickly bloody flower on the ground. I retched before covering my mouth. I had nowhere I could go for comfort. I just laid down and hugged my pillow. I cried.

I heard footsteps outside, then my door was unlocked and opened.

"Dove." Jhin said, moving to the bed, "Are you okay?"

I shook my head as he wrapped his arms around me gently.

"What's the matter, dove? Tell me." He pet the top of my head gently.

"I-I just had a nightmare." I sniffled know response, trying to stop crying.

Jhin held me closer, "Was your nightmare about the art we made together?"

I cried even harder, "Art?!" I yelled in anger, "You murdered those people! You killed them and now-! N-now you expect me to be okay?!"

Jhin held me tight, almost too tight. He said nothing. "I saved you." He stated calmly.

"Saved me?!" I yelled, sitting up.

"She was hurting you and I saved you." His voice got quieter, but not less intense. I should have been afraid of his tone, but I was just seething with rage.

"You used me as bait!" I snarled.

Jhin struck me across the face. I just clutched my face and sobbed. With that he said nothing further and stood. He left the room. I was alone. I was more alone than ever.

I screamed and cried into a pillow. I wanted to hurt myself and Jhin, since we were both responsible for the deaths of those people. Even if those people were bad, did they really deserve to die? I know I'm the moment I thought the woman did at least, but did she really? What if she was an undercover police officer and she was going to save me?

I punched the pillow and bit down on it as hard as I could, screaming bloody murder into it. It was like this until I exhausted myself into a thankfully dreamless sleep.

When I woke up, all was quiet. It's like even the birds knew what I had done and wouldn't sing. I got up and saw clothes laid out for me. I put the clothes on and left the room to a silent house. The silence echoed around the tall walls and across the gruesome paintings. It was deafening.

I made my way down the stairs where Jhin was normally cooking breakfast or maybe lunch if I had slept in late. I was so hungry and exhausted and thirsty from crying. I was still seething, but too exhausted physically to show it. Jhin was sitting at the table, eating. He didn't look at me as I entered the room. He had tea or coffee in front of him and was reading.

I sat down at the table, not daring to speak first. I hoped he'd offer me food or water so I wouldn't have to ask. He didn't look at me. It was like this for several minutes. The only sounds was a grandfather clock, the clinking of his cup on its saucer, and the turning of pages.

"Jhin." I spoke softly. "Can I have something to eat please."

I dared not look at him at first. He said nothing. I looked up at him and he was pointing at the cooking utensils. He'd always cooked for me while I'd been here, but I suppose he doesn't want to all the time. I wished he'd look at me though, or say anything. I nodded and walked over to the kitchen. As I chugged a full glass of water I already felt better. I filled another glass and sipped as I fixed myself something to eat.

He continued to sit in silence as I finished making food. He still wouldn't look at me, which worried me somewhat. Was this it? Was he going to kill me? No... surely not. I sat and ate, wondering why he wouldn't talk to me or even look at me. I stared at him, but he didn't even glance my way.

Once I finished eating, I spoke softly, "Jhin?"

I took care of the dishes I used, giving up for now at his lack of a response. "I'm... sorry for yelling at you, Jhin." I wondered if that's what he was upset about.

I walked over to him. "Jhin, place talk to me," I pleaded softly. I just didn't want him to kill me and it seemed like that would happen any moment if I didn't fix whatever I did to upset him. I reached out to touch his shoulder gently. He grabbed my wrist with his mechanical hand harshly. I hissed in pain.

He still didn't look at me, but he said, "Go back to your room."

It didn't sound like it was up for debate so as soon as he let go of my wrist I walked swiftly towards the staircase. I held my wrist gingerly, it was red from how hard he'd grabbed me.

As I ascended the stairs I thought about what he could possibly be upset about. I did yell at him and told him I disliked his art and that it scared me. That was probably it, but there's no way he thought I'd just be okay with it. Was it true what he said? Did he really save me? No, he was the one who put me in danger in the first place.

I got up to my room and closed the door behind me. I laid face first on the bed and tried to slow down my breathing. For a moment I considered escape as he was paying much less attention to me now. I knew how to get to the town, at least I knew the general direction. The more I thought about it, the better of an idea it sounded like. I couldn't bring myself to try though, he had made me so afraid of trying to escape even the thought of it made me shaky.

I hugged the pillow close as tears welled up in my eyes. I felt hopeless and alone. Maybe I would feel better if I was hopeless but... less alone? Jhin was all I had, I needed to get him back.