Crimson Tainted Sins

-chapter 17-

I had known of Stockholm syndrome for a while. And I was horrified once I realized I was experiencing it.

Surrounded by more luxury than I've seen before, I sat in a corner, on the cool tile. I didn't know how you couldn't fall in love with the lifestyle.

The dead cotton that covered my body felt alive, nourished, and cared for, soft and thick, I felt warm.

Delicious food, a warm hot tub to heal the aches of my twisted and corroding joints. A comfy loft bed and quiet, silence even as I huddled in fear.

But the worse part isn't that I'm in a modern beach house cluttered with predators, it was the fact that I trust the very man who is coated in death and blood.

I am insane, denial left me long ago and I've now come to accept that fact. I'm nearly as crazy as he is for even accepting his help for my broken state.

"You look so pretty in that dress." Milo curled up next to me, his hands itching to touch the cold surface of my skin that resides under the revealing clothing.

My face was void of any emotion, not bothering to spare a glance at him.

"Why do you want me so badly?"

"I won't answer your questions if you won't look at me when I'm speaking to you."

"You kill people and enjoy it, you enjoy my suffering, all you have shown is that you're a monster."

I pause, turning my head up to meet his waiting gaze.

"Looking at you makes me sick."

His mouth turns up, a sick and twisted smile etched onto his perfectly symmetrical face. "You're far more feisty than I remember you being."

"Why are you seeking my attention? like I'm oxygen and you're dying to breathe, it's pathetic." I'm sure he could see the facade of peace I hid through my eyes that were firing into his.

"Careful, gorgeous." He leans in, his body turning towards mine, our breaths meet, and then and only then does he touch me when he sees the terror seeping out.

"One word from me, and I can make everyone here treat you like the brat you're being." His hand, his warm hand gently caressed my jaw before grabbing it, pulling me impossibly closer, my eyes on his lips.

"I don't have to be nice, I truly try to be, but if you don't start watching your mouth..." Three inches to my right and his mouth was hovering next to my ear.

"You're going to be... really, really, sorry." His words make me feel things, things I'm ashamed of as a blush spreads on my chest and creeps up my neck.

I felt fearful, so brave and so cowardly at the same time. Somehow, I manage to find my sanity.

My hands gripped the collar of his expensive shirt and I shoved him back, ignoring the sparks I felt shoot through my fingertips.

"I'm not just a doll you can control at your whim." I spat at him in disgust. I nearly tripped as I stood on shaky legs, the power exchange just from height had me slapping his cheek from above.

It seemed I slapped him hard enough that his head whipped sideways, slowly I watched as he brought his hand to his face in shock.

He glares at me.

I don't recall when I started to run.

The layout of the unfamiliar house was making my escape much harder than it had to be. My socks slipped and glided on the tile in the kitchen and then in the living area.

The laundry room, how stupid could I be to not remember the laundry room? I bolted to the door, hearing movement in the kitchen I knew I was running out of time.

I was so going to end up on the news as an unrecognizable murder victim.

In the dark, I slid the door closed quietly, so quietly. It was deathly silent and cold, I heard his feet land on the soft carpet near the door.

Though I felt no remorse for the action, the adrenaline felt thrilling and exhilarating. Totally worth it.

"Why so scared now? You had the balls to call me pathetic, I'm sure being face to face wouldn't be as scary."

My heart rate spiked.

He was in the living room.

I wasn't going down without a fight but I was near ready to slam open the door and plead for my life, I'm too young to die, I haven't done so many things, and being tour tortured was not on my bucket list.

"I'll be nice, I promise." A large piece of furniture thumped down, assumingly the couch. "You're smart to not hide under a couch, gorgeous."

My hands shook around the knob of the door, gripping tighter to keep it shut. It was the most I could do, and with the adrenaline, I could fight him off.

I was going to scream in terror, a cold hand cupped over my mouth and an arm curled around my body, pressing tightly to a chest.

A muffled cry came out, I felt hot hot breath on my neck.

"He's going to find you if you don't hurry, doll." My shirt raised over my thighs as Ares pulled me to him. This is officially the closest I've been to a man and the terror went straight between my legs.

"I can help you out of this, open the door."

No way am I opening the door.

"Run, Meadow. Run like your life depends on it." The idea sounded stupid, I was just doing that. "If you make it out of this house before we catch you...we'll leave you alone."

There has to be a catch, a loophole of some kind. Offering me freedom in their own sick game? They've shown me what they're capable of and I'm sure they're more than likely holding back. I'd better be fast.

"However, if we catch you... well, that won't end very well for you, so open the door and find out who wins."

A smash came from outside the door, I was suffocating. "You don't have a choice, that was on order."

Open the door, he repeated.

"Open the fucking door!" He spat behind me, pushing me forward into the wood.

I burst open the door in fear, my lungs constricted as I entered the lion's den.

• • •
HI GUYSSSS it's been a while, I'll have another update coming out soon don't worry. Hope you enjoyed!!!
(unedited)