Delusional Devotion

Chapter 2: Corrupted Love

"You certainly do enjoy romance novels, is there a particular reason for that?" Wallace asked, looking at the monster girl walking beside him with great curiosity. The two have spent many months together by now, Clare proving to be very helpful as she was able to communicate and soothe the monsters in the forest far better than Wallace could ever hope to accomplish. Wallace had moved Clare in with him in his house outside the forest, the female monster simply overjoyed to have a roof over her head, and the researcher finding her positive and bubbly personality to be a rather refreshing change to his everyday life. As a means of rewarding Clare for her efforts, once a week he'd take her into town, allowing her to buy as she pleased up to a certain amount. People were often upset and uncomfortable with the prospect that a monster was allowed to walk among the town, but Clare seemed none to bothered as she gleefully carried stacks upon stacks of romance novels she'd recently purchased from the book shop.

"I just really love romance, I always wanted to fall in love, it hasn't happened yet, but I'm very eager!" Clare giggles, the red head was smiling from ear to ear at the idea of falling in love one day, and such a thing seemed so delightful in Wallace eyes.

"Well I'm sure you'll meet a wonderful man who can appreciate your love rather soon my dear," Wallace assured, clasping his hand on her shoulder to make it clear that he supported her. Wallace wasn't a particularly romantic man, and though he was particularly more interested in his research than most things, Dr. Darrell was very fond of Clare. Clare's lack of a left hand made things difficult at times, but she never missed an opportunity to help whenever she could find one. Dusting, sweeping, cleaning, anything that she could do that didn't require two hands, and she would do it, no questions asked. Her positive attitude and helpful nature naturally made Wallace feel much more comfortable in her presence, considering he was originally quite wary of her when they first met.

"You flatter me doctor, but I appreciate the encouragement nonetheless" Clare says with a happy giggle. "I surely hope I meet my love soon, I'd be completely loyal and devoted to him, and I'd be the perfect girl for him, I'd never let him go!" Clare announced to the sky above. It was a cute sentiment, and while most people might hear Clare say that and be rather disturbed due to her off putting appearance, Wallace smiled at her in understanding, since he knew her true nature.

As they returned home, Clare would quickly grow fond of Wallace as well, as Wallace had started to open up to her more as they spent more time together and grew closer. She'd come to learn that along with his research, Wallace had a passion for the art, and drew his own sketches in his notebook whenever he encountered a new monster. She was always blown away by his artistic skill, and she'd paise him for it often. While Wallace also learned of Clare's love for gardening, the two now having a small rose garden to which they would tend to together. "What would be your ideal type of man, if you don't mind me asking?" Wallace asked, fumbling with his pocket to grab his keys to the house.

Clare looks up, her heart shaped pupil rising up in her socket as she thought hard about her answer. "I like a man with intelligence I guess, and he has to have a good heart. Maybe a bit more on the lean side? Muscles have never really been something I was interested in" Clare ponders. She'd never really thought about it too much in the past, but the more she thought about it, the more she started to realize how much Dr. Darrell fit the description. Her muted red skin gained a bright hue as she came to the realization, but surely she only saw him as a friend, right? Surely there were no romantic feelings involved. Yet the more she thought, the more she realized that this might be the case. How she would always feel a warmth in her stomach when he smiled at her, how she always desired to protect him against other monsters such as werewolves and gremlins. She couldn't even deny in her own mind, that she'd developed feelings for him...and she was absolutely ecstatic about it. As she followed Wallace inside of their home, she smiled and thought to herself 'what a lovely feeling, this love'.

It would be another week before Wallace would take Clare into town again, the duo talking fondly to each other, before a woman's voice would call out to him. "Dr. Darrell! Oh goodness it's good to see that your alive, we were all worried you had gotten killed in that dastardly forest" a young woman called. The woman was beautiful, with golden blonde curls, big green eyes, and tan freckled skin, she looked like everything Clare wasn't and never could be.

"Why hello there madam, as you can see I am quite alive, and I have my dear friend Clare here to thank for that I'm sure" the black haired man chuckles as he gestures to Clare. The red headed monster looks at the blonde woman nervously, slowly waving her hand, something about this woman made Clare feel strange, strange in her heart. It was like her blood was boiling beneath her skin.

The woman only stared at Clare, never responding to her or acknowledging her outside of a few blinks. She quickly turned her attention back to Dr. Darrell, and all at once it was starting to make sense in Clare's head. This girl...this woman was in love with Wallace, just like she was. This woman wanted Wallace for herself...and something about that made her skin crawl. She was jealous, extremely jealous. She felt the jealousy corrupting her heart, turning it black as she couldn't hold the hatred she felt for her. She is in live with Wallace, and there Clare swore that he with be hers.