Jhin's Masterpiece

Chapter 11

Several days had gone by without much word from Jhin other than the occasional one word response. It started to make me feel like he was just tossing me aside. I had thought about the events that lead up to his silence nonstop since it had happened. Most of my day was spent alone in my room, causing me to fall into a depression. My appetite decreased, I rarely got out of bed, my thoughts of escape decreased, I just felt so hopeless.

While I was laying in bed, I heard a knock at the door, which surprised me.

"Come in?" I questioned. I wasn't used to him respecting my privacy.

Jhin opened the door and softly closed it behind him. He came in and asked if he could sit on the bed. I nodded and sat up, giving him room to sit.

"I apologize for my actions towards you, dove." He said softly, sincerely. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "And I also forgive you for yours."

I still said nothing, not knowing what to say.

"I realized," Jhin continued, "That night, when that woman was going to take you from me... it infuriated me. I couldn't stand thinking of her hurting you for her own pleasure. I've never felt this way towards anyone." He avoided eye contact with me, looking down at his hands. He seemed sad.

"You still almost let her..." I mumbled, a little scared he would retaliate if I talked back.

Jhin turned to look at me, I could see tears in his sunken eyes. I'd never seen him sad before and it was strange. "I know I almost did, and I understand if you can't forgive me, I can't forgive myself..." his voice was somewhat shaky, I couldn't believe it.

"I-" I paused for a moment, "I appreciate that you changed your mind..." I said, wanting to get back on his good side.

He grabbed me and pulled me into a tight hug, "Thank you, dove. I didn't know how much I valued you until I was about to lose you."

I could hardly breathe by how tightly he held on to me, but I attempted to hug him back. Maybe he really did feel that way about me in a sick, twisted sort of way.

"It hurts whenever you talk so negatively about what I do, dove." He spoke softly. I breathed in slowly, thinking of a response.

"I-I'm sorry. I know that those people were bad people... they... you killed them to save me." I said, starting myself to believe it. He wouldn't use me to further his cause and then change his mind last second. If he wanted to use me, he would have. Maybe he changed somewhat since I'd been here.

He pulled away and kissed me on the forehead. "If there is anything I can do for you, anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask, okay?"

I simply nodded as he stood.

"I love you." He stated calmly as he left the room.

Love me? He sounded so genuine and didn't expect me to say it back. Was he serious? Now I really didn't know what to think. I laid back down, looking up at the ceiling.

He didn't love me. Nobody who loves someone would do this to them. Unless he didn't really know how to love someone? Maybe that was it, maybe he really did love me but didn't know how to go about it. Maybe I could convince him to let me go? I didn't want to find out what might happen if I asked.

I felt attached to him, like no matter what I did I couldn't let go of the thought of him loving me. He was being so sweet a moment ago, so perhaps he had changed for the better after he realized how he felt? If he loves me, he definitely won't kill me...

I fell asleep and Khada Jhin filled my dreams. I could hear him saying I love you. I could feel his cold metal hand on my body. I could feel his warm embrace. I could see the bloody mess he created, then I saw him standing in the middle of it, proclaiming his love for me. For a moment, I could see the art in it. Red is the color of romance, and I could see the blood bloom into a deep, red rose.

I ran to him and embraced him, the rose blooming around us as we held each other. He whispered to me in the dream, though I couldn't make out what he was saying. I just allowed his warmth to surround me, allowing myself to relax. It felt so much easier than resisting him.

He then let go of me and turned to walk away, putting on his mask as he left without a word. He disappeared beyond the bloody rose, but I could still smell him distinctly.

I awoke feeling conflicted. I stood and walked out of the room. I noticed it was pitch black outside, assuming it must be a new moon. Jhin would be asleep by now. I slowly made my way to his bedroom to see if he was asleep. I cracked the door open as quietly as I could and peeked inside. There he was, sleeping peacefully.

I turned to look down the hallway. I could run right now. I could sneak out of the house and get far away from here. I could never turn back and never think about this place again. I turned back to Jhin's sleeping frame. I could also stay and let him love me. I could stay and help him change. I could stay for the fear of how far this would backslide if he caught me trying to leave.

I opened the door and walked inside his bedroom, closing the door behind me. I got into bed next to him and lay there, looking at the ceiling once again. This time, I could hear his rhythmic breathing next to me. The breathing was calm, domestic even. I could try to escape, but tonight I chose to stay.