𝑴𝒚 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 | 𝟏𝟖+

~ It's my blood, don't worry ~

Ruby's perspective

I scream.

Ethan stands in the middle of my side of the cell, coated in blood.

His top has been torn and hangs off one shoulder, his matching pants have brown knees, worn from such a short time in prison.

His hair sits up in strange places and his cheeks fume.

Beads of sweat fall from his brows as his muscles shiver from exhaustion.

When he sees me walk in he runs a hand through his hair and keeps it behind his head, the motion makes me worry for what he holds.

I take a step back, stumbling for the exit.

I turn and run.

"Ruby!" He calls out from behind me.

I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead!

He latches onto my arm, hauling me backwards and into his arm.

Another blood-curdling scream rips through me.

Oh God, oh God, oh god.

Tears swell in my eyes as he flings me up and rests me against the wall.

With a hand on either side of my head, he towers over me.

"Please don't h- hurt me,"

"Oh God, Ruby, I would never hurt you," his voice is gentle as he caresses my cheek.

His breathing hitches as I look up at him slowly.

His eyes go wide and I can hear his heart racing.

His thumb runs over my bottom lip and for a moment I'm wrapped up in whatever trance he's put me in.

My gaze travels down to his torn up clothes and I'm slapped in the face by reality.

I shove Ethan's chest as my eyes go wide again.

"You killed someone!"

"No! No, this is my blood, I just knocked them out."

My jaw drops. "Your blood!?"

He opens and closes his mouth. "I- I mean, he..."

"Ethan!"

A smile tugs at the ends of his lips, "I love it when you say my name,"

"Focus!"

His smile only grows. "I lashed out and he... got upset,"

I raise an eyebrow but before I have the chance to reply guards start filing into the room.

The police lady strolls in and sees us. My heart stops.

Ethan takes a step back.

Slowly, he takes a bow.

"Why, hello ladies and gentlemen," he says with a smirk.

"You wanted our attention?" The lady spits.

"I want a private room."

She laughs. "No."

"I want a private room so I can talk to Winter alone. She must be clear of all wires and devices, what we say and do will be kept secret unless she chooses to share."

"And why on Earth would I do such a thing?"

"I'll tell you anything and everything if you meet my requirements." His tone is serious and a small hope grows inside of me.

"What?" I cut in, "Why me? I- I don't..."

He gives me a grin, showing his beautifully white teeth. It is incredible how someone so insane can look so... beautiful.

"What's the point of asking questions you know the answers to?"

"To clarify the answer,"

"I will answer every question but that one." A pause, "For now at least,"

I swallow to drown the butterflies in my stomach.

"Winter,"

I turn to the lady.

"Will you do it?"

They must be truly desperate to even consider such an offer.

Ethan's golden eyes shine like honey, their shade is darker in the pale lighting; it makes his skin look like Heaven and his hair Hell. "I'll do it," I say quietly, hoping no one will hear.

"Okay then. You'll start tomorrow, good luck."

She goes to leave but stops when Ethan says, "Oh, and I want it to be a nice room, one with a soft bed and a blanket," he says with a mocking smile.

"Fine." She snaps then drags me towards the door.

"See you soon, Winter!" Ethan calls out.

"Yeah..."