The Shadow of her Heart

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞

Anima

I wish I could tear myself away from this spot, stop staring into the enveloping darkness, stop waiting for Romano. Why can't I abandon the hope that he will fulfill his promise? I cannot even confide in my best friend; what would I say? 'Hey, Tarra I need your help. I cannot stop obsessing over a man who promised to deliver a stranger's heart to me.' No, that would only raise more eyebrows than Romano's suspicious behavior. I still do not trust him—not in the slightest—but my curiosity is unyielding. Deep down, there is a part of me that is drawn to the macabre nature of it all. When he made that promise, part of me wanted to laugh it off as a dark joke, but the truth is, I would be irresistibly attracted to someone who dared to fulfill such a twisted vow. It is wrong, I know, but I cannot help myself. It is not just that, but the fact that I cannot reach her phone, fifty missed messages already and she is not answering. Is it wrong to not care? Am I going to be called a psychopath for it?

I get torn from my thoughts when my phone vibrates, confused I pick it up. My best friend texted me, finally she took forever. But when I click on the message it is a picture—a horrific image of her. Lifeless, sprawled on the floor with a vicious slash across her chest. Blood seeps onto the floor, pooling in the hollow where her heart should be. Could it be...Romano? I should run, I should hide and call the police. But I am frozen in place, the metallic tang of blood gradually fills the air around me as cold arms wrap around my middle.

. . . . . ╰──╮. . . . . ╰──╮🗡╭──╯ . . . . .╭──╯ . . . . .

Romano

Eliminating her best friend proved surprisingly easy; my little ghost certainly has a knack for choosing questionable company. Tarra's apartment was strewn with drugs and liquor. Her friend tried to flee, but despite the injuries I had inflicted on myself to appear as my own victim, I was quicker. Everything is worth it just so I get this small moment of holding Anima within my arms. The blood from my T-shirt paints her skin red and it makes me want to lick it off her body. My beautiful queen shivers within my arms, but I can sense her relaxing just slightly. I am finally starting to get through to her, and I will continue to until every inch of her craves me how I crave her.

"Sono felice che tu mi abbia aspettato." I whisper into her ear, my hold on Anima tightens as I breathe in her scent. Just her presence is enough to calm the demons in my head, and I hope I can do the same to her.

"Io ti aspettero per sempre." She whispers back and it makes my cold heart melt. I know she does not love me, not yet. But I do not mind, as long as I can get to keep her to myself, I will be grateful.

I quietly release Anima, drawing another involuntary shiver from her. She is already craving my touch, such a good girl. Sighing, I retrieve my bag and pull out a glass. Inside, just as my beloved desired, is a human heart—a gift for her to collect. I hand it to Anima and watch as she momentarily freezes. She may feign horror, but I can see the flicker of intrigue, the glimmer of darkness, in those icy eyes of hers.

"Romano... I love it," she murmurs, her words catching my breath once more. Her praise reaches deep within, awakening a hunger for more. My little ghost is already letting her guard down, chipping away at the walls she has built around herself. I am patient; I will wait until they crumble completely. Her sweet voice pulls me from my reverie, sharpening my focus on her once again.