Womb of Despair

*The Beginning*

The rain hit the windows hard, the old glass rattling like it was about to give up. The mansion, sitting at the edge of town, looked like it had been forgotten a long time ago. Overgrown vines clung to the walls, and the whole place smelled like damp wood and mold. No one ever came near it, except for one person—Emma.

Emma sat in a beat-up chair, its stuffing poking out from the sides. Her eyes stared out at the rain, but she wasn't really seeing it. Her mind was somewhere far away, lost in thoughts she didn't like to share with anyone. She twisted a strand of her dark hair around her finger, pulling it tight. The pain kept her grounded, gave her something to focus on besides the mess inside her head.

The house made noises, old wood groaning and shifting as if it was alive. The floors were uneven, the walls stained and cracked. Water dripped from the ceiling in some places, but Emma didn't care. This place was hers, a safe spot from everything that had hurt her. The house felt like it was a part of her, broken and forgotten, just like she felt inside.

She heard a door creak open somewhere in the house, slow and hesitant. Emma didn't look up. She knew it was Daniel. He always moved like that, like he was afraid to make too much noise, like he wasn't sure if he belonged. And honestly, he didn't. Not really. But she had let him in, pulled him into her world because she saw something in him—a weakness she could play with.

His footsteps were soft as he made his way toward her. Emma didn't move, didn't say anything. She liked making him wait, letting the silence stretch until it made him uncomfortable. It was a little game she played, seeing how long he could last before he'd say something, before he'd break.

Finally, he did. "Emma?" he called out, his voice barely above a whisper.

She didn't answer right away. She let the silence hang between them, thick and heavy, just to see him squirm. It always made him nervous, made him feel like he was doing something wrong. And that's how she liked it.

When she finally turned to look at him, he was standing in the doorway, eyes wide and nervous. He looked like he hadn't slept in days—dark circles under his eyes, hair a mess. His clothes hung off him, too loose, like he hadn't eaten properly in a while. But that was how Emma liked him, weak and easy to control.

"You're late," she said, her voice cold. She didn't care what time it was; she just wanted to see him react, to watch him stumble over himself trying to make it right.

Daniel mumbled something, probably an apology, but she wasn't really listening. He was always apologizing, always trying to make her happy. But Emma didn't want happiness. She wanted control, power over him, and he gave it to her without even realizing it.

"Come here," she said, her voice sharp. He hesitated, but only for a second, before he walked over to her, his steps slow and unsure. She could see the fear in his eyes, and it thrilled her.

When he was close enough, she reached out and grabbed his wrist, pulling him down until he was on his knees in front of her. His eyes were wide, breathing fast. She could feel his pulse racing under her fingers, and it made her smile. She leaned in, her lips close to his ear.

"Do you love me, Daniel?" she asked, her voice soft now, almost gentle.

"Yes," he whispered, his voice shaky, eyes glassy with unshed tears.

"Good," she said, running her fingers through his hair, pulling his head back so he had to look up at her. "Because you're mine now. All mine."

She kissed him, hard and rough, biting his lip until she tasted blood. He didn't resist, didn't push her away. He never did. He was too scared, too broken to fight back. And that's exactly how she wanted him.

The kiss ended as quickly as it started, and she shoved him away, watching as he fell back onto the floor, licking her lips of blood that was not her own. He looked up at her, confused and scared, but he didn't say anything. He knew better.

"Get out," she said, her voice cold and final. "I don't want to see you again tonight."

Daniel scrambled to his feet, nearly tripping over himself in his hurry to leave. But before he reached the door, he paused and looked back at her, like he was hoping for something. Maybe a kind word, maybe a sign that she cared. But he wouldn't get it. Not from her.

"Goodnight, Daniel," she said with a fake sweetness, watching as the last bit of hope drained from his eyes.

He left, the door slamming behind him, leaving Emma alone in the dark. The rain kept pounding on the windows, and the house groaned like it was alive, feeding off the misery inside it. Emma smiled to herself, a cold, cruel smile.

She walked to the window, peering out as Daniel disappeared into the night. With a satisfied grin, she murmured to the darkness, "Finally, you are mine, Daniel. And much more is coming your way to torment that innocent soul of yours."

This was just the beginning.