THE BAD GUYS IN: raising princess

Bitter sweet birthday: final

(A request from AlicornNorth )

Ashton's grip on Princess was like iron as he dragged her up the grand staircase of the plantation house, his fingers digging into her wrist. She thrashed and struggled, her heart pounding in sheer panic, but his strength was overwhelming. No matter how hard she fought, she couldn't break free.

"Let me go!" she screamed, kicking at him, but Ashton barely flinched.

"Shh, Princess," he murmured in a tone that made her blood run cold. "You don't have to fight me. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm taking you somewhere safe... somewhere no one can steal you from me again."

Princess gasped as he shoved open a door at the end of the hallway and pulled her inside. The air in the room was stale, untouched for years. Dust coated the wooden furniture, and the old four-poster bed was draped in sheets. She barely had a moment to take in the surroundings before Ashton finally let go, placing her down gently on the bed.

Her fear only deepened as she scrambled back, pressing herself against the headboard. "Stay away from me," she whispered, her voice shaking.

But Ashton only smirked, stepping forward. "There's no point in running, Princess," he said, his voice eerily calm. "I know every inch of this house. You can try to hide, but I'll find you. I always do."

Princess swallowed hard, her mind racing. "How do you know this place so well?"

Ashton's smile widened, but there was nothing warm about it. He knelt in front of her, his icy purple eyes locking onto hers. "Because this used to be my home," he admitted, tilting his head slightly.

Princess froze. "What?"

"This plantation house belonged to my family," Ashton continued, his tone taking on a chilling fondness. "I grew up here. Every room, every hallway, every secret passage... I know them all."

Princess felt her stomach twist in dread. "But... if this was your house, then—"

Ashton chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down her spine. "After I poisoned my parents and got sent to juvie, the house was abandoned. I figured no one would ever buy it. It's funny, isn't it? The place where I ended their pathetic lives is now the same place where you celebrated your birthday."

Princess's blood ran cold. The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. This wasn't just some random house. It was his house. The house of a murderer.

She could barely breathe as she whispered, "You... you killed your own parents?"

Ashton's expression darkened. "They deserved it," he muttered, his fingers twitching. Then, his face softened again as he looked at her. "But don't worry, Princess. I'd never hurt you. You're too precious to me. That's why I have to get rid of everyone who's keeping us apart."

Princess's heart nearly stopped.

"What... what do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ashton leaned in closer, his voice dangerously soft. "The Bad Guys. That governor. And especially Eddie. They took you away from me. But don't worry... I'll make sure they never do it again."

Horror gripped Princess as she realized what he was saying. He was planning to kill them.

"No," she gasped. "No, you can't—"

"They don't deserve you," Ashton said, his eyes wild with obsession. "Once they're gone, it'll just be us. The way it was always meant to be."

That was it. That was the moment she knew she had to act.