New Enemy or Old Lover (Final book in the "Love or Lust" trilogy)

Chapter 4:

"Harry, stop!" I shrieked, my body numb from the whips that lashed along my back. Blood trickled down my back, dripping onto the cold cement floor below me. Tears soon dropped as well, mixing easily with the warm fresh blood that lingered along the floor. "Please!"

"Shut up, you bitch!" He shouted back, lashing once again at my back. I screamed in pain, too much for me to bare. "If you're not going to listen to your master, then you will be punished."

"I'm sorry!" I pleaded out.

Harry let out a sharp laugh as he continued to lash at my back, taking no time to be gentle at all. I screamed once more, begging for mercy as the burning pain shot up my spine once more. Warm tears ran down my cheek as I continued to plead out, "Please stop! Please stop!" I wriggled my hands around in the tight bounds he placed them in but found no use, for they were too tight for me to break. "I thought... I thought you... loved me!" I said in between breaths, but soon bit my tongue as I felt him grab me by the hair, yanking me up to face him.

"Don't ever question my love," Harry snarled through gritted teeth, his eyes full of pure rage and hatred. He held my face inches from his, gripping my hair tightly. With his incredible strength, the pain was tripled of that of a human being. I whined and whimpered, trying to find the words to respond to Harry, and stammered, "I-I.. I-I'm sorry H-Harry..."

"Good," His voice was cold.

With that, he slammed my head down against the hard floor, sending a new found pain all throughout my already pounding head. I coughed harshly, trying to allow air into my fragile body as I heard the basement door slam shut, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Cold air licked at my open wounds all along my back, sending shivers up my spine. I cringed in pain, another tear sliding down my face as my breathing began to even out finally. I let out a soft sigh, whimpering in pain.

"Why.. Me.." I muttered to myself.

My body jumped in fright as I heard the basement door swing open, banging against the old pipes that lined the wall, "Madison! Get your ass up here and make me dinner!" Harry's voice boomed through the basement, making my body go stiff, "Gosh, make yourself useful!" His words echoed throughout the basement as he slammed the door shut. I sighed, swallowing hard as I tried not to cry. This isn't right, this isn't right at all. My eyes flicked up to the flickering light, anger raging inside of me now. Harry didn't love me, and now that I thought about it, I didn't love him.

I was going to escape, tonight.

///

"Mmm," Harry mumbled, shoving a bite of steak down his throat. He leaned over the table, shoveling food inside of his mouth as he ate my dinner, "This is pretty good. A little on the dry side... Could use some more spices, but other than that.. Fantastic!" Harry looked up at me, blowing a kiss in the air. I gave a warm smile and returned the favor, watching as he ate. My arms were folded over my chest, studying his movements.

"I'm glad you like it, babe." I said softly, masking the bitter hatred I now had for him with the kindest voice I could possibly spit out. Harry smiled, continuing to dig into his pile of food. He leaned back in his chair, his hunger satisfied from the feast I had created for him. Raising his hand, he dabbed at his mouth, cleaning up the remaining food that lingered at his lips.

"Let's watch a movie, hm?" Harry suggest, arching an eyebrow. I quickly nodded, seeming as excited as I could. He smiled, extending a hand out to me. I took it with pleasure, following him as he led us both downstairs to the den, where he sat himself down on the couch. I scanned over the movies he had, wrapping my fingers around one of the horror ones. Knowing in my mind, Harry always fell asleep during these movies. Smirking to myself, I shoved the disc into the player, clicking the television on as well as I sat myself down next to Harry.

Harry smiled, wrapping a cold arm around me as the television screen lit up with the opening credits. I smiled at him, clicking PLAY on the dark remote and snuggling into his shoulder. He wrapped a blanket around himself, allowing me a small corner of it as he kissed the top of my head, settling into the couch as the movie began. I watched the screen the entire time, seeming to be interested in the movie but actually planning my actions tonight. What would I do? How? Where?

"Babe," Harry's hushed voice cut through my thoughts, dragging me back to reality. I looked up at him, confused, "I'm hungry."

I furrowed my brows, "You just.."

"I mean, I'm hungry." Harry said slowly, looking me in the eyes. Confusion soon washed away as I realized what he meant, making me cringe a little. I let out a shaken breath, removing my shirt from my body, revealing my pale skin ready to break. He gave me a smile, leaning over as he placed small kisses along my neck. I whimpered as he reached my sweet spot, blowing on it gently as he smiled against my skin, "I love you."

"I love you too.." I managed to say, but shrieked in pain as I felt his fangs break through my skin, digging deep into my body. I yelped, trying to bare with the excruciating pain that he brought to my body. He didn't try to be gentle, no, for Nephilim's were always hard. He believed he had more power now that he ruled, and that's why he couldn't show any sign of sympathy or softness. This, of course, meant more pain for me. It sent fire up and down my body, bringing tears to my eyes as I whimpered softly. The tears soon fell from my eyes as the pain worsened, and I felt my body start to lose control. I felt limp, so weak. I had no power over him.

The pain soon subsided and the burning sensation that filled my body began to calm as Harry pulled back. My eyes weakly studied him, taking in note the blood that trickled down from the corners of his mouth. My blood, of course.

Harry smiled, fangs and all as he stroked my hair gently. "Thank you, love."

I silently nodded.

Harry kissed my forehead and leaned back into the couch, wrapping himself in his blanket as I sat to the side, my neck still numb from pain. I watched him, every movement he made. He stayed with the movie but halfway through his eyes began to droop, dragging him into a deep sleep that not even an earthquake would wake him. It was time.

I stood up slowly, creeping upstairs into the kitchen. The automatic lights flicked on, blinding me for a moment but not getting far enough downstairs to startle Harry. I slipped myself into the dining room where I reached the window I opened up earlier during the day. Sliding my fingers underneath, I pulled up using all my strength, lifting it a few inches off the sill. I took one look back, debating if I should pack a bag, until I heard the house go silent. He shut the movie off, and it's a matter of time before he found out I was missing. I slipped outside the window silently, my feet touching the warm ground. I took off, never looking back at the house, and ran as fast at my legs could carry me.

It's time to start a new life.

My life.