Mastim's Curse

Chapter 31

 Mentally numb, hurt, and covered in blood and filth. I'm too exhausted emotionally and physically to talk as they take me back to my room, although my guards suddenly want to make small talk with me. One of them even asks for a selfie with me, saying that I've gone viral. Everyone's talking about the demon girl. How strange is that?

They unlock my door, and once inside, I'm greeted by the strong smell of pot. Aleale's on the sofa with a blunt in one hand and a drink in the other. The sight of her brings me out of my deep stupor.

She's somehow managed to turn the oversized shirt she has on into a fashion statement by unbuttoning it and tying it in a knot at the bottom. She's also ripped the legs off the pants to make a pair of short shorts. I turn around and put my hands in the door slot so my handcuffs can be removed by the guards on the other side.

"Nicole!" Aleale puts her smoke and drink down before staggering over to me. "Oh, God... Are you ok?"

"I'm alive." I turn to face her and she hugs me tightly. It hurts, but in a good way. All of the emotion I've been holding back bursts out threatening to overwhelm me as I hug her back. Time stops as I hold her to me, drinking in her essence. Her touch is a thousand volts of electricity racing through my torn body and mind. I cling to the moment, wanting it to last forever. But it can't, and too soon, I feel her pull away.

She runs her hands over my bloody clothes. "You're a mess."

During our hug, I got blood all over her. "I'm sorry. I got some on you." I look for a towel to wipe it off, but don't see any nearby.

She cups my battered face in her hands. "Are you alright? I saw that guy beating the shit out of you." She points at the monitor behind her. "I was watching you... I saw you kill that huge fucker with your bare hands... Damn girl... You are the badest bitch I've ever seen."

She is seriously stoned. "I got lucky is all."

"That other guy didn't get lucky... I saw his head explode. That was sick." She turns her glassy eyes back to me. "Your face is swollen. Do you want some ice?" Her hands run over my face again as if she can somehow repair the damage.

"I think that's a good idea. But it's not as bad as it looks." Actually, it hurts a lot worse than it looks, but there's no reason to worry her more than she already is.

"Lemme get some." She takes a few woozy steps toward the kitchen.

I smile in spite of my condition. "Thanks, but I think I need a shower first."

She turns back to me and steadies herself against a chair. "Ok..." She runs her hand through her hair ruffled hair. "You want me to make some food while you're in the shower?"

"You don't need too. I'll get some latter when my appetite comes back. You better sit back down before you stumble and hurt yourself."

She gives a sad laugh. "Yeah, I guess I'm a little fucked up."Her face softens. "I didn't think you'd be back."

She doesn't have to say the rest. We both know what'd be happening to her right now if I hadn't come back. My gaze drifts to the white bed with the restraints. A shudder creeps down my spine at what Ed would be doing right now. I'm determined to keep her from being someone's sex slave... no matter what it takes.

"Well, I'm back. So let's celebrate." Every day I'm alive has become a gift and every moment a treasure. I point at the monitor. "Why don't you see if that thing has any music on it?" The shock of today's events must be wearing off because suddenly I'm very thirsty. The shower can wait until I get something to drink. On my way to the kitchen, Aleale reaches out to me and takes my arm.