Living with a Ghoul

Chapter 5: Favor

I gasp. The guy was just naked wandering around my room looking for his clothes. "What the hell?" I shield my eyes and he gives a small laugh. "Here they are." I hear shuffling and I peek. I see him pulling on his jeans and sigh. Does he not own underwear?? I just stand with a very visible blush on my face. The guy sits on the bed and looks at me with his dark intimidating eyes. "You just gonna stand there or let me help you change your bandage?" He asks with raised eyebrows and a playful stare. I was a little skeptical at first but then again I needed to change it or it would get infected.

I sit on the bed and watch as the guy cleans my wound. Why didn't he just take me to the hospital? I wince as he applies the alcohol. Blood and alcohol run down my side and he gulps. Was he resisting?

"What are you?" I ask as he continues cleaning. The guy looks up at me and then back at my side. "Not human."

Well I could clearly see that.

"That doesn't answer my question."

The guy finishes wrapping me up and I pull my shirt down. It was awkward the whole time because he could see some of my bra. Who knows what he was thinking. Heaving a heavy sigh and looking out the window he replies, "It's better if you don't know."

"Well can I at least know your name?"

The guy sighs again, it seemed like a more irritated sigh. I needed to know everything. I'm not just gonna go about this like nothing happened!

"Royce...Royce Grayson. And you're Gabriella White yes?" Royce stands and approaches me. I back up slowly and he stops. "That's close enough...and yeah how did you know my name?"

"I went through your bag, I found your ID and address."

"Why didn't you just take me to a hospital?"

"I have my reasons." Royce passes me and heads for my kitchen. Following I continue with my questions.

"Reasons being what?"

"You sure are curious. Why can't you just leave it alone?"

"Oh yeah sure, I'm just gonna sit here while a cannibal wanders around my house, takes a shower in my house, and not tell me why he's still in MY HOUSE!" My voice rises because I was really getting pissed off with this guy. I mean who does he think he is?!.

He seemed so different from a few days ago. What the hell?

Before I knew it I'm pinned against the wall. My breath catches as Royce leans in close. "You owe me...I saved your life." His whole demeanor was different. He seemed more scary. I collect every brave bone in my body how ever and glare.

"I don't owe you anything."

"I could've killed you last night, y'know that? But, no I was nice and brought you back here which goes against everything I believe in. You really wanna know what I am?" He moves closer and I could still smell the human flesh in his mouth.

Nodding I turn my head as he whispers, "A Ghoul," my heart pounds as he moves away. Royce walks back to the kitchen and I just stand there.

I've heard of Ghouls before. They go around the city at night and attack the innocent. They eat them to survive. I've only heard about them in myths or scary stories. I never paid much attention to the news lately but there have been missing persons posters around the area.

I study Royce. He had scars on his body. They seemed deep, he has a story behind them. But, I need to ask the important questions right now. I need to be cautious. I don't know if he hasn't fully decided on killing me.

"So...was that guy last night,"

"Yeah, he was a ghoul. Usually ghouls don't eat other ghouls...its a law. But, we do fight over meals. The weak aren't as lucky." Royce stretches and I watch his muscles ripple and listen to his bones crack. That guy last night didn't have a chance.

"Why didn't you kill me? I mean there has to be a real reason." I sit at the dining table and mess with my nails. I heard a chair in front of me scoot from under the table and I look up. Royce was sitting backwards in it.

"You can be of use to me and I can be of use to you. You give me a place to stay and I can protect you from other ghouls in the area. Trust me there are a lot."

"Why here? Why me?"

"Must I explain everything?"

"That's kinda the point." I raise an eyebrow.

"Fine, I'm pretty much a wanted fugitive to ghouls and human forces. They call me the Ripper. I've killed almost fifty humans in a year and no one has been able to catch me. But, I've been clumsy and careless and was found out not too long ago. I need you as a cover. Maybe for a couple of months, maybe a year until I can smooth things over with some people. Then I'll be out of your hair." Royce finishes explaining. Wanted fugitive? Hm, his story is believable since I witnessed him in action last night.

"What do I get out if this?" I look up at him and Royce rolls his eyes. "I already told you. Protection."

"Is it because you didn't kill me?"

"Exactly, the higher ups have eyes all over the city. You'll need to be protected."

I ponder on this some more. An extra mouth to feed, that's gonna be a lot of money I'll need. I look at Royce once again as I ponder. Then again I don't have to get him food. "Fine, but if you're gonna live here I have rules." I glare. Royce tries hiding his excitement but he smirks.

"1.) You sleep on the couch, 2.) If you go out try to take your hunting far from here so you don't draw attention, 3.) If anyone asks you're my boyfriend okay. My best friend just occasionally let's himself in and knowing him he'll have a million questions." I explain.

"Ew you're boyfriend? Really?" Royce gets up and pretends to barf. He's such a little kid ugh. "Look I don't like it either but its the most reasonable explanation to why a random guy is just wandering around my house." I stand and cross my arms.

"Why can't I just be a close friend? Or do you liiiiiikkkkeee meeeeeee?" Royce's tone is playful and teasing.

I hated it. ಥ⌣ಥ

"Shut up. And of course you have to have a job."

"I can just get money from some people no big deal." Royce walks to my room.

"What people?!"