K A L O P S I A

TWENTY

The night was thick and stifling
like the moonlight was glue
sticking to every surface
choking her
choking her in silent, racking sobs

She tried to be quiet
as she lay naked wrapped in his arms
beneath white cotton sheets
and glowering moonlight

But those hands had murdered countless lives
taken their last breath
their last moments
their last thoughts
their last struggle for redemption
she thought she had loved it
she thought she adored every aspect of it

Except for that one small detail
she was living
she was breathing, living moments

It wouldn't be long till he realised
she was an easy kill for his sick, twisted pleasure

"Why are you crying?"
she shuddered as his glacial baritone
resounded against the shell of her ear

Sniffing, she wriggled in an attempt to pry away from his grasp
the iron grip on her waist
only increased till her ribs creaked in protest

"I-I had a n-nightmare."
her voice was timid and muffled against the dove pillow
"About what, my little nightingale."
she shifted around to face him

In the darkness
his angular features appeared sharper than usual
his blue eyes seemed almost ultraviolet

Holding her courage close
she pressed herself against his warm chest
"I dreamt you were gone. You had been taken from me."
hot, salty tears splashed against his bronzed skin

He kissed the crown of her head
encircling her in his strong arms
his next words made her heart bleed into her bones

"I will never leave. I am here forever. Nothing can ever sever our bond, nightingale. I am forever."