CRAZE

8

Out of impulse, I clasped my hand onto Craze's arm. His muscles went taught as he moaned at my touch and pushed me a bit further into the counter. Craze's hands encircled my waist and my eyes shut tight, fearing what might happen next. His thumbs moved the hem of my t-shirt up and then the rest of his long, grey fingers roamed under it, still keeping to my waist and hip area--thank God. His lips left a trail of kisses up to my ear and used his tongue to direct my earlobe between his teeth, where he nibbled lightly.

"I need you to do something for me," he whispered with a manic giggle. "Wha-what?" I stuttered, my eyes opening. I really wish I hadn't because then he pulled back and said, "Terrorize a village," like it was nothing but an everyday thing, like brushing your teeth. What village? I thought we were in a jungle. "No." I couldn't help it, the word just slipped out. His hands tightened immensely on my hips. I winced as the other bruises were squeezed. "What?" He said, definitely not giggling now. His grey eyes were like stone and more terrifying than ever. Hard to believe, but true. Then just like that, they switched from ice to...playful? "Why not, Doll Face?"

I wanted to say that it was because I wasn't insane like him, that I wasn't evil like him. But I didn't say anything because I didn't want to push my luck anymore. "Answer me," he said, leaning his face slightly closer to mine so our breath mingled. So instead, I asked, "Why do you wan--"

"So you can see what it feels like," he said. I didn't want to see what it was like. I wanted to leave. Was this part of making me perfect, like in that rule book? If it was, I really didn't want to be perfect. I never really did in the first place anyway. The microwave beeped, startling me.

Craze turned around, snatched the steak from the microwave and tossed it on the counter beside me, grinning. I flinched at the squish sound it made whilst hitting the surface.

Why is he treating her like that?!

It makes me sick!

Get away from here girl!

You'll pay!

Oh no...the voices. I recoiled. Craze put a slightly bloodied hand on my cheek, looking deep into my eyes. I swallowed. Then his jaw set and he hurried off through the kitchen doors. When he disappeared, I let a huge breath that I hadn't known I was holding in. I looked at the raw meat beside me and poked it with my finger. It was only warm and mushy, and definitely not healthy in that particular state.

But what I feared left me at a fork in the road. If I didn't choke it down, he'd come back and probably be very angry. If I did, I'd probably get sick and die, or God knows what else. If I ate it and I died, I wouldn't have to be here anymore.

I slowly picked it up with one hand and sniffed it. It gave off a bloodied scent. I closed my eyes and rose the steak to my teeth.

When the meat hit my tongue, I opened my eyes wide in shock. It was surprisingly good. I swallowed a small chunk and then took another bite. And another. Before I knew it, there was nothing left but blood on my hands. I dropped my hands to my sides, eyes wide. What was that? I...what? Wasn't that supposed to be horrible tasting? Wasn't I probably supposed to throw up or something? I looked around searching for a dishtowel or something to wipe my hands clean. There was a grey one hanging from one of the stove handles.

As I wiped my hands and set the cloth on a counter, I wondered if I could get out of this kitchen. The strange and warped reflections in the stainless steel appliances were starting to creep me out. I looked to the door and bit my lip, thinking. Then I was walking toward it. Then I was thinking about a plan; if Craze wasn't coming back for me right now, I could maybe get out of this place altogether. Suddenly I was in the hallway. I was so caught up in envisioning my plan that I forgot my feet were still moving.