The Dark Days

Five.

This room is lonely.

It's dark. And cold. And silent.

I can't move, or speak, or even whimper. All I can do is float. Float over an infinite space of blackness. I don't move; I can't move. It's giving me cramps. I can't breathe; I don't need to.

It's like I've been frozen. I can't do anything. It's like I'm in a dream, and I feel like I'm asleep. But if this is a dream...

...it's more like a nightmare.

****

Peter hated doing this to Kasey. He hated making her hate him. He hated making her do something she wasn't willing to do. It hurts him. But he knows what he's doing is right. When she got lost today he nearly went to find her on his own. He had nearly blown his cover.

He doesn't want to have to worry about Kasey's safety. He wants to know that she's safe at all times. And this is the only way.

Peter places Pandora's Box on the coffee table in front of the couch. He would make Kasey forgive him. He would make her love him like she says she does. He's going to give her whatever she wants. First, he gives her a bed. A huge, king-sized bed. It's got fluffy red pillows, red sheets, and a big red comforter. The headboard and foot board are made of golden metal bars. Second, he gives her a mahogany bedside table. It's tall and very spacious, for plates, cups, even a laptop. Third, he gives her a really, really big teddy bear that sits beside the bed. It's brown, like chocolate, and is big enough to sit on. Kasey likes teddy bears. Peter knows that this one'll do the trick nicely.

Kasey. His Kasey. Thinking about her gives him goosebumps. And thinking about her when she is released makes him want to throw up. But he knows what he's doing is right. His Kasey needs to be safe. As safe as possible.

Oh, she's going to kill me, Peter thinks as he runs a hand through his hair. He picks up the box again and then places it in the center of the bed. Then he leaves, locking the door behind him.

"I have to get the curse first, Kasey," he mumbles as he walks down the hall. "Only then will you be safe. Only then can I come to you in my true form. Only then can we truly be together."