Hunger (Damnation Book 1)

Chapter 21 - Normal Again

"I got you something, Baby Doll," I hear from the door.

Turning around I see my current john walk into the hotel room with a little blue box. It's that pretty shade of blue that every girl loves. He opens the box and pulls out a beautiful necklace with a lock on it. It's silver with little diamonds all over the actual lock. It's so beautiful and I think it's the first gift from a john that I actually want to keep.

Having been in this business of collecting souls for Daddy for about a year, this is the first john that is actually good looking and a decent age. He is still well over ten years older than me but at least it's not twenty or thirty. However, he's got this confidence about him that just draws me closer. His black hair is always perfectly in place and his skin has a deep olive tone that I don't know if it's natural or salon made. He only wears custom tailored suits and Italian leather shoes. He oozes money and power and I can see why Daddy wants his soul so much.

"It's beautiful. Thank you," I exclaim. I turn around so he can put it on me. Holding up my hair, which I've been getting blown out because it's easier than straightening it, is soft in my hand, I let him put the necklace on me. His fingertips linger against my skin after clasping the small silver catch of the necklace. I can feel the heaviness of the charm, but it doesn't feel like a weight on my shoulders. I feel practically weightless. I know Olivia always says to never fall for a john, because it does absolutely no good, but I can't help feeling I love this man.

Right now, we are on a vacation to New York. He's promised to take me to Broadway and we've already eaten at some very fancy restaurants. Today, we are supposed to go shopping and I can't wait to own my own personal big brown bag. He showers me with attention and gifts and for once, I truly don't mind. Granted, we can't be very affectionate when we are out, we can here. I still look too young and there's no amount of make-up or clothes that will hide that fact yet.

"Good. I knew you would like it," he states. He graces my neck with a light kiss that sends gooseflesh all along my arms. When he turns me in his arms so I am facing him, I can't help the look of adoration I have on my face. Normally, that is something I have to fake but not with this one.

"Are we going shopping?" I ask as he gets a little grabby.

"Later," he whispers against my skin.

I sit up gasping for air. I've stopped screaming every time I wake up but the nightmares are still there. I've been home a few days and people have been giving me a pretty wide berth. I throw my comforter off hoping the cool winter air will help me stop sweating. On shaky legs, I make my way to the bathroom and splash cold water on my face.

Looking at my reflection, I hardly recognize myself. My skin is a lot paler than it used to be but I haven't tanned for a year and I hardly saw the light of day or even the natural sky. There are deep hollows under my eyes, making me look like something out of a Tim Burton movie. My hair is everywhere and slightly frizzy like I stuck my finger in a light socket. I wash my face and head back to bed. It's still dark outside and there really is no reason for me to be up.

When I reach my room, someone is on my bed. "What are you doing here?"

The venom in my voice is harsh but Gabriel is the last person that should be on my bed. He scoots over to one side of my bed and pats the mattress next to him. I pause at the edge of my bed. "Rosaline, please," he says, his voice weary.

I crawl next to him. Despite not wanting to see him, having him here does make everything feel more normal than my world has felt in days. His presence always helped me get over my nightmares and now he's here, chasing this one away as well.