Hopeful Monsters

[TW: child abuse, suicide, depression, anxiety, rape, sexual assault, murder, graphic violence, animal abuse]

We get told to watch out for Monsters from a young age. They're in the stories our parents tell us, the movies we grow up watching and we find them in our own lives too, lurking. I never used to be afraid of Monsters, or the dark. I'd bravely walk into a haunted house, sit watching horror movies that were too old for me and scare my friends at sleepovers with Tales from the Crypt.

It's obvious why I wasn't afraid because I never believed I was in any danger. You never do until it's too late. By the time you realise, the Bogeyman already has your foot, Bloody Mary is emerging from the mirror and Daddy's hand has forced its way down your knickers. His stale breath fanning across the nape of your neck. You finally know fear.

I wasn't afraid until I had something to be afraid of.

[This is a VERY DARK romance. PLEASE don't read unless you are both 18+ and are fully aware of the trigger warnings listed above in the description. There will be a lot of triggering scenes within, so please only read if you're in a good place mentally or can handle dark themes.]