Page 111 of Beautiful Prey

It was just a simple party mask really. Nothing special about it at all at first. And yet it had played in my nightmares and dreams for so long. It was so much more now.

I flipped the mask over, then put it on my face.

I felt no different. But why should I? All I realized with surprise is that it wasn’t as difficult to breathe in as I had expected.

I heard the creak of the door and turned my head to see Emery standing there. He stared at me in shock. He tilted hishead as a shadow passed over his gaze. Then it was gone in an instant. “Come here, Evee,” he said softly.

I took the mask off and stepped over to him. I offered it back and he took it. He glanced at me, then back at it. Then, in a most casual gesture, he put it back on.

I saw the tension leave him as if he had been naked this whole time and finally found something to cover him.

“You know I like seeing your face,” I said.

“I know. I just need time…”

I nodded, understanding.

He turned away. “Come see.”

I followed him out into the living room. Then halted when I looked over at the little table in front of the couch. I started to laugh, covering my eyes with my hand. “Oh, Emery, you really didn’t have to.”

The lights had been dimmed down so all I saw was the flicker of a single flame. He had found a match and lit it, sticking it in what looked to be a blueberry muffin he had taken from the kitchen.

“It’s lame, I know,” he said. “But indulge a psychotic asshole this once.” He took my hand and led me over to the couch. He set me down on one end of the couch while he settled himself opposite. He sat crisscrossed and took the muffin, making sure it didn’t blow out as he set it between us.

“Go on and make your wish.”

I stared at him, smiling though I felt a weight in me like a sadness, my heart feeling like it was in a knot. What did I wish for?

I glanced at the little flame.

Funny. He had planned to burn it all away. Now the fire was nothing but a flicker in the dark. Neither of us could have guessed that.

In the shadows around us, I thought I heard my name whispered behind me.

Shivering, I closed my eyes.

I wish never to be afraid again.

I blew out the candle, and the dark settled in.

Lying in bed, I came back to the silence around us, as Emery held me close, his breathing steady.

I closed my eyes, just relishing in the calm, the quiet stillness.

A bird called out to another from outside. I turned my gaze to the window as if to see, then my heart sank, remembering I couldn’t.

I must have moved enough or made a sound because I felt Emery stir behind me, his arm tightening around my waist.

I went to say, “good morning” and I heard him grunt as if answering me before I had even spoken. Then he mumbled incoherently.

I smirked. Emery sleep talking. He snored too. A soft purr in my ear.

He mumbled a few random words, and then he whimpered.

“No, no, please. Hurts…stop.”

His breathing grew harsher, a soft sob escaping him. “Don’t,” he barked.

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