Page 18 of Insatiable

I slid out from under the bed, moving silently across the room. My eyes locked onto the creature, and without hesitation, I pointed toward the bed.

“She’s under there,” I said, my voice calm.

The creature’s head tilted, curiosity flickering in his dark eyes before he moved forward. Maya’s breath came in shallow, panicked gasps as he crawled closer. Her hands scrabbled at the floor, nails peeling back as she clawed deeper under the bed, but there was nowhere to go.

“Rose!” she hissed, her voice trembling with fear. “What are you doing? Please—don’t—”

But I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to.

With one sharp motion, the Creeper ripped the bed away, exposing her shaking form. Maya screamed, scrambling backward, her hands clawing at the floor in a desperate attempt to escape. The creature’s wings unfurled, casting long shadows over her as he loomed closer, blocking the light.

Her eyes darted to mine, pleading. “Please!” she cried, her voice cracking. “Don’t let him do this! Rose, please!”

I just watched.

He gripped her ankle, dragging her across the floor as if she weighed nothing. Her screams filled the room, raw with terror. I could see the fear twisting her features, the helplessness in her wide eyes, and something deep inside me stirred. Satisfaction. She was finally feeling what I had felt. The creature’s dark eyes flicked to me, as though he was seeking my approval for what he was about to do.

And I gave it.

The Creeper grinned, revealing rows of sharp teeth, then he leaned over her.Maya’s screams turned into ragged gasps as he dragged his claws down her legs, slicing through her skin in slow, deliberate strokes. Blood welled up, staining her shredded clothes, pooling on the floor beneath her. Her body jerkedviolently, her hands slapping the floor as she tried to push him away, but the Creeper didn’t flinch.

He was playing with her, like a cat with a mouse.

His claws tore deeper, carving lines of blood across her thighs and stomach. Maya’s sobs turned into desperate pleas. “Rose... please... I’m sorry... I didn’t mean it... I didn’t...”

Her words fell on deaf ears.

He pulled her up, his claws digging into her flesh, lifting her off the ground. Maya’s head lolled to the side, her eyes wide with shock, lips quivering as she tried to speak. Blood dripped from her mouth, her breath shallow and broken.

And still, he watched me. He tore into her shoulder, his teeth sinking into her flesh with a wet, tearing sound. Blood sprayed across the floor, splattering the walls. Maya’s body jerked in his grip, her screams choking off as blood filled her throat. The Creeper didn’t rush. He savored each moment.

All the while, he kept his eyes locked on me.

He dropped her limp body, but he wasn’t done. Maya gasped for breath, her chest heaving as she tried to crawl away, but the Creeper grabbed her again, flipping her onto her back. He dug his claws into her stomach, ripping her open with one brutal motion. The sound of tearing flesh echoed through the room, followed by Maya’s gurgling scream. She tried to beg, but her words were lost in the blood.

The Creeper toyed with her, his claws slick with blood, pulling and twisting her insides. Maya’s eyes fluttered, barely conscious, her body twitching as the last of her strength faded. The Creeper leaned over, whispering something low andguttural in her ear. I couldn’t understand it, but it sent a final shiver of terror through her body.

Her eyes went still. Her chest stopped rising.

The room fell silent.

He stood, wiping his bloodied claws on her torn clothes, and turned to me. His dark eyes gleamed with satisfaction, as though he had done this for me. And I had wanted it. I had wanted her to suffer.

A tightness coiled in my stomach, and suddenly nausea surged as the reality of what I had just witnessed hit me. I backed away, my breath coming in shallow, panicked gasps. The Creeper tilted his head, watching me, sensing the shift. My legs moved before I could think, and I ran.

But he followed.

I heard his wings beating behind me, low growls echoing through the hallway. My bare feet slapped against the cold floor, my pulse roaring in my ears as I sprinted through the narrow, winding corridors. The walls seemed to close in, the house a maze of dead ends and shadows, but I kept running.

I glanced back, heart leaping into my throat as I saw him closing in, his eyes gleaming with hunger. He wasn’t just chasing me—he was toying with me, the way he had with Maya. The thought sent a shiver of fear and something darker through me, a sick thrill that made me push harder.

His claws grazed my back, sending a sharp, electric jolt through me. My breath hitched, and I stumbled forward, but I kept running, my skin flushed with fear and adrenaline. Every step felt heavier, every breath a struggle as the Creeper closed in.

Finally, he caught me. His claws ripped at the curtain I had wrapped around me, tearing it away, leaving me exposed. My skin prickled under his gaze, the cold air biting at my bare flesh. His eyes linger on me, dark and predatory, my pulse quickening.

Before I could react, the Creeper lunged, pinning me against the wall. His claws dug into my wrists, holding me there as he loomed over me, his breath hot against my face. My heart pounded, fear mixing with something deeper—darker.

He stared into my eyes, his gaze intense, searching, as though he could see something in me I hadn’t recognized.

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