My mouth was agape as I stared at Helen, unable to believe... His blue eyes were sinister as they glared at my father, fire flaring within them. His head cocked to the side as he appraised my father, his grip getting even tighter on his arm. I saw my father's now shaking form as he looked at Helen, appearing as though he has seen a ghost. Although we all knew... Helen was a lot worse than a ghost. Relief, and joy filled me as well, even though I imagined our reunion... quite differently.

"Perhaps you were unaware," Helen growled, "But she is with me. My partner. And if you lay a hand on her, or simply even make her cry..." He yanked my father close, until they were face to mask, "You are going to have to deal with me," he snarled, enraged. Helen threw him to the ground, his form intimidating as he towered over him.

"So I was right," my father scoffed, shaking his head. "How sick. Well, enjoy your little prize. Not much of one," he grinned, maliciously. He choked out a small cry as Helen stomped down on his chest, his fists clenching at his sides. He let out a weak chuckle, shaking his head. "Well, blood boy. If she meant so much to you before, why didn't you take care of me then?"

"She asked me to have mercy on you," Helen spat, twisting his shoe before kicking him roughly. "But you know? I believe I have changed my mind. After all, you are now an asset to the police... And I can't have that," he sneered. I could nearly see the malicious smile behind his mask. He reached into his pocket, now tightly gripping a knife, slowly sliding it out.

I saw my father's face pale at the very sight of it. "N-now put that damn thing away. Jovey!" he yelled, scrambling to his feet.

My brown eyes were dead as I stared at him. I just turned away, facing the window. The black drapes slowly moved with the wind that carried them. I heard a vicious cackle fall from Helen's mouth, before screams tumbled from the bastard's mouth. Karma is most certainly is a bitch, I must say. The screams finally died down, silence filling the room. Ever so slowly, I turned to face Helen. Blood was splattered on his coat, the knife he had been holding now hidden away once more. His blue eyes were questioning as they stared into mine, seeming unsure of how I'd react.

"Jovey, I'm sorry that I was-" He was cut off by me running forward, nearly tackling him as I wrapped my arms around him. I buried my head in his chest, squeezing him tightly. "almost late," he chuckled, his arms gently pulling me closer.

"I missed you so much, Helen," I breathed, squeezing my eyes shut. I inhaled his scent, letting out a content sigh. I had felt so... so empty without him. Like part of me was missing the entire time he was gone.

"Believe me," he chuckled, stroking my hair with one gloved hand, "I missed you, too. So much," he breathed. "More than I thought I would ever miss anyone," he continued, pulling back to look at me. "I always thought that I was better off on my own. That I was isolated from the world; solitude being my only friend. But then you... came into my life. And showed me something different."

My eyes watered as I smiled at him, laughing softly as I sniffled. "I thought you weren't going to come back," I whispered, my eyes dropping to the floor.

"Why wouldn't I?" he questioned, his arms tightening around my waist.

I merely shrugged. "Because I was holding you back. I was making things a lot more... difficult than it needed to be," I replied, looking back up to him.

He chuckled, shaking his head, his azure eyes warm. "Trust me, Jovey. Things grew boring as the time passed. I have not... enjoyed myself this much in years. Sure things have been difficult. But over all..." His voice trailed away, a soft sigh echoing in his mask.

"So... you want me to come with you again?" I asked, my heart accelerating in my chest.

"Of course I do. That is, if you want to," he replied, still giving me an option. A gentleman. A brutal, sadistic, gentleman.

I chuckled, nodding my head vigorously. "Yes. I want to come with you, Helen," I replied, smiling radiantly. I could see his smile in his eyes, but then it slowly faded away.

"Was... was your father right? With what he said... before I interrupted?" he asked, his blue eyes slightly shy, yet full of wonder.

Right as he asked that, I felt my cheeks flame up and my heart drop to the pit of my stomach. Damn it, he heard! My father's words echoed in my head. If I weren't mistaken, it seems like you might have even had some feelings for the psychotic bastard. I shifted awkwardly where I stood. Did I? I knew deep down that I did. I have been ignoring it, and shying away from it for a long time now. I just never thought... I never thought in a million years that they would be returned. So I kept them buried away, hidden from everyone. I guess they weren't has hidden as I thought they were.

"Yes... he was," I murmured, biting my lip. I hoped he hadn't heard... my voice was so low. My eyes were glued to the floor as silence filled the room. "It doesn't matter, you don't have to return the feelings, Helen, I just-"

His gloved hand covered my mouth. I looked up, more than shocked. His other hand reached up, slowly pulling his mask from his face. His eyes were warm, a light smile on his face as his mask dropped to the floor. His hand moved, off from my mouth, over to my cheek. I gulped, not believing what was happening. I was probably in the hospital, sleeping like a baby. He then leaned forward, his eyes shutting as his lips gently pressed against mine.

My heart was like a jackhammer in my chest as my eyes widened in shock, before slowly fluttering shut. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him as close as I possibly could. Who knew... that this serial killer could be in my room, kissing me right now. But I did care about him, more than anyone else in the world. And apparently, he for me. I smiled into the kiss, until he finally pulled back, his cheeks flushed. He then beamed, radiantly.

"Are you ready to go?" he breathed, his hand reaching down, his fingers interlacing with mine.

I smiled, vigorously nodding my head. He pulled his mask back on, before helping me out the window. And there we went, off into the woods. On our way to the beautiful cabin we were last at, ready to start our life again. Full of blood and art, and now, I suppose, love.

That sounded just about perfect to me.

The End

Thank you to everyone who read Crimson Grin, and I hope you all enjoyed it! :)