Why had she bothered trying to stay awake? Her fear and anger had helped for a moment but too many sleepless nights caught her and lulled her into the Chamber of Secrets.
The air was cool, the stone beneath her even colder but nothing could match the look Tom Riddle gave her as she stood to face him. She didn't bother to grab her wand as he approached her. She didn't stop him when he grabbed her neck and held it tight enough that breathing became difficult. She met his gaze flatly. He couldn't kill her that much she knew.
"Do you know what he's done now?" Tom demanded viciously.
Ginny struggled to form words with Tom's grip on her throat. "Something I likely approve of if it's caused you pain."
Tom slapped her hard enough for her cheek to go numb and tears to sting her eyes. She touched her skin gingerly, enjoying the momentary absence of pain. Her neck ached from where he'd grabbed her. Harry must have destroyed a horcrux. Perhaps he would realize soon there were more than he realized.
"What do you think he'd do if he knew you were sneaking around with Draco behind his back?"
Ginny's heart sank in her chest at the invasion of privacy. "How much can you see?" Ginny demanded and Tom grinned. She once thought his grin so devilishly handsome. He was the devil. "Am I never alone?"
Tom moved toward her and Ginny froze, wanting to run but knowing better. He smoothed his fingers over her cheek, the numbness had faded and it stung at his touch.
"Never," Tom murmured, his eyes glowing. "Every stupid daydream, overdramatic thought, silly feeling you have, I can see it." His thumb brushed over her lips. "Each stroke of skin, each touch of lips, I feel." His hand grasped her jaw tightly, he forcefully lifted her chin. "I could hear every thought in your head when he kissed you, feel the desire in your body."
She could feel his breath against her lips. Fear laced through her and her hands lifted of their own accord to push him away.
"I know what he tastes like," he continued, his eyes on her lips. "But I wonder what you taste like." Then his lips were on hers and terror struck. Ginny struggled and Tom tightened his grip on her jaw, bruising his fingerprints into her cheek to hold her in place. He thrust his tongue into her mouth and Ginny bit down. His blood tasted sweet as she smiled in triumph at his gasp of pain.
He shoved her to floor, laughing, blood staining his lips.
"I've never felt such fear from you, Ginny," Tom said, delighted. His eyes lingered on her lips and Ginny quickly raised a hand to wipe away the remains of his blood. Once she would have given anything for him to look at her with such hunger. Now only fear slithered in her belly.
Please let me wake up, Ginny thought and Tom grinned, kneeling beside her and looking at her in a way he had never done before.
"I like this new game."