Hey y'all. Sorry it took me a bit. Work got crazy and life did as well. Gonna change that Kevin isn't 31, he's closer to her age at 24.

DARK AND MINOR SMUT THEMES IN THIS CHAPTER.

"Has the jury reached a verdict?"

"Yes Your Honor."

"How do you find the defendant on the charges of child endangerment, child abuse, and sexual abuse of a minor?"

"We find Johnathan Cooke, not guilty of all charges, Your Honor."

Her eyes glossed over, her mind blank.

Not. Guilty.

She glanced over and saw her uncle staring right at her. And his lips smiled in a devilish way, one that invoked pure fear in her. She had challenged him, and lost. That look proved his sick pleasure of the pain he was going to give her when they were alone.

"Your Honor?" The DA stood up. "Casey Cooke is in foster care system, and was given emancipation papers during trial. We would like to send those through the court system immediately."

"Objection. The girl is a minor and her sole guardian is released from the custody of the sheriff's department. In all account, she is still a minor and has to return to her guardian."

Casey was about to run when the gavel came down.

"Order." The judge set the gavel aside. "Be that as it may, he was on trial for multiple charges against a minor. Even though he is her legal guardian, she will remain in foster care for the remaining of her 17th year..." he squinted down at the papers in front of him. "On May 3rd, 2017, when Miss Casey Cooke turns 18 years of age, she may do as she please, whether that's return to Mr. Cooke's care, or be on her own as a legal adult."

The slam of the gavel was some relief. She didn't have to return to him. She wiped the tears off her face and gathered her things.

"Don't think you've won this little girl." That deep horrible voice came right from behind her. She turned to see her uncle getting the cuffs off him and staring her down. "Just you wait."

Grabbing her bag and jacket, she quickly walked out the door. Headed for the bus station, she glanced around, looking for signs.

"Need a ride?" She turned to her right and saw Detective Graham, standing by his undercover squad car, his smile almost pleading her to come to him.

As John was just exiting the court house, he watched as his little bitch of his niece got into a squad car. The glare from the cop was annoying as he rounded the car and took her away. It didn't matter, he knew where she was staying. He'll just wait til night fall...

"I'm sorry the court didn't convict." Graham was making small talk as he courteously drove her to her foster home. "It's shit luck they cut him loose. At least the judge didn't make you go back."

She couldn't form words. She didn't want his pity, or his concern. He just wanted to use her to get to— her eyes widened.

"It won't matter. I won't be staying here long."

"Just a couple more months right?"

"Then I'll be free." She stared out the window.

As they rounded to her house, she went to get out but Graham stopped her. "Hey hold on." He moved so fast she didn't have time to react. She froze as she watched him reach into the glove box and pulled out a small flip phone. "Here, it's a burner phone. Here's the charger for it. It's got plenty of minutes, my number's in there, alright? That asshole comes anywhere near you, you call me. Understand?"

She wasn't sure if he was talking about her Uncle, or Kevin.

"Ye—yeah. Yes I will. Thank you." She stuffed the phone in her bag and opened the door. "Thank you for the ride.." she closed the door gently and watched him drive off.

As she went in, her foster matron saw her come in, and gave her a sad glance. 'Apparently she's heard. Great...' Not wanting to talk, she went upstairs to her attic room and set everything down. A heaviness consumed her as she laid down on her bed and nestled into her pillows.

A dark shadow of a man stalked outside Casey's foster home. Seeing the top window illuminated, he began his climb up the stairs to the second floor. Grappling his way up the trellis, he made short work of the window. Slipping in silently, he stood up, and found Casey on her bed asleep. He took in her soft features as he closed in on her. Once he got close, a deep growl came from the corner. Slowly looking to his right, he saw the glaring eyes of a shirtless man, breathing heavily.

"Who the fuck are you?"

"I am her guardian. And you will not touch her." As the man turned to face The Beast, his hand reached out and gripped the man's throat with one hand and lifted him into the air. As the man struggled, his smile grew. "You will not harm the pure one. She is mine." With a quick hand movement, the man's neck was snapped, and he dropped the body. The noise was loud enough to stir Casey from her sleep as she struggled to wake up.

Before she could see the body, the Beast came into her view. "You are safe little one. No need to be frightened. He will not come for you." And for the first time in her life, she felt safe, as she drifted back to sleep.

She woke the next morning, and stretched. She refused to go to school after yesterday's events. Instead, she took it upon herself to enjoy mundane activities such as cleaning the house. She had her iPod hooked up with her ear buds, and Tearing Me Up was blaring, quickly becoming the distraction she needed.

I don't know what you want from me,

So careless in my company.

Oh if all what you say is true,

There'll be no getting over you...

She made her rounds collecting dishes and laundry. Grabbing a basket, she headed to the washer and dryer.

She was there for taking,
Showing me that she was all mine.

She didn't hear the front door open, or the footsteps heading towards her.

She told me she lived just around the corner...
I wanted to know her.
Yeah, she was making me lose my mind.
I didn't know quite what I was chasing.
She left my heart racing,
And all between it was just one night...

She had a feeling someone was behind her. When she turned, there was no one. Shrugging it off, she continued to load the washer, added the liquid soap, and closed the door. Turning the knob, she pressed start, and walked to the kitchen. Starting to wash the dishes, she felt the warm water splash her arms, and instantly the warmth of Kevin came flooding into her mind.

The way his chest felt as he held her. How warm and safe she felt. He was broken and scarred just like she was... Even though he had kidnapped her, and almost killed her, he hadn't done it on his own. His fractured mind, and the 24 personalities that were living inside him were responsible. He wasn't even aware that he had switched until she called his name.

If you don't want my affection,
Don't lie, you're tearing me up.
'Cause you've got, all my attention.
I won't lie, you're tearing me up.

A pair of hands ran over her arms, startling her as she gasped and turned around. A quick hand went over her mouth and a strong body pinned her to the kitchen sink. Her breath was quick as she glanced into the green eyes of Kevin. His free hand gently tugged out the ear buds, as the fell to her shoulders.

"Shh shh shh. It's alright. It's just me. I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you." When he slowly took his hand away, certain she wasn't going to scream, his hand returned to her arms.

"What are you doing here?"

"I heard that your uncle... he um... was let go." When she didn't answer, he continued. "I kept mulling it over in my head. How you weren't safe, how he could come for you and take you away. I'd never see you again..." he took a deep breath. "I don't know if it was a dream, or if it was real. But all I remember after that, I was in your room. Watching you sleep—I know, I know it's creepy but hear me out."

She nodded, he took another breath.

"I was there. And—and some guy came in through your window. I don't know how I knew but he was going to take you away. I stopped him, I—" he stopped as he looked at her. She was frightened, but not of him. "Look, you... you know I wouldn't hurt you. Right?"

She quickly nodded, relief bled into his chest. "It must have been a dream. There weren't any bodies in my room this morning."

A sigh of relief. "The Horde, they've taken to you. You're the first since Dr. Fletcher... and—and I can't lose you. I won't."

"It's okay Kevin. I know." Her hand reached up and laid on his arms, comforting him. "I like seeing you too. I know you won't hurt me now... as messed up as it is, I'm glad you didn't eat me."

"Me too," Kevin smiled, laughing a little as she did. His eyes kept hers as their giggles slowly died.

Something suddenly shifted between them as he grew closer, searching for her to push him away. When she didn't, he gently reached down and tucked her hair back behind her ear.

"I won't lose you." His soft touch had her gasp slightly. He was panting a little, his nerves shaking him as he leaned down and kissed her. They were both hesitant as he kissed her again, his hand reaching behind her head, and pulled her to him a little. When she responded to him, he became a little more dominant, his body pushing her back against the cold sink. His lips were feverish against hers as all uncertainty drained away. He leaned down slightly and lifted her up by her thighs, and set her on the counter. His hands now grabbed her face, crushing his lips to hers as her own landed on his muscled chest. Her soft moan nearly drove him insane as he growled and went for the side of her neck. His little nibbles ignited something in her as her legs wrapped around his waist. The Beast has bitten her too...

Some how regaining control, he drew back a little, breathing hard as he looked into her eyes again. "I'm sorry, I couldn't—"

"Don't be sorry." His hands reached for her again. As he kissed her deeply, she held onto him as long as she could. "I wanted it."

"I have to go. But can I... come back? Tonight?"

When she nodded, he smiled and gave her one last kiss before turning and headed out the back door. A daze set in as her fingers lifted to her lips, the fresh memory causing a ache inside her. She'd never felt this before, but she embraced it.

Heavy boot falls came from the front door. She looked up and her smile quickly faded.

There stood her uncle, a dark look gleaming in his eyes. "You're mine now little girl. Ain't no one gonna save you now."

What made it worse, the phone Detective Graham gave her was upstairs charging on her bed stand. She went to jump off the counter and scream for Kevin, but John lunged forward and back handed her. Her head hit the wall, knocking her unconscious. As he gathered her limp body up, he smiled. "Oh the things I'm gonna do to you girl...you've been a bad girl..."

He took her out the front door, and loaded her in the back of the truck, locking her in the darkened canopy. Knowing he was in the clear, he hopped in the driver seat, and drove off.

The night covered Kevin's approach as he scaled the wall up to Casey's window. When he got in, he was surprised. She wasn't there. A sick feeling in his gut spread over him as he quietly searched down stairs. He couldn't find her. When he passed by the sink in the kitchen, he noticed something off. There was a little blood by the wall, and a small indent. "No..." he shook his head, fear filling him up. He has come for her, and he took her. Quietly running back up the stairs, he frantically searched through her bad and found the small phone. Flipping it open, he scrolled down til he found the right contact and pressed call. A couple rings went by before he heard the male voice on the other end.

"Casey? Is everything alright?"

"No it's not. He has her."

"What?! Who is thi—Kevin?"

"Yes it's me. Alright? Listen, he took her. Her uncle. I don't know where but he has her. And I need to find her before he—-" he couldn't finish the sentence, let alone the thought.

"I'm going to drive by his house, check to see if he isn't home. Stay out of this, and I won't arrest you. Deal?"

Kevin felt a powerful surge through his body. He began to shake violently.

"Kevin? You hear me?"

"That unworthy filth has taken what is mine. You better find him before I do." His voice was deep, the Beast growled his promise. "I will tear him limb from limb. He will be nothing but a pile of bones and blood when I am done."

The line ended as Graham looked at his phone. If the stories were true, not even God could help that evil man. A beast from hell was coming for him, and nothing was going to stand in the way.