SMACK!

The sharp sound rang through the air.

A stinging pain crept up on my cheek and I slowly turned to look at her.

"Get away from me, you creep!" She screams. She runs to the door and desperately tries to leave.

I start to smile.

"You can't escape." I gleefully boast. She's really scared now. So cute. Her eyes are widening. Such pretty eyes.

"Feel free to stay in any of the rooms here. Even mine." I throw a wink at her with the last sentence. She looks horrified. I even love her horrified face.

Why am I so happy? The girl is nothing but happy but I am bursting with joy. Like a kid getting a brand new toy on his birthday.

Suddenly a flashback ripples through my placid mind.

A small boy with blond hair is curled up on the ground. He silently cries. Alone and desperately wanting someone, anyone, to be with him. There's blood on his shirt and hands. He won't stop shaking.

I harshly suck in air. Clenching my fists, I retreat into the study.

There is a small wooden desk sitting in the middle of rows and rows of books. So many books that there is a staircase leading to the second floor. My books. My beloved books. The only company I accept in this world.

I sit in my favorite spot. In the corner in a niche just large enough for a person in the wall. It's hidden behind a stack of my favorite books. It used to be my hiding place. Now it's just a calm place for me to relax.

What is the girl doing now? Probably taking a look around my mansion. Or trying to escape. Either one makes my heart throb for her. I want to be with her. Where is she?

After some time, I fell asleep. I don't know how long I was there. When I woke up, I found dried tears on my face.

I head outside for my morning coffee. To my surprise, she is already sitting there. Eating. Delicately, similar to a princess. How lovely.

I get closer.

Her eyes are red and puffy, as if she was crying. She notices me but doesn't say anything. I can sense her fear. It thrills me.

"What are you eating?" I ask.

She hesitates before answering. "A sandwich."

I start to laugh at her simplicity in dining choices. Then I get confused.

"Why would you eat a sandwich for breakfast?" I chuckle.

She stares at me. Almost incredulously.

"I'm having lunch. It's 1:30."

"Oh." I say. Maybe I should start keeping track of time so I can coordinate my schedule with hers.

I drink my morning coffee.

She finishes her sandwich. Slowly and cautiously, she starts to leave. I sigh. That was far too little time with her. I should follow her.

I quietly follow her. She goes to the TV room. I haven't been there in years. I hate the television. She turns on a random channel.

A stupid, cheesy program plays. Some kid show about this family with magic powers. They're smiling. Laughing together. Having fun together.

Anger and hatred twists inside my gut. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it.

"Turn it off!" I screech.

The girl nearly falls off the couch in shock and fear. She scrambles for the remote and turns it off. I sit down across from her. It's quiet.

I like quiet.

After a while, she looks at me and speaks. "Is there any reception here?" I notice a pink cellphone sticking out from her pocket.

"No." I answer. Her face falls. Tears swim around in her eyes. A truly pitiful sight. It's exciting me. I love it so much.

A swift impulse sparks through me.

I jump up and pounce on her. Leering only a few inches away from her face, I pin down her hands and stare at her.

She's open-mouthed and gasping in surprise. Then she scrunches up her face in horror and desperately tries to back away. So cute.

I lower my head and hover above her white neck. I brush my lips across it, feeling the warm skin burn under my touch. When I raise my head, she's bright red.

That will be as far as I go today.

Breaking away our eye contact, I hop off and leave. A grin wildly stretches across my face as I head back into the library.

Her warmth, her touch, her raw emotions pouring out. It's something I haven't experienced for the longest time. I'm burning with the agony of being away from her.

I want to go back to her. Hold her in my arms. Kiss her. Bite her. Grab her. Hit her.

Crazy daydreams run through my head. I haven't been like this before. I touch my lips. I can still feel her soft skin against them. I want MORE.

I sit down at my desk and pull out a pencil and some paper. I can see her ethereal face glowing in my mind. My hand moves on its own until a perfect replica rests on the paper. I stare at it. It will have to do.

I manage to fall back asleep.

It's the same nightmare. But this time, I see her face right before I raise the gun. Her face contorts in terror and disgust at me. The blood is everywhere.

I jolt awake.

Breathing heavily, I shake and moan. It's too much. I can't stand it. I'm being consumed. I hate it.

I run into my niche and pull my knees to my chest.

Relax. Relax. Relax. God dammit.

I go back to sleep.