Page 200 of The Monster and the Masochist

I watched a thin line of blood form beneath the sharp knife, and the man literally trembled in terror as the woman’s dragon-like creature crept closer.

“But you’re not a monster, are you?” the princess hissed, forcing her blade more firmly against Samwell’s throat.

He let out a pathetic whimper, and she sneered.

“No. You’re just a man. A weak, pathetic, little man.”

Then, with her blood red lips curled in disgust, she sliced Samwell’s neck so viciously I caught a flash of white spine before she threw him into the waiting claws of her beast.

Her creature flowed forward like liquid smoke. In a rush of dark scales and sharp teeth, it slammed into the evil thing that was the source of all my nightmares.

I flinched at the horrifying crunch of bone as the monster clamped down on my abuser’s chest with its powerful jaws.

Father Samwell tried to scream, but it only bubbled through the gaping hole the princess had sliced through his throat. This caused her monster to laugh as it hooked its large claws into the man’s flailing, broken body.

“Yes. Scream for me, tiny man. I’ve waited so long to hear your pitiful shrieks.” The monster purred happily as it began to consume the dying corpse of my abuser before my very eyes.

The princess watched her monster devour Samwell with a satisfied smirk on her face, and for a long moment, the room was filled with the wet snap of bone and the thick, tearing sounds of teeth ripping through flesh.

Soon, the numb blanket of shock began to melt away, and I was left feeling raw and vulnerable.

Unable to process the confusing mix of fear and relief… I quietly began to cry.

Clutching my silver Q-Tip, I huddled into a ball behind the planter, burying my face in my knees as I sniffled and sobbed, doing my best to keep quiet, in case the princess’ monster decided it wanted to eat me next.

“Theo.” The woman’s voice was gentle now, and I peeked up with a jerk to find her crouching on the other side of the planter with an outstretched palm.

She didn’t try to touch me. She just sat there on her heels, watching me with soft brown eyes and a tender look on her face.

“It’s okay, sweet girl. You can come out now,” she whispered.

Shaking with terror, I glanced at the monster behind her.

It was still feasting loudly on Samwell’s corpse, and the woman glanced over her shoulder to take in the gruesome scene.

The corner of her mouth tilted up as she watched her beast suck the marrow out of the evil man’s bones. It seemed to please her. After another long moment, she glanced back at me. Taking in the terrified expression on my face, she seemed to understand that I was afraid of the creature that had killed Samwell, and her expression softened.

“Don’t worry, Theodora. You’re safe now. My monster would never hurt you. It protects us,” she assured me, and I blinked up at her beautiful face, still feeling unsure.

“Come on. Take my hand. Let’s get you out of here,” she encouraged me gently, and I glanced down at the hand in question.

Even her fingers were pretty.

They were tipped with blood red nails that matched the crimson ring on her left hand.

Something about that ring felt familiar.

It made me feel safe seeing her wear it, and it made me think that maybe it really was okay to accept her help.

Tentatively, I reached forward, slipping my much smaller hand into hers, and she smiled.

The whole room seemed to light up, as if her smile alone was enough to chase the shadows away. I squeezed her hand, and she tugged me out from my hiding place. As I crawled towards her, all the things that made up my principal’s office seemed to slowly melt away.

“I’ve got you,” she hummed, wrapping me up in a tight hug. She smelled like brown sugar and vanilla, and as her scent flooded my nose, I found myself melting into her as a warm, calm wave of relief swelled through me.

“I’ve got you, sweet girl. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

The truth of her words raked through me, and I instinctively threw my arms around her neck. Burying my face in her throat, I finally gave in to my emotions, and a deep, bone-shaking sob ripped through me.