Page 27 of Once Upon a Fable

Reaching the wall, I bent and lowered her to the ground. Barely visible, she slumped to the side as I let her go, her shoulder bashing against the floor as she slid into a fetal position. Her head cracked on the concrete.

The darkness was almost absolute. Small slivers of light crept in from the stone where the mortar had crumbled to dust, thanks to ivy rootswriggling their way through the foundation.

But I saw enough to study her. To drink in the youngness of her. The innocence of her sleep. The collar of bruises I’d caused around her white, breakable neck.

I waited.

Eyes didn’t open.

Lips didn’t move.

Hair slipped over her face, obscuring what I’d done.

Straightening up, I fought with myself again.

Just do it.

Get it over with.

The urge was almost unbearable—almost as unbearable as the uncommon feeling of lust.

I wanted both. To touch and to kill. To take and to ruin.

But I fought for patience.

Scanning the tiny cell, I checked the bucket was there, nice and clean from previous inhabitants. The fresh water tap still dripped through the wall, providing hydration. And a scratchy blanket—that was probably woven with thorns and rat hair with how uncomfortable it was—rested neatly folded in the corner.

If she woke, she’d stay alive for however long it would take to get my answers.

And then, I’ll kill her.

I wouldn’t be reckless this time.

I would restrain myself in the lust department.

I would get my answers, and then she’d be gone.

She’s secure and can’t leave.

I can wait.

Needing air, I spun and crossed the ten steps back to the door.

My cock bounced on my thighs in frustration. My heart kicked with age-old hate. And I swung the heavy wood closed.

I locked the padlock and palmed the key.

I sprinted back up the stairs to the sun.

* * * * *

I stayed away for nine hours.

Nine eternal hours where I stood by my window in the dormitory and drove myself to madness, weighing my options. Had she woken? Had she tried to escape? Would others appear from the forest any moment now, looking for her?Whywas she here?

What does this all mean?

Was this secret place no longer a secret? And if that was the case, what the fuck did it mean for me and the history still haunting these four walls?