Page 33 of Shattered Souls

I’m almost halfway through the room when I accidentally kick a small doll's head and send it clattering across the room—right into the man's feet.

Fuck.

His hand stops painting and he turns his head over his shoulder. His eyes—his eyes are nothing more than bloodied black holes that bore into a spot on the wall next to me, not quite at me. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the large doll in his lap sits up and looks at me, her head resting inhumanly on her shoulder.

I take one more step towards the door.

“You interrupt my work and then try to leave?” The man asks, his eyes—or lack there of—still look next to me and not at me.

I don’t dare open my mouth before taking a few more shuffles. He abruptly stands, sending his stool flying backwards. I expect the doll to stand with him, but when he faces me I realize that it isn’t a girl—she’s a puppet.

“Fuck that.” I bolt out of the room. The sounds of maniacal laughter chasing me through every turn of this windy house.

I pass through a room of what looks like forgotten toys. A few of them jump out at me, and one even comes close to almost touching me. I’m walking through a hallway of more hanging doll parts when a hand touches my shoulder and spins me.

I come face to face with the muzzled twin.

“No,” I push off of him. “My hour isn’t up yet.”

I KNOW

“Please,” He grabs my wrist. “I need this. I need to get out of that room.”

I have to squint to see his fingers in the dim lighting of the house.

YOU CAN STAY WITH ME

Stay with him? “We see how well that worked out last night.” I hate the way my voice sounds breathless as I think of sleeping next to him every night.

I MEAN IT

“Hyde,” I take a small step backwards and let my body sag. “You’re holding me captive. You can’t do this to me. You can’t drag me along and make me feel things. I need to get back out and live my life, not be stuck underground and fear both of you.”

He reaches behind his face and slowly unclasps his muzzle. It slips off of his mouth. A group of teenagers scream and run past us, not even glancing our way for more than a second.

“Please.” He signs.

“I can’t be handcuffed to that bed every night. I was in pure agony this morning.” He nods his head softly while the hand that's caging my wrist releases me and moves to the back of my neck. His eyes dance across my face, catching on my lips.

Something inside me shifts at the softness he’s touching me with. I press up until I’m on my toes and with my lips brushing against his, I let him cross that line.

11

Hyde

Her green eyes are so soft and full of need as she waits for me to give her my all. I lean my head forward just enough that my bottom lip skims across hers. She lets out a breathless moan and I can’t stay back anymore.

I bring my mouth to hers and run my tongue along the seam of her plush lips. She opens for me, allowing me to taste exactly what I’ve craved since I laid my eyes on her the first night she was here.

I bend down and grab both of her legs just above her knees, hiking her up so I can get better access. She wraps her arms and legs around me and loses herself in the way our mouths move around like we were molded for each other.

I press her back into the wall and, reluctantly, remove my mouth from hers to press my forehead to hers. Her sweet breath fans across my heated lips all while her eyes jump between mine with something like shame shimmering deep within them.

“Hyde,” I watch her, not able to answer. “Kiss me again.”

Fuck.

I bring my mouth back to hers and rock my hardened cock against her center, earning a whimper that’s laced in desire. She rakes her hands through my short hair.