London 1873
Fog rolled through the early morning of the largest city in the world, dew clinging to signs bolted above store doors, the drunk and haggard loitering around. Children slept soundly in their beds, men lay in their furnished rooms whikst their lovers and wives lay in their arms. Of course this was only for those with wealth in this city.
Slums crowded, furnaces churned burning smoke and soot into the air as workers, even in this early our, fed coal to keep this furnaces ablaze as metap rods were moulded. Houses were filled to the brim with families forced to pack together, children suffered from diseases of all kinds. The streets stunk of the stench of feral matter and the rot of dying people and dead animals.
Trains ran across rail roads well into the night, workers worked and the rich got richer.
The sun crept across the horizon away from the towering buildings of london, eldritch fingers of light crawling up to the skies as it's heat struck the fog crawling across the city.
It was in this early morning, as children huddled together on the street and under bridges, their faces gaunt and eyes sunken. That their ears perked up the sound of a cane tapping on the roads, a man of no name, strode slowly through the thick billowing smog.
The sound of a boats foghorn echoed from the port, causing a child on the side of the road to startle from his sleep, sunken blue eyes opening in startle.
His gaze darted to his sister at his side, where the mud thick hair of his sister hung, her drooling mouth smearing saliva into his shirt.
His hand moved, bringing her closer as the brisk cold of the early morning made her shiver in her sleep.
" Sh...shsh " He puckered and tried his best to warm her. Even as the near impenetrable fog crawled around from all sides, the street not visible more than several feet around.
" Curious" The hair all over his body stood on end as he suddenly whirled, coming face to face with a man bent at an odd angle.
Ninety degrees at the waist, back twisted a strange way, and head tilted to the side as the man gazed directly into his blue eyes with curious brown.
" A...." His scream was halted as a finger pressed against his lip, A black glove gently pressing against his cracked lips.
" She's sleeping ... don't be rude" The man, whose lips were cracked, face as pale as the fog around, smiled a demented smile. Lips stretching across his lips, pearly white teeth glistening as gums almost as black as the tar produced in the factories around squelched.
" mhhm" He nodded his head, heart hammering in his ears as those cold, dead brown eyes in the man's head stared.
" Good boy " The hand lifted and ruffled his hair, the man's smile persisting, those brown eyes, which hadn't so much as blinked or broken eye contact, stared into his own.
" Oh dear child you look famished" The black glove of the right hand pinched his thin cheek, pulling what little loose skin he had taunt on his face before letting go.
" What is your name" Deep and rumbling, the no name man asked, head still tilted at an odd angle, like the rest of his body.
" D...Dimitri " He gulped, his dry throat letting out an audible gulp as the hairs on his arms stood on end." Dimitri ... sir "
" You look so hungry Dimirti , would you like some food" The hand that had been behind the man's back came forward, a plate of steaming bread held between the tight black gloved fingers on the man's hand.
" I....I." He didn't know what to say or do, the sheer aroma wafting off of the warm bread making his stomach ache, his taste buds roared as saliva dripped.
" Come on ... there's no need to hesitate ... it won't bite" Pain wrung throigh his body, like his stomach was eating itself as he stared at that oh so enticing morsel of food.
" Can Christine have some " His lips quivered, he didn't want to be the only one to eat, his sweet little sister deserved just as much of this meal as he did, even more so.
" No no no, this is just for you" Brown, bulbous glassy eyes which still hadn't blinked, turned to his sister for a moment before ultimately shaking his head.
" I ..I can't... I'm sorry ... ser " He shied away, as the man's smile didn't waver or shift in any way, just ... remained.
Before he could even regret saying no or think about it, the man's hand shrunk back behind his back.
" As you wish young man ... such a shame ... you did look oh so hungry" The plate vanished behind his back, the man rising from his bent over angle back to his full height, as Dimitri's eyes trailed upward to follow.
The hand that held the plate returned, a black tall hat with a wide brim flipping in the man's grip before being placed atop the man's head, shrouding the man's brown eyes in a veil of black.
" You'll be a good boy won't you" Staring down from a height far taller than any man he had ever seen, that smile still present, the words spilled like a thinly veiled suggestion.
" Yes ser ... of course ser " He shivered under that gaze, shielding his sister even though she remained perfectly unaware of the man's presence.
" You'll do..." The man paused, staring down at him as the shadows seemed to cover his smiling face, the hat atop his head casting a blackness he couldn't see through.
The silence passed for an uncomfortable amount of time, the man in the coat didn't move mor twitch, just ... looked.
" Was there something ... " He was cut off by the man suddenly speaking, as clarity seemed to take over once more.
" Good day my boy ... until next time" The man turned away, and with an exaggerated step, black dress shoes struck the concrete, the man slinking off into the fog where his silhouette dispersed Into the grey fog and out of sight.
The strangeness of the situation wasn't lost on Dimitri, even as the fog began to disperse, his persistent shaking remained, as sunlight touched his thin face, as his sister woke... he didn't look away from where the strange man had been.
" Dimitri .... what's wrong " The innocent voice of Christine roused him from his trance like state, glassy eyes turning to his dear sister.
" Nothing .... "
....NEW YORK ... WARDS ISLAND ... juvenile ward ..... 1938..
Damp, far overcrowded and massively understaffed, welfare island served as both a hospital, mental asylum and school for idiots.
Children of all ages until nineteen were tended to by nurses, diseased children were kept in barely maintained rooms, often huddled together and left to rot. Child with mental deficiencies were forced to reside in this hospital, as families couldn't bare the shame of siring such burdens and forgot about them.
" You're going to stay here okay sweetheart" Barb's father, a man with a stern face, didn't show any love nor regret, as his second wife stood at his side.
" Yes father" She had already accepted her fate, she was afterall mentally deficient, a burden for their already hard pressed family. At eighteen, with her deficiency, she wouldn't find a husband, couldn't be wed, and with her constant heightened moods and agitation, was little to no use for their family.
And so she watched, as her father turned away, holding his wife's hand, leaving through the corridors that lead away, leaving her alone with nothing but the nurse at her side with her details.
" Come along dear" Eustice, the nurse uncharged of her onboarding, guided her through the idiots around, as several nurses and doctors passed.
She didn't have any belongings, rather the hospital would provide her with what she needed.
" Meals will be provided at eight am, one pm and six pm sharp, if you aren't present you will not be eating" Eustice, marching through the halls riddled with those dubbed idiots, explained the rules of the ward, her time to turn in, the mandatory examinations with the ward physician.
" Eee...eeee..see " A boy with bulbous features and bugging eyes stood infront of where she would he staying, hands moving from side to side as he swayed, tongue licking his lips and chin as saliva soaked much of his body.
" Move bobby" Eustice slapped the biy on the arm, physically forcing him several steps to the side." Don't make me bring Grant up here to sort you out"
The boy who repeatedly made the same noise stumbled away, shaking his head and tongue from side to side, vacant eyes passing over Barb as he departed.
" That boy... " Eustice sneered and wiped her hand on her coat, turning to Barb and looking down at the girl through her glasses." You would do well not to associate yourself with ... those ones"
" Yes miss" Eustice huffed and opened the room, lined with several cots and a single drawer at the end of the beds, Eustice quickly made her way into the room, arriving infront for the fourth cot to the right.
" This is yours, lunch is available in forty minutes, get changed, eat lunch and report yourself to mister Grant... " Eustice scribbled on her clipboard before leaving, leaving Barb alone in the room berefit of any other signs of life, strange noises echoing from outside where boys and girls mingled.
" Yes miss " Tears bristled, but she persisted, turning to the dresser where a white dress with black sleeves was ready, a clear identifier as her place amongst the confined residents.
....
Tables, filled with children from less than six to nineteen, lined the cafeteria.
With eight tables in total, the cafeteria was quite literally bursting with the loud cacophony of children's voices.
Under the watch of the guards standing about, with hats on their heads and batons in their hands, Barb remained meek and quiet.
Making her way to an open seat at the second table, where a bowl of porridge, almost cold by the time it arrived at the table, sat waiting for her to eat.
Guarded, quiet and lonely on her first day, Barb shielded herself and her food, ducking as a boy was dragged out kicking and screaming, throwing himself at a guard before being tackled and confined.
She ate quickly, the noises of the boys and girls of the table echoing in her ears, her eyes occasionally making eye contact with thise around.
They were strange, what she had considered to be an invalid, she was now forced to share a meal with, and whilst she didn't hate the sorts of people, she'd rather be at home, with her father and siblings. But now, here she was, sitting across from a boy drooling, staring at her food with guarded eyes.
Before she could even react, the boys hands flung forward, grasping at the food in her bowl before he grabbed the mush porridge and dragged it to his mouth.
" No that's... " Handful after handful slapped at her food, as the boy mushed the food into his face, barely even getting any in his own mouth.
And at the sight of her face, her burst into laughter, cackling in a demented manner, howling as another biy sitting at his side pushed him from the table for the loud noise.
Tears threatened to spill as she rose from the table, making her way to one of the nurses reluctantly tending to a boy of higher needs.
" Um ... excuse me" Barb, voice a whisper, drew the nurses attention.
" What can I ... " The nurse turned with a smile, but seeing Barb's attire, her demeanour fell to one of silent disdain." What do you want"
" Um ... my food was taken" Barb mumbled, hands wringing as her lips quivered." May I have some more"
"Aw ... " An almost mocking quiver of the lips met her plight, as the nurse sat up. " Which one did it"
" Th...that one" She pointed to the bald boy who was rising from the ground, porridge still caking his fat face.
" Alright... " The nurse turned to a young guard around the same age, Tilting her head in the direction of the boy.
And before Barb could react, the young guard strode across the dining hall, rasijg his baton and striking the boy in the back of the neck as hard as he could.
The boy collapsed to the ground like a sack of potatoes, as the nurse grabbed Barb by the wrist and dragged her over to the boy on the ground.
" Off to mister Grant for you now" The young guard got the hint, grabbing the unconscious boy by the back of the collar and dragged him towards the doors into the rest of the buildings corridors.
" Here you go dear" The nurse reached for that very same boys bowl, still half full with bits of hair and other grime mixed in, pushing it toward Barb with a smile full of mocking. " All yours"
" Um thank you but I... " The nurse wasn't listening any further, turning away and stalking back towards the boy she was forced to assist.
...
" Good move for your first day" A boy said behind her, making her flinch as his shadow stretched over her shoulder.
She whirled around, coming to find a boy no older than fifteen standing behind her. He wore the customary black button up shirt that the other boys were wearing. His hair combed back, baby fat still settled on his features. Crystalline blue eyes peered her in curiosity, his lips curved upwards slightly in a pleasant smile. All in all, he was actually quite attractive, almost uniquely so.
" Johnathan ... and you are" He wasn't drooling, didn't have any form of deformities, rather he seemed ... almost wholely present. Instead he extended his hand to her, eyes contorting slightly.
" Barbara " She took the hand tantively, wandering if he was about to do or say something that would spoil this interaction entirely.
" Its lovely to meet you Barbara and I have to say, out of everyone here, I can already tell we're going to get along" He chose to sit across from her where that boy sat, as the other children at the table began to finish their meals and vacate, John instead chose to focus on her, to interact with her.
" It's your first day, What do you think of this place" John looked at the same nurse that had helped her, chewing his lip while regarding her momentarily.
" It's ... it's " She wanted to say it was cozy, that it seemed nice, but the last two hours had already revealed to her just how much everyone was struggling here.
" It's shit isn't it. Like how can they just do this to us, what because we're alittle different, it's disgusting if you ask me ... they don't even treat us like people" John patted his chest as he whispered his grievance." And don't even get me started on the doctors here, monsters the lot of em "
She blinked at his whispered honeyed words, leaning down as he tilted his head in the nurse stepping out with the boy she aided.
" They don't care about us, they can't wait to leave at the end of their day, If they could lock us in here and walk away, I think they would... well most of them" He grunted, scratching at the table, chewing his lip before turning back to her, guaging her slightly.
" The doctors are here to help us... father says " Barb defended them, despite their harsh treatment here she agreed that they all needed help.
" I wish I could see things your way... it sounds nice" He grunted, huffing slightly as he stared at the cold hard surface of the table.
Clearly he didn't like this place all that much, with his huffy attitude and dislike of the doctors, Barb thought he might have had a temper, maybe that was why he was in here.
" How did you know it was my first day" Barb's head tilted, squinting in thought as she played back the conversation in her head.
" I stuck into the filing room" John smiled, unabashed at his admission of guilt." I'm sorry you had to be lumped in here with the rest of us... so I thought I'd come over and introduce myself ... you know, as the only other normal person here"
" Normal ... Are you normal .. to be in here" Barb raised her brow, disbelief easily written on her gaze.
" We'll... yea... it's not really my fault I'm in here... " He looked away, appearing ashamed as he scratched his cheek with a thin frown.
" Ah huh " Barb rolled her eyes, looming away at the other boys, to a group of girls talking amongst themselves" So then why are you here"
" My mother was poor and ... sick. she wanted to get rid of me any way she could" He moved his shirt to the side where a scar, the scar of a knife wound. " she tried to kill me once before she was institutionalised, they feared I might have the same mental problems since it apparently ran in the family, they didn't even give me a chance"
" oh ... I'm sorry " Barb whispered, head lowering in shame as she thought. He never had a chance, he explained how they had come to his house, how they had taken both he and his mother away, and without any due process, chose to place him here rather than burden some family.
" I... I think we got off on the wrong foot" Barb gestured, no longer as guarded, no longer so judgemental towards him, instead she opened up to the only other person here she felt she could connect with in any meaningful way.
" I agree... forgive me for my earlier words. We have a nice garden out the back the nurses allow us to play in, would you like to join me, I want to get to know you better " His charming smile and young looking face shifted as he tilted his head to the side slightly, eyes fluttering.
" I'd like that " Barb mumbled, hands held in her lap as his sparkling blue eyes lit up in delight.
" Then let's go" However before they could go further, before they could leave, the hand of someone very much not a child rested gently on Barb's shoulder, freezing her in place as John's smile slowly turned into a frown, his humorous face twisting as he raised his gaze to the doctor that had come up behind Barb.
" Mister Grant " The long haired doctor turned to the voice, his brow knitting as he fixed his glasses.
" Ah young John, forgive me but I have an appointment with your new friend here ... she may join you in the garden after"
" I see ... "
Doctor Grant glanced at John, the two staring eachother down for several long, heart hammering seconds before Grant turned to Barb.
" Come along dear, time waits for no-one" His hand fell to the small of her back, as Barb looked back to John, who gave her nothing but a small smile and a wave of the hand which she gave back.
....
The office Barb and doctor Grant found themselves in was cozy, with a wooden desk placed at the far side, several documents and patient dosia sitting in the open.
' The cannibal 'Barb lifted her chin to get a better look, but as doctor Grant noticed, before she could garner any information, the man walked over and shuffled the documents into a neat folded stack and hid them away.
" Forgive me I didn't have much time to prepare for our meeting" He turned back, gesturing to two chairs, one long couch and one simple recliner," Shall we dear"
" Yes doctor" She strode over, legs together as she adjusted the hem of her skirt before sitting herself down.
" Tell me dear, do you know why you've been out in our care " Grant looked over her file down his nose throigh his spectacles, his long wavy brown hair hanging from his angular face, green eyes rising to give her a pitying look.
" I ... I understand that my illness makes it difficult for others to be around me" She didn't say what she truly felt, but the way Grants face twisted in sadness at her words, leaning forward as his brows knit upwards.
" Dear that's not it at all, your parents were worried for you. And as your doctor I am here to do my best to do everything I can to help you" He pet his chest, showing his ID take and a dashing smile. He raised the check-list to his face. " Now let's go over this before we can begin proper treatment"
" Barbara dear how old are you " He crossed one leg over the other.
" nineteen" Her lips wavered unsteadily, but his calm and warm demeanour quickly disarmed her.
" Have you ever had any eating problems" He asked, looking down at the notes for a moment.
" No ... I uh I don't" She shook her head honestly, quite frankly apart from certain sensory issues and dislike of many things, she wasn't fussy at all.
" That's very good to hear. No I have to ask a couple more personal questions" His eyes became strange, as he squinted slightly.
" Have you ... you have had it by now right" Grant pointed his pen towards Barb's lower region. Her face flushed red as she shifted slightly.
"Y...yes" She whispered, looking away in shame.
" Are you ... sexually active" His answer received a swift and near immediate no, she had never nor would she any time soon, he smiled as he placed the pen to paper.
" I'm sorry about that Barb, standard questioning you see " He placed the paper down and now turned fully back to her. He adjusted his glasses ever so slightly.
" Oh ... no it's okay "She still refused to meet his gaze." I understand"
But things didn't get any better, with his questions becoming more and more personal, more and more abrasive. Her desire to leave the office mounted with each and every word that came out of his mouth.
" I ... I would like to leave now" She rose, stepping away from the couch and quickly moving to the door. Yet for all the space she covered, he was quicker, arriving at the door to his office the very same moment she did.
He palmed the door shut, grabbing her wrist and pushing her against the wood wall. " Hey hey hey, this isn't a meeting you're allowed to just walk out of, life can get very difficult in this place if you misbehave... do you understand"
Tears openly began to trickle down her cheeks as he remained flush against her, her faint lips quivering as she nodded a single slow time.
" Its going to be tokay" He moved ever so slightly, hands lowering to the base of her dress , his breathing hot, sweat running down his face, his shirt drenched as he leant down and took a wiff of her hair. " you smell so good"
" No ... " Try as she might, struggling, trying to buck the man off of her, he didn't budge, instead the doctor, the same man meant to be taking care of her, simply chuckled at her refusal.
" Shshshsh ... it's okay, I'm going to look after you "
....
For several days she lay in her bed, crying none stop into her sheets, even as the girls around lived their lives, coming and going each morning and night, none gave her any due. And so she simply wallowed, quivering under her sheets, knowing that sometime soon she would be forced back into that monsters office.
" Pst..." A head peeked in front the dorm doorway, the baby fat face of the only friend she had in this hell-hole locking onto her, head on a swivel before he approached." Hey ... "
" I knew I'd find you here" He knelt down to the cold tiles beside her cot, hand reaching out and gently stroking a strand of hair from her head." Hey ... are you alright"
Instead of answering verbally, a single racked sob escaped her lips, her skinnier features sunken, bags under her eyes from inability to sleep.
" Look at me" His soft voice touched a deep part of her ear, her closed eyes opening, bloodshot eyes meeting kind blue. " What happened"
" He.... he... he touched me .... he ... he did things... " Snot ram down her nose, several teeth in her mouth having cracked due to grinding" to Mr "
" He took your purity" There was a coldness that came over John's face, the usually lively blue eyes becoming cold and chipped, the amusment in them bleeding away into a cold detachment as he looked at her. " Tell me everything"
And so she did, she told him how he questioned her, reassured her, and then when she denied him how he forced himself on her. All the while John sat at the end of the bed, staring at the doorway into the dorm with a distant look.
" I see.... " He continued to stare at the door for several long seconds of agonising silence.
" What ... what do we do " She sniffled as she sat up, dragging herself onto her arsenals as she sat on the uncomfortable bed.
" First of all... I'm going to get you some food... and then we're going to ... you're going to get your dues" He rose from the bed, turning to her and gifting a faint smile.
" Wait for me here... I'll go get you some food"
And so for the next two days, John came and went from the dorm when nobody was looking, taking care of her in her time of need, and even when other girls took notice, they ignored him when they realised why.
But things weren't going to get better, for in a couple of days she would be forced to attend a mandatory appointment with that monster in a coat.
And on the day before her reunion with that thing, another girl from her ward came and sat on her bed. Auburn hair combed neatly, she was a dainty girl with beautiful features and a heart shaped face.
She gave Barb a pleasant greeting, the two eating as this new girl Carla seemed to regard Barb with silent scrutiny. But she hadn't come with good intentions, nor kind feelings toward the victim.
" He likes you, you're his favourite... you're going to die" The pleasant smile on Carla's eyes twisted, and without any provocation, launched herself at Barb, wrapping her hand around Barb's neck, throwing the two of them to the ground where Carla began to choke her with all her might.
The commotion startled the other girls from their beds, screams echoing through the room as Carla repeatedly bashed the back of Barb's head into the ground.
" YOU TOOK HIM FROM ME, HE WAS MINE YOU WENCH " Vision blurred and hearing faded, the last thing Barb saw was the hateful glare Carla pinned her with as guards burst into the room.
....
" Hey ... " That kind voice sounded as her eyes fluttered, met with the kind smile of the only friend she had in this hell. Bandages wrapped around her, lip busted and padding on the back of her head, she barely moved as he regarded her.
" I knew you were going to be alright... " He leant closer, moving a strand of hair from her eye, leaning over further to adjust her blanket.
" I have a plan" His voice met only her ears as he stretched over her, fixing the corners of her blanket." But you get better quickly , then we'll talk ... I'll be by tomorrow"
And for two more weeks was she spared the pain of reunion with that man, as John came and went from the medical wing every day and night, spending considerable time at her side tending to her despite the weary glances of the nurses and doctors around.
" John why don't you go do something else" Said John sat at her side with one leg crossed over the other, a bowl of porridge in hand as she spoon fed the bashful Barb.
" I'm good thank you doctor, I'm right where I wish to be" His response was firm and resolute, as he gave another spoon to the girl he had taken charge of.
" I...I see " The doctors didn't say anything else, simply leaving the situation be, it wasn't something he had any say in, so he let it be.
Right that very night she was to he discharged, as the wrappings of her head were removed, she suffered several small scars but was none the less an attractive woman.
" Its because of him ... all this is because of him" She cried and she wept, holding onto john's sleeve as his hand rose to her face, as the doctors left them be, allowing them to walk back to the girls dorm .
" Then we act tomorrow alright... he'll surely make you go to him tomorrow" He whispered as they entered the corridor before her dorm.
" I ... I can't go through that again "
" Then you won't... but you have to follow my lead okay.... okay " He turned and placed both hands on her shoulders, looking her squarely in the eyes with a strange intensity.
Trust, garnered over the last two weeks, didn't so much as flinch at his insistence.
" Of course"
" Then meet me right here tomorrow before your appointment "
.....
And so she did, ten minutes before she was scheduled to go into the monsters office, she came before him.
" Let's go then" He gently clasped her hand, guiding her down the stairs that lead downstairs to the first floor, the more floors they went down, the emptier the floors became, the less people appeared until they finally reached what appeared to be an entirely empty first floor.
" Okay we're all clear" Giddy, John guided her through the strangely empty halls, no guards, no staff and no patients, just the two of them coming up to the dark oak door with Grants name on its window.
" What'd you do" Barb whispered, trusting eyes contorting.
" Oh me ... nothing, must be an emergency somewhere else in the shit hole" And so he guided her to the door, leaning up and rapping his knuckles against the glass before stepping to the side.
" Come in ... " Grants voice called from within, John forcing Barb forward and at the closed door.
" I'll be here" Her heart ached as he whispered in her ear befire stepping out of sight, her lungs freezing as her legs refused to move.
" Hello ... " The voice was annoyed, and with a gulp, her hand raised and grasped the doorknob.
" Um .. doctor Grant " Her voice echoed as the door cracked open. Immediately the doctors head shot up, a delighted smile blooming on his face as he rose from his desk.
" Barbara come in come in ... " He circled the desk, raising his hands and hugging Barb, taking a deep breath of her hair as he did so." Oh you still smell so good"
He closed the door behind her, guiding her over to the desk of his office where he urged her to sit on its top, fussing over the gash in the side of her head, brow and the odd patched of shaved hair at the back of her head.
" Tsk ... that Carol ... mental case she is ... dangerous girl that one, I'm glad you're alright though " He moved his hands from her head down her shoulders, looking down at her agin. " Are you well ... "
" I ... I..." She felt the sting of tears already, as her hands fidgeted on the desk as he stood himself between her legs, almost making her straddle him.
" I'm sorry for what you've had to go through these past weeks, woth that boy at your side... I'm sorry I couldn't be there to protect you " He gently tipped her chin upward so that she was looking into his own eyes. " What's woth that look, you're not upset at me are you"
She didn't know what she would say, didn't know how she could stare into using eyes and not react. Fortunately she didn't have to think about it, as without any warning, a loud thud echoed from behind the doctors turned back, his head bobbing for a moment as his features went slack.
Grant slumped forward, his knees losing all strength as his weight pinned her, his head colliding with the desk , Blood running down the side of his head from a massove wound in the back of his skull where several shards of bone appeared to have bkown into the head, his glasses were cracked, drool beginning to run down his lips.
She looked down to where a baton had landed, still stained deep crimson from where it had struck his head. Her eyes slowly rose to where John was in the doorway, hand still extended from where he had thrown the baton.
" N...now what " Barb whispered as she placed Grant a hand to the side of his head, He was breathing. .. barely.
"Now ... you eat him... " The boys lips parted into a wide smile lips cracking as raw red bled through the cracks. The answer was so direct, so out of left field that Barb couldn't do anything but blink " Eat him and you'll be able to leave"
His words crashed against her ears, as she shivered under the slowly spreading smie on the face of the boy who didn't even come up to her shoulders.
Whatever response the boy wanted, he didn't recieve, as instead of doing as she was told, she quivered and shook, tears beginning to trickle down her face as she stared down at the boy who had gained her trust over the last weeks, had done nothing but nurture her, made her think she was sane again, made her del that maybe this place wasn't so bad.
" I ... I don't... " She looked back , and whatever veil that had covered her gaze had lifted. Where stood a beautiful boy, kind features with porcelain skin. Now stood something else.
Pale flesh marred with scripture, runic alphabet etched into every inch of this things skin, as twin pupils of molten sunlight surrounded bloodshot veins sat in this things head, black veins of unmoving blood sat under its pale skin, visible under the translucent skin. And it was gaunt, almost hungry looking, but it was the feeling it gave of when she stared that made her hiccup.
A wallowing, all encompassing chill settled itself in the back of her mind, like the embrace of person who you know has done terrible dastardly things, like diving into the ocean on a cold night. It was suffocating... it was haunting.
" Eat him ... or I'll eat you" He may have been smaller than her, but standing there in the doorway, with the halls behind him empty, the blue eyes in his skull drove toward with demented glee. " Do you really want to due here, die for the man who took your purity simply because he could"
John strode over, those glowing sun like eyes unblinking as shadows stretched and the world seemed to fall away.
" I'll even help you, here m" He grabbed her by the hand, the cold chill of his touch a stark contrast to the pleasant warmth it had once been.
" All you have to do " He grabbed the back of Grants head with dark gnarled fingers, breaking skin and flesh with ease, bone fragments losses between his fingers as brain matter and discusses material beat visibly.
" Is grab" He reached into the man's brain through the hole he had made in the back of the doctors skull.
She watched Grant twitch, strange noises escaping his lips as John removed a part of the still alive man's brain.
" Here ... fresh from the sauce" His hand stained red, the glowing eyes in that things head seemed brighter as it raised th grey piece of brain matter to her lips. " Open. .. your mouth "
" I... I don't... " The hand shot forward with the brain matter, forcing it into her mouth where she immediately gagged and protested, bile rose in her throat. But he body didn't listen to her wants, instead it disobeyed her, as fingers reached into her throat, forcing the piece of brain deeper and deeper, unnaturally so until John's entire forearm had reached into her mouth.
" That wasn't so bad was it" He whispered, as his hand came up with disgusting squelching, her neck shifting as his arm rose through her neck and existed her, Studying her intently under those glowing sun's that were his eyes.
He turned to the man still twitching on the table, before turning back to her, studying her expression closely.
" No ... you won't do ... it appears I'll have to keep that Carol around" It hissed, Barb's eyes widening, lips opening to speak.
" By the way ...I lied " His hand shot out and grabbed her head, her eyes widening as her lone eye peeked out from the gap between his thumb and pointer finger, his hand wrapped around her face and the majoirty of her head. He didnt flinch, didnt blink .. simply smiled. And everything went black.