•Y/N: Your Name

•H/L: Hair Length

My white eyes stare down at the unconscious figure sleeping soundly on the bed in front of me. Beneath the warm blanket, I can see their chest rise and fall with each soft breath that escapes their lips. Y/N sleeps in a fetal position, which isn't unusual for the young female. I find her in this position often when I'm not the one to put her to rest. A couple weeks have passed since I've decided to keep my distance from her.

Though I've taken a break, I haven't completely gone away. I still watch diligently from the shadows while keeping my presence secret from her senses. Even though I'm taking a vacation from her lovely shrieking screams, I still find myself doing this every night, just watching. Nothing more. It feels like habit, and I figured I'd eventually grow bored of doing this and, in doing so, I'd get my motivation back, but that isn't the case at all. I can stare at her for hours even when nothing happens.

I feel like it's because I've been here for so long now. I've never kept a victim for this long, and, since I'm always here by her side, I find it hard to leave. It's almost like this is my second home. I reach out my clawed hand towards the female's face and take a lock of her soft hair between my black fingers. I twirl the H/L strand to keep myself entertained as I take a seat on the edge of the bed, beside her.

Oh, how tempted I am to slip into that little mind of hers to wreak havoc, but this, this kept me content. My mouse seems to be peaceful, and that's rather dull if you ask me, but I just can't seem to get in the mood. No fresh ideas of haunting nightmares to scar her forever have come to me. I feel as though I have a horrible case of writers block, so I'll try to be patient and wait. For the moment, I'll revel in her her soft, H/C locks. It's such a lovely color and is styled to suit her pale features well. She brushes it every night before bed, so no tangles get in my path as I rake my nimble fingers through the strands. My mouse has grown into such a pretty creature, even with all that I've put her through. A small smile graces her lips, catching my eye, as her left hand grips the sheets, though, not in fear.

'She must be having a pleasant dream,' I note. Though I've left my victim alone for quite some time now, I've still kept tabs on her mental activities at night. The girl hasn't had a single dream, only slept in blissful darkness until morning. This would mean that this is her first good dream since we've met all those years ago. I tense on instinct when the teen shifts and stretches out her arms.

The cold black liquid covering my bones doesn't seem to disturb her as she rests her cheek on my palm while snaking her arms around mine tightly. I didn't stiffen because of her movement, but from her touch. I stare down at her in shock, unsure of how to react to the action. Never before have I been so willing touched by someone, let alone a person I've tormented. Her dream surely is the cause of it, yet seeing that smile on her face as she held onto me... It caused something inside my chest to stir.

I pull away the hand I used to play with her hair and, instead, prop it under me as I lean towards her to be more comfortable in her hold. I don't want to pull away. It's rare to receive any sort of affection when you're a beast like me who takes pleasure in the pain of others. I'm curious to know what she's dreaming. What can be so pleasant to make her do this?

After all, I've destroyed most everything good about the things she likes, from things as small as teddy bears to things as large as giraffes, which was once her favorite animal. A sadistic grin comes to my face upon recalling that certain nightmare. I had made the peaceful creature trample her and swallow her whole, where she had to escape its acidic stomach. The horrified sounds she made as her flesh deteriorated were just delightful. I decided to peek in, desiring to know what she likes so much.

Perhaps it can inspire my finishing move? I won't make an appearance, though. I don't want to be spotted this time. My eyes close as my fingers lightly rub against her cheek. When I enter her mind, however, I'm left surprised by the sight. I stand inside a grove of tall, redwood trees staring out into the horizon, where the sun lights up the pale blue sky with vibrant reds, pinks and oranges. Sitting on a blue blanket upon the green grass of the hill is my victim, and beside her is the familiar form of Pilvrich.

I cock my head to the side as I take some steps forward for a closer look. I take cover behind the trunk of one of the towering trees and observe from afar as my mouse cuddles into the side of the older male, who in turn laughs and pats the girl's head. She's clinging to his arm like she is with mine. The sight caused a nerve to pinch inside my chest, so I immediately retract from her head, slipping my hand out of her grip in the process. I've seen enough of the disgusting display. I sit straight and look down at the girl who's smile lessens at the disappearance of the limb. It makes my hardened gaze soften just a tad as I frown myself.

'You've grown, little mouse. Perhaps too much.' I hum softly while bringing a hand back to her head to run my fingers through her hair. She hasn't a clue of the things going on around her, of what sort of "friends" she's getting close with. She's running with a dangerous crowd and will surely get hurt one way or another. Should I even care about this? After all, I'm her tormentor.

I should be excited for the events about to unfold, but instead I find myself concerned. Ew. I can only hope this feeling will go away with time. I close my eyes, recalling more pleasant memories of the times I've played with my prey. She's been different lately. This is a side of her I have never seen before. I've only ever seen her scared, never happy, and that dream was the happiest I've ever seen her. I shake my head of the thought. It's not important anyway.

'You'll look so lovely in a cage.' A smirk of razor sharp teeth becomes clear on my face as I bring my thoughts to the delightful topic of chaining her up as my new pet. Y/N is much too pretty to turn into a horrendous monster like the ones I've created out of my past victims. I'd like to preserve that, so I believe the cage will be a grand idea. I slip my other hand beneath her chin to move her face a bit only for her to stir.

I freeze in place, worried she would wake, but I find my arm once again trapped in her hold, this one looser than the last. I hum again as she falls back asleep with a neutral expression replacing her smile. The expression looks just as nice on her, though, so I'm not discouraged in the slightest. I chuckle deeply, imagining the expression she would've made had she opened her eyes.

'Perhaps I'll have your cage in my room rather than over the pit. You can be my prized toy. Perhaps I'll even keep you under the bed like you've forced me to live here.' Oh, now there's a thought. She did take extra measures to make sure that was the only place I could hide in her room. Y/N didn't want me to have options. She wanted to know where I was at all times, which I personally found adorable. She thought she had some form of control over me, but that's far from the truth. Still, I amused her by complying. Deep down, she knows, though. I can tell.

'Soon, little mouse, soon. Oh, you are going to hate your afterlife.' I laugh again, keeping it quiet to avoid waking her. Perhaps I can get in a few more moments like this before that happens? After all, her screams haven't done much for me as of late. Her unintentional affection only covers that void craving amusement slightly, but it's something at least.

'I really need to get my mojo back before she gets too used to being without me. I'd hate for my years of destruction to fade away. It was a lot of hard work tearing apart her precious mind. I suppose things like this aren't working in my favor, though, either.' Groaning softly to myself, I slip my hand away from Y/N's warm face and rest my arms on my lap while staring at the wall.

I can't keep doing this to myself. I'm a scary beast, not some soft... squishy... Well, whatever you'd call it. It just isn't me. I can only hope that I can push these emotions aside with the help of this scare break. I look back at my victim and find my black fluid practically all over the child's face, causing me to smile some.

'Such a mess.' I hold my hand near her face as the spots of loose liquid start to move down her face on my command, writhing like leeches, to make it to my hand. I pull away when her face is clean and stand, the fluid once again attached to my body. I always make sure to clean up after I've touched her. Though her reaction to seeing it would be amusing, it might cover her fearful expressions, so what would be the point? For this instance, though, I don't want her to know I was ever here. I smile down at the vulnerable maiden and lower my head towards hers, crouching some.

"Goodnight, my little mouse. I'll return to you soon, so don't get too used to this dreadful peace of mind."