I didn't trust his hugs and kisses or his love. Let it come off as cruel but, he was becoming a shitty person and a shitty partner. There was something that was clearly off. That was almost visible and nobody could deny it. But every time he hugged me his body was a freezer and I only felt ice under his skin. I knew that everything I had seen was real and that I clearly wasn't mental. I felt disgusting as he kissed and pulled me in close for a hug.

 But I had to suffer through it. I needed to get back to his lab as quickly as I could if I wanted answers and that little kid was probably my only hope. I smiled brightly at him but I couldn't feel it. I wanted to cry and drown. I wanted to leave this house and not come back but I also needed answers about may have been happening.

 And if I said I didn't care about what was happening to An-Keith, I would be lying. Whichever route I chose, I knew I couldn't ever really trust him. He had taken advantage of me when he knew I had no defenses against him. I shared my ideas and new inspirations with him. I shared my feelings and everything I feared with him which he could just as quickly turn against me. I expected him to go batshit on me at any second now. With the way he made love to me and than literally tried to kill me, I had no doubt in my mind that I would either end up passed out or dead before I turned 20 at 3:11 pm.

 I was counting on it, almost. His smile as he brought me breakfast in bed seemed almost predatory. " I made you waffles, eggs and fruit, Zo. Happy birthday." I looked down at the white plate that had my favorite breakfast. He served me chopped watermelon, which was as refreshing as it was delicious. I murmured my thanks and ate breakfast with him constantly kissing my cheeks and trying to feed me. He was like this most days, so I knew for now I had... well, I had Anthony. I didn't know who Keith was. I think I'd love him just the same but whether or not  he'd let me, was the real question.

 Keith could be dangerous, though. I didn't know what he was truly capable of or if all of Anthony was fake. Under that thick skin and loving smile was he just as loving and caring? My lips were pulled into a sweet embrace and I smiled. Because I had to. I quickly finished my breakfast and ran to my computer. I still had class even though I was getting older. I logged on to zoom but groaned as Anthony pulled my swivel chair back and turned it to face him. His baby blue eyes went darker " No." I wasn't sure how to respond to that but I also wasn't given much a chance as Anthony pulled me back into bed. His body wasn't warm and it didn't feel as welcoming or as romantic as it usually was but as long as I was living .

 I felt his lips brush against my neck and I shivered. He kissed my neck and and my face. I giggled and laughed, pushing him away but low-key really not wanting him this close to me. And his lips were freezing. I pushed him back but he pulled me much closer and bit my ear. I gasped and fought against him playfully but he responded with an iron grip that confused me as much as it hurt my body. Now I was locked in his arms. I jumped at his rough bites and his kisses that sent shocks of both pain and pleasure.

 I closed my eyes and let his hands feel and caress my body. Where he was getting at with I wasn't sure because It almost felt like he was tearing parts of my skin open. I Winced and used all my strength to pull back from him.  I looked at his feral eyes with blood stains across his lips, staring at me lustfully. I backed up in horror. My hands were shaking and I started breathing heavily. His eyes slowly became black and his pupils, white. 

"You know why I'm here and don't play dumb. You did this." He growled. His voice hummed with the noise of millions of critters or buzzed like bees. I couldn't tell but whatever it was, left me horrified. I wasn't talking to Anthony anymore.

" What do you want?" I snapped. His anger sifted to a pleased smirk. " Bold of you to ask. Anthony... or should I say Keith, did this all for you, you spoiled fucking brat. He is a powerful warlock that could've done amazing things but you came and ruined everything." He growled. It was hard arguing with him but I knew what I was dealing with wasn't him at all. It was something from my past. 

I put on my brave face." You didn't HAVE to come and try to collect my soul, yet you did and here you are. You couldn't leave him alone and like a bitch you wanted sex in exchange to not kill me? You. Are-" I screamed as with a snap of his wrist, my  hair was pulled and he positioned me so that I only faced him. I let out a shrill scream as the skin on my neck was sliced open.

 " Don't try my patience girl. Or else I'll just find another to collect you." I screamed in agony as he ripped through more of my skin. " A shame that he would give you the world but only at the expense of your love... and your body." His voice had a scary echo that rang in my ears as he chuckled. What did it even mean by that? His chuckle  broke off and he released his grip on my hair. His face became a slight normal color with his initial paleness. 

He smiled, tears streaming down his face. " What did you expect? He's a man with needs, like everyone else. He's ashamed he let me in but there was a reason I offered myself as an exchange. " He whispered. " That's what being celibate for almost 6 years can do." I slapped him across the face and looked on at him in disgust. He began to look unstable, his tone only slightly fluctuating every time. 

He held my hand and stared at me blankly. I touched his face to see if he was even fighting back. I knew he was holding my hand. His eyes got even  darker  with veins that began to blacken around his eyes. He pierced the gentle skin of my hand and I screamed, trying to pull my hand away but my blood spilled as he let go. I cried and left, trying to run down to the basement. I knew that demon had been following me but it also easily took advantage of him. He appeared in front of me out of absolutely nowhere and I tripped, face planting on the hard floor. The floor was sticky and wet with my blood everywhere. I cried as I felt my eye swelling,  My body lift off of the floor by my neck and slam into the hallway wall.

"You're stronger than this, Anthony... I love you." I whispered, close to blacking out. His grip loosened significantly and I started to see him better. His baby blue eyes that made me fall for him so long ago looked scared... but sad and disappointed. Almost like he was giving up." No."      he whispered. I could tell it was him this time. Giving up on me. " Not anymore I'm not "

His eyes significantly darkened and sadly shook his head from side to side." Why do you even bother?" His grip was strong enough to crush my very windpipe  but the world around me blackened quickly.