Finn POV

Sleeping was impossible. I spent the entire night kickboxing, pounding the bag relentlessly in my gym. There was this ache in my chest, sharp like a knife that had buried itself deep and only kept twisting.

I had always lived with the knowledge that I was no longer human, but depending on my other life, I had this wishing thinking, until I saw the truth reflected in Cheryl's eyes.

Indeed, I was a monster, nothing would change that, and she knew it. She saw me for who I was. I terrify her.

Cheryl would rather bleed out than have me come any closer. I was driving her to the edge of sanity. The way she looked at me, it was like I was here to claim her soul.

All I ever wanted was to love her. I was in love with her.

How could I make her understand?

I wished things were different, Cheryl.

Just a month ago, I was weaving plans to end Cheryl Mason's life. Now, here she was, the one killing me slowly.

I was sick, and I couldn't save myself. Unwanted, alone, and entirely to blame.

~

Cheryl POV

Yesterday, every little noise sent me flinching. Steph was so worried she insisted on staying the night with me, but I didn't sleep. My eyes stayed glued to the door, knowing I was trapped in the same building as the most dangerous man alive.

Every breath draws me nearer to my last. Every thought, a warning that I won't live to go to college, and live with my mother as planned.

I knew my parents were losing their minds, knowing their only daughter was in the clutches of a man who found pleasure in taking innocent lives, a man devoid of mercy.

I guarded the door with my eyes because I had no weapon. My fear was my only defense, a flimsy shield against the very real possibility that my throat could be slit if I so much as blinked. Deep down, I knew I wasn't making it out alive, but still, I wasn't ready to die. Not yet.

I ran the numbers over in my head: No one had ever seen FH. No one knew who he truly was, what he looked like, or his real name. No one knew he dressed in black or that he attended college like a regular student. No one but me. I knew.

Probably all those he killed had seen him before they died. I was next. He didn't care how much I knew because he knew I'd never live to tell anyone.

I stayed awake all night with that chilling thought until dawn turned into daylight.

"I'll be back by one," Steph said, tying her brunette hair into a ponytail. "I just need to submit my homework."

"No, please don't leave me here. I can't, please." The tears came back, and I begged her with everything I had left, clinging to the only person I had even an ounce of trust in.

"Cheryl, you've been in this house for almost a month now. If Finn wanted to hurt you, he would have done it already. You're safe. Look around, you're healthy, and he's been treating you well." Steph waved her hands dramatically, gesturing around the room.

My lips parted in disbelief as I worked to find my voice. "Healthy? I have an injury to my head. I have injuries everywhere.  I've been hurt physically and emotionally. Can't you see that?" I stared at her, my brows furrowed in shock.

"Cheryl, nothing's going to happen. I promise," Steph sighed, clearly stressed.

"You don't know that."

"I do. Please, calm down, okay?"

The disappointment hit me with a blow. A tear rolled down my cheek as I closed my eyes, my voice thick with betrayal. "You're okay with this. I get it. You're fine with everything. Finn almost... he almost forced himself on me, and now I'm probably going to get slaughtered any minute. But of course, he's your friend. You don't see how evil he is because he's paying you to have his back."

The bed dipped as Steph sat down next to me, her voice laced with anger. "Don't you dare judge me, Cheryl?" She took a deep breath and I sucked in a sob as she continued. "I've never approved of what Finn did to you, never. But don't act like you're the only one with a story."

The door opened just as Steph finished. I didn't even bother looking up. Privacy was non-existent in this place.

"You should stay. I can submit your homework if that's okay," the new voice was familiar, probably the same guy who'd been here with Peter and Finn's father.

The room fell silent. In my mind, I was still pleading with Steph to stay. The thought of her leaving me drained what little strength I had left.

But then she said the one thing that shattered me. "No, she can handle herself. I have things to do with my time."

Just like that, I was alone. Or at least I thought I was. I buried my face in the pillow, releasing the sobs I'd been holding back.

"Here's something that might help." The voice startled me, and I nearly choked on my breath as I bolted upright to see the blonde guy from yesterday.

He stood there in a maroon polo shirt and brown pants, one hand in his pocket, the other holding out a pack of M&Ms.

Is he insane? How does he think candy can fix this? His brother is a murderer.

I looked at the candy before meeting his eyes, too stunned to speak.

"I used to think girls were just being dramatic when they ate chocolate after crying, but then my sister started bringing me some whenever I felt down. Now I carry spare chocolates with me just in case." He nodded toward the spot where Steph had been sitting.

I remained silent, listening, and eventually nodded once.

"Thanks," he muttered as he sat down.

The silence between us was uncomfortable. I wished he'd leave, but he stayed.

"Finn won't be home for a while. He has a test, so you're safe," he said with a soft, reassuring smile.

His words only disturbed me further. "Let's say I ignore the fact that the most dangerous person alive is sitting in a room full of innocent students. Do you honestly think I could ever feel safe around you? What are you, his brother?" I wasn't sure where the boldness came from, but I couldn't hold back from saying it, watching him narrow his eyes at me.

This guy is a stranger, you don't know him or the level of his madness. Finn might not want you dead just yet, but this one might. My subconscious advised.

"No, you shouldn't trust anyone," he replied, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth as though I should be amused. "By the way, Finn's my best friend. Known him since the diaper days."

I scoffed in disbelief, rolling my eyes. "How is this even real? How is he out there, living, breathing... making best friends?" I muttered under my breath.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, clearly ignoring my behavior or pretending not to hear.

Well, I guess we found out he wouldn't go against Finn's order and harm me, so I might be fine for now.

"Kidnapped," I shot back at his stupid question.

"I know, but your head?" He gestured to my temple with a slight tilt of his chin.

"I've never felt this much pain," I stated bluntly, exasperated by their calm demeanor. Why were they all acting so casual? As if they'd forgotten I was their hostage.

His chest rose and fell, and he pressed his lips into a firm line. "It's going to be okay."

"When? When he finally kill me?" I shrugged sarcastically.

"He's not going to kill you, Cheryl."

"Why does everyone keep saying that? He's FH, for heaven's sake. The 'dangerous human' I've heard about for nearly five years. What do you think I expect from him? That he'll just let me go when I know everything about him?" I laughed bitterly.

"We haven't formally introduced ourselves. I'm Liam Cameron." He extended his hand, flashing a sincere smile.

Confused by the sudden change of subject, I stared at him, unbelieving. How could he be so okay with this? Why were they all okay with this? Did they even realize they were defending someone who had inflicted so much pain?

When I refused to shake his hand, he casually unwrapped a sachet of M&Ms and began to eat.

"You sure you don't want some?" he asked, popping a few colorful pieces into his mouth.

I shook my head and sniffed, hopelessly staring at my trembling hands.

"You know, it's not that bad being the talk of the town," Liam said with a teasing tone, which earned him a faint smile from me.

"I guess I'm quite famous by now," I muttered sadly.

"They've plastered your face everywhere, searching for 18-year-old Cheryl Mason. Too bad they didn't include your Instagram and TikTok. But hey, you're probably getting a lot of profile visits." He said thoughtfully. "You're more popular than Justin Bieber right now."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his joke. "Lucky me."

"I know, right." Liam laughed too, and I finally relented, holding out my hand. He poured some M&Ms into my palm.

By the time Liam left, I felt a bit lighter. The terror of being alone wasn't as overwhelming as it had been earlier.

Steph hadn't shown up all day, though. That also meant no food for me, but I still ignored the meal brought by the towering delivery man in a black suit with an earpiece. I stuck to water, drinking as much as I could in the hope it would fill the gnawing hunger under my ribs.

My head throbbed painfully, the gauze wrapped around it stained with a thick red streak. I must have injured myself when I fell against the tiled floor.

The spot ached the most when I touched it. I was still dizzy, so I spent most of the day lying on the bed, doing nothing. My guard finally down, I must've drifted off after my dinner arrived.

"You like rough, huh? I'll give you rough," Finn said.

~

Finn POV

Later that evening, Liam and I stopped by Steph's place for dinner, her mom had cooked for us like always.

"So, he's been watching her this whole time but never even said hi. She dropped her pen, and I told him it was the perfect moment, but nope! Dude chickened out." I teased Liam in front of Steph.

"What? Seriously, man? I thought you were the bold one." Steph rolled her eyes.

"Exactly," I smirked.

"Would you both give me a break? Just because I look at her sometimes doesn't mean I like her. She's not even my type," Liam protested.

"Ew, 'she's not my type,'" Steph mimicked him with exaggerated disgust, making me laugh. "I like guys who take action," Steph added, taking a bite of her meatball. The restaurant had closed an hour ago, so we were the only ones left.

After dinner, I promised Steph's mom I'd drive her daughter home and lock up the restaurant, 'Guardian Angel.'

"Huh, my girl." Steph and I fist-bumped.

"What do you suggest, Steph? Kidnap her and make her fall in love with me?" He threw at me.

The room grew quiet for a moment before I mustered a response. Steph pretended to be out of the conversation, focusing on her food.

My mood had shifted. With livid eyes, I faced him. "I didn't kidnap Cheryl to make her fall in love with me, and I certainly didn't do it to fall for her either," My voice had an edge as I emphasized every word.

How dare he suggest that? I'd spent years crafting my revenge on the Masons, and Liam knew that.

Nate Mason and his ex-wife had a daughter, that was something I hadn't accounted for.

They had no idea how much it tormented me, knowing I couldn't follow through with the revenge I had been planning for twelve years.

I'd lived through agony because of the Masons. My life has been nothing but torture from sleepless nights. They destroyed me.

If I could control my feelings, I wouldn't have allowed myself to care about their daughter, someone I didn't even know existed until a month ago.

"Look, man, I didn't mean it. It was just a joke," Liam said, backing down.

I was still annoyed, though he should've known better. "Whatever."

After we finished dinner, Liam left first, apologizing for his words again. I helped Steph clean up and lock up the restaurant before we left.

"How's Cheryl?" I asked as I drove.

"She's improving," Steph lied, and I sighed quietly. "She just needs time, I guess."

Time. It was the one thing I didn't have, so I smiled softly.  "I don't have time," I mumbled under my breath.

Steph heard me. "Then don't waste any of it," she whispered back.

That's how the conversation ended. Neither of us wanted to delve deeper into the issue.

My friends weren't thrilled about Cheryl's situation, or the mess surrounding it, but I'd told them enough times, that I had no other choice.

When I dropped Steph off, she stared at the silver Mustang in her neighbor's driveway.

"Brandy?" I smirked.

Brandy was Steph's neighbor, a mean woman who made it her mission to make Steph miserable. She'd damaged Steph's bicycle multiple times, claiming she hadn't seen it.

"Or Bitch," Steph muttered before pecking me on the cheek and heading inside. I waited until she was safely in the house before driving away.

***

It was late at night when I sat beside Cheryl on the bed. She was asleep. It was the only time I could be close to her, so I kept my hands to myself, not wanting to wake her. I found a certain peace in watching her sleep that I can't lose.

She was the most beautiful person I thought, like an angel.

But even in sleep, she was frowning, her body twitching as if caught in some nightmare. Her fingers curled, legs shifting restlessly. I wanted to wake her but feared it would only scare her.

What was she dreaming about? Was I the reason? I hoped not.

Whatever it was, it must've been terrifying. She was sweating, and I wished to wipe it away but couldn't bring myself to touch her, too afraid of disturbing her fragile defense against me.

"Stop! Please!" she screamed.

~

Cheryl POV

It felt like a needle stabbing deep into my skin as I gasped for air, drenched in sweat. My eyes flew open, and there he was. My nightmare had been so vivid. The monster tormenting me in my dream... was sitting right next to me in real life.

At first, I thought he was a hallucination, so I waited for his image to disappear. But he didn't. He sat there, staring at me until dread curled in my chest.

"Aren't you going to run away from me?" he asked, and that's when I realized, this was no hallucination. Finn was real, sitting far too close for comfort.