Finding the mansion was not a problem. I would’ve called it a monolith before, but really it’s just sophisticated.  It had a red slanted tiled roof, beige walls interrupted periodicals by brick designs – overall it obviously belonged to a wealthy owner.

And the owner wanted people to know it.

We climbed over the sturdy black fence – which allowed me to sleep peacefully – and walked to the massive mahogany doors. I don’t know what it was that made me stop – instinct or intuition? Either way, I stopped. My mind still occupied by the thought of that possibly real girl.
I wasn’t even aware of Matt’s hands on my waist, turning me to face him – only once I looked into those innocent emerald orbs. I could stare into them all day in times like these. They give me a sense of safety and belonging – just like in that Sepia dream. That wonderfully imperfect truth – that is yet to come.

“You’re amazing, do you know that?” He said deeply, his eyes leaving mine and focusing on my lips. I felt a surge of something indescribable flood through me. My cheeks were on fire from the way he said those words – deep and longing.

How could I have ever hated him?

Memories of the past flashed before my eyes. The blisters I got from waiting in the sun for him. The terrific loneliness. Meeting Valarie, then Logan. All of those things happened because he was scared – he didn’t understand what I was going through after Melissa’s death. It was unfair of me to expect him to stay – to understand and to help. He’s just human. Not perfect.

But he’s perfect for me.

Slowly, gently he leaned in. the moment his lips were on mine a beast living deep inside me took over. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him in closer. All I could think is ‘more, I want more’.

To say the kiss got passionate is an understatement, He flung us around so I was pressed against the door, the force making my back arch. He claimed my lips with his. The fire inside me raged as he separated my legs with his knee. My arms were draped around his neck – closer, just trying to pull him closer.
He broke the kiss, much to my dislike.

“We need to get inside, it’s getting dark and you’re getting cold”, he said huskily.

I hadn’t even noticed how cold I was getting and I wondered to my self how could I have been so consumed in the moment? The answer was simple: Matt. Whatever he did I noticed. He moved – I moved. It’s quite scary how I felt – wanting more. What if he didn’t want more? I didn’t have time to think about that as he led me inside.

But I still wanted more.

The longing was deafening. I didn’t hear what Lucian said but Matt went to him. They were obviously having a conversation. I hadn’t known that they were friends – Lucian always teased Matt. But as they spoke Matt appeared to have laughed – I noticed the way his emerald orbs lit up as a smile stretched across his skin.                        

I wondered to myself, what attracted me to Matt? Could it be his fit body, the way his shirt clung to him? Was it his boyish smile? Or, perhaps it was his focus and determination – both admirable qualities. Then I realized what it was that attracted me. It was that Matt was a reminder. He was my tether to the past, a tether that was so important. Because with him I could never lose myself. Lose myself like Valarie had lost herself.

I shook myself out of my daze. I better bring this medicine to Valarie. I climbed the staircase and went for her room. She was exactly where I had left her, on the balcony looking out. I sat down next to her and handed her the Methadone, “Its all they had left, I also got these”, and handed her the tranquilizers.
“They’ll help if you have another episode”, I said.

She looked hesitant and I understood why. She didn’t want to be useless just in case she was needed. She felt that the tranquilizers would make her too slow – lessen her necessity to the group.”Don’t worry”, I whispered, ”I wont tell any of them.”

That seemed to have relieved her – although one cane never fully tell with Valarie. She kept her facial expressions – all expressions actually – completely neutral.

I thought of that girl from the store. Was she really there? Had I hallucinated her? If so, then why do I feel this danger within me? Why do I feel the need to start running – as if a monster was chasing me? I felt like a fool, it was just one girl who happened to – possibly – be peaking at us. Perhaps too afraid to make herself known. As for the danger, I must simply be paranoid.

My mouth, however, moved on its own accord, “How long do we plan on staying here?”

“I’ve been wondering the same thing… My answer is simple: Gloria.”

That struck me as confusing, “Gloria?” I asked

“Gloria is a liability, lets be honest. She slows us down tremendously, She’s too old to keep up. At the same time, the horde isn’t bothering us and is practically on the other side of the city. This could very possible be the safest place – considering the view and fences. We would both hear and see if the horde were upon us. Then there’s the size of the premises. It’s big, allowing multiple escape routs – ultimately this is the perfect hideout for us.”

I was slightly astounded, Valarie had really thought this over, although she thought that Cannibals were the only thing we had to be careful with. Other humans could also be a problem – my mind flashing back to that girl from the pharmacy. It frustrated me so that I couldn’t really tell anyone because my report would be questionable thanks to Logan’s bat. For now I would have to keep the thought of the girl to myself and just stay on my toes.

I sat with Valarie, watching the sun set in silence. The feel was morbid and tiring – the end of another day in hell. It would mark the start of a hot night and even hotter morning. I sighed as I walked to my room. Closing it gently I went straight for my bed. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep because of that girl, but it seemed like I was supposed to be in bed.

There was a quiet knock on my door, I assumed it was Valarie for some reason. I opened it for it to reveal Matt. He grabbed me and slammed the door closed. Picking me up so that I had to wrap my legs around his waist. He gently pecked my lips and the went straight for my neck, sucking and kissing it. The fire started again as I couldn’t suppress a moan.
“W-What are you doing?” I asked him quietly.

I didn’t want him to stop and he moved up to my jaw line, the fire consumed me. I felt as though I were held hostage by his touch. Everywhere his lips met my skin an ember would start and I knew those embers would soon end me. I was aching, dying for more.

“You asked me if I would want you in that way”, he whispered dreamily, “And I gave you an answer. But you have no idea how much I want this – how much I want you.”

Those words were my handcuffs. I was truly a hostage now, and my captor couldn’t have been better.