Page 198 of The Monster and the Masochist

Then, cradled in the arms of Cass and her monster, I closed my eyes… and let go.

(11 years old)

Alexa Play: I’m With You by Avril Lavigne

He was going to touch me again.

There was the familiar, bone-chilling click of the lock as Father Samwell sealed us into his office together.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Theodora… what are we going to do with you?” he purred as he stalked behind his desk.

My heart was pounding like a caged bird in my chest as I clenched my hands into fists in my pockets.

He took his time as he rummaged through the drawers of his desk before producing the blue skirt and scuffed black shoes he’d made me wear for him dozens of times before.

“Please… No…” I whispered, shaking my head in horror as he approached me, his face twisted in a sinister smile.

“Oh yes, Theodora. You’re going to put these on, and I’m going to teach you how to be a lady.”

Tears stung my eyes, and I dropped my gaze in shame, suddenly unable to bear the sight of those hideous shoes.

He loomed before me, and there was no escape.

There was never any escape.

I was doomed to relive this over and over until I died.

It was so unfair… All of it was so freaking unfair.

I was about to resign myself to the fact that I was going to have to suffer through this the same way I always did, when I caught a glint of silver dancing around my navel.

Blinking back the tears in my eyes, I frowned as I reached for the shiny item with curious, trembling fingers.

It was a silver charm, shaped like a Q-Tip.

This was new.

Where had this come from?

The silver grew hot in my palm, and suddenly, a strong, feminine voice echoed through my mind.

“This is a direct link to me. Every time you hold it, you’ll remember that you have me now, and I won’t let anyone hurt you. Not even the memories in your head. Do you hear me?”

I frowned at the voice that sounded so familiar, and when I looked up at Father Samwell, I realized that I wasn’t the only one who had heard it.

Who said that?

“Give me that thing!” my principal snarled, but I shook my head furiously and backed away, clutching it protectively against my chest.

“No!” I shouted, and he lunged, dropping the skirt and the shoes in his desperation to steal the charm from me.

I darted away from him, panting in terror as I scanned the office for somewhere to hide. I didn’t bother trying the door.

It was locked.

It was always locked.

My gaze fell on the large snake plant in the corner, and I made a dash for it, just as a deep, rolling laugh echoed through the dimly lit room.