CONTENT WARNINGS:
Chronic Pain & Hip Displacement (Physical Disability)
Phobias: Mirrors, Being Watched, Shadows (Rule 11)
Psychological Horror: Auditory Hallucinations (Luz's Phone Call)
Gore: Off-screen creature attack
We hear a whisper—then a frantic female scream.
"No! No!" the man says, his voice high and terrified. "Make it stop!"
He screams, grabs me, and slams me into a metal shelf. Products rain down around us. "You're definitely getting railed by the boss since you're so fucking weak! You worthless piece of shit!" he yells.
I hear a sickening pop, followed by a flash of fiery, white-hot pain in my hip. It hurts so much I can barely breathe. I notice the smog getting darker. The lights flicker and the store itself begins to growl. Shadows stretch across the floor toward us. No! Rule 11: Never let the shadows touch you.
I reach behind me, grab a heavy can from the shelf, and swing it into the side of his head. He drops me. I land hard on my bad hip and scream. I try to crawl away, dragging my useless leg.
"Oh, you are so fucked," the man snarls, stumbling toward me.
But before he can reach me, a hiss echoes through the aisle—so loud it vibrates in my chest. Something massive lunges out of the shadows. It’s Bane, but he’s huge, his monster form towering over the man.
"NO! HELP ME!" the man screams as he is dragged backward into the darkness of Aisle 4.
The whispering starts again. "Matt... my baby, come here. Mommy needs help," I hear my mom’s voice say from the smog.
Don't listen. It's not her. The shadows are inching closer.
"COLTON, HELP!" I sob, trying to crawl. The pain in my hip is unbearable, exactly like the day of the accident. I'm going to die here. The aisle feels like it’s stretching, getting longer and longer. "No... no..."
Then, I see a pair of boots. He bends down quickly and scoops me up into his arms.
"I got you," Colton says. I cling to him, burying my face in his chest. He begins to walk counter-clockwise. Beneath us, the floor seems to soothe and flatten, like the store recognizes who is in charge now.
"It’s okay, my little mouse," he says, his voice calm. He looks over his shoulder into the dark. "You can’t have him," he growls in a tone that sounds more monster than human.
Finally, we’re out. We’re back in Aisle 3. He carries me all the way to the back room and sets me down gently.
"Good job calling me, Marshmallow," he says, patting my head. My heart skips a beat. "I will always come for you, no matter what. Now, let me look at your hip."
I reach out and stop his hand before he can touch me. He doesn't get angry; instead, he gives me a sweet, soft expression I haven't seen before.
"Let me look at it. I know it’s scary, but I won’t hurt you. If you let me check you, I’ll give you a little reward. How about something sweet?"
I nod okay.
As Colton starts to gently move my jeans to see the injury, I can't stop shaking.
"It’s okay, little mouse. I won't do anything bad to you." I feel a wave of relief. I trust him. He places a hand on my hip.
"Mhmmm," I whimper.
"You're doing a good job. It looks like I have to pop it back. It does that a lot, doesn't it?"
I freeze. He noticed that before? "Hit me if you need to. Grab my shoulder. Do whatever you need to get through this. I’ll be gentle and quick, okay?"
I nod and grab onto his waist like my life depends on it. I hear a loud pop. A jolt of agony shoots through me, but then—instant relief. Tears stream down my face. Colton’s big hand gently pats my hair.
"Good job, little Marshmallow. You definitely deserve a reward for being so brave."
I don't know why, but the praise makes me feel warm inside. I look up at him, and he’s smiling softly at me. "I’ll be right back, okay?"
"No, don't leave!" I try to say, but the words get stuck. My throat feels tight.
"They won't come back. I’m just going into the next room. I’ll be quick, I promise," he says, walking out.
A few minutes pass. What if he doesn't come back? The door opens and I flinch, my hip aching.
"Oh, little mouse, don't worry. It’s just me," Colton says. He sits on the edge of the bed. "Here is your heating pad." He plugs it in and settles it over my hip. "And here is your reward."
He hands me a light blue cake pop. I take it eagerly.
"Thank you," I whisper.
"You deserve it. And you really thought I wasn't coming back?"
I nod.
"Well, I always keep my promises, so don't you worry." I believe him, and for the first time in forever, I feel safe.
The cake pop is amazing. I can't remember the last time I had one. I see Colton sitting in a chair, watching me with an expression I don't quite understand.
"You can slow down. I don't want you to choke," he says sweetly. I blush.
"Sorry," I whisper.
"I'll get you chocolate milk for breakfast tomorrow, and maybe a red velvet protein bar. How does that sound?"
I nod quickly, feeling a spark of excitement. "Okay, then it’s settled."
Bane walks in, back to his normal size. "Bane!" I call out. He jumps onto the bed and rubs against me. "Are you okay?" I ask, petting his face. He purrs with that deep, rumbling monster tone.
Suddenly, the phone rings. I feel a chill of unease.
"It’s her again. I'll deal with it. She won't hurt you. Bane, stay with him."
I want to tell him to be careful, but I can't find the words. He leaves the room.
I lay my head down, listening to the muffled argument in the hall.
"...Look, Ma... he didn't do anything wrong... he is mine... to decide..."
That’s all I can hear. My eyes grow heavy. The vibration of Bane’s purr lulls me toward sleep. It's good that Bane is okay. I hope Colton isn't in trouble because of me. I feel terrible... if only I were stronger. If I wasn't so broken.
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