The Forbidden Billionaire

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

(Liberty's POV)

………………….

I felt as if I was being followed, or maybe someone was watching me. I whipped around rapidly, sighing in relief when I realized there was no one there. It must have been my imagination playing tricks on me. I continued walking, breathing slightly easier now.

As I got closer to the end of the forest, my eyes went wide as my body stilled. A man... No, a monster stood before me as my heart started beating at the pace of my panic. He darted back and forth, trying to intimidate me as his sinister laughter echoed around me.

"Why don't you run, little girl?" He asked with a crocked grin plastered on his face.

"Cuz I knew you would catch me," I whispered in response. I wasn't sure if he really wanted an answer or not, but the shock I was in was enough to realize I had no control over my mouth anymore. Where was I? This had to be just a nightmare. I whispered to myself, "Wake up, wake up, wake up. This isn't real Liberty."

"Why don't you hide?" He asked with more interest, as if I was his new play toy. I didn't want to be anything to this monster.

"I know you will find me, so what would be the point?" I stated with certainty, as I watched the monster slowly approach me.

"Why don't you scream for help?" His sinister smile was back on his face but I couldn't see much more of him, it was more the vibe his silhouette gave off.

"No one would hear me." I whispered, knowing it was true. Our home was sound proof and we were the only ones who lived out in this area. He would have killed me before I could get a word out.

I felt the icy breath on my neck, as he flashed behind me in an instant. My heart rate picked up more and I breathed slowly to calm myself down. "If you know you can't run from me, you can't hide from me and you can't scream for help.... Then why do you still fear me?"

"Fear wants to be felt, its a way of life." I replied, realizing my words were becoming cornier as they left my mouth. Why did I keep answering him? He wasn't worth my response.

"Hmm, fear isn't real, my dear. Fear is made up by your imagination, as many fear different things. It is only temporary. As soon as it comes, it will be replaced and slowly fade away. The goosebumps up and down your arms, the sweaty palms that you wiped off on your dress, the heavy breaths and acceleration of your heart beat that slowly calm down, the voices in your head tell you to do something you would never normally do. It will all just... go away." His icy voice sent chills down my spine and not in a good way.

"Then why won't this?" I asked with uncertainty. Why was I acting as if he were going to tell me? If he did tell me, how would I know it was the truth?

"Oh my dear, that is because I am the monster under your bed, the one who follows you home at night, the ghost who watched you sleep, all the scary stories your parents tell you to behave.... I am your worst f*****g nightmare. I feed on fear from creatures like you, pain is what I inflict, power is what I crave, devastation and death is what I enjoy. Though you, my dear, you are different." He stated as he jolted to the other side of me, amusement playing in his voice. Without warning, whispers spread through my head. All of a sudden, the air filled with agonizing screams that seemed to grow louder as the seconds ticked by. The deafening sound brought me to my knees, my palms squeezed my ears shut as I tried to block out the screams around me. Nothing I did would make it stop.

"What is your point?" I asked him with a snappy tone, pissed that he was bugging me and causing a migraine to occur. I just wanted the screaming to dissipate. His jaded green eyes bore into my silver ones. They almost reminded me of my rapist's eyes, but not entirely the same. If it was time for me to die, I would gladly welcome it.

"You are mine, little girl. Remember that and remember that well." He warned, no hint of amusement in his tone anymore. I blinked in confusion and, just like that, he was gone.

I jumped up, startled at the realization. Was he real? Did I imagine it all? I whipped around, realizing I was still in my room and it was nearly four in the morning. I must have fallen asleep on the ground. I groaned at the pains in my joints before stretching and cracking my bones to feel any type of relief. How could I be foolish enough to fall asleep on the floor? Damn it, I even missed my meal and blood treatment. Why did mother and father not come get me? Who was that man with jaded green eyes? Was he real or a nightmare my mind made up?

I couldn't understand how that monster was only a nightmare when he felt so real. I could still feel his breath against my skin, the way his words sent goosebumps all over my skin. How could it have been all fake?

"Mother?" I exclaimed in a panic, as I went to open the door. As soon as my door creaked open, my mother was standing there getting ready to knock. Mother gasped in surprise or shock. I wasn't sure. Without warning, she pushed into my room, slamming the door behind her. She gripped onto my arm before dragging me to the bathroom. I realized she had a plate with a sandwich on it and a bag of blood.

So, she didn't forget. Why did she come in so late though? It was now four in the morning.

"What has happened to you?" mother demanded as she pushed me onto the toilet. I couldn't understand what she was saying. Why was she acting so weird? With a sigh, mother walked over to get a black washcloth from my drawer. She came back to me, shaking her head as she held the washcloth under warm water.

"There is blood falling from your eyes. From now on, you won't be able to cry in public. How is this even possible? Oh gosh, where did you get this bruise on your neck? Your father and I are going to have to find a solution to this problem and soon, especially if you are getting married." Mother rambled on. I knew at this point she was venting and working through her thoughts, not exactly talking to me anymore. When she was panicking or worried, this is how she became. "Chad come in here."

"Mother, shouldn't you and father be sleeping? There is no reason to worry right now.I am fine, I feel alright." I told her reassuringly, trying to make her go back to sleep and not worry father. Before she could respond, father burst through the door, looking around for a threat. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Why is there blood coming out of your eyes? Where did you get that huge bruise on your neck from? Liberty, who did this?" Father demanded, making me stare at them speechless. What was I supposed to say, that the boogyman was here, in my dreams, and this was the result? I would pass. One, they wouldn't believe me, two, they would lock me up in an insane asylum.

"I hit my neck on my dresser and I missed my blood time." I told them nonchalantly, trying to divert their attention somewhere else.

Father looked like he didn't believe me and his next words proved it. "Don't tell us the truth. Eat and take your blood, get cleaned up and be down by nine to meet the man I have promised your hand to." With that he left the room with a huff. Mother looked at me with sad eyes, tired of my father's and my arguments, before handing me the washcloth and following my father.

I slammed my hand on the sink, making it crack from the impact. I stared in shock before deciding to jump in the shower. How the hell did I just crack the sink by just hitting it? I knew I had worked out and took fighting classes, but cracking my farmhouse granite gray concrete sink shocked the hell out of me.

How would I explain this?