Free Bleak Devotion by Gemma Drazin

feet came into view down the hall, stopping mid-stride. The foot hung in the air for a moment, then dropped to the floor. Two more pairs joined the first. Jessica forced out a groan, which wasn't hard. She really hurt. She just had to make herself be willing to let out the sign of her emotion around the monster. The anger had been easy to let out, but showing her pain was much more difficult. Others could do it, why not her? She could drive this small act out, he would show at least a hint of his true nature, and they could kick him out of the cabin.
    Time seemed to drag. Jessica felt ridiculous lying on the floor with only minor bruises. She pulled herself up to her hands and knees, still gripping the bucket. A hand reached down to help her. She looked up to see the monster was its owner and swatted it away. Let it provoke him into changing.
    Putting a leg under her, she began to stand. Suddenly, her foot slipped out from under her. The monster in front of her tensed as she fell as if to catch her, but stopped, letting her plummet to the ground a second time. Another groan escaped her lips, not needing to force it this time.
    “Jessica,” Zach sounded frantic somewhere behind her, “are you okay?”
    She dragged herself up into a sitting position with Zach's hands on her arms. “I'm fine.”
    Snapping her milk-soaked head up at a burst of laughter, she scowled at Deborah, Erin, and the older woman whose name she couldn't remember. The two adults laughed uncontrollably, grasping their sides, but sweet Erin looked on with worry gleaming in her dark eyes. Bless the younger girl.
    Zach continued buzzing worries in her ear. Her face throbbed. She leaned her head back against the wall, glaring up at the monster. He looked back at her with a predictably expressionless face. At least he had the sense to back up, though he would be smarter to leave the hall.
    Warm milk dripped from her battered body as the laughter died down. Hoping every ounce of outrage she had was pouring out of her eyes, she kept her glare on Blade.
    “ Alright, Jessica,” Deborah said from down the hall, “sorry we laughed. It was just too funny to resist and we could all use a reason to laugh these days.”
    Without turning to look at the women in the hall, Jessica spoke through her teeth. “It's fine.” Barely aware of Zach helping, she stood. “If you'll excuse me, I need to go take a shower and rid myself of this monster's filth.”
    Something changed on the monster's face then so briefly Jessica almost missed it. A pang of guilt resonated through her; he had only been trying to help, after all. Staring up into those eyes… No, this whole fiasco wouldn't have happened if he had left the cabin.
    Jessica thrust the bucket toward Zach. Not bothering to stop and see if he got a hold of it, she marched down the hallway toward the bathroom. Deborah placed a hand on her arm as she passed stopping her. “Are you truly alright, hon?”
    “I'm fine. Just a little bruised.” Jessica held up a hand to stop Deborah's next words. “And I don't fault the two of you for laughing. You're right, we all need a reason to laugh around her. Next time I just hope the humor comes from another source.” She looked pointedly back at the monster who stared back with his impassive face.
    “ I'll grab some towels to clean up this mess,” Erin said.
    Jessica turned toward the teenager and couldn't help but smile. The girl gave a shy smile in return and left through the kitchen's entrance. Jessica's smile faded as the girl left. What a disaster. And it didn't look like she was any closer to getting rid of the monster. With all her groans and the laughter, the incident probably reinforced the others’ thought that this monster was safe. Were they right? She walked down the hall, feeling the monster's eyes boring into her.
     

 
     
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    Jessica sniffed in quickly and then sneezed.
    “ Bless you,” Julie said.
    “ Thanks.”
    Holding her hand as far