Chapter 12: Punishment
600 Words
I didn’t sleep that night.
Not after what happened.
Not after the way he looked at me.
Not after the words he said.
“You’re not leaving.”
They echoed in my mind over and over again.
Like a warning.
Or maybe… a promise.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at nothing.
My thoughts were a mess.
My emotions… even worse.
Why did this feel so complicated?
Why did he make everything harder?
I heard footsteps outside.
Slow.
Controlled.
My heart dropped instantly.
Him.
The door opened without a knock.
He stepped inside like he owned everything.
Because he did.
His expression was calm again.
Too calm.
And that scared me more than his anger.
“Stand up,” he said.
Not loud.
But firm.
My fingers tightened slightly.
“Why?” I asked quietly.
His gaze hardened just a little.
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
My heart started beating faster.
Slowly…
I stood.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
He walked closer.
Each step measured.
Like he already decided something.
“You tried to run,” he said.
Again.
Like he needed me to hear it.
“Yes,” I whispered.
I wasn’t going to lie anymore.
His jaw tightened.
“Do you know what happens when someone disobeys me?”
My breath caught.
I didn’t answer.
He stepped even closer.
“They get punished.”
The word sent a chill down my spine.
“I’m not one of your people,” I said, trying to stay strong.
“You don’t get to control me like that.”
Silence.
Then—
His hand reached out suddenly.
Grabbing my wrist.
Pulling me closer.
Not rough enough to hurt…
But firm enough to make a point.
“You’re in my world,” he said quietly.
“You follow my rules.”
My chest tightened.
“Or what?” I challenged.
Big mistake.
His eyes darkened instantly.
“Or I remind you,” he said.
Silence.
My heart was racing now.
But I didn’t back down.
“Do it then,” I whispered.
For a second…
I thought he would explode.
But instead—
He went still.
Completely still.
His grip loosened.
Just slightly.
And that’s when I saw it.
Something change.
Not anger anymore.
Something else.
“You think I want to hurt you?” he asked quietly.
My breath caught.
I didn’t answer.
Because I didn’t know.
His hand moved from my wrist…
To my face.
Gently this time.
“You don’t understand anything,” he murmured.
My chest tightened.
“Then explain,” I said softly.
Silence.
He didn’t answer.
Instead—
He stepped back.
Creating distance again.
And somehow…
That hurt more.
“From now on,” he said coldly,
“you don’t leave this room without permission.”
My eyes widened.
“What?”
“That’s your punishment.”
My chest tightened painfully.
“You can’t do that,” I whispered.
He didn’t react.
“Watch me,” he said.
Silence.
My vision blurred slightly.
I didn’t realize I was holding back tears…
Until one finally slipped.
His eyes flicked to it immediately.
And for a second—
Just a second—
He hesitated.
But then…
He turned away.
And walked to the door.
“Get some rest,” he said quietly.
Then left.
The door closed behind him.
And just like that…
The room felt smaller.
Colder.
I sank to the floor slowly.
My chest tightening.
Tears falling freely now.
I hated him.
I really did.
But the worst part?
I wasn’t sure if that was the only thing I felt anymore.
- Writer
