CHAPTER FIVE
989 Words
Evelyne stared in horror as the figure yanked her in front of him.
It wasn't Willard.
Her heart dropped to her stomach.
It was Octavus.
Up close, he was even more terrifying. His black eyes stared into her soul, cold and unblinking, his grip on her wrist iron-tight, bruising her delicate skin.
He didn’t say a word. His face stayed unreadable, eerily calm, almost fascinated, like he was studying how much fear a human could hold.
“Let me go,” Evelyne whispered, her voice trembling, but he didn’t move.
Instead, his hand tightened even more, a cruel smirk flickering across his face for just a second.
Evelyne struggled, pushing against him, but he didn’t even flinch. He was much stronger than he looked. Panic rose in her throat like a burning wave. She tried to scream, but her voice caught in her chest.
“Please…” she begged, tears brimming at the edges of her vision.
In one swift, cruel motion, Octavus shoved her backward.
Evelyne stumbled, crashing hard into the marble counter. Pain exploded across her back and she gasped sharply, collapsing onto the floor.
Before she could move, Octavus crouched in front of her, his shadow swallowing her up.
His head tilted slightly, almost curious, almost… entertained.
Still, not a single word escaped his lips.
She scrambled backward, but he caught her by the ankle with terrifying speed, dragging her a few inches closer. Her nails scratched helplessly against the floor.
He watched her struggle his eyes glistening with what almost seemed like satisfaction.
He brought her close his face just inches away as his eyes stared into hers still not saying a word.
His fingers dug into her ankle like he wanted something to happen and when nothing did he held tighter
She then screamed, the sound echoing through the who mansion, it was a mix of pain and distortion.
“OCTAVUS!”
Willard’s voice thundered through the house, breaking the silence like a violent storm.
Octavus slowly lifted his gaze, still emotionless, just as Willard charged into the kitchen.
Without hesitation, Willard lunged at him, grabbing his brother’s arm and ripping him away from Evelyne with a force that shook the room.
“Don’t you touch her!” Willard roared, fury burning in his voice. His body shielded Evelyne as he shoved Octavus backward.
Octavus stumbled slightly but caught himself easily.
He stared at Willard with that same cold, dead expression, as if daring him to do something worse.
For a moment, it felt like time froze. Two worlds clashing. Two brothers, one filled with hatred, the other with desperation.
Willard clenched his fists so tight his knuckles turned white.
His entire body shook with rage, but he didn’t attack again, somehow holding himself back.
“Get out of here,” he growled lowly at Octavus, voice trembling with barely restrained violence.
Octavus didn’t move. He just looked still his normal cold expression and sickening look in his eyes and then turned, disappearing silently down the hallway like a ghost.
Willard dropped to his knees beside Evelyne instantly, his hands hovering over her arms, afraid to hurt her even by accident.
“Evelyne, are you okay? Talk to me,” he pleaded, brushing a strand of hair away from her face gently.
Evelyne's body was trembling uncontrollably, tears slipping down her cheeks.
“He— he grabbed me,” she sobbed, voice shaking.
“My wrist— it hurts—”
Willard took her hand ever so gently, examining the angry red mark already forming around her wrist. His jaw tightened so hard it looked like it might snap.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice cracking slightly. “I should’ve never brought you here. This was a mistake.”
He pulled her into his arms, cradling her carefully against his chest like she might break, kissing the top of her head.
“You’re safe now. I swear on everything, I’ll protect you. No one’s ever going to lay a hand on you again, Evelyne. Not while I’m breathing.”
She clutched his shirt, burying her face into him as sobs wracked her small frame.
Willard just held her tighter, rocking her gently, whispering soft things into her hair.
Minutes passed before she was able to breathe properly again.
Willard helped her up carefully, one hand steady on her waist.
“We’re leaving,” he said firmly. “Right now. I don’t care what my mother says. I’m not staying another second in this house”
Evelyne nodded weakly, too exhausted to argue.
Without letting go of her even once, Willard led her out the front doors, not even sparing a glance back at the towering mansion or the monsters inside it.
As he placed her gently in the car, his eyes met hers, so full of guilt, anger, and fierce protectiveness.
“I’m so sorry, Evelyne,” he whispered again, cupping her face.
“I love you. And I swear, I’m never letting anyone hurt you again.”
Evelyne leaned into his touch, finally feeling safe again.
She didn’t say it back yet but she knew, deep in her heart, that she loved him too.
She stared at the house and before Willard drove away she saw Fiona standing at a window, her usual smile plastered but this one seemed different, it seemed almost mocking.
And just as fast as she came she left and Evelyne turned away as Willard drove out.
Evelyne kept thinking about what happened, her body still shaking in fear but being with Willard created a comforting environment.
"I'm so sorry again Evelyne, I'm sorry I wasn't there" Willard spoke up gripping the steering wheel hard.
She looked at him "it's not your fault, it's fine"
She said almost like she was reassuring herself that this was the end, that she won't have to see him ever again.
But she also knew...
This was only the beginning.
- Writer
