Play Time Is Over

ANNELISE POV

“And… that’s a wrap for the day.”

I exhaled, leaning against the mop handle as I took in the gleaming floors. My back ached, my fingers were raw from scrubbing, and my eyelids felt like they were made of cement.

I was exhausted… But I still had to repeat this routine for God knows how long.

The café in the morning. The cleaning job at night. And tomorrow? The same thing all over again.

I let out a slow breath, rolling my sore shoulders. Just a little longer. Mom needed me to keep this job, her highest-paying client shouldn’t know she was too sick to show up.

Rich people replace everything.

I couldn’t let her down. Not when she’d already lost so much.

Food. Rent. Medicine. Everything depended on me now.

I took a deep breath and started parking the cleaning materials into the storeroom.

“Perfect job, dear.” A feminine voice startled me once I came out of the storeroom, I quickly took a bow.

“Thank you, Ma.” I replied respectfully, she was a middle aged lady probably my mother’s age, she looked so beautiful and a bit strict.

“You work so hard, just like your mother. I admire that, for your effort? I will double your payment.” She praised with a kind smile as I blushed in appreciation.

“That’s so generous of you ma, Thank you.” I replied with a small bow. Joy swelling in my heart.

Few minutes later, I received the alert in my phone. I was surprised, she had sent way more than I had expected, she had solved our money problems for at least three days.

I was overjoyed and relieved.

“Good girl,” she said with a kind smile before glancing at her gold plated watch. “You should get going, it’s getting really dark outside.”

“Yes, Ma’am. See you tomorrow.”

I gave her one last grateful nod before grabbing my bag and heading toward the grand front door.

Once I got outside the estates gigantic gate, I took a deep breather. It was indeed late, as late as 8pm and I was about to take a walk home.

The street was lonely, but the bright streetlights made it better. I quietly started walking, this wasn’t my first time walking alone at night, but today felt different. The atmosphere was cold and strange.

The night air blew heavily adding to my anxiety but I tried my hardest to ignore the strange feelings.

Soon, I was two streets away from my house, but that feeling clung to my chest again.

“Nothing is wrong, Annelise. Nothing is wrong.” I proclaimed to myself in whispers and kept walking.

Suddenly, the crackle of a dried leaf startled me, making me almost jump out of my skin, and then my phone started ringing,and for some reason or maybe I was just over thinking it, my ringtone sounded so loud.

It was my mom calling so I quickly answered.

“Anne, are you close? You’re running late and the city isn’t safe at night.” My mom immediately said once I answered, her voice dry and weak.

“I’m very close, Mom. I will also get your drugs. Don’t worry about me.” I replied calmly, trying to steady my trembling voice.

“Be safe.” She muttered and ended the call.

I heaved a sigh of exhaustion and kept walking, now I was in the part of the street with dead street lights, and all I depended on to see was my phone light and the moon… The moon was bright and full today.

I flashed my phone light further, catching the most terrifying sight of my life.

The inhuman gold eyes, glowing at the brightness of my phone light and staring into my soul like a predator, beneath him was a dead man with his heart ripped out and placed on his chest.

Goosebumps filled my skin in a second, I couldn’t scream or move. I just stood, rooted at a spot, my eyes wide open in fright and disbelief.

When my survival instinct clicked, signaling me to run for my life, it was already too late. This gold eyed monster with a towering build was right in front of me in a split second.

“What is a little human like you doing outside and alone by this time of the night?” He uttered with a dangerous smile, his lips stained with small blood.

I was scared and jittery, I was scared for my life. He could easily kill me this instant with no one knowing.

“Ple… please, let me go. Do not kill me, please. I’m all my mother has, I beg you.” I finally found my voice, but all I could do was plead for my life.

He was standing so close to me that I could smell his cologne mixed with blood, his body build was so over powering, he was huge and scary.

“Too late, Sweetness. You saw what you shouldn’t have seen, I should kill you, but I can’t. You’re mine now.” He said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

His!? Hell no!

“I swear, I didn’t see anything. I would never mention this to anyone, I promise. My mom needs me, please.” I pleaded, tears rolling uncontrollably down my cheeks, fear clinging onto my chest causing intense goosebumps.

“Honey, are you trying to outsmart me?” He uttered with a quiet giggle. “Play time is over, Sweetness. You’re going with me.”

That instant, I lost consciousness.

***

My head felt heavy and ached badly, I held my head, trying to ease the pain.

I slowly started opening my eyes, but immediately shut it back from the brightness of the light. I placed my hand on my eyes and hissed.

My throat was equally dry.

“Finally, you’re awake. Little human.” My eyes snapped open on the sound of the masculine voice, I turned to see where the voice came from, it was him. Yes I met him at night but I could never forget the face of a monster… A beautiful monster, I hate to admit.

Last night wasn’t a bad dream? He is actually real and I’m still alive?

I took in my environment, I was indeed in his home, I was still away from my sick mother. She must be worried sick, she hasn’t even taken her drugs.

“You slept for so long, you must have been exhausted.” He uttered as he stood from the little couch and sat on the side of the bed, too close for my liking.

I wasn’t exhausted, I was unconscious and terrified!

“Your food will be served soon, you should go have a bath and get comfortable.” He instructed, staring at me with an unreadable smile.

Get comfortable with a monster!? Did he think this was some fiction novel?

“Please, let me go. My mom is sick and needs me, I promise, I can’t remember what happened last night. I just need to go home.” I pleaded, this time I couldn’t hold back my tears, I needed my life back.

“A doctor has been sent to your mom, she will be fine. Now go have your bath, Sweetness.”

A doctor has been sent to my mom? How did he know my home?

“It was so easy to get your informations, humans have no safety instincts whatsoever” He said, sounding a bit unimpressed.