Page 134 of Wallflower

Rose rolls to her stomach, crawling closer as I prop myself up on my arm. “Would you cut me?”

“Would you like it?”

She shrugs. “I’m not opposed.”

I hear the resonance of her moans in my ear, and the feel of her slick, warm blood on my hands as I carve into her soft skin. If she wants it, I’ll deliver. Whether I detest it or not.

I haven’t hurt her, humiliated her, the way I have the others. Rose looks at me with so much trust and adoration, I can’t bear the thought of destroying it. I haven’t felt that fiery driving urge when I’m with her. The need for control, for retribution against someone I can’t confront.

“Wow,” she breathes. The sky explodes in a wash of oranges and pinks. It’s only a handful of moments before it dissipates back to the bright blue of early morning, but all I’m looking at is her.

Rose’s tired eyes drag away from the striking sunrise, locking with mine.

“Breakfast?” I query.

“Breakfast sounds great.”

Maple Jacks is a café that opens with the rising sun, ready to cater to all the early risers who swarm to the beach. It’s owned by a husband and wife team, two of the best people I know. I lead Rose toward it once we roll up the blanket and re-dress.

Rose glances up at me as we make our way across the beach, something on the tip of her tongue she isn’t sure she wants to let slip.

“What is it?” I ask.

“What?”

“Whatever’s got your lip begging for release from between your teeth.”

“It’s stupid.”

“Just because you think it’s stupid, doesn’t mean I will.”

Rose mulls over my words. Taking a few more steps before replying. “Do you really believe in that stuff?”

“You’re going to have to be more specific.”

“Krakens, and mermaids, and whatnot.”

“I think it would be ignorant of me to not believe there’s many things I don’t know or understand.”Like the way I feel about you.

“So… aliens?”

“Highly possible.”

“Bigfoot?”

“Not on this island, but completely plausible in the right environment.”

“The ships and planes that go missing in the middle of the ocean?”

“Obviously they fell into a portal.”

She beams up at me, an infectious smile blooming across her lips. I never would have guessed this was part of her make up. That somewhere inside, she likes the unexplainable and spooky.

Taking my hand in hers, Rose threads our fingers together. The contact shoots me back to the small confined hallway of Bleakcrest, her cold touch sliding against my crimson palm. My brother’s blood paints her skin, and I should feel like a piece of shit because of it, but I’m just shocked she’s comforted by my presence. The contact grounds me now as I put one foot in front of the other, guiding us toward my favourite hidden gem on the island.

The seashell chime rings out when I swing the door open, guiding Rose in first. The spattering of the grill can be heard as bacon’s drool-worthy aroma floats through the space.

“Do you have a preferred spot?” Rose asks, causing something warm and gooey to slide through my body.