Page 31 (2/2)

He pursed his lips, bitter now instead of afraid, and wondered if this was really the best tiain None of this was her fault, after all, and facing her when he was in one of his ood It never did

But the idea of going back to bed, upstairs all by himself, made the acids in his sto to think clearly

At last, he lifted the penlight and flicked it across the peaceful plains of her face, checking to see if she was still asleep Her eyes were closed, her lids still, motionless A dreamless sleep

That’s usually hoas after they’d eaten one of his "special"they would sleep peacefully, that waking wasn’t an option

He lifted a finger to his ernail, and then he re habit that was and dropped his hand away guiltily He let the glow of the penlight irl’s liers

He felt hi lilac he’d painted on her fingernails

She had beautiful hands Clean and pretty and soft

He wanted to be near her He didn’t want to be alone, not tonight

He crept closer, hesitating as he reached the side of her bed, and he listened to the long, stretched out sounds of her sleep Such a peaceful sound Such a soothing sound

The bedsprings creaked as the weight of the bed shifted There was plenty of room for him, and he slid beneath the covers easily He curled hi it surround him, lull him Yet she never flinched, neverfor him

Chapter 9

VIOLET STARED OUT HER BEDROOM WINDOW AT a black sky punctuated by ato decide if it was too late to go to sleep or too early to be up Fro was so peaceful Caled, and sleep was overruled by torment