Page 10 (2/2)

I'm not sure if I've made a sound, but the man suddenly looks up, and I'm stunned to realize it's the same man in the video

Why is he here? Why a?

"I'll handle things from here, Gerard"

That voice

I spin around as "Gerard" takes his leave, and a sob shakesinto a pair of eyes that are Paul-New out of relief Because what they say is true

The devil you know is truly better, for realz

Mr Sinister cups my chin, so suddenly that I don't even have the chance to decide if I should resist his touch or not "Are you alright, my dove?"

Another one of those randohts invade my mindand Mr Sinister actually seehten a fraction "What is it?"

"What iswhat?"

The fingers holding aze re"

My eyes widen

"What is it?" he asks again

I consider lying, but my internal debate lasts only for a second This is not worth lying about, and so I tell him the truth—-

"I was thinking," I say in a small voice, "that I didn't expect you to be the type to use avian endearments"

—-no

A moment passes

And then another

And another

Until finally, he speaks, saying very, very gently, "I'll have to punish you for that"

I'm shocked at first

And then I look at hi

Hoping he's joking

But he's not

Even when the expression on his too-beautiful face is cal in my stomach tells me he absolutely means it, and my instincts take over

I ain

But I fail Again

He catches ive it all I've got as I try fighting hi, for God's sake