Page 23 of Dark Therapy

As she finally leaned back, letting her head fall against the cushion, her eyes slowly drifting closed, I found myself leaning in, feeling that familiar rush of power. This wasmydesign,myworld, and soon enough, she’d understand that there was no escape.

The night was deep and still, cloaking the world in a velvet darkness that matched the creepingthrillinside me. I parked my car a few blocks away, shrouded in the shadows of the trees, and made my way to Millie’s house. The path was well-trodden now, each step a dark promise of what was to come.

Her two-story home stood quietly, the lights dimmed, a soft glow emanating from the living room windows. I lingered justout of sight, savoring the moment. The familiar thrill of anticipation prickled at my skin as I imagined her sprawled on that couch, the remnants of her day etched into her features. The place felt more like mine with each visit, like a sinister inheritance I was destined to claim.

I slipped around to the back, the slight creak of the fence barely registering over the thrum of my heart. With practiced ease, I pushed open the sliding glass door, its familiar resistance yielding to my will. The scent of her home enveloped me—comforting, yet tinged with something raw and electric that was uniquelyhers.

As I entered, the soft sound of her breathing drew me in. She was there, just beyond the wall, draped across the couch like a delicate doll, her hair cascading over the armrest. A blanket half-covered her, a few stray tendrils of hair dancing across her face. I paused for a moment, taking her in, allowing the sight to wash over me.

There she was—my Millie. Vulnerable, unguarded, blissfully unaware of the darkness hovering just outside her dreams. I moved closer, each step quiet, deliberate, as if I were approaching something sacred. My eyes drank in every detail:the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the way her lips parted slightly as she slept.

I positioned myself just out of her line of sight, watching the serenity of her face. A small, twisted part of me reveled in the idea that she would not know I was here, that she was atmymercy. The thrill of it all sent shivers down my spine.

I fought the urge to reach out, to stroke her hair or trace the curve of her jaw. But no, patience was key.

As the minutes stretched on, I allowed myself to indulge in the darker fantasies swirling in my mind. I envisioned what it would be like to wake her gently, to pull her from her slumber into a world crafted by my hands. I wanted to hear her voice, feel the confusion and fear ripple through her as she realized she wasn’t alone, that I was here—alwayshere.

Time slipped away as I stood there, watching her sleep, plotting my next move. In this moment, I was the puppet master, and she was the unwitting marionette, and I could not wait to see how she would dance.

The thrill coiled tightly within me, a live wire buzzing with potential as I stood there in the dim light. It was arushunlike any other, a heady mix of power and desire that coursed through my veins like adrenaline. Watching Millie, the way her chest rose and fell softly, I felt the edges of my control tighten, my focus sharpening on her every delicate feature.

This was what Icraved—the intoxicating blend of fear and fascination that radiated from her. Each breath she took was a reminder of how close I was, how easily I could step into her world and reshape it to my liking. The idea of her waking up to find me there, looming in the shadows, sent an electric thrill surging through me. What would her eyes betray? Fear? Confusion? Or maybe,excitement? I relished the thought.

Every inch of her was a canvas, and I was the fucking artist, ready to paint her with my intentions. I could imagine the way she would shudder if I brushed my fingers against her skin, how her body would react to my presence. The thrill wasn’t just in the act of watching; it was in the possibility of what was to come—theplansI’d crafted, the moments I could orchestrate that would leave her breathless and aching formore.

With each passing second, the desire to break through that thin veneer of peace she clung to intensified. But the thrill lay in the challenge: to see how far I could push her, how deeply I could etch myself into her psyche.

I envisioned a world where she belonged to me—completelyandutterly. A world where I could touch her, mold her, and make her understand the depths of my obsession. The thrill of the hunt was delicious, and I savored it like a fine wine, allowing it to linger on my palate.

Tonight, the thrill was everything. I was a predator in the dark, and she was my prey. The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of us suspended in this charged silence, waiting for the moment to break. I leaned closer, inhaling the scent of her hair, a mixture of shampoo and something uniquely hers, and smiled to myself. Soon, she would know exactly who was in control.

A REMINDER

Amelia

I sat at the small round table in the corner of the bustling café, a warm cup of herbal tea cradled in my hands. The faint buzz of laughter and chatter surrounded us. Emily leaned in closer, her brows furrowed with concern, yet a small smile danced on her lips.

“It’s been a whole week, Amelia! You should be celebrating, not just trying to convince yourself it was all a dream. No more nightmares? That’s amazing!” she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

“Yeah, amazing,” I replied, attempting to match her excitement. But beneath my smile, unease twisted in my gut. I couldn’t shake the lingering fear that the nightmares would return, that Damien would somehow seep back into my mind. “But you know me—after everything, I needproof. So I had a company come in to install cameras around the house.”

Emily’s expression shifted, a mix of disbelief and worry crossing her face. “Cameras? You really think that’ll help? What are you expecting to find?”

I took a sip of my tea, the warmth spreading through me, momentarily grounding my swirling thoughts. “I just… I need to know that I’m safe. I have to convince myself that it was just my imagination, that he wasn’treallythere.”

“Amelia, you can’t keep living like this,” Emily said softly, her voice laced with concern. “You can’t let him control you, even in your mind.”

As I looked into her earnest eyes, I felt the weight of her words. “I know. But it’s hard. Some days I can almost feel him there,watching. Even now, it’s like I’m waiting for him to jump out from behind a tree or something.”

Emily rolled her eyes playfully, but her concern didn’t waver. “Okay, let’s focus on something else. We’re here to celebrate, remember? How’s Anna handling her crazy party planning?”

I laughed, grateful for the distraction. Anna’s birthday party had taken over our lives for weeks, and Emily had been the mastermind behind the decorations. The thought of the colorful balloons and fairy lights brightened my mood. “I’m surprised she hasn’t turned into a bridezilla! She keeps adding new themes every day. It’s like she thinks we’re planning a royal wedding instead of a birthday party.”

Just then, Anna approached our table, her bright smile cutting through the café’s atmosphere like a beacon. “Hey, you two! Are you ready for the best birthday bash of the year?”

“More like the most chaotic!” Emily teased, and Anna laughed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

As we exchanged stories and laughter, I tried to push away the unsettling feeling that had lingered since my nightmares ceased. My gaze drifted around the café, catching glimpses of shadows shifting in the corners, and for a moment, I thought I saw a familiar figure lurking just outside. My heart raced, but I quickly blinked the image away.

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