Page 42 of The Cute Psycho

She nods thoughtfully. "If that's what you want, then of course."

Lina and Claudia go to get some sweets while I endure the ministrations of the hair stylist. Already, I feel bad as I see my hair gathering on the floor, flashbacks of Cressida's punishments flashing through my head.

It takes everything in me not to bolt. Luckily, the entire thing is over in minutes, and the new look seems to suit me perfectly.

I thank the technician and move to pay.

All the while, my skin prickles with awareness, as if someone's watching me from behind.

Turning rapidly, I see a shadowy shape take refuge behind one of the columns.

I don't even wait for the change, telling them to keep the rest as I run, chasing after whatever's following me.

No one.

There's no one behind the column, or anywhere around it. I stand in the middle of the shopping mall, disoriented as I look around, attempting to pick out whatever phantasm I'd seen.

I'm going crazy.

I didn't lose my mind during my twenty years in that wretched place, but I am now. For God's sake, I used to hang out in a cemetery, and I'd never been scared of ghosts or any other supernatural creature. It seems rather ludicrous to become so paranoid now.

It's all his fault.

"Aunt Sisi," Claudia calls out my name, dashing toward me. Plastering a smile on my face, I pretend that everything is okay.

Once we have what we came for, we're ready to head back.

I'm already tired, both physically and mentally, and as soon as we get home, I excuse myself to my room.

I need a nap.

Hopefully, this time I won't have an uninvited guest in my dreams.

Opening the door to my room, I place the bags on the floor, my hands already on the zipper of my dress.

All of a sudden, a hand covers my mouth, an arm sneaking around my waist and bringing me into a hard chest.

What?

My first instinct is to try to scream, regardless of the palm pressing against my lips. My limbs start struggling, and I move my head around, trying to kick at whoever is behind me.

"Shhh," a chilling voice whispers in my ear, "we wouldn't want your brother to find me here."

My heart in my throat, I can only stop moving. My entire body is stiff as I realize just who is behind me, holding me hostage.

Oh, hell. I may die after all.

10

VLAD

Humming to myself, I open the door to the basement, depositing the tools I'd brought with me on a table.

Vanya is sulking in a corner, and she only gives me one hostile look before turning her head and proceeding to ignore me. She's been doing this for the past few hours, and I have yet to find what caused her displeasure.

Although, Imayhave one idea.

Focusing on the task at hand, instead, I put that particular topic out of my mind.

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