Chapter 394: Stockholm Syndrome

Chapter 394: Stockholm Syndrome


The man she had seen kill the creature appeared in front of her and the hand holding it released. She could make out at least nine figures in the candlelight. She looked at the windows and they were covered to prevent the light from being seen outside.

“You took your time, miss.” He said in a whisper.

“Have you gone mad? If they find out you're here, they'll make you their next meal!”

“We need information. You live free among them. Is your loyalty also within that house, or do you still remember what it's like to be human?”

“I'm forced to live with them. My family is their hostage.”

“I didn't know they kept people... alive.” One of them said suspiciously.

“Yes. They do. But they're living in tunnels built underground.” Tayme replied hurriedly.

“Do they have supplies?” Another man asked.

Tayme looked nervously at the man. They couldn't expect to be welcomed into a place full of vampires and werewolves and humans who knew this secret. Those humans there were the obvious choice if the survivors of the Shelter needed to make a sacrifice.

“Don't you understand? They're not safe in that place.”

“Their leader left, right?” The man she had seen kill one of the things asked anxiously.

“Yes. How long have you been watching us? Why haven't you come to meet me?”

“They've been following you all these days. We've been watching their every move.”

“What happened to that creature you...”

The man raised his finger to his lips and Tayme realized that there must be someone there who didn't know that detail.

“I need you to let us know when the leader returns and all the Firecolds are celebrating inside the house. We've been watching them and whenever the leader leaves, they scatter, but when he's home, they all gather inside.”

“The house is big, but I've never seen many of them inside.”

“I imagine not. They have secrets, miss. But no matter how they do it, to get out or into that house, they have to do it through the doors. Help us and your family will be safe, too. The world will be rebuilt and we'll live in a relatively safe world again.”

Tayme thought of Baron.

“Are you going to kill them all?”

“I'm putting all my efforts into it.”

“Maybe we should keep their leader alive so that we can study him and prevent something like this from happening to humanity again...”

“The name for that is 'Stockholm Syndrome'.” Another voice said from the darkness.

Tayme looked inquiringly at the man.

“What does he mean by that?”

“He means that you're sympathizing with your kidnapper. You're a victim, young lady. Don't intercede for the lives of any of them. This feeling of friendship and love you're feeling for him is just the fruit of trauma.”

“I don't feel any of those things for him, I just...”

“If that's true, help us.”

“What do you want me to do?”

The man smiled and began to explain his plan to Tayme, who listened without letting the pain he felt in his heart show when he thought of the creature's death.

Tayme left the humans' hideout when their leader thought they would be safe and returned home, where she remained to reflect on the humans' plan.

Tayme was told that the creature she belonged to was back and she hurried to stand before him. As she had been instructed to do during those days of waiting.

He smiled when he saw her, as if he had missed her. Tayme also felt his heart leap in his chest as she approached him.

He held her carefully by the waist and kissed her lips for the first time.

Tayme thought she would hate that contact, but it was more pleasant than she would have liked, and she ended up surrendering to the moment.

He released her after a while and pulled away, looking longingly at her whole body, as if he could see through her clothes.

“It's good to see you again.”

“Uhm.” Tayme mumbled. She didn't want to admit that she had missed him.

“I... What do you say we go to bed now?” He asked hesitantly.

Tayme felt her whole body respond to him. She didn't want to. Of course she couldn't want that contact, but her body didn't agree with her mind and she was excited by the prospect of being possessed by him again.

She looked away.

“If there's no other way...” She replied indifferently.

He smiled and approached her, took her hand and kissed it.

“Come on, Tayme.” He said and taking her hand, led her into the bedroom.

His demeanor in the room suddenly changed.

“I'm sorry about this first time, Tayme.” He said and she frowned uncomprehendingly until he pushed her onto the bed and with nervous, anxious gestures, tore off her shorts and penetrated her, causing the usual stabbing pain.

Tayme didn't scream, but she was revolted by the violence.