Unhinged (Dance With My Demons, #1)

by Steph Macca

Sometimes you need to cut ties with people… And sometimes those ties are arteries.

I'm not a hero though. I don't pretend to be something I'm not. I also don't see the need or pleasure in categorizing myself.

Many people see me as the villain. And to that I say… then I'll be the fucking villain.

"That's Theo. Ignore him — he's a psycho. He barely socializes with anyone. He's probably just pissed to be on extra work duty."

I lean over, locking eyes with her. And just when I think I have her all figured out, the feisty little thing kicks me square in the gut.

"Ooft!" I groan, stumbling back. It's unexpected but frankly, I think I might be fucking in love with her.

Avery nods, betrayal crossing her face as she once again realizes, there's no allies in this place. At least, not for her.

My sanity will not be intact one day. I'm not sure when it will happen — months from now, maybe years. Hell, it could even be next week. But all I know is that this place will be the end of me. I won't be saved, I won't be released into the community as some good sob story to bank money off. I'll just be dead or nothing.

I nod slowly. "You'll take care of it?" He grins, outstretching his arms like some type of showman. "Of course I will. But just remember, you'll owe me one."

Unless they are doing it as some type of sinister plot against Avery. In which case, they are going to have some problems. It's me. I'm the problem.

I've never seen them interact outside of meal times, and even then, he ignores her. But he's allowed her to sit with him at meal times which is a big deal.

In all the years Theo has been here, I've never seen him do that.

I don't think she realizes her power and her aura. She seems to think she's some broken little soul, but she's much more than that.

'Meet me after dark. I'll collect you. Bring an open mind, little killer.'

"Oh, God," she mutters breathlessly. "Fuck. Oh, God." "I'm your God now, little killer. And I'm your fucking Devil too."

I don't think she realizes it, but she lets out this little shaky breath followed by a tiny, almost inaudible moan that gets caught in her throat. And it's at this moment, I realize I'm never letting her go. Now that I've

tasted her and heard the sounds she makes when her world falls apart in the best way, she's mine. Avery is fucking mine.

But that's not important right now. I'm trapped in an aisle with a shiv-wielding Grey. I always said he wouldn't hurt me… unless I gave him a reason.

"You taste like heaven and hell all in one," he muses, holding out his index finger. He brushes my bottom lip, coaxing me to open up. My lips open on their own accord, Grey's finger gliding along my tongue as I taste myself. He groans in appreciation, easing his finger back out. "You're going to be the death of me, Avery," he mutters,

leaning down to kiss me. "And I can't fucking wait."

"You've got to relax, baby girl. Because when I finally claim you with my cock, you're going to take all of me."

"You're mine now," he whispers, increasing the pace of the shiv as it moves in and out of my body. "Your body is my territory, my sweet victory. Together, we'll rule the unhinged, little killer."

"Mark my words, Christopher. Don't fucking cross me again. I'll end you faster than you can see it coming."

He'll be expecting us to come at him with guns blazing. I'm going to break him down, piece by fucking piece. By the time I'm finished with him, he'll need a place at Lilydale."

Every time he looks at me, my stomach does this weird flippy thing. I can't explain the feeling, it's like he makes me feel alive. When I came to Lilydale, I thought my life was over. I felt dead inside, wishing I could just end it all. Despite Mr. Whittingham trying to convince me to give the place a chance, I didn't believe for one second I'd find happiness here.

At the end of the day, I should be allowed to be happy and I think I am. Or at least, little parts of me are starting to glow.

I can't read anymore, the paper slipping from my hands as they shake. I glance up, noticing everyone staring at me in silence. It's like the entire gen pop is here, staring at me in either disgust or pity. My eyes find Grey's across the room, his stormy orbs watching

me with concern. My gaze shifts to Damon's, his face blank as he watches me.

We need to stop before things get out of control. I won't admit it to her, or anyone, but I do care about Avery. She reminds me so much of someone who used to be in my life — her smile, her resilience, the audacity to push boundaries because she can.

That's what makes her special. She's a fucking force of nature, begging to be let free. Far too good for this place, if you ask me.

God. I have some balls on me today. Who knew that having someone balls deep in you would make you grow your own?

"Baby girl, stop," he groans, grabbing me. "I didn't call you that because I thought you were a murderer when we met. I called you that because I knew you would be the death of

me. But it's a sweet death, one that I welcome."

"Well, now you know," I spit back. "You and everyone else know I killed my father. A...

I don't regret sleeping with Theo — not one little bit. But this guy right here, the one who has sucked me in, is going to hate me if he finds out. He's been so patient, so caring, and I've stabbed him in the back.

"Excuse me," I reply angrily. "It might not be a big deal for you. But for me, it was everything. Every single person here would be mad if it happened to them. I have the right to be upset. And I have the right to have a say in how this is dealt with."

Alarm bells ring inside my head and I instantly go into flight-or-fight mode, ducking under his arm to sprint towards the door. I manage a few steps before he grabs my waist, pulling me back. Slamming me into the wall again, everything becomes hazy and I just throw my hands carelessly, hoping to hit anything and everything.

"We're not committing homicide today," I tell him. "I'm coming with you." He shrugs, ripping open the door forcefully. "Suit yourself."

Well… this is about to get interesting.

Oh, sweet naïve Vivian. Don't you realize what you set in motion? Not only did she hurt someone close to Grey, she drove Avery right into another man's arms because of her actions.

This is not the Grey I've come to know — at least, not the version he's shown me. He's cold… angry… glaring at me with such hatred that I've never seen before from him. He's always looked at me with

such warmth and happiness. And now he's not… Oh my God… he knows.

It feels like a betrayal to Theo to just casually disregard what we did, but he's not the one facing a dangerous predator right now. I am, and if life has taught me anything, it's about surviving. The amount of times I begged my father to stop, pleaded with him that I didn't mean to do something. It never mattered, but he never loved me.

And the fucked up reality finally hits me. I've avoided it all this time, when it's been staring me right in the face. I had just refused to accept it, terrified of

what it meant. I'm still scared, but maybe it will be okay… I love Gre...

And I'm hoping that means he might...

This is why I don't let people in. Dr. Smith told me to do it, to stop being scared that people might leave me. But this is why. Grey has left me. And it's all my fault.

Grey ripping off the bandage did me a favor. Because while my walls are back up, I'm not going to let anyone see me hide now. If I'm going to survive Lilydale, I need to be strong. This is a chance for a fresh start, a do over. I might have lost Grey and whatever stupid membership I had with Demon Boy's club, but I still have a shot at a life here.

"Avery Elizabeth White, you are under arrest for the murder of Samuel Joseph Hallman. You have the right to remain silent…"