chapter two

The distant sound of a key opening a door stirred the restless girl awake from her nightmarish dream.
She was leant up against the cold brick walls that surrounded her, her eyes flickered open and with a gasp, she suddenly stood up and bolted for the door.

Grace placed her hands to the metal, she was like a caged animal finally being set free.
She screamed out for him— Ethan to open the door and embrace her tightly, but instead, when the door opened, she sucked in a sharp breath. Stood there was a bloodied, torn man. From head to toe were cuts, gashes and still-bleeding wounds.

"O-Oh my god..." Grace whispered.
With her hand shaking, she reached out and cupped his face. With a flinch at first, he quickly eased into the fond action. He didn't speak, but Grace knew he liked her bold move.
"Ethan... You're..."

Suddenly though, without warning he slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him and crashed his lips against hers.
She froze at first, but moved along with his actions, making sure not to hurt him.
Ethan brushed blood onto her already dirty clothing, his body was stinging from the pain but he didn't care.

He needed her.

He slowly walked her back into the empty room, and pushed her up a wall, with a grunt, he continued to kiss her passionately. Grace tugged onto Ethan's shirt, telling him to stop.
Letting go, Grace breathed, replenishing her lungs from the lost oxygen from the hot moment.
"Ethan..." She moaned out, sighing.
"Grace," He coughed out, "You... need to help me,"
Grace took her gaze and looked over Ethan.
"I've been doing something so right," he felt tears well up in his eyes, "but it's so wrong."
And that was it,
Ethan broke down. The strong, willing man broke. Grace felt hot tears on her neck as he leant down and rested his head there.

"Ethan," Grace pulled her arms up and wrapped them around him, one arm stretched over his back while the other softly patted his head.
"Everything's going to be fine... We'll find our way out of this," she spoke, her words gentle.
"We need to go back upstairs." She stated, and slowly she let go of the man.
"No, I don't want y' to see... what I've done." He grunted, his head hung low.
"You protected us both, there is nothing wrong with that, Ethan." Grace said.
"You will fear me, I'll become a beast to you.. Grace." Ethan insisted.
"No, because you saved my life more than once. I will never fear a hero like you." She whispered. Ethan gasped, and his eyes widened at her comment.
He entwined his fingers with hers, and he pulled her upstairs.

Grace was welcomed by the sight of many unknown men lay scattered across the house, all of them deceased.
"See Grace," he turned around to the girl, "I'm a monster. I killed all these men." He shuddered.
"Ethan," Grace was shocked- but she knew what he did was for the protection of her; the damsel in distress.

He turned back around, his shoulders slump.
"I'm your hero," he repeated her words. "This was for you." Grace's eyes widened.
"You need to go back to my bedroom." Ethan whispered.
"What? Why?" Grace looked up, and his head hung low.
"Go! Listen to me!" He shouted. Grace flinched at his sudden change of tone but reluctantly did it, making her way up to the bedroom she first found herself in. She walked in and closed the door behind her, and slumped down it, falling to the floor.
"What am I going to do?" She sighed, and pulled her hand up to her face and rubbed her eyes. She quickly tore them away, blood! She hissed.
Grace stood up and walked over the chest of drawers in the bedroom and pulled out a large shirt and a pair of tracks. She walked over to the bathroom and turned on the shower, stripped herself of the dirtied clothing and stepped inside, letting the hot pelts of water hit her.
After a short ten minutes, Grace decided to get out of the hot shower. She dried herself and put on the large clothing, she tightened the drawstring on the pants and let the shirt go down past mid-thigh.

Grace walked back into the bedroom, and sat down on the bed. She looked out of the now closed window and saw a dark outline of the tree tops and the sun being engulfed by the night. A sudden wave of sleepiness swept over her and Grace found herself lying down on the bed. A waft of smoke filled her scent and she looked up out the window. A small glow of orange was seen- and Grace knew why it was there.
Her eyes fluttered shut, and she laid there thinking about what just happened to her.

Ethan had finished dragging the men outside, and had lit a bonfire to mark their death. It was bright compared to the oak woods around it, it was mesmerising to look at.
He sat out there for a while, he knew Grace had a shower and was now sleeping- most definitely in his clothing.
Ethan thought about what had happened. He took down almost thirty men that had threatened both Grace and himself. What Grace didn't know though, was that Ethan killed men like them for a living.

Those men were savages, like Yassan, and would murder- or anything else worse to lost people in the forest for their valuables and clothing. They knew Ethan had killed many of their men- so they ganged up and were deadset to torture and kill him, then rob him of everything good that he had.
He couldn't believe it himself, he killed around thirty men, thirty!
How could he have, though? Was it to protect what was his? To protect Grace? He couldn't get his head around it.

Grace,
He wanted to see how she was doing, did she wake up? Is she upset at him? He knew what she saw was implanted in her mind now, was she having a nightmare?
He slowly got up, and dusted himself off. The fire was easing its blaze, so Ethan walked back inside and closed the door. Glass lay scattered around the place, so Ethan had to tip-toe around and into his room quietly.
He slowly opened the door, and closed it behind him softly. The silhouette of Grace was being masked by the moonlight hitting the back of her as she lay on her side.

Ethan made his way to the open chest of drawers and took out another shirt and pair of pants. He stepped his way into the bathroom and peeled off his shirt gently, making sure he didn't disrupt his wounds.

Ethan stared at himself through the mirror, and sighed audibly. His wounds were patched up roughly by himself, the white bandages were loosely wrapped around his torso, his arms and chest. He washed his face and changed his clothing, then opened the door back into his bedroom.
Grace had moved, she was laying on her back and Ethan could see her chest rise and fall softly in rhythm of her breathing.

Something in Ethan clicked on, and he, unknown to himself had made his way to the edge of the bed. He stood back, and turned away.

What am I thinking!? She'll wake up!
Grace stirred slightly, and she pulled the blanket down a little. Ethan spun sound at the sound of the duvet moving, seeing that Grace was still sleeping, he sighed. He looked at the shirt Grace was wearing, it was his main sleepwear.

She looks cute in it... Ethan shook his head, I shouldn't be thinking that!
He walked over to the side of the bed and stopped. Should I lay down next to her? Would it be weird? Ethan's head spun. He decided to do it, after all that kiss was still on his mind. He kept thinking about it, how he would have to face her tomorrow. He yelled at her too.

He shook his head again. He climbed into the bed and pulled the comforter over his body, and slept.

Grace awoke to an arm around her waist and a hard body pressed up against her. She felt the bandages through the shirt that man was wearing.
Ethan, she thought, I need to talk to him today...
Grace tried wriggling her way out of Ethan's grasp, but when she moved he tightened his grip on her waist. She heard him sigh, and he nuzzled his head in her hair.
Too far! She thought. She pushed herself away from him, and accidentally fell out of bed.
"Oof!" She was now on the ground, and sat herself up.
"Grace?" Ethan mumbled, slowly easing himself up in bed. His morning voice was more gruff than his usual one, it was an octave deeper!
He rubbed his face, and looked down, over the bed and at Grace.
"What are you doing on the ground?" His deep voice asked.
"You... You were too close to me!" She squeaked back, a blush creeping it's way over her plump cheeks.
"I'm sorry," he maundered, "I haven't slept next to anyone before."
"What?" She rushed out.
"You heard me." He replied, "I've been alone all my life."

"How did you learn to do things? If you were all alone." Grace stood up, and walked to the bathroom, coming back with a wet towel and some clean bandages.
"I've been learning by doing, not being taught. Many mistakes and regrets but I've learnt from them all." She placed the towel over Ethan's forehead, and he closed his eyes instinctively as the coolness washed over him.
"Oh," was all she said as she took the towel off and wiped his face with it.
"You know I can do this all myself, right? I can walk and all.." Ethan said, annoyed but slightly happy at her kind gestures.

"No, you can't do all of this yourself. You need to rest your body." Grace scolded, and tried to pull up his shirt.
"Hey!" Ethan gasped, pulling himself back.
"What? I'm trying to help you. Take off your shirt." She demanded.
"Okay," he mumbled, slowly peeling the shirt off of him.

His defined muscles were the first thing in Grace's mind. It looked like he was carved by the gods!
Second on her mind was the terrible attempt at first aid. The bandages were loose and blood was everywhere still!

"If you can walk, go into the bathroom and sit on the toilet. I'll get a clean pair of clothing and be in there in a second." Grace said, walking towards the drawers. Ethan attempted to get out of bed, he was standing up when sudden pain dawned in his chest and he doubled over.
"Ethan!" Grace gasped, and quickly ran towards him. She looked down towards his chest, and blood flowed down.

"Sorry, I can get up myself..." Ethan whispered, picking himself up and swaying a little. Grace slipped her arm around Ethan's back, and slowly brought him to the ensuite. She carefully helped him sit on the toilet and briefly left the bathroom, and then came back with a black shirt and a grey pair of tracks.

She took the same towel from before and soaked a little in some alcohol, then brought it up to his chest.
"It's going to sting," Grace said, and unwrapped the bandages. She firmly pressed the towel against his wound.

"Agh! Shit!!" Ethan gawked out, thrusting his head backwards in pain.
"I'm sorry," Grace rushed out, "it'll make it heal faster." And she quickly tore the towel off and wrapped another bandage around it.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, "I'm sorry,"
"No, it's alright... I would've gotten it infected if... You didn't help me," he breathed.

He looked back at Grace, who's hair was messy all over. Her brown eyes were widened with worry, and her lips quivered.
"Don't worry, I'm better now." He hushed, and stood up slowly from his seat on the closed toilet.
"A-are you sure?" Her voice whispered.

"Yes. let's get something to eat. And later, I'll take ya' out to buy some clothing. You can't go out walkin' around in your clothing. You'll draw too much attention, and you can't wear mine because it's too big for you." Ethan walked out of the bathroom and went towards the drawer and pulled out a clean, grey long sleeve. He pulled it over himself and walked towards the door, looking behind him at Grace.
"I cleaned up after y' went to bed, but be careful since there might still be glass lyin' around."

"Okay," she rushed, and quickly followed Ethan down to the kitchen. She looked around and saw many of his furniture broken, but neatly packed to the side— out of the way. She saw how the curtains that hung over the windows were dancing in the wind like its life depended on it. The door was busted down, and leaned next to the frame.

"You must be tired," Grace sighed, and took a seat on one of the chairs which were not damaged.

"I slept surprisingly well," Ethan muttered, and took a jar out of one of the cupboards.

"I'm going to make lemon oatmeal, so you sit tight."

"Okay!" And Grace smiled happily; Ethan's eyes widened and he quickly scurried off to make the meal. Ethan came back with two bowls of steamy lemon oatmeal. The smell made its way to Grace's nose and she hummed. Grace took the first spoonful and ate it, the marvellous taste overflowing her.

"So good!" She managed after spooning more and more into her mouth.

"I'm glad," Ethan said with a chuckle.

"So, um... About yesterday..." He looked down at his bowl, "The kiss..."
He swirled his spoon in the thick oatmeal and a deep scarlet blush crossed his face.

Grace, suddenly taken back, perked up.
"I, uh... I've never... Done that before and... Um," Ethan continues, "I think it was just lust, Grace. I don't feel like that towards you." His green eyes pried into Graces; hoping that she would show some sort of emotion other than joy.
Graces eyes widened— taken aback with shock.

He only kissed me because he felt lust towards me?! That's so gross! And I slept next to him! But... I did feel something when he kissed me... I liked it... Why do I feel sad as well?
He did also save me... Twice... I shouldn't think of him as gross... He did say he had never done anything like that before...

"O-oh..." Was all she squeaked out as her mind was filled with questions.

He kept staring at her, he saw her eyes dart left and right as she thought hard about what he just said,

But what he said was not entirely true;
He did not feel only lust as he made out with her— he felt a tinge of electricity through his body, a bit of excitement too.

He saw how her hair was at least combed, probably with her fingers. He needed to buy her the female necessities if she were to live here with him— but would she be okay with that? She had no other place to go, and if she left another monster would just snatch her right up. He also had no other bed. They would have to share his, but that was big enough.

Ethan finally saw a hint of a frown form on her beautiful face. It made him frown too.

"After this, Grace, you can have a shower and I'll bring you to town. Oh, and don't wear your clothing... It'll draw too much attention. Just wear what I give you, okay?" Ethan asked, which was more like a statement.

"Okay," she rushed, "I'll be back." And with that she took herself to the bathroom and took a short, warm shower. She dried herself with a clean towel and stepped out of the shower, to then realise that she had no clothing!

"Ethan!" She hissed as she peeked out of the bathroom door. The towel she dried herself with was tightly wrapped around her small body.

"Ethan! I need clothes!" She yelled. She heard feet stomping and then Ethan stood next to the door.
"A white and red hoodie with shorts. I know this might be weird but... Women have these rules and they can't dress sloppily or be in men's clothing... It's weird I know but it's true, and I tried to find the smallest clothing I had, sorry." He rushed and pushed the clothing inside, and turned away.

"Get dressed and I'll meet you in the kitchen." He stated and walked away.

Grace put the clothing on, and surprisingly it fit only a little larger. The shorts were mid thigh, and the hoodie went down quarter thigh.

She walked out of the bathroom and into the kitchen, to be met by Ethan who was wearing a cloak and boots. She raised her eyebrow at his choice of clothing, but let it go since it had been two millenniums and the clothing style has long since changed.

"Alright, let's go." Ethan said with a smirk and lead Grace outside the house and locking it behind him. He tucked the key in a hidden pocket and walked Grace down a small path into a village. The houses looked like they were built in the Middle Ages!
"Don't look at anyone in the eye unless you're talking to them. Do not take anything for free and do not leave my side, okay?" Ethan whisper-yelled.

Grace's eyes widened and she nodded quickly.
"Good," and Ethan led her into the nearest clothing store.

Grace tried on so much clothing. All of it looked as if she was playing a game of Leauge, or she was getting ready to serve some beer in an Irish bar.

Overall, Ethan bought Grace three skirts, all of which were short and pleated. He bought four shirts, one which was white with a red belt, another which was also white with a collar, and the rest followed the same pattern—red and white.

He also bought her a white cloak, which had a large hoodie and red embroidery, and black knee length boots with a large heel.

"You didn't have to buy me so much," Grace said, looking down at all the bags. "And what's with the colour scheme? Red and white?"

"It's the colour of where we live. If we lived in the next town over, our colours would be black and aqua. Each town has a different colour. The only reason that all the shops here have different colours is because it is a village smack bang in the middle of five towns."
"Then why don't you wear the colours? You're in black."

"I'm not.... really uh, I'll tell you later. Okay? Let's go home. We can put your clothes away and have a rest."

Ethan offered and walked towards the same path that directed them here.
"Okay" And Grace followed behind.

What the two didn't know was that many people in the village were watching them. They knew about what he did to the thirty monsters and they were scared. They didn't believe how the mysterious girl could follow Ethan's orders so quickly.

Ethan was an outsider in the small village. Everyone knew Ethan— but not for something good. That's why he goes to the village in the middle of the five cities. New people come an go every day, but many people stay. And those people know who Ethan truly is.

"Go and put your clothing in one of the drawers, and come down to the lounge so we can watch something," Ethan offered as he made his way back outside with some glass. He bought it in a store to place on the damaged windows.

Grace walked into the bedroom and opened a random drawer.

Inside it was the same mask that she found yesterday.

She grabbed the mask out from the drawer and held it in her small hands.

"Why does it have that dark mark?" She questioned, running her finger across the mysterious stain.

"What would he use it for? It's so scary.." And she thought of a plan. Grace placed the mask on top of the chest of drawers, and quickly folded and placed her clothing inside of an empty drawer, the same one with her jeans and singlet.

Sarah brought the mask to her face, and tied the band up at the back so it didn't fall off.

She stealthily crept down the stairs, and hid behind a couch. Ethan had just finished the windows and had come inside.
"Where is she?" She heard him question, and he sat himself on an arm chair next to the couch Grace was hiding behind.

This was her chance! She quickly ran in front of the couch; in front of Ethan and jumped.

"Boo!" She squealed. She looked back and saw Ethan's eyes widen. He didn't move from his seat in the couch, nor did he jump in fright.

"W-what's wrong? Ethan..." She stopped and turned around.
"A Halloween mask, right? Why are you so... still?"

"Take it off," Ethan demanded. Grace looked at him with worry and question.
"What?" She squeaked.

"Take it off! Now!" He yelled. He stood up from his seat on the couch and stalked towards Grace. She instinctively stepped back, fear rushing up her body.

"W-wait... Ethan..." She whispered, and she stepped back enough that her back was pressed up against a wall. His green eyes were now faded, and his eyebrows furrowed. Ethan's fists were now clenched

"I'll take it off...!" She squeaked.
"So please... Stop looking at me like that!" And Ethan stopped.

"Turn around," he demanded. And Grace followed with his commands. She turned around, and felt Ethan's body warmth on her back. She felt his fingers through her hair and then she felt the mask become looser.

Ethan's hand went around to her face and peeled the mask off, leaving her in confusion.

She then felt his body press against her own.

"E-Ethan...?" She whispered as she his hands rest on her waist.
"Don't touch that mask again," he huskily whispered into her ear, and sighed heavily.
"Why?" She seethed. She didn't understand what was so bad about it, why couldn't he just tell her?

"Because... It's bad, I should've hidden it," he hummed as he rested his head on her shoulder. She could feel his breath on her neck.

"No, why? Why is it so bad, Ethan?" Grace practically begged him.
"I do bad things with it on," Ethan whispered, and he took a step back, away from Grace. She quickly swirled around.

"Bad things? Is this what you were talking about yesterday? About doing someone so right... Yet wrong?" She looked up into Ethan's eyes.

"What things do you do? What's so wrong but right at the same time?" She nagged. He looked away from Grace, and placed the mask in a really high shelf in the kitchen. He turned around and stalked towards Grace again.

"Don't try to take it again, okay? Please?" He begged, his voice cracked a little when he spoke. He ignored her question, which made her even more mad than she was before.

"No! Please, tell me! I can't live with you if I don't know what you actually do!" And Ethan's eyes widened. She thought about living with him and he felt a smudge of happiness at the bottom of his heart.

But then he was furious.

"You want to know what I do? I'll show you what I do." And he dragged Grace outside of the house and down through the forest.