That night, sleeping alone felt like a death sentence. My mind festered with delusions and fright based on my interaction with Sukuna. I told Megumi about it when he found me in the bathroom. Part of him felt like it was his fault. I could tell by the look in his eyes.

I didn't want other people to shoulder my burdens. Even if that person was Megumi. He slept in that same room down the hall. There was a floundering awkwardness between us. It only felt like a whisper but it was there. Probably because we saw each other in a strangely vulnerable position.

For gods sake, I'm never letting that happen again.

I could barley even look him in the eyes properly after school. Embarrassment at its finest.

I tucked into bed and laid there with my thoughts until my body faded out. But that wouldn't last very long...

~ ~ ~

I felt a hand stroke my face, I immediately sat up in bed. Silence. There was no one. I figured I was just feeling hazy from sleep and plopped my head back on the pillow. Until, it happened again. I gasped, now I was alert. I got out of bed to look around the room. Was someone else here with me?

I flicked on the light. "Hello? Megumi?" I said. No answer. I must've just been tired. I hopped in bed. Maybe it was the air or the sheets? There's no way anyone's in here... This is my home... I'm safe here.

I closed my eyes and cuddled the blankets up close. I genuinely thought about hiding under the covers at one point. It's not like I could go make a scene and bang down Megumi's door because there's a 'monster' in my room. I'd had enough embarrassment for one day. He'd just laugh at me and say something like "You're such a child y/n, get over yourself".

Seriously, enough embarrassment for one day.

As I attempted to sleep, I forgot about my imaginary hand stroke. Well, that was before I felt it for a third time.

I beamed up. This one I could feel. It was cold and ridged. I could sense the grooves of the palm make it's way from my cheek to my temple. I heaved a breath.

"Who's there?" I said. The window was locked and my door was shut, there was no way anyone could've gotten in without me noticing. The only other person home with me was Megumi and he would never come in here.

I peaked out the window. The road was quiet and lit with streetlights.

I knew someone had to be in here. I felt that hand. Could it seriously have been a dream?

I sat on the edge of my bed. I was too spooked to fall asleep. Megumi would freak out if I begged to sleep with him.

"Is someone really in here?" I whispered low enough so that if anyone really was in there, they wouldn't respond. It was a ruse to convince myself I was alone.

Suddenly, a low, grumbling voice muttered back.

"Speak up darling.."

I nearly jumped out of my skin and backed up into a corner.

"Who's in here? Get out!"

"Or what?" Sukuna stepped forward from the shadows. "You're not even trying to be intimidating." He chuckled.

I gripped the scissors by my desk and stuck them out at him.

"Get away from me!" My hands shook.

"Put that stupid thing away."

"I'll hurt you!"

"Y/n." His casual demeanor exhausted my pure terror.

"Go ahead, stab me." He sighed..

My breath hitched, he just stood there, almost in a state of boredom.

I thrusted forward and plunged the scissors into his chest. Blood spilled out from him as he looked down on me with dull eyes. My
palms were drenched in sweat.

I glared at the wound. Fresh blood soaked his skin in a clot of gore. I couldn't let go of the scissors. My entire body was frozen.

As I watched his flesh tear, I came to the realization that he bled like a human. Did I just... stab a human?

I'd never seen blood like this, let alone by my own hands. Even though Sukuna was a monster, I couldn't ignore the fact that he had a body just like any other person. I've never... done something like this...

I looked up at Sukuna. He stood there in silence with me.

"I'm assuming, you've never done that before." He said.

I puffed a weak breath, "I... I'm sorry. I'm so... sorry."

I backed away and glanced at the blood on my hands. Sukuna pulled the scissors from his chest and tossed them aside. He dragged his fingers across the blood and examined it.

"Ah, not bad. You almost got my heart." He chuckled. "I wasn't expecting such malice from you y/n. You're getting good at this!"

"Are you... human? Why did you bleed?"

Sukana looked at me like I was an idiot. "All gone." He muttered, pointing at the spot on his chest. The wound was gone. All that remained was a blood stain.

"You healed..."

"Perks of not being human. Must be miserable. Now, on to you. We need to talk. Sit down."

I begrudgingly took a seat on the edge of my bed. His blood stained my pajamas. A meager distance separated our shoulders from each other. His body was so much larger than mine, I felt devoured in his presence.

He rested his forearms on his thighs and spoke. "In a few days, there will be a group of men coming here to execute you. Although, that will be inconvenient for me because I need you alive for my, arrangements."

My stomach twisted.

"What are you... Who's coming to kill me? And... Arrangements? I don't understand."

"It's pretty straight forward love."

"Why are you telling me this? What's in it for you? It's not like you to warn me of my own peril."

"Because I can't let you die. Not just yet. There's some things I need to do first. And then I promise, I'll kill you myself."

I stood up.

"I don't want to be used like some doll. If you're gonna kill me then kill me now. I'd rather die than be your tool."

Sukuna's half lidded gaze appeared disinterested.

"I'm not killing you right now. You'll just have to wait on that death wish." He stood as well. "You're dead when I say you're dead. You do what I say. You understand? You're mine until you die."

His eyes beamed a devilish red, he gripped my face violently. I let out a squeal.

"Do you understand? Ah?"

I nodded, blinking away the tears.

"Good, that's a good girl." He let go of me. A tense pain vibrated across my jaw. I rubbed it.

"I can still kill myself. I at least have the authority to ruin my body." I spat.

"Go ahead. Use those scissors over there."

Sukuna pointed at my mock weapon on the floor and my heart pulsed. I gritted my teeth, picking up the scissors and holding them erect at my neck.

"Do it." He said coldly.

My face blotched in sweat.

What am I doing? I thought.

You know you can't kill your self. You have to take care of Dad. You still have to live. You promised!

"I'm waiting."

I lowered the scissors.

"No, I won't let you force me to choose death. I have to live..."

A sharp silence ensued. Sukuna raised his brows, nodding.

He stepped closer and caressed my cheek. "You're going to be absolutely... perfect."

☾