He Calls the Sound of My Heartbeat Home

You only need one Verity.

That’s what he told me later. His voice was soft, as if he were stating a sweet fact. But when I heard those words, all that remained in my arms was a cloud of blood mist.

Before that, the monster who would beg me to hold him was the only one I loved. He had waited a hundred years to learn how to love someone. He learned to act cute, to give flowers, and to stay silent for a long time when I taught him to say, “Please let me be free.”

But all that remained in my arms was a cloud of blood mist.

Now I can’t touch anything or hold anything. All I can hear is his voice coming from far away, saying he’s here. He says my chest is soft and smells sweet, and that it’s his favorite place. He calls it home.

So please, don’t eat the only voice he has left. I’m begging you.

This is my last plea.