THE BAD GUYS IN: raising princess

Desire part 2

The mansion had been quiet for most of the night. Rain pelted the windows, thunder rumbled in the distance, and the occasional flash of lightning illuminated the dark hallways.

After changing into something comfortable: a satin pink tank top shirt with shorts.

"I'm gonna make us a snack" she says.

"Ok don't take too long" Eddie grabs the remote.

Princess moved around the kitchen, putting together a snack.

She had just finished making popcorn and poured herself a glass of juice when she heard a faint noise. It wasn't unusual for the old house to creak during storms, but something about the sound made her pause. She glanced over her shoulder, her heart beating a little faster, but the dimly lit hallway was empty.

In the living room, Eddie was flipping through channels on the TV, his casual demeanor masking the storm raging outside. He called out to Princess, "Hurry up! You're gonna miss the best part!"

"I'm coming!" she shouted back, shaking off her unease.

As she returned to the living room, the muffled noise came again, this time louder. She frowned, glancing toward the hallway.

"Did you hear that?" she asked.

"Hear what?" Eddie asked, not looking up from the screen.

"Never mind," she muttered, sitting down beside him.

Unbeknownst to them, Ashton Hale was already inside the mansion. He had crept in during the storm, using the noise to cover his movements. His wild eyes darted around, his breathing uneven as he stalked through the halls. This was his moment, the culmination of seven months of stewing in his delusions. He had planned every detail of this night, convinced that he was rescuing Princess from those who had "stolen" her from him.

He found Eddie in the living room, his back turned, and wasted no time. Gripping a heavy object from the hallway—a metal candlestick—Ash crept up behind him and struck. Eddie crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

With a twisted smile, Ash worked quickly, binding Eddie's wrists and ankles with duct tape. He dragged him to the hallway closet, shoving him inside and locking the door.

"Out of the way," Ash muttered, his voice low and cold. "She's mine now."

Princess carried her snack to the living room, calling out to Eddie. "Hey, I made some popcorn! Want some?"

There was no response. The TV was still on, but Eddie was gone. Her smile faltered as a sense of unease crept in. "Eddie?" she called again, louder this time.

the sound of the movie filling the room, but the sense of unease that had been simmering all night surged. She checked the kitchen, the hallway, and even the foyer. He was nowhere to be found.

"Eddie, this isn't funny," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

She set the bowl down and began searching the mansion, her footsteps echoing in the quiet corridors.

As she re-entered the living room, she noticed a shadow move behind her. Her stomach dropped, and she turned slowly, dread coursing through her veins.

There he was—Ash. His clothes were soaked from the rain, his hair disheveled, and his eyes filled with a manic intensity.

"Princess," he breathed, stepping toward her.

She stumbled back, fear gripping her. "Ash... What are you doing here?"

"I've come to take you away," he said, his voice unnervingly calm. "Away from them. Away from him."

Her heart pounded in her chest. "You shouldn't be here. You need help—"