It wasn’t silent by any means, some people laughed, and others screamed. Jessica could hear her mother trying to demand the lights be turned on. Then the projector screen turned on. Normally this was used to show presentations or give parents a close-up view of the stage for graduation, this time it showed Jessica’s mother at her desk in her office. The video played and it started with a question.

“Jessica is your daughter correct?” Jessica’s heart stopped. That was Maddie’s voice. She interviewed her mother. She wanted to leave, to run, but she was frozen to the spot, in the middle of the dance floor. Pinned by the confused look of her mother on the big screen.

“That is correct,” Her mother stated, there was a cut. “What’s it like living with a Bound?”

“She’s like any teenager, mouthy and a bit rude, but she does her chores, and she’s got the grades.” Her mother answered. Maddie continued.

“Surely there are challenges to raising a Bound.” She said, sounding so concerned.

“Well, Jessica isn’t really a normal kid. But it’s not like I really signed up for it. Being Bound cant be predicted.” Jessica wished the floor would swallow her up. The interview continued.

“What were the biggest problems growing up?”

Her mother sighed, “Her anger, and she is a bit entitled” The video cut. “Her father was a character, there's good reason I had to take out a restraining order. I doubt Jessica has forgiven me, she took after her father in a lot of things.” Cut “But really, if I had to articulate what’s wrong with my Daughter, it’s that being Bound ruined her emotionally.” The video cut to the Gym, Jessica walking out covering her naked body as her mother’s voice continued.

“She’s not normal.”

The white powder being thrown on her.

“She’s not normal”

Water being splashed at her in the bathroom.

“She’s not normal.”

Jessica asking Michael to the party.

“She’s a very troubled child.”

Jessica being rejected, and the video cutting to her storming off, only to have it cut again to the bathroom where she could be heard sobbing. It didn’t matter if the video was clearly doctored. It was humiliating.

Then it showed her mother again, Maddie asking another question. Another round of clips, thrown food, ruined clothes, more pranks, more shots of Jessica crying.

She looked at where Mr Henderson stood. If anyone could stop this he could, being in charge of the A/V and all. He looked up at the video, smirking. He was in on it, of course he was. How could Maddie set this up without a teacher’s help? She couldn’t. The video kept going, more scenes and more questions with her mother tearing into every aspect of her own daughter. It seemed to never end, even if the video was likely less than ten minutes. “Shouldn’t Jessica be taken away by now. She really shouldn’t be in this school.” Maddie asked. Her mother had the decency to pause before answering.

“No, I think it may be better if she were in a school for her kind. But I don’t make that decision.”

The video went dark. The lights came on, all the lights. The room was so brightly lit that Jessica had to cover her eyes as they adjusted. When she could see, she looked around, no longer pinned by shame. Every she looked there was pandemonium. Her mother was pushing her way towards Mr Henderson, with a woman Jessica had never seen before behind her. The auditor probably.

Splash. Cold liquid hit the back of Jessica’s head. She spun, and saw at least half the students smiling, holding their drinks. She wondered, very briefly, if that’s why Timothy agreed to dance, just to make sure she was stuck between these assholes. They were laughing as sticky liquid dripped from her hair. A drink hit her back, then a second her side.

That seemed to signal the rest, as suddenly fruit punch was being thrown everywhere. The laughter grew as liquid splashed against her body. She tried to run but the kids blocked her path. She shoved past them, earning a splash of punch to the face. That’s when she remembered that it was spiked. The ethanol stung her eyes, blinding her.

Jessica fell, falling to her hands and knees. She crawled blindly as drinks were poured on her. She wiped her eyes, tears running down her cheeks as she sobbed. She began hearing taunts over the laughter. “Ooh, such a scary bound.” “Get up and drink thirsty whore.” “Careful! She could be angry!” “Cry some more Jessica!”

Jessica screamed as she stood. “Get away from me. Stop it! Please Stop! Leave me alone,”

Her cries were ignored, inviting more taunts. “Crybaby,” “Loser” “Make us” “Yeah, make us bitch!” She felt someone grab her chest, another slapped her butt. She ran for the doors, or tried to. Maddie clearly wasn't done yet as she stood in her way.

“Nice dress, but it seems you spilled something on it.” She laughed, people crowded around them so tightly that the teachers couldn’t get through. Then Maddie was handed something. The girl who volunteered at the kitchen… Seriously? She felt another drink being poured on her head. The drink mixed with her tears.

Maddie held out the bag, “Pass it around, everyone gets some. It’s a party right?” Maddie smirked at her, “You having fun, Jessica?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Jessica shouted, trying to ignite her anger. It flickered out and the words came out as a sob. “Why?” Why go through the effort? She’d get caught. She’d be suspended at least. But it was a two week vacation tomorrow, wasn’t it, so that would just be an extended vacation. Especially since her mother hated Bound. Hell, Jessica bet her mother would find this hilarious.

Maddie just grinned and stepped back as people held out white hands, she recognized the flour and she begged, “Please, stop, please.” The kid in front of her laughed, she didn’t even know his name and he was laughing at her. He threw his handful of flour. Jessica turned away, closing her eyes. She could barely feel where the flour landed, though at some point a kid dumped the bag over her head.

Slowly people began to quiet down as Jessica just stood there. She opened her eyes. Everyone was grinning like mad, “Hey Jessica,” Michael said. Michael, surely he didn’t know this was happening, maybe he, maybe he came for her? She turned around to see Michael and another boy, maybe Patrick was his name, holding a pitcher in each hand.

Jessica just stared dumbly at the boy she’d considered the closest thing to a friend she had, who grinned along with the rest of them. “You seem dirty, have a shower.” Michael said.

Jessica tried to run, the liquid slammed into her, cold and harsh as bits of ice smacked into her. She could feel the flour absorb the liquid, the gross feeling all over her. She screamed, her pitch rising and panic overwhelming her. She shoved students away, pushed past the crowd and ran for the doors. A security guard opened his arms wide to stop her.

“Jesus man, let her through.” The other one said, trying to knock his arms away. The first guard shook his head, “Fuck that man, I got paid a hundred credits to keep her here specifically. I’ll split with you if,”

Jessica finally got angry, if only a little between the panic and fear. She kicked the guy in the crotch, flooring the man. The second guard just laughed and waved her through. “Don’t ask me for help, you deserve that.”

Jessica ran through the halls, trailing juice and dripping wet flour everywhere. The chill of the classrooms slowly working its way through her dress. She got to the classroom she stashed her stuff in, and grabbed her purse and glasses. She threw on the cloak to try and warm herself and her bag. Jessica sobbed as she noticed messages flooding her glasses. Maddie was recording the whole thing, or someone was. It was everywhere and she had been tagged.

“Fuck! F-fuck!” Jessica sobbed.

She burst from the school and shivered in the cool winter air. The cloak wasn’t designed for warmth. She walked home, not caring for the looks people sent her. At least they were pitying, instead of gleeful. She just wiped the mix of doughy flour and spiked punch and tears from her face. She noticed several people walking to help her, until they looked at the band around her arm. They kept walking, and Jessica did the same. Slowly, it seemed the city just agreed not to see the sobbing girl.

Jessica walked into the lobby, earning a dirty look from the janitor, and a shocked one from the desk hand. She kept her head down, barely looking at them. She waited as the elevator made its long journey up. She rarely used it, but felt today that she would pay the convenience fee for it. She entered her apartment, her mother’s apartment, and went to shower. By the time she stripped her clothes off she felt cold and empty. All her tears seemed to be used up.

What had she even hoped to accomplish today? Shock Maddie? Have people look at her differently? She didn't quite remember. She failed, that was obvious enough. Though, she supposed people would look at her differently now. The thought drew a laugh from her. The laughter grew and slowly grew more and more hysterical. The laughter turned to screams, then sobs, and Jessica found she had plenty of tears left.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

Somehow the shower found its way on, warm water slamming into her back. The results of tonight’s torment slowly worked its way down her back as Jessica slowly got control over herself. She forced all thoughts beyond cleaning herself out of her mind. She took a body scrubber, and went over her arms, her legs, extended it over her back. She washed her body methodically, ensuring nothing remained. Finally she tried to wash her hair, but found it tangled and stuck together. The blonde hair that ran down her shoulders. Her mothers hair.

Jessica screamed and tore at it, pulling the offending chunk out. Thankfully only the loose hairs came out, she wasn’t sure what she would do if she had bloodied her scalp. Jessica bought a home barber’s quick kit and had it just cut the hair off. She set a pixie cut style that fell just below her ears. It looked nice. Jessica stepped out of the shower, and looked over herself. Besides the new hair cut, she could almost pretend the last hour of her life hadn’t happened. Almost.

It was only 2:42pm. There was still a whole day left to torture herself. She thought about just buying some sleep medicine and conking out. Jessica realized that would mean talking to King, and discarded the idea. The last thing she needed was that self-important blowhard commenting on everything she did wrong tonight. This was his fucking fault. If he hadn’t ‘chosen’ me none of this would be happening. Maddie wouldn’t hate her, she’d have friends and a life and a father and everything would be alright!

This set her down another crying spell as she screamed and raged against King and the injustice of it all. Jessica slowly calmed down, she wouldn’t sleep yet. She’d go to bed at a normal time and rip King a new one then. Instead, Jessica bought a tub of ice cream, and ate it while watching old Captain Buck episodes. The next hours were spent alternating between crying and laughing and just sitting in silence. The door opened and her mother finally got home. Checking the time it seemed to be almost 6pm.

“What the hell Jessica,” Her mother growled out. “Seriously, What the fuck was that?”

Jessica ignored her, she wasn’t dealing with her right now. Jessica’s mother disagreed and ripped the glasses off her face. “I am talking to you young lady! Don’t think for a second you’re getting off scot free for this!”

Jessica stared at the woman. Trying to make it clear that she was not putting up with her. Her mother ignored the look.

“Do you have any idea the amount of trouble you’ve caused for me? Teachers were involved in that stunt Jessica, Teachers! Do you know how that makes me look? Do you even care? This whole fiasco made me look utterly incompetent! Not to mention callous! The auditor’s face, I thought I was going to die!” Her mother ranted.

Jessica could only stare in shock. It hit her then, just how bad her mother was. It wasn’t just narcissism, it was a complete inability to even consider what anyone else could possibly be feeling or affected by an event. Her mother’s rant continued, and Jessica slowly realized something that ignited the anger that was snuffed out under shame and punch.

“You think this is my fault?” Jessica shouted incredulously.

Her mother looked at her like she was simple. “Well, how else do you explain tonight? People don’t just do this Jessica! Clearly you did something to really piss her off.”

Jessica stared open-mouthed as the rant continued, how her job was threatened, how she would need to find new teachers, how the disciplinary actions would ruin the school’s ratings. Jessica thought for a good few seconds, then stood and slapped her mother across the mouth as hard as she could. The shock on the bitch’s face was delicious.

“How utterly self-absorbed can you possibly be?” Jessica hissed. Her mother tried to respond but Jessica screamed over her. “I was just humiliated in front of the entire school. Nearly half the students through spiked juice and flour at me, laughing all the while. The entire school watched as my own mother admitted that I was “not normal” and “didn’t deserve to be there”. You THINK you sounded callous? YOU ARE! You are a narcissistic, selfish, hateful, unapologetic bitch! I hate you! I wish Dad left as soon as I was born and never told me you existed! The entire things on the fucking internet and TRENDING! My life is ruined! And your worried about the fucking auditor? Are you fucking kidding me? At least apologize for ruining my life first!

Jessica was left panting, fresh tears running down her face. She glared at her mother, only to find that she was looking at her glasses as horror was written on her face. “Dear god it’s really trending. My reputation will be ruined.”

Jessica just looked at her. Then for the second time tonight she begged, bagged for even a little of her mother to shine through. “Mom, please. Please. Can’t you even just apologize? Please.”

Her mother glared at her, “For what? I could lose my job and you’re crying over some juice spilled on your dress. You look fine. Quite frankly you should be apologizing for antagonizing Maddie into doing this.”

Jessica punched her mother… no. She punched Mary in the face. This bitch was no more a mother than Maddie was. Mary fell to the ground, the dumbfounded look on her face was priceless.

Jessica leaned over the woman, “Never speak to me again.”

Jessica ran into her room, locked her door and made sure to set a do not disturb on it. She didn’t need to hear Mary knocking in a rage. Jessica threw herself on her bed and screamed. She wept, grieving her fucked up life and spouting her hatred for everyone and everything. She threw her things all over the room, smashing pictures and slamming any furniture that wasn’t formed to the floor and walls, though she definitely tried those as well.

Jessica fell onto her bed and curled up. She just let herself sob, not wanting to sleep, to face yet another fight. Unfortunately, the toll of the day and the fight with Mary had utterly exhausted her. Jessica fell asleep crying silently to herself, begging King to just fucking save it. She couldn’t fight any more, no more. Please no more.

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Jessica fell the moment she felt she was standing, curling up on herself. She didn’t cry, but she lay in the fetal position, eyes shut, bracing for whatever shit King threw her way. Suddenly she heard him. She tensed, but nothing came. She heard a huffing noise that was definitely King. It sounded like. She slowly opened her eyes, King was looking at her, sobbing.

She just stared at the bizarre sight of a crying four eyed dragon. It was ugly, and for some reason it hurt her heart to look at. King spoke.

“Jessica,” He pushed out, the pain in his voice tore at her for a reason she couldn’t say. “I am so sorry.”

How many tears could a body even hold? More blurred her vision.

“This is all my fault. It’s all my fault. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault.” King rambled on, and Jessica sobbed with him.

“Why?” She asked the moment King paused to breathe.

King just looked into her eyes, then he looked at her, confusion clear on his face. “What?”

“Why, out of everyone, are you fucking apologizing? You’re a fucking demon that tied itself to my soul for some fucking reason. Why are you out of everyone saying your fucking sorry when my own mother couldn’t?” Jessica screamed the last part, confusion and pain making her hysteric.

King look surprised at the question, then his eyes widened in horror as he ostensibly checked the memories past the party. “Oh. Jessica. I-”

He shook his head in utter shock. His tears stopped, and his face set itself. He took a shuddering breath. “You asked me once why I chose you, and I told you I couldn’t explain.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Jessica demanded, “Why do you always speak in fucking riddles?”

King didn’t answer right away, instead he drew his head close. A head that was bigger than her bed and could snap her up like a grape if it wanted. She felt scared, for just a moment, before it stopped and rested on the floor just a foot away, two eyes facing her way.

“When I was in the great chasm, where shades go to bond with human souls, and-” King grit his teeth, and whispered, “Fuck you she deserves to know,”

He forced his teeth shut and seemed to struggle to get the words out. “I saw it, your soul. I reached for it, and it opened for me.” He gasped in pain, “How!” He shouted, “How could this make anything worse?”

King rose, gripping his head, “She’s breaking! I can’t just stand by and watch her break she deserves to know!”

He roared so loud that Jessica had to cover her ears. There was a massive thump, as King fell. Jessica was frozen, confusion and fear, terror, freezing her muscles. Her breath was shallow and weak. Her heart raced as she watched King fight something. Then it was over, King relaxed and answered someone she couldn’t hear. “I take full responsibility.”

King looked at Jessica, staring at her. She stared back, finally understanding what he meant back then. “I love you Jessica, from the moment I met you, and looked at your soul in its entirety, in its utter beauty, I loved you. I never wanted to hurt you. I’m so sorry.”

Jessica just stared at the massive beast, as he declared this love for her. “What are you talking about?” She whispered, terrified and very freaked out, her emotions already worn thin she couldn’t even accept what was just said to her.

King smiled, and his eyes shone. “Your soul. I saw it. It was bare before me. It was so beautiful! I wanted to give myself to you. I didn’t know the cost, that you would restrict me so. I didn’t know I would cause such pain in your life.”

Jessica shook her head, “What are you talking about.” but it wasn’t a question this time, it was a denial.

King just smiled, it was a terrifying smile, for it asked for nothing. “I fell into your soul, willingly binding myself to you. But you protected yourself. You couldn’t trust me. Of course you couldn’t. So I bound myself to you, until you opened yourself to me, that I could bear my soul back to you.” He grit his teeth, “I’m sorry, but I can’t say more, you won’t let me.”

Then his jaws clamped shut. Jessica felt her ears, and realized that she had clapped her hands over them. She could believe it. She wouldn’t, she couldn't. She wasn’t that strong. She was a pathetic girl who was reminded of how low she was beneath everyone. King looked at her like she was some kind of Goddess and she couldn’t accept that.

So they sat there, just staring at each other. Jessica didn’t know how long it took before her breathing was under control. Or how long until she dropped her aching arms. She never took her eyes off King, and he never took his eyes off of her, never stopped looking like he was so proud of how she handled it all. As if she had done anything worthy of that smile.

“It hurts,” She whispered, King replied, “I know, but it’s not your fault. You did nothing wrong.”

“So you just found me fitting your fancy and ruined my life? You didn’t know but did you even consider it? Does it even matter? You’re a fucking immortal! I’m a blip in your hundreds of years of life! I’ll die and you’ll go back to your fucking kingdom no worse for wear! How could I possibly matter to you?" Jessica fought the tears and anger as her fears spilled out.

King sighed, “I’m not immortal.”

“What?”

“I’m not immortal, not right now in any case.” King repeated.

He continued when Jessica just stared blankly at him. “It wasn’t clear when I chose you, but I knew I would be as mortal as you are. Now I see how, and why. With our souls tied, coupled as I have explained it, if your soul flees to the next life, mine will be dragged along for the ride. I won’t reincarnate in the Dusk if you were to suddenly die. When your life ends, I need time to be prepared to decouple from you at the last moment, so that I return to the great chasm. Otherwise, we die together.”

Jessica stared at him, then turned away, “I need to think.”

Jessica ignored King’s revelations. She had to, it was too much. She was too frayed and afraid to deal with whatever the fuck that was. No, she needed something else to take her mind off everything.

I can’t stay here.

The thought resounded with her, and she gripped it with all she was. Jessica couldn’t go back to school, and she sure as hell couldn’t stay in this apartment with Mary. But she was a minor. There was nowhere else.

Jessica shook her head, that wasn’t true. There was somewhere else. The Bound Department. They took minors in, but only if they… Jessica looked back at King, his smile had dropped. He looked very nervous.

=

Jessica slowly turned her body, standing until she stood over King, his head on the ground it only came up to her diaphragm. She slowly walked forward, seeing a way out of the hell her life had become. King retreated immediately. “No, not like this.” He said.

Jessica’s face screwed up in anger. “Why not! Isn’t this what you wanted?”

King narrowed his eyes, and took an imperious look, “Not with what you are planning. Deliveries are one thing but I refuse to let you use me to hurt people. Not like this. I am too powerful to be used carelessly.”

Jessica growled out, “What are you talking about? I just want to leave my- Mary’s apartment. I need to be fully Bound to do that! What’s the issue?”

King just gave her a look and said, “You don’t actually expect me to believe that do you? I’m not letting you kill people Jessica.”

Jessica froze, the words shocking her out of her cycle of thought. “I… I don’t want to kill anyone.” She tried weakly. King nodded, “I know, but the power I offer is strong enough that a careless word can and will get people killed. I will not bond with you if that is your desire.”

Jessica shot her eyes around, trying to think, “So what? They get off with a slap on the wrist? Detention. Maybe a suspension? Fuck that!”

King looked at her, long and hard, she returned his gaze. She slowly lowered her head, and for a third, fucking time, she begged.

“Please, I can’t forgive them. I need this so badly. I need them to hurt too.” Jessica sobbed out. She rubbed her eyes, and when she looked again, King was within arm's reach.

“Don’t be silly child,” He chided, “I never said they wouldn’t be punished. But you need to do it properly. Nothing so peasant as pain. You’re royalty after all, by virtue of our very existence. We do this, we do it the right way.”

Jessica reached out, and she felt the warm scales of King’s snout, the scales under her hand began to change color. From the gray they’ve always been to a brilliant gold, and the color slowly spread from there.

“Jessica,” King whispered, “I’m here, for you and you alone I am here.”

Jessica wrapped her arms around King, and she felt a clawed hand press against her back. She began to sob as she leaned into him, she hadn’t realized it before but she really, really needed a hug. She had felt so alone for so long, when had anyone given her a hug recently. She gripped tighter.

King, reading her thoughts, just chuckled, “You’ve never been alone, silly girl. You will never be alone.”