My life is not my own. The world around me is muddled; it feels as though I am constantly underwater. The man causes this—I know. He slips things into my drinks, shoves the bottles down throat. I should’ve ran when I had the chance.

But love truly does blind us.

“—JOAN!” My eyes shoot open, but my body stays still beneath the covers. My limbs feel like lead, heavy and numb. The man is above me; he seems angry, but handsome as always. “Get up. We have guests.”

“Wha….” I like my lips slowly. Even my tongue is numb. “What…guests?”

He rolls his eyes, his pretty amber eyes. “You’re parents are coming to visit,” his hand moves to hover above my face, then he smashes it with his palm. My neck refuses to move, so I’m left gasping, trying to desperately breathe through my mouth as my nose bends at an alarming angle.

The man’s smiles at my struggle. “They’re _worried_ about you. After shunning you from your home, they’re _worried_.” He laughs, a bark, tightening his grip on my face. I stop thrashing when his hand moves, giving me air that I need. While as drink in air, he moves to our closet. His legs lean and long as they lazily stride. How can someone be so beautiful and cruel at the same time?

“What do you want to wear, dear?” The man opens the closet, tossing me a look with his heart-melting eyes.

I close my own. “Whatever you want.” I can hear him smile, his soft one with that intense edge.

“Good answer.”

[***]

_For those who walk blind, shall never see that they’re going in circles in a locked pen. Why must the human nature be drawn to such circumstances? There are some things that even the smartest cannot comprehend._

_—A Tree Comprised of Holloways_

I slip back in reality in time to hear my father yell: “And you _still_ don’t have a job, Joan! How lazy are you, making your step-brother do all the work for you!”

I almost laugh at that.

**I have no choice but to.**

“I’m sorry….” I mumble. The man is behind me, a hand on my neck supporting my head, which feels a bit light. My step-mother is quiet, as she always is, and watching the preceding scene neutrally. Her eyes are on the man’s hand.

“Really, Chris, Mom, it’s fine,” the man chuckles, giving out his signature grin. My heart flutters before sinking back into beat, but then his grip tightens and my heart stops. “And Joan can’t do anything without me.”

Father scoffs. “Obviously. Now, we must hurry before the next airplane leaves; I have work to do.” He stands up, Step-Mother follows suit. Step-Mother spares me a glance.

Pity lines her eyes. I don’t need pity.

I only need _him_.

With our parents gone, I gurgle audibly this time when he squeezes my neck. He leans down, warm breath against the shell of my ear. “Are you hungry, Joan?” My head bobs in a nod. “You want pie?”

I gulp, licking my lips hungrily. The man moves away, leaving my neck cold. He grabs my arm, pulling me out of the cushioned chair, and drapes me across his arms. I already know where he’s carrying me; the place where I spend most of my days in.

He kicks the bedroom door open then steps inside. The bed is still rumpled, empty, waiting for my return. When the man stands over it, I slip out, the dip in the mattress the same as my body. My eyes close as the man tucks me in. He kisses me on my forehead, snowflake soft.

He can be sweet as well as cruel. Maybe that’s why my parents gave him to me; they only saw that side of him.

“I’ll make you some pie, okay? Take a nap, Joan.”

And I do.

It’s not like a have a choice—not that I want one.

***

_(I’ll make a part two [and part two of Moon God] soon; I, like many people, still have school. Well, not Thrusday or Friday because of the hurricane. Bro, why did the announcement lady say that she hopes everyone will come back Monday…. 💀_

_My friend likes this concept—Tell me what you think! Thanks for reading and have an amazing day!)_