Chapter 32: Curing Elena [1] [R-18 Contents!]
"I have to have sex with you," I said, the words coming out in a rush before I could lose my courage entirely.
Elena froze completely when I said that.
Her entire body went rigid, and I could practically see her brain struggling to process what she’d just heard. The color drained from her face as she took several unsteady steps backward, putting distance between us as if my words had physically struck her.
"W...what..." She muttered, shock rendering her nearly speechless.
I forced myself to maintain eye contact, knowing that if I looked away now, she’d think I was lying or trying to manipulate her. "We have to have sexual intercourse so I can cure you," I repeated, keeping my expression as serious and sincere as possible despite the heat burning in my cheeks.
"No... no..." Elena’s face somehow managed to become even paler, and I could see the mix of shock and embarrassment warring in her expression. Her hands trembled as she pressed them against her chest, as if trying to protect herself from the very idea.
"I’m not joking or trying to take advantage of you, Elena. I swear on everything sacred, on my dead mother—this is the only way I can cure you," I said, desperation creeping into my voice. I wanted to tell her about Rachel, about how I’d already proven this method worked, but I couldn’t reveal that without Rachel’s permission. That was her secret to share or keep.
"This can’t be real..." Elena muttered, clenching her fists so tightly her knuckles went white. "This is insane. This is..."
"I’m sorry," I interrupted. "And I won’t force you—I would never do that. But otherwise, you’ll have to cut off your hand before the infection spreads, and I’m not even sure that will work. Even if it does, I don’t know if you’ll be capable of surviving the trip back to the library with that kind of blood loss." I reached for the knife on the floor and extended it toward her, handle first. "But either way, I’m not going to stand here and watch you transform into one of those monsters. If you don’t want to try my method, then we should really amputate your hand now, Elena."
Elena stared at the knife in my outstretched hand as if it were a venomous snake. Her breathing had become shallow and rapid, and I could see her mind racing through the impossible choice I’d just presented her with.
She reached out with a trembling hand, her fingers wrapping around the handle with obvious reluctance. The blade caught the light, and despite my attempts to clean it earlier, there were still red stains along the metal.
"You should make your decision quickly," I said, hating myself for pressuring her but knowing we might not have much time. "I’ll try to be fast and quick. It will be painful, but..."