His Perfect Lyra

Silas's POV 

I'm sitting in the basement hallway, back against the wall, a closed door to my right. That door—Lyra's behind it right now.

I wish I could open it. Not yet. But soon. Very soon.

Suddenly, my heart jumps. A scream bursts through my earbud, sharp and raw. Lyra—she's yelling at Ducky again.

Ah… you're angry. That's alright. You still have time.

I stand up, leaving my phone on the floor, screen still glowing.

Turning left, I head for another room. Inside: shelves stacked with food, water, clothes, toilet paper—everything she needs.

And in the corner, the breaker. The same one I pulled the first time she lost control and wrecked her room.

I open the small panel and grip the handle, ready to shut the power off again. Another punishment.

But then—

A small, shaky voice comes through my earbud:

"I'm… sorry. For yelling just now."

I freeze.

No way. Did she just apologize?

"It's just… I'm going crazy."

I grab my phone in a rush, my hands shaking a little now. Lyra's on her elbows at the table, head bowed and she's praying. I can see her whole body trembling through the screen.

"And this… Ducky keeps talking to me…" she whispers, voice breaking as she prays.

Like she's trying so hard to hide it. How cute.

"Please don't punish me. I've thought about it… I won't do it again."

Ah, this feeling…

She's begging.

It's the best feeling in the world. I can't stop smiling as I watch her.

Eventually, she curls up on the bed, falling asleep.

I glance at the door in front of me.

"Since you asked so nicely…"

A grin stretches across my face, ear to ear.

"Sure, Lyra. I'm happy to let it slide this time."

⸻

Couple days later…

I'm humming to myself, same old tune.

Today's going to be a big day for her.

I wonder how she'll react. Will she feel relieved to see someone? Or terrified?

Still humming that same lullaby…

I grab a red marker and draw a circle around today's date on the calendar.

Nothing else is marked—just one huge red circle on the 30th.

The month doesn't even matter anymore. Just the 30th.

Shower. Clean clothes. A small coffee.

Then I head back to the basement.

I open the door. Lyra's still asleep.

Good. That's perfect.

After all, today's the first day she'll be spending time with me.

I can't wait to see her face.

I walk up to the table and sit in the chair Lyra never touches.

Guess this chair belongs to me now.

Crossing my legs, I set my coffee down, open a book, and let the scent of coffee drift toward Lyra.

Let's see what happens when she wakes up.