Chapter 392: Shedding Her Skin

“Yael, no!” I snapped my eyes open, calling out his name before I could even think. The pain I had felt before losing consciousness surged back, overwhelming me like a crashing wave. I shot upright, scanning the room. To my surprise, I was lying in a bed, my clothes changed.

After the brutal night with Carter, every inch of my body had ached. But now, there was no pain. In fact, I felt lighter, as if a burden had been lifted. Remembering what Yael had said about cleaning me up, I lifted my shirt. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The marks Carter had left were completely gone. Not just that—my skin had taken on an eerie, unnatural pallor. Zoey’s skin had always been pale, but now it was almost ghostly, a stark, cold white. The marks were gone, and even some moles and body hair had disappeared. It looked cleaner than anything you’d get at a fancy spa. Now, my skin wasn’t just white—it was smooth and glowing, like a newborn’s: soft and perfect. What kind of concoction could have such an effect?

The lack of any strange sensations told me he hadn’t taken advantage of me, at least not physically. But the fact that my clothes had been changed still troubled me. I took in my surroundings. The room was plain, but something felt off. It seemed like no one had been here for a long time. Even the sheets smelled faintly of mildew.

Outside, I could hear the waves crashing against the rocks. Moving to the window, I hoped to find some way to escape. But as I peered out, my heart nearly stopped. There were dozens of snakes crawling along the rocks below. Vipers, all tangled together, their slithering making my skin crawl and my stomach twist. “Ugh!” I clamped a hand over my mouth, stepping back, grateful I hadn’t opened the window. If I had, one or two of those snakes might have slithered in. I might not have died from a bite, but I would have been terrified out of my mind.

Far off in the distance, I saw the first light of dawn creeping over the horizon. The sunrise looked beautiful. But after seeing those snakes, I couldn’t care less about the view. Yael had trapped me—there was no way out now. No wonder he’d sprayed something on me before we arrived on the island. At first, I thought it was mosquito repellent, but now I realized it was probably to keep the snakes away. This was an island of snakes. He hadn’t bothered to chain me, knowing full well I wouldn’t be able to escape. The room, though equipped with modern plumbing, was devoid of any means of communication. No phone, no television, no tablet, no computer—nothing.

I opened the door and stepped outside. At once, I spotted someone sitting on a rock not far off. He seemed to sense my presence, turning to look at me. Yael was dressed in a white shirt and beige pants, his tousled hair blowing gently in the breeze. The loose shirt billowed slightly in the wind, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he greeted me cheerfully. “Chloe, you’re awake.”

It was such an idyllic scene. The boy radiated vitality and youth. It was almost impossible to reconcile this image with the man I had known before. I said nothing, watching him with caution. He walked toward me, the sunlight catching his face and bathing him in a warm glow. “You look marvelous, Chloe.” I wore a simple white dress, my hair loose, and no makeup. The only mark on my face was a small red mole between my brows. The early morning sunlight cast everything in a soft, almost ethereal light, making the moment feel surreal. It was clear the brothers had similar tastes, even when it came to appearances. I had seen Whitney a few times before—she always wore white dresses as well.

“What’s in that drug?” My voice came out hoarse, still raw from earlier. “It’s a rejuvenating serum, sister. The only downside is the pain,” he explained, grinning. “Do you know how snakes shed their skin?” They shed it periodically. At the mention of it, a knot formed in my chest. My skin, smooth and new, felt like it had been completely renewed. That drug… Yael was now standing right beside me, looking down at me. He stood in the light, his figure outlined against the bright sky.

“I saved the skin you shed last night, sister,” he said, his voice filled with strange pride. “Ugh.” The words made my stomach turn more than the sight of the snakes had. How could human skin shed? I imagined it like the usual skincare routine, where you use exfoliants to remove dead skin cells. Perhaps his drug kept the skin intact, preserving it better. The thought made my stomach turn. Yael’s fingers lightly touched my cheek. “You look even cleaner than before, Chloe.” He smiled, but all I could feel was a cold shiver down my spine. You could never predict his next move.

I had to be careful. I didn’t want to anger him. He noticed my trembling and spoke softly. “Chloe, are you scared of me?” Anyone would be. He was a monster. “Don’t worry. As long as you behave and don’t try to escape, I’ll treat you well.” Nearby, a few snakes slithered out of the rocks. I instinctively took a step back. “There are many vipers here,” he said. He handed me a spray bottle. “Just spray this on yourself every day, and the snakes, bugs, and rats won’t bother you.”

“Are we the only ones on this island?” “If you’re testing me, I won’t answer.” I forced myself to speak calmly. “It’s just that the bedding in the room smells a little musty. If we’re going to stay here long, we might need some more supplies. It could be awkward with just the two of us.” “Don’t worry. Someone will bring the supplies. I’ll take care of your room soon.” He reached out his hand. “Chloe, the sunrise is beautiful. I want to show you something on the island.”

I feigned ignorance and walked toward him. “Let’s go.” He stood still, his gaze cold and hard. He clearly didn’t like my response. In a flash, he grabbed my hand. “Chloe, my patience is limited.” Being led by this man made me uneasy. I wanted to pull away, but his warning echoed in my mind. I had no choice but to follow.

I couldn’t end up like I had before; I had to survive and return to Carter. So, I followed him, relieved he didn’t try anything more. He led me up a small hill. The air was filled with the sound of hissing. Everywhere I looked, I saw brightly colored snakes. My whole body tensed. A few snakes I could handle, but seeing them everywhere was a real test of nerves. I kept repeating to myself, “It’s snake stew, raw snake stew.”

“What would you like to eat later, Chloe?” he asked. Without thinking, I blurted out, “Snake stew.” I didn’t actually eat snakes or cells, but the words slipped out. He laughed. “Alright, we’ll have snake stew.” He stopped walking. “Chloe, we’re here.” By now, the sun had risen, long past the time for the sunrise. I looked around as he moved aside. He wasn’t showing me the sunrise. Instead, I found myself facing a graveyard, dark tombstones lined up in rows.