“Sally!”
The shout cracked through the room like a whip.
Her master bolted upright in bed, sheets pooling around his waist, eyes wide with groggy irritation. The dark, murderous calm on Sally’s face vanished in an instant replaced by her usual bright, carefree smile.
“Oh! Good evening, Master…” she chirped, tilting her head innocently.
“Don’t ‘good evening’ me!” He rubbed his eyes hard, voice thick with sleep and exasperation. “What the hell are you doing here?.”
Sally clasped her hands behind her back, rocking slightly on her heels. “Nothing special, just checking up on you….”
“Well go away!” he cut in, already sinking back against the pillows. “It’s not like I need you to watch me sleep…”
He yanked the covers up to his chin, turning onto his side with a pointed huff.
Sally’s smile never wavered. “Hehe… Ok, Master~!” She gave a small, playful curtsy.
“Good night~” Her bare feet padded softly toward the door.
Her voice dropped to the faintest whisper, barely audible even to herself: “Won’t ever let the bed bugs bite…”
In the hallway, the moonlight caught the curve of her still-smiling lips, and the faint smear of red still clinging to the ball of her foot.