Haunting Adeline

Content Warning: This section contains descriptions of violence, sexual assault and rape, stalking, child trafficking, and child sacrifice as well as references to domestic abuse.

“And I know I’m about to do something bad. I know that I’m going to cross lines that I will never be able to come back from, but there’s not an ounce of me that gives a fuck. Because I’m obsessed. I’m addicted. And I will gladly cross every single line if it means making this girl mine. If it means forcing her to be mine.”

As Zade sees Adeline for the first time, he becomes instantaneously obsessed. This reaction emphasizes a predestined attraction between the two, but it also characterizes Zade as dangerous and prone to violence. His first reaction is to “force” Adeline to be “his,” implying the use of violence to maintain Adeline as a possession.

“I can’t explain why I have the need to stick it out. Test this mystery person. Challenge them and show them I’m not scared of them. Though that’s a big fat fucking lie. I’m absolutely terrified. However, I’m just as stubborn. And as already established—stupid, too. But I can’t find it in me to care right now. Ask me later when they’re standing over my bed watching me sleep, I’ll feel differently, I’m sure.”

Though Adeline admits that she is afraid of Zade, like Gigi, she is also excited. The foreshadowing of the person standing over her bed is meant to imply a divergence of feelings that will likely happen later in the novel. For the time being, the implication is that Adeline will be more likely to flee the house if the intruder comes into her bedroom while she sleeps.

“And what if it evolves into more? What if I’m saying no to something beautiful? Those are a little girl’s hopes and dreams, but I can’t help thinking them anyways. He looks like a man that I could settle down with but dangerous enough to keep me excited.”

Adeline reveals an element of her desires that has not been expressed yet in the story. Usually, Adeline is indifferent to men, or she is only interested in sex, but, here, she gives in to a desire for a lasting relationship. She tries to deny this pull, but she still thinks about how she “could settle down.” Nonetheless, maintaining her characterization thus far, she also expresses a desire for danger to maintain her excitement.