Chapter 24

There was no point in crawling back into my shell. Why hide at home if home was no longer safe? These horrific attacks would happen anywhere. So, I was finally taking Peter's advice to just keep living life. Plus, after having a fucking demon break into my house, I think wanting to be in public and around people was understandable. It bothered me being home.

That's why I eagerly picked up a couple shifts at work. Okay, or maybe I begged to work full-time this week. You know, to 'make up for the days I called in' – which, as a bonus, made my boss Vince forgive me. Those few days of normalcy offered a nice distraction too. I was even grateful to see Madison's whore-ass. That's how you knew I was just plain desperate for anything not supernatural.

"How's it going, Madison?" I asked when I entered the back office. She just arrived too.

"I heard it's been busy, so you better be ready," she said, applying her roll-on perfume to her neck. Hopefully that honey would be enough to distract the disgusting bees out front from noticing me. Her small-framed cleavage and make-up should help too.

"I'm okay with busy."

"I hope so. Just try and remember to be nice even if people are getting on your nerves."

What is it with people giving out advice they should be taking? "I'm always nice. Until they cross a line."

"You should change where that line is," she said as we walked out towards the dining room. "This one guy last night tipped me 100 bucks all because I spent extra time at his table, talked him up, and flirted my ass off."

What an inspiration. Maybe one day I'll be lucky enough to be a material 7-year-old that ignores all my other tables. Believe it or not, she didn't bother me like usual. Peter constantly pissing me off must have raised my bullshit tolerance. Even when a few guys checked me out, it didn't anger me. Then again, I might be just grateful none tried killing me.

A few hours into my shift, I noticed a familiar girl sitting at the bar. It was Zack's girlfriend, Katie. I remembered her petite form and sweet freckled face from the party. Before shit hit the fan that night, she was super fun and it seemed like we had a lot in common. So when I was between tables, I walked behind the bar and obnoxiously waved at her like a dork. She giggled and did the same thing, nearly knocking her glass of water over. Dang. We really did have a lot in common.

Zack smiled and grabbed it before it spilled.

"Have too much to drink?" I teased.

"I wish. You would think knowing the bartender would win me a few free shots."

"Maybe if you weren't a minor, hon. Or if there weren't witnesses," Zack chuckled, glancing to the other occupied stools.

Katie's sweet eyes returned to me. "So what have you been up to lately?"

"Oh you know..." Trying not to die, learning about demons. "Not much."

"Not much? You just moved here. It's time for fun!"

"You're not having the time of your life yet?" Zack asked while making a drink.

Propping an elbow against the bar, I shrugged. "Not quite, but summer is just starting.

"You like half-off movies?" Katie asked me.

"Yeah, anything to save money. Why?"

"Well, if you aren't working late tonight, we're going to a movie if you want to come. They replay old classics every week. That's why they're so cheap."

"Um, I get out at 6:00," I said.

"That's perfect, that's when Zack gets out. You should come with us."

I didn't expect her offer, but I didn't mind it. Anything to prolong going home. Anything to keep the distractions going. I didn't want to be reminded of the demon that broke-in, the craziness I had to deal with, and I didn't want to be alone. The past two days, I avoided those things, but my shift would end early today. A movie should be worth it.

"That sounds great actually," I decided.

***

I was 100% wrong, everybody. Going to the movies after work was not worth it. 'Anything to prolong going home' I thought. 'Why not' I thought. No, fuck that and fuck this movie.

The young girl on the big screen was sitting in her bed, possessed by a demon, and it showed in her contorted face. The priest was trying to perform an exorcism. If anything, I should be jealous. At least the priest and her mom knew the truth and were addressing the problem. The priest wasn't a moody stalker either. Ugh, why did I have to agree to come to this? Hell, why didn't I ask what we were seeing first? I'm so stupid.

"Want some?" Katie whispered from my right, tilting her tub of popcorn towards me.

"Sure," I smiled tightly, shoving a handful in my mouth.

Obviously, all this movie did was remind me of my reality. I've seen 'The Exorcist' before. Loved it, thought it was great, but now it was ruined. I couldn't focus on the fictional story, especially when little Reagan turned into a demonic monster. According to Peter, some people that enter a contract give up their body whenever a demon needs to use it. What about against their will like this? Can people who aren't fucked up enough to make deals with the devil able to get possessed? Was this what it looked like?

"Are you okay?" Katie whispered after a while.

"Yeah Jos, you good?" Zack added from her other side.

For being in a dark theater, I didn't realize how tense and fidgety I was becoming. I forced my hands to stop mindlessly rubbing my legs. "Oh, yeah, I'm good."

"I thought you said you liked scary movies?" she whispered.

"Yeah, I-I do. I just forgot how scary this movie specifically is. It's okay though," I leaned in and whispered back.

"We could leave and wait for the next one to start. They always play two in a row."

"Really? What is after this one?"

"Nightmare on Elm Street."

Dear fucking lord.

Forcing my smile, I persistently shook my head. "No, no, it's okay. Don't worry, I'm completely fine watching this one. I'm totally fine," I said before mumbling to myself, "Didn't realize Halloween came early this year."

Katie was so nice and so sweet to invite me. I had to suck it up, so I put on a happy face and let my mind silently drown. Apparently, coincidences don't exist... so whoever's in charge up there has an awesome but fucked sense of humor.

The movie triggered made me flash back to the other night. The demon that broke into my house didn't look like a monster. It looked human, but that made it more threatening. When would the next close call be? Were any of these people in the theatre a demon? Call me silly, but I nonchalantly checked my dim surroundings. Aside from a handful of people, there was barely anyone in here. But behind me... one face stood out.

Peter was a few rows back and diagonal to me. Yeah, that's right. Did this guy not understand boundaries? Though he was able to protect me, I honestly wasn't sure if my anxiety being replaced by annoyance was worth it.

Though he was facing forward, his waist was angled so he could prop his feet up on the row in front of him. He was snacking on something when, without any shame, his bored eyes caught mine.

I spun back around. What's better than being reminded of my problems? Oh yeah, having part of the problem five row backs! No doubt he was here just to keep a watchful eye; he didn't need to be subtle anymore since I knew. I just needed to ignore him and finish this feel-good family movie.

Then, something small pelted the back of my head. Did he... did he just throw something at me? It felt almost like a peanut or piece of candy. Maybe it was an accident? But a second later, I felt it again. This time, it stuck in my thick hair.

A heated flush flooded my cheeks, in both anger and embarrassment. What the hell? Mr. Serious was really being this childish?! Reaching behind me, sure enough, I pulled a fucking peanut out of my hair. Oh, this asshole....

I whipped my head around. Peter didn't bother trying to hide the box of peanuts he was snacking from. All because he got a kick out of pissing me off! While I was glaring at him, he chucked another peanut at me! I ducked out of the way and turned back forward with a scowl.

Katie turned and eyed my sudden movement. "Are you okay?" she whispered.

I buried my anger with a quiet light voice. "Oh, I just... had a weird itch, but it's gone."

She gestured to the last of the popcorn. "Want any more?"

"No thanks." Then, another peanut pelted my head, setting me over. "You know what, I sure do. And actually, I will be right back, I'll go refill it," I said as I took the popcorn tub, stood up, and headed to the main aisle. Instead of exiting the dark theater, I marched up the steps to his row.

Watching me enter his row, his lips curved into an amused smirk. He didn't even flinch when I reached him and dumped the remaining popcorn over his head. "Always such a pleasure, Josephine," he said unphased, glancing back to the movie.

"Sure fucking is." Sitting next to him, I narrowed my eyes. "What, since I know the truth, you just openly follow me instead of hiding in the shadows? Is that it?"

Watching the movie, he mindlessly brushed the popcorn from his clothes. "Pretty much."

I hated how easily he admitted that (and I hated his lack of a reaction). I was so flustered, so riled up – and I so did not realize how close these seats were. The movie's dim light illuminated the curve oh his strong jaw and stubble. His facial hair was a shade darker than his dirty blonde hair that was trimmed neatly before the longer locks on top framed his face. His uncaring eyes and relaxed demeanor only unnerved me more.

That was a common thing I noticed: he unnerved me easily. As in he made bells and whistles ring in my head. Not in a good or bad way, but in an antsy way. He fueled my emotions in an aggravated, anxious, and hyper-excited energetic way. Why? Even when he wasn't pissing me off, why did his presence put mine at attention? I didn't know. Then again, I had to recognize he did intrigue me. Which made me even more annoyed with him....

"I figured you'd have better things to do with your time, since dealing with me is such an inconvenience," I whispered.

"Don't kid yourself. Watching you nearly shit your pants over a movie isn't my ideal pastime," he whispered, tossing back another peanut.

"It's not like I want to watch this. I don't need to be reminded of all the demon shit."

"Oh. Someone put a gun to your head and forced you in here?"

I scowled, shifting to directly face him. "For your information, I came here to avoid going home. I didn't bother asking what movie we were seeing until it was too late. And usually, I like scary movies, but when they turn more biographical, it's a little fucking disturbing," I hissed, cutting off myself before my voice got any louder. God, I could not stand him – and could not stand myself for getting defensive over something so silly.

"Why do you get so worked up? Anyway, you shouldn't avoid going home," he said more seriously, catching my close gaze. "Your house is where you are most safe and it's easier for us to keep you safe while you're there. Stay home more."

I scoffed and stuttered, at a complete loss. "That is why I get so worked up! That right there! Fuck you. After spending a week inside, you pushed and preached that I need to get out of the house, live life; do not be scared, I'll protect you. You said I can't stay inside forever," I hissed in his face.

The second I lashed out, it became clear he pissed me off on purpose. He looked away with amusement, failing to hide his growing and perfect straight grin.

My eyes widened. "Why do you go through all this trouble just to piss me off?"

"You ask for it," he said in a hushed humored voice.

"How?"

"Well, how about the gift you left on my porch?"

The other day on my way to work, I swung by Peter's massive house and dropped off a giftbag. Inside was my raised insurance bill, the rest of those awful pop tarts, and my bloody clothes from the party (the ones he intentionally left me in). So fine, I suppose I asked for a little grief.

I couldn't help but smirk. "Did you like your present?"

"I'm not paying for your insurance."

"Oh, yes you are. Remember when you called me a terrible driver? Well, guess what, Jamie told me you purposefully caused me to crash into you. You made my insurance go up."

"And?"

"And?!"

"Indoor voices only, Josephine."

Looking around to make sure I didn't disturb anyone, I huffed and lowered my tone. "Listen fuck face, I am tight on money, trying to save for college. You blamed the whole car accident on me, yet you caused the whole thing."

He searched my gaze. I hated how much of a kick he got out of seeing me all frazzled. Though he was amused, in the small space between us, I couldn't help but notice a... warm glint. It was foreign to me. I hated to admit it intrigued me. I don't know why; I was as annoyed with him as he usually was with me.

'Worthy' of his attention for once, his eyes stayed on mine. "And?" he repeated.

"And you owe me an apology."

Surprised, his lips spread into another wide grin. "Really? An apology?"

It was rare to see him smile like this. Made me realize just how much I liked it. I had to look away. "Yes. You bitched me out, called me a shitty driver, and made my insurance skyrocket."

"All for your sake, but I guess that's irrelevant to you. Also, you still are a shitty driver."

All I could do was stare him down. Despite my fury, I couldn't help but feel amused at this ridiculous argument. As if any of this petty stuff mattered. He just knew how to lure me into these dumb arguments.

"You're fucking impossible."

"So are you. Anyway, I was somewhat serious. You can't keep be scared to go home."

You really could not win with this guy. I don't leave the house, he tells me to go out and live. I'm living life again, he tells me to stay in the house. I suppose that summed this guy up though: a contradicting mystery.

I shook my head. "You bitched I needed to get out of the house."

"Because I wanted you to not be scared. Don't be scared to go home either. No matter where you are, we will protect you." Attention back to the dramatic scene on the screen, he sighed. "Not to mention it's annoying following you around."

"I don't know, you seemed fairly entertained right now."

"Do I?" He cocked back to throw a close-range peanut at me.

When it bounced off my forehead, I had to grit my teeth. That did it. I've reached my limit. Shaking my head, I grabbed the empty tub and stood up. "I need to refill the popcorn. Stop throwing shit at me."

On cue and with a blank face, he threw another peanut at me – making me spin back, snatch the box out of his hand, and quickly exit his row. Sucker. Try pelting me with peanuts now, bitch.

While he triggered my nerves in so many ways, I did understand what he meant. Though I was now out living life... it was partially motivated by fear to not be home. I didn't want to go home where that disturbing image was so fresh in my mind. I did need to remember he was right though. A demon may have gotten into my house, but even more demons have tried killing me outside the house. It really did not matter where I was. I just needed to trust that they would protect me.

However... it didn't occur to me they couldn't protect me in my dreams.

***

My eyes were open to a different side of realty, but that didn't make these dream visits any less weird or scary. Honestly, I was surprised it hadn't happened sooner. I had hoped and figured Famine gave up now that I know the truth. That was not the case though.

The scene was the same signature one. I sat up in my bed; the curtains fluttered from the breeze, allowing streaks of moonlight to sift in, but my eyes went to the daunting man standing in the dark corner of my room. Like before in my dreams, shadows misted around him, and he had a looming height. However, he didn't stay masked behind those masses of shadows. Those piercing and round chestnut eyes, his sculpted hairy face, and his lean body and straight-posture was visible.

Before, Famine was simply some creepy dream-hopper. Now that I knew he was part demon... this already intimidating dude felt even more threatening.

"Hi doll," he said in a husky voice.

"Wonderful. Here to drain the life out of me again?" Trust me guys, if this wasn't a dream, I probably wouldn't have had to balls to start out so feisty.

"Still a little salty? Aw, I thought you would be over that by now. I'm just here to talk."

"We were supposed to talk last time. But instead, you tricked me, took me to a different plain, and drained me."

"Can you blame me? That's who I am," he said, boots echoing on the floorboards as he stepped closer. "Admittedly, I can control it, but it's natural for me to draw energy."

"Yeah, because you're a fucking demon."

"Half." He searched my eyes for a moment. A long moment. They were just so pretty, so observant, so big and inviting. "Believe it or not, though I withheld information, I did not lie to you."

Yeah right. Says a man that is designed to lie, cheat, seduce, and manipulate. I was done and didn't want to play his games. Or allow him to coax my mind in any way. Remembering that feeling... the way he drained me, how my eyes unnaturally stayed locked on his, the way my legs buckled... no, fuck this. I wanted to be away from him.

"I don't want anything to do with you," I said, throwing aside my covers.

But before I could leave my bed and near the door, Famine slyly moved onto the bed and over me, forcing me to lay back. Resting his hands on the bed, he hovered just a few inches above my face. "Yes, you do. My ultimate goal is to protect you, doll," he whispered intimately.

The sudden movement, the vividness of his face so close over mine, made my breath catch. "I know you're trying to trick me," I said, closing my eyes from the influence of his.

"I am trying to trick you," he admitted. "But I do want to protect you."

"Yeah, in order to use me."

"True, but you and I, we have the same goal: to keep you safe from those that want you dead. I can help you."

Keeping my eyes shut, I swallowed. "No."

"Yes, doll." Then, I felt him delicately cup and caress my cheek. "By the way... I find you absolutely gorgeous."

He enticed my eyes to open. I knew he was trying to trick or seduce me... but he really was beautiful no matter how intimidating he was. The fact that this was a dream made everything so tempting; I can't be blamed for something I didn't physically do while awake, right? But I refused to cave. This man, who probably saw me as a child anyway, was trying to trick me.

"I find you to be full of shit."

His lips twitched, offering a subtle sweet smile. "We're all full of shit, doll." Searching my gaze, he exhaled. "You're smart; you're aware my motives will benefit me. Don't insult your own intelligence by thinking Peter's intentions won't benefit him. Remember: both sides get their hands dirty. But my motives work in your favor and can offer you more."

"One of your dirty deals it sounds like," I scoffed. "What can you offer? Huh?"

"Anything," he said in that slick husky voice. He bowed and leaned closer, his nose close to mine. "And I mean I can give you anything. It just comes at a price. Peter knows that better than anyone."

"What do you mean?" Was he implying Peter had been involved in one of these deals?

"Just be careful who you trust," he whispered in a more seducing voice.

I wanted him to lean down and closer. My stomach and heart flopped in confusion and temptation. He was so close to me. He couldn't drain me in a dream... but the impact of his presence was as intense.

"Get off me. This is my dream. I want it to end now."

"I'm sorry you feel that way. This is the last time for a while I will be able to visit you. Not by choice though.

"What are you talking about?"

"You'll find out tomorrow. Have a good night, doll."

Great, now what did that mean? Before I could ask, it was as if he granted my wish. His piercing eyes faded. His veil of shadows returned to swallow me into the peaceful darkness, and the dream ended.

My eyes opened to my dark wall. Nobody was here, my window was closed, and it was a peaceful night again. Only, my insides were anything but peaceful. Letting out a shaky sigh, I flicked the lamp on and took in my empty room with watering eyes. Fuck, I forgot how vivid, how intense, and real those dreams were.

A few tears slipped as I blankly sat up and stared at my empty room. I was tired of everything, I wanted my old life back, my old simple drama, and I wanted my sense of safety and security back. I just wanted a break. I was overwhelmed... and yet, my mind was already spinning with more questions he caused.

The weak part of my brain wanted to analyze his words, decode what he was saying (and admittedly wanted to remember how close his lips were to mine despite how much he scared me). What was he implying about Peter? And what did he mean I would find out tomorrow? This would be his last visit for a while...? I would be relieved and happy if it ends up being true, but I wanted to know why. And what did Peter have to do with it?

Stop it, stupid, it doesn't fucking matter, stop being curious because that is what he wants. Once again, I had to remind myself that Famine had been trying to trick me. The guy even admitted he was trying to trick me. No, I couldn't play his game.

Of course, that was easier said than done. Especially the following day. Because sure enough, I found out exactly what Famine was talking about when tomorrow arrived. Found out exactly why that would likely be the last dream visit from him for a while.