Mia's POV:

"So Zayn, what are your plans for Halloween?" My mom asks, taking a small bite of meatloaf.

He smiles and swallows his food, "Nothing. I don't ever go out on Halloween."

My dad nods, "Right? Bad vibes all around."

"Superstitious." I cough, making my mom and Zayn laugh. But my dad doesn't look too amused.

"Why don't you like it?"

He looks at my mom and answers her question, "Just bad experiences."

"What kind of bad experiences?"

I notice Zayn's mouth fall slightly open and see him getting backed into a corner he desperately wants to get out of. "Oh, it's nothing much mom. Just had some kids scare him when he was young."

His lips curl up a bit at my lie. "Yes, that's it."

"What assholes." My mom notes and then goes back to the conversation with my dad.

Zayn and I sit in my room and I bite my lip, "Listen...I'm really sorry about my mom. She can be a bit nosy, but she means well."

"Oh, it's fine. Thanks for helping me out though."

"No problem." I smile, looking down at my hands. "By the way, what did happen that made you hate it?"

His eyes seem to darken, "I don't really want to talk about it. I'll tell you all about it one day, though."

"Okay...that's fine." I look down at my lap and my eyes wander up a bit and I find him watching me lovingly, "What?"

"I was just thinking..."

"About?"

"About how lucky I am to have you here in my life."

My cheeks turn a dark red and I push my hair back, "You don't mean that."

A smile finds its way onto his lips, "But I do. And it's kind of scary if you think about it. How is it even possible to be so infatuated by somebody that sometimes when you see them, you almost forget to breath? Or how they're the only thing on your mind all the time?"

I'm trying to find a way to say something, but I can't. "But I don't think that's the scariest thing. I think the scariest thing is not knowing if they feel the same about you."

"I don't know what to say..." I mumble, not realizing we felt the same exact thing.

"Don't say anything."

Without realizing, I catch my eyes lingering on his lips. I let my eyes wander up to his eyes and notice him staring at me with the same facial expression that I am. Before my brain can register what's happening, we are both leaning in and the only thing that I can hear is my rapid beating heart.

Our lips interlock and we move them together in sync. My hands find their way up to his hair and he gently pulls my waist towards his, his hands almost begging me to sit down. I teasingly do so and his hands rub up and down my back, and I sneakily slide mine to the bottom of his shirt and lift it over his head. I throw it off to the side and push some of my body weight on him, hoping he will lay down.

He lays down and our lips do not break contact. Our breathing becomes heavy and he suddenly sits up, pushing me off. My eyes widen at his actions and I look at him in curiosity as he stands up and hurrily puts his shirt back on. "Zayn, what's wrong?"

"I-I need to go."

"What, why?" I ask, standing up and walking over to him.

"Mia, I can't do this. I was just c-caught up in the moment...but it's not right."

My breath catches in my throat as he runs his hands through his hair shakily, "Oh."

"I'm sorry...I have to go."

I don't stop him.

Despite my frustration, I try to get my mind off what just happened by doing a bit more research on demons.

HOW DEMONS MARK THEIR PREY

Demons do not have to put much of work into marking their next victim. All the person has to do is see their animal symbol (Ex. butterfly, crow, wolf, bear). While it may be hard to know if you've actually been marked, a few red flags will pop up a while after (Ex. ransacked houses, dreams controlled).

If you know for a fact you've been marked, contact somebody immediately and make sure to get as far away from the person as you can. But if you are not so sure, contact [email protected] and she will help you determine whether or not you are marked.

Taking a deep breath, I open up my email and type up a quick email to Mariah.

To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]

Hi, Mariah. I was sent to you from a supernatural website about whether or not you've been marked by a demon. Although I am not too sure, I have some reason to believe that I have been. It would be great if you would be able to reply as soon as you can. Thanks so much! -Mia Clarke

I scroll through a few more websites mindlessly when about an hour later, a new email pops up.

To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]

Hello, Mia! It is such a pleasure to be able to help you tonight. The website probably didn't mention, but I am a professional in this field and have dedicated my life to it to help people like you find out what is going on. Now, could you provide me with some information on what has you believing that you have been marked?

I respond immediately, my hands trembling.

To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]

I was surprised to see you responded so fast! Well, a number of things have happened. For one, my dreams feel as if they are being controlled. I've also
had my room ransacked, a friend get hurt recently, and much more.

I hurrily plug in my earphones and let my playlist play on shuffle as I wait anxiously for another reply.

To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]

Hm...if what your saying is true, it might just happen that you have a demon who has marked you. Do you have any suspects on who it could be?

Instead of replying immediately, I call Niall. He answers, "Aye oh Meemo."

I cringe, "Hi Niall. Mind coming over?"

"Sure. I'll be there soon." He tells me, stretching out the 'soon' before I hang up.

As soon as Niall gets to my house, I sit him down and show him everything. "I seriously think this is what's happening to me."

"Mia, you do realize how crazy this sounds right?" He asks, sighing.

"God, yes! Of course I do. But it's the only rational explanation for what has been going on."

"Not the only one..."

"What else could it be?"

I notice him backing away from me and moving closer to my bedroom door. "You're crazy!" He cries, throwing open my door and running down the stairs as fast as he can.

"Dammit Niall!" I scream, running after him. When I catch him, he is just about to pull open the door but I can't just let that happen. I grab his shoulders and yank his backwards, resulting in him letting out a scream. "I'm not crazy, and I need your help!"

He stays silent as he looks up at my ceiling with his back on the floor. My breathing is ragged and I sit next to him in a slump. "God, I feel like I'm
going crazy..."

Finally he speaks. "Are you really sure about this? Is it really worth both of our time putting effort into this?"

"I really think it's worth looking into..."

"Okay, fine." Niall says, standing up. "Let's get to it."

A smile forms on my lips as he helps me to my feet and we head upstairs back to my room. "My only problem is knowing who it could be."

"Well, let's think this over." He replies. "It could be Harry for all we know. None of this started happening until he started talking to you. You know?"

I bite my lip, "I suppose it could be...but who else?"

"It could be Zayn also...you and him met around the time Harry turned up."

"What? It can't be Zayn..." I tell him, shaking my head.

"Don't be too sure, Mia. Just because you like him doesn't mean you should rule him out completely." Niall points out, handing me my laptop to email Mariah back.

To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]

Um, yeah...there is a few that my friend Niall helped me come up with. One's name is Harry and Zayn.

Guilt eats me alive as I send the email. I shouldn't have even put his name! Zayn is totally innocent and couldn't be.

"Niall...it can't be Zayn. I'm sure of it." I tell him, staring straight into his eyes.

He rolls them, "Isn't that what a demon would want you to think? God, Mia; think."

To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]

Did both of them show up around the same time?

To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]

Yes.

A knock erupts on my front door as we wait for a reply from her and I send Niall down to answer it.

To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]

Then it might be very tough to figure out who is behind it...

To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]

And what should I do if it turns out to be one of them?

My head snaps up when I hear Niall speak, "Well look who we have here."

I look over and see Zayn standing behind him, "Hi."

"Hi." I reply, closing my laptop a bit. "What do you need?"

"To ask you something."

"Okay." I agree, glaring at Niall to go downstairs.

He walks in and sits down on the bed a cross from me, "I've wanted to ask you this for awhile now...and I feel like now is the right time."

I nod, looking at his dark brown eyes. "Go on..."

Zayn takes a deep breath, "Will you be my girlfriend?"

The question doesn't register in my mind fully, "What?"

His smile falls, "Will you..."

"No, I heard you. It's just..."

"Just?"

"I didn't expect it..." A small smile forms. "But yes. I would love to be your girlfriend, Zayn."

As soon as he leaves, I look at Niall right in the eyes. "It's not him, I'm sure of it."

He shrugs, "Okay. Then he is ruled out. So it must be Harry?"

"It must be..." I reply. "Stay the night, will you?"

Niall nods, "Sure."

I open my laptop back up and open the email Mariah sent awhile ago.

To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]

Run.
----

Omg I'm getting anxiety just thinking about what's to come!!!

I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Please make sure to vote and comment! I love you all so much.