𝙳𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚜? 𝚁𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚜?

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸

Rushing to sit up, the weight on my chest seemed to jump off — footsteps becoming apparent as it jumped.

"What the hell—?!" I scrambled to grab my phone, to get the flashlight, at least it was some form of light.

Turning it on, I pointed it in the direction of the footsteps and .. someone was there. the figure sat, cross-legged on the floor, staring back at me.

"...Hmph. Not even a hello ...? You are the one who summoned me ... at least be somewhat respectful ..."

The figure on the floor spoke out before I could - but .. wait ..

"... Summoned ...?"

I asked hesitantly, eyes gazing over the person in front of me. I had my phone on the ready to call 911 or something — I mean, I still had no idea how he got in here ..

"...Yes, summoned, Eli Clark." The boy spoke with a huff, standing, leaning forward faintly, gaze averting to my phone.

".. Are you calling the authorities on me ..? Just as you summoned me? How rude."

With one swift movement, he took the phone from my hands, dangling it weakly - as if to tease me ..

"Ah —" I sighed. I don't even know this guy and he already took away my phone?!

"... F-First, um .. Who are you — and - and .. what do you mean .. summoned ...?" I asked the questions, still in disbelief of the whole situation — what even was happening?

the boy gave a tilt of the head in response to my question, a heavy sigh escaping from his lips as he dropped back onto the ground. "Is your memory that bad? ritual? demons..? that ring a bell?" he asked, irritation distinct in his tone.

".. shit — that - that .. worked..?!"

I stammered the response, running a hand through my hair as I looked to the boy sat on the floor in disbelief — this had to be a dream or something .. right? no way he was a demon!

"... duh." he rolled his eyes, standing as he walked back over to my side, glancing toward me.

"Aesop. I am Aesop, a demon that you and your .. friends summoned, simple." After he had finished speaking, he handed me back my phone — which I immediately grabbed.

".. Shit." I stood up from the bed, rubbing at my temples. This was all so .. strange, and happening so quickly. ".. This .. isn't a dream, right? You're not just my .. imagination?"

Aesop seemed to take offense to that last statement, eyebrows furrowing in dissatisfaction. "I am very much real — as is this situation.." he paused, shuffling closer towards me, flicking at my forehead with his finger. "..Stupid boy."

"Ow—!" I rubbed my forehead, looking towards the demon stood in front of me who had confirmed, this was obviously .. real.

He let out a stifled chuckle before turning and swiftly exiting my bedroom, not even looking back as he did so.

"Hey, wait—!" I called out, almost desperately as I quickly went after him, out of the room, into the hall, only to see —

... he was .. hissing? hissing at Brooke Rose.

"... Aesop..—?"

"..Eli Clark, What is this .. creature inhabiting your home—"

Brooke exited her cage, flying across the room swiftly. she flew, the demon quickly chasing after her, doing anything he could to keep up.  she flew, somewhat frantically — looking like she was trying to avoid Aesop at all costs.

the two of them entered the hallway, swiftly entering my bedroom once more followed by ...

Crashing..?

Shit.