Change of Heart

Chapter 50

**

As I awoke, I found myself lying on my bed wrapped in Alex's arms. Turning my head back, he seemed to be sleeping soundly. A small smile lifted on my face, and I gently moved his hand away. I sat up. Just staring at the floor, my head started to turn.

The past events began to replay themselves, and my body tensed. I took a hold of Alex's hand and squeezed it tight. His hand felt just as tense as I was, maybe even more. The smile on my face faded, as I stood to my feet. I felt the need to walk around for a while, loosen my body a little, but I didn't want to wake Alex just to tell him that. I guess I could just leave him a note..

Hey, I felt a little stuffy so I just went out for a walk for some air. I'll be back, so don't follow after me. I don't want a chance of me coming back and you're already gone too. And don't worry about me, I'll be fine. I love you. -Serine.

Folding up the note, I placed it in his hand wrapping his fingers around it. Feeling a little embarrassed, I leaned over and stole a kiss from his lips. They were a little dry but still smooth. When I pulled away, Alex reacted. He groaned as he turned his head over a little. Somehow, it was cute, reminding me of a little puppy. I walked out before a laugh could escape me.

**

Walking down the streets, I came across an old time shopping district not too far from my neighborhood. It was really crowded, people walking up and down the streets, bags in hands. Everyone was all in a rush. Then there was me, just taking my sweet time.

Reaching the end, I decided to turn back and return home, but I ended up colliding with someone. We both fell back. "Sorry, I-" I stopped when I noticed it was Jake. He looked at me with wide eyes and he reached his arm out to me. I stood to my feet and ran the other way.

"Serine, please wait!" Jake shouted out to me. I dodged many bodies just trying to get away. I don't want to talk to him...I don't even want to see him! I was grabbed by the arm and yanked back. Sure enough, Jake had caught up.

"Get away from me, I don't-"

"Would you please just listen!" His voice was so sincere as he pleaded. I didn't understand why he was so desperate for me to listen.

I stepped back, pulling my arm toward myself. His grip only got tighter. "I don't get you at all...why-"

Jake cut me off again. "Please, Serine. Let me explain." I didn't want to hear his excuses, there was no point. He said it was all just an accident, but...something like that can't be just an accident. Even if I didn't want to hear it though..I was a bit curious...

I jerked my arm away, reverting my eyes. "Fine." He instantly took a hold of my arm again and pulled me out of the crowd. "Hey, what are you doing? Where are you-"

"I don't want to say what I want to say in front of all these people." What did it matter anyways? It's not like anyone would care. He dragged me down to what appeared as an abandoned alleyway, one in which I've never seen.

Planting my feet, I managed to stop his movements too. "Jake, this is far enough. Now I said I'd listen so just tell me already, I'm kind of in a hurry." I wasn't really, but I just wanted to go home, away from him.

Finally releasing my hand he faced me. "A few days after you left, I swear to you that I never once touched that room. One day though, there was something coming from inside. I didn't know what it was, just some kind of noise. That was the first time I even went near that room. When I went in there, it was already a complete mess."

There's no way...I shook my head in denial. "No, you're lying, you even said it yourself, it was an accident-"

"I know what I said, ok. But listen, I didn't want you to find out the truth of that." Pausing for a moment, Jake's eyes wavered. "I would've rather had you hate me than find out."

"Find out what? Then why are you telling me this now?" What was he hiding that would be worse than me hating him?

"Because whatever that was, it came again."

"Was? Came again? You're not making-"

"I don't know what it was but it was some kind of monster, my guess is that it was after you, or..."

A monster? Could he mean another demon? "Did you see the, monster...and why didn't you just tell me truth?"

Jake completely turned away, obviously avoiding eye contact. "I'm sorry I lied, and I'm sorry I punched you before and I'm sorry I started attacking your boyfriend. Also...I'm especially sorry for what I suggested, about him ending up betraying you. Crazy personality or not, I was out of line." I swallowed hard. I had no words as to what to say. He continued without my inexistent response. "I just didn't tell you about it because I didn't want you to freak out or get scared. Honestly, it terrified me. I just didn't want you having the same reaction."

So in the end, he was just looking out for me. In a sense, he really didn't betray me, but his story was still unclear. One questioned was answered just now, so I just asked the second again. "Did you see it?"

He responded quickly. "Not the first time no. It was gone before I opened the door. The second time was actually a few days before you two showed up." He clenched his fists, and I could see his body tremble.

His reaction alone made my blood boil. Goosebumps covered my skin's surface. "Jake...what did you see?"

"I don't know...it appeared as a normal person, but it's aura...it didn't feel like anything of this world. I'm not sure how, but I felt a powerful force from it. It certainly wasn't human." He turned around facing me again, his expression solemn. "Its eyes was an unusual shade of red. I managed to avoid eye contact. Somehow, I was unnoticed unless it just didn't care, but for sure it seemed as if it was looking for something."

Red eyes...it has to have been some kind of demon, right? What other explanation could there be? Before I could reply, Jake started again.

"Later on after it disappeared, I dropped my phone under the bed, and when I went to grab it, I came across a drawing." Crap...I didn't want him to see any of those.. "Was it like an original character of yours or something?"

I hesitated, and averted my eyes. In a way it was, I guess...but I'm not sure what picture he's talking about. "Sort of.." Jake was silent. Looking back up, he had a terrified look on his face. I had a bad feeling.. "What's wrong?"

He pursed his lips together before giving an answer. "That drawing I found looked almost identical to that thing I saw."

"Do you have that drawing with you?" I said quickly. My body stiffened as he nodded pulling it out of his pocket. With shaky hands, I unfolded the sheet and my heart skipped a beat as I saw the image. I shot my eyes wide open as my fingers crumbled the edges. As I spoke, my voice trembled. "Are you positive...this is what you saw?"

"It wasn't exactly the same, but that's the closest description I could give. Why? Is there something-"

"Tell me you're lying!" I shouted out pushing the ends of the paper together. "Please...tell me you're lying..."

Jake's expression looked even more spooked. "Serine, what's going on?"

I shook my head as I covered my mouth. This can't be true...no way, it's impossible! This drawing...a drawing of Zander...how can it be like the thing he saw? It can't be, he's dead! Alex killed him himself. I was there! So how? Falling to my knees, my legs felt numb. Jake rushed to my side, helping my back to my feet, but my body was frozen. I could hear Jake continue to call my name, but I couldn't respond. My mind just became sheltered in fear from the very thought of Zander. I just wanted to scream until my lungs gave out, but I couldn't even manage that.