Possession

Chapter 8: Spying

Chapter 8

Spying

        It didn't matter how hard I tried not to think about it but whenever I had a spare moment or was relaxing I found myself thinking about Robert's grandmother. What she said was crazy. After all demons only show up on TV or in books. I don't even believe in something as whimsical as a god. Although her words have left me feeling paranoid which has led me to imagine things. Shadows out of the corner of my eye, whispers outside my window and someone staring at me from across the room no matter where I am. At this rate I'm going to need to seek professional help.

        In the school hallway by my locker my bully shows up again. When he shoves me against the lockers I use the trick Robert taught me and made a run for it. I duck inside the bathroom and yelp in surprise to see Andre washing his hands.

        "Hello, Dyllan. How have you been?" He asks making sure his nails are clean.

        I wish I'd run to my classroom instead, "I'm good. You?" I ask trying to avoid eye contact.

        "My injuries have all healed. I'm doing well. How is Robert?" He asks politely.

        "He's good." I reply, "Hey, want to hang out at Robert's sometime? He thinks you're mad at him and that's why you've been avoiding us." I ask him.

        Andre dries his hands, "I'm sorry but I don't have the time to. Tell Robert I'm not angry with him and I'm sorry I've been so busy. See you later Dyllan." He waves goodbye and leaves.

        I breathe a sigh of relief as the door swings shut. Andre makes me nervous sometimes. That entire conversation felt like I was talking to an alien. Robert's grandmother is playing mind games with me and winning. I look in the mirror and see what looks like a heat haze behind me. I walk up to the mirror and wipe it with a paper towel to remove the smudge but it's still there. I look behind me to see what's going on and notice the hand dryer. Leftover hot air? I shake my head and leave the bathroom.

        I go over to Robert's house that evening and end up crashing by the fire. In my strained mind I dreamed about Robert's grandmother and Andre. Andre looks unusually serious and is always standing just a few feet away from me. I find myself back in the bathroom at the school and instead of seeing a heat haze I see an angry looking Andre standing in the mirror. That's not me! He yells and I start awake.

        I'm still outside Robert's house and still by the fire. I get Robert moving and he drives me home. I decide to talk to Robert about my suspicions.

        "Robert have you wondered what's going on with Andre? I mean friends don't usually stay mad at each other for this long do they?" I ask him.

        He sighs, "I don't know what's wrong with him. My grandmother, the old bat, thinks he's 'possessed' by a demon." He says sarcastically.

        This isn't going well, "I was wondering, isn't Andre left handed?" I ask him.

        "Yup, always has been ever since I've known him." He scoffs at my stupid question.

        "I talked to Andre today. He says his ribs are all healed but haven't you noticed he's still writing with his right hand?" I ask.

        "Who cares? He was an artist so for all I know he was a rightie and a leftie." He snaps.

        "Ambidextrous," I tell him, "Okay so you think there's nothing wrong with him?"

        "I don't want to talk about him!" Robert snaps at me. He tries to mask it but I can tell Andre's abandonment hurt his feelings.