𝙳𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚜? 𝚁𝚒𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚜?

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟶

( note - apologies for a delayed update — this chapter took abnormally long ^^; )

Awakening from my slumber upon the couch, I rubbed at my eyes, vision blurred. Clattering. That was the sound that woke me up — question is, what was causing it?

Nervously standing, I headed to my room, expecting the worst, in all honesty. "..Hello,,?"
Poking my head in, the lights were off. Obviously. Fumbling for the light switch, a hand met mine.

"Agh—" Jumping back from the touch, I stumbled, struggling to gain my composure. "..Hello—?"

The light flipped on. "Whatever are you doing, Clark..? It is late. Or... rather, early." Aesop stood in the doorway, arms crossed. ...That made more sense, now that I think about it - he wasn't in my lap, either.

"I-I could ask the same thing, jeez-! Gonna give me a heart attack at this rate,," I grumbled, stumbling into the newly lit room cautiously. "...What're you doing..?"

Pointing to the salt... ritual circle drawn on the floor, I looked to the other, who simply stood, watching me. "What do you presume? It is quite obvious, is it not?" He tugged my sleeve roughly, moving me out of the way.

"Uh— no..? You just drew a,, a magic circle thing on the floor at like three in the morning..?!" I watched dumbfounded as the demon sat in the circle, muttering to himself.

"How idiotic can one be..? I am... trying to go back to my.. eh,," Pausing, he made quotes with his fingers as he spoke, "Homeworld, as you might call it."

"Why-? Do.. You need to do something there...? Uh.. If you can stay, please stay — I know that probably sounds weird but -" I chuckled as I spoke, quickly being cut off.

"— I have matters I must attend to. However, I will... wrap them up quickly. Eh,, do not be selfish and assume I will work quickly for.. you. I would not."  Speaking quietly, he turned, his back facing me.

"Ah. Got it, right." I gave a nod, chuckling under my breath. Stepping forward, I leaned over the circle on the floor, tilting my head. "...Huh."

"What is it? You are looking at it oddly.." Glancing toward me as he spoke, "..As well as me — what?"

I shook my head, plopping down next to the other. "No, nothing it's just... I didn't know demons had to draw... these," gesturing to the shape, I looked toward Aesop. "I figured you could just go there at will."

He looked at me with a blank expression, quirking an eyebrow as I spoke. "..Mortals are truly idiotic, you especially should know." He gave a slight sigh, adjusting his position to face me. "We do not have superpowers, we are simply demons. Imbecile."

"Jeezzz.." I grumbled, standing as I walked over to the door, leaning on it. "Are you leaving soon..? I wanna say bye when you leave."

"Indeed, I am leaving.. right now, actually." Pointing toward the clock, it read '3:00 AM.' Around the same time we summoned him..

"Ah — uh.. bye-! Safe travels, I guess." I gave a small smile, waving.

"Thank you, Eli Clark. Please step out of the room, however." He waved as he spoke, shooing me away with his other hand.

"Got it." I nodded, closing the door behind me as I stepped out. I sat, back against the door. ..Luminescent lights suddenly crept out of the door — and as I went to check.. Aesop was gone.

"...Huh."