The Monster That Stole My Reflection

Chapter 5: Alive

Claire's POV

Jim was acting a bit weird. I knew that he felt nervous because of how my parents felt about him but this was just getting weirder. When Mama asked me to come over for a sec I knew that Jim didn't want to get in the way so I let him go and cool down.

"Yes mama?" I questioned a little impatiently.

"Can you go and assist your father with the food and then go grab the cutlery and cups?" she asked.

"Sure," I accepted. I then helped Papa with the food and then walked inside to get the cutlery and cups.

I was shocked and confused at what I saw. Jim had bitten into a fork and was eating it.

"Jim, what are you doing?" I hesitantly asked, he looked at me. It was like he was in a trance but snapped out of it once he saw me and realised what he was doing. He dropped the half eaten fork onto the ottoman and turned his back to me.

"No, this can't be happening. Not now," He whispered but I could hear what he said. I started to move towards him but then he bolted upstairs. I followed him, trying to get answers to what I just saw. He ducked into my bedroom, closing the door behind him.

"Jim, please open the door." I said as I knocked on the door. No response.

"Jim, please talk to me." I continued to knock at the door, again no response. I needed to know what was going on with him.

"Don't make me use my shadow staff," I warned. I pressed my ear against the door, I didn't know what I was hearing. I think he was in pain. I didn't know what to do. I was so worried, I needed to do something to help him. Jim would never act this way unless something was incredibly wrong.

"Shut UP!" Jim roared, I heard a bang inside the room. I created a shadow portal into the room. As I walked through the portal I saw Jim on the other side of the room in the corner surrounded by shadows.

"Jim?" I worriedly asked as I walked towards him slowly to not startle him. He lifted his head out of hiding, his skin had a blue hue and looked to be made out of stone. His hair was dark navy blue and wild. Eyes blue, piercing through the darkness. Horns protruding out of his head curving backward. His clothes and shoes looked stretched and torn.

'What happened to him?' I thought to myself. He looked scared. Suddenly his eyes went from a brilliant blue to a crimson red. His pupils shrank and I could hear growling coming from his throat. I stopped where I was standing, fearful that if I took one more step he would run or something.

"Jim, what happened to you?" I worriedly asked as I took a few steps closer to him.

"It's not safe Claire, stay back," he demanded. I stood where I was and continued talking to him , taking a slight step in between words to get closer to him.

"It's okay Jim, I'll be okay. Just tell me what's going on?" I calmly asked him, as he sat up and sighed.

"I'm a troll, I didn't want to tell anyone because I'm a risk to everyone's safety. I was worried that everyone would hate me. I was going to try and reverse it by going to Vendal, but I guess it didn't work," Jim glumly said as a few tears ran down his cheeks. I ran up to Jim and pulled him to a tight hug.

"I will be here for you and love no matter what," I reassured him.

"Thank you," he smiled. He leaned over and kissed me gently on the lips, I felt butterflies in my stomach and kissed him once more. I could feel Jim become less tense and more relaxed.

"Do you feel better now?" I smiled, my cheeks blushing.

"Much better," he smiled and kissed me on the forehead. He then pulled back and looked at his hands with a confused expression.