Forlot: A Girl Who Needs Her Space - Book Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Six

I was so taken aback by the strange cloud that I almost fell on my bottom. Karma and I took a step back as the cloud formed into a familiar creature. The sharp claws. The tail. It was the monster from World War II. Karma and I forgot his name, but we recalled what he wanted. I covered my watch. He wanted my watch.

"You," Karma said. "It is you...what is your name?"

The monster loomed over us and crossed his arms. His white teeth were as sharp as his claws. Maybe sharper. I swallowed hard. I hoped that he would not devour us. His teeth were so sharp that they could tear flesh. I did not want us to die. I had my whole life ahead of me. No way were we being eaten. Mom and my aunt would not handle the loss well. No person can handle the loss of a loved one. It is why I wanted Dad back in my life. I just could not live without him. A piece of myself was gone. A hole was in my heart.

Karma was wrong. My dad loves me. He loves me with all his heart. I will prove it once we are in our old town. My parents will be married and live in our old home. It will feel like a visit. Mom will finally be happy. She and my aunt hate dealing with my brothers. I am doing this for them too. My brothers should have never existed.

"How do you not remember my name? I am one of the most powerful beings in the universe! And it is an easy name to spell," the creature ranted, his eyes burning in ours.

"Yours is uncommon," Karma said. "So much so that it is difficult to remember. I doubt that anyone shares it." She clasped her hands together and smiled. I heard the shakiness in her voice. She was as nervous as me! "But that means that your name is unique. It is part of what makes you special. Better than a common name."

He uncrossed his arms and smiled back. "Thank you. I want to be the only Eposis so nobody will get confused when I rule this planet. Now where were we? Ah, yes. I want what is rightfully mine." He gazed at me and held out an open hand. "Give me the watch."

I took another step back and tried to not show my fear. I wanted to use the watch. I wanted us to get away and be in the safety of our time period. But I was worried. I kept my hand over said watch and glared at Eposis. If I used the watch, would he grab for it? Yes. He would try getting it every chance that he got. I could not risk it. If he had it, Karma and I would never return home.

"You think that I will hand it to you?" I spoke. I looked at the store's front doors before looking back up at him and taking another step back. My muscles tensed. "The watch belongs to me, not you. You will use it to enslave mankind because that is what villains do."

He floated over us and put his hands on my shoulders. "Why would you think that I want to enslave mankind? Where did you ever get that idea?"

"She got the idea when you stated that you want to rule the world," Karma said.

He whipped his tail in front of her face. "Did I ask you? No, I did not. Now shut up."

My friend growled and crossed her arms. "Not the first time that somebody told me to shut up."

I jerked away and hid my hand behind me. "No person talks to my best friend like that."

He showed his teeth as a grin spread across his face. It was so wide that the ends reached his bright eyes. "So I was right. I sensed that you were dear friends. I am not so sure now."

"We are best friends." I hurried to Karma and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. "We will be best friends forever because we are there for each other."

Eposis rubbed his chin. "You sure?"

"Positive."

Karma stepped away from me. "Did you not hear me?"

I blinked rapidly. "Karma?"

"I told you that if your father is in your life, we...we can no longer be friends."

"Oh, yeah. Wait a minute." I put my hands on my hips. "You are willing to end our friendship over my dad? I-I thought that you would be happy for me. He is my dad. I have a right to know him."

"And you have a right to not be with a deadbeat. I want what is best for you and your mom. If she wanted to be with him, she would. There is a reason that your father is out of the picture. I know the signs of neglect. Please trust me on this. I do not want anything bad to happen to you or your family...or me."

I should have listened. I should have heard Karma out. But I was as blind as a bat. I wanted to have the perfect family like hers so badly that I did not believe her - or I did not want to believe her. I thought that she was only jealous. Jealous that I had the watch and music box.

I pushed up my glasses and looked into her eyes. "Real friends do not get jealous and put others down."

Karma waved her arms frantically. "I am not jealous! I am not putting you down. I-I do not want you to suffer like other children around the world. Many would love your sweet mom. She is the sweetest adult ever."

Eposis put his hands on my shoulders again. "Carmen. Do not listen to her. She wants to keep you to herself."

"What?"

"What?!"