Within the Demon's Grip: Part One

Chapter 19

Robin had been gone for nearly ten minutes when Natalia decided to look through the peep-hole. Unfortunately, all Natalia saw was bare, moss-green walls and a flickering bulb that sent shadows scattering. Had they went back to Sandra's apartment to talk? Natalia couldn't help but wonder if they were doing more than talking. Maybe they were even making up....

Natalia's eyes widened in realization.

Holy shit, I'm jealous!

"What the hell?" Natalia muttered under her breath.

Sure, Robin had shown a different side of himself these past few hours ... but could that really erase every bone-headed mistake he'd make in the past? Still ... she couldn't deny the sudden onset of feelings that had occurred-- had kept occurring-- these past few hours. But could there ever really be anything between them? Knowing his past and all?

Did she even want anything to be between them?

No. I'm not considering this. Natalia thought, shaking her head. I'm just tired. That's all it is. I've been through an incredibly stressful situation and I'm desperate for a distraction. Any distraction.

"Yeah," Natalia found herself agreeing. It made total sense. She was simply so exhausted she had fabricated these feelings. They weren't real. It was just her mind procrastinating or dissociating or whatever it is tired minds do.

She sighed.

Her mind felt so jumbled, it was a wonder she hadn't completely lost it for good. Procrastination or fabrication or not ... this was definitely not the time to be weighing the decisions of whether or not she had feelings for some guy. Especially a guy like Robin. With his sordid past. It all felt so unbelievably petty after what she'd been through-- what she might still be going through.

Natalia heard herself laugh. "That's exactly why I'm thinking about it," she told herself, nodding. It was easier than dealing with all the other shit.

But....

She needed a better distraction.

Forcing herself away from the door, she plopped down on the couch and took the remote, flipping through channels rapidly. Not even paying attention to what she passed.

There was a knock at the door.

Natalia threw her head back with a sigh.

Finally!

"Just a minute," she called, dropping the remote in her haste to answer the door.

"Earlier today, the body of a young woman was found at the Cambridge manor on Hilton Drive," a woman with a deep, authoritative-sounding voice announced.

Natalia froze, looking at the TV. A blond woman was reading in front of the camera, a dismal yet professional expression on her face.

"The young woman has been identified as Candice Brice," the anchorwoman continued. "Authorities have yet to disclose any information on the cause of death or if foul play is suspected. We will keep you notified as new information arrives."

Another knock sounded, and it got Natalia moving again.

"Shit, you certainly took forever," Natalia sighed, opening the door.

But it wasn't Robin who was standing before her.

Natalia backed away, her eyes widening. "H-Holy--"

"You look like you've seen a ghost," the young woman said, stepping into Natalia's apartment. Her hair was long and blonde, an obvious dye-job—one she badly needed to retouch. However, it wasn't her dark brown roots that had Natalia recoiling from the doorway. Her face (especially her large, blue eyes) bore an eerie resemblance to Candice's.