Possessed

8- The Night That Started It All

Larry's POV

It's officially been one full day since I've been down here with Sal, and things really couldn't be worse. He has different waves of pure agony at different times of the day, and when he's not screaming and crying, he's just staring up at the ceiling. The day's just can't seem to go by fast enough.

"Sal?"

"Yeah?"

"Why can't you tell me what happened that night? Y'know, the night you disappeared and didn't come back for three days?"

"I didn't want to tell you because Red threatened to kill you, though I suppose he can't now," he sighs and finally looks at me for the first time in hours, "I guess I can finally tell you without having to worry about you."

I face him fully and cross my legs, maintaining my gaze at him even though he looks back at the ceiling.

~Flashback: Sal's POV~

Seeing Larry be so scared of a demon just makes me so upset. I can't stand to see my own boyfriend in so much fear that he doesn't even want to enter the apartments some days, The amount of times I've camped out in his treehouse with him is insane. Y'know what? I've decided, I'm going to get rid of this thing for him, then maybe things can be normal.

I grab my Super Gearboy before clipping on my mask and leaving my apartment. I walked everywhere, even the fifth floor was quiet. Too quiet.

I was gradually running out of hope until I remembered that cult dungeon thing in the basement. That might have something useful in there!

Once I'm there, I wander around the empty halls, my footsteps echoing with each step I take. I was about to leave, at least until I hear a chilling voice behind me.

"You'll never truly be able to get rid of me, Sally Face." I turn around quickly, seeing a dark mist like figure with piercing red eyes standing not even two feet away from me. "You are really determined to help this Larry kid, and perhaps I may be of some assistance."

"The assistance would be to get rid of yourself."

"Well that would be an impossibility, but perhaps we can help each other. An exchange if you will."

"And why the fuck would I want to help you?"

"Because you are very attached to Larry, I can tell. You care about his wellbeing more than your own, no matter the cost." I don't say anything, cause he's right. I'd jump off a cliff if Larry told me too. If somebody said shoot yourself or they'd shoot Larry, I'd shoot myself in a heartbeat. I would do anything for that boy, and it appears that even the spirit world knows it. "All I need is a host, someone's body to reside in, if you will. And in return, I'll leave your precious Larry alone. See? We can help each other in this situation. Besides, at this point, I don't think either of us have much of a choice."

Once again, he was right. It was now or never. Either I take this deal, or Larry would be scared forever. Larry would never be okay if I didn't do this...

~Flashback Over: Larry's POV~

"So I took him up on his offer. I shook that misty hand, and allowed him to inhabit my body in exchange for him to leave you alone for good. I was scared, especially about how you'd react, so I hid. I stayed down there for three days before finally deciding to come back up, mainly for the fact that I probably would've died if I didn't leave. I just wanted to protect you, but look what I did to you instead," Sal said, looking away from me completely.

Gradually, the pieces started to fit together in the mental puzzle I created at the start of all this. Sal had always cared about me, hell, about everyone more than himself, so it would make sense that he would make a deal with a demon to keep me safe.

"Was it worth it?" I ask.

"Huh?"

"Was that deal worth all the pain and suffering you have endured in the past month and a half?"

He looks back at me, a small smile on his face. "You're still alive, aren't you?"

"Yeah but-"

"Then it was worth it. It doesn't matter what happens to me if that answer remains a yes. You don't know the extent of what I'd do for you Larry, and despite everything that's happened to me, I'd do it again if it meant that I would keep you safe."

It was at times like this when I realize just how little Sal cares about himself. With all that's happened to him, it just made him care so much about others and so little about himself.

I gently grab his hand, laying down next to him, not really knowing how to respond. I just wanted him to know that I'll never leave, that I'll always be by his side. Everything that he's done for me, I will make sure that I make sure that it wasn't for nothing. Everything that he's been through won't be ignored.

"I swear, I'm putting a ring on that finger when this is over," I say, looking over at him.

"Keep dreaming, Lar. We're only juniors, but maybe after high school."

"That'll just give me something to save up for."

"Sounds nice, I'll be waiting."