Demons Grasp

Chapter 12

I am standing in a sun-drenched room. Looking out a large window I see a field in bright sunlight and forest off in the distance. Jake embraces me from behind and a warm and fuzzy feeling radiates from his touch. "I have missed you, my love" he whispers into my ear. "I left the bedroom only two minutes ago" I laugh. "It felt so much longer."

When I turn around to face him, the room suddenly shifts to a dark and dingy hall that seems to stretch on for miles. Dark shadows emerge from every corner. An icy chill runs through my body. Jake's touch loosens and he appears to be floating away from me. The shadows around him solidify and I find myself staring at ghostly hands surrounding him. They are closing in on him with jerky movements. His loving smile turns to surprise and then shock when they suddenly rip him away from me into the darkness.

I feel paralyzed. All I can do is stare and scream.

********

I wake up to the buzzing of an angry insect. Cold sweat clings to me and my heart is racing. My eyes fly open and straight to the clock on my phone screen. 7:12 a.m. Now I also realize that the buzzing was actually coming from my mobile. I had three missed calls. All went to voicemail. I check the numbers and see that all three calls were from Lilly.

Another sting of guilt in my stomach. I had not yet mustered the strength to call Jakes sisters and tell them what had happened. This is not just about giving bad news. But I will also have to talk them into staying away from all of it. Jake would not want me to bring Hannah and Lilly into danger by dragging them into this.

I get up and walk to the bathroom for an abbreviated morning routine and to get dressed. Staring into the mirror I realize that I look like shit. There are dark circles under my eyes from the lack of sleep and sorrow. They are highlighted by my complexion looking so much paler than usual, almost gray. My left cheek is scratched and crusty.

A few hours ago we swung by Tess' apartment. I went straight to the shower and stayed there for what felt like hours, sitting under the almost scorching hot stream of water. I remember getting out and briefly sitting down on Tess' bed. I must have fallen asleep.

I wonder where my friend is. So I walk out of the bedroom and into the living room. On the way I pass the open door to an office space doubling as a game room. Both rooms are filled with posters and figurines of movies, anime and computer games. Both are empty.

On the kitchen counter I find a key and a note:

MC,

I went back to the hangout to have the phone checked right away. Take some rest and join us when you are ready. There is food in the fridge. Also, I left you my spare key. Just in case.

Love,

Tess

Great. They are working through the night while I am taking a nap. There is no point in hanging around here any longer. I grab my stuff and head out of the door.

Outside, I spot a bakery that is already open on the other side of the street. I head over and raid the store for enough sandwiches, bagels and muffins to feed a small army. I carry my loot back to my car and drive off.