Julia Lelieveld and the battle with the underworld

~19~

What I was worried about now was how on earth was I supposed to get to the ball? Dad wasn't there and Renzo only rode a motorbike and I didn't quite like riding the bike with my beautiful expensive dress. But hey, what was I worried about? It probably wouldn't get that far at all. For today was Saturday and I had reached my ultimatum of Evil. He would come today to persuade me to go to the underworld anyway and I was dead. I was so very scared. And the worst for the others. What if he hurt someone else? I didn't think I'd say it, but I was glad Dad wasn't there. At least he was safe on the other side of the country.

The shivers ran down my spine. I tried not to think about it too much, but it was very difficult. I kept thinking about Evil. Fortunately, Hannah was back to normal. I was shocked when he took her over. The father of Eva and Bas had assumed that it was exhaustion, that was the reason for her strange behavior. I still felt guilty thinking about it.

I looked in the mirror and saw my scar set white against my light skin. No matter how light my skin was, especially in winter, I could always see the scar. At that moment it suddenly hit me. I felt alone. Very alone in the big house. My father was back where it all happened. Rob was my kind of guardian, who also lived 2 miles away. And Renzo who also lived 10 minutes by bike in the middle of the center. I broke. Somehow I couldn't stop it either. In my reflection I saw my beautiful dress hanging through my tears. I turned and leaned against the sink. I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. I felt the fifth element flow through my body and that made me feel a little better. I slowly gathered myself back together. I took a few deep breaths and looked at my beautiful dress. This night wasn't going to ruin Evil for me, no, I was going to enjoy tonight. With all the lovely people around me that I've grown to care about over the past 2 months. And with that in mind, I went to get ready for the prom.

I heard a car stop in the driveway, surprised I looked out the window and saw Renzo get out of Rob's old Saab. He leaned against the door and smiled at me. The muscles in my lower abdomen tightened for a moment. How very handsome he looked. His hair is neatly parted. A black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt topped off with a black bow tie. He nodded at the door and I nodded back. I walked down the stairs holding my dress up slightly so I wouldn't trip. Suddenly I felt the nerves coursing through my body. Nice nerves. I could already see his silhouette through the front door window. I unlocked the door and opened it for him. He looked at me intently. His eyes went from my face to my body. He got a certain look in his eyes. I couldn't describe exactly what it was, it seemed proud. I knew I looked like that anyway. I was so proud and grateful to be with Renzo.

"Hi," I said with a big smile.

His gaze returned to my eyes and I saw gratitude.

"Hi," he said hoarsely. "You look fantastic."

"Thanks, you too."

I stepped back and he came into the house, as soon as I closed the door behind him he was already in front of me and grabbed me tight.

"What did I do to deserve this? That I can be with such an incredibly beautiful person, beautiful inside and out."

My muscles tensed again at these words. I lifted my head from his shoulder and looked at him and kissed him without hesitation. He immediately answers the kiss. Full of surrender I let him pick me up and while kissing he walked with me in his arms to the living room. He laid me gently on the couch and our kiss got even more intense. I felt myself going all week. Wanting to feel his bare skin, I unbuttoned his pants and slipped my hands under his shirt and stroked his hard stomach and chest. I felt his hands find their way under the skirt of my dress and he slowly stroked up to the inside of my thighs. A shiver ran through my body. I also lowered my hand further. We were completely absorbed in the moment that we only realized that someone was standing behind the window of the room when it knocked loudly, but amusingly.