The Demon King of Lust

Chapter 2

My eyes scan the woman in front of me—vibrant purple hair that stops just above her shoulders, a grey hoodie beneath a leather vest, dark-wash jeggings, and a tattoo peeking out from under her sleeve.

She doesn't seem like the type to sell me on some kind of woo-woo nonsense, but I'm still 99% sure she's about to recommend I do yoga or see an aura-healer or something.

"You know someone who can help with what?" I ask, a brow raised.

I'm trying my best not to come off like a bitch, but apparently my best isn't very good because I can hear the skepticism in my tone.

"You said you're having weird dreams—right? Where you can't move? You said you thought someone was controlling you."

When I hear it repeated back to me, it hits me just how crazy it sounds.

"I... did say that... yeah."

"That happened to me too," she says, sincerity and empathy in her voice. She fidgets and pauses for a moment, like she's debating whether or not she wants to continue with whatever she's trying to say. "I just happen to know someone who can make the dreams go away."

Bullshit.

As much as I'm desperate for her words to be true, I can't help but doubt them. What are the chances that this random girl from the hospital knows what's going on with me and can actually help?

"How?" I ask.

"It's..." She bites her lip and sighs, her shoulders slumping slightly. "It's complicated. He's like... um... crap, how do I explain this?"

"Yeah, okay." I start to turn back toward the door, but she puts a hand on my arm.

"I know I sound totally nuts right now, but I promise, I really do know someone who can help." She pinches her eyes shut and shakes her head. "I get that this is weird, but hear me out. I only came over here because I know how scary these dreams can be. Not being able to move is petrifying, and there's a reason it feels a bit too real."

My eyes meet hers but I don't say anything. I'm not much for sharing my personal problems with strangers, but I can tell from her expression that she knows she's struck a chord.

She reaches into her purse and pulls out a pen, then grabs a pamphlet from a nearby stand.

"If you need help, just call me, okay?" She scribbles something on the pamphlet and hands it to me. "Text is fine too."

I look at the paper in my hands; It's a glossy white pamphlet titled 'Is the Shingles Vaccine Right for You?'. In an area of open white space is a phone number with the name 'Ava' written next to it.

*****

I drop my purse on the table and shrug off my jacket as Pumpkin runs up to me, his hooves pitter-pattering against the floor.

"Hey Pumps," I say, reaching down to pat his head. He immediately rolls over, exposing his plump stomach for belly rubs. "Did you miss me?"

He snorts as I crouch down and run my fingers through his soft, ginger fur.

I always wanted to come home to a handsome man after a hard day, I just never expected that man to be a 120-pound pig. But he always makes me smile.

"How'd your appointment go?" Zahra says, walking into the room in an oversized sweatshirt and knit hat.

"Terrible." I sigh, stand up, and lean against the wall. "The doctor referred me to a psychologist."