Chapter 3
Theo struggled to stay awake after a few hours of sitting on the chair. His back ached and his eyes strained to push away the sleep.
It was only a matter of time, however, before he drifted off.
When he awoke he was in a daze. Everything that happened felt like some kind of dream and it took him a moment to realize why he was sat in a chair in front of his basement.
His body jolted awake when everything clicked. He practically jumped out of the chair and his adrenaline canceled out the pain in his leg.
In a matter of seconds he had thrown open the basement door and was nearly leaping down the stairs.
Theo was already almost at the bottom when he laid eyes on the demon. It was sat calmly against the back wall and looked up innocently at the panicked priest who was heaving as the panic subsided.
"Oh" Theo mumbled in relief through his deep breaths.
His heart pounded so hard it hurt and he began to sweat just a bit, reminded of his unfitness despite only being 35.
He wasn't sure what he would've done had the demon gotten loose, free to roam wherever it wanted.
As his adrenaline wore off Theo's breathing slowed and he was able to focus on the demon before him.
The demon stood, but Theo stayed mostly calm. He knew his Bible would protect him.
That was until he realized the Bible still sat at the top of the stairs.
The demon took a step forward and Theo took a step back.
"Stay back!" He shouted in a hurry.
The demons arms sagged at its side and it's face seemed bored.
"There are plenty of Bibles all around and all the doors are locked! You won't be able to escape even if you get out of this basement" he threatened, his voice barely managing to stay strong.
Nothing he said was true. There were two doors out and plenty of windows and—since he lived in a small, trusted community— he tended to keep them unlocked. Not to mention he preferred to have a few largely used Bibles rather than many unused ones, so there were only about four throughout the house.
He was just praying he sounded believable.
"Okay, I'm sorry, I can't do this anymore" the demon grumbled, rolling its eyes a bit and pinching the bridge of its nose.
Theo froze. Was it going it attack? Or run?
"Honestly, that Bible of yours doesn't effect me in the slightest. I just went along with what you said to calm you down a bit but good lord you are dense."
Theo stood like a statue, trying to process what was going on.
"I mean, I get your scared, but just listen for a second. I can explain what I know, then you can explain what you know, 'kay?" The demon continued.
Theo stayed silent for a moment before hesitantly nodding. He may have been making a mistake—he was almost positive he was, actually—but he was out of other options.
"Okay, we're getting somewhere" it sighed. "Now listen, because this might be.. a lot"
Between the demons words and tone, to say Theo was worried would be a drastic understatement. It took all he had to focus on what it was saying.
"I have no clue why I'm here, and I get the hint you don't either, but I do know.. how I'm here, or rather why I'm able to be here.. if that makes sense" it hesitated.
Theo nodded, though his mind was scrambled. He couldn't believe he was having this discussion with a demon.
"There is a whole complex history behind it, but I'll keep it short." It began. "Demons are physically able to come to Earth, but humans aren't able to go to Hell. That's part of the reason why humans are so unaware of our existence, b-" it paused upon seeing Theo's face.
His eyebrows were scrunched together and his eyes were glued to the demon n a mix of fear, confusion, and curiosity.
"Y'know what, just listen. I'm not a threat to you. I won't hurt you. I have no interest in being here or interacting with you, and I don't have the slightest reason to do you any harm." It finalized, looking at Theo and awaiting a response.
"But.." Theo hesitated. Everything he thought he knew was being turned upside down and he didn't know what to think anymore.
"The Bible says.." he paused once more.
Theo couldn't help but notice how conflicted the demon looked, but brushed it off as quick as he could.
"We can get into the why's and how's of me being here later, okay? At the moment I doubt you'd believe anything I say anyways" it ran a hand through its long hair.
Theo nodded slightly, mostly without even realizing. It was right, Theo didn't really trust what it was saying.
"Alright then, I'm Valerius" it took a few steps forward and casually extended its hand.
Theo would be lying if he said he didn't flinch.
"Thesius" he introduced himself with his real name once gaining his composure.
He never shook the demons hand and eventually it took the hint and let it's arm drop to its side. Theo was already uncomfortable by their proximity, and the thought of touching the demon sent a shiver up his spine.
"Thesius?" The demon repeated back in question.
Theo nodded, trying to build some kind of barrier between him and the demon. He didn't want the demon to be too comfortable.
"Isn't that a Greek name? From Greek mythology?" It asked with a raised eyebrow.
Theo nodded, looking for the quickest way out of having a conversation with the demon. "It's spelled different" he dismissed briefly.
"Right" the demon mumbled, obviously catching on to Theo's mood.
Silence fell over the room and Theo couldn't help but fidget a bit. He needed an excuse, any excuse, to get him out of that basement.
"I've got to go.. for Bible study" he faked a pathetic smile and began walking slowly up the stairs, still turned to face the demon.
"I take it you want me to stay in the basement?" Valerius asked while crossing his arms and allowing his shoulders to sag.
Theo laughed awkwardly, trying and failing to ease the tension. He didn't say anything else before making his way up and out of the basement, locking the door behind him and grabbing his Bible.
-----------------
Chapter 3 and I'm already skipping updates 😭
(In all seriousness tho I had a huge family emergency that is still kinda sorta going on, so the story isn't exactly my top priority atm)
YOU ARE READING
Crossed (BxB)
RomanceA priest at a small church accidentally summons a demon into his home. Now he has problems lining up- from being conflicted with the demon to being told a member of his own church could be just as bad. He goes down a spiraling path of trust and dist...
