The House of Life

Chapter 17

Ardeth's POV

Daughter? 

No. She would have told me from the beginning that she was Massika Reed's Daughter. After everything that we've been through, she would have at least told me. Unless she never knew to begin with. That's why she was so intent on finding Darius after Hermopolis. That has to be it. 

My gaze wandered to what is now Annabelle. Her low growls and heavy breathing shows me that she is not in control. Whatever has her, has her in it's grasp. I walked over and crouched to face whatever is inhabiting Annabelles' body and peered into it's eyes. "Is this true? Is Annabelle really the daughter of Massika Reed?" The being stared at me with it's black eyes, a slow smile creeped up on her face as it laughed. 

"Don't ask questions you already know the answer to, Medjai."

My eyes searching for whatever is left of Annabelle. But all I can see and sense is the demon residing in her. I lost her. 

My fist clenching as a surge of anger grew inside me. Am I too late? Is this really what becomes of her. All her dreams, all her memories, boiled down to this. I shell of a human body with her soul trapped in god knows where. 

"We have to kill her Ardeth."

My eyes widened as the words that escaped Darius' mouth placed me into complete shock. "What did you say?" I said as I stood to turn to face him. 

"Look at her Ardeth, the being that's inside her has obviously taken over."

"NO!" I roared. "You do not have a say in this." 

"The hell I do! She tried to kill me! What's to say she won't do it again, either to me or someone else?! We have to kill her Ardeth." 

"No, there has to be another way!" I didn't want to hear this. She was fine just moments ago, how could this have happened. I stood there in silence when Darius walked over to Annabelle and grabbed her by the hair. The being screamed in pain as he took a hold of her head. "Look at her Ardeth! Look at what she's become!" I dared not to look, but when I did, at that moment, all I wanted to see was her golden eyes and beautiful smile. I leaned against the wall and fell to the ground. 

I failed her.

"You know what has to be done, boy. Don't make the choice even harder to grasp."

I placed my head between my knees as I contemplated my decision. What else can I do? There must be something that I missed. But what? I got up and went to search for answers. Qasim, he might be able to shred some light into the situation, he was with her the entire time. I walked to the master bedroom where I see Qasim laying on the bed, startled by my entrance. 

"What's happening?" He said. I kneeled before him and placed my hands on his shoulder, "Qasim, you were with Miss Anna the entire time, tell me, did you notice anything unusual to her?" His eyes shifting to meet with mine when he said, "Miss Anna, she was in the bathroom for a while and it sounded like she was taking to someone."

"Someone like who? A man, woman?"

He nodded his head, "It sounded like Miss Anna was talking to herself."  Why would she be talking to herself in the bathroom? I don't know what that could mean. "Did she say anything?"

"I couldn't really hear her, but I could tell she was talking to someone. But there was no one else when she left the bathroom."

Wait, that night in the bathroom. When I had left, her demeaner had changed. I thought it was because of our agreement, but now looking back at it, she didn't seem like her usual self. No. Could that have been when the demon took over? But how could I know for certain?