I will return

74

I felt a spark of emotion when I saw the bewilderment on Vilma's face, her expression a perfect reflection of the fear I so wanted to see in her.

—What's happening? —he whispered, looking for the exit—. I have to go...

I approached slowly, one firm step after another, enjoying every second of his panic.

—I don't think so, Vilma.

She stepped back a little, looking into my eyes with a mixture of terror and disbelief.

"What...what's happening?" Who are you?

I smiled and let the moment unfold, savoring the surprise I was about to reveal to him.

—Do you really not recognize me, Vilma? You, who always said that monsters didn't exist.

His eyes widened. The horror in his voice filled me with satisfaction.

—Scrappy... Scrappy-Doo?

I closed my eyes for a moment and left Ernesto's body, freeing myself from that useless envelope. I launched myself out of the trash can, returning to my true form as I proudly held the Daemon Ritus in my right hand, its glow reflecting in its terrified eyes.

—Hello, Vilma. Long time no see.

Vilma stepped back, her eyes lowering to the Daemon Ritus. He knew well what it meant. He remembered perfectly the last time he saw me with him in my hands.

"That's funny," I said, advancing slowly toward her. You were always the one who called me an egomaniac the most, right?

She trembled, trying to steel herself.

—Scrappy... what's going on here?

I stared at her and gave a low laugh.

—You really don't know, princess? I brought you here for a special reunion.

Around me, my henchmen and Ernesto himself closed ranks, blocking the exits while I closed the distance between me and Vilma. The fear in his eyes gave me more strength, and, with a calculated movement, I raised the Daemon Ritus to my chest, smiling widely.

—You're going to pay for everything.

And with a dark smile, I pressed the Daemon Ritus into the center of my chest, feeling it begin to merge with me, ready to complete my transformation.