The Fear

Chapter 5: Meet the Enemy At the Mall

I woke up in the late morning, tangled in purple velvet blankets and satin sheets. My clothes were still on, sticking to me with the insane amount of sweat I conjured. Though my shoes were on the ground, wet from dewy grass and forgotten until then. As usual, I didn't dream. I never dreamed unless it was to invade someone else's dream to implant fear or pain. In the daze of waking up, I stumbled out of bed and through my open door. I felt along the wall, my eyes still blurry from being closed, until I reached the bathroom.

I flipped on the shower and stripped to my skin, tossing the clothes in a hamper behind the door. Stepping into the silver-tiled shower, I almost melted under the heat. There was no memory of the last time I had a hot shower; I didn't know how perfect it felt until then. I felt the stinging needles erase my stress knots in my back, clear my head with the steam. I loved showers, both hot and cold, for that reason.

With my mind clear once more and body clean, I turned the shower off and stepped out. A pale purple towel was laid out on the rack above the toilet. I pulled it off and rubbed my wet hair. My locks fluffy and half-dry, I wrapped the towel around me like a dress and padded out of the bathroom. I was walking down the hallway when a bare-chested pale figure crossed my path. Mordred.

"Oh, hello Katarina. Just waking up, I see," he greeted me, running his hand through messy dark hair. I smiled shyly and tugged the towel up. The tiny length of it was suddenly very apparent to me.

"Good morning, Mordred. What were you up to?" I asked brightly.

"Just came back from the kitchen, actually. Leesh and Rayne made breakfast for everyone."

"Oh. I'll go grab some in a moment." I started walking back to my room, but Mordred fell into step beside me.

"Hey, I was wondering about your plans, now that you're here."

"And I was wondering what your demonic power was." He paused, as if debating whether or not to tell me.

"I am hemokinetic."

"What's that?"

"It means that I can slow or speed the flow of blood through anyone and cause them to die on command. It's similar to how Claudius uses his gift," he explained as we slowly ventured to my room.

"What does my brother dearest have for a gift anyways?" I asked.

"He's got petrification. It's what Medusa could do, only on command. Either way, he prefers to not touch people. That's why he wears those leather gloves all the time."

"Ah, I see. Well, I don't have many plans until two weeks from now. I have my very first date with Matthew." He seemed to grumble at this tidbit.

"Matt. Well, are you okay with having a date a few days early?" he asked, treading lightly. I stopped and looked to him with raised eyebrows.

"Are you asking me out?" I asked. He appeared to turn pale pink at my question. Was he getting... embarassed?

"I guess I am." I gave a tiny smile.

"Well, I would love to. When?"

"How about a week from now, dinner and a movie. Not necessarily in that order, though."

"Great. Just pick a movie and I'll be ready."

"I was thinking either The Raven or Dark Shadows. You should pick."

"Dark Shadows, I'll be waiting. Goodbye, Mordred." I gave a flirty wave and continued to my bedroom, closing the door and sinking down the wall. I heard him let out a breathed "Yes!" and bounce down the hallway.

Presentably groomed and clothed, I strolled down to a black brick kitchen with metallic details. Olisha was talking to Rayne as she perched on a barstool, perfectly poised for a portrait. But her clothing wasn't as colorfully original as before, just a boring black skirt suit. The green-haired girl was watching bacon sizzle in front of her, the smell wafting past my nose. They both said hello to me without so much as acknowledging my entrance otherwise. That's what a good conversation can do to you.