For Coby

124 Windle Street

I couldn't sleep well that night, knowing that whatever was growing inside of me was Coby's. I didn't believe the nurse at first. She told me it was too early for an ultrasound, but I didn't even want to see what the baby would look like. What if it was evil, like its father? But what if it wasn't. What if it was nice, and human, like me?

"Are you thinking about names"?

I opened my eyes. I knew that voice, but it was different. "Hello"?

Then a man stepped out. He looked young, with bleached blonde hair that was shaggy at points. He was wearing jeans and a dark black shirt. "What, do you really not recognize me"?

"Coby"? I was so confused. "What are you... How did you..."?

He laughed. "I knew Jr. wouldn't like having a demon around for a dad, so I changed. You like me better as a human, don't you"? He smiled. He was right, he was almost normal, except for his eyes, which glowed red.

I didn't know what to say. "But the policeman... I... I told them about you". I put a hand on my stomach. "They'll be looking for you".

His eyes darted at me. "Not with the description you have them. As far as I know, they're looking for a man with dark hair and dark eyes". He smiled. Those where my words.

"So," I dared to ask the question that had been bothering me, "will the baby be"..

"A demon? No. It'll be normal". He took my hand. "Everything will be normal". His hand was warm.

I just looked at him. Everything was going to change. The policeman would think I'm lying, Coby would take me away and I was going to have his child.

"Well, you should get some sleep. I want the baby to be healthy". He patted my stomach, and I let him. Then he left me.

After a couple of hours of looking into the darkness, the sun came up and my morning nurse came to check up on me after awhile.

"Good morning"! She came in pushing a cart, filled with food. "How did you sleep"?

I rubbed my tired eyes. "Good". I could tell she was going to make a comment about why I looked sleepy, but I said something first, "When do you think I'm getting out"? I wanted to be the first to know, even if Coby was nearby.

She pulled out a tray and placed it on my lap, along with some eggs and toast. "I don't know Miss Brightman, you'll have to ask the doctor when he visits".

I nodded as I looked down at the food. I didn't notice how hungry I was. I don't remember eating anything after Megan's death. Maybe it was cravings, from the pregnancy, I thought.

As I dug in, the nurse reminded me that it was visit time. I wondered what Brandon and my mom would say about the pregnancy.

When the nurse left me to eat, I was almost finished when there was a knock. It was just the doctor.

He looked normal, the kind with white hair and a stethoscope. "Hello, I'm Dr Williams, how are you today Ashley"?

"I'm okay". I've gotten used to people constantly asking how I felt, that I kept using the same answer.

"Do you mind if I"... He held up a thermometer. I took it.

When he took it out, he nodded, "Your fever went down, that's good".

I looked at him. "When do you think I'll be able to leave"? I wanted to tell Brandon as soon as possible, so we could leave. Without Coby.

He sighed. "Well, that depends. The knife seemed to have went deep into your intestines, possibly puncturing your liver as well. We fixed you up, and you where fine after the surgery, but we don't know if it'll stay that way". 

I repeated my question then added, "I do feel a lot better". No one had told me I had a surgery until just now.

"If you really do feel well, we could release you later on today, but you would have to stay somewhat close to the hospital, so that we may monitor you if anything goes wrong".

I nodded. I would just have to ask Brandon if his house was close. I'm sure it was, I didn't want to be left alone with Coby.

"If you would like some time alone to pack", He started to get up to leave, "Oh and congratulations on your baby".

I stared at the closed door. Word had gotten around fast. I wondered if the whole hospital knew.

Coby's face appeared from one of the corners of the room. He was still human. "Really in a hurry to leave"?

"Y..yes". I still wasn't used to human Coby.

"That's good, I'm excited for the start of our new family". He hovered a hand over my stomach but the door opened again. This time Coby didn't vanish.

It was Brandon. "Ashley, I heard you where pregnant, how did you"- Then he saw Coby. "Oh, sorry, I didn't know you had a visitor".

"It's okay. He was just leaving anyway". I looked up at Coby, who was staring intensely at Brandon.

Coby ignored my comment. He put a hand out, "I'm Coby, who are you"? He put just a touch of annoyance into his voice.

They shook hands. "Coby, that's a weird coincidence, that's the name of the guy they're looking for". He laughed but Coby and I where silent. "I'm Brandon, I'm a close friend of Ashley".

"Me too".

Brandon smiled. "So, Ashley, the doctor tells me your pregnant... that's great". But I knew he didn't mean it. "If you want, I can buy a cradle for the house".

"That's okay, I'm sure I can figure out something". I began to get up, and realized I didn't have much to pack other than my purse. "If you don't mind Coby, Brandon and I where just leaving". I grabbed Brandon's arm.

"Oh it's no problem, I can drop him off anywhere if he needs a ride", he looked at Coby. "You need a lift"?

"Actually, I don't have anywhere to go tonight. My girlfriend just kicked me out". He began to stare at me.

"I have plenty of rooms at my place, if you want to join us. It's just over on 124 Windle Street, it's not that far".

No. No no no.

Coby smiled, "That would be great, thanks".