Don't Let Me Be Gone

Chapter 3

Days are long. Three months of school pass until it's summer, my favorite time of the year so I don't have to deal with people who could care less about my wellbeing.

Braxton and I had become good friends I'd say. He hasn't killed me yet. I wonder how long it's going to take him. Should I mention something? Of course I wouldn't consider him as a best friend, but definitely a friend. We hang out sometimes, but not daily, mainly just when our mom's want to. The only thing I hate about summer is that there's more time for the demons to get me. Not that they already don't have enough time, they just taunt me more than usual.

I'm way too deep into my thoughts when the sound of someone knocking on my door nearly throws me off of my bed. Braxton.

"Jumpy as always." He chuckles.

"Scaring me as always." I laugh.

"Hey, I knocked." He raises his hands in defense.

"Whatever." I roll my eyes a laugh. "What are you doing here anyway?" I question while turning away from my computer screen.

"Our moms wanted to have 'girl time'." We both crack up laughing at our insane mothers.

"They're crazy. But why are you here? Wouldn't you rather hang out with Connor or Zach?" Unlike me, Braxton had made friends within his time being at school.

"Why are you here? It's summer, shouldn't you be hanging out with Dalton?" He smirks.

"Wow, you're full of jokes." I roll my eyes and turn around to face my computer again. Dalton was my ex best friend, the one who had called me a freak in front of Braxton on his first day here.

"Sorry," he apologizes and lays on my bed casually. "You never told me why you two aren't friends anymore, besides the reason that you have insane episodes, why is that?" He throws my stress ball that had been sitting on my nightstand in the air and catches it. Throw, catch. Throw, catch. Throw, catch. Waiting for a response.

"Yeah, why is that? Tell him and I'll make sure you die. Remember what happened when you told your mom?" The immortal voice whispers, almost close enough to actually feel her.

"Shut. Up." I mumble.

"Huh?" He asks looks at me.

"Nothing I... uh..." I stutter.

"What's gonna be, dear? You'll die no matter what." Unpleasant laughter by her, and more phantoms join.

"You need to leave." I avoid eye contact.

"What? I just got here," he barely laughs. "Zoe, you can tell me, you know I won't judge you." He warns.

"Yeah, but you'll kill me." I stiffen up at the words that emerge from my lips.

"That's right." I can almost feel the smirk on her face.

"Kill you? Zoella, are you insane?" I can hear him set my ball back down on the desk and arise from my bed.

"There he goes. He got up. He's going to get you Zoella. Are you ready? Say goodbye. He's getting closer... closer... closer." Her voice gets louder as it gets into my head. I scream and turn around quickly from my chair but falling on the ground. I back myself up in my wall.

When I notice the talking has stopped and nobody is coming after me is when I look up to see a very confused and worried Braxton. I hear footsteps from downstairs rush quickly up to my room.

"I'm fine." I groan to my mother and very worriedly looking Cheryl.

"Again?" My mom asks already knowing what has happened. I nod slowly. "She's fine, let's finish coffee." She drags Cheryl, who keeps looking at me, back to the kitchen where they will proceed to gossip or do whatever adults do.

"Zoella..." Braxton reaches out his hand, the least I could do is let him help me up. I hop up a little too hard when our chests collide into one another's. Awkward... we stand there for a couple seconds with eyes locked on each others. His mouth turns into a small grin before backing up back onto the edge of my bed. I scratch the back of my head, taking in the awkward atmosphere.

"Anyways," I begin, "it's nothing."

"Nothing? Really? Because normally, I don't just scream and fall to floor while thinking my friends are trying to kill me." He states.

"Me and Dalton aren't friends anymore because of all this. It's freaky, it scares people." I'm hesitant before answering this.

"Don't get me wrong, it is scary... but why? Why do you do this?" He asks.

"It's a trick, he's trying to get it out of you so you can die. He and all the demons want you dead, including me." A different voice, other than the woman's, enters my ears, a much lower and more evil voice.

"I can't tell you." I nervously play with my fingers.

"Why not?" He questions. I don't reply."Zoella, I won't hurt you." He warns. I shake my head quickly as my breath begins to breathe rapidly and heavily. "I don't think you're crazy, I won't leave you like that dick Dalton did."

"I see things, Braxton." I mumble.

"See things? What kind of things?" He asks confusingly. I then take a seat beside him on my bed.

"People... like all these dead people that want me dead. They want me... my soul. I-I can't control any of it. They're demons. One specifically is always with me, always listening to me and taunting me. And... A-And if she hears me talking to you about this she'll make sure to have me dead even quicker." I whisper my whole situation to him.

"Zoella... this is crazy, are you sure this is real? Like... are you sure you're not just paranoid? Have you tried going to a doctor?" He asks curiously.

"I'm sure I'm not paranoid. I have gone to some doctors and they all think it's strange, they can't do anything about it, I can't do anything about it." I explain.

"Maybe it's just a phase," he tries to help.

"A phase that's lasted five years? Ha. Good one." I shake my head.

"Five years? Jesus, Zoella. This isn't normal."

"I don't want some long lecture about how this isn't normal. I already get judged enough at school and you know that. This is why me and Dalton aren't friends. I'm a crazy freak. Now if you want to leave, then go ahead because honestly I don't even care at this point." I attempt to get up until I feel his hand grip my wrist. "Braxton, come on-"

"Zoella stop. I told you I'm not like that others. If you ever met my dad you'd see I'd get it from him." He soon lets go of my wrist and gets up to stand in front of me.

"You've done it Zoella. Oh, you've done it. Just wait, just you wait. Your time is coming." I turn my head towards the familiar female voice. Braxton continues to stare at me because he now knows what's happening.

"I should have never told you, Brax. I should've never."

"Zoella it's okay," he carefully grazes my arm.

"No Braxton it's not okay! She heard me!" Her face appears right next to Braxton's. I can't help but scream, unfortunately a bit to close to Braxton's ear.

"Calm down, calm down," he hurriedly grabs my arms and sets them to my sides so I don't freak out much more.

"She's going to get me Braxton. All of them, they're all going to get me and kill me."