Possessed

Chapter 17: The Trap

The next day, I asked Odette to come over after I was done with my homework. Thankfully, my subconscious mind- the one that listened to the spirit- hadn’t done anything crazy. So far.

At about three in the afternoon, Odette rang the doorbell. I opened the door to find her hands holding bags. Ushering her in, I closed the door behind her. I was grateful my parents weren’t home. For what we were about to do wouldn’t be a pleasant sight.

Wasting little time, Odette set up her odd assortment of enchantment binders, as she called them. She arranged candles in a triangle and took a few drops of my blood. I lay in the middle of the triangle, my hands above my head. The light in the room had been dimmed.

“Are you sure this is going to work?” I whispered in anticipation.

“No,” Odette replied after momentary hesitation, “but it is the best hope we have.”

She muttered a few spells under her breath. I was about to close my eyes when a white, searing streak of agony pierced my soul. I screamed and writhed in pain on the floor. Odette didn’t do anything, just went on with her enchantments. The pain subdued for only the slightest moment before another one greater than the first, if that was even possible, replaced it. This time I didn’t scream, only bit down so hard on my lower lip that it bled. I felt my consciousness drift in and out of focus.

“Make it stop,” I whimpered. My best friend took no heed of my words.

“Make it stop!” I yelled at her, the pain still tearing at my nerves. It was everywhere- my limbs, arms, legs and especially, my head. I sprung up from my position on the floor and rushed towards Odette in a strong moment of rage. I clutched for her throat, intending to claw her eyes out as well. She wasn’t going to get away with this.

Odette saw me, her eyes open in shock. She spoke the strange language faster and more urgently. I didn’t halt. I wasn’t going to. Right now, all that mattered was tearing the girl in front of me from limb to limb……..

A sudden flash of intense, blinding flash coursed through me and before I knew it, I was on the floor, my energy draining out of me like water flowing from a leaked dam. Prior to finally passing out on my rug, I cursed at Odette with whatever anger I could muster. My eyes closed down and I knew no more.

***

“How’s your head?” Odette questioned as soon as my eyes met hers.

I nodded weakly, “Yeah, I feel fine. A lot lighter, though I don’t think I can even walk.”

She waved aside her concerns. “You’re going to do okay. The spell has been successful, and that’s the best thing.”

“Thanks to you,” I added softly. She beamed at me and helped me up from my spot on the couch.

“Feel fine enough to watch a movie?” she raised her eyebrow.

I nodded sheepishly. “I guess so.”

“Good.” Getting up from the couch, she strolled over to my CD cabinet and shuffled through the stack of CDs before putting in one that we both agreed upon. I just needed a distraction, I told myself as I settled down.

I spun around in front of the body-length mirror to see how I appeared in the brand new dress that I’d especially selected for my date with Aaron tonight. I was wearing a black chiffon dress that had spaghetti straps on its shoulders. It had a silver bow belt just under the bust and a shimmery line of the very same color bordering the end of the fabric that reached till my knees. To top off the outfit, I had straightened my hair and put on light make-up to keep my look natural. 

The bell rang.

“Aries!” I heard my mom call after a few minutes, “Aaron’s here!”

I hastily checked my reflection in the mirror one last time before trotting out of my room in my black and silver flats. With bated breath, I slowly descended the stairs, eager to meet my date.

My stomach felt as if it would burst with the amount of butterflies floating in my stomach. As I got closer to the bottom of the steps, I saw Aaron handsomely dressed in a tux and looking as hot as ever in a deep conversation with my dad. I heard them talking about football.

“He totally killed it! David could have….” Aaron’s words died on his lips as he turned his head on sensing my presence. I smiled at him nervously.

“Wow,” he breathed on looking me over.

“My baby girl looks so beautiful!” my mom cooed as she entered the living room, wiping her hands on the flowery kitchen apron that she was sporting. “Wait, I’ll be right back with the camera.” She rushed off, and I rolled my eyes after her.

“It’s just a dinner date, not prom. Why do we have to take pictures?” I mumbled.

My dad chuckled and flashed a few photos, making me scowl.

I wasn’t even certain why I had agreed to go on the date but Odette had insisted. She kept on repeating now that the ‘troubles’ were over, I should go out and enjoy myself.

Aaron put his hand on the small of my back and led me to his car. I got in.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“You’ll see,” he grinned, “I hope you like it, though.”

When we got to our date setting, my eyes widened. Oh boy, didn’t I like it. Aaron had gone and gotten us passes to a club. My jaw dropped in astonishment as I turned to face him.

“You got us passes?”

“Yeah,” he said nervously, “Is it okay, or shall we….?”

“Are you kidding me? It’s perfect.” I had always wanted to get in a club, but of course hadn’t been able to, considering I was under-age.

He smiled toothily, “Thought so.”

 The guard at the entrance swept his eyes over my admission pass and peered at me. The lights from inside the club was casted onto my face; I’m not really sure what he was trying to see. Finally, he let us in.

As soon as I stepped in, I was overwhelmed by the music, the crowds, and the energy. I happily started dancing to the beat of the music, with Aaron right beside me.

“Enjoying?” he asked me. I nodded.

“Do you want a drink?” he cocked his head, awaiting my answer.

“No alcohol,” I shook my head.

“Orange juice, then?”

“Sure.”

He left the dance floor. I closed my eyes, my hips swaying to the rhythm. A hand sidled around my waist and I smiled to myself.

“Babe, aren’t you something tasty.”

My eyes shot open. It wasn’t Aaron. A guy, who looked to be in his early thirties, and had black curls over his black beady eyes, was standing next to me.

I pulled away, disgusted. His breath reeked of alcohol.

“What?” he flashed a creepy-looking smile.

“Leave me alone,” I demanded.

“Feisty,” he sneered, “Just the way I like ‘em.”

“Ass,” I muttered under my breath before pushing him away. Turning around in my haste to escape from him, I bumped into Aaron.

“Whoa there,” he laughed, then stopped when he noticed the annoyed expression on my face, “What’s wrong?”

He handed a small glass of orange juice which I finished in three gulps before answering.

“Nothing, that freak over there was acting like a jerk.”

He frowned, “I should go and-“

“No.” I grabbed him by his shoulder to prevent him from going towards the guy. “Let’s just get out of here.”

He cocked an eyebrow at me, a mischievous smile playing his lips, “somewhere quiet?”

“Somewhere quiet,” I agreed and giggled lightly.