The Demon Within

Part 2

   I drag my feet toward the cafeteria counter. My hands fumble to pick up a tray. I move down the line and pick out food for my lunch. Not that it could really be called food anyway. I'm sure whatever meat they use isn't all natural; you can tell by the smell. How does it smell like plastic but be natural? I placed a milk carton on my tray and paid the cashier for the lunch.

   Walking down the cafeteria, I see him. The boy from yesterday. The one Damien wants to obliterate. He's sitting with a few others while chewing on a burger. The pull in my gut returns, and this time gains more control. My hips turn and I start to walk down the aisle towards him. I strain against my muscles. He can't do this now. Not with everyone looking. I grit my teeth and dig my heels in the ground. My body jolts and struggles to keep going. I force this feeling away, and spin around. The tray leaned sideways. My pizza falls to the floor just before I get my hand to the tray. I catch my milk and apple.

   Some look up and laugh. My cheeks burn as I regain control of my muscles and hurry away. I spot my friends sitting in the corner. Lacy and Jane. Both friends since the revolution we brought in kindergarten. No homework without just reward. Our bond was solid ever since. Well, until I nearly slapped Lacy yesterday and called her a dweeb. I tried texting her, but she won't answer.

I grab a seat next to her and sit. Lacy turns to the side and tries talking with Jane.

"So, you think they'll be many more contests at the Halloween party next week? I heard that the drama club is putting on an original horror play," Lacy says.

   Jane looks at me. "You should tell Heather. She'd like to see it. Right?"

   I nod a little too emphatically. Lacy glances at me and rolls her eyes. She shovels a spoonful of soup in her mouth.

"What's going on now? Not another heated debate on whether a book or movie was better," Jane says.

   I shook my head. "I...um... shouted at her yesterday."

"Really? Why?" Jane asks, leaning in.

"I don't know. It wasn't me when I said it-"

"But you did say it, Heather. You called me a dweeb and knocked my make up on the floor." Lacy snapped.

"It wasn't me. I would never do that to you. You know that." I say.

"So why did you say it? And why have you been acting so weird?" Lacy asks.

   I gasp for words. How am I supposed to explain that some spirit is inhabiting my body and making me do bad things?

"The... board... it did something," I say.

"Board? The Ouija thing? Heather, that stuff is fake. That thing was in my attic for years. It's just a piece of wood," Lacy said, laughter starting to form.

   I open my mouth again to speak, but something holds my voice back. Both of them stare at me as I stammer to even speak.

"If you're sick or something, we'll understand," Jane says.

"I feel sick." Damien kept his promise from yesterday. I had zero sleep whatsoever last night. My body shook as I lay there. Thoughts of the boy and success flashed across my kind. Now my head is spinning constantly, my eyes droop, and I can't concentrate.

"Being sick isn't an excuse to yell at your friend," Lacy says. "And you can't blame some stupid board for being a crappy friend."

   Anger returns. I'm not really angry with Lacy. My body won't listen, and I can't even tell anyone what's going on. Frustration is too soft of a word for this. This is enfuriating. I will not let this control me.