Sinfull Shadow

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THREE

August 2013- University

'Is there anything else you can tell us? Why she would've done this?' The cop asked.

'No,' I said quietly. 'Ruby just...I went out for a walk, to get something to drink, and when I came back she was in a puddle of blood on the floor, the edges of her clothes burning. I don't know what happened.'

'Alright, thankyou Mr...uh...'

'Grimm' I said. 'Dexter Grimm.'

'Alright Mr Grimm. We'll be in contact if we have anymore questions.'

I nodded as they turned and left, the squad car kicking up stones as it swerved onto the street.

'That can't be legal.'

I turned to see Dana standing behind me, outlined by the woods beside the school.

'Dana? What are you doing here; I thought you were in Brisbane with Johnny?'

There was no way she could get down to Southport in less than four hours, without a car.

'I heard about Ruby.' She said quietly. 'I'm sorry, Dexter. And Bella sends her sympathy too.'

'Trixie's with you?' I asked.

'Yeah, arrived not ten minutes ago, as far as I know. Johnny called and told me.' She nodded.

'And how'd you get down here? I thought you were up there with them.'

'I was, but felt like I should come down a few days ago. Good thing I did- and if you need anything, you be sure to tell us, okay?' She looked up at me, brown eyes flashing.

'Uh, yeah, of course.' I looked down. 'Yeah.'

'So tell me something.' Dana said. 'Why aren't you with Bells now?'

'I...haven't seen her in months, why?' I asked.

'Because she said she came to see you. Let's walk, shall we? Show me around your school a bit.' She smiled and started walking off.

'Sure.' I muttered, following.

'So you know about your father?'

'That he's gone? Yeah, I know.' I nodded.

'So why don't you help Bella find him?' Dana asked.

'Trixie was there when Ruby...Whatever Trix was hunting, it came here and killed Ruby.'

'You're not blaming her, are you? Aw, honey, you can't fight with your sister, not in this world, when she's so close to her time.' Dana shook her head sadly.

'Whaddya mean?' I stopped walking. 'Close to her time for what?'

'You mean she hasn't told you?'

'No.'

'Oh. Well I suppose you'll have to ask her, won't you?'

August 2013- Warwick

'Why would he do that? How could he know?' I asked. Dana had gone upstairs a few minutes ago...I dunno where. The two-storey house wasn't very big, and it was very messy and cluttered.

Johnny shrugged. 'I don't know. Your father knows many things he shouldn't- that's half the reason why he got into all this. But that's what he was hunting for- according to Dana, at any rate.'

'Johnny, if my father really was after the Crossroads Demon...why would he go after it anyway? It's not like he could save me, not really, and what would he have that's valuable to the demons?' I asked, stretching my legs, still on the desk. It was starting to get really uncomfortable.

Johnny shook his head. 'You never should've made that deal, Bells. Your time's ticking down fast, I-'

'You don't think I know that?' I snapped, jumping up. 'I'm so sick and tired of people telling me that! Asking if I'm okay, if Dexter's okay- I don't know! I asked him to come with me, he said no. And even if I do see him again...it's not like I'd ever tell him what I did anyway. He doesn't need to know.' I sat back down. 'And I know that look. Don't you dare tell him, at all, anything. He says out of this.'

Johnny sighed and shook his head. 'Why'd you do it anyway, Bella? What were you trying to save?'

You may be a little confused at this point.

Crossroads Demons are found- no surprise- at crossroads going four ways. They're there to make deals with mortals- whether, the mortal asks for a talent or gift to help make them famous, like Robert , or to get things back, or to protect something or someone.

But with a deal, you always have to keep your end of the bargain- they'll hold you back from something, will make you live in a Sin (Envy, Lust, Pride, Wrath, Sloth, Gluttony and Greed) or will only give you a short time period in which you have left to live. I won't tell you what my deal entailed, what I'm dying to protect.

But in my opinion, I drew the short straw- I only have less than a year to live.

Of course, no-one but me- and apparently my dad- knows that. They know now, that I made the deal, but not what for, and what I'm losing.

I'm gonna shut up again now.

I clenched my jaw and looked away. 'It doesn't matter.'

'Well, what are they getting back from you? What's your part of the deal?'

'That's not important.' I looked up. 'So you haven't heard anything from Dad in a few months now?'

'No, sorry.' Johnny shook his head.

'And you're positive he's still after the Crossroads Demon? Why is he doing that?' I asked.

He shrugged. 'To try to get you out of your contract maybe? I don't know the full details- you know how much that limits me.'

'Alright.' I nodded slowly. 'Thanks, that's all I need.' I stood and started to head for the door. After a second fighting to get out of the armchair, Johnny limped over.

'If you find anything- anything at all- you be sure to call either Dana or me, OK?'

'Yeah, sure.' I said, unlocking the door and putting the key back.

'And next time, just use the door. Or knock! It's actually considered customary.' He smiled.

'At five AM? Oh yeah, real customary and normal-like.' I laughed. 'See you later, Johnny. Say bye to Dana for me, 'kay?'

'Sure.' He nodded as I left, walking down the pathway to my Pontiac firebird.

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