The Girl Who Cried Demon

Chapter II

"I've got good news and bad news. The good news is Harriet has extended your deadline. The bad news is you could stand to lose a lot of money on this deal if you keep stalling." Annabella announced as she strolled into Hadeya's office.

The floral dress Hadeya had bought her for her 26th birthday fit her petite frame perfectly. She also noticed she had recently cut her long, strawberry blonde hair short into a pixie cut and had dyed it wine red.

Hadeya wondered if Annabella had purposely gone out of her way to wear the gift she bought on her first day back. Very unlikely. Annabella Jordyn was not a woman who took anyone's feelings into consideration. It was always to her benefit.

"Good to see you too Bella." Hadeya responded. She wasn't all too fond of Bella, she could go as far as saying she didn't like her. Although Bella seemed on the fence about her feelings about Hadeya.

One minute she was caring, kind and acted as a best friend to Hadeya. And the next minute she was a complete bitch.

As assistant publisher, Annabella was regularly used as Harriet Kinney's bulldog, which she kind of enjoyed. Hounding Hadeya was one of the benefits. Even if she was only two years older than Hadeya, she enjoyed bossing her around.

Annabella placed a manicured hand on Hadeya's desk.

"Pleasantries aside. This book was supposed to be published months ago. We can't afford to postpone the book launch for another week." She leaned forward, the smell of blueberries on her breath.

"It's a process..." Hadeya started before she was cut off.

"A process means there's stuff actually being done, honey. What you're doing..."

"Bella..."

"Look Hadeya, I've been patient with you. Harriet has been patient with you. But if you can't reach the deadline maybe it's time for you to find employment elsewhere."

"I don't actually work here. I'm only using this office to write." Hadeya stated. Which was true. She didn't want to spend another second alone in her house again. Especially after what she thought she had seen last night...

"Yes, and we can easily nullify your contract if our demands aren't met."

"I'll do my best."

"Just have your manuscript ready by the end of the week. If you can't handle the pressure, maybe you should leave." She smirked, turned around and walked out of the office without closing the door.

"What a bitch."

Hadeya jerked in fright. "Who said that?"

"I did silly." The voice seemed to come from nowhere.

Hadeya felt her forehead. She felt fine. Maybe it was a sign of a fever coming on.

"You're not sick. Although if you were to tell people about me, they would probably throw you into an insane asylum. Just a warning."

"Who are you?" Hadeya demanded. She stopped. She was talking to herself. Is this how going crazy felt like? Hearing voices...

And that's when she saw her. The white-haired figure of her nightmares.

"I'm Pera."

Then everything went black.

____________________________

"Didn't think you'd be that excited to see me."

Hadeya could see the ceiling. What was she doing on the floor?

"You fainted. Pretty hard fall too."

Oh gosh. That voice. She quickly came to her senses and sat up from the floor. Pera stood over her. She looked just like Hadeya, only that her features looked harder, more chiselled...more malicious.

Her white hair was shaved to a buzz cut. Her taut, lean body covered by a black body suit.

The same cocoa brown eyes Hadeya had that made her look innocent and doe-like; made Pera, however; look like a predator.

"Well I'm glad you're happy to see me."

"What made you think that?" Hadeya asked as she struggled to get up. She felt weak and surprisingly hungry. It also didn't help that Pera made no effort to help her or move out of the way.

"Well, all those thoughts you had about being lonely and alone. I certainly was sure you'd be relieved to have a companion by your side." Pera purred. She smiled. Hadeya felt herself shiver.

"How did you...?"

"I'm from the really icky, dark part of your mind and soul Hadeya. I can read your thoughts." She tapped her temple.

"Can I read yours?"

"Nope. Sorry doesn't work that way. I'm the only one with super-hero like powers." Pera replied. She had begun to circle Hadeya. Hadeya struggled to swallow.

"Can you walk through walls?"

Pera stopped. A look of amusement on her face.

"I'm not a ghost Hadeya."

Hadeya turned to face her. This wasn't normal. Whoever was playing this sick joke on her needed to stop.

"Then what the fuck are you?" Hadeya shouted. She was shaking.

"I'm your inner demon Hadeya." Pera gave a sly smile. "Everything bad about you, your anger, your evil, your deepest, darkest desires." She continued.

"Then why do I still the need to punch you in the face, if you really are everything bad about me?" Hadeya asked. She had to find a way out of here. The door was still open; as long as she kept Pera distracted, she could run away using the door.

"Now why would you want to run away?" Pera looked at her angrily.

Hadeya gaped at Pera.

"I can read your mind! How many times do I have to say it?"

"Look, whatever you're being paid, I'll double it. Just stop following me." Hadeya begged. The room was beginning to spin. She fell on her knees again.

"No one paid me to be here Hadeya. Call it divine intervention that I'm standing here with you. If it wasn't for the accident I would never have had the chance to be out here." Pera put both hands on her hips and looked at Hadeya with a look of pity.

"Air..." Hadeya was losing it, her breathing had become ragged. The walls seemed to be closing in on her.

"Honestly, what would you do without me." Pera sighed. With one fluid motion she knocked Hadeya out.

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