Changeling (Book 1) Rated R

Chapter 9

Damian and I sat alone later that night on a bed in one of the guest rooms.

"How are you feeling?" He asked. There was a tray in his lap with milk and cookies.

Usually, I'd jump at the idea of scarfing them down but tonight I had no desire to eat.

"Like crap. Like maybe there was something I could've done but didn't. Like it's my fault."

"Don't think like that, Aim. Nothing that happened was your fault and there's no way you could have prevented it."

He tilted my chin up, leaving me no choice but to look at him.

His eyes were light, almost as rarely sea green as his mothers and right now they were filled with sympathy and love.

I threw my arms around him and held him tightly, finding comfort in his touch more than anyone else in this world.

If there'd been one consistent thing in my life, it had always been Damian.

From the moment we'd met at recess, to the endless summer days playing in the woods, Damian had always been there.

Even our parents were friends. In fact, his parents were also my godparents.

I could remember spending more days in the soccer field with him and his dad than with my own family.

Peter had been a second father to me and losing him only a year after losing dad had been like having salt poured into a wound.

"Do you ever feel like your life is spiraling out of control? Like you're on a roller coaster and you can't get off no matter how bad you want to?"

"Sure," He responded. "But I try not to let it get to me. Sometimes...things happen to us that are out of our control but it's up to us to make the most out of it, don't you think?"

Damian set the tray down on the nightstand. He pulled back the covers, climbed into bed and patted the spot next to him.

"I guess that's one way to look at it."

"Let's play one game." He chirped. "To get your mind off of things."

"Fine. But don't think I'm going to go easy on you just because I'm sad."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

He grinned and chucked the game system controller at me while the television started up.

"Daim, I think I've gone crazy." I admitted as we both stared at the loading icon on the television.

"Why do you think that?"

"I just..." I trailed.

My eyes followed a sliver of moonlight that cut through the room and landed on the vanity mirror, reflecting back.

This wasn't something I could share with Damian.

I didn't think it was anything I could share with anyone, really.

If I did, I'd definitely be put in the crazy house, or worse, put whoever I told in danger.

As much as I wanted to confide in my best friend, I knew this was a burden I had to shoulder on my own. It wouldn't be fair to him to put the weight of knowing supernatural creatures existed on him.

"Aim, what do you mean you think you've gone crazy? Did something happen...?"

I bit my lip and shook my head.

"No, I just mean with everything going on it sort of feels like I'm stuck in a nightmare."

Damian's shoulders relaxed and he nodded.