PURE

chapter four. » the uninvited.

HER CRESTFALLEN FACE BLOOMED in the sun like a chrysanthemum blooming in spring. The word despair was written in red ink all over her face. She glared at herself in the mirror squinting at her repugnant
body. Lifting her tattered grey shirt, she examined the scars that had left her broken for so many years. Behind each scar lies a story. Each story different from the one before. They all represented something deeper than a mark on the surface of her skin. They molded her into who she was today.

Releasing herself from the depths of desperation, Grace sighed holding her heads in her fragile little hands. Behind the body that protected her from the escaped demons in the real world, she was a little girl lost and trying to find her way. She was the easiest target for her demons within. Lost without a purpose. Lost without a cause.

Hearing the feeble sounds of arguing, she pulled down her shirt letting it hang just below her skinny torso. Jordyn's deafening cries captured Grace's attention, snapping her neck towards the door.

"Grace!" Jordyn yelled out bending over placing her hands on her knees. "Qarinah is coming." She let out in between heavy breaths. Grace stood growing bug eyed. She took in a sharp breath of air nervously. The name was a curse within itself. Whenever you spoke her name, you could feel the emptiness of little nothings rolling off of your tongue.

"What? Why?" Grace questioned noticing how quiet Alex had become. Thinking nothing of it, she shrugged it off and began to drown herself in the negative thoughts that flooded into her mind. Azazel was like hell to her, but Qarinah was Lucifer herself. From the emotional pain that was endured from laying an eye upon her flowers skin to the formidable antics she did in the dark.

"I don't know! All I know is that she's coming here for a "big" announcement." Jordyn rolled her eyes at her statement.

Alex shook his head remaining silent. Qarinah and Azazel took his everything from him―his mother. She was snatched from their home and was taken back to headquarters for experimenting. He didn't know if she was a monster or dead. They were both equally negative in his eyes. He imagined the look of satisfaction lying on Qarinah's face as she watched Alex fight hopelessly for his mother. All he wanted was to avenge his mother even though he knew he would never make it out alive.

"I can't wait for the day when Azazel and Qarinah are both lying in a puddle of their blood. They deserve to die a slow and aching death." He broke his deafening silence letting the ugly words he spoke droop from his mouth. Jordyn and Grace's attention both focused on Alex and his negative mindset.

"Alex, please. The best thing to do right now is stay calm-" Grace insisted before Alex cut her off.

"You don't think I know that? I just don't care. They can rot in hell where they belong." Alex snapped. Jordyn was taken aback by his aggressive tone.

"You're so difficult." Grace muttered under her breath walking away from the hate filled atmosphere. "Jor, what time does she come?" She questioned scratching her head.

"Around three. She expects everyone there." Jordyn shifted her weight onto her right foot glaring at Alex.

"I'm not everyone because I'm not going." Alex stated dryly clearing his throat.

"Bullshit. You're going whether you like it or not. I know you'd rather see a face you hate than die." Jordyn let out a huff.

"You don't know me then." Alex brushed her off, walking off into another room.

"Coward." She murmured before walking over to a distressed Grace Athens. In attempts to comfort her, she rubbed her back in slow and small circles. Grace shrugged her hand off of her and sat down in a chair on the other side of the room.