The Eyes at the Foot of the Bed (Sweet Devil!America x Reader)

Chapter 7: Inner Demons

When you finally decided to leave your room, the twins were taking their after-lunch nap in the living room. You removed the Cosmopolitan from Arin's chest and draped a blanket over Allen, who was slouching on the lazy boy. They were worried and tired and you were a horrible friend for not responding sooner, but sometimes emotions can just consume you before you could even think.

   You tiptoed to the front yard.

   There it was, the house that was supposed to be where black-haired Alfred lived. You recalled the twins telling you all about how it had been uninhabited for months, possibly years. You remembered black-haired Alfred's smile and abnormal blue eyes. The hairs on your neck stood up and you blinked.

   When you opened your eyes, he was there. Black-haired Alfred loomed over you, looking taller and paler and scarier than he already did. He wore a smile that tickled every raw nerve and raised every hair.

   "Howdy, neighbor"

   You almost jumped. He was so close you could feel the heat radiating off of him.

   "H-Hi." You squeaked. His gaze was sharp, examining your every reaction, every miniscule shift of muscle. You were shaking inside; you felt odd around him.

   "You don't look too good"

   "Flu" You took a step back hoping he knew how uncomfortable you were with his closeness.

   "That explains the Minnie Mouse sweatpants..."

   Defensively, you crossed your arms and looked away, cheeks flustered.

   "Did you hear about that guy that was mauled?" Your heart squeezed itself at the mention of Arthur.

   "There are so many creeps out there"

   You merely nodded in response. You were in no mood to discuss what happened.

   "Did you know him, by any chance?" He asked.

   When you found the courage to turn to him he had a certain look on his face, a look of expectation.

   "What?" You whispered.

   "You heard me, Name, don't make me repeat myself. Although you do seem to make a habit of pretending not to notice what the men around you are clearly thinking." He teased, something had changed in his tone.

   "Ex... excuse me?" Alarms went off in your head. The smile on his face twisted into a malevolent smirk and he stepped closer to you. You recoiled but he snatched your wrists.

   He pulled your arms so hard you heard something pop, but you were too focused on his face. You could practically feel his breath on your skin. He smelled like mint and... bananas?

   Someone shouted your name and you woke up, eyes opening wide and chest heaving with every gasp for air.

   Allen brushed the locks of hair away from your mouth. You heard Arin yelling at her phone, "Hurry, my friend just fainted!"

   You lost consciousnessagain after that.

"Not eating enough... forgetting to take your insulin!" Arin practically yelled. Standing beside his sister, Allen stayed quiet with lips in a tight line. This time they were the parents.

   You had no reply for them. You didn't even face them.

   Your head was still spinning from that weird nightmare.

   Arin sighed, "Arthur's death was painful for all of us, maybe even more for you..."

   Allen uncrossed his arms, "...But you can't just bottle those things up no matter how much you hate confronting your inner demons."

   Demons.

   You recalled Arthur warning you about incubi. Incubi were creatures of the night that lie with women while they slept; historians and scholars disregard the existence of such creatures, instead putting the blame of human rapists.

   Chills went down your spine as you remembered the night after the party and those unique pair of blue eyes.

   That bracelet saved you, but now it was gone. And so was the only person capable of helping you.

   "Damn." Arin pulled the blanket up to your chin "Allen, turn down the AC, will ya?"

   Allen rolled his eyes but did as he was told.

   "Name, visitor hours are almost up and we weren't allowed to stay, so we'll be going now." Arin said.

   "But this talk isn't over. We're taking you out this Friday." Allen added.

   Your worries disappear for a moment.

   "We're leaving now. Call if anything goes wrong and we'll fly over ASAP." Arin picked up her purse.

   "Good night, Name. Sweet dreams." Allen slipped into his coat.

   "Have a safe ride back home. Oh, and guys?" You smiled with all the warmth you could offer, "Thanks."

   The twins turned to each other, smiled, and then chuckled.

   "You're welcome, Name."

***

That shadow was right there. You woke up to the unknown creature standing over your hospital bed.

   Seemingly stuck in the darkness with no desire to come any closer, your imagination ran wild; from the thing's appearance to what it wanted with you.

   "...you do seem to make a habit of pretending not to notice what the men around you are clearly thinking." He teased, something had changed in his tone.

   When you tried to shake the memory out of your head that was when you realized that you couldn't move. Your arms were glued to your sides, your legs were heavy, and your eyelids were stuck half-opened.

   Wearing nothing but a nightie that doesn't close in the back and the cotton blanket (which you most likely kicked in your sleep) Arin used to tuck you in on the floor, you felt naked and cold.

   The blue stare made your blood heat up though. It almost looked hungry.

   Your eyes opened wide and you woke up in a daze for the second time today.

   Hair prickly to your skin and stomach throwing a fit, you pressed the call button, and in the process, spotted your phone lying on the bedside table.

   Three missed calls just now.

   You still couldn't thank God enough that you snapped out of that nightmare, however, you found it difficult to swallow.

   ONE NEW TEXT MESSAGE, the phone lit up, and it was from the same number as the calls. From Arthur Kirkland.