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

Chapter 9: Arthur's Confession

Name,

If you're reading this letter then I'm already dead.

Please don't blame yourself, you are not at fault.

I chose to help you. However, that's not where my involvement starts.

When I agreed to use that damned board on the night of your birthday, Arin and I ended up 'summoning' a low-     level, shape-shifter type demon. An incubus. It just doesn't feed on desire and sexuality, but on fear and sadness as well.

I'm just guessing, but I think it took on the form of my deceased cousin, Alfred, because...

That night... it wasn't the first time I attempted to communicate with the dead.

Alfred's girlfriend, who is also a close friend of mine, had been depressed for months. The last time she saw Alfred, her last words to him were... all I can say is that she regretted them.

I couldn't stand to see her in pain, so I offered to help. Rather than an Ouija board, I performed a séance with her. In a way it kind of worked: We saw an apparition of Alfred, he smiled at her warmly, but faded before she could say anything to him.

Name, I think... I think the incubus had been preying on Alfred's girlfriend, but could no longer siphon dark energy from her because she already attained peace in her heart, so it attached itself to me in hopes of finding new victims.

Please don't take this the wrong way but low-level demons are attracted to certain people, people who prefer their own company to others'. It's most likely because when they go missing or get depressed and stay locked inside their rooms for a long period of time, and with none the wiser.

Furthermore, low-level demons aren't that smart. I'm guessing when Arin and I tried summoning a spirit, all we did was provoke it. ('Provoke' for lack of better terms.)

It took on Alfred's likeness because Alfred's form was the last it saw, and since Alfred's dead you wouldn't have known better. But in its eagerness in finding another prey, it forgot that I knew how to deal with demons.

I was serious when I said that bracelet I gave you was a protection charm. With it, all the incubus could do was throw a tantrum without actually laying a hand on you.

But now the charm is gone and you're left vulnerable. I've placed a protection spell on you years ago, as I always do for everyone I care about, but the spell is more like an umbrella during storm, it can't stop every drop of rain from touching you.

It's on to me, I know. He's here, watching me right now, but he can't hurt me either, not while I'm surrounded with salt.

Name, please pay close attention.

I made you another bracelet. I left it in a place where I knew I was definitely still in love with you, hidden in the circles of Hell.

Don't try to find me or contact me because I'll be dead by the break of the dawn. If you think I somehow made contact with you, don't respond. Don't do anything.

I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you, I just wish... I wish I can have even just a few more minutes with you before I go, but knowing that you'll be safely is enough to give me peace.

Arthur Kirkland

*

You couldn't stop your tears from overflowing, but you put away the letter before any drop could damage the paper.

"Oh, Arthur..." You put a hand to your mouth and tried to control your breathing. "I'm so sorry."

Half an hour of muffled sobs later, you inhaled. A warm feeling washed over your entire body as you decided with newly found determination: A dead demon or not, I'll find that bracelet.