The Demon's Chase

Chapter 10

"Hey there" the demon said as I fought my instinct to flinch backwards. "So you think you're finally ready to fight, eh? What made you suddenly stronger? Last time I checked, you were so weak you couldn't even save your friend. Good riddance though, she was the only thing in my way from killing you, something I will finally get to do". I felt anger trapped behind my eyes, pulsing in my heart and throbbing in my head.

"I was never too weak, but simply making sure I'd squash you like the bug you are" I said with fake confidence, though my eyes didn't give my insecurity away. The demon flinched at this, but continued on. He stood up and paced around the room as I walked with him.

"You see," he said, startling me by breaking the eerie silence, "I've been keeping an eye on you and I've got to say, you aren't as dumb as I thought you'd be. But still, you're no match for what I have planned".

"Why don't you prove that then" I said stubbornly.

"Gladly". With a quick flick of his wrist and force of his palm, a strong force slammed me against the wall. I groaned, but got back up again. I slid underneath his legs and grabbed his ankles, flipping him on his back. Just when I got my pistol out, he looked at me with a funny look. "You think that tiny pistol will kill me? I guess you are as dumb as I originally perceived" he said, chuckling. 

"Oh  I dunno.. I think you'll be surprised" I said, remembering the poison bullet Hazel gave me for the final stand-off she knew I'd encounter. With a look of realization, he smacked the pistol out of my hand and across the room. 

We both raced to it like scattering roaches. As he was just to get a grasp on it, I kicked it out of reach and kicked his head back. It let off a loud crack as I skidded on my heels over to the pistol. I grabbed it and held it up. 

"Give up demon," I shouted as he got up, wiping blood from his nose "the victory is mine!".

"Don't be too sure about that" he said, standing up as his knees cracked. The walls splintered and disintegrated into dust as a strong wind blew around. My hair blew in this strong breeze, covering a part of my face. "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M CAPABLE OF. THE TIME HAS COME FOR YOU TO BURN MY DEAR". I backed away, tucking the pistol into the rim of my jeans. I couldn't see anything except for the demon. The rest was just a flash of light. I then saw pieces of paper moving around, almost looking like photos. They seemed familiar. As they came into focus I recognized them more. It was my family. My life. Me. My childhood. My fondest memories came to me first as a reaction to these photos. 

I remember it clearly now. I was on the swing set in the park with my mom. She was pushing me and I kept saying "Higher, higher! Come on mommy higher!". I remember the sun shining down, blowing my moms hair to the side, giving it a sort of reddish-brown glint. I remember how she always smelled of cinnamon and hand soap. I remember her smile. Her laugh. Her breakfasts and lunches and dinners and her love and care for me. How absolutely amazing she was in general.

I came back to reality, seeing the demon before me. He was laughing, but it was mute. I felt my body getting warmer, as if it were slowly catching fire. Another photo flew at me and I closed my eyes, letting my memories engulf my brain, tuning out the demons wicked laugh and the strong wind.

This memory is different. I was making jam with my grandma. It took forever in my child's mind; I was only 7 at the time. We were laughing and having a good time. I remember how I smeared jam on her nose and she smeared jam on mine. I remember how she always had the best recipes to share with me and all the good times I had visiting her in the summer. I remember how she hugged me when I arrived and hugged me when I got in the car to leave. I remember her laugh and her cookies and her sofa and the blankets she made.

My body got warmer and warmer. I thought I saw fire, but I chose to ignore it. Photos surrounded me and I didn't know what would hit me next. It was like a photo album of my life, engulfing my thoughts as I accepted the flashbacks of memories. Here came the next one, I squeezed my eyes shut.

This memory didn't have a good start. My brother and I were in a fight. He said that I was unloving, uncaring, and it hurt because I saw that as my only good quality, really. I went to my room and shut the door, slumping down against it's back. A soft knock came at the door and I wiped away my tears. "Go away please" I said. My sister opened the door and sat next to me. She didn't talk about the fight with my brother. She didn't ask what was wrong. Instead she made me laugh. She told jokes and made me feel happy and I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe. My sister never cared what was wrong, not really. She cared about making it right again.

I opened my eyes to see pure white. I screamed out in pain as it felt like flames were eating at my skin, breaking my flesh. I couldn't simply ignore it this time. The demon laughed at my pain. "THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR MESSING WITH ME MY DEAR. LEARN YOUR LESSON."

"How will I learn my lesson like this?" I said between gasps "By death?".

"Death indeed. Let the flames swallow your soul. Close your eyes". I listened. I closed my eyes as one more memory hit me.

This one was with my brother. We were playing around in the field at school with some other kids. I fell down and got a scrape on my knee. "You okay?" he asked, coming to my side. "Who cares," someone said from behind me. "It's just a stupid girl, ignore her". I remember how he stood up for me right then, and I stood up for him later. We might've not shown it in the best ways, which is something I regret now, but we cared about each other and always stuck by one another's side. 

I opened my eyes one last time and everything stopped. I stood up and looked at the demon standing in front of me. I brought the pistol up with the last strength that I had and shot his heart, watching him fall to the floor. 

"H-how?" he asked, looking at me. "You're in flames, I'm burning you".

"Your demon's chase is over. You're dead; demon poison straight to the heart".

One last memory.

I love you, my mom said, embracing me tightly. I closed my eyes as I pressed my head on her chest. No matter what anyone says, you're amazing to me and that's what matters. I'm so proud of who you've grown to be and the actions you've preformed as you lived. You'll grow up to be such a beautiful young lady.

I died happy.

THE END.