Subject 15

CHAPTER 20 - Samantha

"Ok." Seth said in a forceful whisper, and I was silent. Seth looked down at his food and said, "Alright... I'll tell you a little later... But I can't tell you here."

I was confused and asked, "Tell me what?"

Seth looked up into my eyes again and said, "Tell you... a little secret."

I looked at him for a time, and I was about to say something when I felt it happening – the Demon was coming to visit me again. I stared into Seth's eyes when I heard it whisper into my ear, "Aww... look at what we have here... another crush?"

I looked down at my food in slow motion, but it's words were as clear as day as I felt it's hand rest upon my shoulder, "Samantha... how quick you are to give you heart to another... haven't you learned that it will be broken yet again?"

My hands were shaking, I distantly felt Seth's hand on mine, but the Demon said, "This boy isn't like the others, yes... but don't you see? He is a monster... not human... and he will hurt you more than any other man will."

"No," I whispered, "You're wrong, I know you are."

I felt the Demon's warm breath on my ear as it said in a voice as soft as gravel, "We shall see."

"Samantha!" I heard Seth say forcefully, and I was jerked back into reality. These encounters were getting stronger, breaking away from just dreams into my daily life. I was panicked, but I felt a warm hand on my cheek, and my face was turned to look into Seth's enchanting emerald eyes. He said, "Hey, you're ok. It's alright. Everything is going to be fine. Just breathe... slowly."

I stared into his eyes, those deep green, mysterious pools, and I felt my breathing calm down. I kept on staring for a time, then I pulled my head away from his hand, doing the same with my hand under his – the Demon's words were still fresh in my mind, and the physical contact fell raw on my skin. "I can't tell you here," I said without looking at Seth.

"Where?" he asked with concern and empathy in his voice. I thought for a little while, then had an idea. "Do you have a car," I asked, now looking at Seth.

He shook his head, and I said, "Lucky us, I do." I started to move when I caught him smiling, but it was a different smile... and his Mask.... It was faint, very faint, but his Mask had turned a slight yellow color, almost indistinguishable from its normal white color: it was like pale sunlight shining through the blinds. "What?" I asked, concerned that I had said something wrong.

He looked away after shaking his head, saying, "Nothing, it was nothing."

I smiled at that, and I gave his arm a light shove, saying, "Don't assume anything yet, tough guy." I stood up and started to walk out of the building when I asked over my shoulder. "You coming?" I heard movement from behind me, and I didn't need to turn around to know that he was following me. I pulled the keys from my pocket and left the building.

All I could hope for was that Seth didn't see the small smile on my face, or hear how fast my heart was beating at the thought of, "us."