Demon Puppet

Chapter 15

Hero plops down beside me with a massive grin. "Noelle! Why are you sitting here by yourself? Everyone else is celebrating!" He gestures to the masses of Imitators dancing and laughing and drinking around a massive fire.

My face reddens. "I don't know anyone," I hiss quietly, "but everyone knows me! I feel like such an outsider!"

"Don't worry, princess," he says, leaning forward and nuzzling his nose against my cheek. "You belong here, Noelle. Sure, things are strange now, but you will remember soon enough."

I'm supposed to belong here, I correct him, careful not to speak out loud. But I don't remember anything! I don't even remember my parents' face...

That was a lie. I could still go back in my mind and see two distinct human faces, even after a century. I remember my human parents—and my uncle. I remember the Wardens.

Hero's smile fades. Noelle, why do you still think of that accursed place? He growls. They imprisoned me and brainwashed you. Why do you feel guilty for finally meeting your real parents?

Is something wrong?

I gasp when Leeteuk's voice echoes in my mind. I immediately shut them both out, feeling invaded, even violated. Even my thoughts aren't private... I stand up and go into Leeteuk and Sunmi's house, closing the door behind me and taking a deep breath. Not a moment after I shut the door, I hear a quiet knock.

"Noelle?" Leeteuk murmurs through the solid wood. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry. I should have asked your permission first."

"Leave me alone, please," I whisper. "Please. I just need a moment."

He pauses. "I'll send Hero in to keep you company," he offers.

"No!" I say quickly. I bite my lip and repeat, "No... Please, I'd just like to be alone for a little while. I'll come out later."

Leeteuk sighs. "Noelle... I understand how overwhelming this all is for you, but please try to understand... Your mother and I haven't seen you in over a century—you were just a baby when you were taken from us, and now... Now you're all grown up."

"And so beautiful," my mother's voice adds as she meets him by the door. When I say nothing in response, I hear her tug on Leeteuk's sleeve. "Let's leave her alone for a while. I'll tell Hero not to sneak in."

I take a deep breath as both of them walk away. I turn away from the door and wrap my arms around myself as if trying to hold my sanity in. The waning moon beams brightly through an open window in another, smaller room. I frown and move forward; something is different about that room. It doesn't smell like it has been used in ages, and yet everything inside is clean and free of dust. I hesitate before stepping through the doorway.

My eyes widen. A lone wooden cradle sits in the center of the room, the blankets within it messy and overturned. As I step forward, an image flashes in my mind—Sunmi and Leeteuk crouch over the cradle, soft smiles on their faces. Sunmi reaches into the cradle, and a tiny hand wraps around her pinky finger.

Another step forward, and the image changes. This time, a young boy no older than three peers into the crib beside Sunmi and Leeteuk. His eyes flash red for a moment, and strange markings appear on his cheeks. I freeze in place and gape at him from a distance. Is...is that Hero?

I move forward again, and Hero and my parents vanish. The room is empty and dark, but I can tell that the child is still sleeping soundly in the cradle. A shadow across the floor catches my attention, and I turn towards the window. My breath catches in my throat as a lanky, tall figure clambers through the window, dropping silently onto the floor and slinking up to the crib. My hands begin to shake as the intruder reaches into the cradle and gently lifts the baby out before looking up towards the door—looking up at me.