Turning You (A Devilbuscus FanFic)

Chapter Eight

I awoke with a start. Sweat dripped down my face, and my body was coated with it. I sucked in deep breaths and tried to calm myself. I was fine. I wasn't going to drown. Nothing was wrong. But I felt something bubble up inside me, something I couldn't hold back.

I screamed.

This wasn't an average scream. No, this was blood-curdling, ear-piercing scream. I couldn't help it. It happened every time I had that dream. It wasn't immediately after I woke up. No, it was when I was fully awake and sitting up. I don't know why it happened.

My eyes scrunched shut as I belted out the last couple seconds. I finally stopped screeching. I jumped when I heard a scrape and a yelp. I opened my eyes and looked over to find Toby sitting in a chair next to the bed I was in. His hair was a mess, and he looked around with wild eyes.

I pulled the sheets up to cover myself. I was wearing a thin shift, but at least I wasn't naked. My heart pounded as his gaze landed on me. His tail lashed out, and his pupils turned into slits. He quickly stood up and looked around. I was confused for a moment. What was he doing?

"What happened? Who's attacking?" he demanded.

Oh. Right. I exhaled and crossed my legs.

"No one's here, everything's fine," I assured him.

He looked at me questioningly. His tail shrank back, and his eyes returned to normal. He sat back down in his chair. His vest was slightly ruffled, his red undershirt wrinkled.

"Why'd you scream?" he asked.

"It was nothing; just a nightmare."

He rose an eyebrow and leaned forward. He rested his elbows on his knees. He smelled of expensive cologne and his eyes were brighter than usual. My head was still foggy, but it was quickly fading.

I tried to remember what had happened. I remember screaming at Toby-nothing odd there- and him screaming something back. Then I was struck by lightning; pink, if I wasn't mistaken. I struggled to remember what Toby was saying. It felt important.

My thoughts were interrupted when the door to my room opened. In stepped the redhead maid, only she wasn't wearing her usual outfit. She was dressed in a black pencil skirt and a white blouse. In her arms were clothes and bandages. Toby stood up when she walked in.

"Mr. Turner, if you would please leave. It's time to change her bandages again," she said in a clear voice.

My heart began to thump with fear. Why was she talking? Where was her maid's outfit? I watched Toby intensely for a reaction. He seemed nonchalant, giving her a stiff nod before leaving. The door clicked shut behind him. My head began to spin. What was going on here?

The redhead walked over to where I was sitting upright. I studied her face for any sign of fear. None showed. Was I dreaming?

She set the clothes down on the bed and unfolded them. She waited for me to say something. I looked at the clothes, expecting something skimpy or a dress. But instead it was a simple hoodie and jeans, with a gray tee shirt.

"What's going on?" I asked.

She carefully took the blanket from my hands and shoved it back. She raised my arms up and began to lift up my shift. She gave me a gentle look.

"It's alright, I'm only going to change your bandages. A lot has happened since you were struck," she assured me.

I let her take off my shift. She began to unwrap my bandages. I winced when she removed the last layer. I may be an angel, but lightning cast by a higher-up hurt more than anything humans could throw at me.

"Can you fill me in on what's happened? How long was I out?" I questioned.

She picked up the new bandages and nodded. She began to wrap the new bandages around my torso. It stung, but it was better than leaving the wound open.

"You were out quite a long time. Almost a month. But it was the strangest month to ever happen. A change overcame the mansion. Toby changed. Now he calls us by name, we can dress how we want as long as it's professional, and he pays us. I've never received money before, so I didn't know what to do with it. But then he let us take shifts going to the outside world.

"It's been amazing. We aren't beaten anymore. At first we thought it was because he was too busy. He was always in here, watching you. It was strange to see him like this. Then he started muttering to himself. 'Well, he's really lost it now,' we'd say. But one day he came out of your room. He started handing us money, and ordered us to go shopping; to take the rest of the day off.

"Now we're like normal maids. It's been wonderful, and we're all happy now! By the way, my name is Chassidy." She stuck out her hand for me to shake. I gingerly took it in mine. Chassidy. It had a nice ring to it.

Chassidy moved to help me get dressed, but I swatted her hands away. I could dress myself. She nodded and walked out, letting me slowly get up. I only made it two steps before I felt weak. I crumpled and began to fall. I winced, prepared to meet the cold, hard floor.

I opened my eyes when I realized the pain was never coming. I was halted midfall, strong arms wrapped around me. Toby stood with me in his arms, my face little under a foot away from the floor. He stood me up and led me over to my wardrobe. He let go of me when I grabbed the wall for support. I looked up into his hazel eyes.

"Thanks," I said.

"Just be more careful. I won't always be there to catch you when you fall," he warned.

With a puff of smoke, he was gone. I don't know why, but I couldn't help smiling. I was going to like it here.