Demon: Book 1

Chapter 15: His Many Forms

"I'm sorry about what happened." I glanced across the booth at Chris and Katy. "I didn't know he was going to do that."

Chris was resting his head on the back of the seat, holding his side. He didn't look too good and hadn't eaten any of the food he ordered.

"It's fine, Aden," said Katy sharply. "It's not your fault. That weird guy you invited, something isn't right with him. I mean, you saw what he did to Chris." She leaned against her boyfriend's shoulder.

I nodded and bowed my head. I had a nice black eye myself, along with a bruise on my cheek. "Chris?"

"Hmm..." He lifted his head. "Whatever, just don't bring that guy around anymore."

"I won't. Titus is someone I barely met. I'm sorry. I didn't know he was like that."

"I'm over it." Chris stood and motioned for Katy. "Let's go."

I sat alone, staring at my smoothie as they left the restaurant. I hadn't eaten anything, either. Glancing out the window, I watched them climb into Chris's truck. Katy said something to him and looked my way.

Bowing my head, I picked up my drink. I took a sip before gathering up the remains of the food and throwing it away. I didn't think our friendship would ever be the same, and that was what hurt the most.

***

I hopped out of my dad's truck and walked to the shed. He waved goodbye, but I didn't respond. He drove off as I took out the supplies from the shed and went to the water pump. Carrying everything to the first restroom, I pushed open the door.

The floor was cleaned, and the garbage had been removed. I didn't care, though. I dipped my mop in the water and set to work re-cleaning it. I was done with Titus. It was time I started doing this myself.

I heard footsteps outside.

"Aden."

I kept mopping.

"Aden, don't ignore me."

"I'm busy."

"Seems kind of pointless when it's already clean."

Exhaling sharply, I tossed the mop against the wall. "What do you want?"

"Don't act stupid." He kicked the bucket out of the way and swung the door shut.

I backed into a corner. "What are you doing?"

Titus took a deep breath. "We need to talk."

"No." I tried to walk around him, but he blocked the exit. "I don't want to do this, Titus."

"Why?"

I bit my lip and glanced at his hand. "Look, whatever happened the other night, I want to forget. I think we all had too much to drink."

"You didn't drink anything."

I searched for a way around him. "Can we go outside? The smell in here is horrible."

"Aden," he said firmly, taking a step forward.

"Really, Titus, it smells awful. At least open the door."

He stepped to the side and opened it. I quickly slipped outside before he could stop me.

"Aden!"

I started speed walking toward the lake.

"Aden! Would you just listen?" He stopped in the trees above the shoreline. "What did you see that night?"

Facing him, I took a deep breath. "Nothing, I saw nothing. You and Chris got in a fight. He cut himself on the side of the pool. That's it. There was nothing to see."