Midnight Playground

Chapter 5

The next morning, Cassie emerged gently from her soft slumber, the rays of the early morning light caressing her drool stained cheeks. It was fair to say that she wasn't the most graceful. With her eyes still closed, she groggily urged herself to the side of the bed, stretching her arms up high with a tired yawn. Heavy footed, she got dressed and tied back her hair into a messy ponytail before she headed off downstairs to make breakfast. She smiled to herself as she jogged down the stairs, perhaps even with an odd skip in her step. This was a new feeling, she thought to herself cheerfully, her bright mood expelling the darkness of the room away from her. She felt strangely refreshed today, like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders and she could now stand tall and proud. She couldn't remember having s better nights' sleep since before the death of her parents. She felt unusually calm inside, at peace with herself. Finally, Cole had told her what she had needed to hear for so long. Jonathon Mckoy - The name of the murderer and the one who would pay for all the pain he had caused! Today, there was no wiping off the triumphant smile on her face.

"I shouldn't have to remind you of this but should you wish to change your mind on our contract, I still expect the payment to be made."

She felt tickled at the memory. Why would she change her mind? Perhaps at one time she had had a conscience but no longer. She was no longer the same person as she was before and truthfully, that suited her just fine. It was what enabled her to survive in her new twisted world that could be both kind and cruel to her. She would give Cole her soul in 3 months' time. Her fate had already been written long ago, and she had been the single author who had plotted out the role in which she would play a part in, in this confusing and fragile story. She continued on down the stairs, her head filled with anticipation. Although she supposed that somewhere locked away inside of her mind was the truth, her real fears and she knew that it was a place that she would never be able to venture to on her own. She also didn't have particular reservations about fulfilling her end of the deal with Cole. He had done all that he had told her that he would do. He had found her the murderer of her parents, was on track to make him pay for his sins and lastly, he had brought back her once pleasant dreams. It was hard not to recall the words she had once cried out to him on that one stormy night. 

-"I want them back, my parents, my life, and my dreams!" 

The deal was on the very verge of being completed. The scent of bitter sweet orange juice and burned toast lingered in the air and brought a tickled smile to her lips. One thing that a client had to learn at all costs was independence. The demons did not cater for them in that way. They believed that if the client was old enough to make the decision to make a contract with them, then surely they would be responsible enough to take care of themselves. Or at least that was the idea anyway. Crossing into the kitchen, she was greeted with an infuriated huff of frustration. 

"Not again!" Bridget screeched loudly as she stared at the burned toast in her hand before throwing it onto the counter with a frown. Cassie stood awkwardly in the doorway, avoiding the three giggling girls that squeezed passed her, obviously amused by Bridget's clumsiness.  

Cassie felt no need to do such a thing and she simply opened the fridge, bringing out a pint of milk. 

"What, do you have something to say?" Bridget hissed at her, finally noticing that Cassie had entered the room and was now leaning against the kitchen counter, drinking a glass of milk.  

"Not at all." Cassie said, shaking her head with disinterest. Why would she have something to say? It was none of her business and she was an expert at staying out of things. And it appeared as though she was trying her best to do things by herself. What was wrong with that? Unsatisfied with Cassie's bland look, Bridget huffed once more, glaring at her as she proudly sauntered out of the door, with an empty stomach. Cassie rolled her eyes. For whatever reason, Bridget had always disliked her, even more than the other girls. Although she was unaware that Bridget might hold some sort of grudge against her, her expression alone suggested that she was quite hated. She sighed loosely, the glass cup chinking against the metal surface of the sink.