Eyes Like Hellfire [Completed]

Chapter 4

*Zoe's point of view*

As I looked up at the house, what I saw came straight out of a horror movie. The shutters were rotten, hanging of their hinges. The paint was peeling, obviously old, the house shedding it's grey skin. Vines layered the house‌, attacking the exterior with minds of their own. The house was masked in a heavy layer of dread and sorrow; the feeling given off creepier than any one would feel while watching one of those crappy haunted house movies ("based off of true stories" my ass).

And it was fucking awesome.

See, I was someone who others might describe as an arrogantly brave, deliriously confident, adrenaline-junkie in the making. I would prefer the term "dare-devil", personally. Some kids do drugs, some have sex, but me? I go for things that have a certain thrill-factor. And did I mention that there is virtually no filter from my brain to my mouth?

I was always the type of girl who liked to take risks. You might die tomorrow, so you might as well make life a hell of a ride.

I smiled up at the house, eager to see what adventure, or trouble, was in store for me this time. I then shifted my gaze over to Mickey, that smile instantly fading. Written all over her face was anxiety and fear.

Mickey, Mickey was nothing like me. A small town girl who had never seen anything wilder than the occasional catfight over One Direction being better than The Wanted (like, seriously? Who gives a shit when there are problems like children dying of hunger in Africa?) She would sing Somewhere in Neverland in the shower and ride her bike to the grocery store. Her green eyes and thousand watt smile radiated innocence, purity.

I, on the other hand, radiated danger and cockiness.

But that's why I cared about Mickey so much. She was everything I wasn't. And when I saw her scared or worried, all I wanted to do was hold her and shield her from all the crap that went on in the world.

But for just friends, that would be weird.

So I didn't.

But still, with my reputatuon, let's just say I wasn't really the follow the rules, chocolate and flowers type of girl. Some would call me toxic, say that I was poisoning her innocence. And maybe they would be right.

But I was eager to see just what happened when careful met carefree.

So instead of turning back, I decide to push the envelope a little, but gently. I wouldn't wanna rip through the fragile paper.

I laid my hand on top of hers over her handlebars, giving her a reassuring smile.

"Come on, Mickey. It's gonna be just fine. I promise."

She looked at her hand and then back at me, returning my smile with a weak one.

"So long as you keep that promise, I'm game."

Did I also mention that I'm bad at keeping promises?

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We slowly walked into the house, Mickey hugging to my side closer than my shadow. I grinned at her. She looked like a child, lost and vulnerable, but she was trying her best not to show it. Her eyes were glued to the floor, trying not to look around, and her hand clutching my upper arm. She looked almost cute when she was scared.

Stop acting like a sadist, Zoe. You're being weird.

I quickly shook the thoughts of my scared friend out of my head.

I turned my attention forward and took in the house. The decorating was like something my grandma would enjoy, and the entire house reeked of mold and mildew.