False Reality | Book Three

Chapter VIII

When he showed up I didn't know what to think. From the way black flicked through his eyes every second, I could tell it wasn't Turner. Not the real one at least. "Rowl," I whisper softly. Rowl lets a smirk walk over Turner's face.

"Hello, cupcake," he says in a singsong voice.

"Who is it?" My Aunt Janice calls from somewhere. I tense. I want her nowhere near Rowl.

"A friend from school, we need to do a project," I tell her. I pray Rowl was telling the truth when he said he didn't want to hurt anyone...yet. I nod my head and Rowl easily steps over and into my house. I lead him upstairs, my feet pounding on the stairs. I can feel his gaze locked on me as I practically sprint to my room. He walks leisurely, not caring about the fact my uncle is my his room right now and will throw a fit if he sees Turner here again. Uncle Ricky wouldn't stop pestering me about Turner and I's date. I eventually told him it didn't work out. I cannot imagine how we would look right now to him.

Rowl stretches across my bed, sighing. "Explain to me one thing," I point to him. He raises an eyebrow, a sign for me to continue. He folds his arms underneath his head and peers up at me like an innocent baby. It's ironic, really. "How does this possession work? Is it like...that one episode with Spongebob and he has the hard scrub on his back?" Rowl just raises his eyebrows quickly before shaking his head.

"I have no idea what that is. But Turner he was an okay...shell for me. Therefore, I just slipped in. Our souls share the body. Of course, he didn't know that."

Despite the anger in my chest, I also have fear so I bite my tongue to stop from yelling at the demon for how unfair that is. "Okay. Makes a little more sense. Now, tell me about the boy I forgot."

"You said to explain one thing to you." My eyes narrowed into slits, vexation slipping across my scalp.

"Right," I point at him quickly. "But this is just...I don't know. You're the only person--or thing--that can really explain things to me. You must know everything."

"I know the things that I experienced. And...the prophecy," he smirks at me when he says the last part, a light lighting up in his eye as I perk up with a gasp.

"Prophecy?"

"I would tell you more, but see--I would probably be sent to hell. And as tempting as it is to tell you everything just to piss off the big guy," Rolls eyes drift upward. "I'm fond of my freedom."

I raise an eyebrow. "The big guy?" I quote him. Rowl's eyes move over to me before flooding with boredom.

"I think you can figure that one out. You're smart enough. You've figured everything else out. You've very meticulous when it comes to finding out certain subjects."

My eyes light up shortly after he says what he said. "God." It sounds foreign on my lips. I imagine a dude in a robe or whatever shortly before Rowl grins.

"Ding-ding! You figured it out...sorta."

"You're so vexatious," I rub at my temple.

"No idea what that means, but thanks."

"It's not a compliment." He pretends to be hurt by slamming a hand on his chest.

"Ouch, cupcake," he hisses. "I'm the only one giving you information and you repay me by calling me annoying."

"You do know what it means!" I cry. He just rolls his eyes.

"I wasn't born yesterday...in fact, I'm like a century old...and then some..." he mumbles sourly. I suddenly find myself laughing. He stares at me for a moment before he gets flustered. "Are you laughing at me?"

"Not at you, but your words," I chuckle before I suddenly grow cold as my gaze locks with his. His eyes are flooded a dark black, and his jaw is clenching. "Sorry." I right myself, my back straightening with my hair curling over itself across it. He bites his lip in thought before nodding gently. It feels weird to feel so...normal--no that's not the word. I don't know how it is to be talking to a demon like this right now. I was just laughing at him as I would laugh with an old friend. The fact he looks like Turner isn't helping my case either. I guess I'm just used to seeing him as Turner, therefore, I cannot help but feel somewhat okay around him. Turner and I were never close and I actually despised him for a while, but seeing his face is better than seeing a demon's face. I can bet they aren't pretty.

I move so my back is on the window alcoves pillow, my feet up on the wall. "Can Turner see what is happening?" I ask suddenly. I cannot imagine how Turner feels right now if he just saw me laughing with the demon.

"He sees some things. When we share control. Right now I am in full control, but the other time at the restaurant," Rowl sends a pointed look at me. "We shared the control. He saw what happened." My heart whines for a moment, but relief washes through me as I realize Turner is as blind as a bat as to what is happening right now. As soon as that relief sinks in, it's then the unimaginable pity for him. Poor Turner.

"Is there a way you possibly cannot...share his body. Turner is innocent," I choose my words carefully. Rowl seems to be stuck in thought before he responds.

"He's the only thing keeping me alive right now," he says truthfully. My gaze zips up to his at his admission. "If I reveal my true form, bad stuff will happen. That's why demons normally have to take the shape of something other than ourselves. Either a dog, deer, human, or even a bird." That last one makes me freeze. A bird. Like a raven? My throat clogs up at the possibility.

"Is there a way you can take a different form?" I question. "Maybe...myself?" I would not want Turner to live his life sharing his body. He has a promising future. Granted, he's a dick, but I'm sure this whole experience with Rowl will shape him up.

Rowl just stares at me for a moment. "I see why he's addicted to you," Rowl suddenly says. "You're undoubtedly bold. It's utterly attracting," Rowl closes his eyes briefly. I raise my eyebrows in surprise and stare at him.

"Thanks..." I have no idea what to say to him at that moment.

"But no, cupcake, I cannot take you. You're...special. If I even dare think of the possibility of us--" he cuts off suddenly as a raven caw sounds loudly from the trees. I look out to see the bird, wondering if it is the same one from the tree. "See, I cannot even speak it without him shutting me up."

"Him? That was a bird," I point out my window, a small smile forms on my lips as I tease the demon. His eyes narrow.

"That bird is his slave. In a way."

"Slave?" I perk up immediately.

"Yes," he says nonchalantly. My stomach rolls. Rowl gets up then. "I should probably leave. He gets antsy whenever I am with you too long..and he's got a pretty valid reason as to why." This instantly perks my curiosity, and he probably knows it because a regretful line pulls over his lips.

"Why?"

"You really do rattle off questions," he winces. I just send him a look. "Fine. I wanted to use you as a weapon toward him."

"Can you finally tell me who he is? And how I could be a weapon." I decide to ignore his last statement. 

"Sorry, cupcake. That's all yours to figure out," he winks. I roll my eyes as he comes to stand next to my door. He goes to walk out of my door, but I stop him.

"Hey, try to sneak out, okay?"

"Don't worry. I'm invisible to them," he winks once again. He closes the door then, and my mouth drops open. What? Seconds later, the door pops open and he peers his face in. "And by the way, I'll try to find a different shell. Just for you, cupcake."

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