The Darkside

The Unforeseen

"Melissa, it's you!" I said, shocked.

 "Octavia," she said as she hugged me tightly. We went in a few minutes later and as she sat down, I began the conversation.

 "Melissa, I just got calls from the hospital and Jared saying you were missing. Did you sneak out?" I asked.

 "I guess I did," she said apologetically.

"OK, I'll talk to them, but how did this happen? I was there less than an hour ago. You were in a coma when I left," I said.

 "I was, but you woke me from my coma," she replied, holding my hand.

 "What do you mean?" I asked, puzzled. 

"I heard your spell. I know that you have unusual powers, but don't worry, it'll be our secret," she said.

"You heard me while you were in a coma?" I asked. 

"Yes, I did, but I couldn't wake up. Not at once. But when I did, I came straight here. I know you are the only one who can keep me safe," she said, looking at me with hope.

 "Sure, I will keep you safe, but how is this possible? How did you not wake up while I chanted? It isn't supposed to work that way," I said, utterly confused.

"But I am awake now; isn't that what's important?" she asked in a confused tone.

 "Yes, of course," I said, smiling. "Why don't you go rest while I try to explain to everyone why you sneaked out of the hospital like a criminal," I replied, trying to be funny. 

"I'm sorry for the trouble," she apologised.

 "It's OK," I said as I dialed the hospital number. I finished the calls and I sat back wondering whether I should tell Melissa about the Juangrand ordeal.

'Maybe I shouldn't, at least for now,' I said to myself as I got up to go upstairs, but just then I heard Melissa scream from the top of her of her voice. I ran upstairs to find the Juangrand grabbing Melissa. It noticed me as I put my hands up to chant the Deterrer's Spell and ran before jumping off the balcony. I hurried to check if it was alive only to see it run off. I then turned around and went to check on Melissa.

"Are you alright?" I asked, looking at Melissa who stood there frozen solid. "Don't worry, it's gone, and I will be ready for it when it comes back," I said, trying to calm her down. But she just stood there, motionless. I tapped her on the shoulder and broke the silence. She looked at me and sat down on the bed, crying.

"Why does this keep happening to me?" she asked, overwhelmed. 

"I'm sorry that you had to go through this again, but I promise you I will figure this out," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I was. "Why don't you rest while I prepare some tea?" I said, getting to my feet, but Melissa grabbed my hand saying, 

"Please, don't leave me alone."

"Okay," I said as I sat there, waiting for her to fall asleep. It took a while, but at last, she fell asleep holding on to my hand. I carefully released my hand from her grip and went downstairs. I prepared a cup of tea which I sat drinking on the cosy little chair that I got as a birthday present from Melissa. 'She always knew what I liked, but I have been unable to help her with this monster issue,' I sighed, feeling guilty about it. I finished my tea and went upstairs. I lay in bed contemplating Melissa's situation, and wondering what happened to the bodies Melissa had seen. As the monster is real what she saw happen have to be real, but then what happened to the bodies? Such a monster would not have the knowledge or bother to even hide the bodies. My mind was running blank. I must have fallen asleep because I woke up with an uneasy feeling. What I saw near my bed sent chills up my spine.