Adventure

Change

"We're arriving in Brighton!"

I stared out the window as the helicopter gradually began to descend, the reporters talking non-stop to each other about demons among other things.

During the long ride, I learned that both of their names was Jim and that they were twins, making it hard to tell them apart other than by their clothes and equipment.

"How are you not dead anyway?"

My attention snapped to the reporter holding the mic, his twin brother filming me much to my discomfort.

"I...I don't know." I lied, feeling a twinge of guilt for doing so.

It's not like they'd believe me anyway, I thought bitterly as I returned my gaze to the window just as the helicopter touched down.

"I need to go, thanks for the ride and everything." I added before I hastily clambered out and began running to where I remembered Chase's house was, my heart pounding in my ears as I tried to think of what I would say to Chase when I see him again.

"Wait, can we interview you?!"

I could hear the Jim twins shouting behind me, but I kept on running as fast as my legs could carry me, feeling adrenaline flowing through my veins as I let them guide me on the familiar route I hadn't taken in years.

"You're welcome."

I abruptly skidded to a stop when I heard a familiar voice, looking around to find no one around me.

"I don't have a physical form ya moron, I'm in your head." Anti continued in an irritated tone, fear gripping my heart in an icy grip like a vise.

"W-why can I speak? How am I alive? What-"

"Woah woah woah, slow down there JJ. You're able to talk since when I possessed your body, I was able to fix your vocal cords. They were fucked up at birth, right?" Anti retorted.

"Yes, but how did you do that? Doctors haven't been able to help me before, and that doesn't explain what you are or-"

I abruptly broke off as I thought of when he was talking about possession, the Jim twins' conversation about demons replaying in my head.

"Are...are you a demon?" I asked hesitantly, flinching as sudden laughter echoed loudly inside my head.

"In a way, I guess I am. I was a human before I died in that jungle and ended up in the Upside Down." Anti explained gruffly.

"Now...I've changed. I was trapped there with someone, and they changed me, made me into the monster I am now." Anti growled quietly, his voice tinged with anger.

"How?" I prompted gently, receiving silence in response.

I let out a sigh before I continued my journey to Chase's house, Anti's words replaying in my head.

"Hello?" I panted, slowing to a stop in front of the door before tapping my knuckles against it while still trying to regain my composure.

"Who are you?"

I was surprised to be greeted by a woman with two young children, both of them clinging onto her legs.

"M-my name is Jameson, I'm looking for Chase Brody." I stammered, earning an irritated scoff from the woman as she rolled her eyes.

"God, that man was an insufferable alcoholic. Didn't you hear that he killed himself a few years ago? He left a note explaining that it was because he couldn't live without me and the kids. Oh yeah, he also mentioned this guy named Henrik and I think you too. You a friend of his?" The woman asked brusquely.

"I'm sorry, but who are you?" I shot back, biting my lip as I tried to stop the tears that threatened to overwhelm me.

"My name's Stacy, I was his wife. Well anyway, he's buried at the graveyard next to that old house that was left abandoned by someone." She stayed before abruptly closing the door in my face.

I stood motionless at the door until I finally was able to force my feet to move, feeling like they were covered in cement as I trudged away with tears streaming freely down my cheeks.

"Everyone you care about is dead."

"Shut up."

"You should give up."

"Shut up."

"I can help you."

"SHUT UP!"

I sucked in a gasp when I realized that bystanders were looking at me, their faces stricken with panic as I hastily moved on with my head bowed to avoid their curious gazes.

"If you let me control your body, I can help you get revenge on Will for taking you away from your friends." Anti offered casually.

"No, I...I won't do it." I retorted through gritted teeth, making sure to stay quiet as I arrived at the German's home.

I paused for a moment before knocking softly on the door, waiting with bated breath for an answer.

"But nobody came."

I shook my head as I continued to wait, feeling my hope drain more and more with each passing second.

"Henrik? It's me Jameson!" I cried out pleadingly, banging a fist against the door before letting it slide down to hand limply at my side.

"Wait," I turned away from the door as an idea came to mind, hope sparking inside me once more as I took off at a run.

"The hospital, that's my only chance to find him. I just hope the years have been kind to him."