Who Am I? (Book 1)

Chapter 9

"What happened to them?" I dreaded to ask, but I did ... and Julia's eyes, for a moment, had this ominous dark look which scared the crap outta me. "My father is probably still out there ... and my mother ... I and Julian caught her. We have a building where we keep those who can still be saved, but it's a while ago now ... she's probably dead". I wanted to comfort her, but something kept me. I couldn't make a sound even when I tried and I didn't wanna pry more into her life. No, I wanted to pry more, but I also wanted to show that I cared for her, but what could I say? I had never comforted anyone, never showed how I truly felt but was this the way I wanted to live my life? Who am I deep inside? Have I just been ... wrong this entire time? Was my life as "normal" only a lie, a facade? I know that I said I wouldn't pry anymore, but I couldn't help it ... I am a terrible person after all ...

"If ... if you kill the possessed person, are they truly dead then? And ... are they targetting specific persons?" I didn't look at Julia, couldn't meet her eyes. "Yeah ... they are truly gone once you kill them ... and they do generally not target someone specific. But ... those who serve Death will take someone if Death desires them or if they are particularly close to someone he views as a threat. Julie, even though they may sound like monsters you must know that those who's been consumed by the darkness still retain their memories. They will use them to torment you to the point where you break down, wish you didn't exist ... and sometimes, Death desires someone dear to you because he fears you". She looked directly at me and I felt a shiver running down my spine.

We didn't talk much after that, I had a lot on my mind and Julia stared out the window, completely ignoring me. Therefore, I almost jumped out of my skin when she grabbed my arm out of nowhere. "Come, I will introduce you to my friends. One of them will accompany you on your journey". I nodded and then it dawned on me. "Wait! You're not going with me?" She shook her head and had this serious look again. "I can't leave my duties. Julian and I lead this valley. I can't fulfil my duties without him and he can't without me". Suddenly I realized how real this situation was, my journey, the answers and who I truly am ... but it hurt knowing that Julia wouldn't come with me. 

"We're here". Julia knocked on the door of a cosy looking hut. It looked a bit old and worn down. After a few seconds, a young boy opened and looked at us. He stared at me as if to analyze whether I was a threat or not. His gaze stopped at my hand, the one the shadow had grabbed, and the way he reacted ... it freaked me out. His face became pale and he ran inside while screaming like a banshee. "Wha ...?" Julia turned slowly and looked down at my hand. To my surprise, it had changed. My vein was protruding and it was blackening. "Julia, wha ... what is happening to me?" My voice was shaky, but I couldn't help it. "We're running out of time ..."