DEMENTED | Ethan Dolan

INNOCENCE

Suicide.

They said it was a suicide.

But she knew the truth, and it was driving her insane as she watched the news showcasing the body they found of Daniel Richards who took his own life on an account of substance abuse and his ex-wife leaving him. How Ethan managed to do it was beyond her, but seeing as he was a demon with supernatural powers, he could do anything, she supposes. Y/N clutched the television remote in her hands, ready to fling it at the screen out of frustration while the news anchor continued to spew more lies about Daniel's shocking death, as reported by his just as shitty partner in crime Billy, who discovered the body hanging with a lack of blood. He took his own life.

No! I killed him.

"Angel, how many times do I have to tell you that you did not kill him?" Ethan sighed as he stumbled into the room, walking forward to take a seat upon the couch a couple of inches away from her. "And it was a defensive strategy, anyway. He was planning on murdering you first."

"Maybe that would have been more ideal," she hissed, standing from from her spot on the couch. "Definitely a less maddening reality than being tortured by a seductive demon ready to prey on the innocence after deception. I'm not a fool, Seeker."

Ethan narrowed his eyes and stood up as well, crossing his arms. "Do not say that again. Do not talk about your death as the better option, or insinuate that I'm planning on hurting you. Neither is factual, and you need to understand that I'm trying to protect you."

"Why?" Y/N questioned wildly, throwing her arms in the air. "Why do you care so much for me? I've heard many stories of you not taking so kindly to 'house guests.' Why am I any different?"

The demon sighed. "You're just different... it's complicated. I'm actually enamored with you."

She currently didn't have the capacity to comprehend his last statement. Perhaps later it will strike her like a deer caught in headlights. "I know the legend. You and your satanic family luring innocent villagers into this home and killing them in the cruelest of ways-"

At that, Ethan scoffs and then laughs loudly, shaking his head. "And you actually believe them?"

"Well, yeah," Y/N said, not allowing him to make a fool out of her. "I mean, you're standing right in front of me."

"Oh, my sweetest angel, you are of the purest mind, as your are a heart and soul."

Otherwise known as, naïve.

"Are you trying to tell me the stories of what you did are false?"

"No, they're true," Ethan smiled wickedly. "Except, none of the people I murdered were innocent. Nobody is innocent, Y/N, and as much as I say you are... well, let's face it. You're not."

Too much. This is all too fucking much. "I need air."

"Where are you going?" he demanded, watching her scramble for her sweater and purse before flocking off towards the front door. She ignored his question, and he chuckled amusedly, "Well, I'll take care of the place while you're gone, angel. Don't be too late."

Y/N faded his existence from mind as she stormed off against the pavement, away from the monstrous home so many have warned her about. If only she listened; now, she has blood on her hands, a guilty conscious, and a demon obsessed with her. No - not obsessed.

Enamored.

What the hell did he even mean by that? He's lying of course, he is a demon after all. But what for? What does he want from her - if not convincing her to leave the house he perceives is rightfully his? Satisfaction was scaring her to death? Well, it's to say that he's doing a damn good job, and it may have something to do with the fact that he forced her to kill her ex-husband.