Maybe, probably.

Chapter 18: Asher

*3 years earlier*
I couldn't see two feet in front of me.

The deeply hidden road in the woods was nothing but a blur as I trudged down the street, dragging my feet. My demon whispered in my ear for hours now.

Getting tired yet, Asher?

I hissed, hitting the side of head to try to block out the gods awful voice. "Enough. Leave me be, Milos."

You could have saved her.

I stopped dead in my tracks, directly in the middle of the road. "What did you just say?"
Milos smiled down my neck, slithering around my spine.

You could have saved them. Can you still hear their screams?

My breathing picked up, almost wheezing. I didn't say anything. He liked that, so he kept going.

Your mother, your sister. Such beautiful people. It's a shame that they had to die. Your brother was too strong, wasn't he? You could have saved them—

I blew away the trees, the leaves, the bushes, and the branches until the only thing that remained for miles was the concrete street which now bore a large crack down the middle.

I panted, barely able to breath as the crushing weight of grief bore down on me. "I could have saved them...". I gasped, tears daring to leak from my eyes, burning their way down my cheeks.

Yes. You could have. But you didn't. Why? Because you wouldn't release your full power. Let me help you, Asher. I can help.

This was the first time I heard Milos actually show emotion. Could it be... concern? Or pity? I didn't really care as I rediscovered how to walk and started down the road again.

"Do what you must," I said, letting down all my barriers and walls to let Milos sneak inside and take over.

My eyes swirled black and I was gone.

"As you wish."

************
"What. The. Heck."

I cringed as Quinn stared at our final location, the place I swore to bring her back to one day. My mission was finally completed. I could get my pay and get the heck out of here.

But the only thing keeping me and my friends here and working for this man was Quinn. And leaving her was too hard to think about, so I didn't.

I grabbed her elbow gently and guided her forward. "I know it looks strange and you have a bunch of questions, but they'll be answered soon."

Andre, Xander and Vi were already at the gates, talking to Poppy, the woman who guarded the gate 24/7. "You keep saying that. But—"

As soon as I reached Poppy and the others, I opened my arms wide and beamed, "Poppy! My girl! How's life?" I grinned a grin so scandalous Poppy blushed and waved her hand in my direction. She sat in a little booth outside the gate, watching the cameras for any intruders. Only catch:

She was blind.

We (my friends and I) called her the "Watcher." She was like my great aunt. No one really knew how old Poppy was but on looks alone she was mid 80's probably. Xander and Andre were grinning wide and Vi was watching the cameras, twirling a lock of hair.

"You cheeky boy. Come here, Ash." She waved, white eyes finding mine perfectly, despite her lack of sight. The window was open and allowing the cool air in. I leaned over and lowered my head toward the window, allowing Poppy to place her warm, wrinkly hands to cup my cheeks.

She scanned my memories, checking my identity, making sure I wasn't a intruder of some sort trying to sneak in. She clicked her tongue, gently slapping my cheek. "Sweet, silly boy. Run along now. I've scanned the rest—"

She dropped her hands and I backed up, confused. She snapped her head to Quinn, who stood quietly behind my friends. Poppy blinked twice.

"Come here, child." She whispered, urging Quinn forward with a crook of her finger. We all looked at Quinn, who was fumbling with something to say, a way to get out of this.

I put a hand on the middle of her back, helping her find the strength to walk forward. "Don't sweat it, Princess." I winked at her and she cracked the smallest smile I've ever seen.

Yet it was the prettiest.

Poppy held out her old hands and Quinn hesitantly put her face near the window. Poppy quickly grabbed Quinn's blushing cheeks and as soon as she did, Quinn's eyes erupted with shadows and screams and deep black darkness.

Poppy shrieked and released her grip on Quinn so quickly that she stumbled back into my awaiting arms. Xander rushed into the booth, soothing a whimpering Poppy.

Quinn gasped, "What have I done...?" I could feel her heart beating so fast and unsteadily I held her back tighter to my chest, letting her breathe in my strength.

Vi and Andre were watching with wide eyes and concerned faces. Vi came to take Quinn from me, cooing, "It's ok, it's ok."

Although I admit, I rather liked holding her.

Finally, I went to where Poppy was curled up in a ball.

"Poppy. Talk to me. What did you see?" I pushed back a strand of her grey-white hair, waiting for her to speak. Xander just gave me a look of "What the actual heck." 

"I-I saw..." she coughed, shaking. I grabbed her hand, rubbing it. "What did you see?"

Quinn huffed, wrapped in Vi's strong arms, on the verge of tears.

She looked up, finding Quinn's eyes again and never leaving them until she finished speaking.

"Evil."

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Thanks for reading loves!!
I have a new book coming soon, so stay tooned.
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WriterGirl ❤️