Hello Darkness

Chapter Fifty-Three

I thumb through the pages looking for any entries mentioning Subject 013. My father tried to help them. Did the Silvanos attack because of something that happened with Subject 013?

I skim through the entries that contain this vampire.

Subject 013 —Questioned. Uncooperative.

Subject 013 —Unresponsive to treatment.

Subject 013 —Force needed to restrain him. Now in high security unit.

I cringe as I read the entries. They tortured this subject. One experiment, they placed blood outside his cell, so the smell seeped through the vents. He went mad from starvation. Another, they chained him to chairs lined with spikes trying to get him to talk.

I found myself nearing the end of the entries.

Day 107

Subject 002 - Deceased. Sirmonium serum injection successful.

Next step: Test vaccine on humans.

Deceased—they killed their first vampire. The air is heavy around me, like it's collapsing in on my chest. I'm not sure I even knew my father. I'd built him up in my head—put him on a pedestal and now he's come crashing down and shatters my heart across the floor. I throw the journal onto the gold comforter.

My demon stirs, feeding on my anger. I take a deep breath. There's still that matter to be concerned with. Stepping in front of the mirror, I dread what I'm about to do, but I need to know her terms. Even if I don't want to make a deal.

"Demon. We need to talk."

Just like before, my body ripples in the mirror and she appears at my side.

"Ahh. You've come to your senses, have you? I knew you would. They always do."

I don't satisfy her with a response. "What are your terms?"

She flexes her wings, and a sly smile crawls across her face. "Don't you love a little rhyme?"

"Get to it, demon."

"Pushy, aren't we? Fine." She tilts her head to the side. "Once a year, we'll play and indulge. I'll reveal my name when you answer my call. Just one little task I ask you to complete. The blood of an innocent is my special treat." A smile slithers back onto her face.

She couldn't be asking— "A child?" No. It's not an option.

"That's my price." Her eyes narrow.

"Never." I hiss. The demon spins in a cloud of mist and disappears.

No. I would never—could never—do that. I'll live with this demon forever if that's what it takes. Or I'll end myself before it's possible.

There has to be another way. Demons. What do I know about demons? In humans, they can be banished by weird rituals—exorcisms or cleansings. Maybe there was one that could force it to tell me its name? Gabby said they can't be banished, but she didn't say a ritual couldn't reveal its name.

I need some guidance. An idea of how to take control of this thing. Victor has Gabby out trying to hunt down information on the explosion. So, she'll be tied up until further notice. And Victor—he doesn't need to be concerned with this too. No—I can do this. I can figure it out. I instantly regret the thought that crosses my mind. But it could work. Or at least get me one step closer.

I can call Joe. He was right about Talum, and he seems to know a lot about this world. He probably knows about demons too or at least has a book.

I hate every second I spend looking up his page to find his number. I glance over his blog—Joe has kept quiet. Not a peep about the day I went missing. Just some posts about crystals and dreamcatchers. Surely, my story would have been something that his viewers would have devoured.