Angel or Beast?

Chapter 34

The movie has been playing for a while now. I finally remove the fortress and poke my head out to see what my parents are up to. Both of them scrolling on their phones. My father plays a matching game while my mother scrolls on Facebook. Both lost in their own worlds. I look up to the movie. Kevin is making himself a meal. I continue to watch his scene as a flashback makes its way to the front of my mind.

I see my younger self making eggs in the microwave, too afraid to use the stove. I remove the eggs from the microwave and take a big scoop. They are practically unrecognizable and resemble more of a soufflé. It turns out to be disgusting as I spit the egg out. I return my attention back on to the film when I notice something pass by the window through my peripheral. Curious, I turn my attention back on to the window. I stare for a bit, but nothing seems out of the ordinary. I return my attentions to the movie when another swift movement occurs. This time, I focus my gaze on the window. Staring intently. It seems hopeless at first glance, but after a few moments, I catch what seems like a streak of blackness fly by the window. Shocked, I turn my body almost completely towards the window and study it even harder. The streak passes by again. Before I could even begin to question what's happening, a shadowy figure appears before the window. It is charcoal black and almost looks like a chalky texture. It stares at me for a moment before disappearing. Stunned, I do my best to look around the window for every residue when I get a notification. A text message from an unsaved number reads:

"Hey girl! So you totally owe me a story."

I glance back over at the window once more to make sure I'm not going crazy before shifting my focus on to my phone. I begin to type a message up before deleting it. For a moment, I am overtaken by anhedonia. Frustrated, I place my phone to the side of the bed before glancing at my parents once more. They are completely invested in their own worlds. I sight before sliding my feet off the bed and on to the ground.

"I'm gonna shower."

"Okay hun, be careful and leave the door unlocked. Call us if you need us." My mother follows up without once lifting her eyes from her phone.

My father's response is slightly delayed, as he seems to be catch up in a match. 

"Okay honey!"

I make my way towards the bathroom. Closing the door carefully behind me, hoping not to attract the attention of my parents. I quickly lock the door before looking around suspiciously. I can't manage to get the figure out of my mind. I work my way towards the bathroom sink to study myself in the mirror a bit. I've developed blemishes throughout my stay. I touch on the blemishes with frustration before giving up the good fight. 

With new found surrender, I turn the shower water on to the hottest setting and remove my hospital gown. I take to my phone to find a good shower playlist before letting my hair down and taking off the rest of my undergarments. Upon stepping in, the shower is thrilling. I have nearly forgotten what it's like to have my whole body emerge under water. I let out a sigh of relief as I begin to massage my scalp. I turn to let the water hit my back as I become lost in thought. I start to think about the Mael family once more. Then, the dream about the flower garden makes an appearance. Followed by the handsome humanoid figure who visited me in the paralyzed state. 

Overwhelmed, I brush my hair back against the water and close my eyes tightly. The water continues to hit my back as I lose myself in the shower. To my surprise, a round wheel appears before me. It is bright, with eyes all around it. It looks not of this world. I jump back startled. The wheel continues to float before me. It does not speak, nor move. It just floats as each of its eyes attempt to scout my surroundings.

"What on earth.. what the hell are you?" I scold in defense.

The creature seems unmoved. Continuing to float and scan the environment in a calculating manner. I attempt to inch closer in order to examine it when all of its eyes suddenly focus on me. I inch back, frightened. The creature continues to look around again. 

"Really, while I'm in the shower though?" I attempt to cover my body awkwardly. The creature continues to look around. After a while, I grow frustrated and attempt to whack it away. It moves swiftly and dodges the swipe. So swiftly, I nearly fall in the shower. I gasp, I can hear my parents grow silent. I stand still, nearly holding my breath, as I wait for them to resume their activities. When it seems like the coast is clear, I continue to study the creature. It continues to float before me, while continuing to scan the environment. 

"I wouldn't imagine you talk now."

The creature seems unresponsive to my advances. I grow frustrated and stand there awkwardly, attempting to figure out what it's up to. When it suddenly focuses all of its eyes back on to me. The creature attempts to float towards me as I inch back towards the head of the shower. It slowly continues to make its way as I do my best to back away. Accidentally, I slip and fall on to my bottom. It makes a loud thud.

"Diana?" My parents have become suspicious. I cover my mouth and close my eyes in hopes that they let it go.

"Diana!" They follow up. Doing my best to hide the pain, I put on my peppiest voice.

"Fine!" I can hear my mother sigh as I brush my hair back, slightly embarrassed. The creature is suddenly gone. I stand back up and look all around, even looking around the shower curtain, but there is no trace of it.