Chapter 5

Nsokohir has left Leigh for 24 hours, to prove a point. How will he survive without him?

I sat on the couch, staring at the television playing before me. I wanted the numbing feeling that I obtained from staring at it- I didn’t want to remember my hollow feeling. The television was playing a spanish soap opera, which I actually found interesting.  It was about a woman who left her man for another, and how he was suffering greatly from being away from her, but it was all for the better because she actually ended up being his long lost sister.

Weird, right?

A smile played on my lips, thinking about how Nsokohir would think of me now. Sitting here, watching this ridiculous show. He would have broken the television and yelled at me for hours on end about how it rots your brain. I finally get what he was saying now. But that just brought me back to the fact that he wasn’t here. My heart and body felt cold, my soul felt empty... I missed him.

I was so lost in my thoughts, that I didn’t notice when Ethan had returned. He had to physically touch me to snap me out of my thoughts. “Hey, are you okay?” He questioned softly, looking around like he was expecting him to be there. That just made my heart ache a little worse. No, he wasn’t going to be here. I still had another 23 hours before he would be back. I felt like a love sick puppy who’s owner left on vacation.

“Y-Yeah.” I snapped myself out of these dark thoughts yet again, though I felt myself slipping back there as soon as I did. I was just out of it, I could hardly focus, hardly think... I didn’t even realize we were in the cafeteria until the scary looking lunch lady cleared her throat.

“Hey hun, you want some of these pancakes?” She put a smile on her chapped lips, though her eyes were void of all content. She was attempting to be pleasant, though her job was less than luxurious.

“N-No thanks..” I rushed onward with Ethan, gathering a bowl of cereal. It was nice that the school served warm food on a regular basis, I heard that some don’t. But, we do pay more per year just for it. Not that it had a large impact on my family or anything, but  the food was still was a reasonable amount. It was worth not having to gather our own daily.

We walked ourselves out and to the eating area. My heart practically fell out of my chest when I saw John sitting at one of the tables with all of his friends, laughing about something that was probably not acceptable to be talked about at the dining table. Ethan took my arm with his, leading me to sit down on the far other side of the room, as far as we could be from them. I just hope he didn’t see us.

I poured some cereal on my milk, keeping my eyes down low. At least now I could blame this on fear, though truthfully, I wasn’t. He didn’t even see that we were here, he was just hanging out with his friends. I was safe for now, yet safety was the least of my worries. Ethan was just chatting casually, all one sided. I was not very talkative today. I was stirring up my cereal, not really feeling hungry anymore. I did take a few bites though, knowing that if I didn’t I would get myself yelled at by Nsokohir.. Except he wasn’t here.

“Hey baby cheeks, I still ain’t done with you from that little show you made earlier.” I froze in my spot. I didn’t even realize he had walked his way over to the table. I was so consumed with my thoughts of Nsokohir, that I didn’t notice Ethan’s warnings or the scraping of chairs or the foot steps.. Just my cereal bowl and my thoughts. Now, I was stuck.

“Well, I am.” I said, the hollowness I felt on the inside allowing me to have a stronger voice. I didn’t feel up to dealing with this idiot. I didn’t even want to see him, much less talk. John lifted me up off the ground and slammed me into the wall, with a dull thud. Pain raced through my spine yet this pain was welcomed. I actually felt something on the outside, not just emptiness. It was warming my core, the pain engulfing my senses. All I could do was stare into his dull brown eyes helplessly.

“Listen here, and you listen good you f*g. I have every right in the world to beat you to a pulp” He begun his threat, but I broke that rule again. Whatever rule he had in his mind when intimidating people. His hand swung, hitting me in my jaw harshly. I let out a whimper in pain, yet regained my composure. He moved my chin to look him in the eyes. My own eyes, which were void of all purple, were just the dull grey I was born with.

“You piss me off so f*****g much... But I can’t do it here. You better watch yourself, punk, because when you least expect it, I’mma get you, and when I do, you gunna regret ever getting on my bad side.” He practically spat on my face. My jaw was throbbing, I knew better than to comment, though that small fire of spark I had sometimes was burning. I wanted to say something, was going to start to say something, but he noticed it as well. He pushed me back harder, knocking all the wind out of my poor lungs.

“You got it?!” He spat yet again, droplets of saliva landing on my cheek. I nodded my head, my skin crawling out of disgust. He drop me on my feet, walking his way back to the table. I got up and quietly rubbed the spit off of my face. It was beginning to get raw and sting before I felt satisfied. I looked at Ethan, whose brows were furrowed in confusion.

“What.. Why did that happen? Why.. Why didn’t.. didn’t he stop him?” He whispered, taking my arm and leading me out quickly, to avoid more complications..I watched my feet closely, thoughtfully.. How could I explain this all to him?

Explain to him that I pissed of Nsokohir for talking to my parasite demon in me about getting rid of him, and now he left me to fend with that bully himself? That he left me, leaving me to take control of my own life, and that I was feeling hollow and depressed without him? I couldn’t. I didn’t. I just put on that brave smile and shrugged. “It’s nothing, he just wasn't watching, it’s all fine.” It wasn’t. I wasn’t going to be fine. I didn’t know how to live without him. I needed him back... If only he was listening....

~*Nsokohir*~

I sat as if I was putty in Leighs hands. What the hell was he doing to me? I was... Feeling emotions. Still. Even when I was hurting him, the way his head moved back as he cried out, his sweet cries for mercy, his grey eyes looking at me in a mixture of pain and pleasure... It made me want him. In more ways than I wanted to admit.

I was grateful for the parasite finally making himself known. It gave me a reason to separate myself from Leigh. I needed to get away, even for this moment, just to stop..Stop feeling. I enjoyed the breath of air- even went out looking for some poor human to prey upon.

While I sucked the life source out of my victim, leaving enough so they wouldn't die, all I could think of was him. F*****g Leigh. The way his cherry lips would part, how a soft whimper would escape his mouth... I sighed heavily, losing all joy in this. This human was nothing that I wanted. I walked back out, around the area of the university, just to collect my thoughts...

Such as, when I began my wonder of the world this previous time, before I met him. What had drawn me to that god forsaken land? I risked longer damnation, following an instinct that lead me across the large body of water (the Atlantic Ocean) all the way to that little playground.

I knew immediately who I wanted the second my eyes landed on him. His long, black hair was tied up in bun as he ran around, playing tag with his siblings. The only problem was, they weren't really playing with him. He was running around, an eager smile on his face as if he was playing, but they all avoided him, even the other child who was identical. I looked over at the mother, the one watching them. She was dressed as if she came from a funeral. She had a large black hat shading her face, a black veil covering her eyes. She made me feel unsettled, yet when my view came upon the child again, I wanted him. Badly.

I realized a low growl released from my lips. I needed him now. My weakened state was hurting worse and worse, but I had to make him mine. Without attaching ourselves to a human, we can spend little time on earth before being dragged back to the depths of hell. When that happened, it could take decades to develop enough to return. I kneeled down, waiting for the child to see me. Once our eyes locked, he came towards me without hesitation, a smile of innocence lingering on his lips.

“Child, may I ponder if you are thirsty?” I said, as smoothly as possible. His head bobbed up and down, his hands playing nervously behind his back as a soft red color covered his pale cheek. I got out my bottle, the thing full of the liquid that would allow me into his body. There are much more... convenient ways to enter the body of our humans, but from his age I didn’t wish to do that.

“Here you are child, take this, drink it up...” I handed him the bottle, my breath and actions still. All he needed was to taste a drop, but it was hard to get the first one down. He looked into my eyes, looking to see if I would harm him, before he placed it on his lips and drank it down. I could see the confused look on his face, as he felt the presence of the liquid. It would burn, maybe even hurt. I was invading his body slowly. I felt myself being brought closer to his soul as it was absorbed into him. I looked over, seeing a smile linger on the face of that woman.. I felt even more unsettled but I turned back to the child. He handed me the bottle, smiling at me again.

“Go, run along now, join your siblings.” I ruffled his hair, smiling back at him. I knew, now I had the chance to ruin his life. To break him, mind body and soul. I tried my best, he was a hard one. His mind, so easily taken, his body- mine before it was developed to the piece of work it was now, but his soul- he kept his soul locked away tight, separating it from me coldly. The only way I could get to it was through the ritual, when I claimed him as mine.

But that stupid parasite was in my way. I couldn’t chance the parasite ending the process too early, in an attempt to claim Leigh as his own. He had bad intentions, very bad intentions. He was going to play the innocent one, the good one, but he wanted to take over Leighs body entirely- to lock his soul away and reak havoc on the human race. Most parasites would do anything in their power to trick humans into it.  I wouldn’t allow him, I kept him weak, I kept him starved. Normally, I wouldn’t care. I would just redeem the soul and leave quietly, letting him ruin other human lives but no.. I didn’t want to.

Something is wrong. Leigh was doing something to me, I knew it. I wasn’t sure what. I actually felt something when he yelled at me today. He didn’t want my abuse? Well, tough sh it. When I needed to vent, when I needed to get out my anger, he was my vessel. I knew he liked it, depending on the spot. But, in the bathroom, I was fighting myself. He couldn’t control me. He was just a human! A silly, innocent, trusting, willing.. Dependent... Adorable.. Obedient.. Human!

I snapped out of the past, and decided to look on the now. I couldn't fully pull myself from him, I still needed to feel his emotions, just to make sure he was safe. He wasn’t, I felt that. He was feeling fear, feeling pain. I appeared in the corner of his building, watching that bulk of a man lay his hands on my human. If I wasn’t trying to prove a point, I would step in immediately. But I couldn’t. He had to see he needed me. That’s right, he needed me more than I needed him. He was just a body, a soul to feed from, to gain for my own well being, the vessel for myself to live. Nothing more.

Just keep lying to yourself. My inner thoughts were teasing me. I growled, wanting them to just mind their own damn business. I let my eyes linger on him as he and the human left the building. I was angered. That man dared to put his hands on MY human! I walked over, putting my hand down right next to his seated position on the table, and pushed. The table went flying, right into his face, him and the two other brutes next to him getting covered in their half-eaten breakfast. But to them, they would think it was the guy on the far end, who happened to be laughing hysterically with the other guys who were spared being covered with food.

I left, a grin lingering on my lips as I heard the sounds of skin to skin contact.The cheers and shouts of the others around them.  He deserved this.

I tuned into Leigh once again, wondering how he was feeling now. He was feeling confusion, he was feeling dread... But most importantly, he was feeling desperate. I tapped into his thoughts carefully, trying to not let him feel me there. He said he wanted me- needed me. A grin fell on my lips. Of course. It was just his rebellious behavior confusing me, nothing more, right? I got what I wanted, I got him to need me, I should feel normal again, right?

Yet...Why did I not feel any better?

~*Leigh*~

Ethan had to run and do some projects, so I was left on the couch in the lounge. I was reading quietly, spanish talk shows playing on the background. I wondered who kept playing these shows in spanish? It didn’t bother me though, being fluid made it as easy to understand their words. I giggled when I heard a really bad pick up line. I shook my head lightly, going back to my book. For some reason, I was into romances this time. The more sappy the better. They just made me feel more relax. It even allowed me to ignore the gnawing hollowness in my stomach.

I felt the seat next to me dip down. An arm went on the back on the couch, which happened to be behind my body. I looked over to see Kole sitting there, a smile on his lips. I looked at him cold, before suddenly the fire inside of me lit, the spark igniting. I was out of my seat knocking him down on the couch with my body pressing him down.

“You stupid idiot, why the hell did you do that?! Now he’s gone and I’m going to get hurt and it’s all your stupid fault!” I shouted, wishing I knew better insults than that. But I was mad, very mad, especially as he looked up at me with a shocked but amused face. His mouth was twisted into a humorous grin. I wanted to punch it right off of him! I’m not one for violence, but he was the cause of this emptiness in my body.

“Y-You're just brainwashed, snap out of it, he’s making you do this! You don’t want to hurt me-” Before he got another word out, my fist connected with his jaw. This was the first time I ever punched someone. It felt... Empowering, it felt good. I went in for another, but before connection was made I was being dragged back by two strong arms. I was struggling to get out of his grasp, shouting out my weak insults to the man sitting on the couch, a cocky smile playing on his lips.

“Hey, hey, calm down Leigh!!” Terrances strong voice spoke in my ear, dragging me down the stairs and out to the slightly frigid air. I gasped, my fire dying down immediately. Where the hell did that come from? I wasn’t even sure how to fight, yet obviously I just did it!

He forced me to sit down on the park bench, sitting down next to me. His large bear hand held my small, still aching one, as he watched me with confused eyes. I took a deep breath in.. and let it out.... Deep breath in... and let it out...

“Now, what was that?” He asked softly, his thumb gently caressing the back of my hand, tenderly even. I felt my nerves go on edge, waking and feeling closely every little touch he did to me. I felt my face turn flush- I had to look away. I stared at my other hand, which was place in a fist on my thigh.

“H-He...” I stalled, he didn’t know my situation and he wouldn’t believe me anyway. I had to lie. After a lifetime of lying, I would cockily call myself an expert with this talent. I moved and looked right into his trusting blue eyes, as he waited for me to continue my explanation. “He..he called me crazy.. and was insulting me.. and Ethan.. and..and I couldn’t do that, I couldn’t let him insult Ethan like that. I’m use to it, but.. But Ethan doesn’t deserve any bad talk like that!” I said, tears pricking my eyes. I was so convincing, that even I believed for a short while that it was true.

“Oh... Kole’s never been like that before.. I wonder what gotten over him... Well, that deserved that, I’m sorry he teased you like that..” he said, taking my hand closer to his hand. He frowned, shaking his head slightly. “I would suggest holding back for a while longer, killer, otherwise your knuckles will look like your face....” He said, his hand reaching up to my face. My heart sped up, I parted my lips weakly. My nerves on end, his fore finger and his thumb taking my chin and gently turning my head to the side- making me almost moan out.

“You really got a good one there..” he said softly, frowning. No doubt that Ethan informed him on what happened. I let out a large breath when he released my chin, a smile meeting his handsome face. Why was he smiling? It was embarrassing that my body reacted like this, I mean.. Ae was just an average guy.. A very handsome, caring, charming human- one who would be destroyed by Nsokohir just for looking too hard at me.

“Well, I feel like we need to go do something fun. Come on.” He stood up, reaching his hand to me while his eyes sparkled. I stared at him blankly for a moment before rising myself up, taking his hand smiling. I wasn’t sure what he meant by ‘fun’ but I was excited.

What he meant by ‘fun’ was a carnival that the town was throwing a few miles away from the college. We had spent the daylight time checking out all of these booths, where you can throw things or aim and pop balloons to get a prize. Luckily for me, Terrance had an expert throwing arm. He won a large stuff bear and had given it to me.

There were rides there as well but I was terrified of everything that moved fast, or spinned fast, or over all were fast. So, we resulted in going on a ferris wheel ride. It went high but since it went slow, I felt I could handle it.

I sat across from Terrance, my large stuffed bear sitting beside me in the cart. As we began ascending, I stared out on the fair, suddenly feeling very afraid. I’ve never been this high up, I didn’t know it would be like this. The giant container at least had protection to keep you from falling out- the cart hand nothing to catch you as you fall.

Suddenly, my hand was taken by Terence. He looked up at me with his sparkling blue eyes, a comforting smile on his face. The ferris wheel stopped when we were at the very top. My breath was coming out in short puffs, I was staring all the way down.. The people looked like ants. Maybe even smaller than that. I was fixed on the ground, and the fact that I wouldn’t survive a fall that big.

“It’s okay, Leigh, it’s suppose to stop like this so we can enjoy the view... Don’t think of falling, but if it scares you, just focus on me..” I nodded my head, tearing my view away to look into his bright blue eyes. I felt as if I could almost swim in them, all fear leaving me. I didn’t even notice when his blue eyes were getting closer and closer ...

I turned my head to the side just in time for his lips to place a kiss on the corner of my lips. My face immediately filled with blood. He just wanted to kiss me. Something not even Nsokohir had done. I looked up to meet his blue eyes- the hurt in them made my heart feel like it was breaking. I hurt him, because of my own fears and reservations. I took his limp hand gently in my palm, locking eyes with him.

“I like you Terrance but... But I don’t want my first kiss to be like this...” My face still blushing fully red, I admitted it to him softly. I watched as the hurt changing to an understanding. That bright smile of his lit up his features once again, as he nodded. To save us any more uncomfortable words, the ferris wheel began making its descent, leading us back down to solid ground. His large hand held mine as he helped me, and my bear who was rightly named ‘Soko’, (A/N -wink wink-) out of the little seat. Except, his hand didn’t let go of mine. I blushed slightly, looking up at him and his bright smile. I didn’t let go either, liking the feeling of his hand in mine.

He walked us to a little food court area, sitting me down on the hard bench as he left to gather us food. I sat there, playing with the little fabric bow on my bear’s chest. I stared at it, as it turned from a cherry red, to a light purple. A smile parted my lips, he was here! He was somewhere... I looked around, feeling his eyes on my head. I could always tell when he was near, the way my heart beat increased, the way my senses heightened. That, as well as the cold breeze which filled the area, the trees moving in his easy power.

I couldn’t find him. I looked all around, but I didn’t see him. It made me feel that hollow feeling I had managed to keep down until now. It came back with vengeance, hitting harder than previously. I sat back, hugging Soko to my chest. At least Terrance was helping me with this hurt in my chest... Btu was it fair to him?

Terrance sat down next to me, handing me this long breaded thing on a stick. I furrowed my brows at him, staring at it. “What is it?” I asked, gently picked off some of the breading. Terrance chuckled- oh, it sounded so nice. A deep rich sound that sounded sweet to my ears.

“It’s a corndog. It’s a hotdog, battered and fried. Just try it, it’s really good. I also got us some fries and a funnel cake.” His charming smile lit up all of his features, and I couldn’t help but trust him. Though I was very intimidated by this large piece of meat before me.. I finally managed to take a bite, immediately regretting the decision. It was really hot, the steam flew out of it and into the night sky.

“Ow ow ow ow ow it’s hottt!” I said, my hand in front of my full mouth as I tried to cool down its contents just so I could swallow it. Once it was down, I gave Terence a glare- he was laughing at me! But I couldn’t help but fill with happiness, starting to laugh my myself. He was right, it was pretty funny. I giggled, taking a few of the fries and running them through ketchup.

Terrance continued small chat with me, which I did enjoy. I actually participated in this conversation, much unlike before where I could hardly contribute anything. I learned that he and Ethan were from the same city in Minnesota, Minneapolis, and came here together so that they would at least know one other person. I also learned he had two little sisters, one in high school and one in elementary school. I had to giggle, thinking of little girl-like versions of him running around was just a funny idea.

Suddenly I felt two arms wrap around my neck. I was frozen in my spot, knowing it wasn’t someone I liked right away. “Why why why, look at who we have here. It’s little Leigh! When was the last time I saw you...? Oh yeah, that’s right! Our little ‘farewell’” He licked my ear, causing shivers down my spine- and not the good ones. I stood up, pushing him far back from me. I watch Terrance stand up as well, putting an arm in front of my body, protecting me. I stood face to face with the worst person I could imagine.

Derek.

“Derek.” I greeted coldly, looking into his dark black eyes. His eyes use to be hazel, just like our fathers, but when now he hardly had any life in them. He was completely corrupted by that demon in him. He knew about Nsokohir, he could see him as much as I could, because he was practically a demon himself. Even with that, he still chose to torment me, with the others, except his was the worse. He went beyond what the others were willing to do to make my life a living hell. Just the words of his “parting” brought me back to bad places. His short dark hair was spiked up, giving him a very menacing look.

“Why so cold brother? You and I are one alike, aren’t we... Now come give me a ‘hug.’” He licked his lips, showing his teeth were beginning to get pointy. I whimpered, moving farther behind Terrance. He and Terrace stood at the same tall height, but luckily to my advantage, Terrance had more muscles then Derek. Though I knew that wasn’t going to stop him. He could tear Terrance apart in two pieces and no one would realize it until they were all dead.

“Please, just go away..” My voice was weak. He wasn’t here, Nsokohir, and he knew it. He knew I was defenseless. He could try .. Try and do it again.. He could hurt me.. No one would stop him, unlike last time. Not even Terrance could stop him.

“aww, what’s wrong brother, did your little guy leave you for someone else? What a shammeeee, but that just opens you up to me now, doesn’t it?” Terrance gave him a confused look as he took a few steps closer to us. But Terrance didn’t allow him to get closer, his large hands went out to push him back. To my surprise, Derek allowed him to do it- he took a step back.

“Why Why Why, I never took you as a manipulator, Leigh. Making me proud, I see.... Well, I’ll leave you and your body guard alone.. For now.” He licked his teeth, showing me just how sharp they were getting. But I wasn’t afraid.

Okay, I was, but not from him... From what he can do. What he will do. How no one will know it was him, how everyone will blame the illness, not the possessed man who sold his soul to become a pro player. They would never accuse the star player of any wrong doings. He looked behind him, as Alin walked out carrying corn dogs. He hand him one and smiled at him, but it didn’t reach his grey eyes. Something was wrong.

Really wrong.

I locked eyes with him, fear running through my veins. He had to notice something was wrong with Derek. I had told him he was getting real mean, though I kept vague on the details. Why would he be with him? He was with Aveline too, even escorted her to my room.. I always told him I didn’t like them, why was he getting so close? What was with his eyes, what was wrong?

             I took Terrance hand, grabbed my bear and like a flash we were out of there. All I could hear was Derek's sinister laughter in the background.