Page 57 of Beast: Part Two

We walked back into the ghost house two hours later. Her laughter is the first thing I hear when I enter the home. It even overpowers the Soca music. Like a moth to a flame, I follow the sound of it. She’s in the kitchen. As soon as I step into the room, I freeze as fury wraps me up in a tight embrace.

She’s at the stove cooking. Maksim is beside her trying to steal something out of a pot she’s stirring. She playfully shoves him away, but he doesn’t budge. He tickles her, causing her to bend and laugh. He sneaks his fork into the pot sampling what looks like spaghetti.

“Kill him,”the demon growls. I lose my control.

It’s as if I can see myself moving but can’t stop it. Charging over to Maksim, I yank Summer away from him and sling her behind me. My gun is out and at his temple in seconds.

“Easy, Brother,” Maksims says, his electric green eyes glaring up at me.

“Beast, stop this,” Priest shouts.

“You are trying to take her from me.” When I speak, I notice the voice is different. It sounds nothing like me. The laughter in my head tells me who is talking. “Pull the trigger,”the demon whispers.

“Look at me, Beastie,” Maksim speaks slowly. “I would never do that to you.”

“He’s lying,”the demon snarls.“Blow his brains out.”

“Son, listen to him,” Priest states. He’s standing beside me now. “Fight it,” he says lowly.

Closing my eyes, I try to take deep breaths. I have to regain my control.

“Fight this,”I repeat in my head.

“You will never win this battle. I am who you are,”the demon taunts. When I open my eyes all I see is Maksim tickling Summer. It quickly turns into a vision of him fucking her against the kitchen counter. I bring my gun back and slam it across his face.

“You fucked her,” I bellow.

Maksim spits out blood onto the floor at my feet. I'm still holding my gun to his head, my hand at his throat.

“I would never disrespect you like that. That’s just that voice in your head talking nonsense.”

“Listen to him, son. Maksim has been nothing but a brother to Summer.”

I once again try to clear my head. To get the demon out of my thoughts.

“He’s lying,”the demon purrs.“Kill him and her.”

“It’s lying to you, brother,” Maksim pleads. “Summer isn’t even my type. I prefer my women like that of the twins.”

“Hold the fuck up!” Seth shouts. I cut my eyes over to him. He’s standing behind Maksim along with Zel and Many. I imagine Hawk must be somewhere in here as well.

“Relax, crazy Twin,” Maksim says. “I will not steal your girl from you.”

“You know what, I think I’m on the voice in your head’s side,” Seth says holding his arms up in surrender. “Kill his ass, Beast.”

“Seth, will you shut the fuck up,” Priest argues. “Let your brother go, Beast. He’s telling the truth.”

“Kill him,”the demon shouts.“Kill them all.”

I shut my eyes fighting to regain control. I was losing this battle.

“Summer, are you okay?” Someone in the room asks.

My eyes spring open and I turn to find Summer clutching her arm close to her chest. My stomach sinks down to my feet. The memory of me grabbing her and shoving her behind me pops up in my head.

The demon recedes and I successfully push him to the back of my head. My arms fall to my side. Priest quickly grabs the gun from my hand. Without acknowledging him, I go to Summer. I try to touch her, but she flinches. Everything around me freezes.

The demon laughs.“She’s afraid of you now. You’ll never win her back.”

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