Page 1 of The Devil Within

PART ONE

“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.”- Edgar Allan Poe

ONE

Olivia

River by Bishop Briggs

Someone is watching me. I don’t have any proof. I don’t have any evidence. But I canfeelthem. Their presence hangs heavy throughout my life. I don’t know who they are, but I can always tell when they’ve been in my space, rummaging through my things. I can almost smell them, like a ghost of a presence that haunts the empty rooms of my home. The lingering spice sends shivers down my spine every time I smell it.

I feel eyes watching me. All. The. Fucking. Time. When I’mwashing dishes at my kitchen sink, I can sense them appraising me through the large kitchen window. But outside there’s only darkness. I squint through the pelting rain, trying to discern shapes or movements that shouldn’t be there, but it’s always useless—there’s never anyone looking back at me. Yet, the ghost of their gaze never leaves me, haunting me day and night. Even at work I feel the heat of their eyes upon me, and yet when I glance around, there is never a soul in sight. There’s never anyone there, just shadows and empty air. I swear I’ve even woken up to a demon watching me in my sleep, but in the morning, it all just seems like a foolish dream.

I thought I caught them a few days ago as I was walking home. I could hear steps echoing my own, matching my pace as I hurried along. But every time I looked over my shoulder, I was alone—completely alone.

It’s unnerving. The feeling of being seen, being stalked. Especially in your own home or at your work, the places you’resupposedto feel safe. I’m really starting to wonder if I’m being haunted.

But that’s crazy,right?

Tonight is no different. I’m curled up on my couch, watching crappy reality TV, trying to relax. But I can’t unwind. My frayed nerves cause my stomach to churn with unease as I down more overly sweet pink wine, trying to ignore the sensation of those ever present eyes boring into me. I take a hit off my vape next, hoping the combination of substances will do something to calm me down. The artificial strawberry flavor fills my mouth, tickling my taste buds. My lungs burn momentarily before the high hits my brain. My eyelids immediately sag with a heavy weight while my shoulders turn weightless, the tension I previously held there dissipating into nothingness. Logically, I know there’s no one here but I can’t shake the feeling of someone watching me. I need the drugs and alcohol to help me escape my own mind, ifonly for the moment. Maybe I am going fucking crazy.

Which is worse—haunted or crazy?

Picking up my phone from the coffee table, I dial the only person I can talk to about everything and nothing. She’ll calm me down. Just hearing her sweet voice will soothe my soul. I hold it up to my ear and wait as it rings and rings and rings.

“Hey, it’s Celeste! I can’t come to the phone right now—”

I end the call without leaving a message. She’s never around anymore. My best friend has been totally MIA since Halloween, and I have a sick feeling that something’s not right. We fight sometimes, sure. And we get busy with our lives, but we’ve never gone this long without talking. Something is wrong.

The intrusive thoughts start to snake their way into my mind. Maybe my past has caught up with me. The monsters hidden deep within the recesses of my past might finally be coming to collect. I knew it was only a matter of time until they’d want their payment, their pound of flesh. I just pray that my best friend didn’t pay the price that should be mine to bear. I take another hit from my vape, letting the drugs take over my mind and calm my racing worries.

Everything is so out of control. I’m lost on what to do and who to go to. What would I even say to the cops?

“Help, my best friend won’t return my calls and I feel like someone’s watching me.”

Yeah, I’m sure they’d take that case really seriously.

No, I’m in this alone and I know it. I’ll have to figure it out on my own. I’m going to find Celeste, come clean about my past, and finally tell her the truth abouteverything. But first, I need to figure out who the fuck is following me and why.

TWO

The Demon

Monster by Skillet

Have you ever been so absolutely obsessed with something that no matter what you do, you can’t seem to get it off your mind? As if this thing has snaked its way into your very soul, persistently pushing its way past the periphery of your consciousness and residing at the forefront to nag at you? Everything and everyone just seems to remind you of that thing, right?

That’s how I feel abouther.

I’m obsessed with her. There’s absolutely no doubt about that. Every waking thought I have seems to find its way back to her. Hell, even in my dreams I can’t escape my little siren. She calls to me through the darkness of my mind, begging me to make hermine.

I watch her when she sleeps, when she eats, when she goes to work, when she comes home, and when she fucks. Every single soul who lands between her legs that isn’t me, stokes the flames of my fury. Each and every tongue that tastes her sweetness is a tongue I want to rip off and shove down their own throat. These moments are maddening. But she’s not ready for me. As much as I want her,need her, she doesn’t know yet how much she also needs me. So I’ll remain in the shadows of her life, watching and waiting. Her demon of darkness, stalking her silently.

My life has been derailed by her pink hair and pristine skin. I’m a man who likes to be in control and she makes me feel like I’m spinning out of control. She’s infuriating. She’s consumed me completely. And if I don’t find a way to have her soon, I might resort to desperate measures in order to rid myself of this compulsive need. Even now, when I should be focused on the hunt, my mind has drifted to her again. She’s made herself at home in my head and is holding my subconscious prisoner.

Good thing I have a distraction tonight.

His pupils are blown wide. His breathing is rapid and irregular as he furiously whips his head around, seeking a threat he cannot see. The drugs coursing through his system skew his sense of reality, making it impossible for him to distinguish what’s real and what isn’t. I can see the fearful desperation painted across his face. It’s so damn satisfying watching him sweat.

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