Page 1 of Halluci-Dating A Demon
One
Arien
“I’m not sure this is going to work out the way you intend it to.” Dr. Peterson flicks his gaze at me, leaning against the desk.
“I think we should at least give it a try. Think of how many people we could help. How many would no longer be scared of falling asleep at night.”
“Having some demon visiting you while you’re waking up or falling asleep will never be pleasant,” he says, sounding agitated. I’m not getting my point across. I have to try harder. I don’t want to keep going on this way. My kind survives off human emotion. We’ve spent all these years assuming it was only fear and anxiety that kept us thriving, but I’d proven those theories wrong more than once.
The last human I visited, his heart rate regulated as I sang him a lullaby connecting him to good memories from his childhood. The smile on his face was so big and bright, making my presence feel more welcome. I wasn’t this scary monster he feared and wanted to get away from. His fear was quickly replaced with comfort and the feeling of being safe.
Energy burst inside me, and I left his room feeling more satisfied inside than I did when people were tormented by terror.
I didn’t want to be known as this unwanted visitor people dreaded every time they went to sleep. Who wants to be seen as a nightmare you open your eyes to before fully waking up?
“Maybe not every time, but it doesn’talwayshave to be scary either. People with sleep disorders struggle enough as it is. Think how much these small disturbances are taking more sleep from them. Sleep they can’t afford to spare.”
He sighs, straightening his glasses. “I guess trying it can’t hurt anything. I do have a patient in the human world with a severe case of sleep paralysis. He doesn’t sleep well at night, not even with the help of sedatives. That used to be when he experienced them the most, but now he gets them no matter what he does. I think it’s due to his inability to get more than two hours’ rest at a time, and he’s had a major increase in anxiety lately.”
“He sounds perfect,” I say, sounding a little more enthusiastic than I meant to. “I’d like to work with him, but I’ll need his exact sleep schedule if he has one. The times of day he sleeps the most. I want to be able to get to him before anyone else does.”
“I think I can help provide you with that info. Should we inform the patient?”
I shake my head. “No. I think it’ll work better if he doesn’t see it coming. I’d also like a list of all his favorite things— movies, songs, memories.”
“I’ll look over his file and see what information I can gather for you. If it does help this guy, then we’ll know it’s worth investing more time and money in.”
“So does this mean you’re hiring me onto your research program?” I blink slowly, hope rising in my chest. This could be my chance to see more of the human world and meet more people. I’ve been so lonely lately and haven’t had much luck finding someone to fill the void in my own world. The few guys I dated on-base hated when I accidentally invaded their dreams while we shared the same bed.
It isn’t something I can control, and it’s not like I’m Freddy Krueger or anything. He’s someone I only just heard of recently when I joined some work friends for a movie night, and oh, there were a lot of jokes steered in my direction during and after the movie. The joy of hanging out with humans. I mean, not that monsters are always perfect, but at least a human never tried to eat me for dinner or chase me for miles through the woods. Although I’m not sure I’d mind if they did the second thing.
He stands up taller, hesitantly shoving his hands into his pockets. “Yes. You’ll be working for me under a six-month contract and we’ll go from there.”
Biting back a smile and with my heart pounding, I shake his hand. “Great. Just let me know when you’d like me to start.”
“You’ll be working at the clinic in the human world more than the one on-base. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes.” I do my best to hide my excitement. “Will I be staying there as well?”
His forehead creases. “I’m afraid you’ll have to travel back and forth every day since I’m only able to get approval for a work visa for you. At least for the time being.”
“I can do that.” Not fully what I was hoping for, but at least it’s a step in the right direction, and I am a “look on the bright side” type of guy. Some would even say a littletoopositive for myown good, especially after spending all my life in a world where I constantly have to fight for survival. Living in base housing has given me a taste of another life, and I want more. More freedom to go where I please and to take long strolls during the daylight without constantly looking over my shoulder.
Yes, there is still lots of prejudice against monsters in the human world, but aside from a few stares and comments, humans are mostly harmless. I can’t say the same for what lives outside these gates. Life here isn’t always awful or scary, though. There’s lots of beauty to be found in this world, along with kind creatures who are capable of amazing things.
“Good. I’ll let the other clinic know to expect you as early as next week then.”
“I can’t wait. Do I still have to come back to report here?”
He leans back, crossing his arms. “No. Reporting there will be enough. Remember, I’m giving you six months. This is your first time working with a patient so I hope you don’t let me down.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
Opening his mouth, he closes it only to open it again. “If that’s all, you’re welcome to go home early for the day.”
“But I haven’t finished filling in my notes on the breathing pattern of the last human I visited.”
“That’s okay. We have enough to go on for now. You might’ve really stumbled onto something good, and I’d rather not waste any more time putting it to the test.”
