Page 10 of Halluci-Dating A Demon
“You haven’t answered my questions yet.”
A face shows through the water—pale with tinted cheeks, and his eyes are fully purple now. He’s gone as quickly as he comes, and I’m able to move again, snapping out of my short cloudy state. As soon as I’m able to think clearly and remember where I am, my face heats from embarrassment. He was in the shower with me. I don’t know how it works, if he’s only here through my mind or if he’s physically present, but either way I’m sure he could see me.
He sure did see the candy in my drawer. As soon as that thought surfaces, I shut off the water and wrap a towel around my waist. Not caring that I’m probably dripping water everywhere, I rush toward my drawer and open it, gasping at the way all my candy is in rainbow order, color coded with not one but two packages missing. Cotton candy and blueberry. My lips twitch, a laugh threatening to escape my lips but I swallow it down. Unlike all the fake ones I’ve let free, this one is very real, and I’d enjoy the feeling from it too much. I don’t deserve to. I don’t deserve to feel anything but anger, so I shut the door and close my eyes, imagining my brother’s bloody face from my nightmares. Reminding myself why I need him to go away, so they can return.
He gives me peace, with the hope of so much more, and if my brother can’t have all of that then neither should I.
Five
Arien
I don’t know much about the stores around here. The driver stopped at a random one near the clinic, but they didn’t carry the candy Elias loves. I assume he loves it since he has so much of it in his drawers. Six different flavors, but I only had time to try one while I was shoving the blueberry flavor into the front of Elias’s hoodie.
It didn’t stay tucked away for long. As soon as I got back, I plucked it from the large pouch and shoved two strips into my mouth, kicking myself when I realized I forgot to leave his hoodie behind. I really let my sweet tooth get the best of me sometimes, and it doesn’t help that I’m a nervous eater. Especially when it comes to sour candy. Once I realized how well it worked at distracting me from all the nerves in my stomach, Iquickly became addicted to its magical ability. Oh, and the taste. Give me some of that dopamine while lighting up my taste buds please.
I’d never had sour belts before, or cotton candy, and couldn’t stop myself from indulging in the sweet treat once I’d started.
“Maybe we can try another store tomorrow?” I lean forward, placing a hand on the back of the passenger seat as I side-glance at the driver. I’ll have to replace two flavors now. I thought I could save the rest of the blueberry after eating two pieces, but when I stepped out in front of the building, waiting for the driver to show, I got antsy at the way people passing by were looking at me. Then four more pieces ended up in my mouth, one after another.
“Sure, but remember, I’m only being paid to take you to work and back, so any other trips I make will be extra,” he says, eyeing me in the rearview mirror.
I sit back, letting out a sigh. “That’s fine. I have plenty of money.” I’ve saved every penny I’ve made since the day I started working for the sleep clinic on base. There aren’t a whole lot of places to spend it there, so it’s really starting to burn a hole in my bank account. I’d been working there for years before being approved to live in the housing unit.
“And I’m guessing you still want to drop by your friend’s bookstore today too?”
“Yes. I’ll be sure to give you a great tip when you drop me back at the portal, too. “I was supposed to go see Kyvian days ago but ended up working later than expected because of the number of times Elias dozed off. And I’m not ready to leave him yet. I’m not ready to take a break from trying to help him enjoy being alive again. He thinks he deserves his nightmares, but I know he deserves to wake up smiling.
I want to say I’m close, but I’m not so sure the even extended time I was given will be enough. Because the other demon wasn’tthe only one who was the problem—Elias was part of it too. His inability to stop purposely seeking out punishment only invited more bad energy. It invited the demons with bad intentions. The ones who love feeding on pain more than they need to. Who he had before was someone who gave the rest of us a bad name.
“I guess I better turn here then.” He swerves onto the next street. The car slows and he drives through a yellow light, passing some restaurants and other buildings. I sit up higher when I spot a large wooden sign with Pandora’s Books written on the front in thick black lettering. Strings of soft lights hang from the ceiling, shining brightly through the large windows—so many windows everywhere, with books sitting just on the other side of them.
Holding on to the window, I press my cheek to the cold glass. Awhooshof excitement swirls in my stomach, and as soon as the car pulls over to the sidewalk, I jump out. My feet almost lose grip on the concrete with how fast I move, my smile stretching from ear to ear.
“I’ll be back to get you in an hour,” the driver shouts, and I wave him off, slamming the door behind me. Soaking up the sun, I move forward, pausing in front of the entrance before pulling open one of the doors.
“Welcome to Pandora’s Books! How can I—Arien?” Kyvian drops the book in his hand onto the counter and rushes my way. “Is that really you?”
“Who else do you know who has purple hair and a face this cute?” I bat my lashes.
Laughing, he closes the remaining distance between us and embraces me in a hug. His rms squeeze tightly around me, and he squeals a little before stepping back. “I can’t believe you’re actually here. It felt like this day would never come. Why didn’t you tell me you got approved? Where are you living?”
“And for once I’m not the one with all the questions,” I say between chuckles, tucking hair behind my ear. “I wanted it to be a surprise, and I’m actually only here on a work visa.”
“A work visa, huh? Does that mean—”
“I can’t stay long? Yeah. I have to be back on base in two hours.” I frown, and his expression matches what I feel.
Grabbing my hands, he perks up as little. “Well, I guess it’s a start, and at least you’re here.” He hugs me again, smelling of crisp book pages and chai. He sure does love his tea and coffee.
“Yeah, and this place is absolutely amazing.” I glance around, squeezing his fingers.
His eyes glitter. “Isn’t it? Who would have thought I’d actually get to live out my dream?”
“I did.” I smile. “It’s so well deserved too.”
“You always did say I’d do it, and it has felt really good proving you right.” He waggles his brows, releasing his fingers from mine. “Looks like you may be closer to living yours too.”
“I’ve definitely come a lot closer.” I beam. “I got a new job opportunity. My boss listened to me this time and is giving me a chance to prove myself.”
