Part 5 (1/2)

Chapter Ten.

I was zapped out, like someone pulled the plug on me. In dire need of sleep, I quickly clocked out when my s.h.i.+ft ended and went home.

Once I got to my apartment complex, I raced inside and up the stairwell. Something didn't seem right. It smelled like damp rain. As I got up to the platform, I noticed my door was ajar.

Slowly, I went inside. Everything was untouched. Scared someone might still be there, I was cautious to move.

”David?” I called out.

My first thought was maybe he had to check something in the apartment, but why wouldn't he ask me first? Then I thought of a burglar, but nothing was missing. I looked around and noticed the balcony door was wide open as the wind blew the blinds like wind chimes. I wasn't sure if he was still here or not, so I called the cops.

”9-1-1. What's your emergency?”

”Someone broke into my home.”

”Have you checked your perimeter?”

”Yes.”

”Please stay outside the building until the police arrive.”

I got off the phone, walked back downstairs and outside to the front and waited for the police to come. The building was empty. David wasn't there, so I left a message on his phone. I had it listed under ”Landlord” in case of an emergency.

The police arrived within minutes.

”Are you Ms. Peters?”

”Yes, my apartment is on the second floor.”

We proceeded inside to my apartment. They looked at everything, took pictures and asked me a series of questions.

”Anything gone?” the police officer asked.

”No.”

”Did you notice anything different once you walked in?” He was writing notes as we spoke.

”Well, there wasa” I said, then caught myself about the smell I discovered. How would I explain that? The scent was not detectable to humans. It was only from my own keen sense that I knew.

”There was what?”

I froze. I couldn't come up with anything, yet I knew I couldn't lie. G.o.d, why have you done this to me? I could never let anyone know I was a demon, yet I couldn't lie either. This was virtually impossible. Suddenly, I reacted.

”There was a man.” How bad a lie could that be?

”A man? Can you describe him?”

G.o.d, I thought, I know how this works. With one lie would come another and soon a created truth. I stopped and thought about what to say next. I kept my answers short.

”No.”

”Where did you first see him?”

”I don't remember.”

”Well, Ms. Peters, you are not giving us a lot to go on. We will check around the perimeter and let you know if we find anything.”

”Thanks, Officer, I appreciate that.”

They roamed around a little longer, checking in my bedroom and bathroom and in the closets, then left.

It was now late afternoon. I just wanted to sleep, but I couldn't lay there with my thoughts racing, so I decided to take my mind off everything and went on the computer.

Once I signed on, I saw there was a message from Jesse, so I opened it: Charlene, I don't know what's going with you lately. We haven't talked in a while, and I am concerned about you. I guess I scared you away when I said what I said. I really did mean it too. There's a lot going on with me. I wanted to talk to you about it. Please e-mail me when you can.

Jesse After I read the note, I thought about him for a while. I felt bad that I peeked on him like that. The stalking thing wasn't for me. I felt so guilty doing it. It was the first time I had seen him. I didn't want it to turn out that way, but it had. The urge to see him was so overwhelming I couldn't resist, but I was kicking myself for doing it. It wasn't supposed to be this way.

As I pondered on Jesse, I tried to focus on reading some poetry. An I.M. came onto my screen. It wasn't Jesse, it was someone else, but from the look of the username, I thought it was a joke.

DemonBoy: Miss me?

DemonGirl: Who is this?

DemonBoy: Oh, this again?

DemonGirl: Benjamin?

DemonBoy: None other!

DemonGirl: So how did you get access to a computer? Don't you live in a cave?

DemonBoy: So it was you then!

I paused for a moment. I never did admit to being in his lair, but he knew. I remembered him saying something about my scent. I couldn't deny it. I was there, yes, so who cares if I admit to it?

DemonGirl: So what! What the h.e.l.l do you want from me anyway?

DemonBoy: Wanting is one thing, needing is another, and you need me, want mea DemonGirl: Don't get carried away with yourself there, DemonBoy. I was just looking for answers. I meant to tell you.

DemonBoy: You don't have to, I can read you, remember? Like you're reading me right now!

DemonGirl: Huh? I can't read your thoughts. What are you talking about?