Chapter 12: The charismatic Parasite Part 2 (1/2)

”Harriet? Harriet? Oh, there you are.” Reece slurred poking his head around the corner, finding Harriet sitting in the corner of the room. ”You'll crease your dress if you sit like this.”

”I'm not going out there. I can't look at them.”

Reece crouched down, resting his arms on his knees as he sighed. ”Hattie, Hattie look at me.” Harriet's eyes drifted up to Reece as he shook his head. ”You can do this. I believe in you. You're going to go out there and show those people whose boss. Remember what the therapist said?”

”You control your powers; they don't control you. I know she said that. But it's just. If I don't pay attention. If I let my guard down, I can't stop them. Can't we just go home? Who cares about this stupid work party?”

”And lock yourself in your room forever? You can't live like this, Harriet. You have to live your life. These powers can't hold you down.”

”But… they way they look at me. It makes me uncomfortable. And that man, he tried…”

”That was a one-time thing. Harriet…” Reece folded his arms blowing wind between his lips as he frowned. ”Well, you're going to have to come out, or Dad is going to be pissed.”

Harriet stood up nodding. ”Al, alright. Will you. Will you stay with me?”

”If it makes you feel better sure, you have nothing to worry about, you look nice.”

”That's what I'm worried about.” The doors to the hall crept open the sound of people drinking and laughing erupted as Harriet felt her world sinking in. As people began to notice her, she quickly shot her head down as she started walking with her brother staring down at people's feet. She made sure to be right next to him as her mouth became dry. Her legs shaking as she began running her hand through her hair rapidly.

”Ahh, there is the Russels. Have you seen your father at all? I believe I owe him a drink?”

”I think my father went to take a quick smoke break. I'll be sure to say you asked for him.”

”Splendid. I must say he brought you up well, such well-spoken for someone your age.”

”Father drills it in.”

The older man curled his beard, looking at Harriet intrigued. ”I don't believe we have ever met. You must be Harriet. You never are at your father's parties. This is a first.”

”Its, its. It's nice to meet… you” She softly spoke, still staring down her eyes glued to her shoes.

”Sorry, my sister doesn't do well with crowds. We keep trying to boost her confidence, but it never seems to work.”

”Poppycock! I'm sure after a few cakes and a drink or two she will be just fine. They will be playing music later. I'll be sure to come by for a dance.”

”Ah-ha. I'm sure she will be honoured, sir.” Reece laughed nervously as he turned away, letting out a deep breath. ”I am not suited for this…”

Harriet gripped her brother's arm muttering. ”I want to go. I can't do this. Please.”

Reece moved his arm away, shaking his head. ”You know we can't. I'm going to find my father. Get a drink or something. It's all free here.”

Harriet's eyes widen as she stumbled forward as Reece left her. She stood in the middle of the ballroom feeling empty and alone, although surrounded by dozens of people. Her hands began to shake as she felt her throat swell up. She started sweating all while licking her lips, looking around the room's floor never once daring to lift her eyes. Hoping to find her father or Reece, she began walking forward, lifting her head only slightly to stop any possible collisions. This would dawn on Harriet and quickly fail as her eyes drifted down just as a man walked past her. She slammed against him, falling to the ground. The man turned around seeing her on the floor. ”Oh, I must say, apologises for the young one. You can't experience this party if your eyes are glued to the floor.”

The fall Harriet took crippled her attention as she grazed her knee. With the sudden jolt of pain, she couldn't help but look up her eyes meeting the men. Her heart dropped as she quickly looked away. ”I'm. I'm sorry!” She tried to get out, but the man very quickly grabbed her wrist, stopping her escape. Harriet looked back in horror as the man was fixated in a trance, never leaving Harriet's line of sight. She began tossing around, trying to break free, which only draped more unwanted attention. Her eyes darted around the room, hoping to see her father or Reece, instead it only had more eyes meet with hers. Like mindless animals who hadn't eaten, they all stopped what they were doing as men began to bombard her, each one fighting to get a good look at Harriet.

”You're so beautiful.”

”Let's ditch this place and go back to mine.”

”Don't listen to that pig, I'll show you a good time.”

”Pick me!”

”I'm the only man you need.”

Harriet managed to break free as arms began mindless grabbing and touching her wherever and when ether they can. She tried to scream out as more attention was drawn to her. She tumbled back falling against the wall. ”No! Get away from me! Don't touch me!” The men stopped with their urges suppressed for that short moment. However, it wouldn't last long as their lust-filled mind fell apart and they all began tearing at Harriet with no remorse. Harriet screamed curling up, not wanting to live through this again. She wanted to curl up and die. Her mind was breaking, she began to lose any sense of control as she screamed out in desperation. ”No more! No more. Just die, all of you just die!” Her eyes widen as she realised what she just spoke. The men's expression of pleasure and jealously faded. Their faces blank with nothing. Each of them stepped away as they turned to each other. Like puppets, they all began to walk out in perfect sync. Harriet tried stopping them, begging them to stop, but the deed had already been done. They all started walking to the balcony. No one could stop them. The doors opened. Each of them took one step onto the railing. ”No, please stop!”

One by one, they all took a step forward—one by one by the orders of Harriet. One by one, they all fulfilled the deed as the grounds of the manor was run red with blood. Harriet collapsed holding onto the railing, knowing this was her fault. She curled up, sobbing the guilt eating away at her. Until it, all stopped. A thought crept into mind. A small whisper. ”This wasn't your fault. It is theirs. It's all their fault. If only they listened to you.” Harriet's mind snapped as her sobbing turned into laughter as she watched the pigs who craved over her drop like flies by mere command.