Unleashing Demons | D.D. Bk. 1 | ✔️

Chapter 12: The Death

I was consuming my third bottle of beer when I heard Alex groan in her sleep. She tossed and turned on the bed, breathing rapidly. I quickly stride to her side; beads of sweat trickled down her temple as her moans get more distraught. She fisted the sheets of either side of her.

"Alex." I held her damp face, lightly smacking her. She squirmed against my touch.

He eyes flashed open and abruptly hoists upward-I almost hitting my face. She shifted backwards, her outstretch arms in a protective stance, defending herself from an invisible attacker. She is looking at me, but not seeing me.

"Stay away from me!"

Alex, though awake, is still trap in her nightmare. I firmly grip her arms and I shake her out of her trance. "Alex. Wake up." I ordered.

With one last fearful shudder, her eyes blink repeatedly as she finally focused on me. It took her a minute for her breathing to return to its normal rate and to comprehend what just happened.

"Gideon." Her shoulders drop as she sighs in relief. Her head falls weakly on my shoulder for support.

I reflexively stroke her hair and down to her back in a comforting manner. An unwelcoming memory crept to mind; that day when Vaughn and I drove to her apartment and how she was leaning on Jake's shoulder as they sat at the doorsteps. I could tell from their posture that both of them go way back, had seen and experienced the good and the bad together. A little seed was soon planted on my head that there might be more to the relationship than friendship, but I shove all those thoughts aside for now. Somehow, I wanted to be there for her as well, no matter what hell we shall face and despite Jake's warning the day before. Leave her out of this, haven't you caused enough trouble?

"Aunt Margaret!" She suddenly snapped back up which I, unfortunately, wasn't able to avoid-getting a stinging blow to the chin.

"Shh. It's alright; it's just a dream." I reassured her, while massaging my jaw.

"No, you don't understand! She might be in danger!" She struggles to get off the bed, which I hastily stop her from doing.

She tries to release herself against my hold, but to no avail. Tears threaten to fall as she gives me a pleading look. "Please. I need to phone my aunt; I have to make sure she's okay."

Hinting the urgency in her voice, I relented, opting to question her later once her worries are put to rest. I reach for her bag and hand her phone. "I have to warn you; phone calls at five in the morning are usually frowned on." I cautioned.

She took it almost covetously and slides the screen for her aunt's number. I could sense her tension building up the longer she waits for her aunt to pick up.

Relief washed over her and she visibly relaxed. "Thank goodness...no, there's no problem...I just couldn't sleep...sorry if I woke you..."

I left her alone and went to grab a glass of water at the adjoining kitchen, still listening in on the one-sided conversation.

"...don't worry about me...yes, I will...you too, bye." She leans back at the headboard and closes her eyes.

I gave her a minute before I spoke. "So, do you want to talk about it?"

She opens her eyes and stares at me with fear etched on her face. I sit back on the bed and handed her the glass. "Talk to me, Alex. I could still feel the dream taking its toll on you."

She took a cautious sip. "A-at Kristy's, when I was in a...trance, I woke up in her spirit booth. But I was alone and the mirror's gone, so I went out. But when I did, I was transported into another place; a cemetery. It's almost the door acted like some kind of portal that led me there. I stumbled upon a mausoleum, and inside it was the mirror. As I went for a closer look, I-I saw myself, back at Kristy's, but there were hooded spirits surrounding me-dozens of them. They were closing in on me-like they wanted to take over my body. And that's when I decided to break the mirror a-and woke up."