Seduce Me ~ The Path To Forgiveness

Path Two, Step Five: Smoke and Butterflies

We pass the time in the dining room as we patiently wait for his brothers to return by trading stories while keeping a watchful eye and tight grip on Simon. He tells me of his time traveling and some of the places they've seen while I regale him my happier times at the orphanage. Six p.m. rolls around and the glass doors open. We perk up a bit at the sound but it's only Sam, covered in a sheen coat of sweat and looking mildly annoyed as he glances around the room.

"Doesn't smell like anything's cooking in here." He grunts as he plops down in one of the chairs and leans back, propping his feet on the table with his arms linked behind his head.

"That's because there isn't anything cooking." Matthew replies without looking up.

"Well is anyone gonna start? Dinner's not gonna make itself and I'm starving." Matthew opens his mouth to argue but seems to think better of it, shaking his head in annoyance as he rises to his feet.

"You think you can manage Simon?" He asks, looking a bit worried about leaving me alone with him.

"Won't let him out of my sight." I reassure as Matthew reluctantly heads to the kitchen.

"Who the hell is Simon?" Sam asks and I present him the small doll.

"Okay.." He trails off, sounding confused, as he looks Simon over. "Matthew make that?"

"Yeah but something went wrong, we think he might be possessed."

"You think it's possessed?" He laughs in clear disbelief but I simply nod in response. "But it's just a..." Before he can finish Simon's high pitched giggle cuts him off, nearly startling him out of his chair.

"The fuck!" He exclaims as he quickly catches his balance just as his chair threatens to tip back.

"See?" I reply with a smug smile as I hear the faint sound of the front door opening.

"We're back!" James calls from the foyer and I scramble to my feet as I hurry out the meet them, making sure to keep my gaze on Simon. Matthew appears beside me as I hold the little doll out to Damien who takes it with a confused look.

"And this is..?" He asks as he turns Simon over in his hand.

"Simon, evil and possibly possessed." Matthew replies seriously and I wait for the same response we received from Erik earlier but it never comes. Damien inspects the doll closely as the seconds drag into minutes.

"Damien, it can't actually be possessed." James chides after several minutes.

"No, not possessed but... Matthew you made this?" Damiens tone is one of amazement.

"Y..yeah, I don't know what happened." Matthew stammers defensively.

"This is.." Damien starts but Erik cuts him off as he descends the staircase.

"Is this the doll you two were playing with earlier?" He asks as he comes up behind Matthew and peers at Simon over his shoulder, his brow raised in mild interest.

"We weren't playing!" I snap, doing my best to contain my frustration. "And he isn't a doll, he moves."

"Okay, it moves. So what? Matthew's made moving toys before." Sam huffs as he steps into the foyer, looking annoyed.

"Yeah but he didn't just move, he wandered off on his own." Matthew replies.

"He's not moving now." James points out causing Matthew to shoot him an exasperated look.

"He only moves when you aren't watching him." He explains, sounding as if this should be obvious.

"Well then everybody look away." Sam offers but Matthews eyes widen at the idea.