Seduce Me ~ The Path To Forgiveness

Path Two, Step Thirteen: Sound of Mind?

"Hello, Matthew!" My monster greets warmly as Matthew materializes beside me and stares at the unfamiliar demon.

"Do.. do I know you?" He stammers, momentarily stunned.

"Oh yes, we're quite close. Isn't that right, pet?" He smiles as his gaze slides back to me and Matthews eyes widen as his hands ball into fists.

"This is the guy from your dreams?" Matthew asks softly in disbelief but I shake my head, knowing that can't possibly be true.

"No, this.. this is the monster from my past." I reply confidently as I remember the figure that haunted me two years ago, wondering why it took him so long to act.

"B..but your dreams?" Matthew questions, keeping a close eye on my monster who watches me with an annoyed look.

"Do you still plan to maintain the illusion that they're dreams? Tell him the truth." He demands as his eyes bore into me and I feel myself weakening under his gaze, my legs numb beneath me, and I grip onto Matthews sleeve for support as I struggle to remain standing.

"_______?! Are you alright?" Matthew asks frantically as he slips an arm around my waist to support me and I lean on him, just barely remaining upright.

"No, you're lying!" I snap back as my story finally begins piecing itself together in my mind, for once feeling sound of mind. "You found me, back at the orphanage. Why didn't you just take me then!" I shout and his smirk twists in irritation.

"What are you saying? Are you going to continue denying the truth even knowing the pain you're causing him?" He snarls and I feel us reaching a tipping point as his stance becomes aggressive.

"Stop lying! For a week you stalked me until my.. my father." I pause, remembering Damiens words. 'To conceal something..' "The barrier." I whisper breathlessly, everything suddenly as clear as crystal. "You couldn't see me behind the barrier. The nightmares started when it fell, you've been toying me!"

"It seems you've become smarter these past two years but it makes little difference." He growls irritably.

"Why? Why not just take me and be done with it?" I ask, his control over me wavering as I regain enough strength in my legs to support myself.

"In a house full of demons? It would've been suicide, though I think I can manage one since you won't do it yourself." He snarls threateningly as he pulls a small pistol from thin air and points it at Matthew, finger squeezing the trigger.

"No!" I shout instinctively, terror spiking through me as the gun fires with a sharp bang, and the ground beneath us trembles violently before exploding upward.

Matthew throws himself over me as I cower down and I chance a peek as the dust settles, astonished by what I see. The earth beneath us surged up like a wave, rocks and dirt packed as tightly as steel, encasing us in a makeshift bubble. Matthew perks up at my surprised gasp, looking around in shock.

"You.. Damien was right!" He exclaims with a laugh, gripping me by the shoulders and gazing into my dazed eyes. "I told you you weren't crazy."

I can feel my shock begin to wear off as I chuckle softly, my trembling hands running along Matthews shoulders before pulling him closer until his lips meet mine. I can hear the muffled sounds of shouts and gunshots but any fear I had is long gone as I enjoy the brief kiss, a sweet calm before the storm.

Awash in euphoria I can feel the power dancing through my veins like lightening as I release Matthew, who stumbles back looking dazed, before turning to where my monster is standing outside of our stone shield.

I've dreamt of this moment for so many years, killing the creature that's haunted my mind, but I never truly believed I would ever have the chance. I chuckle, softly at first but as I embrace the unending strength locked away inside of me my entire life it reaches a crescendo of fiendish delight. A flick of my wrist shatters my impenetrable barrier, the shards rocketing out like tiny missiles. While he's able to dodge most of them one strikes him in the left shoulder, throwing the gun from his grip. He scowls at the wound as black smoke seeps from it, only taking a few seconds to seal itself shut.