Lost Soul

Chapter Four

DEMON

 -  an evil spirit, especially one thought to possess a person or act as a tormentor in hell, prevalent in religion, occultism, fiction, mythology and folklore.

I told him everything, from the moment my soul first left my body to the unfortunate night of aunt Leah's death, I stutter, trying to find the right words to make everything less impossible but there was no sugar coating of the truth. His face contorts to a stoic expression and I can't tell whether he believes every word that came out of my mouth or debating whether he should call for help.

I explained in hushed whisper about my predicament, brushing my hand over the slightly burnt skin over the side of my cheek, it was noticeable enough for Anne and the others to press questions but I blew them off by saying the water was just too hot, they reluctantly let it go but the little white lie was better than the absurd truth.

"I think I met you for a reason, and I'm willing to find out.. if you are" I prayed that the sincerity in my voice would convince him to help me, he stares at me intently, searching for the right thing to say.

"I think I know why" he suddenly leans closer, our noses inches apart, close enough to feel his hot breath fanning over my face.

"I can see ghosts. It wasn't peculiar that I saw you at the party before...you possessed me" I wince at the word but he offers me an understanding smile

"It's just that...I knew you were different when I saw you the other day, physically present" I chuckle at his choice of emphasis before he suddenly extends out a hand

"May I?" I freeze for a moment, unable to process what he meant, then he smiles, not waiting for permission, he brushes off the pieces of hair that fell on my face, tucking them behind my ear and gently stroking the back of his hand over the rough scar.

I blush, embarrassed by the evident flaw on my face, but he stared at it with such compassion that I couldn't help but feel knots in my stomach, his touch sends shivers down my spine and I couldn't help but stiffen from nervousness.

"I think I know someone who could help. Meet me after class. I'll be waiting by the gates" his touch leaves me and he pulls away, the air suddenly cold around me. He flashes me one last grin and disappears before I could even respond. I'm just hoping that staying out late this once would actually help me. I pray he has answers to my questions.

I make up quick excuses for Anne to believe and thankfully her better friends invited her for a smoothie after school. I felt anxious yet excited at the same time, I've never gotten closer to finding out why this is happening to me, not that I've made an effort to try but this was the start, the beginning of finding out the truth.

Just as he said, he waited by the gates, hands pressed tightly under his coat, the winds were colder now that the seasons were changing.

"Hey" I smile, pacing myself beside him as we begin to walk in another direction away from my neighborhood. Now that I watch him, stuck in comfortable silence, I realized that I knew nothing about him, although we'd be past getting to know each other by now, it seemed odd yet comforting to be around a helpful stranger.

"Are...you and Anne sisters?" he breaks the silence first, giving me a glance, slightly looking down since I only stood up just right below his shoulder. It wasn't much of a secret that we were orphans but we didn't go around proudly declaring the fact either, although aunt Leah always taught us there was nothing to be ashamed about and I truly believed her.

"Sure. I mean, we are orphans. Aunt Leah took us under her wing along with two others; they're older, Elaine and Melany. We liked to consider ourselves as sisters, you don't have to have the same bloodline to be family after all" I could see him grin, looking up at the slowly darkening sky. Somehow, I felt safe when I was around him.