I sat on the edge of our bed, my hands folded under my chin. My eyes stared blankly at the wall and my mind was a hellstorm of thought. I didn't even know what to make of what I had done. It was too reminiscent of the old me. The "me" that would have been more than happy to end someone's life, so long as I was able to gorge myself on blood. I did everything I could to never return to that life. Now?
If it weren't for Sylvie, God knows what I would have done.
My shame was so great, it was making it difficult to even breathe. I stood to my feet, pacing like a madman. I was so preoccupied with my thoughts, I almost didn't notice Sylvie watching me.
"Baby," she called to me softly, "come here before you wear a hole into the floor."
I stopped short, turning to her. She had the sweetest smile on her face and her arms were outstretched. I wanted so much to take her in my arms, but I hesitated. My idiotic brain was screaming at me that I didn't deserve her embrace. That monsters didn't deserve embraces or love or--
"Stop it." God, even her scolding was full of love. "You're not a monster. Now, come here, baby. It's okay."
With a shuddering breath, I walked to my love, taking her tightly into my arms. "It's not okay." I said quietly as I buried my nose into her hair. "I could have killed him. Then I tried to hurt you. I actually tried to--" I couldn't bring myself to finish it.
"Hush, my baby." She cooed as her hands stroked the length of my back. "You came back to me and that's the most important thing."
"I know," I chuckled sadly, "but that scared me. I mean, what happened to me?"
"Well, I wanted to chalk it up to you just being hungry, but it didn't make sense. I've seen you when you haven't fed, but never like that. I was seeing someone else."
"I haven't been like that since my days with Damien and Nadine. The Roarin' 20s were wild for a reason." I sighed.
"I guess so." She pulled back and looked up at me. "I knew something was up when you called me Doll."
I made a small noise of disgust. "Sorry. I stopped using that word ages ago."
Sylvie simply shrugged. "I mean, given the situation, I wasn't a fan. Now? I don't know. It's kind of growing on me." She gave me a wink. "Plus you know how much I love the 20s."
I genuinely chuckled this time. "That's true. Alright, we'll put it in rotation. Doll."
I saw the blush rising in her beautiful brown cheeks as I pulled her in for a kiss. I stood there, holding her close as I calmed the storm that raged inside. It didn't make any sense. If I didn't know any better, I'd say I was channeling...Damien. The very thought made my skin crawl. I did everything in my power to never be like him again. What I did was unforgivable. To make matters worse, I attacked Sylvie. How could I? The woman that I swore to love and protect for all eternity and I turn on her like some insane, ravenous beast.
"Naughty, naughty, Daniel."
A voice hissed in my ear, making me jump ever so slightly, but it was enough to get Sylvie's attention.
"What is it, baby?" She frowned.
"You didn't just hear that?" I looked around the room, but nothing seemed out of place. I turned back to Sylvie, who just shrugged and shook her head.
"I didn't hear any--" She stopped suddenly as we both noticed we could see our breath. "It seems the other house guests want to introduce themselves."
"I'm not sure I want to meet this one."
Whatever presence this was, I wanted nothing to do with it. I tried to shake the feelings of unease and fear, but they clung to the air like leeches. Cautiously, I led us from our room and into the hallway, where we were greeted with the sounds of running footsteps. There were whispers all around us, but I wasn't able to quite make out what they were saying. Some sort of warning, I gathered?
"Please tell me you heard that." I breathed as we inched our way down the steps.
"Yeah," Sylvie nodded furiously, "yeah, that I heard."
"Naughty, naughty Daniel." The voice hissed again. "You could've hurt poor Sylvia. She deserves it though, doesn't she? You're not the only one who was naughty."
"Who are you?" I barked, looking around for my tormentor. "What do you want?"
"I have what I want, Daniel." The voice laughed. "I have you."
A small hiss escaped me as I felt a burning sensation across my stomach. I lifted my shirt and Sylvie and I watched in horror as five claw marks slowly made themselves visible on my skin, with a bit of blood dripping for good measure.
"It's attached itself to you." Sylvie gasped, gingerly touching my wounds. I saw her eyes steel as they looked up into mine. "Whatever it is, it can't have you."
"Why me?" I frowned. "I don't understand wha--"
I doubled over, clutching my stomach. White hot pain coursed through my insides and I felt like I was about to spontaneously combust. Sylvie pulled close to her and we heard an evil screech echo through the house.
"Get away from him, witch!" The voice commanded.
"Witch?" Sylvie repeated. "I'm not--"
"Don't argue, Sylvie." I wheezed through the pain. "It thinks you're a witch. It might be scared of you." I growled as I clutched onto her. "Make it stop. Make it stop hurting me!"
"Okay." She breathed. Sylvie cleared her throat and I felt her gathering her courage. "You don't have any power here!" She yelled. "Leave him alone! He doesn't belong to you!"
I heard a frustrated screeched ring out before the house suddenly calmed. The other whispers calmed, quietly murmuring their small thanks before dissipating themselves. I slowly felt the pain in my body die off, my body shaking violently. Sylvie, bless her, didn't let me go. She softly reassured me that I was okay, that she wasn't going to let whatever that was have me. I was too exhausted to do much else beside lay my head in her lap and catch my breath.