At last, a glimmer of hope shines through. It feels like he's shifted his focus away from my quest for revenge.
Right now, consequences seem distant and irrelevant; all that matters is the burning desire to right the wrongs. What lies ahead? Whatever it may be, I'm resolved to face it head-on.
He gazed into my eyes, his voice laced with curiosity, "How do you yearn for revenge?"
He continued, his fingers gently grazing my chest before tapping over my heart, "Should I pluck their beating hearts, a symbol of their existence?"
Suddenly, his grip tightened around my neck, a pressure akin to choking, as he added, "Or perhaps, should their heads be severed, a decisive end to their dominion?"
Summoning my inner strength, I swiftly freed his grip from my neck and asserted, "I demand their heads removed, an irrevocable end to their existence, a testament to the finality of their fate."
His laughter filled the air, a sinister melody that seemed to anticipate my response. "Very well," he chimed, his voice carrying an eerie undertone.
"Let us forge a pact, my dear companion. Ah, do you sense it? Your form, it's dissipating, gradually fading as the sands of time slip through the hourglass. The realm you've entered has its limits, you see..."
My gaze fell upon my own form, a strange transparency overtaking my being. Panic welled up within me as I observed the surreal transformation.
"What's happening?" I exclaimed, desperation creeping into my voice. "How do I revert this? My revenge... what about it?"
His hands moved in a mysterious dance, as if plucking something from the very fabric of the void.
A chilling grin played upon his lips as he uttered his cryptic words, "You already know the way... consume the forbidden flesh and find your way back to me."
What? Darkness envelops my senses, slowly receding as I awaken. A dull ache resonates in my back, a reminder of my uncomfortable rest with my head slumped onto the table.
Frustration clouds my mind; I was on the brink of something important. I stretch, pushing the sleep from my eyes and glance around. No sign of Ethan or Thomas.
The thought of the forbidden meat tugs at me, compelling me toward the kitchen. As I step closer, a sudden presence halts me in my tracks – it's Thomas, standing there before me.
He looked right at me, his gaze locking onto mine. His voice held a mix of curiosity and concern as he asked, "You're up already? Weren't you with Ethan? What brought you here?"
A heavy silence hung between us, my lips sealed shut. His impatience was palpable, and his frustration was evident as he gripped my collar tightly, his voice tinged with accusation. "Why the silence? Is your demon controlling you? Have you become his puppet already?"
Ethan appeared in the kitchen, quickly stepping in to break Thomas's grip on me. He gave Thomas a firm push and then turned his attention to me, his gaze intense and inquisitive.
"What's the deal here? Took you long enough to wake up. Did you run into them while you were out?"
Time seemed to stretch out, each moment feeling like an eternity. I had taken longer than expected, but that was inevitable given the bizarre encounter.
Now faced with their questioning, I felt a rush of uncertainty. How could I explain what had transpired? Should I reveal the truth or keep it hidden? My mind raced, searching for a way to navigate this delicate situation.
My words stumbled out, coated in an air of apprehension. I could feel my confidence waning, but I knew I had to come up with an explanation that could somehow fit this strange scenario.
The weight of their stares bore down on me, and I cautiously revealed what I had concocted. "Yes, I met him," I began, my voice betraying my unease.
"He claimed to be my partnered demon, saying he wants to forge a contract with your fellow demons. It's about targeting more humans, finding them for... sustenance. He said he needs me to return for something, something that's crucial for sealing the deal."
Ethan's gaze bore into me, his doubt almost tangible in the air. His head turned to the side repeatedly, a puzzled expression etched on his face, while he absentmindedly touched his ear as if it throbbed with discomfort.
His voice carried a tinge of frustration as he challenged me, his skepticism hanging heavy in the atmosphere.
"Take a good look at yourself," he stated, his words edged with uncertainty. "I can't feel my own leadership presence when you're acting like the one who holds all the answers."
Out of nowhere, Thomas interjected with a burst of conviction, his words slicing through the tension like a breath of fresh air.
"You're the one leading us, Ethan. Don't let their doubts cloud your judgment," he proclaimed, his voice firm and unyielding.
His gaze flickered between us, his eyes brimming with a mix of determination and urgency.
"And as for Jeff's idea, well, it might just be the lifeline we need right now. Time is slipping away, and we're running low. Why not consider this opportunity, Ethan?"
To my surprise, Thomas, who had been quite vocal about my integration into this group of eaters, was now standing up for me.
Ethan's gaze shifted to Thomas, a moment of intense staring passed before he let out a sigh and reluctantly uttered, "Fine, get him the meat."
Ah, triumph! A stride closer to my vengeance. We settled onto the sofa, their gaze fixed on me, and my thoughts mirrored theirs.
Strangely, the idea of consuming this gruesome human meat didn't faze me. Cursed for eternity, my fate sealed.
So, why not claim your lives too? I already see it – a one-way journey to hell, and you're my reluctant companions.
Hmm, no need for formalities here – no fork, no manners. My fingers clutch the meat, and I tear into it ravenously. Bite by bite, I devour, chew, and gulp.
My senses start to blur, the edges of reality soften. Darkness looms, and then, like a snap, I'm back in my hometown. The familiarity embraces me as I dash to the store, the rendezvous point with my demon, my avenger.
As I swung the door open, there he was, seated on the floor, patiently awaiting my arrival. His gaze fixed upon me, and a wry smile formed on his lips as he remarked, "You're ahead of schedule! Seems like you couldn't wait to reunite with me."
I shot back, my words edged with impatience, "Enough with the banter, time's ticking. Let's seal the deal."
His laughter echoed, a hint of amusement in his eyes, before he shook his head playfully and remarked, "Look at you, all worked up. But do you even know what you're agreeing to?"
"Conditions of the contract? Who cares! I've got nothing to lose," I declared, my voice resolute. "Just spill it out, I'm ready to say yes. What's the deal?"
His eyes blazed with an infernal light, a wicked grin curving his lips as he spoke. "Well, if you're on board with this, my dear," he hissed,
"listen closely. The price is simple: offer me half of your soul, the dark and sin-stained portion. In return, I'll bestow upon you the power to snuff out those two lives, or even every soul within that wretched dormitory."
Half of my soul? Does he think I'll falter, that I'll be deterred by such a notion? I scoffed, my resolve unwavering.
"Tell me, will this have any repercussions on me? And how will I harness this newfound power?"
He rose from his spot, drawing nearer with an eerie anticipation. "I assure you, it won't bring you to your demise," he murmured, his proximity casting an unsettling aura.
"As for the power? I'll briefly inhabit your being, in that fleeting moment, I'll sever the heads of your chosen targets. It's my conduit for the strength I need. So, my dear, are you still resolute in your decision?"
In that crucial juncture, a fusion of desires converged. My thirst for vengeance, his hunger for my essence.
A delicate balance. With arms outstretched, I offered myself willingly. "Here I am," I declared, a strange mix of determination and surrender. "Come, partake of me."