Chapter 7: "Facing the Abyss"
Landon's return to the Salvatore School was anything but peaceful. He couldn't shake the feeling of Kaelen's words lingering in his mind like a dark cloud. The demon inside you will come for you, and when it does, there will be no running from it.
The weight of the warning pressed down on him, its gravity sinking into his chest. He didn't know what to make of Kaelen—his words felt like a twisted version of the truth, but what if he was right? What if the demon blood inside him was stronger than anything he had imagined? Could he ever truly control it, or would it consume him like Kaelen said?
As Landon walked through the school's halls, the familiar sounds of laughter and chatter did little to ease the storm brewing inside him. He wasn't sure how to face his friends, or Hope, knowing that every moment spent around them meant putting them in danger. The dark forces that were drawn to him weren't just going to stop—they would only grow stronger, more persistent.
He entered the courtyard, seeking solitude beneath the shade of a large oak tree. But his moment of peace didn't last long.
"Landon, there you are."
Hope's voice cut through the silence like a beacon, and Landon turned to find her approaching, her eyes filled with concern. He smiled faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"I was looking for you," Hope continued, her brow furrowed. "You've been off the radar all day. What's going on? You didn't show up for breakfast, and you didn't answer any of my texts."
Landon hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I needed some space," he muttered, his voice low. "I've just been... thinking."
Hope stepped closer, her gaze softening as she read the exhaustion in his eyes. "Landon," she said gently, "you don't have to do this alone. Whatever you're dealing with, I can help."
Landon shook his head, stepping back slightly. He didn't want to burden her with his internal struggle, especially not after everything they had already faced. "You don't understand," he said quietly. "I'm not just some regular guy, Hope. I'm—" He stopped himself, not knowing how to put into words the terrifying truth he was facing. "There's something inside me, and it's getting harder to keep it in check."
Hope's eyes widened as she took a cautious step toward him. "What do you mean? You're not making any sense."
Landon glanced around to make sure they were alone. Even though they were in a secluded part of the school grounds, he could never be too careful. "I'm not just a phoenix, Hope. There's something else inside me—something dark."
The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Hope didn't flinch, though her expression tightened with concern. "What are you talking about?"
Landon took a deep breath. "I met someone yesterday. Kaelen. He's one of them—the demons. He said that I'm not just a phoenix. That I've got demon blood in me. And I don't know how to control it."
Hope's eyes softened, and she stepped closer, her voice gentle. "Landon, I know you're scared. But you don't have to fight this alone. You've got me. We've got each other."
Landon swallowed hard. He wanted to believe her, wanted to believe that everything could be okay. But the fear gnawing at him was too powerful to ignore. What if Hope couldn't protect him from the darkness inside? What if it was already too late for him?
"I don't want to hurt you," he whispered, the vulnerability in his voice more evident than he'd ever allowed it to be before. "I don't want to hurt anyone."
Hope placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch steady and grounding. "You won't. You're stronger than this, Landon. I know you are. And I won't let you face this alone."
Landon's heart clenched at her words. She truly believed in him, and the weight of that belief made him feel both stronger and more terrified than ever. Could he really live up to her faith in him? Could he conquer the darkness before it destroyed everything?
Before he could respond, the sound of footsteps approached from behind, pulling both of their attention.
"Is everything okay?"
Landon turned to see MG standing there, his expression serious but laced with concern. The rest of their friends had caught up, gathered just beyond the courtyard, sensing that something was off.
"We're fine," Hope said, turning toward him with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Just talking."
Landon didn't want to hide the truth from them, but part of him wasn't ready to share the full extent of what he had learned. He didn't want to scare them, especially with the growing danger he was facing. But he could tell by the way they were all looking at him—cautiously, expectantly—that they weren't going to leave it at that.
"What did you find out, Landon?" MG asked, stepping forward with a look of determination. "Are you okay?"
Landon hesitated, his eyes shifting toward Hope. She hadn't pushed him to say anything more, but he knew she was silently urging him to be honest. He took a deep breath and decided to tell them the barest of truths—the part that felt safe enough to share.
"I met someone yesterday," he said slowly, his voice low. "A guy named Kaelen. He says there's more to me than just being a phoenix. That I've got demon blood in me."
The silence that followed was thick, the weight of his words settling in. MG and the others exchanged uncertain glances, trying to process what they had just heard.
"You've got what in you?" Josie asked, her tone a mixture of disbelief and concern.
Landon nodded grimly. "I don't know how or why, but it's there. And it's getting harder to control."
Hope stepped forward, her hand still on Landon's arm. "We're working through it together. We just need to figure out how to stop it from taking control."
Josie's eyes softened, and she gave Landon a small, encouraging smile. "We'll help you. Whatever it takes."
Landon nodded, but inside, he was torn. He didn't want to drag his friends into his personal nightmare, but he knew that keeping them at arm's length wasn't the answer. They were his family now, and they had a right to know the truth.
"I'm scared," Landon admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what's happening to me. And I don't know if I can stop it."
Hope stepped up to him, her voice firm and reassuring. "You can stop it. And you don't have to do it alone. We're here for you, Landon. Every step of the way."
Landon's chest tightened, and he fought to keep his emotions in check. He wasn't used to relying on anyone, especially not with something as terrifying as the demon blood inside him. But the truth was, he didn't have a choice. The fight wasn't just against himself anymore—it was a battle that involved everyone he cared about.
With the support of his friends, Landon realized he wasn't alone in this fight. But the journey ahead would be much harder than he could have ever imagined. And the demon blood inside him? It wasn't done testing him yet.