When I woke for the second time that day I felt horrible, not like the first time when the pain was number than now when I could feel every inch of ripped flesh. Last night seemed so farfetched and more of a dream than reality. How could a demon do this to me? I mean sure I’ve heard of demons concealing their true form with that of a human that they have seen or has made a difference in their life.

Sprawled out across the bed my body didn’t want to get up but I had school today and it would be fun to hear everyone questioning the huge bandage over my neck/shoulder. Forcing myself out of the bed I walk up to my phone and call Mark. He could tell everyone that I was just sick and needed a day off. As the phone rang I realized that I had missed our “Night Out”. As his voice came into my hearing I could tell he was annoyed.

“Hey”

“Hi” I watched the wall annoyed as if the answer to how I would explain missing our date could write itself across the walls. “Sorry for not calling or anything, I had a few problems” I said as tear stung in my eyes. I hated hurting or lying to him, even if it was the smallest things.

“Its fine” His voice suddenly seemed sorrowful and worried. “I heard that you were hurt are you ok?”

“Yeah” My mind was screaming ‘Tell Him’ but my heart couldn’t take him getting wrapped up into what had happened.

“A guy that came into the hospital said that you had cut your neck and that was the reason for all the blood. Mrs. Pontes said that you would have to be hospitalized if you lost that much blood but the guy said that you would be fine at home and that he was a friend of yours.”

I couldn’t understand why he had covered up for the demon and my mistake the way he did.

“I guess you could say that. But hey, can you do me a favor?” I asked rushing the question so he couldn’t ask about the guy.

“Sure”

“I don’t really feel too good; do you think you can do something to cover for me today? I promise I’ll make it up to you” I said almost pleading

“Its fine, just get some sleep ok?” He said softly almost worried.

“Ok thanks Mark”

“It’s ok I love you” He said indicating his leave.

“Love you too” I said hanging up. I set the phone on the desk and walked into the bathroom clothes in hand.

Undressing, the cool sensation of the breeze through the window was bringing my mind alert. The sound of the water drowned out everything else, and the warmth of the water was calming but stung the large gashes in my shoulder.

I had to get out but a part of me was frightened to leave the protection of my dorm. Convincing myself that if I was to be taken by a demon or whatever else there was, it would not matter where I was. Sitting at my window looking out at the sunrise I sighed and stood up. I grabbed my messenger bag and left without a word to anyone.

The rain wasn’t much help to my already despondent mood but I walked to a lounge near the college. I had a coffee and sat at one of the computers. I went to Bing and looked up demons. I looked at page after page, website after website but still nothing about the demons that physically attack people.

A few hours had passed and I found myself at the same place I started at. I wanted information and the internet wasn’t much help for me. Perhaps the library across the street would have some old texts on demonology. That’s what I did; I walked to the library and started pulling out books that might have had some relevance to what had happened. I set them on a table with a notebook and started reading.

I sighed in frustration as I found that nothing had turned up. I hated that I couldn’t figure this out and that triggered a new question in my idle mind. Who was that guy in my dorm last night?

My mind trailed off and before I knew it I was getting shaken. I opened my eyes to realize that I was still at the library. I turned wondering who had shaken me and to my surprise it was my friend Kristen Pavo.

“Hey you ok? I didn’t see you at class today” Her curly hair bordered her perfect face and with that flawless mouth she frowned.

“Yeah I’m fine I guess I just didn’t sleep much” I said creating an excuse for my absence. She sat down beside me with a solemn look upon her face and eyes that dove into mine trying to read my complex thoughts.

“Are you sure?” she said finally pulling her eyes away, pointing to my bandages that covered my neck.

I covered the gauze with my hand and smiled reassuringly even though I wasn’t completely sure of my answer.

“Well it’s kind of late and I and ‘the gang’ wanted to know if you wanted to go to a club with us, if you’re up for it though.”

Now that I think about it, I hadn’t been out with the gang in a while and right now I almost desperately needed a drink. I’m not much of the drinker but a night out with friends wouldn’t be bad either.

“Yea” I replied with a good feeling.

…

It was about 11:30 pm when we arrived at the club. The lights, the music, the people, all making the best of their lives while they still have years ahead of them. With the hair down, a tiny black dress that clung to my body like my second skin and black heels I was looking pretty fierce and my confidence was high. I wasn’t much of the dancer so I usually hung at the bar or lounge watching everyone and enjoying the music.

Walking into the club everything hit me all at once which made me stop and stare for a moment before Kristen grabbed my wrist jingling the accessories that hung down and pulled me on the dance floor. This was the first time I had been to this club but already knew that I was fond of it. The drive was long having the club at the edge of town. Kristen and I danced for a while until something caught my eye, or perhaps his eyes caught mine. The connection that brought our eyes together caused my body to freeze. I hadn’t expected to see him ever nevertheless at this club, but here he was, eyes staring back with bodies in between dancing about as our minds danced in slow motion, yearning to approach the other.