Heather Moeller (16)PossessedNemesis

I slipped into the school's messy gym storage; the lack of humanity was a relief. Even after a month, I wasn't used to so many people.

Alysia...

"Oh, go haunt someone else." I muttered and surveyed my haven. I'd have to spend two days to make it inhabitable. The neglect made me happy in an odd way; it meant no one came in here, at least not often. That made it a perfect hidey-hole.

I started to stack the unused gym equipment along the back wall. I wanted more space to move, to dance. But more than anything, I wanted to be alone. A small laugh escaped me. Alone? I no longer knew what that word meant. After thirty minutes, I leaned against a steel cage, which held worn, flat basketballs, and studied my progress. There was more space, but dust still coated every surface. I could write an essay in the stuff. The effort of moving the equipment dirtied my blouse and skirt. I'd have to change when I got home. The door creaked open, and I whirled around in surprise. Discovered already?

"Miss Lydon." It was the history teacher, Mr. Kannon. He didn't belong in this dusty storage shed, but then did I? His suit, an ill-fitting but clean thing, stuck out. It was like the pictures where you had to find what didn't belong. Those pictures always had something that obviously didn't belong.

"Mr. Kannon," I ducked my head politely, "is there something I can do for you?"

"I'm sure you are aware of the incident that occurred earlier." He said. I waited for him to continue, but he just stared at me. His odd, black eyes didn't blink. I could see how my classmates thought they were creepy. Not blinking was one thing, but I thought that black eyes as a blond was creepier.

"What incident?" My heart started to pound and my hands twitched. I hid my right hand behind my back, and balled it into a fist. I focused on the pain that burned through my palm and arm, tried to use it to soothe my rising panic.

"Someone apparently thought it would be funny to fly Miss Smith's undergarments from the flag pole."

I had to bite my tongue before I asked the stupidest question in the world. What did it matter if it was her bra or her panties? "I don't know anything about it."

"You're lying. Who are you trying to protect?" Mr. Kannon said. His eyes bore into me. All the pain in the world couldn't stop me from panicking now.

"I'm not trying to protect anyone." I fought to keep my breathing even. Mr. Kannon didn't believe me; why should he? He was a teacher after all, wise and all-knowing. Mr. Kannon stepped towards me and I backed into the stacks of equipment. My panicked hands groped for a way out.

I felt a familiar tingle run up my spine. I shivered; cold despite the spring warmth. Not good, not good at all. It was probably already too late.

"No...not here, not now. Alex! Don't!" Mr. Kannon's confusion was plain on his face. Of course it was; I was speaking nonsense.

Don't worry Sweetheart. Everything will be fine. My hand rose and turned this way and that, like I had never moved it before. A dark smile crossed my lips, and I knew that I had lost.

"She said she didn't know nothing," it was my voice, but it sounded so different, deeper, darker. "but you threaten her anyway."

"Miss Lydon, stop this nonsense." Mr. Kannon said. I wish I could. I could do nothing, I was only an observer trapped in my mind. Trapped? I was the one who had given up. Alex tossed my head, his head, flipping his black hair over his shoulder. His hands tightened into fists. "Tell me who did it, and you're free to go." Mr. Kannon said, his eyes revealed his impatience. I understood now why he thought I knew, even though I said I didn't. He had mistaken my anxiety, my fear of people, for guilt.

"She told you she ain't protecting no one. You've frightened her, and I'll let no one do that." Alex moved faster than I thought was possible. His fist slammed into Mr. Kannon's stomach, and the man doubled over. Alex's other fist struck the back of his head. He sprawled at Alex's feet. Not again, anything but this. It was just a misunderstanding. Pain burned through Alex's arms, but I was the one who felt it. The icy chill was gone, replaced by hellish heat. Mr. Kannon forced himself to stand, and spat. I swore it was blood.

Alex stop. He refused to answer me. Alex, please. Red edged our vision. Mr. Kannon's mistake had stirred Alex to a demonic rage. Or had I?

"Miss Lydon, what is the meaning of this?" Mr. Kannon wiped at his mouth, his suit dusty. I applaud his calmness, but isn't it obvious? Alex trembled, his body still feeling my anxiety. How can he move, experiencing that debilitating fear?

"Alysia isn't here at the moment," Alex snickered, a terrible sound I could never mimic. "I thought you teachers were supposed to be smart." He went at Mr. Kannon with a flurry of blows, I couldn't follow everything. More than anything, I was conscious of the blood splattering on the concrete. Blood was something Alex reveled in, I could feel the pull of his bloodlust. Our vision was awash in red, and I retreated. I...I can't watch any more.

"Someone save me, or just kill me." Those were the words that had started everything. Abducted at sixteen. Held, chained to a wall for I don't know how long, a day or three? I said it after my abductor told me he planned to rape me that night. I would rather die then go through that. I said it to an empty room, not expecting an answer but I got one.

"Girl, I'll help you, but then you have to help me." It was a man's voice, cold and emotionless. I don't remember agreeing; don't remember anything right after he said he'd help me.

I came back to my senses, standing over the bloody and broken body of my abductor, blood dripping from my hands. The air in front of me shimmered, like heat rising from asphalt on a hot day.

"You're strong enough," it was the man's voice again. Something told me it was coming from the haze. "So why couldn't you have done it yourself?"

His name was Alex, and he had been dead for seven hundred years.

Every time Alex took possession of me, I remembered that first time. His words then, mock me to this day; strong enough. A year had past, and I stopped counting possessions after ten. I will never be strong enough to sever this bond. I'm afraid to.

Alex's left arm drew back, fingers stiffened painfully. It brought me back to the present. Mr. Kannon was kneeling on the ground, dazed and swaying. Blood was everywhere, mostly Mr. Kannon's, but some was ours. Alex was a demon that killed for the pleasure of it. I can't let him do this. Our vision blurred, and tears ran down Alex's face. I couldn't control my body, but I could still cry. It had to be me; Alex didn't know how to cry.

Alex! He said I was strong enough. He still says I'm strong enough. I remembered his true form, the indistinct haze. That's where he belonged, outside and harmless. Time slowed down for me. Alex's hand, my hand slid forward slowly. This body is...

"Mine!" I shrieked, back in control. My hand stopped an inch before Mr. Kannon's throat. His black eyes met mine, and we just stared at each other. Tears still ran down my face, and there was a vulnerability in Mr. Kannon's eyes. With Alex in control, I could have killed him.

And he knew it.

"I'm sorry, I am so sorry." I hung my head, ashamed and defeated. Whatever strength I had, left me and I fell to the concrete. Pain blossomed in my knees but I didn't care. Mr. Kannon stumbled out of the shed, and I was left alone with Alex.

A hazy hand lifted my face. Alex's form was more distinct than I remembered. I could actually see him, even if it seemed like I was looking through smoke. His eyes were beautiful, the color of a midsummer sky. How could someone so evil have such beautiful eyes?

I won't let anyone hurt you Alysia. He put his arms around me, and I could feel it. Like he was actually there. Not even myself. He kissed me, then there was only blackness.