I pulled my jacket closer to my body. The night air was brisk. I was standing in front of my house, and it was exactly midnight. Where was he?
"Demons come from every side, in the darkness is the light," sang a voice. A second later, the sight of the master demon himself emerged into view. "Hello, Fiona," Rob greeted me, grinning. "You made it."
I did not want to be here. But I was afraid of what he'd do to me if I didn't show. "Why are you doing this?" I blurted out.
"Doing what?" Rob asked in mock innocence.
"I thought that Jack was enough. Why did you have to take my mom too?" I asked, trying to hold back the tears.
"Can't a demon have a little fun?" Rob said with a smirk. "Anyway, I'm glad you brought that up. That's what we have to talk about."
"Why are you doing this?" I demanded again.
"You want the truth?"
"Yes," I said, barely audible. But I really didn't. I just wanted him to leave me alone, to stop hurting me.
"The truth is," Rob began, "I just want to make your life as miserable as possible. First I kill your brother, then I kill your mother, and next - who knows?" He paused for effect, his face breaking into a grin. "Maybe... Carey?"
"No," I said, hardly able to breathe. Not Carey. He just couldn't. "Please, Rob. I - I love him."
Rob rolled his eyes. "Aren't you seeing the pattern? I'm a demon, Carey's someone you love, and I kill the people you love. Honestly, Fiona, I thought you'd catch on by now."
"You've hurt me enough already," I said softly.
"Yeah, well, I can't kill you, since your stupid brother gave you his necklace. What an idiot he was, letting himself die like that. And now angels protect you, which is exactly what I didn't want to happen. So I figure that if I kill everyone around you, eventually you'll get so depressed that you'll want to commit suicide or something. Good idea, huh?" He laughed.
"Maybe we can work out some sort of a deal," I said suddenly.
"Like what?" Rob asked.
"Um... I don't know yet," I lied. Rob let out an exaggerated sigh. "Can you meet me here tomorrow night? At midnight?"
"I guess so," Rob agreed, sounding impatient with me. "See you tomorrow, Fiona," he said, and then disappeared. I turned around and headed back to the Bells' house. I knew what I had to do.
Chapter Eight
It was 11:50 the next night, and I crept soundlessly into Carey's bedroom. I could hear him breathing softly, and I knew he was asleep. He had been out with Jenny most of the day, and this was my chance to say goodbye.
This is love calling earth
Do you know how much it hurts?
I didn't die overnight
In the wind I had candlelight
I'm controlled by my fear
All the voices in my head
That I can hear
I kneeled down next to his bed, just watching him sleep. He looked so peaceful - I couldn't believe that this was the last time I'd ever have the chance to see him. He would never know how much I loved him. He would never know how much it hurt me when I saw him with Jenny.
Please don't hurt me
I let my finger gently brush his cheek, wondering if he'd find it in his heart to forgive me for what I was about to do.
How do I learn
To give love and be loved in return
If this is heaven I'm falling
I'd rather jump and run away
Then see it burn
I feel I could die
Before I sleep I kiss your cheek
And say goodbye
I leaned over him and kissed his cheek lightly. "Goodbye, Carey," I whispered. I was about to go to sleep - forever.
I'm so sorry
Please don't hurt me
"I'm so sorry" seemed like the phrase of the week. I guess it was Carey's turn to hear it now.
This is love calling earth
Do you know how much it hurts?
I didn't die overnight
In the wind I had candlelight
At least he'd still have Jennifer. And I would have my family again. And we'd all be safe. But it still pained me to know that we could never be together.
I'm controlled by my fear
And all the voices in my head
That I can hear
I guess in a way, I was too scared. I was terrified of Rob. It was easier to just give up - to give in.
I'm so sorry
Please don't hurt me
I hoped that Carey would know that I was doing this for him. I loved him too much. I didn't want him to hate me.
If you could see me through my mother's eyes
Only then would you begin to realize
All the places I have ever been
Have scared me half to death or somewhere in-between
My hand flew to my neck suddenly, feeling for the chain. The necklace. This wouldn't work if I still had it on. I took it off, holding it in my hand. It wouldn't be right to leave Carey without a reminder of me, so, being careful not to wake him, I leaned over him and clasped the necklace around his neck. Now he would be protected.
I'm so sorry
Please...
Chapter Nine
"Took you long enough."
It was Rob, already standing in my front yard with his hands folded across his chest. "Sorry," I said. "I had to... say goodbye."
"Uh-huh," Rob replied, uninterested. "So what's this deal you want?"
"You can take me now," I said.
Rob looked confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Kill me," I responded. "Let me die. Let me join the rest of my family, so you can leave my friends alone."
"Well, I'm impressed," Rob commented. "But I can't kill you, as much as I'd like to. The necklace, remember?"
"I'm not wearing it," I stated simply.
He eyed my neckline quizzically, and then smiled. He rubbed his hands together, and then said, "Well, let's get this over with."
"Fi!" a voice called. "Fi, stop!"
I spun around, to see Carey running towards me. "Go home, Carey," I said, trying not to cry. "Please."
"No, really, it's fine," Rob interrupted. "The more the merrier," he smirked.
Carey glanced at Rob. "Is that...?" he asked, turning back to me.
"Yes," I said quickly.
"Fi, what are you doing? I woke up to see you leaving my room, and then I felt this around my neck." He held out his hand, his fingers grasping the chain of the necklace.
"Damn," I heard Rob say under his breath.
"You can't be here," I told Carey. "It's time for me... to go." I held my breath.
"What?" Carey practically exploded. "You can't leave me! I need you, Fiona. You're everything to me." He paused, swallowing hard. "I love you."
He loves me? I couldn't believe my ears. Carey loves me! Oh God, what the hell am I doing then?
"I think I'm going to be sick," Rob moaned. Then he took a step closer to me threateningly. "Say goodbye..." he taunted.
"No!" I screamed, grabbing the chain of the necklace while Carey still held the other end. And then, something similar to a lightning bolt erupted from the gold angel and hit Rob. There was a flash of brilliant light momentarily, and when it faded, Rob was gone.
Carey was the first to speak. "Did we... kill him?"
It may involve a supernatural force and strong love... "I think so," I responded, looking up into his eyes. Carey took the necklace in his hands and clasped it around my neck. "I love you too," I added. "I always have."
Carey smiled, a small one at first, and then it broke into a wide grin. He wrapped his arm around me as we walked back to his house. "Don't ever leave me," he said.
"I won't."