It was my body that had spoken, and it was my lips that had moved, but it was not my voice that anyone heard. The voice I heard then was the exact one I had heard in my head, the one that was asking for my body. It was pretty obvious that they would have been one and the same, but knowing that, however, did not make hearing it any less terrifying or abnormal. People expect, that when you open your mouth, and when you move, that it is you doing all those things, but it wasn't; it was someone else this time, and man was it freaky or what?
Arsenio hopped to his feet, trying to force his way through the barrier, even as Daniel did the same. "Elena, what are you talking about?" he cried, anguish on his face, "Love! Talk to me!"
"Davide," Arsenio hissed, "Shut up-."
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"Listen to me you fool!" Arsenio just about shouted, "That is not Elena, damn it!"
"What the hell are you talking about? Did you hit your head? That is Elena, or do you not even know what the girl you love looks like, Emil? Don't give me all that bullshit; you just want her for yourself!"
Girl he loves? Does he mean me? "Listen to Emil, Davide," the not-me purred, "You don't know whom you speak to. If you did, you would not be so quick to speak, my sweet love."
I could clearly see Arsenio bristle in hatred, even as Daniel appeared confused as hell. His eyes were so open I could almost see the thoughts flicker through his mind. "Who are you?" he whispered. Isn't it obvious yet? I thought Daniel, or Davide, or whoever the hell he was, was smart! However, Alana was dead, and had been for a long time, so I guess it made sense, albeit in a rather weird manner.
Alana walked over to where Daniel was, and leaned forward, smiling seductively. My dress had been rumpled during my screaming, and now was just barely covering my chest. Now, with Alana leaning forward, Daniel would probably pretty much see most of my chest, something which should have been mine to show him if I chose to, not his.
I flew over to Alana and poked her hard, "Yo! That's not cool man! Do not damning flaunt my body around like that!" I knew she wouldn't be able to hear me, but hell; it was worth a shot.
To my surprise, Alana gave me a death glare and flicked her… finger? My finger? Whatever, she flicked me off. Oh, that girl does not know who she is damning messing with. That was my body, lady, and I would damning have it back even if it killed me in the attempt. But not now. I actually wanted to know what Daniel would say, and what Alana would say to the two of them now that she actually had a chance. However, once I had my fill, I swear I would force her away from me. Once I figured out how of course, which might not be as easy as I hoped.
Even as I finished that thought, I made myself a small promise, telling myself that once this was all over and done with, I would find out what was going on from the guys, whether they wanted to tell me or not. Either way, I would find out what had happened all those years ago, and I would finally settle it once and for all. Perhaps I was butting into their business, perhaps I had no part in it, but I didn't care; Daniel was my boyfriend, and Arsenio was one of my best friends, so I had every right to butt into their business, even if they might hate me later for it.
"You know who I am, my sweet love," Alana whispered, "Listen to my voice; look at who I am. You know me."
Daniel looked at her steadily enough, with the small exception when his eyes trailed over to my chest. He kept thinking to the point where I wondered how much more dense he could get. Then, finally, his eyes opened in understanding, and he looked up into her eyes, my eyes, and breathed one word out. "Alana…" During all that time, Arsenio said nary a word.
He looked at my face, searching my eyes with a hungry look in his eyes. I could be wrong, but I felt my heart break just a bit, looking at him look at her like that instead of me. "It's you, isn't it? It's you, isn't it Alana?"
"No shit Sherlock," Arsenio finally hissed, "Alana, stop torturing him like this and just tell him it's you damn it."
"Stay out of this," Daniel snapped, "She isn't talking to you, Emil."
"Are you just going to let her take over your girlfriend's body?" Arsenio demanded, "Do you care naught for Elena? What do you think happens to her while Alana is here? She could be dead, for Christ's sakes!"
"You're just jealous that Alana came to me and not you!" Daniel roared, "You already stole her from me once! If you remember the friendship we once shared, if you feel any of what you did for me then now, let me talk to Alana and shut the hell up!" With those words, Daniel turned his back in Arsenio.
I quickly glanced at Arsenio, to see him seething, hatred pouring off him in tidal waves. I sympathized with him, but I also had to admit that if I didn't know any better, I would think he was trying to get Alana away from Daniel as well. However, I did know better, and know that Arsenio really was concerned for my safety; the way his eyes darted around in anxiety just proved it.
His eyes slid past me several times, but they never once just stopped on me, a fact that frustrated me to no end. "Damn it Arsenio," I cursed softly, "Hurry up and see me already!"
After a few moments of crazy theatrics in his face in an attempt to make him see me, I gave up and turned back to Daniel and Alana. I knew without a doubt that that royal pain in the butt could see me, and I intended to make her tell Daniel and Arsenio that I was still there, just so they wouldn't worry. Oh wow, I was so stupid then to think I could have made anyone do anything at that point.
I floated over to them and listened to their conversation. "I can't believe you're back," Daniel said hoarsely, his eyes bright with unshed tears, "I thought Arsenio killed you; I thought you were gone forever!"
The me, and yet not me, placed my hand, her hand, on his cheek. I felt the mad urge to tear my own hand away from Daniel's face, but that made no sense, and I wouldn't be able to do it even if I wanted to; I'd already tried touching people and it didn't work for shit. Ah hell, this was a damn horrible situation. "I have never left you; not really, Davide. I have always been with you."
"How is this possible, Alana? I saw you die; I went to your funeral."
She hesitated then, "Davide, there's something I haven't told you. Even so; I can't stay here much longer; the girl will be wanting her body back."
"No!" he cried, reaching out and taking her hand in a death-like grasp. I felt my heart break just a bit then as I watched the anguish in his eyes. That anguish though, was not for me, but for his old love. The love I had no part in. It hurt to see him with so much love in his eyes and not aimed at me. I knew I had no right to feel jealous, especially considering what they had went through, but I couldn't help it; Daniel was mine now, and she looked like she was trying to steal him away from me. From the looks of it, it was working too…
"Please," he whispered, "Stay here with me, Alana, I beg you!"
"The girl will want her body back; I cannot stay here forever, Davide, even if I wanted to."
He let out a groan and clawed at his hair with his right hand, a motion I recognized as his being lost as to what he should do. "What if I found you another body to inhabit?" His reply was so quiet I almost didn't hear it. Almost, but I still did, and boy was I worried then.
Alana looked at him sadly and shook her head, sorrow filling her features, "The only reason I can even inhabit this girl's body is because I have a strong connection to her; another's would not do."
I saw Daniel take a deep breath, and suddenly, I knew what he said next would affect us forever. "I can't let you go," he whispered, "I just found you, and then you left me, because that idiot made a mistake." I felt my heart break even more; it was ironic, how he just told me he loved me that exact day, and now he was telling another girl the exact same thing, even though that girl inhabited my body.
"We can't be together without the girl leaving; I would constantly be invading, just being here but not at the same time."
He let out a sigh; the man wasn't even thinking about me at all! His entire being was focused solely on Alana. "What if the girl did disappear? Would you be able to take her body so we could be together again?" My heart broke even more with those words; was he really considering it? Would he give up my life just so he could be with Alana? I wanted to believe that Daniel wouldn't do that, but he said it right in front of me; what was I suppose to do?
Luckily, Arsenio butt in. "Are you kidding me, Davide?" he demanded, "You just told Elena you loved her today! Are you going to give her up so easily for a woman that should have died years ago? Did your words mean nothing? Answer me, Davide! If you truly love Elena as you claim, you will watch your next words, for I swear, if you decide to try and harm her, I will ensure that your death will come first!"
Daniel turned smoldering eyes on Arsenio. "You just want her for yourself," he hissed in a low voice, "You didn't have her, so now you're trying to steal her from me. I can't believe I once considered you my best friend, Emil; you're nothing but a selfish bastard."
Arsenio had enough with that. "What makes you think I'm only thinking of myself?" he growled, "You're the one considering killing your girlfriend, whom you said you loved, for a girl that died years ago and should not exist now. Will you give up Elena's life just so you can fulfill your own desires? I thought you desired her, or perhaps she and I were both wrong on the matter."
Daniel looked away in disgust and turned back to Arsenio. From my point of view, it seemed like he was giving up, but I could be wrong. If someone had asked me today after dinner if I would ever doubt Daniel and his faithfulness to me, I would have slapped them and called them an idiot for even considering it. Now, I wasn't so sure… Man, fate is a bitch for doing this right after he told me he loved me. Does my life suck right now or what?
Daniel leaned closer to Alana, so his eyes were level with her own. "I would do anything to be with you again, Alana. Anything."
With those words, my heart just completely shattered in itself. He'd just admitted that he loved another girl more than me, and always would. What was I to do with that? I felt like my heart was dying, even as tears came to my eyes. I didn't want to cry; didn't want to let anyone see that he had gotten to me, momentarily forgetting the fact that no one could see me but Alana, and all her attention was on Daniel. I closed my eyes as I waited for the sting of tears. And yet, none came. It was one of those times when I wanted to cry, when I thought it would feel better to cry, but I couldn't. Crying was like a way of releasing my pain and sorrow, and yet, it wouldn't come, so I was stuck with it. "I don't want to hurt," I begged, "Please, don't let this happen."
And yet, it was, right in front of my eyes. "Do you mean that?" Alana breathed, leaning up to him. Her eyes were pleading, desperate, but her posture was seductive and flirty.
"Yes," he whispered, leaning down to her. "I would do anything to have you in my arms again, Alana. Anything."
Could he not see that I was suffering? Feel my pain? Could he not see that he was killing me inside? Of course not, because if he could, he would have stopped talking. But he didn't; he just kept right on going.
"Would you kill this body? Have the girl's soul move on to the netherworld? Would you ensure that for me?"
"Yes." There was no hesitation in his words, note even the slightest bit. He said it normally, with determination. I saw the determination shine in his eyes, and knew he was committed to doing it. I thought about it, wondering if he actually would should the chance come for him to end my life. Would he reconsider? Or would he actually go through with it? I wanted to believe the former, but I had a feeling I was wrong; it was the latter.
That was enough though; I was done playing little slave. I had heard enough heart-breaking news that night; I didn't need more. I focused on Alana and narrowed my eyes, trying to pull myself back into my own body.
I felt it as I moved towards myself, felt the heaviness in my soul. I heard Alana gasp and reach for Daniel, "No! She wants her body back!"
I knew without a doubt the moment I returned into my own body. The pressure was off my head, but I was tired as hell. The last thing I saw then before the darkness consumed me was Daniel reaching a hand towards me, yelling, "Alana!" Then, the darkness took over my body. I wasn't even sure when I hit the ground.
