I felt relieved that the tension had finally ended between them.

Still I was left uneasy as I left the meeting, there was ominous atmosphere that kept following me around even as I left the studio grounds.

I saw a glimspe of shadow within my peripheral vision.

I was still following the crowds of the crew that were getting ready to leave for our First ghost hunt, yet some small little voice of logic told me to turn around.

I'd reached a random van that was parked on the studio premises and I pressed myself flat against the the side of the technical equipment van.

"So you knew I was following you. I was wondering when you would finally turn around.

I was following you for awhile".

Sidney was acting like this was a casual activity rather than a stalking incidence.

"Oh is that what you call it?

You're following me, not stalking me, got it.

I'll keep that in mind the next time I see you prowling around ny home".

"Whaat? Wait You didn't see me there did you?"

"The mental invisibility trick is quite clever, you know where you make people think you're not really there but unfortunately this jedi mind tricks isn't very effective in hiding your shadow.

What's even more unfortunate is Jedi mind tricks don't usually work on me.

I'm sort of immune to them.

So yes I knew you were there."

"I can explain. I had this feeling that your uncle wouldn't be too pleased about your escapades so I came to give you a ride.

It's really that simple".

"Mhmmm...if only it was.

Why were you really there again?"

My voice was dreamy and serene.

"Baaah! Okaay. I used to live there if you must know, my daughter went missing in that house and I just... wanted to make sure you... were safe."

"Better but still not the whole story.

Look Just as long as you're not stalking me, peering into my bedroom window or calling me out from the shadows to follow you out into the fog I'm fine with it.

I'm more concerned about your intentions rather than whatever weird and creepy shit you appear to be doing when no one is looking.

So what are your intentions exactly?"

"Good intentions, pure intentions, I just want to make sure you are safe, honestly I Just want to protect you.

Mansfield as you know was not happy with me this morning so I don't know, I Guess I thought, I could sway him somehow by helping you.

I was hoping that if he knew I was looking out for you, he wouldn't be angry at me anymore.

It's stupid and childish I know but one must always have hope.

Wouldn't you agree?"

I felt my stomach sink, I knew he was lying.

I'd never seen his face, I'd seen a shadow and I could smell mothballs and the dusty smell of brittle bones in the air.

I don't know what he saw but I had a very strong feeling that he had seen me with Dwindle, I was certain of it, I knew it was him because I had seen his shadow in the living room.

I however chose to keep this tiny bit of information to myself.

I followed his shadow outside so as far as he knows, he thinks I saw his shadow outside on the house grounds.

"So did you enjoy your visit... this morning?"

"I suppose so, it wasn't bad, wasn't great but it could have been worse. It was okay, I looked around a bit, didn't find anything worth writing home about, nothing interesting, just dust and ugly decor, nothing fancy, nothing really caught my eye to be honest.

It's just how I remembered it actually"

"Was it haunted when you lived there?"

"Oh heavens yes, it was very Haunted, yet it didn't really bother my wife and I, she was fascinated by anything and everything paranormal. It was strange, the spirits of the house were a comfort to her.

I believe there was only one spirit, at first I thought there were multiple dark entities within the house but I realized it was just one very powerful poltergeist, yet now from what you told me I now know this entity is in fact a demon."

There was a morbid gleam in his eye that quite contradicted his wholesome smile.

"Are you really friends with a demon or is that just a joke?"

"It's not a joke and yes he really is my friend.

Does that bother you?"

"No Not as much as it should but it is a tad bit troublesome."

"Troublesome. You spoke of letting go of certain prejudices.

What is it that you have against demons?"

"It's a demon, they are demonic, they are evil entities that feed on the fear of humans and they destroy all that is good in this world.

They create chaos, they incite

wars and they inspire violence in the hearts of humans on this earth, they are killing this world as we know it.

So no I cannot trust a demon, I will not object to those that take comfort in them like my wife did in that house but look at it this way, the same demon that protects you and comforts you in that house, despite all it's power and strength, did nothing to save my daughter.

My daughter went missing and that demon didn't even stop it from happening.

I didn't get a warning, there was nothing but silence that day.

I really thought he would help but he was nowhere to be found, no cold drafts, no rumbling floorboards, no writings on the wall, no thunder or lightning,

no flickering lights, no good or bad omens to speak of.

So if you're ever up late wondering why I hate demons so much remember my daughter and how I'll never see her again.

She's gone and she will never be returned to me.

So that's why I am the way I am.

That's why I'm so bitter and paranoid.

That house gave me nothing but trouble so forgive me if I lurk around corners suspitand slink about in the shadows in caution, I don't want you to go missing like she did.

Anyways I do hope we all have a wonderful time on the road today."

It made me nervous how swiftly he switched from austere to hopefully cheery.

"Thank you for that.

I think I'll Go ride with Mansfield.

I'm sure he'd like the company."

I made it known to him that his dark monologue hadn't put me at ease in any way, I had awkward tone, a sardonic inflection and my expression was unsure and incredulously reluctant.

I picked up the pace so I could demonstrate that I was actively avoiding him for the time being.

He Only smiled darkly as I walked away.

I thought I liked Sidney but now I wasn't so sure.

I was really beginning to despise him again and it wasn't because he was a vampire, it was his personality and the fact he hid so much behind his smooth words and smile.

He left so many things out and that arrogant grin he had when he was in the middle of telling a little lie, it was as if he was celebrating his cleverness and gloating over the fact that he was far too intelligent to be out smarted by anyone.

He was not just manipulative he was a man child who obviously needed constant reassurance in the form of compliments so he could find meaning for his existence.

If I see his shadow again I swear I'll fucking scream and I probably won't care what Dwindle will do to him.

I think I might even find the fear in his eyes to be amusing.

Wait that didn't sound like me.

Those thoughts didn't sound like my thoughts.

Maybe it was the curse that was talking, or perhaps it was a complication of the new shadow thay Dwindle had inherited.

It was probably nothing to worry about... I hope.