Extract from Demon Angel

Scene in the cell:

Kera had made her decision. She had learnt the code to the cell and now nothing would stop her from facing him; from trying to get something from him. She hastily looked around the tents to see most of them sleeping or relaxing by the bonfire over in the distance and Mason was still off the island with his father. It was now or never, and she was determined it would be now.

The beep that followed each input of the code in the new door mechanism the Professor had fitted sounded so loud that Kera was afraid she had awoken the whole island and alerted the demon of her coming. She held her breath for a moment, waiting for something to break the silence and catch her in the act. Nothing did. She slowly exhaled and pushed the final button to hear the door locks release before rushing inside the solitary box. The quickness in closing the door behind her was driven by her need for the safety of everyone else from her stupidity and it wasn't until she heard them close that she finally felt fear. She was locked in here with him now; she was getting exactly what she wished for. It was dark where she entered, but she could see the dim light coming from the wall at the end of the cell where he was sat in the shadows on a makeshift bed, the only thing in the room aside from a pot and a jug of water. She wasn't sure then if demons had to eat or drink to survive, or even use the pot for things she really didn't want to think about for that matter; but they were there, as they would have been for any prisoner. He was watching her, she was certain of it, as his casual form was being supported by his elbow as his one knee was bent up in a relaxed pose. He was smirking she was certain of it, as if he had been so sure that she wouldn't have been able to stay away whilst he still survived. She wanted to walk closer; she needed to see more of his face that she had seen when he had been taken out of her body. She needed to see him. Her legs did not want to move, but her will betrayed her making her move slightly forward. She jumped at the sound of the small chuckle that escaped his lips, willing that her voice be sturdy enough when she spoke.

"You can think about escaping," She said quickly whilst moving a little bit closer. "But I will not give you the code to exit this place."

"Who said I would have to ask for it?" Came the dulcet from the shadows. His voice was teasing but deep and meaningful at the same time. She should certainly have not have gained confidence from it but she did.

"You can hurt me if you wish, but I will not give it to you."

"You do not fear death?" He enquired sneakily, his face coming more into view as she moved closer.

"You can kill me if you wish, but there are answers I wish to know first." Kera didn't want to die, but there was something in his darkness that didn't threaten her like he intended. There was something there that she felt she must trust, no matter how much he threatened. He chuckled again and stood up to full height before she managed to catch his features in the light. She stopped in her tracks as he began to move towards her.

"Well seeing as I am going to die anyway," He said as he moved closer. "May as well have some fun by humouring you before I enjoy seeing you squirm." He was lying, she knew that, he was just trying to scare her and she needed to be the fool and resist the urge for fleeing that he was deliberately trying to get out of her. She decided to ignore him, and moved closer, his features finally becoming clear. Kera was certain that if she hadn't have been trying damn hard to be strong in front of this creature she would have allowed her mouth to drop open as his face came into full view. He was truly magnificent as he stood a whole two feet above her, his size making her feel secure rather than intimidated. His dark hair was cut close to his head as his dark eyes glimmered as he stared at her. He looked like a warrior, and Kera no doubt thought that he obviously knew this and was glad of his affect on her. She closed her eyes and opened them again, willing for the strength to see this man, or should she say demon, as he was. She wanted information from him, knowledge of herself. That was all, and then she would leave. She felt herself swallow as she regained her composure and felt herself move back slightly away from him to give herself some space. He smiled again but stayed where he was, obviously enjoying the moment.

"Why are you here little girl?" He asked patronisingly, she ignored him.

"Well," She coughed to clear her throat, her voice husky from the nerves. "I was hoping you could answer a few of my questions seeing as you have nothing better to do."

He quirked his brow as if to prompt her into saying more, moving back on the bed to return to his relaxed position. Things really were looking up, he thought to himself as she stood there with her fake defiance. He knew this girl inside out and he knew how weak she could be, yet he also knew how proud she was and that he could admire.

"Take a seat." He ordered as she quickly scanned the room for a place to sit. Pity, he thought to himself as he made himself more comfortable, she wasn't going to join him on the bed. He watched as she made herself comfortable on the stone floor in front of him, enough distance for her to stand if things got hairy, but not far enough where she could consider herself safe. She hadn't been safe since the second she stepped in here. He watched as she crossed her legs and fiddled with her hair that meant she was struggling to say what she wanted, her worry apparent on her brow as she contemplated the words.

"You do not have to worry about what words you use with me little girl, I doubt you care about my feelings at a time like this."

Kera looked at him inquisitively for a moment as if making a quick decision that seemed to relieve her slightly. She took a moment to compose herself before continuing.

"Before I ask anything," She said, her back straightened. "I wish to be called Kera."

He studied her, his pleasure in this little cat and mouse game really lifting his spirits. A nod was all he gave her in return.

"Thank you," She said before slumping back into her comfortable position. "There are a few things I would like to ask but I would also like to tell you why I would like to ask them."

He didn't say anything and she was grateful.

"I don't expect you to feel anything towards what I say before you throw that back at me, but I wish to say it nonetheless," Her back was straight again. "To have someone live inside you, to know every thought and every feeling is quite, an addictive thought." She waited for a comment from him and got none. "I have struggled for a long time to try and communicate to people who I am, how I feel, how I think, how I like to be treated, but I have always failed. I've always just ended up blending to their requirements of me instead."

"I know." He said quietly, no sympathy in his voice, and she continued on.

"To have you here now, able to tell me things about myself, to share what it was like whilst you were inside of me, to know that from someone who truly knows me with little effort in trying to find out, well," She paused. "It's quite a tempting thing to have put before you."

"Something that is worth risking your life for?"

"You won't harm me." She said quickly, her confidence flaking.

"Oh really? And what makes you think that? Kera."

"You lived inside me remember? I know you too."

His look was piercing then, he did not look happy as anger shifted across his face.

"You know nothing of me sweet, only whatever I wanted you to think."

"No, you're wrong. I battled with you for a very long time. I tried to resolve and understand at the time what I thought was me, but it was you I was studying. "

He went to say something back but she stopped him with her words.

"There were times when I understood your anger. Your reasoning behind those evil thoughts you put in my head. In some part of me they were justified, they weren't cruel; they were reactions to the cruelty out there, the cruelty of how people treated me sometimes. It wasn't all bad."

"It was all intended as bad, I cannot help your pathetic interpretation."

"Maybe not, but you won't change my mind so drop the theatrics. What is your name?" She asked the last part quickly not expecting an answer.

"Rimmon.” He said reluctantly, wanted to give her a little something back for the nerve of her naive bravery.

"Rimmon.” She said aloud, her voice light. "That's a demon name."

"What you would call demons yes."

"Where are you from?"

"I thought you were going to ask questions about you?"

"I was, but I thought it was polite to at least show some interest in you too."

His laughter was mocking but for once he didn't intend it to be, she truly did astound him at times.

"Always the polite, sweet girl eh? Even when talking to a demon."

This time she stayed silent, letting the hurt wash over her. She wasn't to expect anything from him that she could take away with her as a good memory. She was here for answers. To feel anything for him would be dangerous, especially this close to him dying. He leaned forward; more comfortable than he had been when she had first entered the room.

"You my dear little girl have been a mystery to me since the day I entered you," His voice was lighter now, as friendly as he could make it. "You are the first in ions of years and centuries to resist me, to resist my thoughts."

"What do you mean, resist?"

"We demons as you like to call us come from a world of people who were cursed upon by our enemy. A curse that made us turn to dust if we entered the human world again." He cocked his head to one side as he watched her listen to his story. "However, one of us did so, presuming that the curse would be the end of him, but when he turned he realised that he could enter the human body in his dust form and manipulate the thoughts and feelings of the one he inhabited. It gave us power again."

"So there are hundreds of demons all over the place? Taking people over?"

"Yes," He said simply. "But do not blame us for all bad deeds, some come from the very black heart of humans."

"You convince people to kill?"

"If it suits us. Sometimes we arrange for them to become powerful in their own right so we can rule as we wish through them, it depends on the need of the demon."

"And when that person is no longer useful to you? Are you stuck?" She felt her voice become strained as she asked for answers she wasn't sure she wanted to know.

"Unless the person we inhabit is strong willed or minded like you, we can convince them to kill themselves to release us, it depends on the demon and the purpose."

"Have you," Kera thought back to the dark thoughts she once had. "Have you ever tried to kill me?"

"Lots of times my sweet, but not because I didn't have a use for you, it seems that you never really had a use for me. I was bored and frustrated in you."

"Why?"

He laughed at her innocent questioning.

"You were so nice," He said nice as if it were a dirty word to him. "You never hit back at others, you let guys screw you and let them take all the damn pleasure, you let people talk rude to you and although you felt angry at their behaviour you keep it all in."

"I have been called moody and temperamental for most of my life. How do you come to that conclusion?" She said exasperated, trying hard not to let the things he said affect her. She had asked for this.

"You are moody and temperamental because you can't tell people how you really feel. You let it build up, and up, until you can contain it no longer and you let it out in the only way you know how." He quietened his voice, the need to upset her dwindling. "A way that won't upset people directly, only yourself. You're a martyr Kera."

She remained quiet, her thoughts hitting her one after the other. He knew what she was doing. Analysing what he said, trying to work out what it meant, thinking how was the best way to react whilst imagining her favourite way to act in her head to release her frustration.

"How are you doing without me inside you head?"

She looked up quickly, shocked that he had spoken.

"It's not too much different actually," She admitted quietly. "A little less dramatic."

He laughed again. He would actually miss being connected to this girl and her stupid ways.

"I will miss your weirdness Kera. I must say, that I will definitely miss that."

"Where will you go?" She asked as she started to pick at the stone floor, her nerves breaking through her stubborn shield.

"When I die?" He asked her blatantly. His eyes never leaving her face.

"Yes."

"I don't know. Just as you don't. We didn't practice heaven and hell in my world as we never really believed in anything other than what we knew." He paused. "I know I won't turn back to dust if that is what you're worried about."

"It's not, I was just curious."

"Is there anything else you would like to know?"

"Do you hate me for doing this to you?" She asked him, and he didn't miss the glimmer of tears in her eyes. His anger rose within him quickly.

"Do not suggest that you are actually concerned for me Kera. It's pathetic."

"I am not pathetic. I was just asking."

"You want to feel guilt over me, fine."

She stood up now, uncertain of the feelings that had started to flow through her. She wanted to touch him, to tell him it would all be ok, but she also knew that would definitely be a bad idea.

"I don't want to feel anything, but I can't talk to you like this and then want you to die. I can't."

"We've only been talking for a short time you silly girl."

"But you've been inside me for thirteen years." She shouted at him, her temper finally breaking.

He stopped to look at her, closely, as if seeing her for the first time. He didn't like what he was seeing in her eyes.

"Yes I was inside you Kera," He had to make her flee; to get her temper up to leave him here since his rude demeanour was doing nothing to hurt her. "I was inside you when you had your teacher try to feel you up when you were fourteen and you said nothing, I was inside you when your friend decided to get busy with your boyfriend and you still remained friends with her, I was inside you when you had your first period and was too scared to tell your own mother, I was inside you Kera when Ryan Tomkins ripped your virginity away when you continued to say no and felt you still love him, I was inside you, you stupid little bitch when every damn person on this earth has screwed you over and you have done NOTHING!"

He pushed her gently away, to emphasis his words.

"So do not," He continued his voice quieter but no less menacing. "Do not feel any remorse for me."

He watched as the tears flowed from her eyes as she swallowed any sobs that threatened to escape her. He had done it. He had finally made her see sense and leave him the hell alone. Or so he thought. Her temper was the last thing he had expected.

"You keep called me silly, and stupid Rimmon but yet I managed to defeat you, " She was shouting now, not liking the result of her stupid quest of coming here. Her sudden feelings for him and his thoughts for her were clashing in her chest. "I have managed to get you out of me after keeping you against your will for a long time," Her words being sarcastic. Her anger flourishing. "I have beaten you, no matter what you say about me I have defeated you and all you can bring up is the stupid past of a teenage girl to tackle it." She pushed at his hard body and he didn't move an inch. "You're the fool." She pushed at him again as he watched her mesmerised. “You’re the one who is stupid.” Her hand had slapped his face before she was even able to control it, not shocked when he caught her wrist in his own hand and pulled her too him.

“Fire at least eh Kera?”

His vicious stare, the closeness of his hard body was almost too much to take. It was spiralling out of control and she didn’t know where the hell it would take her. Hell being the most appropriate word she can think of in relation to this. She swallowed, her heart beating faster, but she stood her ground and didn’t move. She would not flinch from him, no matter how much he willed it.

“You have no answer?” He pushed. “Shame, you seemed to be on a roll.” He leaned in and smelled her, the scent of her own natural perfume intoxicating to him. She stood there, so fragile as he trapped her to him, yet her defiance made feelings stir up inside him that he did not want to feel.

“Get out of here Kera.” He said quickly, his voice husky and dry as he pushed her away from him.

“Why?” She said still staring at him as her mind screamed run.

“Why?” He mimicked her sarcastically. “You want to know why?” He shook his head and approached her again, roughly taking her chin in his large hand.

“If you do not leave in the next five minutes I will have you on that bed to put my evil spawn inside you quicker than you could say no.” He did not release her as she looked up at him with confusion. He was feeling the same feelings as her, no matter how distasteful he made them seem to satisfy his own frustrations, and he was giving her the chance to leave.

“I am not going anywhere.” She whispered, her heart beating so fast it felt like it was going to fly out of her chest.

He stared at her, motionless. She was not leaving. He could take her, here, now, and she was not leaving. She wanted him? What a stupid, stupid fool.

“Get out Kera!” He shouted at her, pushing her away again, expecting her to flee in tears at the rejection but she remained where she was. He turned his back to her before he laughed in her face at her audacity.

“No!” She shouted back, her hands suddenly on her hips. “I will leave when I damn well want to Rimmon so stuff you.”

He turned around quicker than she thought possible, his hands suddenly on her as they snaked into her hair and yanked her forward.

“You really are stupid.” He said before crushing his lips to hers. He had intended it to be a harsh kiss, to teach her lesson for trying to tempt him, a demon, for pity’s sake; but the harshness didn’t last long. Not when the groan escaped her throat sending a rush of exhilaration through him so quickly he thought he would expire from it. Her lips were soft, probing against his own as her hands came to rest on his, her chest moving closer to his own. He pulled away.

“One last chance, I won’t stop Kera.” He practically whispered. Why he was giving her another chance to leave was beyond him but this girl wasn’t just anybody; he owed her this much.

“Then don’t stop.” She said back, her eyes full of innocence; and that was his final undoing before he lifted her legs around his waist and carried her to the makeshift bed.