Her mother’s shoulders sagged and she let out a deep sigh. “I’m sorry, baby. But I don’t have a choice. He said he didn’t want you in here. And I have to obey him.”
Sybil scoffed. “Obey? You’re not a fucking dog, Mom.” Her mother didn’t respond. “Fine. I’ll leave. But if I go, I’m not coming back.” Her mother didn’t protest her threat. Sybil stormed out of the kitchen. A few moments later, the screen door opened. “Unbelievable!” She glared back at the trailer in disgust. “Fine…I’ll find a way to get what I need and then I’m gone.” I scurried down the side of the trailer and back into the shadows.
As I peeked out again, I saw Sybil’s red hair glowing in the moonlight. She was walking down the road and toward the exit of the trailer park in the opposite direction.
As much as I would love to chase after you, I think I’d rather see how this plays out for a bit.
My stomach growled. “Oh hush. You’ll get your fill soon enough.” My eyes raised back to watch as the woman disappeared from view. “S-s-s-s-s-Sybil,” I sang. “I can’t wait to see you again.” I grinned. “Soon.”
CHAPTER 6
CRISSA
“I’m sorry ma’am,it’s going to be just a few more minutes on those pizzas.” I tried to offer a sympathetic smile. “We’re a little backed up with that party over there.” With my thumb, I gestured to the screaming kids jumping on the booths in the back of the pizzeria. Despite being a Thursday, the place was oddly packed and we were dealing with a rather busy dinner rush.
The mother in the booth smiled kindly. “No problem, hun. They’re preoccupied anyway.” She waved in the direction of her two boys playing a basketball game in the arcade nearby. “Take all the time you need. We’re in no rush.” She gave me a sweet smile. I nodded and walked away, pulling out my notepad so I could take the order of the next table in my section.
As I approached the table, the middle-aged man to my right tugged at the ruffles of my uniform before rubbing his fingers along my thigh. He gazed up at me with an eerie familiar look. “You gonna take our order now, cutie?” My body tensed and my anxiety flared.
I shall handle this.
I felt Zeth’s presence rumble in the pit of my stomach. Without a single hesitation, I let a tiny sliver of it peek through and come to life within me.
“Take your fucking hand off of my human,” Zeth muttered through my lips with a tilted smile. His voice was low and demonic, especially compared to mine, and would startle anyone who heard it. The guy jolted, pulling his hand back from my leg so quickly, you’d think I’d have burnt him. I felt no remorse, only pride in knowing Zeth had terrified him.
The demon’s presence faded back as I regained control, allowing him to remain seeded in my thoughts.
If he touches you again, he is mine to claim.
“Fine,” I whispered. I shifted on my feet slightly, straightened my poofy sleeve, and stared at the man. I refused to show the giant fake smile I’d usually wear, and gave no apology for the words that had just left my mouth. I just pretended everything was normal. “So.” I tilted my head. “What can I get for you two?” I looked at the man and his friend blankly. They were both in slacks and polos, clearly off of work and grabbing dinner before going home to their wives, evidenced by the solid gold bands on their ring fingers. I guess they thought they could bag someone as dessert too.
Typical human men. Always wanting more. And when they can’t get what they want, they try to take it. I never understood the reasoning behind their overwhelming sexual cravings, behaving as though it’s never enough and acting as though they would die without it.
He cackled.
They think sex is power! But in reality, they are weak. Weaker than any other creature on this earth. Why do you think God made Eve, Crissa?
I didn’t answer.
Not for Adam’s sexual needs, like they’d want you to believe. No. Women were created to fix the original design of man, which had many, many flaws. And these men before you, are the sad truth that even a god can make a mistake.
I tried to not laugh at Zeth’s words.
The two men at the table said nothing and just looked at me with blank expressions. I plastered on a smirk and spoke. “I’ll just give you two another minute.” I turned on my heels and nearly gasped. “What the hell is she doing here?” I whispered to myself. Just in the distance, was Sybil, standing at the entrance of Big Top.
Oh, now this is an interesting turn of events.
I ignored Zeth’s voice in my head as she was quite literally the last person I expected to see. “What do I do, Zeth?” I quietly asked the demon inside of me.Before he could respond, Sybil and I made eye contact. “Shit!” I continued walking, pretending I hadn’t just locked eyes with her.
Oh, she noticed you, dear Crissa.
I kept my eyes low. From what I saw, Sybil was alone. None of her little band of followers were with her, which was pretty unusual, but I didn’t have time to deal with her. I’d just carry on and let one of my coworkers deal with her.
Wise move, human. I do not think you could stomach such an altercation at the moment. Pity, though. I was feeling peckish.
I tried to hurry past, but the moment she realized I wasn’t going to acknowledge her existence, she snapped.
Sybil yelled across the pizzeria. “Hey, freak! Iknowyou just saw me!”
