Chapter 8

• THE GOSSIP
• JILLIAN
• “A demon has risen, my grandma once told me. He only rises every time after sleeping for years.” My classmate’s voice woke me up from sleeping on my desk. My head is still plunged on my crossed arms above the table listening to their loud voice.
• “There’s no such thing as demons. That’s just a story for kids,” my other classmate said.
• “So you are saying I am a kid?”
• “No, silly.”
• “What if it’s true? She said he is living in a forest, in a mansion.” I lift my head after hearing what she just said and turn my body to face them.
• “What’s the demon’s name?” I asked, making them raise their eyebrows at me. They are just a chair apart so they can hear me clearly.
• “Angelo,” she answered though she ignored me after that. They started talking about something else while I am still watching them.
• I have no friends at school because I’m scared about them finding out that I can see creatures. Just like how I see Hailey always tailing me. She is actually on the empty seat beside me with both her feet on the table. Sometimes she is messing with the students but I didn’t care.
• “Hailey.” I called her using a low voice so no one would think I’ve gone crazy talking by myself. She stopped playing on her toes and faced me taking her feet down to the floor.
• “Yes?”
• “Angelo is a demon?” She gave me a shrug. “And how can you still be here? My Birthday is done.”
• “Angelo asked me to watch over you,” she said.
• “Why would he do that?” I lean my back on the chair acting as normal as possible so no one would think I’m crazy.
• “He said he wants to help you.”
• I gave up talking to her since I think I can’t get any information. The university is filled with annoying voices of students randomly talking about things. I am on the hallways walking as fast as I could to find a silent place. Some are laughing hardly, some are flirting to each other, some angrily screaming and some whispering as they gossip about anyone.
• When classes are over, I’m finally walking like a free bird heading home. My parents were there when I arrived and I also saw Angelo from the forest. It’s very easy to see him with his white long sleeves.
• I waved at him and continued walking to the door. My dad looked at me with a heavy face as if I’ve done something wrong again.
• “I thought you escaped again,” he said and I shook my head in response. I gripped my bag tightly as he walked towards me. I thought he was gonna hurt me again but he only patted my head. “Good thing you came back. Where did you go?” He took his hand away.
• “She finally understands she can’t live without us,” my stepmom said and I can see her feet too from the floor since my head is down. I am not allowed to look at their faces as if we have the same level.
• “I just celebrated my Birthday alone,” I said.
• “In the forest?” my dad asked so I nodded. “With who?”
• “Alone.”
• “With who?” he asked again using a heavier voice trying to intimidate me and spill.
• “Alone.”
• He gripped on my shoulders all of the sudden. They don’t hurt just like before even how hard he tries giving more force to it with his nails buried to my skin.
• “With Angelo? Ha?”
• “Alone.” I’m still answering the same with the same tone.
• “Tell him yes,” Angelo’s voice made me gasp. He is whispering to me. Gladly, I’m the only person who can see him. He is right by me looking unamused with my situation.
• “Yes,” I changed my answer which made my dad get his hands off me and step backwards.
• “What did you just say?” My stepmom tried to confirm it. Now it’s confusing why my dad would act as such, hearing Angelo’s name.
• “I’m with Angelo, that night,” I said and her eyes widened. I saw how my stepmom stepped back too hugging my dad.
• “I told you,” dad said with fear written all over his eyes. They look like they are fearing some demon.
• “She is just crazy,” my stepmom insisted, trying to look as calm as possible.
• “Are you scared of him?” I asked trying not to look at their eyes that much or they’ll hit me again.
• They didn’t give me an answer and just left me there. I looked at Angelo, his eyes looked different. It’s like a burning fire, ready to kill someone. They are so dark like a demon living in hell.
• “How did they know you?” I asked him. I also saw how Hailey signaled me not to continue what I’m thinking. She looks scared too. Angelo’s eyes met mine and they slowly went back to normal. I thought he’s going to answer but when I took a single blink, he vanished.
• Hailey’s face looks worried now.
• “What wrong?” I asked her but she is not answering too. There are a lot of things I don’t know about. It’s how I see it. They want to tell me but they can’t. Does it change anything if they spill them?
• “So, it’s a huge secret you cannot tell me.” The silence went so deafening that even the wind wasn't able to break it. I’m waiting for him to at least say anything.
• “I don’t have the right to tell you.” She also vanished from my eyes.
• Curiosity is now killing me. There is a secret that I don’t know and I can’t stay like this wondering what it is. I will seek answers by myself if they can’t tell me. I admit I don’t know how but I have faith that I will find out soon.
• I went to my room and stayed at the balcony feeling the wind’s touches. The forest is the center of my attention while I’m thinking about Angelo, Carina and the secret between them and my family. There is some connection that I might fail getting details from my memories in the past.
• I will soon find out everything.