“I really can’t stand you.”

“Then why are you still listening to me?”

“Beacause,” I paused, “I don’t have a choice. And Neither. Do. You.”

Xavier kept a stubborn expression on his face, but he new I was right.

“Well, then,” he chirp as the edges of his mouth curved forming a smile, “I guess it’s time to set our plan in motion.”

He smirked then let out a small chuckle as I rolled my eyes in annoyance. _This is just my luck. Bad luck. _ __ __ Xavier and I walked along a small hidden path in the woods that led to trapped door that barricaded a dirt hole in the ground. Once we arrived at the trapped door, I unlatched a rusty golden latch allowing us to crawl into the hole.

It was dark, damp, and annoying— well, the annoying part was on Xavier’s behalf, gosh I can’t stand him—after a few minutes of crawling around in the claustrophobic tunnel, I came to a sudden stop. We have arrived.

The light created my skin with a warm touch. I slowly and carefully made my way out of the hole, which had led to a beautiful mountain surrounded by nothing but trees and nature.

“Air sweet air!” Xavier shouted a little too loudly, “I CAN BREATHE AGAIN!!!” Xavier threw his arms up into the sky and spun around once before falling onto the ground.

“You know, Els—“

“Don’t call me that.”

“You know, _Eleanor, _I was getting kinda tired of hearing you complain about getting dirt under your nails the whole way here.”

I rolled my eyes. We didn’t have time for this.

“Come on,” I pointed my finger at a small mountain cabin, “ We can’t be late.”

I stood at the door to Tyler’s house. I was going to give him some brownies, that after last night when I told mom everything. She agreed to help make.
I knocked three times, hoping that it would be Tyler who answered the door. I took a deep breath as I heard it un lock. The person behind the door wasn’t Tyler. He looked close to Tyler. Expect he had light, light ocean blue eyes and his hair was a few shades lighter. “Hi,” I said as he stood in the frame of the door, “My family heard you just moved in and we made you some brownies.” I held out the plate for him to take. Where was Tyler? I thought he was the only one here. The boy shook his head, “No thanks. I prefer something more like a drink. A red one. Maybe you know it.” Something about what he said made me want to run. And never stop. “Is Tyler home?” The boy nodded, “Tyler’s home. But he’s busy upstairs why don’t you come in and I’ll grab him.” He stepped aside and I walked in. It was a huge house. The boy led me to a room that was filled with couches. They all looked old. “So who are you?” I asked turning around to face him. He gave me a quick smile, that made chills run down my back, “I’m his brother. He never mentions me, Tyler’s not one to brag.” I remembered my conversation with Tyler. He mentioned a name. Malachai I think. “Oh, maybe he didn’t mention you. Malachai.” The boy smiled, “Maybe he does brag. Call me Kai.” “What are you doing here,” Tyler came in the room and stood a few inches away from Kai facing me. I held up the brownies, “My Mom baked these. She asked me to bring them over.” Tyler pushed the brownies aside, “You need to leave. Now.” I looked at Kai who was still giving me that smile. “Okay,” I said I walked past them and out the front door. Something about the way Tyler spoke made me want to leave. “I really can’t stand you!” I heard Tyler shout. “Then why are you still listening to me?” Kai wasn’t mad but he did speak loud. It almost sounded like he was enjoying this. Enjoying the fight. I dropped the brownies in front of the door and ran home. On my way out I bumped into a girl carrying boxes. She dropped them, groaning as she bent down. “I’m so sorry,” I said, picking one up and handing it to her. She tried to smile, “It’s alright.” She walked away her black hair barely touching her shoulders. I took a quick breath and then started running.

It had been an hour since Grace had begun her rant on cats, and although Zoe had grown tired, she listened to her carefully, absorbing every word that tumbled from the blonde’s lips.

“You know, I really can’t stand you,” Zoe yawned, rubbing her eyes. Her friend’s face fell into a smug smirk.

“Then why are you still listening to me?”

“Because your voice is soothing, plus I get free head massages every time you rant, so it’s a win-win.” She smirked, closing her eyes. She had begun to doze off before she was flicked on the forehead, her hands flying up to protect the area with a soft ‘ow!’ as her eyes flew open again.

Grace cleared her throat, resuming her rant nonchalantly. “As I was saying… Did you know that some cats can jump up to eight feet? That’s taller than you!”

“I really can’t stand you,” I hissed. He was surprisingly calm despite the two of us being in an argument. “Then why are you still listening to me?” I didn’t really have an answer for that. “If I’m such an idiot, why are you willing to listen to what I have to say?” “I’m not,” I snapped. “There’s a difference between listening to you and letting you talk.” “Then how are you following along so well?” I didn’t really have an answer for that either. I paused to come up with a response but by the time I came up with one, it had already been too long to answer. I only sighed. His expression softened. “Why do you pretend you hate me?” “I don’t pretend! I do hate you!” I barked. Did I mean it? No. Was I lying to him? Yes. Was I lying to myself? Also yes. I wanted to hate him for the rest of my life after what he’d done but he wasn’t making it easy. He frowned. “You don’t hate me as much as you say you do.” His voice was a bit quieter than before, suggesting that I had gotten to him a little. “Yes, I do! And you know it!” I yelled. “I hate you just like everyone else does!” His body tensed a little. “At least I don’t kill people,” His tone turned harsh. “At least I don’t become friends with people through fear.” My fists clenched. “I don’t use fear for that!” That had pissed me off more than anything else during this argument. He might as well have said that I act like my brother. “Really? Then why is it that everyone tip-toes around you?” I scoffed. “At least I have friends.” “At least I don’t have anger issues that I’ll never solve. You’re so easily swayed by rage.” “At least I’m not a thief! At least I’m not in debt!” “At least I have morals!” “At least I’m not a street rat!” “At least I’m not a tyrant who bosses people around!” “At least I have a family!” When he didn’t throw another insult, I added, “at least I’m not an orphan!” He faltered, his expression fading from angry to something more complicated. It was a mix of what seemed to be sadness, anger, and fear. I paused. “I didn’t- I didn’t mean to say that.” I spat, though I refused to apologize. I wouldn’t apologize to HIM. Not unless I absolutely had to. He didn’t respond. He just looked at the ground. I huffed. Then my opinion— for no apparent reason— changed. “I’m sorry,” I muttered. He still didn’t respond. I sighed. “Calm down, it’s not like it’s your fault.” His face twisted in pain. It was when tears started to form in his eyes when I realized that I didn’t exactly know what happened. All I knew is that they had been murdered. And they were murdered in front of him when he was seventeen. He stared at the ground, tears streaming down his face. He looked like the scene was replaying in his mind over and over again in an endless loop, hypnotizing him in a way. Maybe it was his fault. Maybe he just blamed himself. Whatever it was, I didn’t care. I was focused on the awful words that had just come out of my mouth. I took a step forward. “I-I’m sorry, I didn’t-“ He wiped the tears away and glanced at me. “I’m done with this. You know where to find me.” As he walked away, I was slowly coming to my senses. I was angry. I never meant what I said. I was blinded by anger and rage; just like he had pointed out. He had been right. Again. I hated myself for what I’d done and cursed under my breath. I only hoped that I would be able to find him later. Preferably alive.

“I really can’t stand you.”

“Then why are you still listening to me?”

“None of your business.”

“Just face it already—you like me.”

“No I don’t! What kind of delusion caused your idiot brain to think that!?”

“I don’t know”

“Hmph”

“Maybe . . . it’s the way you still approach me despite how much you claim to hate my presence.”

“Yeah sureeee, I’m totally the one who approaches YOU. Dummy.”

“-Or the way you look at me sometimes when you think I can’t see you”

“Like I want to murder you?”

“Like you love me.”

“Tha-that’s ridiculous!”

“And I kind of like it cuz I love you too.”

 •            •           •          •

“…maybe I like you just a little.”

“Only a little?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself….stupid.”

“Of course not.”

:)

Krissa is a girl. She’s alright I guess. I don’t know, there’s not a lot more to say about her. She talks so much it’s almost annoying… scratch that, it’s very annoying.

But we’re friends.

I guess.

“… so me and Jenna were talking and I was like OH MY GOSH he’s so crazy I mean how could he possible dump her… Jay are you even listening to me? My story is very important!” Krissa says pouting.

“I really can’t stand you.”

“Then why are you still listening?” She said with a sly grin.

“I’m not.” I lied. I do listen, but I’d never tell her that. She’s my only real… friend.

“Hey Jay? Can I tell you something…?” She fiddles with her cuticles.

“You’re going to even if I say No, so go ahead.”

“I.. I kinda like you.”

“I mean, yeah, we’re friends or whatever.”

“No.. I really like you.. not as a friend.”

I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t say anything.

“Please respond you’re scaring me!” She starts biting her nails, a nervous habit she quit years ago.

“I don’t know what that feels like, you’re my first friend so I don’t know what more than a friend would feel like.” I shrug, I say that but I do know. You just… know.

“Oh.. ok.” She looks deflated, I can’t stand it.

“Kiss me.”

“… what?” She looks confused, I can’t blame her, I’m confused as to why I said that too.

“Kiss me.. please.”

I expect her to protest or just look confused, but she doesn’t. Instead, she places her hand on my cheek, leans forward, and kisses me. Her hand was warm on my cheek, her lips were soft against mine. She’d kissed guys before and I knew it, but I’d never kissed a girl, or anyone for that matter. Just the thought made me pull away and back up.

“Hey… what’s wrong?” She asked gently. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

“I…” I turned and walked away. That was a week ago, I haven’t talked to her since. She didn’t follow me, so she doesn’t want me. Simple as that.

“I really can’t stand you.” It felt weird hearing those words aloud. We both knew the truth behind them. Actions speak louder than words, and his actions as of late had been deafening. But hearing him actually say it made everything feel real. No more avoiding the inevitable. Defeated, I looked into the eyes of the person who at one point meant everything to me and replied. “Then why are you still listening to me?”

The river glistened like the wind, the sky flowed like summer water. The trees poured out in lush beams of flower, a rainbow eclipse of beauty. News had broken out within the city walls, the war was won their king had succeeded. “Say? Do you think we’ll get a share of captured land.” A small boy with golden hair said “You will” smirked another boy, hazel eyes shining through his skin. “You think so?” The boys itched closer the balcony suddenly shrinking. “I know so” wrapping their arms around each other they shared a kiss. “Well I hope to share it.” They’re breaths moved up and down as their lips matched again.

The rock pools danced again, Edwodious skipped stones along the gentle river his partner and friend Hulius sitting loudly by the bank. “Come on you’re so close- not!” “I really can’t stand you.” “Then why are you listening to me?” Edwodious rolled his eyes. “You’re lucky I like you.” “The Prince confesses!” Hulius stood up a long smirk spread across his face as he runs towards Edwodious. They kiss, slowly sitting down by the bank together, every part of their body slowly colliding in a warm embrace. Breathless they split. “You’re, you’re an idiot.” Edwodious laughs. “At least I know.” Edwodious punches him on the shoulder. “Ow.” “What did it actually hurt?” “Yeah, ow.” “Come on” the Prince stands up, dragging his friend along with him “But I’m hungry.” “Then eat something on the way.” “Never” raising his fists into the air like a screaming toddler. “Well then, you’re gonna starve.” “How dare you” the boys laughed to themselves, for banter was a strong point for both of them.

Eventually the boys has reached home “Right, I should see father. I’ll see you tomorrow?” Hulius nodded, with a understanding yet disappointed expression painted on his face. “Bye.” He gave him a hug, whispering. “I love you” in his ear. No response. Sunken Hulius walked to his bedroom, slightly alone.

Note: bit of a sloppy ending, oh well, and yes- I’m my own historian.

Sepitus stomped his way into the drawing room where Romulus stood already waiting for him with a glass of brandy in hand. Romulus gulped down the last of his liquor before setting the glass back onto the small bar table against the wall, making a small click that was like thunder in the tense silence of the room.

“Dear brother, I have heard of your plan to marry the Brightwall girl.” Romulus said with an antagonistic sneer on his face. “You know she is not up to the family standard, or did you think only because you are the second born that rule does not apply to you?” Romulus said staring through his thick brow at his brother who by this point was nearly seething with anger.

“I would hardly call what we are a family, brother.” Sepitus said in retort. “But you have heard correctly, I will be marrying Ms. Amberly Brightwall at the end of next spring.”

As Romulus listened to his younger brothers words his jaw clenched in anger, however he held his temper.

“I highly advise against this course of action Sepitus. If you go through with this, as the man of this house I will have no option than to-“

“Disown me.” Sepitus interrupted. “Cast me out? Proclaim me a dishonor for the whole of the town to gossip over? So be it then brother.” Sepitus finished as Romulus stood mouth nearly agape.

“I only want you to consider the consequences to this more seriously Sepitus.” Romulus said calmly before taking a step towards him.

“Oh that is rich isn’t it brother” Sepitus said nearly in hysterics. “I really cannot stand you. Your pretentious air, your sucking up to the nobility.” He said nearly laughing now.

“Then why come here and listen to me Sepitus. You would not, If you didn’t at least have some sense to you.” Romulus looked at his brother almost pleadingly. Trying to get him to understand his point.

Sepitus merely shook his head in denial and left the room. Leaving Romulus to his drink.

Not a thing in sight moved at Brentview Court. The lake could have been a pane of still black glass as even the wind seemed to hold its breath over the moonless night.

A few neon signs buzzed uninvitingly over vacant shops and street lights rooted on the corners set a sleepy orange ambience. Here and there, the glimmer of a television could be seen basting front lawns and cobbled driveways.

Cindy Anne was downstairs in her basement on the edge of the town, skipping circles in mirth as she suckled a large sticky candy. Melted black candles with sputtering wicks cast ominous shadows on the stone walls, animal skulls of varying shapes and sizes, and poppets made of hair decorated a chalk pentagram drawn haphazardly on the floor.

After her 3rd full circle Cindy giggled and snatched up a hair poppet, took another grand lick of her lolly, and slapped the two together. When she spoke again her voice was an eery whisper that didn’t match her candy stained face.

“Demon bound to me.”

She threw the lollipop down into the center of the pentagram and it disappeared with a loud bang and flash of smoke smelling of sulphur and rot. The candle lights winked in and out rapidly before roaring into spitting flames the size of sign posts. The animal skulls clattered like wound up toys and began to levitate one by one until they formed a slow rotating ring midair.

Mr. and Mrs. Donohue slept on upstairs feeling refreshed after a tranquil 3 day weekend. They didn’t hear a portal ripping through time and space, or the screams of the damned in their basement . They certainly weren’t aware their daughter was summoning a demon for questionable means from an instruction pamphlet.

When Cindy eventually opened her eyes something peered back through several knobbed and slimy limbs. Where the goo dropped, it popped and sizzled igniting little fires that went out after a few seconds. When it opened its mouth to speak, rows of fangs extended back and down its throat.

“A child?“ it’s voice was guttered and layered as if it spoke through several beings. It began to unfold to come closer for a better look, limb by limb, and Cindy could make out exposed bones, and 6 more eyes trailing down its face onto its torso that swiveled and blinked at random.

“You’re ugly!” Were Cindy’s only words of incredulity. All she could do was stare back open mouthed. The demon blinked 3 of its eyes. Throwing back its head, it began to laugh maniacally- more of a barked hack really. “Have I, After eons been so lucky? An amateur! “Free at last” He turned on Cindy and with one last grimace he released great leaping flames at the little girl. He laughed and laughed, the power coursing through his veins tickled.

A high pitched giggle stopped him cold. He looked in disbelief at what should have been a petite pile of ashes to what instead was that pig tailed girl smiling a toothless grin. His heart began to sink. Fast. It couldn’t be. No. He summoned blood curses and radiation and cosmic death but nothing, not a single speck of goo left his pentagram.

“What have you done-“ Her smile reached from ear to ear now standing up and brushing off her school dress.

“Wait- “please!” Cindy began to hum, packing up her bag and library book. She didn’t look back as she left the basement, but she would came back there again. Often.

—— ***———-

20 years later

The stench in the basement was familiar to Cindy. The flash and bang barely fazed her now. The hiss of loathing that filled the basement was almost a greeting.

“I really can’t stand you and one day- I will own your soul”

Cindy didn’t doubt this but before that happened she’d figure out a way to bargain for her freedom. After all she couldn’t keep a demon trapped in her basement forever, something she’d only realized as an adult.

“Then why are you still listening to me” she sighed mindlessly, working over another incantation.

The demon bared his teeth but said nothing. He pondered his situation instead. Could it be sabotage. Some scorned enemy? A sibling? A trapping incantation in a children’s library book had sealed his fate as the slave to a juvenile. Who could do such a thing? He did know the answer to this might hold the key to his freedom.