Satan's Son

by Simone Elise

  “Flawless?” Ethan picked that word up and grinned.

  “Did I say flawless? I meant flawed.” I gave him a dry look.

  “Whatever, AA.”

  “I told you not to call me that.” I pointed a finger at him.

  “And I told you not to interrupt.”

  “Fine, continue talking gibberish!” I gestured for him to keep going.

  “Well, Dad thinks you can take on another form, which would benefit us more.” Ethan looked bitter. “Well, that was his plan until Mother interrupted.”

  “So what, I have to remain in this form as a guider?” I arched an eyebrow. “Is there a point to this conversation?”

  “Yes, there is a point,” Ethan snapped. “A decision has been made, and that decision is….”

  “Is?” Seriously, was he trying to kill me with suspense?

  “Your death was caused by my interference, and Dad is overruling your death and returning you to Earth as a human.”

  What?

  “Like as in life?” I was gobsmacked. “You mean, I’m going to be a human again? Like, walking around fully human?”

  “Yes.” Ethan sighed. “Would you close your mouth? You look like a goldfish.”

  “But you said time passes quickly on Earth, so I wouldn’t be returning to my old life?” My heart was racing, and I couldn’t believe this. How was it possible?

  “No, you wouldn’t be returning to your old life. You will be given a new identity.” Ethan stopped mid-sentence and took a deep breath. “And you won’t remember anything from your past life or this.”

  “This, as in Hell?” Suddenly, I realized why he had paused before he told me. “As in you?”

  “Yeah, you won’t remember anything,” Ethan said.

  “So, do I get a choice? Whether I go back or not?” I swallowed hard. I couldn’t believe I actually asked that question but, to be honest, as much as I wanted to go back and live, I wanted to stay with Ethan.

  Damn, that stupid thing called love.

  “The decision has been made. You go back tomorrow.” Ethan smiled weakly, and I saw the disappointment in his eyes before he looked away. “I guess this means you won’t be breaking any more of my stuff.”

  I laughed weakly. “Yeah, I guess you will be glad to get rid of me. Get back to those books of yours.”

  I didn’t know when it had happened, but I noticed my hand was on his leg and he wasn’t pulling away from me. Instead, he placed his hand over mine.

  “Yeah, and you can return to doing whatever it was you did before,” he replied.

  “Will you still be looking over me?” My hand on his was distracting me and my heart was pounding harder than ever. I was sure he would hear it.

  “No, that’s part of the deal. I can’t go near you once your new identity forms.”

  “Forms?”

  “Yeah. It might take a few minutes once you return to Earth for your memory to be wiped and changed.”

  “That’s when I will forget everything?”

  “Yes.”

  “Will I ever, you know, remember you?”

  “No, once your old memory is gone, I will be, too.”

  “Right.” I chewed my lip. So, I was not only going to forget who I was but also my time here and, more importantly, I would forget about Ethan.

  Ethan was a pain, but a pain I would miss. I felt sick in the stomach. How the hell was I going to get out of this? I couldn’t believe I actually wanted to stay in Hell!

  Love really does change your thinking.

  Chapter 14

  I was going back to Earth; it was official. The large man with the funny-shaped beard at my hearing had said it himself.

  The downside was that I was going back as someone else. I couldn’t use my old name, but I did get to keep my first name and they even said I could pick my own last name.

  I was returning at the age I left Earth. Unfortunately, my family wasn’t around anymore. I couldn’t bring myself to think about that. I was starting a new life and this time I didn’t have parents or a family.

  Although, they did rule something else great in my favor; Ethan had to come back to Earth with me, and he would have to stay until I settled in.

  Needless to say, Ethan wasn’t keen on the idea of going to Earth in a form in which people could actually see him.

  “So, big boy, you looking forward to getting back into college?” I nudged Ethan, smiling at him.

  “I’ve never been to college.” Ethan looked at me dryly.

  “Well, you are in for a world of fun.”

  I lied. If he knew what college was really like, I was sure he would be dragging his feet more than he already was.

  “Whatever.” He continued to pack his bags.

  “How come you get to bring stuff, and I can’t bring my stuff?”

  “You don’t have stuff to take.”

  He had a point. “No, wait, I do! I could take some of your books with me.”

  His head snapped in my direction, his face priceless. “No.”

  “Come on.” I frowned at him. “I don’t want to start my new life with nothing.”

  “You will have everything you need. They told you that at the hearing.”

  “Yeah, but that’s like a house, a car, and money in a bank account. What can I put in the house?”

  “After your ego walks in, there won’t be much room.” He laughed.

  “No, wait!” I jumped off the bed, I did have something to take with me. “I have my key.”

  “You aren’t taking the key, Addison.”

  “But you said it was mine.”

  “Yes, for you to use to get back into Hell.” Ethan looked at me as if I was small child who didn’t understand English. “Drop it. You aren’t taking the key.”

  “Fine,” I huffed and crossed my arms.

  “Have you chosen your last name yet?” Ethan had been annoying me about this for ages. Apparently, that was the only thing holding things up now. Once I decided, we could leave.

  “I was thinking of something strong and mean.”

  He scoffed.

  “Like Beast.” I smiled at him.

  He shook his head. “You’re kidding.”

  I was, but heck, my hobby was annoying Ethan. “Nope.”

  “Addison Beast?” Ethan looked at me oddly. “You really want my last name?”

  “Sure.” I watched him carefully as he thought it over and then I added, “Because you’re like a brother to me.”

  Ethan frowned, obviously hurt by that.

  Unable to help myself, I had a laugh at his expense. “Oh, Ethan, you really make it too easy for me.”

  He calmed down after realizing I had been joking.

  “I was actually thinking of James or something. You know, something simple.”

  “I’ll pass that on then.”

  Addison James, I could get used to that. I started to feel a burst of excitement. A new life; this could be fun!

  ***

  “I’m not going.” I crossed my arms stubbornly and looked out the car window. “They all look funny.”

  Ethan clenched the steering wheel tighter. “They don’t look funny.”

  “They do.” I pointed to a tall guy with messy blond hair. “Look at that one. That one looks like he has something.”

  “He doesn’t have anything, Addison!” Ethan grunted. “Although he might have the misfortune of meeting you soon.”

  “Oh, haha, very funny.” I shot him a dry look.

  So, here we sat. In the car—my car, I might add—in front of a college, which I was supposed to attend. Well, Ethan was a new student, too, but I knew he would be leaving soon.

  “How come you got to drive?” I looked at Ethan, annoyed. “It is my car, after all, and I have a license.”

  “Just because my dad gave you a license doesn’t mean I’m putting my life in your hands when you can barely walk.”

  “I don’t know what you are complaining about. Even if I did crash, you would only
end back at home.” I got him with that one!

  “Get out of the car!” He unbuckled his seatbelt and slammed the door behind him.

  Great, time to play nice with my future peers. Damn, I hate people!

  I had to jog slowly to catch up with Ethan. Him and his long strides! Seriously, it wasn’t normal to walk so fast.

  “Talk about leaving me behind!” I muttered, catching up with him. “You do remember your job is to help me settle in?”

  “I’m here, aren’t I?” He glared at me.

  “Yeah, because Daddy said so,” I reminded him.

  Chapter 15

  “Addison, I am telling you one last time, get away from the creek.” Ethan held the bridge of his nose with a frustrated expression on his face.

  “Why do you think I’m clumsy?” I crossed my arms. “I can walk alongside a creek just like anyone else, and I won’t fall in.”

  “You will fall in, because you are Accident Addison.”

  “Real funny, Beast,” I snapped at him and continued to walk alongside the creek. Just to annoy him, I took a step closer.

  It was a nice summer day, where you wanted to sit in the shade or stay indoors because it was so hot. Today also had to be the day of our science lab. Get out in nature was the heading on the flyer.

  Nature was overrated, and I told the professor that. She didn’t take that too well. Ethan and I had been here on Earth for about two weeks and the more I was here, the more I didn’t like it.

  “Oh, what is that?” I walked over to a small hole in the ground.

  “Get away from it!” Ethan snapped at me. Not taking any notice, I walked toward it, interested.

  “Please, it’s not like I’m going to fall in in,” I scoffed. Why did he doubt me so? “You know, Ethan, you have a bad habit of thinking the worst of me.” Just as I said it, my foot slipped into the hole.

  Ethan crossed his arms, looking extremely smug. “I told you.”

  I rolled my eyes and attempted to pull my foot out. Why the hell did I have to go look at the stupid hole anyway? My eyes widened slightly, wondering if it was the home of some horrible beast.

  “Ethan, help me!” I squealed, falling to the ground and wiggling my foot. Oh, God, what if it bit me? “Stop standing there and help me!” I yelled up at him.

  He just stood there, arms crossed and with that stupid smug expression. “Nope, I warned you. You can get yourself out of this mess.”

  “Don’t you dare walk away, Beast.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “If you don’t help me, I swear to God I will sing every note of the Spice Girls when I get home.”

  I could see him weighing it up and then to my horror, he shrugged his shoulders and began to walk away!

  “Ethan Beast!” I shouted and pulled on my foot. My stupid shoe stopped me. I watched him walking away, joining up with the rest of the students. I bet he was smirking his ass off right now.

  Not seeing any other option, I undid my laces and slipped my foot out. Well, there goes my shoe. I ran after Ethan, leaping onto his back as soon as he was in reach.

  “That was mean, boyfriend,” I hissed in his ear.

  “Boyfriend?” He smiled. “Haven’t heard that one before.”

  “Well, you won’t be hearing it again.” I sniffed, faking hurt. He shifted my weight on his back, and I looped my legs around his waist.

  “Oh, finally! Addison and Ethan, you have caught up with the group.” The professor looked down her nose at us. “Addison, where is your shoe?”

  “Ethan ate it.” I assumed a serious look. “I guess that is what happens when you plan a trip around lunch time.” I gave her a pointed look.

  She didn’t reply. Instead, she walked off, talking to other students. I had told her that planning a science trip over lunch was the dumbest thing I ever heard.

  “I’m going to be carrying you for the rest of the day, aren’t I?” Ethan huffed, his fingers trailing up my bare legs.

  “Yep.” I smirked. “Payback is a bitch, Beast.”

  “I don’t see you clinging to me as payback.” He shot me a flirtatious smile, which naturally caused me to slap his back.

  “Don’t you dare flirt with me. I’m not talking to you.”

  “Really? Because you haven’t shut up all day.”

  Chapter 16

  When I saw Ethan talking to other people annoyance overwhelmed me. Call me selfish, but I liked having his full attention. So, I wasn’t enjoying it right now as he had an animated conversation with the girl at the cash register at the grocery store.

  Who knew different types of chocolate were such a conversation starter?

  “Well, personally, I like Cadbury.” The register chick batted her lids. Could she at least attempt to hide her attraction?

  “That’s the purple one, right?” Ethan was actually asking a question, but she clearly thought he was joking because she laughed loudly.

  I continued to throw things onto the counter for her to scan.

  “Have you ever tried Cadbury Dream Chocolate?” she asked him. Couldn’t she focus on her job? She needed to be bagging my groceries, not chatting up Ethan.

  “I don’t think so, but I did have this caramel one the other night. Damn, that was good!” He grinned at her.

  Ethan hadn’t tasted chocolate before, and I was beginning to wish I had never introduced him to it!

  She chuckled again. “You’re funny.”

  Ethan, funny? That caused my face to screw up. Ethan was about as funny as global warming!

  “Ethan, could you lift this out?” I snapped, stepping away from the cart for him to lift the box of Coke cans.

  He didn’t even glance at me, lifting it with ease. Which, of course, hadn’t gone unnoticed by the register chick.

  “Wow, you’re strong. Do you work out?” she flirted, with this creepy smirk on her face. If that was attractive, then the human population’s standards had dropped.

  “It’s a box of Coke cans, not a slab of concrete,” I said, loudly.

  “You couldn’t lift it.” Ethan shot me an amused look.

  I crossed my arms. I had only asked him to lift it to get his attention off Miss Batty.

  “Whatever, just pay already,” I grumbled.

  The register chick rang up the sum while I lifted the bags into the cart. At least this shopping trip was over. To think it was me who had whined at him all day to do this. Not to mention, I had to put up with his continual rants while shopping.

  “What’s the hurry, sweetheart?” Ethan strode slowly behind me while I hurried across the parking lot, pushing the cart toward the car.

  I grunted, keeping my words to myself, which was something I rarely did, so naturally, Ethan picked up on it.

  “Addison,” Ethan took the bag from my hand, dropping it in the trunk. “What’s with the sudden mood change?”

  My sudden mood change was due to him giving some cashier chick more attention than me. My eyes widened in shock, hearing my admission to myself.

  Oh. My. God.

  “Nothing,” I muttered quickly and tore my eyes away from him.

  My life had really turned into a horror story!

  Chapter 17

  I was the first to admit that I wasn’t your normal run-of-the-mill type of girl. For one, I believed that the population of this planet was getting dumber by the moment. I also strongly believed that if it came down to it and they stopped being able to make food, they would eat me.

  Melissa looked like the type who would eat me. I was glaring holes into the back of her head as she giggled and flirted with my Ethan.

  When I started to refer to Ethan as my Ethan, I didn’t know. But nevertheless, here we were, at the movies like normal people.

  Although I’m not normal and Ethan, well, he wasn’t even cousins with normal. He was so far away from normal that using the words ‘normal’ and ‘Ethan’ in the same sentence was ridiculous.

  I wasn’t even watching the comedy on the screen. No, I was watching my own horror show.
I called it Ethan and the Tramp.

  I was chewing on a piece of popcorn and debating whether to pour my soda all over sweet Melissa’s head when it happened.

  Ethan leaned in to kiss her! Without thinking about it, I moved quickly, blocking his path by poking my head over their seats.

  “Ethan, my drink is empty. Come get a refill with me.”

  He looked shocked by my sudden appearance, and I wondered if he had forgotten I was here.

  “Um, sure.” His arm was wrapped around her shoulders and he pulled it away. “Be back in a minute.” He gave Melissa a small smile and then rose to follow me.

  No, I didn’t need a refill but when put on the spot, I wasn’t known for quick ideas.

  “So, you really needed me to help you get a drink?” Ethan gave me a knowing look. He could wipe that smug look off his face!

  “Well, you convinced me to come.” I gave him a bitter look and stepped into the line. “Go on a double date, Addison. It will be fun, Addison.” I gave him a dirty look. “Thanks so much, Ethan, for teaming me up with Mr. Boring.”

  “Addison, you are being snobby again. He isn’t that bad.”

  “He has the same amount of brain cells as a baby ant, and he keeps calling me Aid.” I grunted and took a step forward in the line.

  “You told me I needed a human experience. I thought double dating was a human experience.” Ethan took a step forward beside me. “What’s up with you tonight? You’re bitchier than normal.”

  He didn’t know what ‘bitchy’ could be.

  “So, she is your type then.” Why was I feeling so darn bitter? Suddenly, I was disgusted with myself.

  “Addison, are you jealous?” He crossed his arms and looked at me oddly.

  “I don’t know what you are talking about,” I snapped at him.

  “Look, clearly you don’t want to be here, so why don’t we just leave?” Ethan’s words took me by surprise.

  “We can’t just leave; your date is in there!” I pointed just in case he’d forgotten.

  “I picked her up at the supermarket.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Not like it was going to go anywhere. I was just doing what you told me to do. Get human experiences.”