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I woke up in a sudden panic. My heart was pounding. My head was burning. I had no idea what was happening. It was dark outside so I must have slept for a little longer than I thought. It’s at least 3:45 pm or so since that was when it first gets dark. I tried to turn my head, but the pain was excruciating. I reached down for Matilda and found her with my hand. I knew I needed help but wasn’t sure yelling would do much in a house this large. This was not a dream. This was real. The pain was far more debilitating than even the reintroduction process. The pain was getting worse by the second. My fingers began to lose feeling. The numbness began to creep up my hand and slowly began to spread to my wrist leaving a trail of coldness in its journey. I began to holler for Athen or anyone. Nothing would come out. I tried to move, but my body wouldn’t budge. It was entirely numb. Matilda didn’t seem disturbed, which gave me a little comfort, but my heart knew something was different. From my bed I stared straight ahead and saw out my window a dark reflection. I couldn’t see a clear figure. I didn’t really know what I was seeing. Was I even awake? It seemed like I was in a frozen dream state. How could I be seeing a something out my second story window?
The image was getting closer to the window, and as it did, my pain began to worsen. A sharpness was running through my veins as if someone was ripping a scalpel inside my body. This was the creature who had been on our property. The black swirl was becoming a little clearer. I began with all my might to scream. I wasn’t sure what kind of noise was actually making it out, but I kept screaming with all my being. Matilda didn’t move at all, which made my heart fall with the realization that no noise was coming from me. I wouldn’t give up though. I kept yelling for help, in part, because I was in so much pain. I was certain that pure terror-filled screams were coming from me. I began to hear what sounded like a mumble coming from me, maybe a soft murmur. Even if someone happened to be walking by they wouldn’t notice. The creature was now at my window. My fingers that were numb before now burned with an intense fire that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
The creature in front of me began to look mostly human versus the quick black streak I’d seen briefly on our property. I’m sure if darkness wasn’t surrounding him he would look like any other person walking down the street except for a few strange characteristics that I was pretty sure now were common traits among these demons. Partially because my fingers were in such pain I noticed his, and they were extremely pointy and long, but the most unnerving part was how long the creatures nails were. His jaw stuck out to me as well. It looked as if a grin was coming over his face. I kept up my screaming, but apparently, it was only for me to hear. His eyes were welcoming death.
Matilda’s ears perked up. She could hear them running up the stairs. They were running down the hall. Somehow they made it to my bedroom, but in that instant, the image vanished from my bedroom’s view.
“Ana, is everything ok?” Arie asked breathlessly. She looked around the room and saw that nothing seemed to be amiss.
“We felt that you were in pain,” Cyril said, the last to reach my bedroom.
Athen came over to my side, gently touching my forehead.
“Ana, you are soaked. What happened? Did you have more memories? Is it from downstairs?”
Words weren’t coming quite yet. I could only slowly shake my head. I tried to point out the window with my fingers. Everyone looked out my window and saw the very same thing I did, nothing.
“It’s ok, sweetheart. These things can happen. The memories can be painful. I’m so sorry,” Athen said, hugging me.
I shook my head. No words were coming. They didn’t understand. I needed words. Now was the moment to see if I could manipulate my own thoughts to make sure that they could hear them.
I forcefully placed the thoughts in my head, their head. I attempted to give a step-by-step recap of what happened once I woke up. I looked up at them for any recognition that they intercepted my thoughts.
“Ana”, Arie said gently, “I think that was part of a dream. The creature that we have been keeping watch on doesn’t match that description. I think somehow the image you saw is from your memories from before.”
I was so frustrated. I could feel the despair rising in me. I knew what I saw. It wasn’t a memory. It was real. There was a creature outside my window. I looked at Athen hoping he would understand.
“You know, Arie, if it was a memory why can’t she speak or move much?” He looked at both Arie and Cyril concerned.
“She is probably worn out still from earlier. That was a pretty big influx of memories she experienced.”
I finally was able to shake my head and did as fast as I could. I began to describe the creature that I saw in my mind with hopes that it would prove something to them. Maybe they would be able to see it. I thought as hard as I could, ‘The black bulbous, image became larger and larger as it got to the window. Once the creature was at the window, I could tell it was in human form. It had long, wrinkled, almost leathery fingers. Its fingernails were wretchedly long, tinged with brown. I could tell it was a male. It wore a burgundy shirt and black pants. The more pain it caused me, the more it would smile. Its eyes were cold and black, almost hollow. When it would open its mouth, all I could see was a dark cavern that seemed to go on forever. I didn’t want to look at its mouth or into its eyes. It was as if I would get sucked in. Please believe me. It was after me. It wasn’t a memory from earlier. I was worn out from trying to think my thoughts so loud.’ I was drained from forcing those words to them all.
Athen grabbed my hand and turned to Cyril.
“It’s not a minion. It’s Azazel. He must have gotten to her from her window. This could be a bit more serious than we thought. We need to be prepared for a fight. I don’t know why we are so interesting all of a sudden, but this is the real thing, again.”
“Or there could be two of them.” Arie finally got on board.
“You probably hit it on the head, sis. The first one probably was the minion. It looks like we’ll need to be a bit more cautious than we realized until we take care of this. Apparently, someone decided to leave the desert.”
“Well, if what you guys are saying is true, that means she was cast. We need to get her back to her old self. It’s not going to happen on its own. Ana, I’m so sorry for not believing you. I never expected this.”
I knew they would never want to cause me pain or hurt, but I certainly hoped that going forward they would begin to trust my instincts a bit more than up to this point. I gently shook my head and attempted a smile. I had no idea what was next, but I hoped we could get this chapter over with.
“We will.” Athen kissed me on my head. Arie went downstairs to the kitchen to grab something. What, I had no idea, but I suddenly realized that the turkey didn’t quite have the same level of intrigue as pre-nap. However, I didn’t want to ruin Thanksgiving dinner for everyone.
CHAPTER 22
The Watchers Trilogy: Awakening Page 37
