Counterpart (Succubi & Incubi Assn.)

  She was fighting with herself, I could tell. The way her lips pursed out, and the sudden narrow of her eyes, confirmed that. Eventually, I saw her shoulders slump and she released a sigh. Holding her hand out, she said, “Give me the keys. I'll drive you, but... you need to explain anything and everything along the way.”

  Relief flowed through me. I knew I couldn't drive myself, knowing the condition I was in and the fact that something could happen along the way, I couldn't even trust myself, so I gave her the keys. “Deal.”

  ****

  “Okay, so Tristan is in trouble, that’s why you’re acting like you just got accepted into the world of crazy?” Melinda said, keeping her eyes on the road as we drove towards the gym.

  I nodded.

  “And Tori is some powerful demon whose real name is actually Penelope, and she can make you see and feel whatever she wants.”

  “Pretty much.” I was drawing in slow breaths, trying to beat the heat from turning me into a portable sauna.

  “How did you get an injury, but not have it afterward?” Daniel inquired from the backseat, referring to my hand.

  “It’s happening to Tristan,” I mumbled, “it’s in our heads. She’s using him to get to me. I need to find him and I have to make him believe it’s not real.” A single throb pounded in the base of my skull and I clenched my eyes shut.

  “Just take a deep breath Maya,” Daniel said calmly from behind me. I couldn't be anymore grateful that he and Melinda came. Every time a throb or twinge of pain would hit me, he would calmly tell me to take a slow breath, not that it was really helping or anything but he was trying. They were both trying. Especially after I explained everything—well, most of it.

  Believe that it's not real, Maya. It’s not real. This is all in our heads.

  Yellow and orange lines streaked over my closed lids and suddenly a wave of heat flowed through my veins making me hiss and gasp as I hunched over. “Oh my God.” It was like I was back outside after Ethan had left, where the pain started to get the best of me. I tried to regain myself by doing some breathing exercises but nothing this time was removing the pain. It was like it was unstoppable.

  “Maya,” Melinda's voice was gentle and I felt her hand hover over my back. “We're here.”

  I hadn't noticed that the car stopped moving and when I finally straightened up and opened my eyes, I was confused at why Melinda's voice was so calm.

  I felt my chest rise and lower down raggedly and my body stilled as the sight before me sent horror straight through me. The streaks of light I saw weren't something to worry about when I first noticed them, but now that my eyes were open and I could get the full gist of it, I was scared. I finally registered why I was feeling so much pain and heat. I finally realized why the injury on my hand was so gruesome and gory.

  It was because of fire. Everywhere I looked there were flames licking across the building, making sure that at least majority of the large structure was covered.

  I didn't speak as I got out of the car and ran to the side of the road. I ignored Melinda and Daniel's attempt at stopping me. All I could see and feel was what was in front of me. Smoke lingered into the sky, obscuring the view of the stars that were above. Heat radiated everywhere I walked.

  But I still couldn't figure out why Melinda was so calm before.

  “What is it, Maya?” Melinda almost sounded breathless when she joined my side, and soon enough I felt Daniel walk to my other side.

  “Fire,” I muttered, trying to make sense of it all. “There’s fire everywhere.” The orange tone of the flames grew and grew, almost to the point that I was feeling the heat in my eyeballs. “I need to get Tristan.”

  I was walking towards the entrance, secretly hoping that I could get through when I heard Daniel. “Maya, there’s no fire.”

  How could they not see it! It's right there, engulfed by flames.

  They can't see it, Maya.

  I remembered that this was all in Tristan's head and the reason I'm even seeing it is because we're connected. I couldn't even bear to think what would've happened if we weren’t. No one would've known he was in this building. On second thought, he probably wouldn't be in this situation if it wasn't for me.

  I kind of hate Bethany for putting this on him—us.

  “Tristan!” I called into the flames. I don't know what I was expecting to hear, maybe a solid reply from him, saying he was fine and that this was all going to be okay. I wasn't sure though. What I got was something I didn't expect.

  “Maya,” the quick whisper whooshed past me and I found myself turning, trying to find the owner. Inside my head it laughed. “Come inside Maya. Tristan’s waiting for you.”

  Penelope.

  “Get out of my head,” I mumbled, bringing my hands to my head. “Get out.”

  “Maya, we’re really worried right now,” I heard Melinda say behind me, and I could hear the worry in her voice, but I was too busy trying to ignore the voice laughing in my head.

  “Get out. Get out,” I continued mumbling.

  Be strong, Maya. You can’t let this take hold of you. Just find Tristan. It was Bethany's voice playing in my head, but whether it was me making that up or Penelope was playing her games, was the problem.

  Either way, it was right. Tristan needs me.

  “Okay, okay.” I pushed as much things out of my head and focused on one. Door. I needed to find a way in.

  The entrance was a no-go as soon as I saw the flames covering every single inch. My feet walked around the building until I found the side door.

  “Where are you going?” Daniel asked.

  “I need to find a way…” My words faded off and I resisted the urge to cuss really loudly when the side-door—like the entrance—was barricaded by fire.

  “Please don’t tell me she’s breaking into the gym,” Melinda asked.

  My mind quickly formatted a plan, and I pictured myself shoulder barging the door, but even I knew that wouldn't work. I wasn't that strong. And I couldn't risk hurting myself before I even found Tristan.

  So this really only left one door, the entrance. It was my easiest way. The double automated glass doors should be easy to break, and the fire problem would just have to be navigated around.

  I didn't have a choice.

  “I actually think she is,” Daniel answered as I dragged a street bin towards the main doors. The smell of the rubbish inside mixed with the heat wasn't pleasant, and I was sure Melinda and Daniel could smell this but I wasn't looking at them. I actually didn't know what they were doing other than following me around. “Maya, are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

  Nope, not really.

  “Just don’t try to stop me.” I lifted the trashcan over my head and threw it at the glass with as much strength as I could. My arm came over my face when the flames burst out of the newly made hole. When I pulled my arm down, something strange happened within the flame. As soon as they came out, they went back in and then they started to part, like they were forming a pathway.

  “Oh my God, we’re so going to get arrested,” Melinda mumbled.

  I didn’t care about getting arrested and I highly doubted that she should since she isn't doing anything.

  I stared down in the middle of the fire. It was like the flames wanted me to get through. Or maybe Penelope wanted me to find her. Like Rosa said, maybe she wanted me to get inside.

  The best thing I could do was cover my nose and mouth with my hand. Due to my poor dressing skills, I obviously should've changed out of this stupid dress. I already felt dirty in it and now I was just going to make that worse. I was even wearing my new lingerie set. Perfect.

  I took the first step and then remembered I wasn't alone.

  “Don't follow me.” My voice was muffled, and I didn't turn to see if they heard me.

  “Maya,” Melinda's voice stopped me, but this time there wasn't any worry in her voice, or anything that lead to calm. It sounded panicked.

  I turned around, noticing b
oth her and Daniel were wide-eyed and staring at each other then back at me. I was confused. Could they finally see what I could see?

  “What?” I noticed my voice had grown impatient.

  Melinda and Daniel looked at each other again, before looking down at their bodies then back up to mine. I saw Daniel swallow. “We can't move,” he said.

  “What the hell is going on?” Melinda asked immediately after he finished.

  My eyes wandered down their bodies and I now noticed that Melinda's hand was stuck semi-outstretched, like she was going to reach out for me. Daniel was different though, you couldn't even tell that he was frozen. He just stood there normally.

  “You can't move anything?” I asked.

  Melinda shook her head. “Everything past my neck is stuck.” Not even their chests were moving.

  “They stay outside, Maya,” Penelope's voice played through my head again. “And don't even think that Rosa and her little minions can get inside too.”

  My gaze lingered on Melinda and Daniel again and I almost felt sorry for them. But if they weren't like this, I could see them not allowing me to go in here alone. And as much as I trusted them enough to survive, I wasn't going to put them through this.

  This was my fault—technically Bethany's, but the responsibility was mine.

  And frankly, they can't see what I can so them being outside is ideal.

  “Just stay there,” I finally said.

  “It's not like I have a choice,” Melinda snapped back.

  Duh, Maya.

  Turning back to face the burning building, I took in a deep breath only regretting it when the fumes caught in my throat.

  Should've thought twice on that.

  “Be careful, Maya,” I heard Daniel say, and honestly, I couldn't find myself to answer or even look at him. Not even I knew what was waiting for me or how it was all going to turn out.

  The desk where Sophia would always stand behind was the first thing I saw. What once was a very stable counter was now disintegrated and turned to ash. The familiar gym equipment—running from treadmills and leg weights—was the next thing I saw, both sitting in the same state as the counter.

  What once was one of the most favorable gyms was now nothing but a memory. And I was only viewing the floor. Everything from corner to corner was filled with flames, obscuring your view of the street through the large windows.

  I could've used those windows...

  I ignored my failed attempt at trying to make a secure plan and walked along the hard-wooded floor. Luckily, I had managed to put on ballet flats—that I always kept in the car—before this, or else my feet would be getting quite an assault right now.

  As much as Rosa and Bethany warned me that this was all my head, it was hard to even think that. Everything from the smell of burning plastic to the heat making my body feel weak just made it seem so real. The only thing that made this easy was the fact that I wasn't choking to death on the ground. Maybe Penelope doesn't want me dead.

  My thoughts only caused me to snort—or maybe it was Penelope.

  God I hope she isn't in my head right now.

  Chills ran up my spine and settled at the base of my neck when a breath of air ran over my ear. My first instinct was to turn as if I could find the culprit, again. The same breath went along my other shoulder and I did the same reaction, checking my surroundings, but all I came up with was nothing.

  The next thing that happened sent not only chills through me, but it also sent a static shock through my body, freezing it to a still state. They were coming from the flames that covered almost everything. The dark chuckles sounded from behind me, maneuvering around until they were right by my ear, and I knew—I hated that I knew—but whatever was creating the cynical sound, it was meant to test me. There weren't just a few chuckles either. There were more. It was like I was in the middle of a crowd.

  Judging by the way they kept their distance after a few seconds, I knew they were trying to scare me and hell, it was kind of working.

  It slowly started to fade away until the only thing left was a singular laugh. I was watching a small flame that was growing unnaturally. It was like how you play with the flame size on one of those cheap lighters, switching it from small to large. Then the fire started to darken. Starting from the center a black splotch grew and eventually formed the shape of a human. With the head tilted to the side, the shadow then started to move towards me at a slow pace.

  I wanted to step back, but there wasn't anywhere I could go. Well there was, but that exit was behind this shadow, who seemed to be gaining a lot of ground in its dark long strides.

  More laughter came around me but my eyes were stuck on this object. I could feel my heart starting to have a spasm inside my chest and the smoke wasn't exactly helping the way my breathing was.

  A whisk of air lingered over my elbow and I stiffened when the shadow stopped mere inches away from me. The flames around it threatened to singe the strands of my hair that had annoyingly stuck to my face.

  I took a step back when a hand came up, attempting to reach for my face, and it only caused me to step closer to a small fire that almost caught my dress. Chuckles were the reply to my sudden movement. Now that I looked around, more dark shadows sat around me and this main shadow—watching, waiting.

  But for what?

  “Bethany.” The low raspy whisper sounded, and it turned my skin into goose bump central.

  If there was anything that would make this whole scene horrifying, it would be this. I can't believe this shadow just spoke, and it called me Bethany.

  “Once Penelope is done with you, we will get our revenge.” The main shadow then quickly came so close to me that I was sure I was getting burnt. “I promise you that.”

  Great, not only do they think I'm Bethany, but they also have a revenge plan against me. What the hell did Bethany do to them?

  “Stand down, Demetrius,” Penelope's voice sounded, “you're having all the fun.”

  Now this is a game? What kind of sick game do they think this is? 'Who can kill Maya the fastest?'

  Nonetheless, the shadow—Demetrius—backed away, stepping to the side where a set of stairs sat. These were familiar stairs as well. They led up to an empty hall which would usually be occupied by a dancing class or Tristan when he was with a large class.

  Hesitantly, I decided I didn't want to be down here and I headed towards the steps. With every step I took up them, my head watched the shadows, hoping—praying—that they didn't follow, and by the time I reached halfway, I was sure they weren't going to.

  A view of the bright lights that were Los Angeles was my first view. Overlooking the empty streets, everything seemed calm. It was saddened me that no one could see this building burning down.

  Remember Maya, it's in your head. The more you keep thinking it's real, the worse the outcome is going to be.

  Right.

  Great, now I'm talking to and answering myself.

  The fire wasn't as bad as it was downstairs but the smoke had definitely settled more up here, blocking practically my whole vision and making my eyes itchy within a second.

  The sound of a distant heartbeat played in my ear and I could tell instantly that it was Tristan’s by the slow pace of it.

  I skimmed the floors. I'd looked around so much tonight that I was hardly expecting anything to show up.

  Then I saw him.

  “Tristan!” He was lying on the ground, his head facing my direction while his eyes were shut. He looked like he was sleeping peacefully. The tux that covered his body—minus the blazer—confirmed that he had come straight here after our argument.

  Desperately, I took the first step, wanting to run over and check him. I was only disappointed when an invisible barrier stopped me.

  “I wouldn't do that if I was you.” My eyes moved up and I was met with the fake blonde extensions, the annoying blue eyes and the blood red smirk. “You think I'd make it that easy?”

  Not really—hoping maybe.


  “Let him go, Penelope,” I said through gritted teeth, trying to move past the barrier.

  Her lips formed a perfect ‘o’. “So you did figure out who I really was? Well that's good.” I could see her relax her shoulders. “I can finally rid of this body.”

  Ripples started to crawl from the tips of her fingers which stopped me from attempting to break out of the invisible fish bowl that I was in.

  My eyes snapped down to Tristan's body laying stilled on the floor. His chest was covered with the white shirt. I could briefly see his back rising so I knew he was breathing, that gave me relief.

  A light in my peripheral vision grabbed my attention, and soon enough Penelope's whole body was starting to cover in flames, crawling all the way from the tips of her fingers to the last piece of her hair. I watched as every inch of her brightened. Her hair darkened a few shades, but I couldn't really tell past the orange flames. She grew a few inches taller, her body getting leaner with every inch. I was sure she managed to get a good half a foot on me.

  When the fire diminished from around her, I noticed a slight olive tone in her skin. Her hair—now turned an orange—had also lost the extra length and now sat just above her shoulders, curled around her heart-shaped face.

  And her eyes—well, they still stayed the same. Blue, and smug.

  God, I hate her.

  She smiled, and curtsied. “Penelope. Nice to meet you.”

  As if I needed an introduction. “Let go of Tristan,” I repeated. “He has nothing to do with this.”

  “Oh but that's where you're wrong Maya.” My hands clenched when I saw her slowly walk towards Tristan. “Tristan has everything to do with this.” She stood on the other side of him, her eyes settling on his body. “You see, Tristan was the only way I could get to you without Rosa or anyone else from ruining my plan. Now, I get to watch you die.” Her foot moved out and Tristan was flipped onto his back. “A slow...” The same foot trailed over his abdomen. “And painful…” Her eyes met with mine. “Death.”

  All I could think about was killing her. All my eyes were trying not to do was stare at Tristan, who I had now noticed had a small bruise on the side of his face.