Dealing with Demons

by Melissa Haag

  At exactly four-thirty, a brisk knock sounded at the front door. The table was already set, and the chicken rested on the stove, so Gran motioned for me to get the door. With my hand on the knob, I looked back at my family to make sure they were ready. They stood close to each other, near the table, watching me.

  Taking a breath, I tugged the door open. Morik waited on the stoop. He was dressed as he’d been that morning, and I took a moment to study him, his real self still new to me. His cap hid his horns and ears while the yellow sunglasses slightly masked his eyes. Snow dusted his shoulders.

  Behind him, more snow continued to fall, coating everything in white, including his motorcycle in the driveway

  “There’s room in the garage if you want to park in there,” I offered as I stood back to let him in.

  “It’ll be fine,” he said quietly. He looked at my face closely. “Crying?”

  Uncomfortable with our audience, I gave a slight nod and softly said, “Not a bad thing.”

  He didn’t look like he believed me and shifted his attention to my family. Would he consider hurting my family if he thought one of them upset me? I worried I might not like the answer.

  “Can I take your jacket?” I asked to distract him.

  The question won back his attention, and I breathed a little easier as he handed me his things. After hanging his coat, I nervously started introductions. My family was understandably quiet to his polite greeting, and I hoped I hadn’t made a mistake by inviting him to dinner.

  From her chair in the living room, Aunt Danielle asked what no one else would.

  “Why are you still wearing your hat and glasses, young man?”

  He grinned, a flash of sharp canines, before he answered.

  “I didn’t want to frighten anyone with my looks.”

  “What’s that hat hiding?”

  “Horns and pointy ears.”

  “Show me.”

  Morik removed his hat and glasses and withstood her amused scrutiny. Being dead, she didn’t have to worry about a monstrous creature attacking her. However, that fear seemed to be on everyone else’s minds, based on their reactions. Mom’s already pale face took on an ashen hue. Aunt Grace fearfully panted for air while Gran tightly gripped her hands together in front of her.

  Morik’s attention shifted to them.

  “I truly thank you for inviting me into your home. I’ve never eaten dinner with anyone before and have been looking forward to it since Tessa made the offer. Is that chicken I smell?”

  Gran found her voice.

  “Chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, baby carrots, and pie for dessert.”

  “I’ve never before smelled food so tempting.”

  Gran gave a small smile and stepped aside to motion to the table.

  “Please have a seat.”

  I sat next to Morik through a stilted dinner. As usual, the food was delicious even if the portions were a little small since I hadn’t warned Gran we’d have company. Morik didn’t seem to mind, though. He ate with perfect table manners. I wasn’t sure what I had expected, but it wasn’t what I saw.

  By the time Gran served the pie, Mom had regained some of her color. I didn’t blame her for her worry. I’d had the benefit of talking to Morik through familiar faces the first few times I met him. If our initial introduction had been face to face, it would have been a severe shock. I probably would have run, screaming. My family had all handled it much better than I would have.

  After his last bite of pie, Morik thanked Gran for dinner then looked at Mom. She flinched when his gaze met hers, but she didn’t look away.

  “With your permission, I’d like to take Tessa out for a little while.”

  Mom tried speaking but had to clear her throat. “Where?”

  “Just out in the front yard. In sight of this house.”

  Mom nodded reluctantly. I wasn’t sure who to feel sorry for. Morik because people only looked at him when they wanted something, or my mom because she struggled to do what I’d asked even when everything in her wanted to take me and hide me away.

  Before leaving, I helped clear the table for a change. Morik stayed out of the way, watching us move. When we’d cleared everything, everyone, except Aunt Danielle, quietly stood by the table as he and I put on our jackets. I glanced at the clock. Dusk. Too many years of rules drilled into my head made me hesitate at the door.

  Morik reached around me and turned the knob. The move brought his mouth close to my ear.

  “I’ll keep you safe,” he said quietly.

  I stepped into the dusk with Morik close behind me. My feet wouldn’t carry me any farther than the front step as my eyes drifted to the darkening horizon.

  The sound of the door closing startled me. The last time I’d been out at this time of evening, I’d been running for home while a green-eyed shadow thing chased me. Tension skittered along my spine. While I knew Morik now, sort of, that didn’t mean I wanted to see him like that again. I forced myself to look over my shoulder. Relief flooded me. No green-eyed shadow stood behind me, just the Morik I’d come to know. He’d replaced the cap but had tucked the glasses in his pocket so I could see his eyes clearly as he studied me.

  “Look up,” he said quietly.

  I did and saw the first stars twinkling in the twilight. As I watched the sky fill with the sparkling lights, I made a heartfelt wish. Morik seemed nice, minus the whole Clavin thing. Nice people...er, beings, deserved friends. Although I didn’t want to be that friend forever, my wish was to be enough of a friend to help him find what he sought.

  “Are they as you remember?” He stepped next to me, tilting his head back to look at the sky with me.

  “Yes. Thank you.” I sighed in contentment before looking at him. My gaze met his.

  “Would you like a ride to work tomorrow?” Though the question was delivered casually, I had a feeling he really wanted me to say yes.

  I glanced at his bike and inwardly cringed before nodding. At least now, I knew what to expect and could dress in layers.

  “Thank you for this evening.” He looked toward the front window where the curtain moved. “It wasn’t easy for them.”

  “No, it wasn’t. But, I’m glad you came. And thanks for knocking.”

  When he grinned, there was a mischievous glint in his crystal eyes. “I’ve popped in unannounced before and learned that knocking is a necessary custom.”

  The sight of his sharp lower teeth caused my heart to skip a beat. His grin faded, and he pulled his glasses out of his pocket and put them on.

  “Good night, Tessa.” He opened the front door for me, holding it until I stepped inside.

  “Night,” I rushed to say as he started to close it.

  He nodded once before the door clicked shut.

  My stomach sank as I realized my reaction to his teeth had hurt his feelings. Outside, I heard the bike start and peeked out the window just in time to see him pull away. I wondered where he went. It couldn’t be far since he said he was always near.

  “I don’t care what deal you made. I’d feel a lot safer if we shutter the windows now,” Mom said from behind me.

  I nodded and went to take a shower since I wanted to think. If I was going to be his friend, I needed to get over our differences and really start to get to know him. Once I knew Morik better, I’d know what type of person he would connect with and could start my search. With my birthday not far away, I didn’t have much time.

  Chapter Nine

  “Up, lazy girl!” Aunt Danielle called from nearby.

  Disoriented and groggy from a horrible night’s sleep, I groaned as I rolled over in bed. Sunlight blinded me the moment I opened my eyes. Blinking, I tried to focus on Aunt Danielle, who watched me from my doorway.

  “Morik is in the kitchen, waiting for you.”

  Her words acted like a shot of caffeine. My eyes opened wide, and I bolted out of bed in a panic. She grinned at my reaction.

  “He’s here?”

  “Yes. In the kitchen
.”

  I glanced at the clock and saw I had to be at work in seven minutes.

  “I can’t believe I overslept.” I tugged on clothes at random, grabbing whatever was close.

  “I heard you tossing and turning late, and I told your mom to let you sleep when she came to wake you.” She moved aside as I rushed from my room to the bathroom.

  I brushed my teeth, tossed my hair up into a messy bun, and flew out of the bathroom sixty seconds later.

  Morik sat at the table. I smiled briefly as I ran past him to get my coat.

  “I’m really sorry to rush you, but I have to be at work in four minutes.”

  He gracefully rose, donned his own jacket, and calmly tucked my scarf around me as he had the day before.

  “Are you sure you want to be there in four minutes?” He grinned in response to my nod. “Come on, then.”

  I called a farewell to the house and strode determinedly out the door toward his motorcycle.

  “Not that I’m ungrateful,” I said over my shoulder, “but wouldn’t a car be better in winter?”

  “For humans, maybe.”

  “I am human.” When I spun toward him, barely any space separated us, and I had an up-close view of the pointy teeth his teasing grin displayed. Seeing them didn’t bother me as much today, and I rolled my eyes in response to his joking.

  The playful smile remained in place as he reached around me and painlessly tugged the hair-tie from my hair. I held still, wondering what he was up to when he held the band out to me.

  “Won’t work with the helmet.”

  “Ah.”

  I twisted the hair-tie around my finger and waited for him to fit the helmet on my head. While he did that, I noticed the snow piled on the ground everywhere except the sidewalk and driveway.

  “What’s that face for?” he asked just before tapping the visor into place.

  “I’m feeling guilty for oversleeping. I should have been up to help shovel.”

  He straddled the bike, started it, and held out his hand. “I didn’t mind.”

  “You did this?” I clasped his arm and got on behind him. He nodded as he pulled my arms around his waist. I couldn’t say more because he revved the motorcycle and swiftly pulled away.

  Although the plow had been through, a thin layer of snow still coated the road. Fearing what an icy patch could do to us, I tightened my grip around his waist and closed my eyes. The stomach-churning ride lasted a few short minutes before he parked in front of the Coffee Shop. He’d maneuvered the roads expertly, but my legs still felt weak when I climbed off the back. He didn’t wait for me to try to extract myself from the helmet but helped right away. It gave me a chance to calm down.

  He’d parked right in front of the picture window, and I caught Mona doing a double-take once the helmet came off. I waved and hurriedly pulled my hair back, securing it once again with the hair tie.

  “Thanks for the ride.”

  “Not a problem. I’ll be back later.” He started the bike again, but I didn’t wait to see him leave. I hurried inside. The fresh brewed aroma of roasted coffee welcomed me as did the few patrons already seated, sipping their morning delight.

  “Sorry I’m late, Mona. I overslept.” I moved behind the counter and checked the coffee pots, starting another regular.

  “You’re right on time.” She laughed at me as I opened the side door to rid myself of outdoor accessories.

  I glanced at the clock in disbelief. He’d really done it. I didn’t have a chance to overthink how fast we’d gone because a wave of customers poured in moments later.

  Between rushes, Mona quizzed me on the “hottie with a crazy streak,” proving that I wasn’t the only one who thought a motorcycle in winter was weird. She said it made him dangerous and more compelling. I wondered if Morik had an age limit for companions. Mona sure seemed interested. Besides, it wasn’t as if she was older than he was. While I waited on customers, I tried to think of a tactful way to ask him.

  Morik walked in a little before noon. When he said he would see me later, I hadn’t thought it would be a public appearance. However, covered with a cap and dark sunglasses, his differences didn’t send the patrons screaming as he approached the counter. I couldn’t hold back my smile as I thought of the chaos his appearance without the hat and glasses would cause.

  Mona recognized him from earlier and stepped aside so I could wait on him. She took the coffee pots around the room for those with the bottomless cup.

  “What can I get for you?” I asked.

  “The coffee any good?”

  “Like the coffee; love the sandwiches.”

  His lips twitched, and he ordered the bottomless cup with one of Mona’s specialty sandwiches. He didn’t linger at the counter after he ordered. Instead, he found a table and sat to sip his coffee while Mona made his sandwich.

  I delivered his food but couldn’t stay. We were in the middle of our lunch rush. Within thirty minutes, most of the tables would empty. Until they did, Mona and I took turns at the counter and running refills.

  Mona caught me behind the counter during a breather. “Black nail polish? I would have never pictured you with a bad boy.”

  My eyes shot to Morik, but with those sunglasses on, I couldn’t tell if we held his attention or not.

  “We’re friends,” I said quietly.

  She smiled knowingly but wisely said nothing more. There wasn’t time. We faced the last rush together. Morik never moved. When the clock struck one, Mona didn’t comment on his presence, just flipped the sign to “closed” and took the tip jar to the back. Taking the washcloth and sanitizer, I started the process of closing down.

  “You like working here.” His voice carried in the now quiet shop. It wasn’t a question but a statement of fact. I nodded anyway. “Why?”

  I moved to wipe down his table, and he surrendered his empty cup.

  “What’s not to like? I love the smells, the people are nice, and Mona’s a great boss. Plus, I get paid.”

  Mona walked into the room saying, “Of course I’m a great boss! I can’t afford to lose another employee to crappy wages.”

  She handed me a few folded bills, the outer one a single. I tucked it into my pocket and finished wiping the table.

  “Get her out of here now. She’s worked enough for today.” She smiled at Morik, not commenting on his hat or glasses.

  He smiled in return and stood. “Yes, ma’am.”

  I left Mona to chat with Morik while I grabbed my things. If only she knew what those glasses hid. Would she still talk to him?

  Outside, the sun had melted the snow from the roads. Relieved, I willingly ducked into the helmet and climbed onto the back of the motorcycle. I still didn’t like how cold I got, but at least our chances of crashing were lower.

  On our way to my house, I thought of my plans for the rest of the day. I wasn’t yet sure what we’d do for our time together, but no matter what we settled on, I’d ask Morik to help me sleep tonight. Another night tossing and turning didn’t appeal to me.

  Morik slowed as we approached the house, and I noted the garage’s bay door stood open, its dim cavern empty. Puzzled, I wondered who had left. Usually, we spent Saturdays together. Last Saturday had been a welcomed oddity, but two Saturdays in a row? It didn’t make sense.

  I managed to tug the helmet off without hurting myself as Morik kicked the stand into place. “Do you want to come in? I’m not sure who is home.”

  “Just your Aunt Danielle.” He placed the helmet on the seat then joined me on the sidewalk.

  “I was wondering...if Aunt Danielle died at seventeen, why does she look Gran’s age?” We slowly walked to the front door.

  “The same reason she’s still here. They’re linked. One soul in two bodies. When your Gran passes, so will Danielle.”

  It made me sad just thinking about it. I couldn’t imagine my life without all of them. Mom had once told me that she and Dad had lived on their own for a bit with me. It was only after he’d p
assed away that she’d brought me back to Gran’s house. Aunt Grace had already moved in with her by then, her own husband already gone. That was just what my family did when a husband died. They banded together to protect their children as best they could.

  Lost in thought, I opened the door. Morik followed me in.

  “‘Bout time someone came home. It’s boring without company,” Aunt Danielle called from her chair, more animated now that she’d exposed her secret.

  “Where is everyone?” My fingers warmed marginally when I tugged my mittens off.

  “Your mom went to the office. Grace and your Gran walked to the store a little while ago.”

  “I’m going to change real quick,” I said to Morik.

  He nodded and looked at my aunt. “If you’d like, I can join you.”

  She nodded with a grin. Removing his cap and glasses, he went to sit by her.

  I walked to my room and put the twenty-six dollars from my pocket with the rest of the tip money I saved. I’d been honest with Morik. I couldn’t have asked for a better job. If things didn’t go as I hoped, at least I’d have a job after my nameless husband died.

  Annoyed with my turn of thoughts, I focused on the present. Thanks to Morik, I was temporarily no longer bound to the “home by dusk” rule, and I planned to take advantage of that.

  After changing, I used the phone in my mom’s room to call Beatriz.

  “Sorry I didn’t call sooner. I have free time tonight if you still want to do something.” I spoke quietly, not yet sure where Morik fit into my plans.

  “Sure. With my parents gone, my brother’s making some calls to his friends. There will be a lot of people here. You’ll have a blast.” She rattled off directions to her house and suggested I show up after dark.

  I hung up the phone and glanced at the directions I’d written down. It didn’t take a genius to point out what I’d be in for if I went. With a college-aged brother and no parents at home, the party would be large and a lot of people would be drinking.