Everywhere. I could see her everywhere. It's been two days since I went to the old man's house, and since then, Ashnida has been everywhere.When I wake up, she's there beside me. While I'm brushing, while I'm bathing… And even now that I'm having breakfast with my family. Her dark shadowy form is opposite me, behind my parents. Just grinning at me in the corner of the room. She has taken the form of the old me. My brown eyes, and black hair. She has a grin that shows fangs, long skinny hands and finger with talon nail, and crazed eyes that never leave me."Honey, are you okay? "My mother questions, and I look up at her. She pushed me to this. She and her witch of a sister-in-law aunt Gloria. If only they accepted me for who I was. If only they loved me. If only they cared for me like they did Daniel."I look perfect, don't I? My hair is healthier and there's not a single bump on my face. That all you care about, and you've gotten it. What more do you want? "I reply and her jaw drop
It was an exhausting day. Yes, I had my shoot and Aunt Gloria did not take a seconds break from yapping on about something I did wrong or couldn't do. She found issues with every single thing. I had said close to nothing to her all day and the silence weighed heavily on me. Still, I would rather stay silent than engage her. We were are her dining table in her dainty house and all that filled the room were the sounds of my spoon coming in contact with my plate. I was having my soup in silence when she began to talk again, and I froze."Food. That's all you know. I thought you were giving me the cold shoulder. Why then are you eating my food? "She said and I looked up at her.Ashnida was standing behind her. Awfully close. But the unsuspecting woman had her full attention on me as she resumed talking, and I turned back to my food."Do you know we had to edit the pictures you took today? What they are helping you do with technology today, I did effortless when I was your age! I keep try
Eliza's POV;"Found it yet? "Athena questions as she pops her head to the side of mine, and keeps her gaze keen on my laptop screen."No, I Haven't. Just like I hadn't found it when you asked two minutes ago! "I reply, typing furiously at my laptop's keypad."Well, hurry up. If we don't watch that movie tonight, this night would be a horrid bore! "She replies with her golden locks falling over my shoulder, and I roll my eyes."I really don't get you, Athena! What's the point of searching for a dubbed movie, when the real one would be out next week? " I question in frustration as I run through sites, and sites, in search of the new movie Athena has been going on about."Oh, you silly! I want to watch that movie now! It's so cool, and I don't want to have to wait the whole weekend before seeing it.I hate when those who've watched in cinemas keep talking about it and spoiling the whole thing for me. I wanna watch it too! "She exclaims, and I r
Eliza's POV;I walk down the stairs with my hands clutching the books I'm hugging to my chest tightly.From the chatters going on downstairs, it's clear that the shooting crew is here. Today is not my day, so obviously they're here for my brother.I get down and find our massive living room,full of people. On the couch is my brother getting his make-up done, and my parents are in a corner discussing.My parents run a modeling school and a fashion industry,and I and my brother are the faces of the companies.My parents' names are not strangers to conversations held in high places about fashion,and being their kid,one would think I have it all.Well, just as much as I have everything, I have nothing.Workers greet me as I walk past them, and my brother smiles lightly at me as I pass, while I nod back."Eli
Eliza's POV; "Hey, Eliza! "She greets with a voice laced with thick venom. "I can see the pain in your eyes, and it's quite obvious that you wish you were in my shoes right now. I mean, which girl in Emerald High, won't want to be? To be prom queen beside the one and only Damien Claude. It's no surprise you didn't win though, I mean with all the rumors traveling about..." She says, and I look up at her as her last words capture my interest. What rumors? "People have been saying you're getting a bit too fat, and that you also seem to be getting shorter. Also that your skin tone seems to be dropping. And that... "Amber begins, but Athena cuts her off. "That's just about enough, Amber! "Athena yells at her, and she jumps in fright. "Really, and what if I don't think it's enough? "Amber questions to dare her, and Athena steps closer to her. "I dare you to say one more word, Amber. And it's either you wind up in a ho
Eliza's POV; I stare blankly at aunty Gloria, who is unpacking the bag she has placed on the bed. She looks up at me and finds that I'm still clad in my clothes. "Eliza! "She snaps, and I inhale deeply in surrender. It's not like I have a say or can do something about this. I pull off my top and am left in my bra. Then I let my shorts fall to my feet, with aunt Gloria's stern eyes paying close attention to me. I keep my gaze away from her as I'm standing in my underwear, and she speaks. "Take off the bra. " I look up at her in alarm, and she rolls her eyes. "Oh, please. Stop acting like your body is some national treasure. If it were so priceless to you, you'd know what to and what not to eat to keep it in shape. "She spits at me, and I gulp. Her words hit me like a cane, but I bite the inside of my cheek to stop to tears of embarrassment threatening to fall. I unclasp my bra and let it fall. And, aunt Gloria walks up to me with a piece of black clothing in her hands. She st
Eliza's POV; I stare curiously at my computer's screen as the cool night's breeze blows into my partly lit room through my window. I inhale in pleasure as it cools off my skin. I do want to be beautiful. I want to make an impact. I want to prove everybody wrong, and storm the world. I want to make fame at a rate that will shock my family. However, is this pop-up legit? Will it answer all my questions and grant my wishes? What's the harm in trying though? It's not like I have anything to lose. I put on my glasses, and take my seat. I click on the link, and all I find is a phone number displayed on a red background. I raise a brow and keep scrolling till I get to the bottom of the page. But that's it. Just... A phone number. I scroll through again, just to be sure I didn't miss anything. But I find nothing but this number. Is this some sort of prank? I walk back to my bed and grab my phone, and after not more than a few seconds of hesitation, I find myself dialing the number. I si
Eliza's POV; I'm in my bedroom with Athena. She's surfing through the internet, and I'm going through my emails to be sure I haven't missed anything concerning work. Athena mostly always spends her weekends with me. Which explains why she was here when I woke up earlier today. We are a pair that's been inseparable for a very long time. "Sweet, Jesus! "Athena suddenly yells, and I jump off my bed and land on the floor in fear, with a loud thud. "Athena! "I yell while rubbing my rump when I realize she screamed like that all because of something she saw online. "Oh my God, babe. I'm so sorry. "She says as she comes to the side of my high bed and offers me a hand which I reluctantly take. "What happened? "I question when I finally take back my position on the bed. "You will not believe it, Eliza. "She replies, and I give her a look. "Ok, ok. Anthony's birthday is next week. "She replies, and I give her a look. Anthony has been her crush for quite some time now. She's been stuck b
It was an exhausting day. Yes, I had my shoot and Aunt Gloria did not take a seconds break from yapping on about something I did wrong or couldn't do. She found issues with every single thing. I had said close to nothing to her all day and the silence weighed heavily on me. Still, I would rather stay silent than engage her. We were are her dining table in her dainty house and all that filled the room were the sounds of my spoon coming in contact with my plate. I was having my soup in silence when she began to talk again, and I froze."Food. That's all you know. I thought you were giving me the cold shoulder. Why then are you eating my food? "She said and I looked up at her.Ashnida was standing behind her. Awfully close. But the unsuspecting woman had her full attention on me as she resumed talking, and I turned back to my food."Do you know we had to edit the pictures you took today? What they are helping you do with technology today, I did effortless when I was your age! I keep try
Everywhere. I could see her everywhere. It's been two days since I went to the old man's house, and since then, Ashnida has been everywhere.When I wake up, she's there beside me. While I'm brushing, while I'm bathing… And even now that I'm having breakfast with my family. Her dark shadowy form is opposite me, behind my parents. Just grinning at me in the corner of the room. She has taken the form of the old me. My brown eyes, and black hair. She has a grin that shows fangs, long skinny hands and finger with talon nail, and crazed eyes that never leave me."Honey, are you okay? "My mother questions, and I look up at her. She pushed me to this. She and her witch of a sister-in-law aunt Gloria. If only they accepted me for who I was. If only they loved me. If only they cared for me like they did Daniel."I look perfect, don't I? My hair is healthier and there's not a single bump on my face. That all you care about, and you've gotten it. What more do you want? "I reply and her jaw drop
Several miles away. That was where my mind was as I stared out of the window of the cab. I told my parents I needed to be alone, but only I knew where I was going. Tears slid down my face as I remembered Athena's warnings, but my thick skull never let any of her words in. I wiped away my tears as I remembered the fear on my driver's face before I killed him, all the lies and the dark presence I now always feel around me. Even now… In this cab. I could feel it. Right next to me. All over me.The cab pulled over at Allen Avenue, number six, and in front of the house was a car with its boot open, and someone loading things into the trunk.As I got out of the cab, I walked with unsure steps towards the person loading the vehicle with carton boxes and as the young man looked up at me, my breath got stuck in my throat.I was certain that I had never seen him before, yet he looked awfully familiar…"Can I… Help you? "He spoke, and I cleared my throat."Is…er… Is he moving out? "I questioned
Eliza's POV; I have spent the last hour trying to clean my bathroom and wash the blood off my cloth, but it's not working. There are still patches of blood on the dress, and anybody with working eyes would know what they are. Stubborn, bloodstains refusing to come off! I shut my eyes and let my head roll back in exhaustion, but I quickly tear my eyes open as memories of me drawing out my driver's abdominal organs with my teeth, flashes across my mind. “Eliza? The cops are here. “Daniel's voice says from the other side of the door, and I realize that it was easy for him to come into my room as its door is currently condemned. Hold up, the cops are here? Have they found something against me? “Eliza? “Daniel calls, as I didn't give him a reply. “Yeah… I'd be out very soon. Just give me a minute. “I reply, and silence follows for a few seconds. “Eliza, I don't know what happened to you, but… I want you to know that I've got you. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. I'm here for
Eliza's POV; The car suddenly comes to a stop in the middle of nowhere, and smoke covers the front of the car. “What's going on? “I question my driver in worry. “I don't know. Let me go and check. “He replies, and I nod. He steps out of the car and opens the smoking bonnet. I begin to look around and realize that the car came to a stop in some sort of forestry area. My stomach rumbles again, and I hold on to it in hurt. I'm hungry. Starving. I step out of the car and rest against a tree. I watch as my driver battles to figure out what's wrong with the car, with a squeezed face. Why on earth would my car choose to break down in the middle of the woods, at this time of night? I take a deep breath as everything slowly begins to sway, and my discomfort slowly begins to morph into pain. It feels like a thousand fire ants are making their way up my throat, and like uncountable needles are trying to burst out of my stomach. I let out a troubled scream as my eyes begins to sting l
Eliza's POV; I get to the school's arena, all dressed up, with my makeup on. Athena has done such good work over the week, that I'm sure I'd win this thing. Besides, with the new… Developments going on with me, I'm sure I would win. If I don't, I'd know democracy is a joke to this school. People start gasping at me as they sight me, and I smile with pride as I catwalk into the school. I look towards the elevator and find that Damien is about to step into it. I maintain my composure and keep walking. I watch his jaw drop, and I smile as I step in with him. “Good morning, Damien” I greet, and he blinks rapidly to wipe the shock off his face. “Good morning, Elizabeth. “He greets, and my heart flutters at how sweet my name sounds coming out of his mouth. I look outside the elevator and find Athena who had been walking with me, smirking, and I give her a small blush. Just as Damien presses the button to the first floor, we sight Amber running frantically in her heels in an effort to
Eliza's POV; I laugh awkwardly after hearing my driver's words and take a few seconds to process what I've just heard. Then I turn around and make my way into the house. I run up to my room and begin to call the old man, *The number you're trying to call is not available. Please try again later.* The female, robotic voice says, and I shut my eyes. I keep calling, but I keep getting the same response. I begin to panic. What happened? My driver doesn't even remember taking me there. Maybe I was dreaming?. No! It couldn't have been a dream. It felt so real, too real! I sit on my bed and stare at the old man's number in confusion. What's… Going on? *********** I feel my body get covered with beads of sweat, and I move in discomfort as my clothes begin to soak. For some reason, I'm finding it hard to sleep, and harder to feel at peace. I finally tear my eyes open in surrender to the annoying discomfort, robbing me of my sleep. I swallow painfully as my throat is dry, and I just ke
Eliza's POV; I walk into the room and an ominous feeling consumes me as a sudden rush of wind hits me. The hairs on my skin rise, and I feel goosebumps cloth my body as I look around the dark room. One can hardly see the things in the room, except the candles on the walls, and the strange, gigantic symbol on the floor outlined by candles. “Go and sit in the middle of the circle. “The old man's rough voice says to me, and I look up at him. “There? “I question. As I am honestly creeped out by this place. The man simply looks at me, and I look away. “S… Sorry. “I apologize before making my way towards the massive symbol on the floor. “Take off your shoes. “He orders. Stopping me in my tracks, and I roll my eyes before obeying him. Magic! Yeah, right! Believing in magic is just like believing in dinosaurs and unicorns. But, I'd do this. Just to prove that I tried, and I didn't let any opportunity slip past me. I make my way to the symbol and sit in its middle. “Take a meditatio
Eliza's POV; Athena tried relentlessly to make me feel better, but it was of no use. I'm done with all the lies, all the hypocrisy, and fake love. I'm fed up with everyone and with everything. I had to lie to her and fake a smile that I was okay, but deep down I knew that a massive bomb of desperation had exploded inside me. She left a few hours ago, and now I'm on my way to Allen Avenue, number six. I'm going to see that old man, and he must help me. I gulp down my fear as I ring the silver doorbell before me. The last time I was here, it was in the afternoon. Now that I'm here in the cold evening, it makes the hair on my skin rise. I prefer not to spend another day of my life as the person I am right now. At least not without assurance that soon enough something I'm doing would yield me a tangible result. The door slowly creaks open, and I swallow before walking in. Once again, the door shuts after me, and I close my eyes. I look around the empty room before me and find that t