The Demon's Mate

Chapter 1: The Promise

I wake up, panting.

Gazing around with a mortified look on my face. I find the environment to be the same old. As is every single day. But over the period, the hole in my heart seems to grow.

Is this a curse, or am I sick? And if I'm sick, then who holds the cure?

A part of me knows, that the cure is in the revelation of the devil himself. Each night feels like a calling. And each day, he gets closer.

A weird sort of fear has now settled in my heart, apprehension crawls within the depths of my heart. That one day, his promise will be fulfilled. And he'll take me away from here. As he always does.

My nights are no longer mine. They're his. His existence is unclear, but he seems to be creating mine with every passing second. I don't know his name, because I haven't met him.

But then how does he know mine? How does he say it with such familiarity?

When people can afford the luxury of sleep I stay awake in my bed, fearful of the demon that lurks at night. It's not real, I tell myself.

As I wake up every day, in the comfort of my room and not the monster's dwelling. The dreams could be, for all I know, mere figments of my imagination.

It is simply the unrest of my heart, that has given rise to such anxiety.

I gaze outside the window. The sun's rays find their way through the tree barks and make it into my room. A thousand at once, illuminating the inside.

As I regard the beautiful sunshine, the fear of the dark seems to be vanishing and my heart feels at ease. Deciding it's time to let go of His thoughts and the Promise.

Putting all negative thoughts aside, I jump into the shower for a nice warm bath. After taking a shower, I stand in front of the mirror.

I fail to see back my image as the fog has covered it completely. I put the palm of my hand against the glass pane, wiping it clear.

What I see, shocks me to the core as I let out a gasp out of fright. The left side of my shoulder is completely bruised.

A reddish-black mark covers the left part of my shoulder. It starts from the hilt of my neck and stops right above my breast.

This is where He bit me! I probe further for bite marks but I see none. If the dream was real and all of this indeed did happen then I'm bound to have bite marks. Though I find none.

Then what could explain such an ugly mark? I've never had it. Neither was this side ever bruised. Then how did I get it?

I wear my clothes and rush to Mama. She's aware of my nightmares and thus I feel confident by residing in her with the news.

" Mama? " I call, as she's busy with the young ones.

The thing is, she isn't my biological mother. I'm an orphan, we all are. She opened an orphanage back when she was young. She tells us that the main thing that prompted her to do so is her husband's death.

After losing her only loved one, she decided to part ways with the people of the town. Not that the town offers much respect to a widow. Her husband left her some land and money.

With that, she built an orphanage, where people could give their children up for adoption if they were financially struggling.

I wasn't given to her though, which is why she remains unaware as to who my real parents are. I was left all alone in the woods, with no one to care for me. If she had been a little late, I wouldn't have made it.

Which is why I love her like she is my mother. We all do. We're one big family I'd like to believe. And we're very happy with the arrangement. I don't bother pondering over who my real parents are.

They left me all alone to die, they are no family of mine. But Mama is.

Though the people of the town failed to appreciate her for the noble deed, she earned the respect of the local church. They regard her highly and have helped us in several ways.

The church has the trust of the Mayor. And that gives them certain benefits. It was only with the help of the church that Cassie and I were able to get a job in the castle.

" Did you have a nightmare again? " She asks, lifting her attention off the toddler.

Judging by the expression on my face, mama picks up my state of mind easily. As my face is pale and trepidation is evident.

I simply nod my head in agreement.

" It was just a dream sweetie. " She says, trying to calm me down.

She has always nullified the idea of His existence. She didn't accuse me of psychotic behavior or berate me for such a ludicrous thought.

She advised me. That it wasn't real. And the more I ignore it, the less I'll fear it. And I've been trying to do just that.

" Don't let it overpower you. " She advises.

But how do I tell her, it's only getting worse.

" It's becoming a reality now, mama. " I whisper, to not scare the children.

" I fear that he will take me. " I murmur, letting her in on my worst fear.

The dream felt so real, and the bruise like Mark is a sign of His promise.

" He's promised. " I tell her.

His mere thought makes my heart beat faster, as fear creeps into my body.

" He's not real. " Mama denies.

" But his promise is. " I murmur, as a gentle wind starts blowing.

I pull my shirt to the side, bearing naked the awful mark for her view. And unlike before, I see a glimpse of dread on her face.

I gaze at her, for words of assurance. But she doesn't utter any. And for the first time, mama doesn't deny His existence.

Soon enough, the clouds roar and soon a thunder befalls. Just like that, I can feel things change. If His promise is real, then so is He.