Falling For The Demon

"You can't keep following me around like this," I muttered under my breath, wiping off the table. "I am at work, and I don't want to lose it. My supervisor might think I am a lunatic and might fire me" The last thing I want right now is to look like a mad girl, talking to herself. I can't go back to the days when people around me avoided me for that. I looked up at the young girl standing quietly at the corner. She didn't say anything in return. Instead, she watched me with a hollow expression on her face. A customer walked into the restaurant and sat opposite of her, unaware of her presence. She didn't even bat an eye at the man in front of her. Her gaze never left me. I put on my best smile and attended the customer, jotting down their orders in my notebook. I threw one last look at the quiet soul and left to the kitchen to submit the new orders. "Tough week?" My colleague asked when she noticed my glum expression, "I understand. It hasn't been easy for me either. God, I can't wait to find a better job, " She grumbled under her breath as she arranged the trays. I gave a sideways glance at the soul and sighed, "I think it will get better." Once I help this soul to pass over to the other side. But something tells me it won't be an easy task. The day passed by pretty quickly, with the young soul lingering around the restaurant. She followed me quietly after I was done with my shift. "You know I can't help you if you don't tell me what do you want" I turned in my heels to look at the poor soul, "I know it is hard and frightening but I am sure it will be all fine once you pass over to the other side, young one" For the first time since I saw her, a small smile started at her lips, "You don't look any older than I am" She noted, "I know what's waiting for me at the other side but I am not ready to go there yet" I tilted my head to the side, "Wow, she talks," I joked, "I almost thought you didn't understand what I was saying or maybe that you had a hearing impairment." This time, an amused glint flickered in her eyes, "This is refreshing." I shook my head at her and turned to the front, "If you don't want to pass to the other side, why are you lingering around me?" I asked, resuming my steps. I glanced down at my watch, quickening my steps. I knew that she was following me. She even knew where I lived now. It is kind of creepy, but it's not like I can shackle her or do anything to stop her from following me around. "It's not every day the living can see me," I rolled my eyes at that, "Trust me. There are plenty of humans that can communicate with the dead. There is a f*******: group dedicated to people like me. " Suddenly, she appeared right in front of me, making me let out a gasp, startled. "Are they as outgoing as you are with the dead too?" She asked, smirking now. I let out a breath, glowering at her. "You almost gave me a heart attack there," I said, shaking my head. "I don't know if people out there as accepting as I am, but I do know that I am not the only one," I shrugged, "Don't startle me again. Ever, " I warned, walking past her. "I don't plan on doing that," "I wonder why you're suddenly all chatty," I mumbled to myself, "How long have you been stalking me again? I lost count on how many times I have asked you to say something." I didn't hear her say anything in return, so I assumed she had literally ghosted me. I let out a soft chuckle and continued to walk until I reached my apartment. I had a feeling this soul had been through a lot. Why would she insist on staying here in the human world when she could easily find peace? I went up the stairs at my apartment. I fished out my keys from my pocket and unlocked the door. Instantly, the smell of cigarettes hit my face. I held my breath in a vain attempt to avoid coughing and walked into my apartment, closing the door behind. I went straight to my mother's room to check on her and found her in her bed. I knocked on the door before stepping in, "Mom?" I asked in a soft voice. She cracked her eyelids open, and relief was clear in her eyes, but it only lasted for a few seconds. "Arabella, I was hoping you wouldn't be back until later in the midnight." She started to sit up, "Your brother is here," "I am aware of that," I said, making a face. Pain flitted in her eyes, "I hope he won't stay for long," I pursed my lips and shook my head. I am not going to get my hopes up. "Yo, Arabella," I heard him say, his heavy footsteps headed straight to my mother's room. "Thank god, you're home. Mom told me that you wouldn't be back until late in the morning, " He smirked, peeking his head into the room. My mother froze, knowing full well what would happen in a few minutes. This wasn't the first time this was happening. I glanced at my mother, "Yeah, there was some change in my shift." I shrugged, "Why were you looking for me?" I asked, well aware of the reason. Matt reeked of cigarettes and alcohol as he walked into the room, "I need some cash. Do you have any?" He asked without any shame in his eyes. Yep, I already saw that coming. "No, Matt," I answered him, keeping my tone vacant of any emotions. "I had a few debts with my colleagues, so I paid them back." This wasn't entirely a lie, so it will have to do. Matt's eyes went from unusually friendly to cold in a matter of seconds, "I know that you're lying. You must have some money left with you. " He glowered at me, taking a threatening step forward. "You must think I am a fool if I believe you don't have any money." I stared right into his eyes. "I don't have it," Matt scoffed at me, "Fine. If you don't have any money..." He trailed, his eyes scanning around the room as if he was trying to find anything valuable. I smiled without any humour, "You already pawned everything that is valuable, remember?" Matt sneered at me, "f*****g hell" He moved so fast that I didn't have time to avoid his blow. The next thing I know, I was on the ground and my cheek seared in pain. "Matthew!" I heard my mother yell. Hot tears started to run down my cheeks as I held my cheek gingerly. "I don't have any money, Matt. If I had I would have given it to you already. Do you think I like it when you're here?" I snapped my gaze up to look at him. Matt balled his fists and let out a scream in frustration, "f**k it, Arabella. Don't think I won't be back. I might leave today but I am coming back again tomorrow and you better give me what I need!" He spat at me and stormed out of the room. My mother came rushing to me, "Arabella, honey. Are you okay?" She asked, helping me up from the floor, "We should put some ice on-" I shook my head at her, "No, mom. I think I am pretty immune to his slaps now. Did you have dinner yet,?" I asked, changing the subject. "But-" "Let's have dinner then" I said, flashing a reassuring smile at her, "I will make something for us real quick" I walked out of the room, leaving her alone. Honestly, I was just desperate to get out from there so she wouldn't she me falling apart. I stepped into the kitchen and took a deep breath. This isn't new to me but why tonight I feel like I couldn't keep up with everything anymore? Haven't I accepted my fate as the sole breadwinner for the family with a poor mother and an abusive brother? Or is there any drop of hope left within me? That one day everything will be okay? I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts and started the stove after putting a pan on it. I hadn't decided what I will make tonight so I will just improvise with the groceries left in our refrigerator. "I am guessing that is your brother," I jumped, having not expected company. I turned to the side to see the young soul sitting casually on my kitchen counter. "Told you not to make me startled," I said glumly, shifting my gaze back to the dinner I was making. I could feel her eyes on me as she studied me carefully from where she was sitting, "Does he hit you often?" She asked in a small voice. I didn't answer her. Mainly because I didn't trust my voice. She didn't press, though. She must have sensed it was a sore subject for me. "I was abused too. I endured it for a very long time, quietly that is. I never thought it would end badly for me though. By the time I wanted to fight back, it was already too late" My back became rigid as I listened to her tragic story but I kept my lips pressed into a thin line. I started to chop some onions to make a simple omelette. She cleared her throat, "I was just saying-" I looked up at her, making her words die in her throat. "Can we not talk about this?" I asked, "I will appreciate it if you tell me your name" She looked at me, surprised. "I um-" She hesitated, "Vanilla" She finally said, seeming like it was painful to even say her name out loud. "Like the ice cream?" I blurted out without thinking. I bit my tongue, afraid that I might have offended her. She seemed a little embarrassed by that remark but nodded her head. As if she had heard this many times before this. "That's a nice name. I never knew people were named after it, " I sighed. I looked down at the chopped onions and smiled, "Hey, do you want to-" I looked up again, only to realize I was alone again. I chuckled darkly. "And I am alone again," I muttered, shaking my head to myself. Knowing that I was really alone this time, I allowed myself to cry. A few silent tears leaked from my eyes and rolled down my cheeks as my chest constricted with the pain that I had been trying to bury deep within myself. Why do I have to be so unfortunate with all of my burdens? Just because I carry it well, it doesn't mean that I am fine with it. I am so tired, mentally and physically with my life... But I have no other choice. I have to put on my big girl smile and move forward, no matter how painful it is for me. Even if it is not for me, I have to suck it up for my mother. After all, she is the only person that cares about me. It made me wonder if I would lead such a life until my end. God, I hope not. That would be so depressing. I wiped my tears away with the sleeves of my shirt and plastered a pleasant smile on my face, "Mom, come on. Dinner is ready" I called out to her, as if nothing happened thirty minutes ago.