Who is She?

Mikael was relaxing in his lounge chair, his head against it’s back and his feet propped on the table in front of him. One hand was pressed to his forehead, as if he had a headache. The TV mounted on the wall blared with annoying commercials he tried to block out. Under it, a fireplace flickered, it’s heat warming up the chilly room.

A woman stepped back into the room, from a hall that the bathroom and bedroom were located in. Her heels clicked on the hardwood floor. “Oh, there you are,” he said. “I was wondering how long you would be.” She smiled and sat on the armrest of his chair.

“As long as I needed,” she sang. Her sharp teeth — which she quickly hide — were noticeable for a split-moment under the light. She brushed her arm against his, giving him a seductive glance. She was an attractive woman, sure. She had long dark hair and angled eyes. Her lips were full and painted red. She had high cheekbones and lashes that shadowed her eyes perfectly.

Mikael smirked. He brought his fingers across her face, slowly sliding over her lips. She gazed down at him with hunger. He wondered what her blood would taste like. Something told him it would be bitter. He gripped the back of her hair and brought her face onto his. They started to kiss, her hand moving to his back. He trailed his mouth towards her neck–

His door slammed over, “Who is she?” A voice exclaimed with anger. Mikael brought his head back up, and the woman shrank back. It was Min. Her blonde hair was pulled into a messy ponytail, and eyes blazing.

“She is nothing, Min.” He said. The dark haired woman glared at him, with her lips pressed tightly together. “Go,” he whispered to her. Her hand flashed across his face in a hard slap. It started to burn with pain as she got up, walking angrily passed Min and going out the door. He pressed a hand to his cheek. He suspected it was flushed with red where her hand touched it.

“Serves you right,” Min told him. She moved to in front of the TV. Her arms were wrapped around her chest, and brows pinched together tightly.

“As I said before,” Mikael sighed. “She is nothing. Don’t get yourself so flustered over it.”

“I’m not flustered!” She yelled. She started to pace across the face, cursing words under her breath. Her back was turned towards him.

“Your actions don’t convince me,” he observed, a brow raised. She kicked his table in response. “Hey, what are you–”

“Why do you always have to be like this,” her voice dropped to almost a sob. “Aren’t I enough?” She turned around, facing him. It was then he noticed the tears forming in her eyes.

“Min…it’s not–” He started.

“You don’t like me like that, do you?” She cut off. “You never did. I’m digging my own grave. It’s a waste…” She broke down. Tears streamed her face. She fell to the ground. He went to reach for her, but drew back — his fingers itching, wanting to help. What was he supposed to do? Comfort her? That almost made him laugh. Since when was that his job.

He only stood at her, watching her cry. “Min…” I’m sorry.

“Just…don’t,” she tried to tell him between sobs. He stood up abruptly. “I’ll leave…you can go back to kissing your pretty dark haired woman.” Min dashed out of the room, covering her eyes with her hands. The door fell shut behind her.

Mikael sighed. Women.

The Fog

The fog came in the early evening, and left in the mid-afternoon. The people of the town always went inside once it started to show. No one ever questioned it. It was the thing to do. So, every day, at around 5 PM, the townspeople would leave to the safety of their homes before the fog came in. People would stay inside until 10 AM in the morning — when the fog usually left. Sometimes it took longer. On those type of days, no one would leave their homes for the rest of the day.

Todd often wondered why that was. He’d asked his parents multiple times why he couldn’t go outside. “It’s just fog,” he would complain. “Why can’t I keep playing outside?” His mother — or father — it didn’t matter, would only shake their head, and motion him to come inside. And with a groan, he would.

Once, he had left one of his favorite bouncing balls outside while the fog came in. The next day it was gone. As a kid, he thought some neighbor’s kid had stolen it. But now, now he wasn’t sure.

He was 16 now, and the fog became a normal routine. He no longer questioned it. There was nothing to question about it anymore.

Todd was playing a online game with a few of his friends. They tended to do this a lot lately. It was loads of fun, and with the technology these days, he didn’t have to wait for them to come over. They could just play via online. He thought that was brilliant. He shot Bryan’s character and the screen read: INNOCENT WIN. Todd cheered. He could hear Bryan groaning over their Skype call, and his other friends laughing.

They played a few more games, and each time, the fog would grow. Though, Todd didn’t notice this, until Luis pointed it out. “You guys see the fog today? It’s getting pretty thick.” His friends all agreed over their mics. “I wonder if we’ll have to stay home tomorrow.”

“I hope not,” Todd said. “It’s boring having to stay home all day.”

Their attention went back to the game for another hour. It started to get late, so Todd and his friends decided to end it for the day. He closed his laptop shut and went to get ready for bed. Before sleeping, he had a habit of staring out into the fog. Although he no longer questioned it, he still was curious about it. His eyes widened when he glanced over at his window.

There was a girl. Outside. In the fog.

It looked like it was about to swallow her alive. And she just stood there — still. Todd sprinted downstairs, and out the door. His family was already asleep. He wouldn’t have to worry about the lecturing him about not leaving the house when the fog came. He slammed open the door and dashed towards the girl. “What are you doing!” He hissed. “You need to get inside.”

She turned towards him. Her face was pink and swollen, and there was tears pouring out of them. “It’s no point…” She whispered.

“I don’t care, you need to get back home,” Todd yelled. “Where it’s safe.”

She only shook her head. “You don’t understand…” She started to step into the fog. Todd raised his hand.

“No–” He screamed, but it was too late.

She was gone.

In the morning, there was no trace of the girl. He asked his parents about it, but they knew nothing. No one did.

The only thing he could find that proved she even existed was water stains on the ground, where her tears had dripped. They never dried.

What She Saw

Lia knocked — or rather, pounded — on Daemon’s door. It was late at night. Most people were asleep by this time, but she was not. She had to talk to him. She had to talk to him now. Her cheeks were hot, and sweat poured down her forehead. “Daemon,” she called. “I need to talk to you!” She slammed her hands harder on the door. “Daemon–”

He finally opened the door. His expression was annoyance mixed with tiredness. His eyes were barely half-opened. His dark hair was messy, and he wore a loose t-shirt and pants — very different from his usual tight fitting clothing. “What do you want?” He groaned. His voice was low, raspy. He put a hand through his hair, only making it more like a bird’s nest.

“I need to talk to you. Now.” She tried to make it sound as urgent as it was.

He sighed. “Can’t this– I don’t know — wait until tomorrow, no?”

“Give me five…no. Ten minutes, tops.” When he didn’t answer, she added another plea, hoping it will convince him. “Please. This can’t wait.”

He nodded slowly, and widened the door. “Fine. But be quick.” He motioned her to come in. She sat on the edge of his bed. It’s sheets were peeling off the sides, almost falling on the ground. He sat next to her, making sure of keeping a few inches of distance between them.

He let out a deep breath, “What was so important that you needed to talk to me about?” His deep blue eyes looked over at her. Lia was staring down at her shaking fingers, one of her legs was bobbing up and down. Why was she so nervous? “I don’t enjoy my sleep being interrupted. Especially at this hour.” Daemon added.

“It’s about Andrew,” she started. “I saw him do…something.” Her voice broke off. She took in a breath, closing her eyes for a moment.

“What did he do now?” Daemon asked. “He didn’t hurt your feelings, did he? He does have quite the sharp tongue.” He obviously was thinking of something else. Something less worrying. Lia wondered if he even knew what Andrew did — or does — when no one is watching.

“No,” she said. “It was…” She searched for the right word. “Horrifying, to say the least.” She shivered. When she glanced over to Daemon, for his response, she noticed his expression changed immediately. He knew what she meant. Possibly, more than even what she had found out. The look on his face was the expression of complete fear.

“Oh…that,” was all he said in response. His mind was somewhere else.

Lia leaned in closer to him, “So you know about it then?” She asked. He nodded. “Why haven’t you told anyone?”

“Let me tell you something, Lia,” he said. His eyes were fixated on her. She flinched. “There are many secrets in this house. This is only one, of many. Most…we keep to ourselves, and we fix them ourselves.” He looked to Lia, “Do you understand? This is his problem. Not mine. Not yours.” Daemon cleared his throat, “It’s none of our business either, really.”

She gave him a surprised face. “What? So you’re just going to leave it?”

He nodded, “Pretty much.” He paused. “Now, can I sleep?”

“No!” She exclaimed, covering her mouth, after realizing how loud it came out. She lowered her voice. “I can’t believe you.” She whispered. “Andrew is actually breaking necks of, what — rabbits, puppies? — and you’re just going to ignore it? Isn’t that, like, one of the early signs of being a serial killer?”

“This is none of your business.” Daemon glared. His hands were now clenching his knees, going white at the knuckles.

“I’m his fiancée. This happens to be a lot of my business.” Lia said.

Daemon stood up abruptly. “Well then, fiancée, why don’t you try to fix him then. I heard women are great at convincing men to do whatever stupid things they want them to.” He hissed. Before she could reply, he then pointed to the door, “Leave. This conversation is done.”

Lia got up. “Fine, then.” She said moving to the door. “Thanks for your help!” She yelled, slamming the door behind her.

She stood in front of it for a moment. Then, a wave of sadness overcame her, and she slide down to the ground, leaning against the cold wood. She put her knees to her face and bursted into tears.