“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, prowls about, seeking whom he may devour”- Peter 5:8

There are many monsters who roam the earth and not all look as they are described in fairy tales and myths. A lot of them don’t bear fangs and a hideous form, some of them can be described as very human like. They are flesh and bone, they have a mother and father, maybe a sibling or two. But then there is the kind of monster that is seen in myths and fairy tales, the kind of monster that does bear fangs and a hideous form, even their very existence is almost impossible to comprehend by humankind. So, they don a disguise of flesh and bone and walk among humanity and blend in perfectly.

A travesty perfected by one monster in particular.

Who is this monster?

She is the queen of demons, darkness incarnate.

She who roams in flesh and bone and dons the name Alasia Price.

Alasia Price is the monster waiting in the shadows and is only seen when she wants to be seen. The world is oblivious to her existence except one, Noah Cain.

Noah Cain is fifteen years old. A young man who like the world is blind to the hidden history of the woman named Alasia Price. Of course, he is aware of her travesty and it terrifies him. He didn’t ask for it, but most don’t ask for the cards they’re dealt and are simply expected to live with it. Alasia doesn’t care if he excepts it or not, simply that he is mindful of it.

Noah often pretends that Alasia is a normal human woman, a ridiculous fantasy but it serves him well when desperately needed. Usually his wishful thinking is for not and Alasia breaks his illusions with little truths. The one truth he is repeatedly denied is the one about his parents. He doesn’t remember the events that transpired eight years ago. Sometimes he’ll recall small brief fragments but nothing major, nothing worthwhile. His attempts to ask Alasia have been futile.

“You’re a child, live like one. Stop worrying about things that have nothing to do with your present life.”

It’s what she said the first time he asked her. Every time afterward she’d simply ignore him, and he would get angry. It scrapes at him, like an itch that not matter how hard he scratches it simply doesn’t stop itching. He has recently given asking her, Alasia isn’t one to simply break just because someone is persistent. She can be extremely patient, and the last thing Noah wants to do is find out what happens when her patience wears off. That outcome is difficult to even comprehend.    

But of course, persistence is key. Ask and ye will receive.

After his last class Noah quickly notices a woman waiting for him at the end of the hallway. He has never seen her before, but she seems to know who he is. There is something familiar about her that he can’t put into place, almost like he is seeing his mother again, but she isn’t his mother. He walks towards her, she smiles at him, he isn’t sure if he should smile so instead, he keeps his solemn expression.

As he approaches her, she waves at him cheerfully, shining her bright white teeth at him.

“Hi, you must be Noah.”  The woman extends her hand for a handshake to which Noah reciprocates before he can get his first word out.

“Uh, hi, yeah I’m him.” Noah says hesitantly.

“Sorry, I have forgotten my manners.” The woman chuckles, “My name is Samantha Peterhausen, I’m your aunt.”

“My aunt? I don’t have an aunt.” Noah says confused by the woman’s claim.   

“Does the name “Albus” sound familiar to you?”  

“Should it?”

She sighs in disappointment, “You’re Marla Cain’s son, aren’t you?”

“Yes, that is my mother’s name.”

“Okay, well I’m her younger sister.”

Eight years ago, there was a phone call he overheard. He can vaguely remember it but it’s all quite fuzzy. The “sibling” his mother mentioned is this woman Samantha. “So, you’re that person, aren’t you? The sibling she was crying to, you let my mother and father die.” He says bluntly.

She remains unscathed by the harsh claim. “You really don’t know anything do you? What a shame. Well no matter because I’m going to tell you everything.”

“Why would you do that for me? I don’t know you and you don’t know me.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“Who do you live with?” She says ignoring his question.

“A woman named Alasia Price.” He says hesitantly.

Samantha scuffs, unhappy with the answer. Noah waits patiently as Samantha gathers her thoughts. “I would like to meet his woman.” She demands.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m not even sure I believe you’re my aunt. Just because you know who my mom doesn’t mean I should just take your word for it.”

“Listen kid” She says impatiently, “I’m the only relative that you have that cared enough to even come out here and talk to you. There is a lot you don’t understand. My sister, she isn’t the person you think…” She pauses and then starts again, “Please, just trust me. Alright?”

Noah takes a second to think and no matter what conclusion he comes to it doesn’t seem to matter as he can already predict this woman isn’t going to back off and the only way to get around it is to trust her word that she is fact his aunt, so he agrees, “Alright.”

Her demeanor changes automatically, “Great, my car is right over there, follow me.”

Arriving at the house Samantha suddenly feels goosebumps on her arms and neck. She can immediately tell something isn’t right but quickly brushes it off. They get out of the car and Noah reaches into his pocket for his keys, but the door opens before he can insert the key into the lock. Alasia towers over him, he feels himself shrink.

“Who is this woman?” Alasia immediately demands.  

“She says she is my aunt.” Noah responds nervously.

Samantha then understands the ominous pull in her gut. She can feel it, the darkness. The woman called Alasia Price tugs at her mind but cannot figure out why this woman gives off such an ominous aura. Samantha dismisses it and introduces herself. “Hi, I’m Samantha Albus Peterhausen. Nice to meet you.”

“You people still haven’t learned your lesson, haven’t you?” Alasia says boldly as her abysmal eyes stay fixated on Samantha.

“Excuse me?” Samantha asks confused.

Alasia turns to Noah. Immediately he feels a fog cloud his mind. A split second later he finds himself in his room, unable to remember when he got there. He goes to the window and sees Alasia talking to Samantha. He can’t hear what they are saying but doesn’t dare open the window without risking Alasia seeing him. He sits on his bed and wonders what they could possibly be talking about but most of all hopes Alasia doesn’t scare her away. Samantha said she was going to talk about his family and if she really is who she says she is then he is all ears.

“Yes, your people. How can I forget the stench of an Albus?”

“Who are you?” Samantha demands. “Why do you know that?”

A large devilish grin spreads over Alasia’s face, “Why I’m just a woman named Alasia Price. Don’t you see?” She says mockingly.  

Samantha feels tug on her stomach, she can feel the malice and darkness coming from Alasia. “Albus is a name of power, we are not people you want to fuck with so tell me who the fuck you are.” She angrily demands.

Alasia’s serpentine tongue slithers out of her mouth and licks her crimson red lips. Samantha steps back, Alasia releases a sinister laugh.

“What’s the matter little Albus? Is that fear I smell?” Alasia steps closer as Samantha steps further away. Alasia scoffs in disappointment. “Power? Please. Albus is a clan of feeble and spineless cowards. You and your clan are no threat to me. They weren’t then and they certainly aren’t now. So, do yourself a favor and leave before I eviscerate you and play with your insides.”

Samantha chokes back the disgust and fear. “I’ll come back; he will know about his family. He will know the truth and I will find out who you are.” Samantha threatens in a trembling voice. It’s not fear she feels, it’s anger. She is angry at her dead sister, Marla. “if I find out you murdered my sister, I’ll send you back to wherever the fuck it is you came from.”

Samantha turns and walks fast to her car, trying to ignore Alasia as she fishes for her keys in her purse.

“Run little Albus, run before I catch you and tear you into tiny chunks of flesh.” Alasia says ominously. She disappears into thin air and the door slams shut.

Samantha notices her hand is trembling, a bead of sweat drips down on the side of her face. “Pathetic, fucking pathetic.” She says, angry at herself.

 She inserts the key into the door and opens it. Quickly situates herself in her car and contemplates everything that just happened. In a sudden fit of rage, she pounds at the steering wheel. Angry tears cover her face. Never in her life has she felt such fear, not even at the mercy of her father did she feel such incredible fear.

“Marla, you’re a fucking irresponsible twit. How could you? a fucking demon?” She yells. She begins to laugh in delirium. Unsure what to make of it.  “This is so fucked up. Who in the right mind does that? Who fucking does that? My stupid sister that’s who, that stupid, crazy bitch. That kid, that woman messed with his mind and made him believe some stupid fantasy.”

Alasia opens the door to Noah’s room, he jumps to his feet. “I didn’t know.” He says with a guilty voice.

“I am not angry with you. I just want to know what garbage she promised you.”

“She said she was going to tell me everything, about my parents and my family.”

“Your family?” Alasia scuffs. “That name, Albus, it’s not associated with “family”. It’s nothing but greed, death, and sorrow. There is no room for a boy like you. They don’t suit you and you don’t suit them. Besides you’re not Noah Albus, you’re Noah Cain.”

“Then stop messing around and tell me.”

“It doesn’t concern you; it is not your problem. Live your current life.”

“How can I do that when I don’t know anything. I barely remember them; I don’t even remember how they died.”

“Good, it’s all for a good reason. Someday you’ll understand.”

Noah can’t accept that, not until he knows everything. “Then I’ll ask her.”

Noah tries to leave the room but Alasia stops him. She sighs and her usual cold tone of voice becomes soft and comforting. “Time and time again, you refuse to ever trust me. And although I don’t blame you for that, this is the one thing I am asking you to let go. You will not find peace in it, only heartbreak.”

“Whoever they were, whatever they did, at least they weren’t monsters pretending to be human.”

“No, they were humans pretending to be monsters. I may be a monster, but it is a monster that has kept you alive, not humans.”

Noah backs off, she wins. No matter how angry he gets and now matter much he argues, Alasia is always right. It is times like these that Noah can’t understand Alasia. He can’t figure out if she is being understanding because really does care or because she herself is hiding something from him.