CHAPTER FIVE

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CANNIBALISTIC DEAMON

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‘You see, my love, your soul is a treasure I intend to guard and eventually claim.’

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The relentless ticking of the clock resonated painfully in the room as Allen contemplated the state of his front door. Was it unlocked, or had he been prudent enough to lock it? Perched on the edge of his bed, his every nerve screamed for an opportunity to make a run for it, to escape the chilling presence of the demon that held him captive.

The dilemma lay in the fact that the demon, with her unwavering gaze, seemed acutely aware of his thoughts, as if she could predict his every move and had no intention of averting her eyes from him.

She remained fixed in her spot, her gaze locked onto Allen, as she reclined against the closed wooden door of the bedroom's washroom. The proximity was unnerving; she was both close and yet slightly distanced, the room's size determining the space between them.

Allen harbored no illusions about the futility of escaping the clutches of this supernatural entity. After all, she was a demon, and such beings defied human comprehension. With a deep breath to steady his racing heart, Allen decided it might be worth the risk to seek answers, contemplating, ‘What harm could a few questions possibly do?’

Although he tried to muster all the reassurance he could, Allen found himself unable to quell the overwhelming fear coursing through his very core. It surged within him in relentless waves, causing his body to convulse so violently that he half-expected to feel the snap of his own bones before the night was over. The unforgiving cold gnawed at him, and the company of the girl, who professed to be a demon, provided no respite.

To Allen, the prospect of a few broken bones appeared far more palatable than meeting an untimely demise at the hands of a supposed demon, especially before he could reunite with his parents. He had other pending confessions too, such as revealing to his grandmother that he had been secretly feeding all her homemade egg puddings to her husky, meant solely for him. Then there was the matter of the brown street cat that had made itself a permanent resident in his home, patiently waiting for his timely feedings and affectionate 'meows.' And finally, he longed to confess his budding feelings to Emery, nurturing the hope of deepening their connection in the future.

However, now, with the mysterious girl before him, everything appeared shrouded in uncertainty.

Nevertheless, he had to set aside his inner turmoil for the moment and muster the courage to inquire of the mysterious lady before him. Thus, with a fragile glimmer of hope that he might yet survive this encounter, Allen released a trembling sigh. He turned his teary gaze from his anxious, fumbling fingers to the enigmatic demon, who appeared to be deep in thought. Fear and unease coursed through him as he stuttered through his question, "Um... may I... may I pose a query to you?"

As soon as those words escaped his quivering lips, the raspberry-haired demon locked eyes with the trembling boy, fully aware that her unnerving, narrowed scarlet gaze would only further paralyze him. And indeed, it did. "Of course, my dear. What is it that you wish to know?" Circe responded, her voice deep and husky, sending shivers down the spine of the blue-eyed youth.

"Will you... kill me?" Allen inquired in a stutter, still fixated on the glittering scarlet depths of the demon's eyes.

A heavy silence enveloped them for a minute, until the demon, clearly exasperated, let out a sigh and approached the young man. With deliberate steps, she knelt down in front of him. Allen's once-wide, now wary, blue eyes tracked her every move, but he didn't dare to make a single motion.

Their eyes remained locked, and the proximity sent a fresh wave of fear surging through Allen. Although the demon had a certain eerie beauty about her, especially now that her face was devoid of grotesque blood stains and malevolent smirk, she resembled a regular, extraordinarily beautiful girl. Only the unnaturally pallid complexion of her skin betrayed her otherworldly nature, making it even more ghostly than that of a lifeless corpse.

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"Circe?" Allen's voice trembled softly as he uttered her name, casting a sweet spell upon the raspberry-haired demon. To her, his voice calling her name felt like a hauntingly beautiful melody. For some reason, everything about the brunette boy felt oddly familiar, triggering a sense of nostalgia she had never experienced in her long, immortal life. Perhaps it was the unique connection they shared, that drew her into a whirlwind of wild fantasies.

However, these fantasies were shrouded in darkness, much like an endless, starless night in the stygian sky.

Resurfacing from the world that had spun to life, fueled solely by the presence of the charming brunette with his enchanting blue eyes and those black-framed glasses perched gracefully on the bridge of his nose, Circe couldn't help but find him utterly innocent and endearing. Her once stern and narrowed gaze softened as she observed the young boy, anxiety evident as he fidgeted nervously with his fingers. His hoodie sleeves partially concealed his hands, leaving them peeking out, adding to his overall adorable demeanor.

For the very first time in her immortal existence, Circe experienced a connection of unparalleled strength, one she had never encountered with any of her previous bonders. Those who had been tethered to her before were often tainted with qualities such as greed, deceit, lechery, vengefulness, and a propensity for deadly sins. However, Allen was unlike any of them. His soul emanated purity and innocence, qualities that stood out vividly.

She could wager her eternal existence that his soul was destined for nothing less than a place in Heaven.

Circe was acutely aware that Allen's current predicament had been orchestrated by his reckless and, in her opinion, rather insipid friends. Nevertheless, the thought of coexisting with him was far from straightforward. Their souls were fundamentally disparate. She, an evil and murderous demon, thrived on her insatiable bloodlust, while Allen, a compassionate human, found his vitality in his innocent humanity.

However, things had taken an intriguing turn with her presence now in the equation.

His soul had stirred in her a newfound desire – a desire to safeguard and shelter it from the malevolence that permeated their world. This time, her intentions were genuinely driven by a protective instinct, a sentiment she had never thought herself capable of experiencing.

In a strange twist of fate, his soul would also prove to be malleable in her hands.

"Dear Allen, your soul is now intricately entwined with mine. This signifies that your life and well-being are my foremost concerns. I shall never inflict harm upon you and shall cater to your every wish. Nothing in this world will be able to encroach upon or jeopardize your safety, and I shall vigilantly ensure it remains so until you willingly bestow me with your soul. You see, my love, your soul is a treasure I intend to guard and eventually claim," Circe remarked, a sly grin tugging at the corners of her lips. The revelation left the brunette boy visibly stunned.

Left speechless, Allen found himself in a quandary.

The notion of having a demon on his side was far from his desires. Even though unspoken concerns filled his heart, warning him of the potential cruelty this demon might harbor, he remained convinced that she wouldn't bring harm upon him.

Summoning the fragment of courage that still resided within him, Allen ventured forth with a glimmer of hope. "I understand that we're bound, but all I truly desire is to return to my mundane, ordinary life. Can't you... just leave me be? You're a free spirit. Pursue your desires, but please, refrain from interfering with my life." His voice quivered with a mixture of fear and appeal.

The demon let out a disgruntled murmur in annoyance, causing the young boy to startle. He couldn't help but wonder if his words had inadvertently offended her, a realization that dawned upon him, although belatedly, as he was yet to fully grasp the implications of his own immaturity.

"Very well, if that's your heartfelt wish," she conceded. "But you should be aware that whenever I detect a threat to you, I will intervene. There's no way to prevent me, as it's the very purpose of our bond and pact. And remember, your safety serves my interests. Furthermore, whatever actions I take shall be beyond your jurisdiction, even if they displease you. I'm not a docile demon who acquiesces to her bond. Interfere in my affairs once, my dear, and you'll regret it deeply. Do we have an understanding?" Circe's voice, now deep and husky, carried the weight of her most sinister demeanor, sending chills through the room and making it constrict around the trembling human boy.

Allen nodded quickly and swallowed hard, fully comprehending the gravity of the situation.

However, the inquisitive side of the young brunette was undeterred by fear, compelling Allen to articulate his curiosity. "Could you please tell me... what kind of business?" he queried.

In response to this question, a dark, sardonic smirk played on Circe's lips, her sharp fangs making a brief appearance. She answered in a voice charged with sensuality, "Feasting on humans and their souls, my dear. You see, I'm a demon with a penchant for cannibalism."

At that moment, Allen felt a profound sense of doom settles over him.

Allen found himself pondering his fate and questioning what he could possibly have done on Earth to become entwined with a satanic entity, especially one of such malevolent nature as a cannibalistic demon.

And his mind continued to ponder.