July 19, 1981

The first thing that came to Aurora's mind when she woke up was 'holy shit, I've been kidnapped' but one look around was all it took to remind her of the previous events that had unfolded.

She sighed, stretching her limbs and frowned at the now dark room.

How long had she'd been asleep for? 
The question didn't last more than a second on her mind as she registered the sound of arguing coming from outside.

She quietly slid out of bed, not bothering to slip on her shoes as she tiptoed her way out of the room, past the living room and towards the front door.

The sun was just setting so no lights had been turned on yet and she got a perfect view of Debbie Glatzel shouting at Arne, who looked bored with the conversation. They were infront of the Kennel, arguing as they stood in the damp grass from the foggy morning.

"Why her? You can have any girl you want and you chose her!" Debbie screamed and Aurora's hand began to shake, barely keeping the blinds open.

What had she'd been thinking? Coming here, especially when Arne was in a committed relationship and screwing everything up. She looked back just in time to watch Arne shrug nonchalantly.

"We're just friends." He replied in an innocent tone that only seemed to piss Debbie off more, she shoved at his chest.

"Bullshit! You're just friends for now, you mean! How long will it be until you're screwing? Huh?!" She screamed, her face red with fury and she pushed him again.

Arne didn't answer and she took it as a sign to keep going.

"We agreed you would go after anyone but her, you know what I think of her!" Debbie yelled, desperation in her tone. It was blatantly clear she didn't want Aurora anywhere near Arne.

"It was a dumb pack we made in highschool Debs. Over a year ago, why are you being so difficult about this?" Arne said, lowering his tone and Debbie glared at him but spoke in a hushed angry tone, so quiet that Aurora could no longer hear as well.

"—so I won't honor it either." She could make out Debbie saying along with something along the lines of, "—consider this your warning. Because it's off."

Arne glared at Debbie, showing a bit of emotion for the first time before he crossed his arms.

"Fine, I only hope you can be civil about this." Arne replied before he stalked away from her. Debbie glared at Arne's back before she jogged away towards a vehicle, Aurora assumed was hers.

Once Arne began to make his way up the steps, she quickly tiptoed her way back into his bed, her eyes staring at the dark ceiling.

She couldn't believe what damage she'd caused in less than 24 hours. What she should've done was go downstairs and assure Debbie that Arne was just being a good guy in letting her crash here after she'd been drained of literal blood and energy yesterday. But instead, she'd been to chicken shit to go down and now she was hiding, in his bed.

She should've known Debbie hated her, after that day at Prom when Debbie had interrupted Aurora and Arne, Debbie had always been extra kind to her but Aurora guessed it was her way of keeping her in check to make sure she didn't go after her boyfriend.

Aurora heard the front door open and rustling in the kitchen along with a few frustrated sighs. After about ten minutes of laying still, feigning sleep, the smell of lasagna wafted through the air, making Aurora's mouth water and her stomach grumble.

She slid out of bed, once again abandoning the idea of shoes and she walked out of the room, yawning and stretching loudly to make Arne believe she'd just woken up.

She rubbed her eyes for extra measure.

"Well, look who's up. Did you sleep good, sleepyhead?" Arne teased, his eyes on her, no doubt, messy hair.

Aurora playfully scowled at him and brushed down her hair with her fingers.

"So, whatcha making?" She asked softly, practically bouncing over towards him until she leant against the counter.

Arne's back was to her and he opened the oven, using a rag to pull out the tray of lasagna in order to avoid burning himself. He put down the tray over the over and turned around, dropping the rag.

"Heated up some lasagna from yesterday, didn't have a chance to eat it though." Arne said and Aurora licked her dry lips, hunger rushing through her.

Arne walked closer towards her, until he was chest to chest with her. Aurora looked up at him, her back pressed against the counter that was beginning to hurt but all was forgotten as she looked up at his light brown eyes, a new type of hunger filling her senses. She wondered how he tasted.

Aurora could practically feel each butterfly in her stomach dancing as Arne lifted a hand, placing it close to her head. Sparks flew and just as Aurora was about to get up on her tippy toes to have her way with him against the counter, Arne opened the cabinet beside her head and pulled out two plates.

Aurora tried to hide her disappointment. Arne didn't glance her way as he continued pulling out utensils and cups, his jaw clenched and grip on the items tight. He was probably disgusted by how eager she seemed to kiss him and part of her was too, she kept forgetting about Debbie and her morals.

She didn't want to be a homewrecker, over the years many women had thrown themselves at her father, knowing he was in a happy committed relationship and now she was doing the same. Becoming the one thing she hated.

She bit her lip and mentally scolded herself. Where had her morals and self restraint gone? It was decided, after today she'd do everything in her power to stay away from him.

Aurora had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that she hadn't noticed Arne had finished setting up, was seated and now silently staring at her, as though she were a mystery he wanted to solve.

She slid into her own seat, avoiding his stare as she picked up the fork and began to eat lasagna. She'd been so hungry that she didn't care that she'd forgotten to pray.

"Debbie came by earlier." Arne said and Aurora's face didn't change, not giving away the fact that she already knew.

"Oh, did she? How is she by the way? And David?" Aurora asked, concern on her tone. She was sincerely asking, she hoped David was alright.

"He's good, they both are. No more nightmares or incidents. Debbie says the darkness is completely gone from their life, can't say I agree though." Arne said, taking a sip from his coke. Aurora raised and eyebrow and wiped her mouth with her napkin, leaning back in her seat.

"In general or with that statement?" She asked.

"Both." Arne replied, doing the same.

"I've felt different since yesterday, not myself and I'm seeing things. Maybe it's just paranoia but everyone who was there yesterday will be traumatized for life, that stuff doesn't just go away. Like a scary movie, not when you're in it." Arne rambled and Aurora frowned, reaching across the table and placing her hand in his.

She felt the usual sparks, the goosebumps and chill running down her spine but it was normal when she was with Arne. She didn't feel anything unusual other than a cold feeling of dread that swept over her but she'd been contaminated yesterday by the demon and still hadn't been cleansed, for all she knew she could've been possessed when she unintentionally created a bond with said demon.

"But when I'm with you. The nightmares go away and I feel whole." Arne said and Aurora smiled softly.

"Yeah, I tend to have that effect on some people. My parents say I'm pure and I've always known I wasn't entirely normal. Others can sense it too and I wouldn't be too surprised if someone has already created a cult based on me." Aurora joked and Arne's lips curled up into an amused smile.

Arne's thumb began to trace circles on the palm of Aurora's hand, his eyes on hers and a silent question on his lips. Aurora didn't give in, instead she pulled away and pushed her now empty plate away from her.

"We can't, we shouldn't." She said but every ounce of her body screamed in protest. Mind over heart.

Arne didn't say anything and Aurora felt the atmosphere thicken.

"I'll wash the dishes, you should get some rest and I can call my mom to come pick me up." Aurora mumbled but Arne wasn't having it.

"No. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, I promise it won't happen again. I won't overstep my boundaries with you and you shouldn't go, stay. You can take my bed and I'll take the sofa, no worries." Arne replied.

Aurora frowned, grabbing his dirty dishes and she stared out the now pitch black darkness as she scrubbed the plates, rinsing the soap off with water.

"I don't know......" She trailed, unsure.

"You're mother will be about fifteen minutes away from the hospital. In case of an emergency, you'll be much closer and the first one there. Besides, she told you to meet her there until tomorrow." Arne reasoned and Aurora turned back at him and threw a moist rag at him, playfully rolling her eyes.

"Someone's eager for me to stay." She joked and swore she saw Arne's cheeks redden a bit.

"Now who's the cocky one?" He asked, sliding out of his seat and putting away the left over lasagna.

Aurora put away the plates and five minutes later found herself curled up on the couch with Arne. She had a beer in hand and they were both playing Monopoly. She also made sure to steal a few hundred dollar bills when she thought he wasn't looking. If he noticed, he didn't say anything.

July 28, 1981

A week later, Aurora slid out of her car, walking through the damp grass and into the Kennel, a skip in her step.

She opened the door, the bell ringing loudly as she walked past Bruno, (Arne's landlord and owner of the Kennel) who was grumbling over the broken radio and made her way into the room with all the pets.

"Hey Debs." Aurora greeted, a soft smile on her lips as she sat on top of the table which was filled to the brim with paperwork.

Debbie looked up from her clipboard and lit up at the sight of Aurora.

"Rory, hey. I'm so glad you're here. I really need your help walking the dogs and Arne bailed on me for the day." Debbie said and Aurora shrugged, a grin on her face.

"Oh, no worries. It was no trouble at all. My sister is upstairs crashing in Arne's bedroom so I would've had to spend all afternoon bored anyways. Where is Arne anyways?" Aurora asked, looking around.

"I think he mentioned something about helping his uncle's chop down trees but I can't be too sure, he sounded choppy over the phone. You haven't spoken to him?" Debbie asked Aurora suspiciously and Aurora shook her head.

"Haven't seen him since last night when he brought us all dinner at the hospital but he never mentioned leaving today. Had I known then Judy would've never came to take a nap. Do you think she's even here?" Aurora asked Debbie who nodded.

"She came in about three hours ago and Bruno had to open the apartment. You'd think he would've been reluctant considering she's a stranger but no, not at all." Debbie chuckled before looking back down at her clip board.

Aurora made her way over to stand behind Debbie's chair, peering over her shoulder at the clipboard.

"So, who are we walking today?" Aurora asked, oblivious to the uncomfortable stare Debbie was sending her. Debbie took a few steps back and went over to grab some dog leashes.

"Six and they're all big dogs, hence me needing the help. Again, thank you so much for the help, I didn't know who else to call." Debbie said as she began opening cages and leashing the dogs.

Aurora waved her hand in the air nonchalantly, "don't even mention it."

She helped Debbie out with a few leashes and followed her out the door, the dogs stronger than they looked, practically pulling Aurora and leading her instead of the other way around.

Debbie laughed and Aurora's cheeks went red.

"I told you they were a handful. Just thirty minutes of a walk, that's all you need to last, think you can handle it?" Debbie asked and Aurora smirked, growing cocky.

"Of course I can."

"Oh god." Judy said, looking away from Arne and dropping her textbook as she ran down the steps.

Arne's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion before he stood from his spot on the step, gaping in shock as he watched both Debbie and Aurora walk towards the Kennel, soaked. Each girl was drenched in water, their clothes clinging to their skin as they giggled at one another, walking very tired looking dogs.

"What happened?!" Judy's amused voice rang and Arne began to make his way down the steps.

Aurora's usual curly hair was now pin straight as it stuck to her face, concealing half of it. Arne looked away when he noticed the jealous look Debbie sent him.

"You won't believe what happened! I helped Debbie out with the dogs and everything was going normal until some guy squeezed this squeaky toy across the park and then all six dogs started to run towards it, dragging us along—" Aurora began to giggle to herself before continuing on with the story, "—anyways the guy saw the dogs and threw the squeaky toy into the fountain. But the dogs did NOT stop and next thing Debbie and I knew, we were tangled in our dogs leashes and in the fountain!"

Judy bursted out into laughter, grabbing her large bulky camera from around her neck and snapping a picture of both Aurora and Debbie. Arne figured he'd have to ask her for a copy later.

"Anyways, what do you guys feed these dogs? They shouldn't be this strong!" Aurora said before chuckling.

"I'd tell you but then I'd have to kill you." Debbie joked and Arne rolled his eyes at her cringey joke.

"Here, I can put them away. You however, should go home and shower. I'll be doing that shortly as well." Debbie said, taking the leashes from Aurora.

"I can't, I have to be in the hospital in about an hour. So I'll probably just go now and change in the bathroom, I always keep an extra set of clothes in my car for that very reason anyways." Aurora said and Debbie frowned.

"Well you can shower at my place. I'll pop your clothes into the washer along with mine and that way you can be there in less than an hour." Debbie offered and Arne stepped in.

"Or you can do that but in my apartment. You're already here, why drive to Debbie's and do all that. You'd just be wasting gas." Arne reasoned and Debbie glared at him.

"It's not wasting gas if I'm already heading home." She argued.

"Why does she need to go anyway if she's already here and can shower here?" Arne pressed and he swore he saw smoke huff out of Debbie's ears and nose.

"Ahem." Judy cut in, annoyed, "can you just hurry and shower so we can stop at the diner on the way. I'm starving."

"Yeah, I'll just shower here and we'll stop at the diner on the way to the hospital." Aurora said, uncomfortable with the thick tension in the air.

"I can drop Judy off at the diner on my way home. She can order dinner and while she waits, you can shower and meet her there." Debbie offered and Aurora smiled softly at her. Her red lips curling upwards that made Arne want to gently bite and tug on them.

"Awesome, thanks!" Aurora said and she waved goodbye to Judy, whispering something in her ear. Judy kisses her teeth, annoyed and pushed Aurora away, glaring at her.

"I know what you want, you don't have to repeat it three times! Stop being so obsessive with everything being perfect!" Judy said and Aurora placed her hands on her hips.

"You forgot Drew's shake and cookie last time!" Aurora reminded her and Judy waved her hand nonchalantly, jogging after Debbie to help her put the dogs away inside the Kennel.

Arne followed Aurora up the steps that led to his apartment and tried his best not to openly stare at her ass that swayed with every step. He gulped and looked away, walking inside after her.

"Shit!" He heard Aurora yell, annoyed and he looked at her.

"What is it?" He asked concerned, watching her from where she stood. She was right beside the kitchen table, digging through her bag.

"My extra pants aren't here, so all I have at the moment is an extra set of underwear and a shirt." She replied, irritation clear on her face.

"So? Just pop the jeans you have on now in the washer and the dryer. They're be ready in forty minutes." Arne said and he heard Aurora kiss her teeth, pondering over his offer.

"Okay. I'll be right back." She said before she took her bag and disappeared into his bedroom.

Arne clutched his pounding head, a migraine starting to form as soon as she left.

He could suddenly hear his heartbeat in his ears, like a loud drum and he rushed over to the sink, throwing water on his face. He was still quite shaken from the events that had previously unfolded.

He'd been chopping a tree with a chainsaw when he felt a stare on his back, a cold sensation washed over him. The chainsaw was stuck and didn't want to work and his body was on edge, when he turned back he swore he saw a woman in the window, staring at him. Then, with a blink of an eye she was gone. The chainsaw suddenly turned on and with the fear of accidentally killing himself he dropped it, almost killing his uncle Barry too.

Now that feeling was back, creeping up on his and sucking the joy out of him like a leech. He pulled away from the sink, drying his face and the sound of the shower water running stopped, and everything went silent. Only the ticking of the clock sounded, loudly, in his ears like a drum.

He looked up at the clock that hung over the fridge and saw that ten minutes had passed, how long had he been washing his face in the sink? His bedroom door creaked open and he turned back, expecting to see Aurora. Instead he saw the same woman from before.

"Wha—who—what do you want?!" Arne asked loudly, stumbling over his words.

The woman only glared at him taking a few steps towards him.

Arne was frozen in place, he wanted to move but his body wasn't complacent, refusing to move. He gulped when he saw the thick butcher's knife the woman was holding.

He opened his mouth to scream, tell Aurora to get away but nothing came out. The woman reached him, evident hate in her eyes at she raised her knife to struck him. He slammed his eyes shut— a wind passed and nothing happened.

Arne opened his eyes and gasped when he saw the butcher's knife in his own hand. He dropped it on the floor and grabbed his chest, pulling at his shirt when he felt a heavy weight pushing down on his lungs. His vision blurred and he felt something grab at his legs, tripping him to the ground.

He saw the dark entity run towards him and in fear for his life he grabbed the first thing he saw to defend himself with; the knife.

The entity threw itself towards him and with a loud scream, he swung.

NOT EDITED
POSTED 6-23-21

THOUGHTS???? WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT?