The Grasp of Nighttide (26 page)

“Whatever you do, don’t step on the road.” Derek said, concerned.

“How many times do you tell me that, man?” he laughed, unaware of the danger that could be stalking tonight. “Bye.”

The front door was unlocked when Derek reached Alice’s house, and Derek made his way in.

“Alice?”

Derek hoped that she was there, he really didn’t have a backup plan if she had decided to just skip town. A noise in the hallway made him head in that direction.

There was someone’s voice coming from the bedroom. Part woman and part child-like. Derek slowly peeped in the room. Alice was floating mid-air, her body slowly rotating.

“Round and round the mulberry bush, the monkey chased the weasel, the monkey stopped to pull up his socks and pop,” she slammed to the ceiling before falling on the floor. Derek rushed to her side.

“Pop pop goes the weasel,” she stood up laughing.

Derek looked into the horrific face. It did not look like Alice at all, but a grotesque mask being worn by something unspeakably ugly. Still, he did not take a step back. She was the love of his life and he loved her despite any problems that she had. The figure stood still for a moment more before toppling to the floor.

Derek expected to see the same face when Alice stood up again, but it had changed. The delicate features of Alice were back, except for her eyes which were wide in horror.

“What did I do?” she asked taking a step back. “I think I killed someone. Did I?”

“It wasn’t your fault,” Derek advanced towards her.

“It was a guy. A guy with blonde hair. I didn’t want to go out... but I couldn’t stop myself. You go away from here,” and then her voice dropped. “No don’t go. I don’t want to take chances with you. I can’t.”

Derek hugged her tight. “I’m right with you, love. You’re alright, I am too. Calm down. Calm down.” He pressed a kiss on the top of her head. It was hard for him to not break seeing Alice like this, but he had to stay strong for her sake. He rubbed her back and planted another kiss. Then he felt her heart that was pounding against him ease up. “I am here for you okay. I will never leave your side,” he brushed her hair. “Calm down.”

“I’m a killer,” Alice broke into tears, clutching the front of his shirt.

“You are going to be okay. You need to be safe like your mom wanted you to be. Understand?”

She nodded and let go. “But how do you know my mom wanted that?”

“Isn’t that obvious. Every mother would want that for her child. So did you get any lead into this demon thing? How to get rid of it perhaps?”

As Derek helped her to her room, Alice briefed her about the main details from what her mom and Etsy let her know. And Derek told some details he knew actually letting Alice in the secret of Steph being one of the Grasp.

Derek had known many things about the Grasp, Steph would tell him everything but most of them were Grasp’s history and basics (Steph’s lessons from her dad while he was well) - what Alice had already learnt from the witch Etsy Monroe. Etsy was right in telling that it was mainly willpower that could get a person out of possession. But it hadn’t happened in the whole of history. Usually the adults who were grasped were soldiers going to war, with no one to judge them during battle, it was a one day thing and they’d make sure that the soldier died at the end of it. Else they targeted sick people whose death was certain. But later they realised they wanted a more reliable source in this age. Kids. Kids could be easily manipulated, and if they had death in their mind already from things they’d seen happen, they wouldn’t even realize that they were possessed. It was hard for them initially figure out that they were responsible and when they would they’d feel scared of themselves and die- and no one would believe them and the Grasp made sure no one else would witness them. That was all their tactics and the Grasp hardly cared about them- calling them their assignments. All that those heartless creatures cared about was their own existence even though they’d lived past their share of life.

Steph wasn’t like them. She was drawn in at first, but later she realised and admitted that Rosalie was right of that being bad kind of magic. Derek could see her compelled by her blood to follow her dad, but she clearly stayed away. He was secretly in charge of helping her to. Then one day it all ended- her desire- and they had partied as kids with cakes, chips and orange juice.

But he knew nothing more that could be of help to Alice. Grasp history would span pages and was at the same time useless in figuring a way out.

I know you’ll do it,
Derek thought.
As I knew that Steph could muster willpower to dodge the Grasp path, I know you can overcome the demon with your will. I know it.

“I’m going to Lance tomorrow.”

Derek swallowed the lump forming in his throat. “Lance?”

“Lance. He sent me a letter.”

“When?” Derek asked.

“I found it by the door when I went out to check after Carl parked Cloud in the garage. He wants to meet me tomorrow.”

“Do you want to meet him?” Derek avoided meeting her eyes.

“I need to return.”

“Need and want are two different things.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“It’s obvious you don’t want to hurt those you love,” Derek said sarcastically.

“Let’s stop at that,” Alice rested her head on her pillow. “Please be with me tonight.”

“Okay love, whatever you say,” he got off the bed and knelt beside it, resting his head near her hands. They both looked at each other silently, until Alice fell asleep.

I’ll tell you everything tomorrow. I don’t know how to face you after that.
Derek brushed strands of hair off her face.
I hope you’ll forgive me for what I’ve done. I love you.

Alice tossed in her sleep. Steph was chasing her down the road, trying to kill her. “You need to die, you demon,” she shouted charging with her knife at Alice. The intensity of the shout caused Alice to gasp and sit upright in bed.

Alice must’ve been talking in her sleep because Derek was aware of what was troubling her. “Steph is dead Alice. She can’t kill you.” He bit his lip so hard that Alice could see blood. “Do not worry. I’m with you.” 

Tears streamed down Alice’s cheeks. It was so hard on Derek already and she was making it worse for him. He was right though, Steph was dead. The image of her body played in her mind as a sort of reminder and the little food Alice had all day started to come back up. She rushed to the sink. 

“Are you alright?” Derek asked. “Do you need something?” 

“Please leave me alone. Sleep on the couch if you can. I won’t stop you from leaving in the morning. Please go away then.” 

“I’ll leave in the morning,” Derek said, and when Alice turned he was no longer there. 

Alice stood in front the mirror for what looked like an hour. She didn’t look like a demon and certainly did not feel like one. But she had to be and again the image of Steph’s disoriented body flashed before her eyes, making her throw up. 

It didn’t take long before she was back home that evening- before Derek arrived. She had Googled about Grasp and got nothing that could help her. But unusual mystery deaths brought up many results. There were many stories. There was one about people being stabbed and a 5 year old kid holding himself responsible though it was proved he hadn’t physically touched the knife at all. Then of course in Colorado many people jumped off rooftops and buildings fifteen years ago. They all had been concluded as suicides but there was no reason that came up for them to do so. Lily’s incident had also come on the screen when she typed her name. 

Alice had lost Ritchie Maxer’s novel- maybe left it back in Cloud- and had no other means of successful distraction from the fact that she was a murderer- a demon. Then there was rapping on the door. Carl was back with Cloud and asked her permission to park in the garage. After he left, she went to just check on Cloud and when she was back on the porch she could see a package pushed to a corner. It was from Lance and then her thoughts wandered between Lance and Derek.

Both have saved me. Alice thought. Both know I am the demon and still love me. I feel like Bella caught between her feelings for Jacob and Edward. But in that case Jacob and Edward were civilized unnatural beings, in my case two perfect men love untamed demonic Rave.
 

Alice had tried to call Derek as the sun went down but his phone was off. Then she sat on the couch waiting for something to happen. Mrs. Diane Paul or Diane now must have had her eyes on Alice; she had to be wandering around in close quarters waiting for Alice’s next kill. 

Alice was determined to not sleep. She couldn’t let the demon get her while she was asleep. Sooner or later she had to face it. Etsy had said she might be able to control it, and she sat there like a zombie waiting for it. 

It wasn’t after ten that Alice got the first signs of uneasiness. She laughed once and tried to stop. But a minute later she started chuckling louder and before she could think a black cloud started whirling around her. The last thing she fully remembered was that she ran outside on all fours. 

“
Please God let me get out of this mess,” Alice now prayed, trying to forget what she had done, before she curled back on her bed. 

***** 

The next morning Alice lay in bed. She was supposed to be excited, finally going back to Lance- but she wasn't. Derek had stolen her heart. 
"You don't deserve either of them," Alice muttered to herself. 

That part was true. Both men loved her unconditionally, putting their lives on line for her. She had to go to Lance though, not only because Veronica told her he could help, but also because she couldn't betray him whether she remembered him or not. Maybe it would be better, as Anna and Derek could get back together again. 

Alice slowly slipped out of bed and took out Lance's parcel from yesterday. She took out the neatly packed purple dress and wore it. Then she put on the dangling earrings and the antique bracelet, and the perfect size pumps wrapped in newspaper. It warmed her to see Lance had also included a lip gloss, eyeliner, perfume and a clutch. Alice smiled as she put her money inside it- for the first time she kept money inside a purse- it had nothing to do with the fact that she had no pockets. Alice looked at the strange lady in the mirror. She could not remember ever looking so pretty. It was an unusual feeling and look, but she was strangely fond of it, and it felt right somehow. She was going back to her life today, back to everything she ever wanted…her life! But she wasn’t sure how to take it anymore- this was not the way she wanted things to go- her being the demon and falling in love with Derek.

She went outside and found Derek already coming out of the kitchen, eating an apple. He stood there in his last night's jeans with no shirt. Alice tried to not think much about how hot he appeared. But he didn't hold back from expressing his thoughts.

“Wow,” he said, taking a small bite. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.”  

“So did Lan… Lance give that to you?”

Alice’s eyes widened in surprise,  “How did you know?”  

“I've seen you in pretty much everything you brought with you,  and plus I had a look inside your closet remember?” he shrugged. “I certainly would have remembered that outfit. He's got good taste,” he said, taking another bite of the apple.   

 “I need to go...”

“Wait, have breakfast with me first,” he said fetching a box of cereal in one hand, milk carton in the other as he managed to hold the apple with his mouth.

  Both of them took their seats at the dining table and ate.

“So?” Derek said.

“So?” Alice was unsure what to say.

“What have you thought of doing?” Derek's lack of concern, even hint of amusement irritated Alice slightly.

“I’m going back to Lance.” The finality of the statement hit hard on Alice.

“How can you decide so quickly? You have not met the guy yet.”

“He is the one for me.” 

“Does that mean that you do not love me?” Derek said, a trace of sadness in his voice. 

“I…” she got up. Thoughts, feelings, emotions and confusion ran through her head, it was too much to think about all at once. She wanted to run, to hide,  to never think about it again, to never forget and stay here forever. “What you need to know is that I’m getting back with him. Then I need to figure out how to get rid of the...” she hesitated, "The  demon…”

“I could help...” Derek offered.

“No!” The forcefulness of her reply rocked Derek back for a moment. Clearly, there would be no arguing this point. He thought for a moment,  then continued as if there were nothing else to talk about.  

“Okay.” He said, ignoring her now and getting another spoonful of cereal.

“Okay? That’s it?” Alice threw up her hands and stood up.  

“Just know one thing Alice… No one can separate us. We love each other. Do you understand? ” he pushed the bowl away and slowly walked towards her until he got her cornered to the wall.  

“Our love is star-crossed! Our love isn’t meant to be.” Alice blurted.  

Derek’s face suddenly twisted into an angry mask that frightened Alice in a moment. “It is not!” he landed his fist an inch away from her ear. “Our love is anything but star-crossed!”

She remembered the last time he’d been shirtless before her. Now he looked a bit more handsome with the light stubble surfacing. All Alice wanted to do was to kiss him, one last time. But she knew if she would, she wouldn’t ever be able to leave.  

“Just go back to your normal, amazing life,” Alice trembled. “Go back to where you belong.”  

“You think the time we spent was nothing?” Derek was still angry.  

“Let me go now.” Alice pleaded. She was not fearful of her life or safety with Derek, but this was already harder than it needed to be, and she was finding it difficult to maintain her resolve to leave.

“Do whatever you want,” he gave up. “Just know that you don’t need to go.”

Alice pushed him back and slid by him, picking up her jacket on the way out. She thought he would follow and come after her to talk,   but he did not. She quickly started the Vespa that was parked right outside. She looked behind her, at the house. She expected Derek to be standing at the door or even at the window, but he just wasn’t there.

When she was about to reach the main street, she stopped, the tears in her eyes were blinding her. She cried all of her tears out. She fought against the awful pain growing inside her. She hugged a tree, wishing it was Derek. She hadn’t forgotten any moment she had spent with him. She loved him so much. This life was not real to her, but her feelings were.

Before she could reconsider her decision, Alice took out the address Lance had left for her. She didn’t know where the hotel was located. She didn’t ask Derek and she couldn’t meet Anna at the moment. Maybe she could try the bookstore, but Rashi would be quick to suspect that something was wrong, and that was the last thing she wanted. It all came down to Ron now.

Ron was working with a long line of customers at the store. He sped things up, when he sensed Alice was there to see him.  

“Need help?” he asked as soon he was free.

“Yeah,” she scooted over to the counter and fished the paper from her purse. “I wanted to know how to get here,” she said,  handing him the paper.  

Ron grabbed a map from behind him and started guiding her. She could sense the two customers behind her growing impatient. In a couple of more minutes, as he was clearing her doubts, the guy behind her put down the bread and soda and stormed out. Ron looked oblivious to it, and a surge of gratefulness washed over Alice. He marked some Xs and handed the map to her. Alice stepped away from the spot, preventing the loss of the other customer. 

“So you meeting Derek there?” he asked bagging the customer’s items. 

“No. I broke up with him,” Alice said and instantly regretted it. Ron could take that as an invitation and Alice wasn’t in a position to go over things.

“I hate to say this, even more today because you look awesome, but Derek loves you a lot.” He said much to Alice’s surprise. “You might wanna consider your decision again.”  

“Right, thanks for helping me out,” Alice genuinely smiled at him for the first time. “Bye. Take care.”  

“You too,” he smiled back.

Instead of going to the hotel, she turned the Vespa around. If not for love, at least for all he had done for her, she had to offer Derek a proper goodbye. Before approaching the road to her home, from a distance she could see Cloud parked in front of Anna’s place.

 He didn’t lose any time getting back to where he belonged,
 Alice thought with disappointment and a surge of jealousy. But she could not overlook the fact that as Derek returned to Anna, it lessened her guilt and made it easier to move on. The jealousy mixed with relief and only left her even more confused. She had only one course open to her now. 

 A star-crossed relationship is not meant to last
, she thought.  

***** 

Alice swiped her card and entered the hotel room where she was supposed to meet Lance. The floor was full of heart shaped balloons. She carefully closed the door and made it to the center of the room, avoiding her heels stamping even one of the lovey things. 

There were tables lined to the walls that held dozens of flower baskets. The bed was covered with chocolates, and teddy bears in between with hearts in their hands. To one side was a mirror, ‘I [heart]’ was written on the top of it and when Alice stood in front of it, she realized what he meant. Everything was so magical. There was a projector playing a picture slideshow. 

There was a knock at the door. Lance had arrived she was sure. In a moments time she smoothened her dress and checked with her hair. 

“Hello love,” she murmured to herself and shook her head. “Hey Lance, might be better.” 

She had a very faint idea of how to greet him, but she had no idea it could be Derek. 

“What are you doing here?” Alice asked. She had forgotten about Derek in the love wonderland, she was in, for a moment, but the love she had for him came up again. She couldn’t show it though, not now when everything was falling into place. 

“Come inside,” she said in spite of herself when she really wanted to say- ‘Don’t stalk me again.’ 

He quietly nodded and stepped in. He didn’t express his surprise seeing the room’s setup, making Alice feel that all this was a mirage. 

“So what do you think of what Lance has arranged for me?” Alice started when she was sure he wasn’t going to say anything. 

“Do you like it?” 

“It’s wonderful. He surely knows how to get a girl... Me, I mean.” 

“Alice… I...” 

“I’ll be fine with him. Don’t worry.”