The Devil in Me

Chapter One:

Shay:

I was frustrated, mainly with myself.

How could I forget something like that?

I took in a deep breath before shaking my head.

This was my fault. I shouldn't have forgotten.

The sound of my brother sobbing brought my attention back to the two boys on either side of me.

"I'm sorry," I said low.

I didn't think that it was possible to feel worse than I already had.

"It's okay," Cody said, "You only forgot."

I looked down at the eight-year-old. Times like these, his eyes looked more prominent than usual. It must just be the way he is looking up at me or that I feel guilty.

His dark hazel eyes were still something else. Mainly dark brown, but the green was more evident in the sunlight.

"It's okay to forget things sometimes," he said, "It's different when you do it on purpose."

I would never hurt either one of them on purpose.

I was thankful that he knew that.

"Next time," I said, "I won't forget."

He looked up at me again and squeezed my hand.

I squeezed back, giving him the biggest smile my face would allow.

"Shay," my other brother asked, "Can we make a cake when we get home?"

I turned my smile at the six-year-old, holding my other hand, "Sure."

Conner smiled wide at me despite the tear stains still on his face.

Quite frankly, right now, I was more pissed off at their daycare than anything.

We stopped at the market on the way home, and I had just enough on me to get them a strawberry cake with chocolate frosting. It is our favorite.

Noah:

I watched as my sister stared at her lunch. Frowning a lot harder than necessary.

"Eileen," I said, unable to take the silence anymore, "What happened?"

She glanced up at me, and if felt like her pale purple eyes were trying to ask me something.

"Come on," I said, "Out with it."

She opened her mouth but was quick to shut it.

I felt myself frown; I didn't like it when she was upset. She was almost always happy. If I didn't know her, I would be annoyed with how happy she is. Though, I did know it isn't always genuine happiness.

She puts out the energy she wants to receive. Give love and happiness, and it will be returned.

For the most part, it worked.

"Have I told you how much I hate birthdays?" She asked me low.

I had to study her face for a second to make sure if she was serious.

"Why?" I asked, "Since when?"

"Well," she corrected herself "I love birthdays, just not always here."

Okay, children's birthday parties could be annoying, but that was her thing. She works with kids because that's what she loves to do.

"Just tell me," I said back gently.

She met my eyes again, and she looked hopeful.

"Can you get something from the store for me?" she asked.

That was sudden, but I nodded anyway.

"What do you need?" I asked.

There was a moment, where I felt something strange erupt under my skin.

I knew she spoke; I could see her lips moving, but I couldn't hear her. This awful sensation shot through my body like a bolt of lightning. I felt my whole body vibrate. It felt like it started at my core, and made its way slowly to my fingers and toes.

What the hell?

"Noah," I felt a hand on my shoulder.

It was like being brought back from wherever I was. I couldn't even see straight.

"What?" I asked, feeling out of breath.

"Are you alright?" she asked in my face studying me. "What just happened to you?"

"Did you feel that?" I asked her.

She looked at me like I was crazy, "Feel what?"

I shook my head, whatever that was, hit me hard.

"Hey," Eileen spoke, "Do you need to sit down?"

I shook my head again "What do you need from the store?"

I needed to get out of here. The last thing I needed was to lose any semblance of control that I had.

"Let me walk you out," she said.

I didn't need her to baby me.

"Eileen," I said, "Just tell me."

"I am going to walk you out," she said it more like a fact than a suggestion.

"Okay."

Why fight it? It would mean getting out of here sooner.

I followed her through the main entrance, and she stopped quickly, causing me to almost walk right into her.

She turned her head as if searching for something, then turning again a little more frantic before making her way to the front desk.

Did I miss something here?

I walked over to see her looking at a book, and I didn't expect to see her frown.

"Did I miss something?" I asked her.

She pressed her lips together before shaking her head.

"Thank you for being willing to go to the store for me," she said, "But you don't need to anymore."

I glanced at the book, and it was just names and signatures.

One was time logged a few minutes ago.

"Come outside with me for a minute?" She asked, looking up at me.

"Yeah."

She seemed a little sad about it. I wonder why.

She pushed open the door, and the cool breeze greeted us. It helped bring the feeling back to my fingers.

"Are you alright?" I asked her.

She nodded, making sure to smile lightly at me "It's really not a big deal, I just hate seeing them sad."

She did mention before that it hurts her to see the kids sad, but don't most little kids cry a lot?

"I'm sorry," I said to her.

I mean, I didn't do anything, but I didn't like her being sad. So, I was sorry she felt that way.

"It's okay," she said, smiling wider at me, "I tried."

I nodded, though I didn't know what she meant until I really thought about it.

"What were you going to ask me to get from the store?" I asked her.

She just shook her head "It doesn't matter now, but thank you."

She clearly didn't want to talk about it anymore.

"You can head back if you want," she said, "You seem tired."

"Ouch," I said, trying to tease her, but I couldn't help but smile when she glared at me, "Not everybody can get the same kind of beauty sleep you do."

She shrugged, "Thank you for the compliment, but I'm serious."

I knew she was; she was staring at me like she was about to lecture me if I didn't lie down.

"Okay," I said, "I'll go rest a bit."

"Make sure you tell Baird what happened," she said to me seriously.

I nodded, even though I'm sure he's already aware something happened to me.

"Love you," Eileen said, poking me in the shoulder. "Rest well."

I swatted her hand away, "Love you too. I hope your day goes better."

She grinned at me before turning around and going back inside.

I glanced down at the ring on my right hand, on my middle finger. I was curious about the readings myself.

Was it just me? Or were their others that felt that?