5 The Devil in Me Ch. 5

Chapter Five:

Noah:

I felt guilty.

There was no reason I should, but I did.

It was like this unpleasant feeling settling in the pit of my stomach.

It almost made me sick.

I glanced over at the alarm clock on the small nightstand next to my bed.

Wednesday morning, 7:57 AM.

It had been a while, but I guess Dr. Odell was right.

I just needed to get laid.

Only, it didn't feel so great in the morning.

I rubbed over the burn on my chest. I forgot how aggressive Raisa is.

You could almost make out a full handprint burned into my chest.

The spot where her three center fingers were, held the more prominent burns. The pinky was barely visible, as was the thumb.

Almost like you could tell that she was on top of me.

I had to shake the thought. I didn't want to go back to her anytime soon.

I needed to see Dr. Gardiner about getting something for this burn.

I forced my body to sit up, and I could feel last night's activity in my joints.

She didn't let up.

It was like she was trying to break me on purpose.

I got to my feet and made sure I dressed before I went to see Dr. Gardiner.

It didn't take that long to get to the small room Dr. Gardiner worked out of.

The red ring was up outside his door, which meant he was with another patient.

Damn it.

I sat outside in the hallway. The only thing I could do now was wait.

I wasn't sure how long I waited, but the door finally opened. It honestly felt like half an hour, at least.

Breena was the first person I saw.

I didn't know precisely what ethnicity she was, but I knew at least one of her parents was Asian. She had short dark brown hair, currently up in a messy ponytail. Her eyes were dark hazel.

She met my gaze and simply nodded. That's when I noticed the child in her arms. It was her daughter, Melody.

"Is everything alright?" I asked her.

"She has a fever," Breena said.

I stood up to look at the sleeping toddler. Her white hair was shorter than I remember. I think Griff said something about her figuring out how to use scissors.

"I hope she feels better," I said, placing my hand gently on her back.

Breena only nodded before walking off.

I could feel the fever, just by touching her.

"Noah," Dr. Gardiner greeted, "What brings you here so early?"

"I could use a burn cream," I stated.

"Come on in," he said, gesturing for me to head inside.

I walked in and sat on the exam bed.

"Let's see the burn," Dr. Gardiner said while putting on gloves.

I pulled my shirt over my head.

He just looked at it before sighing.

"Raisa?" he asked.

I didn't like that he knew that just by looking.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked.

"You are just one of several," he said, going to one of the cabinets.

That's not something you want to hear.

He handed me a small container.

"Twice a day," he said, "It will burn, so be warned."

"Will the burn go away?" I asked.

He glanced at me while he removed his gloves and discarded them "Yes."

"How long?" I asked.

"In a hurry to get rid of it?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

"Yes," I didn't care to lie.

"I'd give it a couple of days," he said, "But it's different with you guys, Devil's heal differently."

I nodded, making sure to unscrew the lid to put a little on now.

It did burn. Holy hell, it burned.

I twisted the lid back on before getting up and pulling my shirt back on.

"Thanks, Doc."

"Make good decisions," he said as he waved.

Smartass.

I was on my way out when I got a message on my phone.

From: Baird – 'You're late.'

I sighed. I needed to change my clothes again.

I was able to dress quickly before making my way down to the trial center.

This was a waste of my time.

I knew that now.

Shay:

Ow.

My side hurt.

I guess that fall I took last night was worse than I thought.

I made it back home after walking the boys to school, and Jody was still asleep in my bed.

"Jody," I said, "It's after eight."

She only groaned in response.

I made my way to the mirror over my closet door to check my side.

"That looks gnarly," Jody said from the bed.

There was a large bruise on my side.

"You didn't even wear heels, and you fell," Jody stated, "How do you function?"

She was giggling.

"You knocked me over," I stated, "I took the fall for you. Remember that."

She nodded gravely. "It's now embedded in my brain."

She slowly sat up, but her eyes were closed the whole time.

"How do you function?" I asked her.

"Blindly," she sighed.

We both laughed before she stood all the way up.

"School?" I asked her.

"Yeah," she sighed "My legs still hurt."

"That's what you get for wearing sexy shoes," I told her sternly.

She only nodded with a frown, "The price of being hot."

"Sore legs," I stated.

"And sides," she pointed at me.

"Sure," I said, "Let's go with that."

"Can I borrow some clothes?" she asked.

"Go for it," I said.

Not like she had to ask; my closet was hers.

"Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" she asked, pulling off her shirt.

I shook my head.

She looked at me mid head shake. I forgot that she wasn't looking at me.

"I wanted to do a little spa thing."

"Spa thing?" I asked her.

"I got this basket from my aunt," she said, pulling a tight white shirt over her head. Thankfully I watched her put a bra on. She didn't need to show people full nipples.

"What kind of basket?" I asked.

She dropped her shorts to switch them out for a short black and gray plaid skirt.

"It has a bunch of face masks and body scrubs in it," she stated, "I figured we could do that the night before we go."

I swear, every time she brought it up, I felt instantly nauseous.

"I don't see why not," I shrugged.

She grinned, "I'm so excited."

"I'm sure you are," I said, fighting an eye roll.

"What?" she looked at me "You're saying you aren't?"

"It's not that I'm not excited," I said, "I'm just more nervous, I guess."

She walked over to pat my head "It's okay to be nervous, but know that I am going to be there with you the whole time."

I nodded, "Same to you."

"Damn right," she grinned.

That's how it worked around here.

She quickly pecked me on the cheek, "Later, honey."

"Have a good day!" I called after her as she rushed out.

I couldn't help but grin as I walked to the door to make sure that she locked it behind her. She didn't, so it was a good thing I checked.

Noah:

I didn't care anymore; I was done with this.

"Baird," I said once the last volunteer was gone.

"Noah," he greeted "Anything today?"

"What do you think?" I asked.

He looked a little surprised, "I am not certain, that is why I asked."

This guy…

Why did everyone always get so surprised when I got frustrated?

"Nothing today," I told him, "I don't want to be in the program anymore."

"The week is almost up," he said, "Try to wait it out."

"No," I said, "I'm done."

"One more day," Baird said, "Just one more. If nothing comes of it, I will let you take a few days off."

"I don't want a few days off, Baird," I said, "I don't want to participate in the program at all."

"That is not up to either of us right now," he stated, "You had a very physical reaction, and we don't know why."

He didn't need to remind me of that, the memory of the tremors alone sent a cold shiver up my spine.

"One more day," Baird said, "Then a few days off."

"Fine," I tried my best not to hiss "One more day, then we figure out how to get me the hell out of it."

"If that is truly what you wish," Baird said, "At least you tried."

Trying to guilt-trip me… Damn it.

"I will see you tomorrow Baird."

"Have a good night," Baird said.

He was too kind. It was annoying sometimes.

Too patient too.

I shook my head as I made my way back to my room to get ready for work.

Shay:

It was a little chilly out today.

I was thankful for the excuse to wear a sweater.

It was almost six, and I had to make it to the daycare in time to get the boys.

I made it with a good ten minutes to spare.

The woman before me held the door open for me.

"Thank you," I smiled at her.

She smiled back.

I liked it when people were kind.

I saw the woman my brothers adored standing near the front desk.

"Hey," I smiled wide at her.

"Shay," Eileen smiled back just as wide "You changed your hair."

"Oh," I said, touching it, I guess I haven't really seen her the last couple of days "Yeah, just thought I would try something new."

"I like it," she said, "It suits you."

"Thanks," I said, glancing down at the sign-out sheet.

I wrote both Connor and Cody's name, the date, and then finally the time.

Wednesday, June 15th, at 5:56 PM.

"Vee," Eileen told the other girl walking in, "Can you get Connor and Cody, please?"

The girl Vee nodded before turning around and going back the same way she came from.

"How are you doing?" Eileen asked me.

"I'm doing alright," I said, trying not to lie, and trying not to be too honest "How are you?"

She smiled "I'm doing well, thank you."

It was strange, every time I looked at her, I would swear her eyes were purple. Pale purple, I would say.

Her dark brown hair was long, it reached the center of her back.

I wonder if she had any problems getting guys.

She was a beautiful girl.

"Shay!" Connor ran up and hugged me.

Cody just walked up and smiled.

"Hey guys," I said, "Did you have a good day?"

"We made noodle people!" Connor shouted.

I just grinned at him, "Did you?"

"It has to stay and dry, though," he said, "But tomorrow it can go on the fridge."

"Yes, it can," I nodded, "I can only imagine how amazing it looks."

Eileen smiled at us.

"Have a good night Eileen," I said.

"Goodnight, you guys," she waved "See you tomorrow!"

I stopped, "Oh, actually."

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

"How late do you guys stay open on Friday?" I asked.

"Well, Fridays are usually until nine," she said, "Do you have special plans?"

"Sort of," I said, "The boys might stay a little later Friday if that's alright."

"Of course," she said, "Your boys are always welcome, we'll have so much fun."

"Thank you," I said, "See you tomorrow."

She waved at us on our way out.