I poke my head out from under the desk as his head sinks into his pillow. I watch as he pulls the duvet right up to his chin - he's done that since he was a child - and I crawl forward a little. Slowly at first: arm, leg, arm, leg. I reach the end of his bed. He curls his feet up into his body as I peek over at him, as if he can feel the chill I exude. I want to take in his contented features for a while, longing that one day he will smile, take me into his arms again and love me like he used to.

Then he whispers something. I don't quite hear it the first time, but I can't ask him to speak up if I have no tongue. Be sensible.

"...ay."

I sit on my heels and put my hands on the duvet. He jerks.

"...away!"

He's an evil bastard. He killed his dad. Bashed his face in with a brick and burnt the evidence in a car fire. Why? Because I told him to. It was that simple. Yes, I was there with him the night he did it, back when he loved me.

"Go away!"

I rise to my full height and stand at the end of his bed, staring down at him for as long as it takes for him to pull back the duvet look at me. Just look. Just goddamn look at the vile face you've tried to forget!

"Leave me alone!" he hollers. "I'm better than this! I'm better now! Go away!"

That tormented howl. How I've missed the sound. Unperturbed, I reach out and run my hand up his leg, feeling him shivering beneath the blankets. He's scared. I terrify him.

Who knew?

But at least I've reminded him I'm still around. I was prepared to go further, but that will do for tonight.

I retreat back under the desk and decide to let him sleep. Tomorrow I won't stop there, though. He won't be so lucky that I feel sorry for his stupid human feelings. Once he looks at me he'll see me everywhere he goes and I'll be harder to ignore; unexplained sounds, phantom movements, shadows that lurk longer than they're supposed to ...

I will never leave him alone. Never. I will torment this beautiful, wicked man until he accepts me, until he loves me again and kills his cheating girlfriend, too.

She couldn't hope to change him while I am around.

Ha. I guess now you know being haunted by your demons was never just a figure of speech.