Eric was staring at the book, debating if he should try and read it. After all, that cold chill should have told him everything he needed to know about the book. He was really wondering if this was a good idea. After all, what if this was a dangerous book? Why else would they not be able to open it. Eric really wasn't sure about this at all. 

Eric sighed, deciding that it was now or never. He picked up the book, ready to have a fight and open the pages. To his surprise, it opened without a problem. He opened it to the first page, starting to read. 

After a while, Eric heard something. It seemed to be all around him. He looked up but saw nothing in his room. He went back to the book, but he had to stop. Was the book always this dark before? It was hard to read the words written on the pages. He stepped back a bit, blinking at the sight before him. I have to be dreaming, he thought. After all shadows don't come out of books. It grew, raising until it was covering his ceiling. 

Nice to see I have a nice new body to call my own.

Eric looked around, trying to see who said that. It sounded like it was in his mind. The shadow, for a split second, formed into a woman. She looked at Eric and grinned before rushing at him. All Eric remembered before it went black was hearing himself scream. 

_____________________

The man woke up, groaning a bit. He stood up, rubbing his head. He looked around, wondering where he was. The room looked strangely familiar, but he couldn't quiet place it. The book that was opened on the desk looked normal enough. Something felt off about it. He couldn't place it. 

He looked up at the mirror, blinking a bit. His shirt was a red button up shirt. He was wearing a grey vest and a long black coat. His black dress pants brought out the red shirt. To complete his clothing was a black bowler hat with a red strike across it. He thought it was a good look, but that's not what caught his eye. 

He was a huge monster. That's how he could describe it. His skin was no longer a normal human. His skin was a grayish black color. His eyes were simply white with black pupils. One of his eyes were covered by a monocle. His teeth were no longer white, a green color instead. They were sharp has needles. He stepped back, surprised. 

How could this have happened? He wasn't a monster. He was a normal boy. No matter what anyone thought. He couldn't pull his eyes away from what he was seeing. Was this a nightmare? It had to be. It would explain all that happened. He must have fallen asleep while reading the creepy book and now he was having nightmares. I mean it did talk about a demon taking over someone's body, giving them unlimited power for the price of her living in your body till it no longer can. 

"Okay Eric, wake it," he said to himself, willing himself back to reality. No matter what he always opened his eyes to the weird monster in front of him. "Oh come on!" 

Don't like the form I chose for you? 

Eric looked around the room. He heard that voice before he had passed out. It had to be someone in his room. It had to be. It couldn't be- 

"Who are you?" he asked. 

I go by many names. My last body called me Dot. I'm the demon trapped in that book. I knew that silly boy would bring me straight to you. After all, I really like you Eric Hatter. 

"How do you know my name?" 

I know everything about you. You are a senior in high school. You'll major in chemistry with your friend Alex. You have a huge crush on him. Your parents are just downstairs. They won't come up and see you though. We have to leave. 

"I can't just run away!" 

Why not? Will anyone in this stupid down accept you looking like this? 

He had to stop. No one would. He didn't even want to. He was a demon now. A freak. Someone who could either leave or be chased out. It was one or the other. He knew it.

Come on Eric. Let's go and play with your new powers. Let's run far away and never come back. We could even find your lost friend. 

"Missy... do you know where she is?" 

I do. But I won't tell you unless we make a deal. 

"A... a deal?" 

Yes. I want two things. First off I want you to show the book to your friends Alex and Lucy. I won't really effect them. But every good demon needs people under their thumbs. You won't be a good guy forever. So why not bring them down with you? 

"Alright," Eric sighed out after a while. He didn't want to, but if it saved Missy, he would do anything. After all he had a feeling that he wouldn't have his humanity forever. He might lose it slowly but surly. 

Good. Second thing, I want to pick your new name. 

"New name?" 

Yes. You can't go by Eric anymore. It's such a stupid name. Besides, we are two people now. We must share this body and it's powers. With that, we have to share a name. I hate the name Eric so I want to change it. Let me pick out your new name and after you turn Alex and Lucy tomorrow, we will free your friend Missy. Who knows, we might turn her too.

"Fine. You can pick my new name." 

Good. 

He stood there for a while, staring at himself in the mirror. He was going to change. He was going to lose what made him Eric. A change in name might make the boy feel much better about what was going on. Than he wouldn't have to think like Eric. Just do what he needed to do to save his friends and make sure he could do this. 

"So Dot, what's my new name?" 

He couldn't see it, but he could feel her smile. He walked to his closet, pulling a box down. He knew what it was the moment he saw the box. He pulled out a large top hat that looked just like the bowler hat he wore now. He placed it on top of his head, looking in the mirror. He hated to admit it, but the top hat completed the look. It tied it all together. 

Your new name will be Black Hat.