"Nature cannot be tricked or cheated. She will give up to you the object of your struggles only after you have paid her price"

- Napoleon Hill

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Adeline

Waking up I searched my maroon covers for the soft gray cat, not being able to find her I sat up searching the room.

Huh. She's gone.

I hung my head over the bed to look underneath it but she wasn't there, the only thing I could see was an old towel and dust bunnies. Lifting myself up, I walked to the window, it was open, I thought I closed it last night.

Yawning I shuffled to the bathroom, I got ready, changing into clothes for school. Choosing a simple black T-shirt and jeans. Brushing my hair I pulled it up into a messy bun, then I lined my blue eyes with black liner. Fishing through my purse I found the small vial of moonlight tea and placed a drop on my tongue. Heading downstairs I found my dad sitting on the table his head bent over reading the newspaper a coffee mug in hand.

"Morning, Dad."

Looking up he smiled, "Ready for school early, Addie I'm impressed."

I smirked. "Ha ha ha. Come on Dad I wanna beat James there."

That was never going to happen though, he arrived at school early, his bus driver was a maniac.

"Okay, okay let's go."

We arrived in front of my school ten minutes later.

"Is it okay if I go to James's house today after school."

"Yeah I'll pick you up just call me when you're ready."

"Thanks, Dad." Exiting the car I took a deep breath and entered the school.

A part of me was terrified I didn't know how this other side of me will react to being around people. A lot of people. Death said that a succubus feeds off the life force of others to stay alive. I still don't understand how that works or how it would start and feel like. I wasn't only nervous about school but Death said he was to send someone to collect me, whatever time they wanted too. Would a demon just randomly show up at school, with gnashing teeth and all.

Walking past a mass of people I enter the hallway to my left. James should already be sitting down by his locker. I shoved my way past the group of rowdy football players.

Ugh, they annoyed me, I now regret coming early.

Just as I thought, James sat by his locker, his face buried in a book, he wasn't nerdy but he was very smart. Girls drooled over him, he was too stupid to notice. I smiled remembering when Stacey, popular but not so smart Stacy, asked me for his number, I personally hated the bitch. Her attitude sucked and she took whatever she could to make your life a living hell. So when she asked me I told James, he said and I quote "What for it's not like she's going to have anything interesting to say." I laughed so hard to that one, Stacey didn't think it was very funny.

Kicking his foot, I watched as he dropped his book, glaring he looked up to see who hit him, his face fell, a smile taking its place.

"Adeline!" He shot up front the ground, quickly hugging me to him. I wrapped my arms around him and laughed.

"Damn I missed you, your Dad said you were really sick, I wasn't allowed over. You feeling better." He let me go, only dragging me down to the ground with him.

"I'm fine, thanks. Hey, can I come over today? You know catch up." I playfully shoved him.

"Of course Addie, my mom has been asking about you anyway."

"Cool." Smiling I glanced around, all heads were turned from where they stood to face the courtyard.

What the hell, what was everyone looking at, turning I saw what they were gawking at, it was nothing but a who.

He strutted down the halls, his long legs carrying him effortlessly, he was a total cliche, in a James Dean kind of way. Dark blue jeans hanging low on his hips, a white t-shirt clinging to his lengthy body, a leather jacket, and black ray bans completed his look. His light brown hair was short but long on top, in unkempt peaks. His attitude wreaked of a self-absorbed prick.

I watched as he passed me, his head turning slightly to stare down at me. Even though his eyes were covered I could feel them pierce through me. Averting my eyes I looked down, peering inside my purse I made myself look busy. As he walked on, I released a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Who the hell is that?

"Do you know who he is?" I asked James.

"Naw he must have just started today." He shrugged his shoulders not caring much about it.

Looking down at my watch, which I now have to use, we only had a few minutes to our class. Standing I picked up my bag slinging it over my shoulder. "Come on James it's time to go."

He sighed closing his book, "I hate school." He muttered. "I can't wait to leave."

"Same" I agreed.

We walked together in silence until we reached my class, his was just down the hall. I could see Mr. Donald inside peering down at papers grading them briskly.

"I'll see you later James."

"You aren't going to ditch again." He teased.

Laughing I said no, he left as I walked into class, Mr. Donald didn't bother looking up to see who was here before the bell so I made my way to my desk in the back. A few of my classmates were already here, waiting patiently. I, however, hated being early, sighing I sunk in my chair flipping through my journal.

"I'm impressed Adeline you're early today." I didn't realize Mr. D. walking towards me.

I raised my gaze to meet his wrinkled one, I chuckled at his small jab, "Well what can I say Mr.D I just love this class."

His bushy eyebrows furrowed, "Mph, I'm sure." He muttered turning back to his desk. He didn't ask me how I felt from the last time I made a complete idiot out of myself, I think I'm beginning to like him.

More people filed in as the bell rang so I took that as my cue to pull out a pencil and my textbook.

While I buried my face in my purse for a pencil I could all the girls in my freak over some guy.

"Oh my gosh, he's in this class."

"Yeah I know."

"He's so hot."

The two girls gossiping got annoying, glancing up I glared at them, they were gawking at someone in front of the classroom. Putting my purse back onto the floor I faced the front of the classroom to look for myself, it was him, the James Dean wannabe.

He was handing Mr. Donald his schedule showing him that he belonged in this class.

"Please take a seat, Samuel."

"It's Sam." He declared.

"Well, then Sam take a seat there's an empty desk next to Adeline." Wait, what no. I glared at Mr. D. not liking his choice I seating.

"Adeline please raise your hand so Sam can find his seat." Continuing to glare I raised my hand slightly.

The James Dean wannabe sauntered over to me, his ray bans nowhere to be found so his emerald-green eyes stared down at me. He smiled showing straight white teeth, he was hot I'll give him that but I wasn't into the whole bad boy vibe.

He slid into the desk easily, not two minutes into class, he took the opportunity as the teacher faced the board, to lean over and whisper in my ear. "Hello, Adeline it's nice to meet you."

I turned slightly, his closeness was unnerving. "Hi," I muttered.

He backed away a smile playing across his face, he chuckled lightly, as if he was the only one who knew this hilarious joke.

Ignoring him, I trained my focus on Mr. D, he was going on about how today was a taking notes day. I pulled out a notebook from my bag, a black pen along with it. So much for finding a pencil and pulling out my textbook.

"Can I borrow a piece of paper and a pen, if you don't mind of course."

Whispering I glared at Sam, "Are you serious, why didn't you bring anything?"

He just shrugged, ripping a piece of paper from my notebook, I just handed him my pencil instead of putting it away. His long fingers curled around my smaller fingers, grasping the pencil and paper. His small touch sent a small shiver through my fingers, pulling my hand back quickly I refocused my attention on the teacher.

Everything happened in slow motion as I turned back around, I could hear everyone breathing, there loud inhales and exhales as they looked down at their papers and up again to the board. I could hear the pens and pencils scratching away at their papers as the students rushed to copy everything from the board.

Shaking myself I tried to push away the sensation of everything that just suddenly became alive around me. I struggle with every sane fiber I still have left but they too quickly escape me. I watch the faces of my classmates, watching their bored faces as they listen to their teacher unaware of someone who sits in this class wanting to kill them. In that moment, I knew I had become something terrible, something to be feared.

I closed my eyes tightly as the craving deepened, this deep unbearable feeling of an uncontrollable yet invisible feeling that surrounds and consumes every thought of my humanity.

Opening my eyes I see nothing but swirls of light that escapes every person around me. I don't know what I see, why they have this light around them as it stretches and mingles with the others that are too close.

I was breathing heavily, sweat was forming on my forehead as I tore my gaze away from the students.

What is happening to me? I closed my eyes trying to stop the urge to fling myself across the room and leave.

That's when I heard the voice.

I wince as the feeling of my head's about to explode, the voice sighs deeply as it pushes against my subconscious. As it forces me to hear it.

Can't you smell them, they're feeble hearts pounding in your ear.

The last few words came out in a growl, the voice was female a light echo in the deepest part of my mind.

He never said...never said she could speak to me. That someone was in fact inside me.

She growled, wanting me to listen to her.

Adeline! I can't take it. She knows my name.

Her voice was growing louder as she screamed in my head. I shuddered violently jumping out of my desk, I startled the entire class, they peered at me with shocked expressions as I grabbed my bag, exiting the classroom in a rush.

"Adeline, where are you going?" I didn't answer him as I ran down the hall, to try and escape a voice that would never leave.

I kept my head low afraid of seeing anyone, seeing into them to feel their energy soaking into my body. I craved it all, wanting to rip it from their bodies like some ravenous animal.

You mundanes are so weak, full of remorse and pity.

Finding the bathroom, I closed the door, looking under the stalls for anyone inside, when no one was found I locked the bathroom door. Throwing my bag down, I gripped the sink, staring at my reflection. There they were, my eyes, glowing like fluorescent bulbs. Biting my lip, I tried forcing the succubus away, she was strong pushing back as I shoved her back into the deepest part of my mind.

You think this is it human, I'm just getting started.

Her threat whispered through my mind, causing me to shiver violently. I picked up my bag, finding the vial I tried to open it, my hands shook as I dropped a small amount onto my tongue. I watched as my eyes dimmed, going back to their normal pale blue.

I leaned against the wall, sliding down I drew my legs in, burying my head in my hands, tears being my only reminder that this is real, she is real.

What the hell am I supposed to do?

He didn't explain this part, why didn't he explain this part, what seemed like the most important. A part of me wanted to kill everyone, the part she controlled. I hit the floor in frustration, shouting my protest to no one.

I wasn't really sure how long I sat there, my thighs were turning numb from the hard ground. When I knew she was buried deep enough that she couldn't come back, I stood, facing the mirror.

Great, I looked just fabulous, my black eyeliner was smudged under my eyes, it made me look like a raccoon.

Cleaning my face, I debated whether or not I should just leave and go home. I could tell my dad I still didn't feel well he would believe that but James.

I couldn't reach him in any way, my phone was gone, I still didn't tell my dad that I had lost it. All I could do was wait, wait for his class to be over so I could tell him I was leaving.

I heard a knock at the door, opening it halfway I saw that it was the new guy.

No words came out as I stared at him through the small space between the door and wall.

"I thought I would come see if you were okay." He watched me carefully, his green eyes taking in my puffy red cheeks and smudged eyeliner.

I opened the door, letting him in so I could retrieve my purse, "Yeah I'm fine, I was just on my way out thanks."

I tried pushing past him but he stopped me, "No offense but you don't look fine at all."

I glared up at him, who was he to think I wanted to speak him, "You don't know me and I don't know you, I said I was fine."

He nodded his head, "Right, sorry."

"Hey open the door!" Someone outside started to pound on the bathroom door, crap, I opened it letting the girls in. They glared at me and Sam their faces quickly turned into questioning stares. Great gossip was bound to be spread about this one.

I left the bathroom, leaving the new guy behind as the bustle of the other students swallowed me in the hall.

I didn't need rumors about me flying around, I also didn't need the attention it would bring me.

I was near the pale blue gates, when a hand grabbed my arm, "Wait up Adeline, where are we going?"

I turn, recognizing the voice as James, "Hey, I didn't feel well, I thought I'd go home for the day."

"Why didn't you just text me that you wanted to leave?" He looked hurt as I stared at him.

"I forgot to tell you, I lost my phone the day I got sick, somewhere in school I guess." There it was again, another lie.

He smiled, reaching up to brush my hair behind my ear, "What am I going to do with you Adeline Winters?"

I returned his smile, "I don't know."

"I guess I can go with you but we have to come back to fourth-period, I have a test." He complained almost whined really, he was such a dork.

I shook my head, "Don't worry about me, go back to class I'll sit in the library and meet you in our next class." I hate keeping him from school, he hated it here as much as I did but he took his grades seriously. All about getting into a good college, I won't take that away from him.

He sighed, folding his arms over his chest, "Are you sure, this sounds like a repeat of a couple of days ago when you were sick."

Why do you have to be so observant James Mead, "No really I'm alright for now, I think I'm just still tired."

"Alright fine, you'll get your way but you're still coming over."

Damn, I had forgotten I asked him if I could come over, I shouldn't be near anyone today.

"Yeah, I'll still come over."

He kissed my forehead, only to leave me and head to his next class before he was late. I walked to the library, hiding in my small nook of books, waiting for fifth-period.

✴

I didn't last long in the library, the usual librarian Mrs. Gale, was fine with me staying in the library to clear my head but she was sick. So this left me with this old lady who kicked me out, making me go to my next class or she would call the dean. Seeing as though I wasn't in his good graces I trudged my way through the halls and found my third-period class.

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-Ash

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