Both Liz and I were dressed and properly groomed by the time the automatic door-locks disengaged.

Well, I was; Liz had merely thrown her faded gray sweat-suit on over her pajamas, and shoved several strands of hair behind her ears; just enough to peer through.

Her coal black eyes creeped me the hell out.

Black as night, brings death to sight.
Bottomless pools created to suck your soul!

Liz and I had only been roommates for three days, but the Dark Ones had taken an immense liking to her. I still hadn't decided if that was a good thing or bad.

Our door made a soft whirring sound as it slid open and Liz grabbed my arm before I entered the hallway.

"It's ok," I consoled. "We're doing the same thing we did yesterday, remember?" Her only response was to dig her nails painfully into the fleshy skin of my forearm.

"Doorways are portals to the other side," she whispered loudly, and leaned around me to study the structure. "They can cross in the shadows."

She's right! We can!

No, we can't! Why do you think we're stuck in her head?

Because she hasn't freed us yet. She will though.

Rivers of bodies will carry us across.

"Okay, that's enough," I scolded and shook my head to rattle them into obedience. Sometimes it worked, but not always.

I glanced back at Liz and reached down to pry her grip loose. She stood too close behind me and I couldn't handle it. I've told her several times.

"Back off Liz," I warned and she tucked her chin before shuffling backwards a few steps. "Beside me is fine, never behind, remember?"

"I forgot," she murmured and shoved her hands into the tangles on top her head; fisting her fingers tightly. "I forget, they won't let me remember," she whispered. "They want me to make you angry; they want you to hurt me."

"We've been over this," I turn and open my arms, only cringing slightly when she moved into my embrace. Being touched isn't my favorite thing. "Nobody will make me hurt you; you're safe with me and I'm safe with you, right?" I ask.

She nods, the top of her head barely brushing my chin. She's so small and fragile compared to me that I can't help but feel protective of her.

She's one of us.

She works for us.

You'll bathe in her screams soon; use her intestines for a robe.

Pressing my eyes tightly shut, I try erecting the invisible wall my therapist has suggested. But the higher I layer it, the more the demons press against it. Gritting my teeth, I thrust harder and sweat beads on my forehead.

Walls built on the backs of heroes, bone-dust used to keep it together. Blood and guts are the mortar; but bones are the stones!

Finally I manage to slip the last mental stone into place and my mind is quiet; only my voice is present. It won't last long, it's a slight reprieve but they always bust through. I don't relish the thought of the pain that's to come when they do.

"Come on," I murmur and tuck Liz under my arm, close to my side. "We can do this together, just like yesterday," I urge and move toward the open doorway. She slides her arms around my waist and squeezes so tightly that I wince but keeping putting one foot in front of the other.

That's it! Just a little closer!

I can already taste her!

Liz whimpers as if she, too, can hear them, but I know better. They only torment me. Finally, we cross the threshold, emerging into the brightly lit hallway where other patients are milling about. Some are worse off than I am and some are better. We don't compare nightmares.

"Ready for breakfast?" I asked Liz and she peers up at me with an eerie smile marring her face.

"I'm starving," she replies and takes off down the hall at a full run.

Don't let her eat any apples! They give me indigestion.

Her ribs will make excellent toothpicks.

I sigh before heading toward the dining room; already regretting the wall. The headache converged like a tornado and jack-hammered my brain. A warm trickle of liquid pooled across my upper lip and without bothering to look, I lifted the hem of my t-shirt and wiped the blood away before anyone else saw.

I couldn't let them sedate me again. Even a trip to the infirmary was enough to enrage the demons. Not even the angels liked having me sedated.

AUTHOR'S NOTE : Please don't forget to vote!