Jerome, AZ
September 24th, 2018
20:58:35

No sooner had my head touched his shoulder than the door burst open to my left, filling the room with a harsh, yellow glow. Jonathan and I jolted up, and I hit my head against his chin. The purple light in my eyes seemed to flicker and die, like a flashlight that ran out of batteries. Framed in the doorway was a figure that I couldn't make out in those few moments before my eyes adjusted to the light. For a split second, it looked like a fat ass ninja squid.

"Bitch!" It barked out as my eyes adjusted and I realized it was Herle. Yay. "Get up and get your ass over here."

I got up slowly, wobbling, almost collapsing. Real emotions always seemed to turn my muscles off whenever they escaped. I dragged myself the few feet over to the door where Monica stood expectantly, rage glistening in her eyes. I straightened up and met her killer gaze, a part of me knowing what was coming next.

She raised her arm and, with a lot of unnecessary but very Monica-esque flourish, slapped me. Hard. I stumbled to the ground, clutching my burning cheek, over-exaggerating the pain but still mad as hell.

"The fuck was that for?" I yelled, looking up at her. She's taken a step into the room, towering over me. The darkness of the room and the light shining behind her made her features seem that much more sinister. Her cheeks seemed gaunt, her jawline sharp, her eyes wide and evil.

"That's for being a horrible kidnapple number 7. You're supposed to be the special one. The lucky number. So far your only powers are glowing and annoying the living shit out of everyone." She got closer, her champagne-soaked breath filling my nostrils, her lips close enough to kiss if I were suicidal enough to do so. Her voice grew low and gravely as she said slowly, "You know something... I know you do. You can't hide it forever. This room," she gestured to the walls, "was built for little sluts like you. Thots who couldn't keep it in their pants long enough to figure out their powers. But, by all means, if having a boy toy in here with you will move things along, he's all yours." She threw a sinister smirk in Jonathan's direction, who'd backed up against the wall and watched the whole thing with his eyes wide. Ignoring the look of complete disgust on my face, Monica straightened up and turned to leave.

"You have until breakfast tomorrow. Speed things along or I'll do it for you." She threw the remark at us over her shoulder and left, slamming the door with a clang, followed by a tiny, horrifying click. We were locked in once again.

I turned to Jonathan, my eyes so wide I feared they'd fall out of socket. I was half surprised to realize that I couldn't actually see him. Whatever had triggered my glowing-ness was gone now. I could hear Jonathan breathing softly from the corner, and, even in total darkness, I could feel his eyes on me.

"Does she think we're... dating?" I asked, confused and amused and terrified.

"Who cares? Are you ok? She didn't hit you too hard, did she?" I could hear him scuffling towards me across the bare floor. His hand touched mine, and he stopped.

"I'm fine" I said, putting my other hand on his. A spark of warmth erupted in my heart and I couldn't help but smiling. I was almost glad he couldn't see me and I shook my head, retracting my hands.

"Jonathan, I really think my powers are just... glowing. I don't know what she wants from me. I don't know how to control it or how to figure out what else I can supposedly do... but I think she'll really hurt us if I can't." I slowly scooted back until my back was pressed up against the wall again. Jonathan was silent. I pulled my knees up against my chest and hung my head low, closing my eyes and searching for something, anything.

All I could feel was that warmth that drew me closer to Jonathan. That spark I felt when we touched me filled my body and soul, drowning out the awkwardness I felt by interacting with another human being. After a second I felt my head grow light as a feather, my limbs like liquid, my muscles limp. I kept my eyes closed and focused on that feeling.

It had dawned on me that maybe if I focused on it enough then something would happen, and it did. I felt myself changing. I felt my limbs melt into each other, my skin dissolve, and when I opened my eyes, I wasn't quite.... human anymore.