Chapter LXI:

It’s gotten worse. Luna was right. In killing her, I just made the problem worse. I have become the darkness. Everything rots around me. He is determined to have me at any cost. I didn’t believe her until it was too late. Around that time, I felt nothing. Something told me that I had to see Dorthey again. I had a feeling of where I would find her again. I ignored the whispers behind me.

The next morning, I went out to that café. I sat back the table where I first met her. I didn’t order anything. The waitress gave me a strange look.

“Do you want to order something, sir?” she asked. I waved her off. She didn’t respond as she turned and walked away. The whispering buzzed in my ears again. By now, I had gotten used to them. I couldn’t get rid of them. I shrugged to myself. At least I wouldn’t be lonely anymore.

“Hey, you,” I heard a familiar voice said. I looked up to see Dorthey standing at my table. I gave her a small smile.

“Hi,” I said. Dorthey sat down at my table.

“You looking for me?” she asked. I raised my eyebrow. I already knew the fate that was coming for her, but I still had to make contact with her.

“Why would you think that?” I asked. Dorthey shrugged.

“Just a hunch,” she said. Her cat reminded me of a Cheshire cat’s. I already knew what was going. The whispering behind my head told me. I tried to fan them away from my right ear.

“Something wrong?” she asked. I smiled and lowered my hand.

“Nothing,” I lied. “I jus thought there was a fly by my ear.” My eyes stayed fixed on her.

“Now, let me ask you something,” I said.

“Hm?” she asked.

“What exactly do you want with me?” I asked. “I could be a wolf.” Dorthey raised her eyebrow.

“Is that right?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. “Are you sure you want to take that risk with me? I could end up ruining you, you know?” Dorthey just shrugged. Somehow, I could already predict what was coming next.

“I can handle it,” she said.

“Is that ready?” I asked. I tried not to smirk at her boldness. She sat back with her arms folded across her chest.

“You have no idea how strong I am,” she said. Dorthey didn’t know it at the time, but her own words doomed her. In that moment, I just put up my hands.

“Fine,” I said. “I will let you get close to me.”

“How kind of you,” she said in a sarcastic tone. I leaned in close to her face.

“Your funeral,” I said.

“Heh,” was all she said.

Six months later, Dorthey moved in with me. So far, everything has been quiet. Maybe too quiet. Only, I have heard the whispers in my ear. I don’t know how long they will be with me. I don’t know how long until he comes to take me. Sometimes, I think that I can still hear Luna’s voice in my ears. I half expect to look over my shoulder and see her. Sometimes, I wonder if I actually killed her. Maybe she could come back to torture me. Would I have the stomach to kill her again?

“Hello?” I heard a voice ask in real life. I looked up to see Dorthey standing in front of me. I blinked at her.

“Huh?” I asked. She tilted her head.

“Are you feeling okay?” she asked. I blinked before I could register the question.

“Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah,” I lied. “I’m just tired.” I rubbed my forehead. Dorthey gave me a curious look. I expected her to say something, but she didn’t.

“I’m going to out to buy things for dinner. Do you need me to get anything?” she said at last. I shook my head.

“No,” I said. “Nothing at all.”

“Alright,” Dorthey said. She kissed me on the lips.

“I’ll be right back,” she said in a whisper. I watched as she walked out the front door. Somehow, I felt okay with her walking away from me, even if it was for a short time.

Days later, World War II would begin. I noticed when I saw the ghosts around the city. From there, things were going to get worse. Dorthey would end up getting caught up in the darkness. Somehow, I felt indifferent towards to it all. This time, I knew that he was coming for me. No matter what happened, I wouldn’t get a say in my fate. The war would be over, but he wouldn’t be done with me.

And that was just the beginning of the real darkness.