The Demons Within Me

Author's Note: Thank you all for reading!!

Lol@ CandyCaner, I know right. But I think this is more of a sweet chapter.

Guys and gals, tell me what you think!

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~Saige's perspective~

I was back home, with Melinda, in the living room with mine and Amanda’s Algebra books spread out as we attempted to study. Amanda had left the room to answer the call of nature and Melinda had just moved to answer the door. Melinda came back and regarded me seriously before stating

“There’s someone here to see you, but you don’t have to force yourself if you don’t want…” I looked up at her and asked

“Who is it?” she clenched her jaw briefly before answering.

“Your mother.” I pushed a book away and straightened myself

“I’ll see her.” I was still feeling angry at her for putting up with my father but I arranged my features into a calm mask as she walked in.

“Hi, hun…” she gave me a semi-sad/relieved smile. “Are you happy here?” I nodded and moved over to give her room to get to the couch. She took a breath as she sat down.

“How are you?” I asked quietly and she gave a fry laugh

“I came here to tell you he got bail… and it passed… but he also has a restraining order… he can’t come within fifty miles of you…” she saw me tense and I asked before she could say anything else

“Is he living with you again?” she looked away

“He won’t hurt you again.” she whispered avoiding and answering my question at the same time. “But I feel like it’s time for some answers…”

“Answers?” I was irritated now, yet somehow happy. I wasn’t being asked to come back with her…

“Why he attacks you the way he does…” I paused and looked at her curiously

“There’s a reason?” she nodded and looked away chewing on her cheek.

“He’s…” she hesitated, which sparked my curiosity even more. “He’s not your father.”

“What?!” Amanda’s voice came from what seemed to be far away as my thought processes froze…

~Amanda’s perspective~

All the time, all the time she took beatings, every time she brushed it off as he was her father which was why she took it.

“He’s not her father?” I was incredulous, and Saige was just sitting on the floor staring blankly at her. It took me a while to realize she was in shock. Her mother fidgeted and fixed her eyes on Ms. Thornrush before looking away.

“No… It’s the only reason she’s related to Melinda.” her voice was almost a whisper, “I didn’t mean for it to get this bad… I only hoped he wouldn’t do this.”

“So he really just came here to keep the neighbors from talking?” Ms. Thornrush stated rolling her eyes while I moved to Saige’s side.

“Yes… and I’m beginning to think he actually liked to beat her… it was becoming a sport for him…” I put my hand on her shoulder and she shivered, turning to face me with the same blank stare in her eyes. Her mouth opened for a moment, but no sound came out. Her thought processes seemed to be completely shot and she was getting cold.

“Saige?” her eyes closed for an eternal moment and slumped onto me.

“Is she alright?” Ms. Tornrush moved quickly and her mother seemed to be frozen. I put my hand on her head as I shifted her weight slightly.

“She fainted.” I whispered as Ms. Tornrush sighed.

“You need help to take her up to her room?” She asked and I shook my head.

“I don’t want to move her yet…” her mom looked at me for a moment before turning back to Ms. Tornrush

“I can have the papers to you by tomorrow.”

“I’d appreciate it.” I didn’t bother to listen to the rest of the conversation, focusing instead on Saige’s unconscious face. My hand moved unconsciously to trace the contours of her face, from just near her eye, trailing a line down to her jaw, moving slowly to her lips and letting my fingers linger for a moment. Her breathing deepened and I smiled as her face lost it’s previous tension.

I don’t know how long I stayed watching her, but it must have been a while for the feeling in my legs to become nothing more than I faint and annoying tingle.

“I think you need to move her now.” Ms. Thornrush said as she touched my bare foot with her own. “Your feet are getting cold.” I chuckled

“I was now coming to that conclusion.” I said slipping my hands under her body and lifting it slightly.

“I would ask you if you need any help, but I think you’re used to moving her by now.” I hint of a smile was in Ms. Thornrush’s voice and I felt the heat go to my face as I realized what he was implying.

“I also do martial arts and have to carry my kouhai when they get knocked out.” I said defensively. She laughed and I raised Saige gracefully into my arms and rested her on the couch.

“Kouhai?”

“Juniors.” I clarified turning to her, still blushing then I remembered something, “Mrs. Roberts said something about papers…”

“Adoption papers.” she replied simply, causing my jaw to drop,

“Officially?!” to have her free from anything that remotely resembles the man who she grew up to think was her father so quickly was like a god-send.

“Officially tomorrow, she will be Samantha Elizabeth Saige Thornrush if she will have it.” her eyes gained a kind of hopeful look that I didn’t immediately understand.

“How long did you know she was your cousin?” I asked

“When I saw my cousin in her.” she replied slowly, moving towards her, “Her eyes… the mixed eyes were a trait I saw in my cousin and not the man she called ‘father’…” her hand moved the hair that had fallen on her face as I observed her “She was never that man’s daughter, and he treated her as such.” I watched Saige for a while longer as Ms. Thornrush moved to the kitchen and I began packing our books.

~Saige’s perspective~

I woke up feeling more than I little disoriented and groaned.

“Hey you’re up!” Amanda said, her smiling face finding its way into my line of sight “How are you feeling?”

“Why are you so happy?” I asked ignoring her question for a bit

“Good news.” she replied “I get to sleep over again today.” I regarded her carefully

“I’m fine, but that’s not all is it?” I said sitting up. She smiled in response

“I thought you would have been happier, you don’t have to sleep alone tonight.” I looked around for Melinda before giving her a quick, light punch on her shoulder. “And you always do look better with a healthy glow to your skin.”

“You just like to make me blush.”

“Yeah and?” she smirked with a light in her eyes. “Come on, Ms. Thornrush is making cheesecake.” I started to get up then froze.

“What are we celebrating?” she never makes cheesecake for no reason. Amanda just smiled and sauntered off. “Amanda!” I ran after her and hug tackled her to the floor, wincing briefly at my ribs, “Answer me!”

“Please no sex on the floor. I just cleaned.” there are no words to describe the embarrassment I felt at that point…