The Dream Demon

Chapter 19 - Dangerous Encounters

Moloch insisted on walking me all the way to the McAllistairs' home. We walked together at a leisurely pace, talking about our upbringings and our likes and dislikes. I'd managed to learn more about him in the 20 minutes it took us to get here, than I'd previously known before. I could tell he was holding back on a lot of things, but I enjoyed getting to know him better.

Before we went our separate ways, he handed me the book that he was reading when I first saw him, telling me to read it when I had some time to myself. Hopefully I'd get some time to start reading it tonight, after I got the twins off to sleep.

I'd been babysitting regularly for the McAllistairs for the past three years now. They had a gorgeous set of twin girls, Hollie and Lilly, who I looked after twice a week when Mr and Mrs McAllistair had to work late. The girls were now four years old, and loved it whenever I visited. To them I was like a fun, older sister, who loved nothing more than to play a game of hide and seek, or to read them stories.

My duties included making dinner, bathing and putting the children to bed. I'd usually go straight to their house after I'd finished school, and get home around 9pm, which suited me just fine. I got to do my homework and studies in peace without the worry that Josh, or my parents, were going to bother me or cause me harm in any way.

Being with the McAllistairs gave me an insight to what a 'normal' family life was like, not to mention, they paid well. For me, that was a win-win.

Knocking on the door, I waited patiently for the twins' Grandmother, Mavis, to answer. I could hear her running around after the girls, begging them to slow down and to stop making a mess. When she did eventually answer the door, Mavis was covered in glitter and paint. So was most of the house by the looks of it.

"Sorry Abigail, these girls have been little devils for me today!" She sighed in exasperation.

I managed to stifle a laugh, it really did look like the girls had given her a hard time today. The house was a mess. Glitter was spread throughout the hallway floor, and the girls' painted fingerprints adorned the walls. What a mess.

"Not to worry Mavis! I'll get it all sorted for you. Go on, go home and relax. I got this." I said, giving her a smile.

"Are you sure? At least let me hoover the carpet out here?"

"I'm sure Mavis. Besides, Hollie and Lilly made the mess, they can help me clear it up!" I winked, helping Mavis into her coat.

"You're a treasure Abigail. Your parents must be so proud. Here, take this." Mavis grinned, slipping a £20 into my hand.

I tried protesting and returning the money, but Mavis was having none of it. For the past three years she had become the granny that I'd never had. She always treated me well.

I sighed, assessing the mess. Time to get to work!

"Hollie! Lilly! Come on girls, out here now please!" I said loudly, to try and tempt them from their hiding place.

"Abiiiiiii!" They both yelled, running at me in unison and grabbing my waist in a hug.

"My two favourite girls! I've missed you!"

"We've missed you too!" Hollie sniffled, with little tears staining her eyes. "Granny Mavis was yelling at me and Lilly. It made us sad!"

"We're so glad you're here!" Added Lilly.

I kneeled down to reach their eyeline, taking them both in to a bear hug.

"It's alright. I'm here now, and we will have lots of fun!" I shushed them, stroking their hair. "But look around you girls. Those are your fingerprints against the wall. Not Granny Mavis'. As for all of this glitter? I'd bet Granny was only yelling because she wanted it all tidied, right?"

The girls both nodded at me, wiping the tears from their eyes.

"And what do we do if we make a mess?" I stood, placing my hands on my hips.

"If we make mess, we clean it up." The girls both replied, smiling.

"Well come on then! Let's get to it, yes? First lets go wash your hands off, so you're all nice and clean. After that's done - Hollie, you grab a clean cloth from by the kitchen sink. Lilly, you fill a bowl with warm water - not too much, as we don't want it to spill, ok?"

The girls jumped up into action, doing as I'd asked. They were always such well behaved, little angels for me. It always surprised me to see them being the opposite with Mavis.

Soon enough, the three of us worked together to clean the mess, fast and efficiently. The girls scrubbed the paint from the walls, as I set to hoovering the glitter from the floor. That stuff gets everywhere!

"Well done my girls! See how fast we did that? And it's all because we worked together." I explained, bending down to hug them once more.

"Abi, I'm hungry." Said Lilly, tugging on my sweatshirt.

"Lets go and make a start on dinner then, shall we?" I smiled, leading the girls to the kitchen. "What shall we have tonight?" I asked, looking into the refrigerator.

"Spaghetti!" Yelled the twins at the same time.

Spaghetti was always a winner in this household. Hollie and Lilly loved to watch me cook, especially now that they were 'Big girls' and could help me a little.

"Spaghetti it is then! Go and get your hats and aprons on!" I commanded, as I started collecting the necessary ingredients. I'd got them special personalized chef hats and aprons last Christmas. The girls absolutely loved them, and would wear them each time we cooked together.

They returned to the kitchen, dressed in their matching Chef's outfits, ready to get to work.

"I'll never get over how cute you two look in those." I smiled, motioning to their outfits.

The girls both blushed, giggling whilst climbing up on their stools that were positioned next to me.

Handing them half a red pepper each, I gave them a spoon to scrape out the seeds, whilst I set to dicing the onions and celery. I always found that if the girls helped me make the food, they were always more eager to eat it. The three of us whipped up a quick sauce, adding the spaghetti in at the last minute.

After washing our hands, we took our seats at the table together and enjoyed the meal we'd made.

"You make the yummiest spaghetti Abi!" squealed Hollie, shoving some in to her mouth.

"You mean WE make the best spaghetti. We all made it together, remember? Let's finish up eating and get you girls into a bath. You've managed to get sauce all over you!"

After I gathered the plates and loaded them into the washer, the three of us went upstairs to run a bath.

"Okay girls, it's time to get in!" I encouraged, playfully blowing some of the bubbles at them.

Thankfully the girls listened to me without hesitation. They washed themselves quickly, as I made work of their hair. When that was finished, they both hopped out of the tub as I handed them a fluffy towel to dry off. I then dried their hair and set to brushing and plaiting it before bed.

"Can we have story Abi?" asked Lilly, as she climbed into her bed.

"Of course! Let me guess.." I pretended to think, whilst stroking my chin.

"Cinderella!" The three of us all yelled together.

It was their favorite story, one that I'd read them both many times.

"Do you have a Prince Abi?" asked Lilly, yawning sleepily after the story had finished.

"Will we have Prince when we get older?" Chimed in Hollie.

I laughed at the two of them softly, kissing them each on their cheeks as I tucked them in.

"I don't think I have a Prince, if I do, he hasn't found me yet. But you two - with how beautiful and lovely you both are, I have no doubt that as soon as you are old enough you will each find the right Prince for you." I reassured, standing up and turning off the bedroom light. "Goodnight girls."

Soft snores came from both of their beds, as I watched over them, thankful that they were so loved. By their age, I was already well aware not to anger my father, for the punishments that followed wouldn't be kind. Tip-toeing from the room, I left their door open a fraction incase either of them decided to wake up.

I made my way downstairs, getting comfy on the sofa to get started on my homework. Maths, Food Tech and Science. Great. I still had to make a start on the English project with Moloch. Sighing deeply, I got to work, finishing it all within an hour and a half.

Walking to the kitchen, I made a cup of tea, before searching for the book that Moloch had lent me.

The Tragedy of Dina

Curling up on the sofa, I began to read.

Dina had found herself to be incredibly curious, unlike other angels. She would always search for knowledge, wanting to learn more about the humans and other inhabitants of the world. That was the beginning of the end for her. For her thirst took her to the place where the 'Original Sin' had happened. The Garden. There, she found him. Tyler. The King of Demons.

Herein lies their story...

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Jumping with a start, I realize I must have fallen asleep. I was back in the club, where Moloch had taken me. This time, I was wearing a beautiful white, long dress, with my hair flowing freely.

"Moloch?" I beamed, looking around for him.

A sinking feeling entered my body, as I felt a warm breath against my ear.

"No sweetheart. Not even close."