The Dream Demon

Chapter 11 - Surprises

The constant beeping of my alarm made me jump with a start. I quickly reached to turn it off, not wanting to move from the safety of my bed. I'd never been so scared in my life. All I wanted to do was to wrap myself up within my blankets, and never step foot out.

There was a pounding on my bedroom door, which made me shake with terror. It can't be Typhon. He can't reach me here now that I am awake.

"Abigail! Hurry up and get out of bed. We need to talk!" My fathers voice boomed from the other side of the door.

Sighing in relief, I decided not to keep him waiting. Taking a deep breath, I mentally braved myself to get out of the bed, and get ready.

"Ok Dad, I'll be down soon!" I replied, jumping up and throwing the curtains open. The thought of being in the darkness scared me.

Collecting my uniform, I placed it on the radiator to keep it warm whilst I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I brushed my hair thoroughly, deciding to clip it up in a half-ponytail style before finally getting dressed. Packing my supplies into my school bag, I decided it was now time to go downstairs. Time to face my father.

I walked down the steps slowly, leaving my bag by the front door. I could hear my father and mother talking in hushed whispers. It sounded like they were having an argument. Slowly walking to the kitchen I could scarcely make out what they were saying, only able to hear the ending of their conversation.

"You need to go to the salon and get your hair done. Your roots are showing, she'll notice" I heard my father telling my mother.

"Who even cares, not like it'll matter for much longer" she replied.

Slowly getting closer to the door, to try and hear better, I didn't Josh creeping up behind me. He shoved me forcefully in my back, so that I stumbled head first into the kitchen. My hands and knees hit the flooring with a thud, causing shooting pains up my legs. Tears stung my eyes as I pulled myself up.

"Good morning Mum, good morning Dad" Josh sung happily whilst taking a seat at the breakfast table.

"Yes, good morning Mum and Dad" I said, trying to hide the grimace on my face. I took a seat at the table opposite Josh and poured myself a glass of apple juice, not missing the look my parents shared.

"Uncoordinated as ever, Abigail" my father laughed. My mother and Josh joined in, also laughing at my expense. "Now. Your mother told me that you had asked for a birthday party. Is that correct?"

Swallowing back my tears, this conversation couldn't come at a worse time for me.

"Yes Father, I was hoping to, if that was ok?"

My Father looked at me like I had grown two heads. Who was I kidding? Of course he'd never agree to it. I had to throw all weapons in my arsenal at him if there was any hope of this party happening.

"Um, Jess and her Mum Leah, from church, said that I can hold it at their house. There'd be no mess for you and Mum to clear up, and no cost to you."

My Father sat in silence, enjoying my nervousness. Josh started at me with a smug look on his face. God I hated his face.

"Please Dad, I will do more bible practice and volunteer some extra time at church. It's just that.. Josh has already told people that I'm definitely having a party. Melody was asking me about it yesterday" I continued. Well that wiped the smugness from Josh's face.

My Father turned to look at Josh and then back to me. "Melody as in the priest's daughter?" he asked.

"Yes Father. It isn't going to be a big party, just a few kids from school and church" I answered, feeling hopeful. I could feel Josh's eyes drilling into my skull. He was most definitely pissed at me right now.

"Ok. You can have your party. You will have to use your own money from your babysitting to pay for it, as your Mother and I won't be helping in any way. The responsibility lies on you. If anything happens, or goes wrong, you will be dealt with. I don't have to explain myself any further than that, do I?" he said between mouthfuls of his breakfast.

My eyes widened at his permission. I honestly didn't believe he would even consider it. An enormous smile reached across my face. A genuine smile that hadn't happened in a long time.

"Thank you Dad. I promise you wont have to worry about anything. Jess and Leah will help with it all. Thank you so much!" I said, walking around the table to give him a hug. He didn't return my hug, but I didn't care. I had so much planning to do with Jess, and after all of the darkness in my life recently, a little but of fun in my life is just what I needed.

I refilled Polo's dinner bowl for him, watching him eat contently as I did the washing up for everybody. Seeing as Josh was upstairs still getting ready, I was hopeful that I would be able to go to school in peace, and not worry about having to face him after nearly landing him in trouble with Father. Thankfully he was still stomping around upstairs, as I grabbed my belongings and left for school.

I sent Jess a text message asking her to meet up by my locker. She replied that she'd just got to school and was waiting for me with a bacon roll. That girl and her love for food.. If only I could eat as much as her and still stay in great shape! Running the rest of the way, I sped through the school halls, my eyes finally landing on her propped up against my locker, my food in one hand, hers in the other, stuffed in her mouth.

"Jesssssss!!!" I called out, waving like a mad woman, trying to gain her attention.

"Oh, Hey Abi!" she smiled, handing me my food, when she finally realized I was there.

The bacon roll smelled heavenly! I was busy tucking in, when I noticed Jess was staring at something, with a vacant look in her eyes.

Following her line of sight, she was looking at a big crowd of people a few lockers over mine. There were about 10-15 people, mostly all girls, including Melody and her crew, all stood around chatting animatedly.

"What's going on over there?" I asked Jess.

"There's a new kid, some hot guy" she replied, barely paying attention.

Makes sense why Melody and her skanks are over there I thought laughing to myself. Finishing off my roll, I walked over to where everybody was crowding, putting the wrapper in the bin. The crowd suddenly started dispersing as the bell rang out, leading me to lock eyes with none other than Moloch, who had Melody hanging off his arm. My eyes shifted between the two of them.

What was he doing here? More to the point, what was he doing with HER?! He leant down, whispering something into her ear. She giggled, blushing and then turned to look at me with a face of thunder. She began walking off, never taking her eyes from me. Now it was just Moloch and I left alone.

"Hello Abigail..."