The Turning

I tugged my bedroom curtains closed and relished the darkness. It wouldn't be long. I counted in my head, 1, 2....3. Then I felt his hands slide around my neck and he moved them sensuously down my bare shoulders. I turned around, my eyes expectant, but I was still alone.

He laughed.

I squinted in the blackness, I knew he was there... somewhere.

“Are you afraid of me?” His voice was smooth and deep, it soothed me.

“Of course not, I... I...” I stammered, I couldn't say it.

“Oh my dear, loving me is dangerous.”

“Why?” I couldn't fathom feeling anything but complete adoration for such beauty.

“Because you won't care about anything else.”

“But I don't care about anything else.”
“Then it is too late for you.”
He grabbed me and kissed me.

And it was all that I knew, because everything else had already been forgotten.

I forced myself to pull away; the need to gaze upon his exquisite form was overwhelming. My eyes fluttered open as if I'd been dreaming, and he had vanished. I folded my arms across my chest and shivered. I hated when he did that. No warning, no good-byes, he was just … gone.

I paced back and forth, my bare toes digging into the plush carpet as I wondered when I would see him again. I picked up my phone from the night table and stared down at it. I had no way of getting in touch with him.

Almost on cue, the phone vibrated in my hand. He had never called me; how exciting it would be to have him embrace modern technology. I swiped to answer. It wasn't him, it was my best friend, Jennifer.

“You're late.” She snarled.

“What?”

“We were going to see a movie?”

“What?” I asked again, still lost in thoughts of Jared.

“You were supposed to be here at seven. What is with you? Get over here, now.” She clicked the phone off before I could respond. I searched for guilt. I didn't have any.

I dressed unhurriedly and headed to Jen's. The fifteen minute drive seemed like three as my mind played out erotic scenes with Jared.

I rang the bell and waited, trying to focus on being the friend Jen deserved. Unfortunately, she was in lecture mode as soon as she opened the door. She was no fan of Jared. He'd taken me from her.

“I Googled it... I know how it happens. It's called The Turning. First you'll dream about him, once a month, once a week... then it's every night. He will become all that you think about, all that you want. You will become consumed. It's happening already isn't it?”
“No.” I couldn't believe she was going to be like this. She didn't understand. No one could.

“Don't lie to me. Even that is a sign. Deceitfulness. But I see right through you. Just like I saw right through him from day one. He's evil; you have to see it.” Jen paused and turned to face me. “Have you dreamt of him?”

“No, of course not.” I could lie easily now; to anyone.

“Dammit, don't lie.”
She wasn't going to let it go. I had to come up with something else.

“Yes. Okay, okay... yes I've dreamt of him. But it means nothing. He means nothing. I... I don't even....” I was patronizing her and she missed it completely.
She laughed. “Oh my god, you're lying to yourself. He's gotten to you. He's inside you... corrupting everything you are. He's controlling you even now...”
“Don't be so dramatic. No one has the power to do stuff like that. I think you need to spend a little less time watching those B horror flicks. You're confusing them with reality.” I shook my head and turned from her but she grabbed my arm and jerked me back. I glared at her with such force she stumbled backwards and hit her head on the corner of the glass coffee table; then a hard crack as her skull hit the marble tiled floor. I hadn't meant to do it.

“Oh my god, Jennifer.” I rushed to her and knelt down beside her. Blood poured from a three inch gash on the side of her head as her eyes filled with panic.

“Deirdre, please promise me you'll get away from him.”
“Shh, don't talk... everything will be fine now.” I took the scarf from my neck and held it against her wound. I stared at the cell phone on the table next to us.

She looked over at it too, “911” she whispered hoarsely.

“They can't help you now. No one can.”

I loosened the pressure of the scarf and sat with her until she lost consciousness. Then I called 911.

I knew it was too late. I cried. Why had this happened?

Jen had been right. I dreamt of Jared every night. He'd gotten inside me, my mind and my soul.

Now I was evil like he was. And I was happy for the first time in my life.  

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