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Did the cat see something I didn't? Is there a small animal living under the wooden flooring? Not sure I want to find out. A weird sensation comes over me when I place my foot over the loose board. Retracting my leg, I try to set the wine bottle on the counter behind me and miss. Clattering hard against the wood, glass shatters everywhere, small flying pieces cutting my leg. Wincing, I try to step over the mess and lose my balance, crashing to the floor. "Fuck," I scream as my knees land on the sharp glass, the blood from my wounds mixing with the wine and seeping into the cracks.
Pressing my hands in front of me, I try to stand and fail miserably, falling into the glass again, cutting myself more than before. I'm going to feel this in the morning. How am I supposed to enjoy a morning swim in the ocean now? Saltwater and fresh cuts do not mix well together. What a damn mess I am. Meowing shifts my focus to the open back door and the cat steps closer, tilting his head in curiosity. He nudges my hip and then my leg.
"I'm okay. Nothing a first aid kit can't handle."
He paws at the loose floorboard, his eyes widening and his body tensing. His tail shoots straight in the air and his ears flatten. The board shakes beneath and I think I'm imagining it until my furry friend darts out the door.
"Wait," I shout. "Come back." I didn't realize how comforting his company was until it was gone. The whole ground moves this time and my heart speeds up in my chest. What in the world?
The loose board bumps against my leg. It’s almost as if something's trying to get out. The hair rises at the back of my neck and I crawl forward, ignoring the pain in my legs. My blood smears across the floor and I move fast when loud banging comes from underneath me.
"Help," a voice says.
Freezing in place, my heart races. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, I crane my neck and slowly exhale as I glance at the small hole in the floor from two boards being popped out of place. I'm losing my mind. No wonder I don't drink often. Not sure I will ever again after this. Virgin cocktails for me from here on.
"Are you still there? I can't get free without you."
I wasn't hearing voices. Whoever is down there is alive and real, but how? "How long have you been down there?"
"I'm not sure. Can you get something to remove more of the wood? I'm pretty squished down here."
"I… I can try." Getting to my feet, I whimper with each step I take, checking every drawer and closet until I find a pry bar. Unsteady on my feet, I return to the kitchen, my breaths rushing out so fast my throat burns. "Are you still there?"
"Where else would I be?" he deadpans. His voice is light and higher pitched than mine. How is he talking so well after being down there for however long he has? A few days would even be too much without water. With shaking hands, I use all the strength I have to remove more flooring. He stays out of sight until I'm done and waits until I'm no longer in view to crawl out.
Gasping and falling back on my ass, I rub my eyes, not believing what I'm seeing. When I move my hands away, nothing changes. The man standing in front of me has skin as black as tar with red lines in random places on his body. Red horns protrude from his head and a long tail wraps around his ankle, fire spurting off the tip.No. That can't be right.
"What's happening?" I ask, my voice cracking. "Am I dreaming? Did I bleed out and die?"
He laughs, his lips curving up. His long, thick cock bounces between his legs as he steps closer. He's naked. I already knew that, didn't I? I'm not sure what I know anymore. "No, sweetheart. You and I are both very much alive. Can't you feel it? I can't be the only one. I knew you'd come for me eventually and awaken me from my repeating nightmare. Only you had the power to bring me back and you did."
Shaking my head, I scoot back. "I don't know what you're talking about. I've never seen you before in my life. Where did you come from? What are you?"
He sucks in a sharp breath through his perfect white teeth. "Did you already forget? How could that be if you figured out how to bring me back?"
"I… Huh? Bring you back? I still don't understand."
He keeps walking closer and I don't stop dragging myself away.
"Albert. Baby, it's me. I don't want to hurt you."
"Then don't. Wait. Did you call me Albert?" Who the fuck is that?
He tilts his head. Red spikes emerge from his neck. He can't be real. He's like something out of a horror film or nightmare but at the same time the most magnificent creature I've ever seen. His grayish-blue eyes are pale and his body is slender, curving in all the right places. As terrifying as he is, he's also breathtaking.
Frowning, he stands still. "I'm afraid I can't promise that anymore. Not after what happened last time. I can try to be more careful. Lock myself away when the urges become too much." He licks his black lips. Are they as soft as they look? What the hell? Did I also hit my head when I fell? Why would I want to know that? I don't. Do I?
"What are you scared you'll do? What urges? You're not going to eat me, are you? I can promise you I don't taste very good. My diet is horrible."
He sighs, pinching the bridge of his small nose. The perfect shape complements the rest of his face. "Albert, why are you acting so weird? And why do you look so young and different? Your hair is lighter, and have your eyes always been brown?"
"That's because I'm not Albert. How do you know him anyway? Are you something he accidentally summoned during summer camp?"
His bottom lip trembles. "What do you mean you're not him? You have to be. And we don't always have to be summoned. I've never been."
"Wait. Did I accidentally summon you too?" I wrap my arms around my legs, pressing my knees to my chest. Not an easy thing to do being the size I am.
"Are you not listening? I wasn't summoned. I was awoken from the deep sleep my father forced me into and there's only one way that can happen."
