This time when I came to, I immediately knew I was in my own room, in my own bed. The powdery-soft scent of lilacs wafted up from my bed sheets. They always used the same laundry detergent and dryer sheets on my clothes and coverings. It was the only scent I liked and I’d made friends with the laundry manager, so she made sure they kept using it for me.

I also knew that whatever shot that orderly had given me, it was not Sumatriptan. I licked dry lips with a sore and puffy tongue and pushed hair out of my eyes. I’d taken enough migraine meds to know when something was off.

Usually after an injection, my body was sluggish, tired and kind of hung-over. This time, I felt like I had woken from a prolonged coma. My legs didn’t want to respond when I tried to swing them off the bed and neither did my arms when I tried to sit up. I had enough strength to wipe my eyes, shove my hair out of my face and lick my lips.

We took more while you slept.

My eyes zeroed in on the shadowy spot sitting on the footboard. The voice was still inside my head, but an echo of it drifted from the shadow too.

“What did you do?” I asked and coughed when the action caused my throat to spasm. The pain was so intense that I felt like I’d swallowed broken glass.

We needed more strength to get through the veil, so we took it.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I demanded and coughed again.

The door swung inward and Liz rushed through as if she’d been hit with a cattle-prod in the backside. Her eyes flicked to me and very quickly away as if she couldn’t bear to look at me.

“Well hello to you too, tattle-tail,” I muttered and tried to sit up. My stomach muscles contracted painfully but after a few sweat-drenching seconds, I managed to rise up enough to get my hands on the bed behind my butt and push myself into a more comfortable sitting position.

Succulent meat, still fresh, still clinging to the bone. Will make a delicious midnight snack.

I shot the shadow an angry glare. I’d had enough of the demons for one day; I desperately needed the good guys to make an appearance. At least they let me have some peace and quiet.

It will take more strength than you have to free us, dear child.

The shadow emitted a low growl followed by a prolonged hiss. I watched Liz from the corner of my eye, but she made no sign that she heard anything out of the ordinary. She’d taken off her sweat-suit and changed into her pajamas as quickly as possible before diving into bed. Pulling the covers up to her chin, she wiggled down into the mattress and merely stared at me.

Murder, death, kill or be killed.

“What’s your problem?” I asked both the demons and Liz.

“You’re the portal,” Liz answered. “They told me you would free them but I didn’t believe it. Not until today.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Liz,” I argued. “I watch your back and you watch mine, what happened to that agreement?” I demanded and twisted my upper body until my legs had no choice but obey and swung them off the bed. Placing my feet on the floor, I wiggled my toes and stretched my arches before standing. My legs were still a bit wobbly, but strong enough to support my weight.

Turning toward my roommate, I concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other until I stood at the end of her bed.

“You told Dr. Miller about the voices,” I accused angrily. “What happened to us having a bond?”

Liz merely shrugged her shoulders.

“I see. It’s all fine and good as long as it benefits you, right?” I asked. “Well, let me ask you this, what did you gain by betraying my trust?”

“If something happens to me, Dr. Miller will know it was you,” Liz answered softly.

“Nothing is going to happen to you, Liz!” I squeaked and then winced when my shrill voice reverberated off the empty walls. “I’m not going to hurt you,” I added, more softly. “What kind of person do you think I am?”

“The kind who harbors demons,” she answered without hesitation. “They own you Penny,” she accused. “You will do whatever they command you to do. Even if that means killing someone.”

“Yea, well I’m not the one who killed someone I’m supposed to love,” I spat and instantly regretted it when she winced like I’d physically slapped her.
Murder, death, kill or be killed.

Strangle her with her own bed sheets, twist them tight, rend her head from her neck.

She’ll only make it harder for you to hide us…

And for the first time in my life, I considered listening to the voices.

A/N: Please don't forget to vote!