Amanda nodded her assent.
Poisonous followed her vituperation with a sweet smile, filled with sarcasm. “Besides,” she said, pressing her bare body against Amanda’s. “I may want to make out with you one day.” She grabbed Amanda by the head, and gave her a long, sloppy kiss. Amanda just stood there, stiff as a statue. As one final act of humiliation, she took her sharp nails, and ran them from Amanda’s chest to her belly. Amanda squirmed in pain, saying nothing, as tears ran down her cheeks. “Now get out!”
As the bloodstain grew on her blouse, Amanda turned quickly and left, not once looking back.
“Wow. You’re wicked. I don’t think I’d want to mess with you.”
The voice now grated on her nerves. “Kyle, sweetie. Frankly, you bore me. As Amanda said, you’re very immature, and I have no patience for children. Now be a dear, and leave so I can get dressed in peace.”
“But this is my house.”
“Are you trying my patience?”
He stared at her for a few moments, then got up, put on his clothes and slowly left the house.
“That’s better.”
* * *
Wednesday, August 13th Later that day
Poisonous descended the stairs of the Cleveland Park Metro station and got on the train. Comfortably seated, she reflected on her conquest, and happily hummed a song of love gone wrong. “My, but that was sweet,” she thought. “I couldn’t have done that any better if I tried. Well, Roger helped, of course: he’s such a dear.”
She settled in for the ride, and became lost in her thoughts.
Slow enough to sneak up on her like an assassin closing in for the kill, the melancholy settled over her. She couldn’t figure out if the thrill of the chase had worn away, or if she felt sad about something. A lump grew in her throat, and emotions washed over her. Tears fell down her cheeks, and the loneliness squeezed on her heart, suffocating her emotional high. By now, the vision no longer surprised her: Shane sitting next to her, holding her gently and kissing her softly. I love you Poisonous.
She slumped down in the seat, burying her hands in her face, unable to fight it any longer.
“I love you too, Shane. I don’t want to, but I do. Please don’t do this to me. Caring about someone hurts. I’m better at being evil, which doesn’t require me to pay attention to my heart. Is there no way you’ll quit haunting me? Can’t you just leave me in peace?” She already knew the answer. Love intended to bring her pride low, and would not stop until it won. Her heart had won the battle. Helpless to do otherwise, she cried for the rest of the ride.
“Poisonous. You’ve been crying. What’s wrong?”
She didn’t really feel like recounting her recent jag. Feeling vulnerable only made her irate, especially when interrogated by Evie. She didn’t have the strength to battle with her, however, so she told her the truth.
“I just keep losing the battle with my feelings.” She stopped, carefully weighing the merits of telling Evie about her recent evil deed. Oh, why not. What do I have to lose? “I just seduced someone and had sex with him in front of his wife. I won’t lie to you: if felt great. At least, that is until I got on the train home. I’ve been thinking about Shane Logan a lot—too much, in fact. I can’t seem to get Shane off my mind. I find myself thinking of him more and more.”
Her head fell. She became downcast, and tears start falling from her eyes. Suddenly, she sat straight up, and with fire in her eyes, pointed her very sharp-clawed fingers at Evie, with blistering words to match her fury. “Will you stop praying for me! I can’t take this... this misery I feel. Just leave me alone! I don’t want to feel this way. I feel like...” She stopped and swallowed hard. “I feel like I’m getting caught in that human emotion called ‘falling in love.’ I find that detestable. Please stop. Please stop praying for me. I’m begging you.”
“I can’t stop praying for you. Lord Yehovah compels me. Besides, I care.”
“Yeah right. Care about me when I’m in Hell. I have no bright future—no heaven to look forward to.”
Evie looked at her with sad compassion. Her eyes had glassed over. “You don’t understand what a gift you’ve been given. You have a chance to find peace forever. You can know love that will make you stronger.”
“And what is that to me? I’ve only ever been a demon. What do you expect me to do—roll over and give in? Become like you lovers of The Lamb? No way. Not in this lifetime, cursed as it is.”
“I can’t make you do anything. I wouldn’t even try. I really do love you, Poisonous. Deep inside your wicked heart, I see a tender and compassionate person, even though you are a spirit being. Even Pristine Honor, the angel you used to be. You don’t see her yet, but I do.”
Poisonous roared with sardonic laughter. “Do you honestly expect me to believe that? That’s the most profound nonsense I’ve ever heard!”
“Think what you will. I’ll not stop praying for you. I’m using the most powerful weapon I know to stop evil from influencing you, and it’s obviously working.”
Poisonous answered by getting up, and storming off to her bedroom. Before she went in, she turned and yelled at Evie. “Be cursed and raped, daughter of a dog!” The door slammed behind her.
* * *
Thursday, August
