He who makes a beast of himself...

I woke up feeling a bit groggy, but much better.

On the way home, Mandy filled me in on what happened and honestly? I am actually terrified. How was I to know when I'd snap like that again? I tried to hurt my friends and I had no control over myself.

I can't help but feel angry. Maybe I made a bad decision trusting these guys...

This didn't start up until I met them. Maybe it's their fault.

"Hey." I heard from behind me.

I turned around and saw my best friend standing in the doorway. She looked exhausted, she had bags under her bags and her hair was matted and stuck to her cheek with dried drool.

"Yeah?"

"The phone's been going off for the past two hours. I think it's Brian or something." She said with an annoyed tone.

"Ignore it." I snapped at her. "I have to go to work, anyways."

"No, we do." She corrected me and walked away.

I scoffed and got out of bed, dragging the comforters along with me.I started to get ready for the day, listening to the phone ring over and over again.

Eventually, I gave up. I walked over to the counter while tying my hair back in a bun and pulling a beanie over it. The caller ID read "Unknown Number", so I just pulled the cord out of the wall and threw the whole thing under the sink.

Mandy emerged from the bathroom, looking ready for the day. I grabbed my keys and headed towards the door.

As we got into the car, I put my sunglasses on and turned to look at her.

"At work, don't call me by my name okay? It's kinda my thing." I told her and pulled out of the parking space.

"That's really weird." She joked. "Why are you so fuckin' weird?"

"Shut up, it works." I laughed.

We sat in silence the rest of the drive. I have to say, I missed having my partner in crime by my side.

As we pulled up, I broke the silence. "It's like the good ol' days again, y'know? Except I'm being hunted down by the King of Hell."

"You're also being chased by some heavy metal angel and his friends." She added.

"Oh well, at least I've got my girl back."

We both smiled and got out of the car. I always park in the back lot, in case if any patrons are waiting outside the shop.

"Take the keys and open up, I have to get ready." I said to Mandy, handing her the keys.

"But you are?" She stared at me with her brows furrowed.

I pulled a black bandanna out of my jacket pocket and put it on my face, blindly tying it behind my head. Then pulled up my hood, took off my sunglasses, and walked towards the door.

"I don't talk and they can't see my face at all. It's my rules, okay?" I briefed Mandy before leading her in to the shop.

"Damn! Is this your work?" Mandy asked as she looked at the pictures and paintings on the wall.

"For the most part, yeah. I've got another artist here, she only comes on the weekends though. You might actually see her today."

"So, you're a tattoo-less tattoo artist?" She cackled. "That's like a doctor with a cold."

I shook my head at her and just showed her the back room. "Do whatever you want, answer the phones and help customers, I don't care. Just remember the rules."

"Got it."

"And if you see any of the guys, lock the door."

***

The day was crawling by as slow as it possibly could. I had some girl come in for a nose ring, but chicken out as I was about to do it. And some older gentleman come in for a quick cover-up.

Mandy would come out every five minutes, bored out of her mind and hoping to drive me crazy. Thankfully, closing was soon and I could go home.

"Does he count as one of the guys?" I heard Mandy ask, I looked up and Zayn was walking through the door.

I sighed. "Lock the door behind you, I'm closing early."

I pulled off my get-up and walked around the front desk. Zayn patted my back and grinned.

"How are you?" He asked, nonchalantly.

"I'm me, and that's good for now." I muttered. "Where's Jade?"

"She's out front, refusing to come in for God know's what." He griped, Zayn never was patient.

I walked towards the front door and looked out the window. "Oh, that's nice. Brian's here."

"Jesus Christ."

"No, he's more like a reject Jesus. Like a C minus Jesus."

"Amanda, that's not what he meant."

She shrugged and walked away, opening up a can of soda.

Brian walked towards the door, and he looked pissed off. I reluctantly opened the door and stared at him.

"What the hell? I tried calling you all day." He said.

"Well, she was busy. Don't get your panties in a twist, buddy." Zayn snapped before I could even answer him.

"Cool your jets Zayn. I was working Brian, I'm sorry." I sighed.

"Whatever, I figured you were here anyways. I just wanted to make sure you're okay, I know you're pissed off." He said, softly.

"Yeah, I know you do."

"Is that all? Can you leave now?" Zayn spat at him.

"Watch your tone, or you will regret it." Brian stared him down and I groaned.

"Zayn, just shut up please. Yeah, you don't like him. Boohoo, suck it up." I bitched at him and walked into the back room.

I sighed and rubbed my eyes. When I looked up, I noticed something on top of one of the cabinets.

"Hey Mandy, did you move stuff around in here?" I asked loud enough for her to hear.

"No, why?"

I pulled up a step stool and reached on my tippy toes to grab the dusty old black book. As I stepped down onto the floor, I opened it up.

"Holy shit.." I mumbled.

The pages were filled with Latin inscriptions., and there were a few words and drawings that I couldn't make out.

"I think Mikey left this here." I announced, walking into the front of the store. "It's got a bunch of demonic shit in here."

Brian took the book from my hands and flipped through it. "Jimmy would be able to read this."

"Maybe there's something in there about everything happening to you." Mandy chimed in.

"We gotta go take this to Jimmy." Brian said and reached for my hand.

"You can take it to him, I don't feel good." I lied.

Brian stopped and looked at me. I felt kinda bad, but I was making the right decision. This shit started the moment he walked through that front door. I'm gonna nip it at the bud.

"What?" He stared into my eyes like a lost puppy. "You don't feel good? I can take care of you."

"I'm not five, Brian.."

"I don't care how old you are, I can take care of you. Now, let's go." He stated bluntly and practically yanked me out the door.

"Brian, I can't just leave my shit here? I'm not going with you." I struggled against his grip but it was no use.

"I didn't ask you."

What the fuck? When did Brian decide he could treat me like an object?

He opened his car door and forced me into the passenger side. Then hopped into the driver's seat and turned to face me.

"I don't care how long you've known Zayn, I don't care how close you were. Things are different now and he's changed completely. I don't know what possessed you to actually trust him, but you're gonna stop that right now. I can see right through that man and he is pure evil." He demanded.

"Who died and made you king? You can't tell me what to do." I snapped. "You're not my dad and you can't fucking control me. I am a grown woman, God dammit, and I will not let you fucking boss me around!"

I reached for the door handle and Brian reached over me and locked the door. He got into my face and stared me down.

"Oh trust me, sweetheart, you're going to do what I say. I'm your best bet at saving yourself. Now, shut your mouth and put your seat belt on. We're fucking leaving."

I was shocked. I sat there with the stupidest look on my face, just staring at Brian in awe. What the hell just happened? What happened to him?

"You're not Brian.." I whispered.

"Oh, stop it. Yes I am. I'm just not going to tolerate your crap right now." He griped.

"Brian wouldn't-"

He slammed on the breaks and snapped his head towards me, eyes glowing bright blue.

"Didn't I tell you to shut your mouth?!"

I looked away from him and held my breath. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing my tears.

As soon as we pulled up to Jimmy's, I shot out of the car and straight to the front door. I could hear Brian cursing behind me but I didn't even bother looking back. I started banging on his front door until he opened it.

"What-"

"You tell your asshole friend to leave me the fuck alone until he can learn some fucking respect." I snapped and pushed past him into his house.

"Maybe if you knew your place, I wouldn't have to disrespect you." Brian retorted.

I turned around and stared at Jimmy, silently telling him to do something. He was busy looking at what was in Brian's hand though.

"What's that?" he asked, pointing at the book.

"She found it at the shop, Mikey left it in the back room." Brian explained, then looked over at me. "I would yell at you for going to work today, but you found something valuable so I guess I won't."

"Fuck you."

Jimmy groaned, "Brian, what are you doing?"

"She needs to learn her place!"

"Maybe you need to learn yours." Jimmy mumbled.

"Whatever, I gave you the book to read it. Find something valuable in there. We're leaving Jacqueline, let's go." Brian walked towards me and held his hand out.

I just refused to look at him and sat down. There's no way I'm going with him after what just happened.

"Go home, Brian. She won't go with you." Jimmy said and opened the door for him. "She's not your pet, you can't treat her that way."

"I thought I could trust you, Brian. Now I don't even wanna look at you." I spoke shakily, still refusing to face him.

I feel a hole in the pit of my stomach, I don't know why. I'm so incredibly angry at him, but I feel like I regret something. I feel anger towards myself, but I know that's not how I truly feel.

I heard the front door slam and just like that, Brian was gone. I stared at the door and Jimmy looked over at me.

"How does he feel?" He asked.

"What?"

"You know, what are you feeling that doesn't feel like you?" He pushed.

"Sad, like I regret something. Like I'm pissed at myself, and made a huge mistake." I explained.

"Good. Maybe that'll show him." Jimmy sat down in front of me. "Listen, I know you're angry at him. He really doesn't mean it. When things get too stressful for him he snaps and takes it out on the people he's close with. He's been like this forever, it's just how he is. You know he regrets it, and I know how much he doesn't want to hurt you. Please just try to forgive him."

"I'll forgive him when he makes it up to me."

"He just wants you to be safe. You don't know how bad he freaked out today, he thought something happened to you."

I sat there silently, looking down at my hands. I had no words to say. I was still shocked and, in a way, hurt by what Brian said. I just need a damn drink.

"C'mon, I'll take you home." Jimmy offered.

My mind was on autopilot as I replayed everything that's happened so far.

I eventually ended up home, alone.

Alone with nothing but my thoughts.

Notes

Here you go, lovelies!
I hope you guys have wonderful veteran's day weekend!
This chapter was a little crazy!
Why did Brian snap like that?
Why doesn't he trust Zayn?
Why did Jade refuse to see Jacqueline?
What's in the book?
Stay tuned to find out!
Enjoy <3

-a7x_deathbats6661