Les Gris - TI4 Read online

  And if I fail? Randi is very young. She's not even aware of your existence, let alone able to help.

  She's aware... just not on a conscious level. Randi has a good heart and a strong will. That's all we'll need from her for now. There can be no failure. We will be lost and the demon will gain two more Shadows, Lighthra warned.

  Why are you taking such a chance?

  We are Les Gris – the Shadow People. We are one in spirit. Soon we'll be one in life.

  And they were. Although the transition was painful, they were surprised when the Shadow Demon failed to appear. Little did they know that it was busy elsewhere gathering as many Shadows as it could. One small Les Gris wasn't worth the hundreds it could harvest in a few hours.

  CHAPTER 3

  The Predator

  HE WAS A PREDATOR; one of the worst kind, a coward hiding in the darkness waiting for the right prey to pass by. Ironically, he was aware of his failings but could do nothing to change about them. The obsession had started when he was fourteen. At first he thought it was only puberty and hormones kicking in. The erections were an embarrassment, but nothing like the humiliation he felt when his friends continually teased him about them. Just the sight of an attractive girl or woman aroused him, making his groin ache. It was impossible to ignore – and quite noticeable – considering he was very well endowed, much to the envy of his classmates. Perhaps that was why they never failed to razz him whenever his jeans bulged, causing him to unconsciously rub himself. With envy came cruelty.

  Tonight, he was desperate. For years he had managed to control the urges, but now it was growing more difficult. He wanted a woman; any woman. This was the third night he had waited in the alley for one to walk by, hoping to catch her unaware. Several had come close... so close, but then at the last moment, they would suddenly stop and cross the street or turn back in the direction they had come from. Always, though... always they would peer into the darkness, looking directly at the spot where he was hiding, and he knew. He knew they knew he was there, and his need grew, as well as his rage. It was as if someone or something had warned them of his intentions.

  * * *

  Watching this woman walking slowly toward him gave him hope, even though she seemed to stare unblinkingly in his direction. Something about her intensity made him shiver. Shaking his head nervously, he decided it was merely an illusion created by the hunger.

  You're a fool, the voice whispered.

  "Shut up!" the man replied angrily. "Just leave me alone!"

  I'm part of you. I'll never leave you alone, and you'll never kill or harm a human as long as I exist.

  The man tried in vain to ignore the whispers. Once, there was a time when he thought he could have had any woman he wanted if he was patient enough. To his frustration, he discovered differently. He would stalk his chosen subject, learn her habits and then wait for the right moment. That moment never came. The women sensed that he was on the prowl or lurking in the darkness, and he knew it had to do with the voice in his head.

  "Who are you?" he demanded for the hundredth time. "Why are you torturing me like this?"

  Torturing you? You accuse me of torture? You're a bigger fool than even I imagined. I'll tell you what real torture is! It's being forced to live with someone you despise. Day after day, night after night, there's no relief from the miserable existence of this insufferable attachment we share. You're a sickness of the worst kind, and I can do nothing to rid myself of you. That is torture. I can only hope that somehow I'll bring about your death soon, for only then will I be free.

  The man cringed from the sheer hatred in the voice. Its wrath felt like a hot knife slicing through his brain. Desperate to shut it out, he cupped his hands over his ears and closed his eyes. After several minutes of silence, he opened them and found himself staring at a woman standing only a few feet away. Startled, he lowered his hands and stepped back, hoping the darkness would conceal him. The voice had left him too unsettled to think.

  "Are you sure he's there?" the woman asked.

  Frowning, the man glanced around to see whom she was talking to but saw no one. Thinking she must be talking to someone out of his view, he held his breath and waited.

  CHAPTER 4

  Belle

  "I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE," Belle said, addressing the man hiding in the alley. "You might as well show yourself."

  When she received no answer, she cocked her head slightly as if listening for something more than a voice.

  "I can help you. I know you're suffering." Still there was no answer. "Tell him to come out," she continued. "Hiding in there isn't going to accomplish anything for either of you."

  "How... how," the man stammered.

  She talks to me, the voice hissed to his human. I am the one who suffers the most, not you.

  Fear surged through his body like an electrical shock.

  "Who is she? What does she want?"

  You, you fool! She wants to save you! To save us!

  "Sa... save me? From what?"

  From yourself! From me!

  "Listen to him," the woman advised, interrupting the mental battle between the man and the voice. "He'll destroy you if you don't let me help."

  Realizing it was useless trying to stay hidden, the man eased away from the wall and stepped into the dimly lit area to stand in front of the strange woman. She was several inches shorter than him and fat, making him wonder why he had even considered attacking her.

  Making eye contact, he frowned at the vacant stare she gave him.

  "You're blind!"

  When she laughed, he thought she was even crazier than he.

  "I see well enough," she replied. "How else would I know you were hiding in there? What's your name?"

  "Sammy."

  Without saying another word, she turned and walked away. Sammy stood watching, confused.

  Follow her, stupid! There may be hope for us yet!

  Grumbling to himself, Sammy did as he was ordered, feeling he had little choice.

  * * *

  The woman moved slowly down the street toward a twenty-four-hour restaurant several blocks away. Although her gait was slow and precise, no one would have suspected she was blind. Then again, it was only when she was on her nightly crusades that she left her dark glasses and cane at home.

  Entering the restaurant, Belle moved to a booth close to the restrooms. It was somewhat secluded, giving her the privacy she needed. Reluctantly the man followed, but hesitated when she motioned him to sit.

  "What's the matter? You can't be afraid of a blind woman. Only a few minutes ago you were more than willing to attack me," Belle growled and then laughed. Cowards were so predictable. "Well, either sit or leave but don't stand there like an idiot."

  Nervously, the man sat down.

  "That's better. Now, tell me about the voice."

  "Voice?" he stammered, glancing around to see if anyone was near enough to hear. "What voice?"

  "Don't be an ass. You know damn well what voice. The one in your head."

  "I... uh... it..."

  "Never mind. I'll tell you about it. It taunts you, doesn't it? Berates you! You have urges and it won't let you fulfill them. It must be frustrating." It was a simple statement that held no empathy.

  Sammy didn't know what to say. This woman seemed to know more about him than he did himself, and frustration was putting it mildly.

  Poor Sammy, the voice hissed. Not only do I frustrate you but now this blind woman knows all about us.

  The mocking laughter grated on his nerves, making him want to strike out at the woman.

  "I wouldn't," she warned, staring blindly but unerringly into his eyes.

  Flinching, Sammy looked away. Something about the unblinking stare unnerved him. He felt vulnerable and was frightened. She seemed to know his thoughts.

  "What do you want?" he whispered, his voice trembling.

  "That depends on you. What do you want?"

  "I don't understand."

  "Sure y
ou do. Do you want to go on like you are or do you want the voice to go away?"

  "Of course I want it to go away. It's driving me nuts."

  "I don't know about that, but it's saving your life," Belle said and then stopped as the waitress walked up to place two glasses of water on the table and take their orders.

  "Hey Ms. Belle, how are you doin’ tonight?" Sassy asked, giving the man a curious glance.

  "Fine Sassy, I'll have the usual. Sammy here would like a cheeseburger and fries."

  "Comin’ right up."

  "How'd you know my name and that I like cheeseburgers?"

  "Everyone likes cheeseburgers. It was a safe bet," she replied, ignoring his other question. "Now, about the voice. When did you first hear it?"

  Leaning back in the booth, Sammy thought about the question and the strange woman sitting across from him. She wasn't the least bit good-looking. Mousey brown hair hung in curls down to her shoulders. Short bangs made her plump face look even fuller. Estimating her height at around 5'5", he guessed she was about thirty pounds overweight. Shaking his head, he wondered why he had even considered her as a potential target.

  Because you're an ass like she said. You'd fuck a dog if you could!

  "Go away!" Sammy muttered.

  Again the laughter mocked him.

  "It's annoying isn't it?"

  "What do you know about it?" he demanded angrily.

  "Oh I know a lot. I know how it mocks you. The laughter must really be annoying. I'm surprised you've managed to keep what little sanity you have left."

  Sammy's eyes narrowed slightly. Was she being sarcastic or serious, he wondered.

  "Sammy, Sammy, you need to lighten up. Oh well, maybe in time."

  The appearance of the waitress interrupted their conversation.

  "Here you go, Ms. Belle, BLT, extra bacon and no mayonnaise – and a cheeseburger and fries. Do you need anything else?"

  "No thanks, Sassy. This is great."

  Walking away, Sassy gave the man another curious glance and shook her head. Ms. Belle had been coming to the diner on a regular basis for almost three years. Normally she was alone but occasionally someone was with her. They always looked so…– desperate, Sassy thought. At least at first. By the time Belle and her guests left, they seemed different – as if relieved of a burden.

  Sammy's eyes followed the waitress as she walked away.

  Not bad, he thought, feeling the urge start to rise. A light slap on the cheek startled him, and he turned to glare at the woman sitting across from him

  "What the hell was that for?"

  "She's not for you."

  Leaning forward, he squinted into Belle's eyes, looking for...

  For what?

  "Are you sure you can't see?"

  Ignoring the question, Belle took a bite of her sandwich and chewed slowly, relishing the flavor of the bacon and tomatoes. Sighing in frustration, Sammy picked up his burger and chomped angrily down on it.

  Shit! Woman's either psychic or nuts!

  She's neither, the voice replied, but don't be fooled by her blindness. There's more to her than you could ever contend with.

  I have no interest in her. She's freakin’ damn weird.

  Maybe, but she's the only hope we have at being normal.

  Well, if being normal means getting rid of you, then I'll do whatever she wants.

  When there was no response, Sammy felt uneasy. The voice had been with him for a long time. As much as he resented its interference in satisfying his urges, he realized it was the only thing that had kept him from becoming the monster he knew he would be without it.

  Are you there? he asked tentatively.

  I'm always here! I've told you before that I will never leave you. If I could, I would have a long time ago. We are the same, you and I. Only I'm not the monster you are. I was just unlucky enough to be your life partner.

  Life partner? What the hell is that?

  That, as you say, is me... or you, depending on who's talking. We were joined at your birth, unfortunately – for me, that is. Now I'm stuck with you and unless you let this human and her Les Gris help you – help us – I'll make your life a living hell beyond your wildest imagination, just as you've made mine.

  What's so special about her?

  Her life partner. Their union is rare – the perfect merging of two unique entities. Between them, they may be able to make us whole.

  Sammy wasn't sure what to think. Although he had grown used to being harassed by the inner voice, having a rational, civil conversation with it was a little disconcerting. On the other hand, it was a relief.

  "Are you finished?" Belle asked, swallowing the last bite of her sandwich.

  Blinking, Sammy realized he had only taken one bite of his own, but didn't feel hungry. Tossing it on the plate, he wiped his hands on his pant legs.

  "I'm not hungry," he grumbled.

  "I wasn't talking about your food. Do you want help? If not, say so now so I don't waste any more time. There are others out there who need our help."

  Sammy nodded his head slowly. What choice did he have? If she could help him, maybe one day, he'd be able to find... looking longingly at Sassy, he swallowed.

  Someone? A soft, unfamiliar whisper asked. Unconsciously, he nodded.

  Then open your mind and let me in, it whispered.

  The healing began. It would take time to change a lifetime of cravings and overcome his natural tendencies. Belle would have to enlist the aid of The Society to balance him and his life partner but for now, she could stabilize him temporarily.

  CHAPTER 5

  Belle and Lunara

  IT WASN'T SUPPOSED to happen. At least that was what the doctors had told her. Minor head injuries rarely caused blindness. Sure, it had hurt when she fell, striking her head on the edge of her best friend's bed, but she hadn't even lost consciousness. A golf ball sized bump was the only evidence of her reckless antics and youthful exuberance.

  The doctor at the emergency room assured her parents that after a few days of rest, their daughter would be back to normal. And she was – for awhile. Even when she began to notice her vision changing, the ophthalmologist said it wasn't unusual for a teenager to need glasses. It wasn't until later that he realized her visual loss was progressing too rapidly to be an ordinary eye disorder. After running additional tests, he diagnosed her with bilateral optic nerve atrophy. Belle's entire world collapsed. The future of a sixteen year old girl should be bright; hers would be dark and lonely, or so she thought.

  * * *

  It had taken a long time for Belle to accept that she would never see again. Sometimes she wished that she had died rather than face a world of darkness. Having to depend on others was humiliating enough but the thought of not even being able to enjoy a good book or party with friends or go for quiet walks without the aid of someone else had been too much for the sixteen year old. Withdrawing into herself, she distanced herself from everyone – until the whispers began.

  Are you going to keep feeling sorry for yourself?

  Belle rolled over on her side, thinking she was dreaming.

  I'm not a dream. You can try to ignore me but it won't do any good. I've worked too hard to make you hear me.

  Turning on her other side, Belle punched the pillow several times before again settling down.

  "Go away," she grumbled, thinking someone was playing a trick on her.

  I can't. You won't let me.

  "That's ridiculous. I didn't tell you to come in here. Now go away."

  It's not possible. I'm a part of you.

  Sitting up, Belle moved her head, searching for the source of the voice.

  "Where are you? Who let you in my room?"

  You let me in. Now, are you ready to start living again or do you want to spend your life hiding in here and sulking?

  "I'm not hiding or sulking, and I'm perfectly fine."

  Sure you are! You only leave this room to eat and use the bathroom. Your family and friends may
have given up on you, but I won't. I can't.

  "Okay, I'm getting pissed. Someone put you up to this, didn't they? Well I'm not that stupid, so just stop it and get out!"