Your eyes flutter when I close the Maleficarvm with a pouty huff.

A quiet sigh escapes from my dark lips, gently running my claws against my long porcelain leg as it kicks about the air. The television before us continues to flicker with red static, your mesmerized face covered with spellbinding kisses. 

"That's it? That's the big scare? They was eatin’ people?..Pff, I do that shit every 4/20." I blow some locks from my face, keeping my legs crossed and kicking back and forth in your vision. 

A quiet groan soon fills the room, and by the stairways another sexy vampire stumbles into us, wearing a tight black shirt with his hair adorably wild. 

"I did....I did it...." 

My vampiric prince and Dracula's best looking son wanders into the living room, almost tripping over you and catching himself by the sofa. He moves the evil red grimoire to sit beside me, his face also covered with deep black smooch marks. 

"...I finally broke the spell you had me on-" 

Before he can finish I've quickly smothered him with even more kisses, laughing wickedly as he slides down next to you, wild hearts thumping in his perfect eyes. 

“Whoa....Fucking trippy…”

My claws gently travel over the both of you, squeezing his shoulder before giving your hair a playful flick. Your face moans into my leg, while his head rests against my thigh. 

After toying with you for a bit, I soon turn my attention back to the Maleficarvm, giving the spellbook a jab with my sharp black talons.

"C'mon Bitchhikers, quit holding out on me! Let's see something scary, with lots of screaming!"

My evil laughter is suddenly cut off by the TV flickering back to life with an older woman's voice.

"We now return to an average day in the United States."

"Waaah!!!" I shriek, taking the remote from your lap and quickly flipping back through the dead air. 

"I was talking to the book, I was talking to the book!!!" My voice frantically screams, while the pages begin to flip on their own once more...

_______________________________________

Bewi⸸ching Cara's 

QUEEN FOR A NIGHT 

...

I can't believe how terribly this date is going. 

Don't get me wrong, everything else was almost perfect. For one, this restaurant might actually be the nicest I've ever been to in America, and I'm slightly reminded of home, if not for the digital menus and heavy prices. 

But those things were easy to overlook while enjoying the outdoor seating, my eyes gazing out longingly across the dark skyline filled with beautiful traveling lights.

What was not so easy to ignore however, was my company for the evening, especially once I'd unfortunately committed the cardinal sin of mentioning a book he disliked. 

"Look, all I'm saying is even without all the controversy he's overrated. All style, no substance, I mean it's just so easy to pick apart." 

The boy seated across from me goes on with an irritating voice, obscuring my perfect view outside with his wandering head, annoying me to no end while I subconsciously tune his voice out. 

Rodney had seemed tolerable at first, and despite his quickly vanishing hairline he was only a few years older than myself. Trying to court me at the bookstore by quoting one of my favorite novels definitely won him some points. 

But the good will he'd so effectively won quickly diminished the more he tried to flex his 'intelligence’ on me, just coming off as narcissistic and obnoxious more than anything. He was the complete opposite of charming, what little I could get in about some of my other favorite authors was barely even acknowledged.

He obviously didn't want to have a real discussion, and dismissing me was a fast way to lose my interest. There's having a different opinion, and well…Then there's just being unpleasant company. 

"Anyway, back to my original point uh, what was the paperweight I saw you carrying earlier today? Fantasy, I take it?"

The candles on our table flicker, and I glance past his ear to watch a low flying helicopter above the city. I'm not sure if the other lights were really stars or just other helicopters, but they were beautiful either way, really becoming difficult to look away from.

"...Marion Bradley." I finally realize after some time, relishing in the silence. But before I can continue, his voice cuts me off once more. 

"Yeah, I just really enjoyed-" 

"But come on, I hope you got your money back for that one. Maybe someday they'll add a real literature section to that place. And don't get me started on who else I saw them carrying. Did you know..." 

I quietly release a sigh as he goes on, dropping my chin to my hand while following the bubbles in my clear wine glass. I've never been much of a gambler but damn it, I really could have rolled better…

…

The glowing moon seems to hold my attention for a moment, filling my head with its light. So pretty, if I just focus myself into the warmth, I can escape my current sitting, despite how pleasant the house may have been otherwise. 

While the pasta I'd ordered was definitely enjoyable, one thing it hadn't been was cheap. 

I assumed he was going to pay for the meal since he was the one who asked me out, but I'd also brought my purse with me, just in case. Though it's difficult to focus or care about that now, or whatever nonsense he was droning on about, with the moonlight looking so captivating and hypnotic.

With my hands resting on the deep crimson tablecloth, I allow myself to become hypnotized by the moon, none of the other lights can draw me away or waver my focus now. I'm completely held by the moonlight, softly embraced within its glow...

...

"Ma'am?" A woman's voice suddenly pulls me back to the world, giving my brown locks a shake as I return myself to reality. I'd grown so numb to his voice never ending, hearing another woman's reminded me I was human again. 

"...I hope everything was to your liking, remember that tip is included, and we're no longer accepting cash.” She gives me a soft smile, placing a dark blue check holder down on the table beside my empty plate, before quickly disappearing. 

I glance back into his beady eyes, failing to subdue a growing scowl when all he gives me is a chuckle. 

"Right...I uh...I don't get paid until next Thursday, when I offload this thing. You know I just located a private seller who-”

"It's fine." I sigh under my breath, reaching behind me to unclip my purse from the seat. While I'm digging around for my cards, he leans in closer, nearly setting his tie on fire in the process. 

"You know, you're much quieter than I expected. You've barely said a word all night!" 

...

One agonizing car ride later and we're now parked before his house, which as it turns out, is just a few miles down from my own home.

Not far enough unfortunately, considering the likelihood of a second date with this guy. Honestly, who asks out a girl when they can't even afford dinner?

It doesn't even seem like he owns a car here, but I don't really give it much focus, just unclicking my seatbelt and hastening out the door before he can make a move on me. 

I don't think I could stomach listening to him going on about the flaws of literature anymore, all I wanted was to curl up with some ice cream and forget this night ever happened, or the life savings I'd had to drop on the tab. 

Good thing I knew how to pace myself or we'd have been stranded there. I could barely feel tipsy at all with how annoyed I was by his behavior. 

And it's not like I'd never been on a bad date before, but never one where I'd felt like someone's unwanted mother or something...I've barely gotten laid since my big move, before Rodney his predecessor had been another disappointment, followed by another before him.  

Of course there were some boys in my complex that I'd found a bit cute, but they didn't seem to give me much attention. Most likely they already had girlfriends or something, leaving me stuck with...leftovers...

"Oh uh, sorry you had to cut back on the wine... But you still drive better than I do!" 

I just give a quiet 'hm' to his words, unlocking my car trunk and pulling it open with a dismissive eye roll. Inside a black duffel bag rests over my forgotten clothes and carriers, taking one of my brown scarfs when I pull it free to hand it to him. 

I'm so busy trying not to touch him, that a single book slips from the open flap, brushing against my ankles. He doesn't seem to notice though, touching my wrist as he takes the bag from me, causing me to shiver.  

But my eyes soon find themselves following the lost book, cushioned by some thick weeds, its dark yellow pages seem to flip about on their own, almost like a beckoning call…

…

“.....Ah!” I soon realize what's kept his focus when he suddenly moves in to try and kiss me, causing me to instinctively dodge my head away with a slight gasp. Damn it, I could feel him wanting to pull that all night! I think I'd even seen his nose running earlier, ugh, could you imagine? 

"Sorry, Rodney..." I lean a bit closer to him while he shrinks with embarrassment. I felt a little bad letting him down like this, but did he really expect me to just fall into his arms after tonight? 

"You're just...Not what I'm looking for." I clear my throat, feeling a bit relieved when he just shakes his head. 

"I understand." He whispers, and I can't help but smirk. That was a pretty ballsy move, maybe if he had a bit more game it would've worked. He doesn't even notice the strange book on his lawn, or its red, decrepit looking cover. 

' Demonivm Maleficarvm '

"....What the hell is this thing?" I purse my lips, giving the tome an unsure look as I run my fingers over its words, feeling a dark sense of unease in my stomach. The longer I hold this book, the more it seems like it's calling to me...Beckoning me to open and read its contents…

"Oh, yeah. That's what my private buyer was interested in. The thing I was looking for when you ran into me." He looks down as I take the book in my grasp, rising up while my eyes never leave its cover. I remembered us meeting differently but whatever, I'm too drawn in by the book to really care. 

"I don't know what that is, but they seemed really eager to get their hands on it. I don't think the owners even realized what they had. I mean, it's probably just some ancient nonfiction, I haven't really gone over it yet." 

I flip the pages in my fingers, gasping when a small cut licks the tip of my index, causing some of my blood to leak over a paragraph of obscure looking text. I can see an illustration of a pentagram engulfed with flames, torching the surrounding forest trees from the burning sky, when the book is suddenly closed in my grasp. 

"Something I guess a witch like you would find relatable." He rips the book away with an angry look, marching off. 

Once I see his scowling expression disappear past the front door, I instantly release a loud snicker, not even caring if he heard me. 

What a letdown of a night, and now it's ended with a nasty papercut. That ice cream at home was sounding more enticing by the moment, and I keep my eyes trained on the pretty overhead moon as I retake the driver's seat, feeling a strangely familiar presence from its warmth...

...

Now in just my sleepwear and with the company of Häagen-Dazs, I was already starting to feel much better. It was almost 2am, but I had the full weekend off, so it wasn't all too late to salvage the night with a bit of sweet indulgence. 

My feet on the cold tile floors of my kitchen, I kiss the vanilla against my lips from a spoon, savoring the euphoric taste and humming a quiet melody to myself. I dance past the cupboards and sink, the senses on my tongue celebrating while I travel across the hall and into the living room to see if my friend has returned my text. 

I really wanted to vent to her about the shit date I just had, but it was probably much too late, she's likely asleep. I'm actually starting to feel kind of drowsy myself now, but I didn't mind staying up a bit longer. Maybe we could meet tomorrow, where I'd tell her all about how pathetic that just was. 

Whatever, I didn't need guys to make me feel happy...at least that's what I tell myself, anytime my thoughts slip back to the night's cringy events. Although, the last time I'd been with a girl was a few years ago...Maybe a woman's touch is all I really needed…

…

As I'm pondering these somewhat intrusive thoughts and enjoying my ice cream, my eyes slowly wander to the black television and bookshelves, my small living room illuminated by the light from my bedroom down the hall. 

While tasting some more vanilla and strawberry against my tongue, my savoring is interrupted by a sudden drop in the air, a chill running down my spine and filling me with a sense of dread. 

The sweetness of my ice cream now seems more difficult to focus on, and I begin trying to push this unsettling aura from myself, figuring it's just a byproduct of eating sugar so late...

But my eyes dilate wide open, and a sharp gasp escapes my lips, when I catch a glimpse of something pale and disfigured in the mirror beside the front entrance. 

My heart freezes inside my chest as I study the reflection, casting down the hallway and into my open bedroom. Instantly I take notice of what looks like a long and sickly arm emerging from my closet, like something belonging to a diseased person, and ending in piercing black talons that grip into my hanging shirts. 

My mouth hangs open in shock, mentally telling myself over and over that it wasn't real, that I'm just hallucinating or dreaming. Lack of sleep has distorted one of my scarfs into some horrific looking appendage. But this becomes harder to justify in my mind when its long fingers twitch, sliding into the darkness past my sweater. 

"You killed me…" A vile and horrific voice whispers inside my head, and I watch as the sickly arm slowly emerges to now dig its claws into the closest wall just opposite my sight. 

I can't even scream, my own voice feels trapped within my throat, and I can feel my heart sinking deeper as it's jagged fingers tap one by one, an aggressive hissing now filling my eardrums. 

Looking back into the mirror I now see my own reflection move closer, my eyes wide and empty, an unnatural smile on my face. 

"...You cheating witch." I hear my own voice whisper to me with disdain along with several others, before the glass suddenly shatters, causing me to finally scream. 

…

…

My phone now reads 4:43, nearly two and a half hours have passed since I got home, but all I could feel was high on adrenaline. While it might have been possible to doze off earlier, I was much too shaken up to try sleeping now. 

Running outside screaming like that, I was more than sure I'd woken someone up, but I really didn't care. After what I'd seen and felt in my own home, I was just glad to get myself out of there.

I realized about six blocks later that I'd left my door wide open in the middle of the night, but going back there made me want to cry. I was lucky that my friend picked up her phone so late, so I just hid in my car until I could see her's pulling into the complex…

…

"So far this mess is the scariest thing I've seen in here." She smiles, while I just shiver into my own embrace with an unsure look, watching her clean my spilled ice cream off the tile floor with a roll of paper towels. 

"If you didn't see anyone, then it was probably just a nightmare. I mean, if you think it was a break in, shouldn't we call the police, or the neighbors…” 

"No, they'll just think I'm on drugs or something." I frown.

My adrenaline was starting to calm itself, reinviting a warm drowsiness to my system, but my friend must have been exhausted. Despite her welcoming smile, her eyes are even redder than mine. 

They have such a welcoming energy, staring into them has an incredibly relaxing effect. Looking away from her eyes already makes me feel anxious, and I didn't exactly scare easily. 

"I don't think it was a break in. Whatever it is I felt just…" My voice trails, and I toss some paper towels into a waste bin, staring forward with a grim look. 

"...It wasn't right. Like...I was seeing something that shouldn't be seen. Something I shouldn't be able to see...But somehow I...I was..." I rub my shoulders nervously, before she quickly takes my hands, my eyes too nervous to meet her own.

"...Maybe it's always there...watching us...waiting..." 

"Cara, stop talking like that! You're freaking me out!" She looks frantic, clutching my hands close to her chest. It makes me feel bad seeing her like this, so I give her a small smile. She was such a good friend to me, and just being in her presence was helping me calm down. 

"Look!" She nudges her face towards the mirror, hanging on the wall completely unbroken or disturbed.

"You told me you saw the glass break, and look, it's fine!" We both stare at our reflections, hiding each other's arms. 

"And all we could find in your closet was a few of those albums you've been missing. You just dozed off and had a scary dream. Maybe you were just…You know…Pulling your own leg?” 

She smiles, giving my arm another reassuring squeeze. I don't know if I really believe that, but I still felt nervous staying here alone, even with all the lights on. 

"Probably that nightmare date I went on had something to do with it." I touch her wrists as she laughs, stepping into my kitchen and reaching for the top pantry where I kept my snacks.

"You said you drove him home AND paid for dinner?" Her voice giggles, while an empty hostess box goes flying into the bin, now overflowed with paper towels. 

"Can you believe it? And he's the one who asked me out. Just once I wish I could meet a halfway decent guy..." I blow some hair from my face, reclining against the wall as my friend re-emerges, a small box of snack cakes gripped tightly in her hands. 

"Oh honey, you just need to find someone who treats you like a wife, or a queen...the goddess you are." She smiles, placing one of the cinnamon tasting cakes to my lips. 

"Yeah...Not someone who just wants a mom." I laugh, taking the pink box from her as she steals one for herself, dancing past the entrance. 

"Honestly, I find that most men are only worth something when they're dead...You'll always need another girl to truly understand you..."

Whoa, I've never heard my friend talk like this before, but it was really kind of...steamy. The tone of her voice had caused my heart to pick up speed, she sounded so playful, yet mysterious...

"You know, I was just think-" I stop when I look back to see she was gone...Only a few empty cake wrappers where she'd just been standing...

I should have felt more uneasy, but actually I felt strangely sort of calm, I was probably just starting to doze off again. It was nearly 5am at this point, and she'd done me a real solid coming by so late, I'm lucky she stayed as long as she did. 

I still felt like leaving the lights on, but I was immensely tired. It's been a long, eventful night, one that might serve as inspiration if I ever try writing again. 

Taking a seat on the couch, I find myself another cake, setting the box down on the table and relaxing myself into the cushions.

A soft blanket rests across my back, feeling so warm and inviting, picking apart my cake while the television screen flickers with blue light…

…

"Dreams really do come true, with long lasting sleep aid, you'll never miss another moment of tranquil rest again...." I watch through half lidded eyes as a woman sleeps wrapped up in comforters, smiling and looking so peaceful. 

I can see her eyes moving back and forth beneath their lids, failing to stifle a powerful yawn as my own begin doing the same...

Everything feels so hazy, it's almost like I'm already asleep and dreaming with my eyes open. I barely even notice when the lights dim, I'm just happy to see the TV even better now, and the pretty girl sleeping away in bliss. 

I want to be just like her and sleep, letting my eyes rest and doze off into mindless infinity. Her own eyes flicker open, while mine struggle and fight a losing battle. 

"Screams really do come true...Isn't that right, Cara?" Her voice distorts through television static, her face smiling as I succumb to deep sleep with a defeated sigh. 

"Sinful is beautiful. Be beautiful in sin, Cara. Be just like me~” 

My closed eyes roll far into my head, dropping deeper into sleep with each passing moment. Such a long night, my eyes have been aching to close for so long, every second of this was pure bliss...

While I begin to snore, the television slowly fills the dark room with a deep red light, the smiling girl vanishing into a sea of growing crimson static. 

The room shrouds itself in darkness as the screen flickers, casting an array of dark shadows onto the wall above. My chest rises and falls, the dark tendrils of sleep wrapping around my mind tighter, as a river of thick smoke quietly begins trailing from the hallway behind me...

The screen flickers with the image of a scratchy looking pentagram, before filling with a wavy swirl, flashing my dark outline onto the wall each time it fills with vibrant red. 

Soon my own shadow rises from its sleeping position, much taller and endowed, sporting a pair of razor claws on each hand, the eight legged outline of a large spider resting perched on her shoulder. 

The shadow's hair moves on its own as the feminine shade encircles me, tapping her long claws against my shoulders. A row of piercing teeth like a shark's soon emerge in a grin, finding their way to my neck while the black talons pierce into my flesh like butter...

...

"Augh! Shit!!" My voice yelps, leaping up from the confines of my sofa-bed and nearly stumbling forward into the table. I reach down to pull the blankets out from around my legs, sighing loudly and touching my chest to feel my heart racing. 

Sunlight now fills my home, while some nonsense infomercial plays, showing me a couple sipping wine and relaxing on an outdoor hammock. I take the remote to turn it off, the screen filling with black while I fix my messy hair. 

When I sit back down, I notice that my box of cakes is completely empty now, pursing my lips in confusion since I only remembered having two. I'm about to toss the empty container, when something else on the table catches my eyes...

Resting under some papers I can see a small black tube, and taking it with my fingers I realize it's lipstick! I didn't remember buying this but the name immediately makes me sit up. 

'Sinful Passion.' 

"...Oh it's too much, it'll clash with my skintone." I sigh after some time, holding the black tube up to admire its beautiful, midnight color. I could have worn this a few months ago, but the summer has me a bit more tanned now. 

When I lower the tube however, my eyebrows raise as I notice a small white pentagram case suddenly appeared with the words 'Countess Contour'. 

"....Well...I guess I can experiment with a new look today!" I smile, twisting the dark tube open and puckering my lips...

...

Damn it, not a great start to my day. 

First I dropped my keys immediately after stepping outside, and now I find myself sitting in my car with nearly the whole tank empty! Ugh, maybe if I hadn't done so much driving last night for whatever his name was...

His face and name have pretty much faded from memory by now, but looking up to my own bored, half lidded expression in the rearview mirror, I realize...I actually looked kinda hot with this style!

My lips completely black, with just a fair bit of shadow to darken my eyelids, I looked like a sexy, unimpressed gothic queen in the reflection. 

Probably more than I would have done myself for a simple grocery store run, but still, it was hard not to feel my confidence soaring, I looked even better than I expected! 

Ugh but my car, I suppose I could probably make it to the station, but that would be pricey. I'd have to forfeit my groceries and just come straight home after...

*Slam!* My attention is quickly drawn to a door slamming, a smile coming to my face when I see a young Hispanic boy stepping outside with an irritated look, pulling a rolled up cigarette from his white t-shirt. 

That was Henry, one of the guys I liked in my building. But I knew he had a girlfriend, so we didn't have much interaction after he helped me move my stuff in. I don't think he's seen me up close in a while, I kind of want to change that...

...

"Cállate la boca..." I can hear him muttering as I approach, clutching my keys in hand while giving him a smile. His damp expression brightens when he locks eyes with me, standing from the outside bench. 

"Oh..Hey, Cara. Now isn't really a good time, I'm having it out with Ashley over her 'bestie from work'.." He sulks back, flipping the cigarette around his fingers. I just continue giving him a warm smile in return, leaning closer to flutter my eyes flirtatiously. 

"Hi Henry, you like my makeup? I'm trying a new look today and I wanted to get a boy’s opinion." I keep my arms behind my back, presenting myself nicely and giving my voice an innocent yet playful tone. 

His mouth slightly drops open as he studies me, and I can hear his heart thumping wildly even from here! Yes, he's totally into me!! 

"Actually yeah, you look really good....Whoa..." He stumbles a bit, dropping the cigarette while I just chuckle in response to his sweet words, feeling like I'm in a dream. 

"...You...You look really good, Cara! You're beautiful!" He grins, and I reach out to take his sleeve, pulling him in slightly closer so that my breath is on his chest. 

"Thanks! Well, my car's dead so I was gonna ask if you could drive me to the store? Might help get your mind off...Ashley..." My body leans closer, pressing into his. 

"Oh...I-I'd really like to...Cara..." His hands slowly travel up my legs, finding my shorts all the way up my hips, while I feel something in his pants stirring. Mmm...He was mine now! 

"...But things are rocky enough...I...I should...I better not-" He's quickly interrupted when I leap into his face, touching my pitch black lips to his and smooching. 

I don't know what's come over me, I didn't just go around suddenly kissing boys like this...But it felt so incredible to give in to my desires and kiss him, a powerful intoxication burning within me at how seductive this was for both of us. 

After a few seconds of pure makeout heaven, I pull back from him to fill my lungs with sweet air, watching with great amusement as he becomes completely enraptured by me, black hearts forming within his wide and amazed eyes. 

"What if I gave you another of those on the way?" I giggle, taking his shirt collar again with my modest claws. 

"Oh...Y-yes....Yes Mistress..." He sighs out, the hearts in his eyes thumping like crazy…

...

I love browsing the market, even with my funds being so tight, it was so much fun to imagine all the tasty dishes I could make during the weekend. Of course, I also liked showing off my outfit wherever I can, and something tells me all these boys looking my way enjoyed it too! 

It was just a simple black t-shirt and jean shorts, but no matter where I go, everyone's eyes follow me, a jealous girl steaming when I pass by her entranced boyfriend, causing him to drop a glass jar of olives. 

"Whoa..That girl is pretty..!" One boy sighs out, leaning closer to gawk at me with a silly and mesmerized expression, and I can't hold back a slightly manic giggle. 

I was starting to feel a bit high from all this, using my growing nails to close the mouth of another brunette girl, who looks completely mystified by my appearance. She mutters something about me being gorgeous, sighing when I touch my claws through her pretty hair and massage her temples. 

"Yesss...Surrender to me, my pet..." I hiss into her ear with playful laughter, kissing her cheeks and smiling wide as her pupils transform into thumping hearts. 

*Snap!* I click my fingers right in her dreamy face, and she collapses into some cardboard with a sigh, dropping the cereal box in her hands which spills everywhere. 

Eee this was so much fun! I can't remember the last time I'd felt so beautiful, or so drunk on power. It was incredible having this effect on people, I feel like a true goddess now!

…

My nose picks up when I pass the meat section, my stomach grumbling as I survey a few briskets and ribeyes through glass. They looked delicious, carne has always been my favorite dish...

"Can I get you anything, Miss?" An older man asks me as he approaches from behind the counter. 

A frown comes to my face when I look away from the meat to glance down into my basket, resting on my arm with only some nonfat yogurt and bread inside...

"...Oh sweetie, this isn't gonna cut it, why don't you go fetch us a cart?" I take Henry's arm, pulling him closer and giving him my basket while he stares off in a daze. 

"Yes Mistress..." He wistfully drones, sighing when I give him another kiss which makes his heart eyes go wild, nearly stumbling over some produce when I snap him off. 

"Do you mind getting us five...no, ten of your steaks? And some chicken...Ooh, and maybe some of that veal in the back!!" There's a giddiness to my voice while pointing to all the meat, the man raising his eyebrow with a concerned look. 

"Uh...Sure thing, Miss. Be ready in a few minutes.." He backs away nervously, and I release another evil laugh, turning in place to spy another couple on the far end of the aisle. 

Strutting myself closer to them with such playfully seductive energy, I run my nails up to his shirt collar, interrupting their conversation without a care. 

"Hey there, handsome~" I laugh, fluffing with his hair as I push him against the shelf, a surprised expression on his face while the woman behind me looks ready to rip my head off. 

"My girlfriend thinks you're cute. And ya know, she's got her skeleton all on the outside~" 

"What the fuc-" Before he can even speak my lips have claimed ownership over his, kissing and smooching loud enough for everyone to hear us. 

"Ooooohh!!! Marcus!!! Who do you think you are, you little hussy?!!" His spouse yells at me while his eyes fill with hearts, his soul ensnared by my beautifully evil spell. 

She raises her arm up to strike me, but I quickly spin around to press my lips over hers, releasing a quiet 'Mmmmm...' as our tongues meet, and my smooching intensifies. 

Both of them are covered in my black lipstick when I release them, burning slightly into their skin, their wide open eyes filled with thumping hearts. 

"You! You're going to buy my steaks for me! And you! Snack aisle! Your treat - surprise me!" I giggle, watching them stare off like mindless zombies before turning to bump into each other. 

"Yes...Mistress..." They drone out in hypnotized voices, marching off in different directions and leaving their cart behind. I take a small box of oats, giving a scoff as I toss it back into a pile of healthy food. 

I know it's summer but...I wonder if they've got any early fall deals on Halloween candy? Now that's something actually worth my attention.  

Looking up I spot a small bag of Reese's someone placed on the top shelf, looking out of place amongst the grains and health food but instantly I'm enticed. Unfortunately far beyond my reach, and trying to swipe around for the delicious orange bag only frustrates me more. 

I'll have to make a note to change out my converse for those nice heels I've got back home, when a man in a handsome looking suit walks by, pushing his cart and watching me struggle. 

"Oh, here miss, would you like me to help-" He's silenced by a passionate smooch, accompanied with a loud *mwah!* as my lips pop and smack against his....

...

"Hey! Get away from her! I love Cara more than you do!" 

He's just about to hand me my candy when Henry comes slamming into him, dropping them both to the floor as the two men struggle. 

"No! I love Cara more!" 

"I love Cara more!" He pummels him with his fists, both of them seemingly unphased by the pain as they kick and punch each other. 

"No I do! She's mine!!" One of them smashes a box of oats over the other's face. 

"Oh no. Two boys are fighting over me. How dreadful." I smile wider, laughing to myself while a crowd begins to form around us, all of them looking concerned as security angrily starts my way...

...

My evil smile only continues to widen, stepping back outside the store with my hands clasped behind my back. On either side of me flows an endless river of carts, all of them overflowing with food and pushed by my own personal army. 

Nearly twenty people file outside, most of them with carts while others just carry things in their arms, all of them with their faces covered with my deep black kissmarks. 

"Aaahahaha....Hahahahaha!!" My voice laughs, directing my thralls towards my car with a snap, my dark claws now long enough to reach towards the sky. My head tilts back, and I descend into wicked cackling, my normally blue irises now bright red when my eyes reopen. 

"AHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!" My claws grip into my sides as I laugh maniacally, the evil force within my soul impossible to resist. I feel more than human now, more than just a girl. 

I was the fucking Countess...

"Cara! I love you so much Cara!" One boy interrupts my evil relishing when he stumbles before me, dropping to the pavement. 

"I need you to mother my children, Cara! Please take my babies!!" He cries desperately, while I kick away his hands grabbing at my legs. 

"Uh, right…not a bad line, maybe refine that one a bit-" 

"I love you Cara!" A girl's voice, high pitched and frantic, now fills my ears, a redheaded woman leaping over him to grip my shoulders. 

"Please Cara! I love you so much, I need to die for you!! Let me die for you, Cara!" Her fingers grip into me tightly, a mob of thralls forming around us. 

"O-okay, well..Let's maybe get you some help for that. And don't touch me." I slap her hands away, slowly walking backwards into the waiting arms of a heavy set man, who wraps me up in a tight hug. 

"She's mine! Cara's mine now!" He yells, kicking away another person reaching for me, the hearts in their eyes intensifying. 

"Hands off, Farley!" I shout, squirming free and pushing myself away, only for my angry expression to drop when I see just how many people have surrounded me, all of them with ecstatic, heart filled eyes. 

"...Oh crap." The words barely pass my black lips before I'm overpowered by a swarm of grabbing hands, releasing a scream when someone cuts me with their nails. 

"Get your hands off her! Cara! I'll save you!" 

"Cara! Give me Cara!! I need Cara!!" A woman yells, another voice angrily drowning her out. 

"She's mine! No one touches Cara but me!!" 

That's the last thing I hear before I'm able to rip myself free, shouting obscenities as everyone reaches for me, and I almost trip when I start running for my life, desperate to get away from these lunatics before they kill me! 

My hair is pulled by someone, causing me to shout before I viciously punch them away, kicking up my legs and running faster. I was thankful to have at least taken that self defense course, but this was way too much!! 

"I love you, Cara! My wife took everything in the divorce, but you can have my condo!"

"Cara! I named my baby after you, Cara! He's a boy, so you know the other kids will toughen him up into a real hardass someday!"

Geez, how many people did I kiss in there?! 

My shirt is nearly ripped over my head as I come tumbling into the street, leaping myself up when I feel even more hands grabbing for me. Turning back one last time, I can see a full mob of people stretching all the way back into the store, their voices chanting my name in a rhythmic tone. 

"...Cara!...Cara!...Cara!...Cara!..." 

...

I don't know how many blocks it is from the store to my house, but at the speed I've been running, it feels like only two. Though my lungs are now burning, and my skin hot and sweaty, it feels like I might collapse any moment! 

I almost faceplant when I reach in my pockets for my keys, pushing away another person who tries taking my arms. 

"Cara! Cara!" They scream my name as they go slamming into the pavement, stealing another quick glance to see nothing but smiling people, pouring into the parking lot after me. 

"Cara!...Cara!...Cara!...Cara!..." Their voices continue chanting, and I frantically get my door open just in time with a squeal, almost closing on someone and placing my back against it. 

"Shit! Why didn't I get a panic room?! Wahhh!" I scream when it comes crashing down, almost slamming me into the floor. I quickly pick myself up, sprinting through my living room just in time to see the windows smashed. 

"Cara!...Cara!...Cara!...Cara!..." Like something from a zombie film, uncountable arms reach through the broken glass, desperately aching for me with open, grabbing fingers. 

With another scream I leap across my couch, narrowly avoiding a burly man trying to bear hug me. Sprinting down my hallway, I take refuge in the only room I can, the bathroom, just as the windows above the toilet smash. 

"Cara!...Cara...Cara!...Cara!...Cara!...Cara!..." 

The room fills with a dark, crimson aura, my voice continuing to shout as I collapse into the floor towel. 

I watch in horror as the door is effortlessly destroyed, the voices outside chanting my name seeming to descend into some mad, hellish chorus. Intense heat causes me to sweat, and I scream even louder when a man collapses hard into the floor beside me, clutching his blood stained chest. 

My heart sinks as I watch him bleed out, my eyes frantic and wide. I shove myself back against the sink cabinet with a scream, a man in blood stained clothes stepping closer ahead of the crowd and clutching a knife in his hand. 

"Whoa! Hey, no! No no! I did not tell you to kill that guy!!" I yell with tears in my eyes, gasping while he just continues to stare at me through his large glasses. I don't even remember kissing him but his face is covered in my smoochmarks, I must have gotten way too carried away back there! 

"Cara!...Cara!...Cara!...Cara!...Cara!...Cara!..."

He places the knife's edge against his hand, closing his fingers around the blade and stepping around the twitching body closer towards me, a hypnotized look in his heart filled eyes. 

"...Countess Cara...The Angel of Death…Behold our damned savior..." He runs the blade across his palm, causing himself to bleed profusely down his wrist and into the sink beside me. 

I leap away beneath the window, shouting when an arm from above grips my hair, violently punched away while even more reach for me. 

"Praise Madame Antichrist." 

The small bathroom is swarmed with people, and I release the loudest scream of my life when everyone rushes for me, filling my vision with their eagerly grabbing hands...

...

…

___________

𝕻𝖔𝖘𝖙 𝕸𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖒 -

…

Talk about one hell of a day. 

What started as a simple trip to the grocery store ended with me forming my own cult, one that quickly spiraled out of control no less. It's a good thing some of my thralls were at least intelligent enough to know they couldn't worship me if I'm ripped apart, and defended me from some of the more uh…extremists…

I understand wanting me badly but sheesh, take a cold shower or something. 

"Countess." My bright red eyes roll up from the wine glass in my hands, studying the fanning girl off to my side for a moment before glancing half lidded to my new lieutenant, one of the nice boys in my complex I've always found cute. 

He stands before me with a blood stained black t-shirt, two more men watching behind him as I lounge on my sofa throne, thumping black hearts in each of their eyes, all of them with sheathed blades on their hips. 

"Forgive us, my Queen." He bows to me on his knee, holding up a small, translucent box to my eyes. 

"We searched every pet store in town, and we could find no tarantulas for sale. But I did find this neat scorpion who likes potato chips." 

I peer through the glass, watching a small collection of deep black eyes and legs, along with two large claws emerging from a yellow bag, snipping my unimpressed face. 

"....Ehh, still not cute enough." Eventually I sigh, lounging back in my throne and deeper into the pillows, stretching my legs out to rest my sharp heels on someone's waiting backside. 

"Just set him free near the orphanage, or maybe that nice school down the street." My black lips pout, my voice now much more sultry and alluring than usual. 

"Oh, what about the children's hospital on Clairmont?" My lieutenant pulls the box away, staring at me with unbridled love in his thumping heart eyes, eager to serve his Mistress. 

"Whatever. Just get outta town, and find me a spider! Even if she's vegan, I don't care how ya do it." 

"It shall be done, my Queen. Is there anything else I can get for-" 

"Yeah more m&ms." I set my wine glass to the nearby table, raising another empty one with three yellow candies spinning around. 

One of my thralls quickly approaches, holding an open bag over my glass, and the two of us smile even as candy falls into my carpet...Weird..I had a strange feeling it would be fine…

...

When my top slave and his mesmerized entourage leave through the busted front entrance, they allow a young woman to pass through at my command. She has a nervous look, glancing around at all the dented walls and obliterated furniture, gasping at the smashed windows, before her eyes finally lock on mine.

"...Cara??" My friend's voice cries, meekly stepping around a bloody stain on the floor as she approaches my throne, glancing to my foot rest while the girl to my side continues fanning me with cool air. 

"I...I came as soon as I heard your voicemail from last night...What...What the hell..." 

"Oh, I'm so glad you're here!" I happily chirp, sitting up with a smile like bladed razors, and taking a small, bone shaped filer from deep within my chest. 

"I just had a simple makeover is all, nothing special…Though I admit things did get a little out of hand." I can't help but descend back into evil giggling, my friend looking shocked as I cross my legs and invite her to stare. 

"So, whaddya think of the new me?~" My hands raise theatrically, showing off my long black talons as I begin touching them up, grinning the whole time. 

"I....I..." She closes her mouth after some time, shaking her head in disbelief, before smiling back, excitement in her eyes as she admires every inch and curve of my unholy beauty. 

".....I love her!!"