Page 58 of Double Obsession

“But I’m a virgin. I want to wait for our wedding.”

“Of course, we’ll wait to do more. But kissing feels so good, and it’s okay to kiss a little before the wedding.”

What in sweet Jesus was dripping into her panties?

“Kiss him,”whispered the cookie.

“Get him medicine,”said the shadow.

Then came those gravelly noises from the third floor.

“Shut up!” she screamed.

“Voices never quiet. Do they, babe?”

“Can you hear them?” Arkansas asked.

“Some,” Hunter said. “I hear the one saying ‘get him medicine so you can kiss him’.”

“Do you hear the scary voice in my bedroom?”

“Sure, babe. Ignore it. Get me medicine.”

“Okay.” She stood.

“Bathroom medicine cabinet,” he reminded her.

She nodded.

“Run what those voices say past me.” He adjusted his shoulder and winced. “I’m good at telling which ones are truthful and which ones lie. And remember, I love you, babe.”

“I love you too,” she said. “I won’t let you die.”

“I know you won’t, babe. I trust you.” His lips puckered, and he kissed the air. His soft voice faded away as his eyes closed. “The next one’s for you, Arkansas, ba….”

****

Arkansas clutched Hunter’s pills and tiptoed up the stairs. The closer she got to her bedroom, the louder the demon mumbled. She pushed open her door and screamed.

One wall was blood-covered, and poor Jesus hung in the middle of it. His lids fought the Sharpie bandage until the line of black split and his eyes popped wide. His red pupils glowed, and he blinked three times. When the glue that sealed his lips also cracked, he let out a blood-curdling howl.

“Get out of Jesus!” she shouted.

His mouth doubled in size.“BUT I AM JESUS.”

He couldn’t fool her. “You are the devil!”

The fake Jesus chortled until the room shook as if hit by an earthquake.

“I think this-s house is haunted by the devil,”said the shadow.

That had to be true because she was not insane.

She grabbed Jesus from the wall and threw him on the floor.

“NO!”he screamed.

She stomped on him.