Chapter 5: Secrets and Confessions
Lila awoke the next morning to the smell of coffee and someone humming in the kitchen. Aiden was clumsily flipping pancakes, a small apron tied around his waist. He turned with a plastic spatula in hand and grinned sheepishly at her.
"I hope you like pancakes," he said. His eye was already healing in a thin pink line.
She slipped on a seat at the table. The horror of last night was already fading in the warmth of morning. The Aiden sitting there was the kind, gentle man she had known. She smiled at him and reached out to brush flour off his cheek. "I love pancakes."
They ate quietly; the only sound was syrup dripping and spoons against plates. After a moment, Lila cleared her throat. "About last night…"
Aiden's fork paused mid-bite. He knew what would come, yet dreaded it.
Lila folded her hands on the table, gingerly picking at a blueberry on her plate. "You scared me, Aiden. That other… whoever it was."
Aiden exhaled, placing his fork down. He tried to sound calm. "I know. I'm sorry, Lila. I hate that I scared you."
She reached out and gently held his hand. He felt gratitude and guilt mixing.
"Is it something like PTSD? Or … other voices?"
His gaze dropped. The truth burned on the tip of his tongue. It was time. He nodded slowly. "It's hard to explain. I have… two sides to me, Lila."
She furrowed her brow. "What do you mean, two sides?"
Aiden took a deep breath. "Last night, when I went to kiss you… I kind of… changed. Like someone else took over. I never want to scare you like that. I'm trying to control it."
Lila's heart tightened. So this was true. And he trusted her enough to say it. She squeezed his hand.
"Okay," she said softly. "I believe you."
Relief flushed Aiden's cheeks. "I promise, I won't let it hurt you."
Her voice was firm yet kind. "I won't let anything hurt you either. The good part of you—" she paused, searching for words, "the part I like—needs some help. Maybe I can help?"
He blinked at her. "You would… really want to stay?"
She gave a brave smile. "You're the one I want."
For a moment, he just stared at her. The demon voice inside hissed, She doesn't know the full story. But Aiden pushed it away. This was a moment of trust. He needed this.
"Yes," he whispered. "Okay."
She scooted closer, leaning gently on his shoulder. The sunlight fell through the kitchen window onto them. It felt right. Aiden wrapped an arm around her waist. She blushed but leaned in, closing her eyes for a moment.
He pressed a light kiss on her forehead. Neither of them spoke, but peace settled between them. The night was over.
Days passed. Lila and Aiden grew closer, spending days off together and finding excuses to see each other at the hospital. She helped Aiden research what could be happening to him, flipping through medical journals and ancient folklore. Aiden read each word with renewed hope.
One afternoon, Lila found something online about a "Shadow Spirit" that could attach itself to humans. "It says here," she pointed at the screen, "'One possessing soul may house another—a cold spirit hungry for power.'" She looked at Aiden. "That description—does it sound anything like what happened to you?"
Aiden read the words carefully. Part of him felt fear spike. He closed the laptop slowly. "I think… it might be something like that."
"And what does it want?" Lila asked, worried.
Aiden sighed deeply. "I'm still figuring that out."
She placed her hand on his. "We'll figure it out together."
Together, they faced the truth: Aiden's evil persona was real. But with Lila by his side, Aiden felt a strength he never knew.