Episode Nine

My anxiety took hold of me and I couldn’t breathe. Anytime I tried to close my eyes, something would jolt me awake - it probably was sleep paralysis but I’m pretty sure it was the succubus trying to ‘leak’ out of my room and tried to snare me back in. But I wouldn’t go back in there.

There had been more than one occasion where I got up in the middle of the night and just wandered around the apartment. As far as I know, Chloe’s a sound sleeper. She never really complained about any noise so I was glad about that - though I really was set on not testing that theory, so when I did walk around, I was quiet. It didn’t tighten my chest any less. It didn’t make me any more sleepy.

I was terrified to get into my room. Just thinking about that room sets off my anxiety even more so. And I’m just so mad at the fact this demon chose to disrespect me in such a manner. Whoever sent me this should honestly be cursed for life and for their next lives for 100 years!! I know I’m not a man, certainly not a woman, but why did this demon come to me?

There were times at night where I wanted to just storm my room and yell and curse the demon out and it would work but it’s just a fantasy. Anytime I even would think about actually doing it, I would get scared - my chest tightened, my vision got fuzzy… I just couldn’t do it.

Lying down didn’t work but it was all I could do. How would I even explain to Chloe that I was up all night like this? It’d worry her - she’s alone sleeping peacefully while I’m not. And I also felt a bit guilty - she really trusted the world, didn’t she? While she made a leap of faith, she made it out okay - she put her faith in a cruel and unforgiving world and it worked out.

But for me… I don’t know. Maybe it’s because of my negativity. Maybe I’m a lot more negative than I thought. Would it be okay to be positive just this once? But I have to be. There’s a demon out to get my lifeforce - I don’t know how much of it that demon took from me already but I’m going to get it back. But would the Shinto priest even listen to our story? Imagine a foreigner and someone like me coming up and asking them to exorcise a freaking body pillow of all things. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get laughed out of the shrine for it but what if they believed us?

I looked around in the state of the apartment from my position - I decided to lie back down until maybe my body would sleep out of pure exhaustion - and for the most part, it looked normal. My room is somewhat normal, even for a NEET like me.

I don’t know. I reposition myself to where I tried to be comfortable. I slept on the floor before and it was uncomfortable then and it’s uncomfortable now. My bones feel heavy. Even lifting something simple as my wrist, the hundreds of pounds weighed on my heart.

I don’t know. I don’t know what time it was anymore. I don’t know how many messages I have on my phone right now. I know my alarm probably annoyed the succubus a lot. I shivered as I tried to close my weighted eyes. Could I even sleep? Was I allowed to sleep? I could feel my breathing start to relax finally. Maybe my body is finally exhausted.

I don’t know. My eyes closed on their own. My body gave up for the time being. I don’t know what time it was. I don’t know what’s going to happen at the shrine. I really hope they help us. I’m at a loss of what to do. I’m not an anime character with amazing powers. The only powers I have is to draw and I don’t believe I could do it even that well.

I don’t know.

I don’t know.

.x.

When I finally woke up, everything was spinning. How long was I sleeping? But then I heard some chanting in my room along with some metal clanging against each other. What did Chloe say? When did she go? She must’ve done it when I was asleep and was courteous to me… My body got up slowly and I felt disoriented. I grabbed the corner of a wall and tried to steady myself without knocking anything, especially myself, down.

I wanted to go there and I eventually made it. I saw the familiar outfits of a Shinto priest and his assistant chanting and moving a stick with metal up and down towards my bed.

I didn’t watch it for too long when I felt someone grab me by the arm. I nearly toppled over and I saw Chloe looking at me with a shushing expression. She even brought up her finger to push her point further. Immediately, I understood why. I nodded and she pulled me away as the priests did what they needed to do.

She explained to me that she woke up a little early and tried her best to explain that the priests believe there is a yokai somewhere in my room and it resided from under my bed. They charged a small fee for her and didn’t make any comments about anything other than that. They just told her not to disturb them when they’re doing the chants.

However, Chloe and I just waited outside the room in silence. We leaned against the wall and ended up sitting next to each other. Still, I felt anxious and I wanted to hide it but she must’ve sensed it. She grabbed my hand and gave it a soft squeeze but even with the priests and her comfort, the only thing that made me feel better was knowing that someone listened to me. I don’t know how she managed to convince them to come over but all I could feel was a wave of the feeling of being grateful to shrouded all over me.

I tightened my grip and she seemed to be okay with it. I held back my tears. I couldn’t cry, not because it was over - it certainly wasn’t - but it was the fact that I was that much closer.

And that I’m not alone. And all I had to do was talk to Chloe. She’s silly and she goofs off a lot but she is serious about being roommates… being friends. I felt silly in my heart for believing I could do this on my own - how would I convince the priests to come over? Would I have to give up my borrowed money to them? How would I explain this to my parents?

“Hey, Mom, Dad! I have a possessed body pillow in my room! Can I borrow some money to invite some Shinto priests over to exorcise it?”

That wouldn’t go over well at all. How would I explain the Shinto priests to Chloe? I would have theoretically done it on a day she’s working but what if she came home early?

The imaginary scenarios gave me more anxiety and I pushed the thoughts out of my head. In the end, she would find out. In the end, the demon, the succubus or whatever, Sakura-chan would try to hurt her somehow someway.

There were so many questions I had if I didn’t tell her… but I don’t regret it. I’m glad I told her and I’m glad she’s helping me but I also feel pathetic for it.

She gave me another reassuring hand squeeze telling me to relax. I didn’t realize how tense I got so I tried my best to relax. I let out a huge sigh and Chloe gave me a playful smirk. I could almost read her mind - she was probably saying, “Don’t worry about it so much! They’re here to help!”

I hope so, Chloe. I hope so.

.x.

Finally, the priests left. We gave them a respectful bow and thanked them. I don’t know how the process worked but I’m assuming we’re going to be billed - unless Chloe gave them money upfront but Chloe has always been one to take care of things behind the scenes. And she was the only one I could trust.

I would have to find some way to pay her back somehow, and hopefully someday.

I tried to sneak in my room, especially since it was still daylight, and found nothing was disturbed. Any snacks I had in my room still waited for me. Any drinks that were stuck and warm and disgusting - I would have to throw it out after this horror. But the only thing I really needed was a fresh set of clothes - and my phone along with my charger. Oh, no, I’m not risking that! I’m not risking my battery life!! I need my phone… I just need that connection to the outside world that was suddenly cut off.

Even though the Shinto priests gave us some spiritual bells, as they called it, to ward off any remaining negative energy, I just needed to make sure it was safe. I placed it in my pocket as I grabbed what I could. I apologized to my still running computer - I could tell there were pop-ups and messages I probably missed from online friends, either wondering where I was or if I was okay.

The bells rang in the room and the stillness of everything unnerved me. Even the dust that got mussed up and roused from me moving inside, it made my chest tight again. My throat was dry and the only thing I could hear, aside from the soft hum of my computer, was my heartbeat going as slow and hard than anything.

Every step, every movement, I got closer to my goal. I watched the body pillow remain still. I could feel Sakura-chan’s eyes watching me with anger and the wrath only a succubus could maintain. I scurried over to go through my drawers and grabbed what I needed in what I thought was quick haste. My heartbeat tightened my chest further and the longer I stayed in my room - the place I’m supposed to feel safe in - the more scared I got.

But finally, I got what I needed, and even some extra clothes just in case, and scrambled as quick as I could. I had purposefully left the door open to make it easier for me to escape but of course, oh, of course, the closer I got to freedom, my door suddenly shut on me. No, no, no, it didn’t shut - it slammed with the unnatural strength that immediately brought Chloe up to my door to knock and attempt to get in. She yelled my name but the more I tried to get closer to my door, the farther it became. She started to get hysterical as my movement became erratic and I pushed myself to the very ends of my limit.

The day was still bright. The room stayed the same. Only my door stretched farther and farther away from me.

And there was nothing I could do about it.

“You really thought you can just invite some priests to my new domain and get rid of me? I-I’m hurt.” No, you’re not!

“J-just let me out!! I’m not a man, you filthy demon! I’m not a man! Please just let me out!” I begged and pleaded. I couldn’t get any more words out as I blubbered it out. Any other words turned into mush as I tried to get closer to my door but the demon just wouldn’t let me. “I’m not a man!! Please just leave!! You’re not welcome here!”

The bells rang out and I could tell it hurt the demon’s ears with every hiss it released.

“I don’t care!! Just let me out!! I swear, I will never bother you again if it means you just leave me and Chloe alone!”

A ring, a hiss. A ring, and a hiss.

And finally, darkness once more.

To Be Continued...