If I Chose You Instead

Delilah's eyes got wide when she looked at the board. "You have one? But that means… you see them too."

"Yes…" I responded. "I can see many of them, but only like to talk to… certain spirits."

She looked up at me. "Which spirits, Baekla?"

My skin felt clammy. I have never explained this to anyone. I've never even met someone who was like me. Suddenly a thought came to mind. Did Shawn pick this girl because he knew that I could see?

"Stay here," I said to Delilah. She nodded and started using the wooden board. It's proper name is the Erebos Board. That's Greek for darkness. The Erebos Board was made in the darkest of times, hence the name. Many people have forgotten of this ancient artifact because not many people had written it down. But if you were lucky, you were born in a family with a great-great-great-great-great grandma or grandpa that had used one. Either that or you were really unlucky with this fortune.

I stormed downstairs into the kitchen, looking for Shawn.

"Are you looking for me, my kitten?"

I turned my head around to see Shawn standing by the wall. I walked up to him, trying to look more confident than I felt.

"You knew? How?" I yelled at him. "Having you been stalking me these past years?!"

He held a finger to my lips, shushing me. "What's troubling you, Baekla?"

I shoved his hand away from me. "You bastard. You know what I'm talking about. You knew I could see! But how?"

Shawn smirked a little. "I didn't know you could see. Not till now anyways." He made a little cl.i.c.k.i.n.g sound with his tongue. "Also," he said circling me. "What made you think that I would even know that you could see your precious spirits?"

I glared at him, turning away. I tried to rush back upstairs but I felt my arm get grapped harshly. I looked back at him, a look of annoyance shown clearly on my face. He had this look on his face. It looked as if he was… curious?

Shawn pulled me to the couch, making me sit down. He sat next to me and let go of my arm.

"Listen, I'm sorry… I know you don't like this. But I need you in my life Baekla." He looked up at me, a look of pleading on his face. To my surprise, his eyes were glistening with tears. "I wish I could let you go, but I can't. I don't want to see you end up with a stuck up guy who abuses you."

"Yeah, but you r.a.p.ed me."

"A choice I regretted my whole life," he said, quietly.

Where did this sudden personality change come from? Is he just lying to me to make me trust him?

"Tell me about it. What's it like to you know… see?" he asked me.

"Why would I tell you?"

Shawn looked at me intensely. "Please. Just trust me."

I let out a small sigh. "Fine. I'll tell you about it. It all starts with my mom."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

I looked at my mom. Why couldn't I obtain any of her beautiful features? Why do my eyes have to be dark brown when hers are gray? I just had to get stuck with my dad's features. God, I hated him. It's because of him that Mom is dead.