Chapter 34:

*CAITLIN'S POV:

Luna and I fell asleep on my bed last night while watching a movie. She was still out cold when I woke up, so I slipped into the shower until she awakened. Doing simple cleansing tasks would've irritated my wound, so I kept the bandages on. When out, I sighed, realizing I'd have to now tend to the suffocated palm. Unraveling the gauze, I observed the cut and rummaged around the medicine cabinet to find something to clean it with. After wrapping it up again, I closed the cabinet door. Startling myself as I came face-to-face with the reflection in the mirror, I couldn't believe how ill I appeared. The sole idea of me looking this sick made me sick. A throbbing head and a queasy stomach was a great way to start off the day.

"Cait?" Mom called from outside the bathroom door.

"Yeah?" I answered, cracking the door open.

"I'm heading to Aunt Nina's for her birthday. Your father is already there. This is your last chance to tag along."

"I'm really not feeling well." I answered, going back to the cabinet to find ibuprofen for my headache. "I love Aunt Nina to death, but I don't want to be miserable there on her birthday."

She put her hand up to my forehead for a few seconds and nodded her head. "It's not a fever. MeMe will be home in a few minutes and I'm sure Luna and she will help you out a bit."

"Okay, love you."

"Love you, too." she replied, walking back down the hall. I was about to shut the door again, but I heard her shoes stop clicking against the hardwood flooring. "Caitlin?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't do anything irrational. You know exactly what I mean."

"I won't. . ." I squeaked, clutching the side of the door. Her voice was cold and harsh, shooting me through the heart like a bullet. She was obviously upset about yesterday's fiasco. Dad and she had come home and immediately screamed about the obliterated coffee table. Leaving Morgan upstairs, I went down to explain what had happened. Dad went upstairs after obtaining a stress headache while Mom yelled, rambling on about she doesn't want Eddie over here anymore, how that coffee table has been in our family for decades, and how my grandmother could've gotten seriously injured. She had stormed upstairs to "make sure MeMe was even alive."─which she was.

I shook off the memory and walked back to the bedroom. Luna sat up, rubbing her eyes. "God, my eyes are killing me."

"Probably because you stared at screens for the rest of the night. It was worth it, there's no trace of any relationship between you and Jared."

"Yeah, on social media. I still have his stuff at my place and, well, maybe on my fucking heart."

"That's gonna take more time, but I'm sure you'll get over it soon enough." I assured her. "How about we make pancakes?"

"Wow, you suggest pancakes? I don't think I've ever heard you say another breakfast food other than cereal."

"Do you want pancakes or to sit here and make fun of me all day?"

"Why can't I do both?"

"Luna,"

"You love me."

"Yeah, okay." I scoffed, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed and shuffling out of the room. I didn't wait for her to follow, but I headed downstairs to get everything started. As I pulled out a mixing bowl, Luna came from behind and asked where my parents were. I answered with the birthday party and made the comment about how my mom was still angry about yesterday.

"She'll get over it. It could've been a hell of a lot worse." she shrugged, rummaging the cabinets for chocolate chips. "I know Mandy like the back of my hand. Give her some time and space and bam! Everything's better."

"You say that as if I don't know her like the back of my hand. I mean, she is my, ya know, mother." I laughed.

"Yeah, yeah, but we all know I'm her actual daughter. We were just switched at birth."

"Whatever you say." I rolled my eyes, pouring the dry mix into the mixing bowl. "Turn the stovetop on, will you?"

Luna insisted on being the chef as a thank you for the hospitality and care last night. She did the tasks rather quickly and I applauded her effort as I stared at the tv screen. She spun around, tossing two more cakes on the plate from her spatula. "I'm the pancake master."

"Pancake master, huh?" I said sarcastically. "Then why are there black ones in the trash?"

"Fuck you," she spat, picking one from the trashcan and pitching it at me.

"Ow! That's as hard as a rock!"

"It's a pancake! How hard can it get?" she screeched.

"I dunno, why don't you tell me?" I yelled, throwing it back at her.

"Ow!"

"Exactly!"

"I'm not picking that up."

"You touched it last. It's a rule."

"Well I'm a rebel."

"Don't give me that,"

"It doesn't matter anyway. Apollo's already picking it up for me." she smiled, motioning to my husky eating the burnt monstrosity off of the floor.

"Apollo, no!" I shouted, picking up the remains and tossing them. I dropped one of the fresher cakes for him to eat. "Okay, now are we going to eat these or throw them at each other?"

"I would throw this whole plate at you if I wasn't so hungry."

"Rude,"

"Thank ya," she smiled, placing two plates on the table for us.

The pain in my stomach lightened up enough for me to have my appetite back. I picked two pancakes and lathered them with cream cheese and syrup. I have to admit, they were pretty tasty. Our heads turned when we heard the front door open. MeMe trudged through the door and let her bag fall from her shoulder. She sighed heavily before looking up and seeing the two of us. Hello, girls, she greeted.

"Hi," we said simultaneously.

"I see you made breakfast─well, brunch. It is the afternoon." she said, instinctively grabbing my hand and observing the bandages.

"I cleaned it already."

"Good,"

"How are you feeling?" I asked sheepishly.

"I've been better." she answered, grabbing a plate for herself. "May I?"

"Of course!" Luna exclaimed, sliding everything towards my gramma. "Help yourself."

She needed, "Thank you."

"Okay, so, I don't want to sound pushy or ignorant or impatient or rude or inconsiderate─"

"Get to the point, Caitlin. I'm not getting any younger to hear that many adjectives." MeMe stared, waiting for the actual question.

"Did you find anything out? You said you were going to your friend's house today to get information from them and I want to know if you came up with anything."

Her silence and lack of eye-contact was nerve-racking. She swirled the pancake piece she had on the end of her fork around the pools of syrup on her plate, pursing her lips.

"MeMe," I said sternly, gripping the counter.

"Nothing."

"Nothing? There's nothing we can do? Nothing!"

"I tried. We tried. We really did, but we just couldn't think or find anything. I'm sorry."

I shook my head and laughed. "It's okay. It's definitely okay. We still have time. We'll figure everything out in a jiffy─"

"Caitlin─"

"We'll figure it out." I said firmly, clenching my jaw.

MeMe nodded her head and finished her meal. She tapped my hand before heading around the corner. Luna stared at me before she started cleaning up in the kitchen. I must've zoned out because she was nudging me to listen to her.

"What? I'm sorry." I apologized.

"You're out of paper towels." she commented, "Where do you keep the extra rolls?"

"I'll get them. We have a new pack in the closet." I answered, stepping down from the stool and making my way to the supply closet. Apollo started barking from the living room, increasing the intensity of my reappearing headache. I tried to ignore it, but as I struggled to locate the paper towels, it became more of a distraction. Apollo, stop barking, I screamed, finally brushing a hand against the package.

Luna then shouted from the kitchen, "Caitlin!"

What, I asked, tearing open the package as I walked back to the front area. Everything slipped from my hands as I saw what the commotion was all about. Yelling, I pointed at the door. "No, no! Get out! You get out right now!"

"Cait pl-please, I- I'm sorry. I didn't─I couldn't─he was─"

"Whoever you are, just leave. I don't care if you're Eddie or Noken. I'm not falling for your shit again! You can't show up randomly after what you did yesterday!"

"I didn't mean to hurt anyone! It wasn't me! It was him! It was all him!" he pleaded.

"Eddie, or whomever you are, Caitlin doesn't want you here and you should respect that." Luna added, slowly making her way over to me.

"I'm so sorry." he cried, holding his hands out.

"Eddie, if that is you, you will turn around and leave. If you really love me, you'll leave. I can't do this right now, please." I begged, tears forming. It looked like him; he was standing awkwardly and shaking like he normally did when upset. I ached to find comfort in his embrace, every ounce of my strength being used to hold back. I knew I couldn't do that though, I had to stand my ground.

"I do, I do love you─but I won't leave. How can I leave knowing I've done you wrong? I- I hurt you yesterday and I want to apologize! I can't sit at home knowing that─that, y-you, your hand is hurt!"

"I know that Eddie would never hurt me or my family." I said, "I forgive Eddie. It's okay, it's not your fault."

"Stop, stop! Don't address me like I'm a third person. It's me, it's really me. I swear to fucking god it's me, Caitlin Kidd You have to believe me! If you loved me you would believe me!" he sobbed.

"No, don't you dare start turning this on me! You know why I can't trust you! I do love you, if you are Eddie. I've loved him for so many fucking years and I will never stop loving him, not even if one of our hearts stop beating!"

"Both of you stop it! Stop it right now! I will not stand here and watch you two attack each other!" Luna screamed, standing between us.

"What on earth is going on in here?" MeMe shouted, emerging from around the corner. Her eyes darkened and her skin was flushed as she saw the boy standing at the door. "You. Get out."

"I'm not leaving until I know Cait believes me." he said, gritting his teeth.

"She already gave you all of her trust yesterday. You get nothing today. Leave before I shoot you and end all of this." MeMe threatened.

My heart stopped and my eyes squeezed, tears pouring from my eyes. I stayed silent.

"Caitlin? I thought you said you would find another way? Please, please, no, don't let her shoot me. Please, I- I don't want to die! I want to live the rest of my life with you, please! Please, baby, please! Just believe me! Believe me, dammit! It's me! It's Eddie!" he bawled, tugging at his hair.

Luna grabbed my arm and leaned into me. "Do you think it's him? I don't know what signs to look for and I want you safe."

"I can't tell. I don't know, Luna, I don't. If I give in, he'll hurt us. I'm willing to get hurt again, but I know how much my grandmother can take and I certainly won't let anything happen to you." I cried, not taking my eyes off of the emotional wreck of a being. My phone buzzed in my hand as I was talking. One new text message.

Eddie: I'm so fucking sorryabout yesterday again. I feeldifferent, in a good way, andI want to share it with you.I want to apologize. I'm comingover, but if you don't want me to,that's okay and I respect that. But ifyou don't answer this, I'm goingto go. I love you.

How could he have just texted me? He's right in front of me. Bad connection?

"Please, Cait. Look into my eyes, touch my hands, feel my warmth, listen to my heart, anything!" he pleaded, walking towards me.

Luna stood her ground in front of me, but he stared right through her and gazed at me. I stood frozen, glaring into his glazed eyes; they had that same damn sparkle. I nudged Luna's arm, signaling for her to move out of the way. She was hesitant but stepped back. Gently reaching for my hand, he eased closer.

"Caitlin, don't." MeMe yelled, charging towards us.

"Stop," I said, glaring at her.

"Please believe that it's me. Let me kiss you. Let me make you feel like I've always made you feel. Let me show you it's the boy you're in love with." he whispered, lightly brushing his fingers against my cheek.

Staring at his flushed face, red nose, glossy eyes, and quivering lips, in that moment I believed him. My lips parted slightly as I gave in to his vulnerability.

"Caitlin!" MeMe screamed.

Just as our lips were about to touch, I heard the front door open again.

"What the fuck!"

My eyes widened and my stomach twisted. That sounds like. . .

"Oh my god. . ." Luna gasped.

"Lord have mercy. . ." MeMe added, holding her heart.

Looking over his shoulder, there stood a duplicate─another Eddie. He was at the door, but he was also in front of me, inches away from my face. A quickening heartbeat burdened my chest and air wasn't flowing through my lungs. What's going on? This is impossible. There cannot be physically be two Eddies. Frantically looking back and forth between the two, I then gazed up at the eyes in front of me. His smile turned crooked and his eyes blackened. I shoved the figure away.

"You couldn't wait one more minute, could you?" Noken said to the boy at the door.

Eddie remained frozen like the rest of us. MeMe grabbed my arm and pulled me behind her. I shouted at Luna to either go in the kitchen or come closer to me.

"How?" Eddie croaked, looking the body snatcher from head to toe and holding his own chest.

"How what? How did I become a duplicate of you? Well, I was getting awfully tired of your complaining. "Give me back my body," yadda yadda yadda. It was so aggravating. So I simply molded myself into your body, creating the perfect human form. I'm technically not possessing you anymore─what's the issue?"

"What's the issue? What's the fucking issue? The issue is you stole my body!" Eddie screamed, slamming the door behind him.

"I didn't steal your body. I stole its appearance, a host if you will. It must fit well, because I had my jewel melting in the palms of my hands. Isn't that right, my dear? I must applaud my acting skills. I almost had you."

"MeMe, what do we do?" I asked, clutching her shirt.

"I-I don't know." she said, looking dumbfounded. "I've never seen this happen before."

"You all look absolutely shocked. Have you never experienced something like this? Hm? I know our dear Annabelle never got to see something as brilliant as this. I think it's genius, no?" Noken asked, leaning against the wall.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, "Why did you come?"

"Why did I come? I came here for two reasons: one─to practice my acting, and two─to take you away, my darling. It's as simple as that."

"Take her away? Over my dead body!" Eddie boasted, jotting over to where we were standing.

"That can be arranged." Noken smirked, crossing his arms. "God, looking healthy is exhausting. Excuse me for a second."

We watched as the color from his skin faded into an even paler color. Black and red circles surfaced around his eyes and his lips cracked. He looked like he just clawed himself out of a grave. "Ah, much better. It suits me more, don't you think?"

"Get out of here!" Eddie yelled, holding my hand.

"I'll get out of here when I finally have what I want. I'm getting a little impatient. We don't want things to get ugly."

"I'm not a possession. You will never own me."

"Oh, but you are mine whether you like it or not." he said firmly.

"You can't touch her. Not with us here." Eddie stated, tilting his head.

"Now you see, Eddie, I'm not physically in your body anymore. There aren't limitations to my abilities. Powers are exercised to their full potential now. You mere humans are no match for the forces of hell."

I squeezed Eddie's arm and looked up at him with a worried expression. He glanced down at me, giving me a reassuring nod.

"Don't believe me? Let's try it out." he chirped, clapping his hands together. I braced myself for any type of pain about to be felt but nothing came. Instead, two horrified screams escaped the mouths of my best friend and my grandmother.

"I can't see! Everything's black! I can't see anything!" Luna cried, clawing at her eyes.

"He took our sight! That demon took my sight!" MeMe yelled, feeling around.

"What? No, no, stop it! Give them their sight back! Please!" I begged, abandoning Eddie to run over to a frightened Luna.

"Cait, I- I can't see. What's happening? Make it stop." she sobbed, clinging to my shoulders. Seeing her in distress upset me even more.

"Now that we have those two out of the way, it's time to take care of you two."

"Eddie─"

"I'm not letting anything happen to you. I promise." he confirmed, approaching me and holding my waist.

"Ah, ah, ah. It's a shame to make promises you can't keep." he chuckled, snapping his fingers.

Again, no pain was felt, but as he walked towards us, I couldn't move away. I had no control over any part of my body except my eyes and mouth. Frozen, all I could do was scream, "I can't move. Eddie, I can't move."

"I can't move either." Eddie hissed.

"That's kind of the point? It makes this much easier for me. Taking your appearance last night really cost me a lot of energy. Sometimes I need a break, you know? Anyways, I'll take my gem and be off."

"No, no, no!" I screeched, "Get away from me!"

Eddie yelled, "Get away form her!"

"Cait!" Luna cried, trudging over to us.

"Ah, ah─no interfering." he said, twirling his finger around. Luna spun and walked in the other direction.

"Leave them alone!" I boasted.

"I'm capable of doing far worse. You do realize that?"

"Please, just stop."

"Everything will clear up in a mere fifteen minutes. Except for yours, Caitlin. I can't have you escaping from me." he explained, brushing hair off my shoulder. His finger brushed against the chain of my promise ring necklace. "What's this? After all this time you still have this─this trash? A piece of metal with no value? That claims to hold promises which cannot be kept? How pathetic! What has he promised you, my dear? That he'll always love you? That he'll never hurt you? He surely kept that promise, hasn't he?"

"He's never the one hurting me. You are."

"He started all of this. He opened that door. He set me free." he smiled, ripping the chain from my neck and throwing it to the floor. "Now if you'll excuse me, we have some business to take care of."

Noken threw me over his shoulder like a rag doll. Nothing could be done. Defending myself wasn't an option with an incapability of moving. All I could do was plead for help.

"Caitlin! Put her down!" Eddie bellowed. "We'll find you, Caitlin! We'll come get you!"

"You'll regret this, you bastard! You're going to wish you never came back!" MeMe yelled, putting her hand on Eddie for support.

"Goodbye, everyone! See you in hell." he laughed, shutting the door behind him. I tried screaming for a neighbor or passerby to hear my pleads, but my voice was taken as well. "You know I can't have you ruining everything with that big mouth of yours."

He walked over to Eddie's jeep and I was tossed to the backseat. Starting the ignition with the keys he must've stolen, he pulled out of the driveway.

"Don't get too comfortable back there. It won't be long."....................................................A/N: Hellooo!! How's everyone doing? Thoughts on the chapter? A lot happened. . . I mean, TWO Eddies?!

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