“I want to play! Let me out, let me out! I want to play!” The Voice screamed into my head.

“No, you are not coming out to play, today or any other day. I am not letting you out, no matter how much you yell or hurt me. Not this time,” I said in a commanding voice. I was feeling more confident since Kevin’s friend was here. I don’t know why, but it seemed like The Voice was mad but couldn’t fully control me.

“Is it trying to take over, or is it just talking?” the man asked.

“It is just talking; it seems more like a whining child’s voice than that imposing evil one I usually hear,” I responded to him.

“Well, Gabriel, I would like you to meet my friend and employee, Caitlin. Cat, this is Gabriel. He is the one I have been beginning to talk to you about. Right now, I feel like that was a mistake,” he mumbled annoyed.

I saw Gabriel look at him with a smile and hug him. He seemed to genuinely care about Kevin. I wonder if he was gay. Then he turned to look at me and gave me a smirk and a wink, and my knees went weak. Well, I guess I might find out. In a way, I was hoping I would find out soon. For some reason, this man made my insides all jelly and tingling, which I have not felt in a long time!

“I am not gay, and maybe; it depends,” he said while looking at me, making me feel so lustful.

“Ah, I didn’t know you could read my mind,” I mumbled, ashamed but intrigued on how he could do that. I guess I better watch my thoughts. I do not want him to read something that I truly did not want him to know.

“I can show you how to block me, but right now let’s just keep it this way,” he said, smirking at me with a twinkle in his eyes.

“Great, you can read her mind. Well, now I really feel like I should have kept my mouth shut,” Kevin said. “I’m going to make something to eat. If you both want anything, make it yourself,” he said offhandedly while walking to the kitchen.

“Okay,” we both answered in unison. Still staring at each other, somehow it started to get hot in here.

My mouth was dry, I couldn’t say anything, just kept staring into his eyes. I felt like I was in my own little world and wanted to stay there forever. He started walking towards me. I could appreciate those well-developed muscles. He was taller than Kevin, and damn, his jet-black hair and bronzed skin just radiated sexiness. I loved those thick lips and dark, almond-shaped eyes that I could stare at for all eternity.

“Really?” he smiled and stopped right in front of me. I could smell him, and I just felt my body quivering in arousal. I just couldn’t stop staring into those eyes, wanting to drink from his lips…

“Um… yeah… I…” I stumbled over my words, my mind becoming a block of mush as he came even closer to me. Bending down to my eye level, I stopped breathing. Looking into my eyes, I felt transfixed in time, not being able to breathe, not knowing what was going to happen. Only knowing that I loved the feelings my body was getting, and I wanted it to continue.

“It is genuinely nice to meet you, Catlin. That is an incredibly beautiful name, you know. Voice

, you stay out of her mind and lock yourself into your hole,” he commanded. He sat down close to me, and I was a bit disappointed. Not as much, though, because our legs grazed together.

“So… Catlin, when did you first hear The Voice?” he asked me. His stare intensified, and instead of arousal, I felt a deep fear, and I knew that somehow this guy was someone I needed to be really careful with.

With the magic broken, I knew we needed to get down to business. “As far as I can remember, I have always had this voice. I think it started when I was about ten,” I said softly. “I first thought it was like an imaginary friend, or you know how sometimes you just talk to yourself. But then it started talking about doing all these killings, and slowly it seemed like I actually wanted to do it. I started to get scared.”

“Did you tell anyone?” he asked.

“Anyone want a sandwich? Once I put things away, you have to make your own!” We heard Kevin from the kitchen. When we didn’t respond, we heard things being slammed. I guess he was mad, but I cannot remember why, and in a way, I did not care. I was only interested in telling my story to this stranger I just met…

“Well, at first, I would have images coming to me about a weird planet and how I was a hero, I suppose. Or some type of hero. Then slowly, those images started to become dark. It started to show me not only fighting but being captured and tortured. I hated it, I felt everything that was being done. At that point, I didn’t know if I was really there or if it was just my imagination.”

I shivered, remembering all that torture, and I closed my eyes, willing it to stop. Once I knew I was back in control, I continued my story. I noticed that Gabriel was holding my hand, and with his thumb, he was slowly moving it across my palm reassuringly. That action alone calmed me.

“I never told anyone, thinking that they would just say that I’m crazy and send me to some nut house. So, I kept everything to myself. As I grew, the imagery became more detailed, and I started imagining people of the times I was living.”

“What do you mean?” he asked softly.

“I’m serious…” Kevin started to say, walking in from the kitchen. Seeing us, he just sat on his chair and waited until I started talking again.

“Sometimes at school, I would imagine kicking this girl’s ass. She was always mean to me, so I imagined taking her to the bathroom and just kicking and punching her. But then… I started to hear a voice. It started telling me that I could play with her. I could make her suffer for days,” I fell silent because I started to see the image that The Voice showed me that time.

“It’s okay if you want to stop. I know it is hard, and the images come back. Slowly, you will be able to handle it, but in the beginning, it is hard,” Gabriel said. “Why don’t I make us some sandwiches, watch a movie, and we can continue the conversation later?” Without waiting for a reply, he got up and headed into the kitchen.

“You know, I can see you making googly eyes at him. I guess you like him?” Kevin asked me a bit exasperated. I looked at him, and for the first time, I could really see him. His eyes were light brown, and he had a handsome, chiseled face. He was taller than me but not like his friend. He had a nice brown haircut, military style

, even though he has never served. But his athletic build just was not a match for Gabriel’s sculpted body. Looking at him, I realized that I would always think of him as a brother, never anything more.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Kev. I don’t make any type of eyes at him; I barely know him,” I replied hurriedly. I looked nervously towards the kitchen, hoping that Gabriel does not hear that we are talking about him. “By the way, you were the one who said I should meet him. You said he could help me. Now it seems that you don’t want him here?” I said a bit defensively. Crossing my arms, I looked at him and stuck my tongue out at him.

“You’re right, I did say you should talk to him. He can help. I just was not counting on you being girly around him. I mean, what does he have that I don’t?” He said while stuffing the sandwich into his mouth. Seeing tomato juice and some onions falling out, I just smiled at him.

“You are an amazing friend, Kevin, and I’m really sorry that you want me to make those googly eyes at you, but I can’t. I cannot explain what it is about him that, yes, I am attracted to him. At the same time, in a way, it scares me because I have never felt this way towards anyone my entire life,” I whispered to him. “Also, there is something in his eyes. I feel like he almost commands me.”

“Well, all I know is that since that night you both saw each other, he has been asking me about you. He says that you have something that is pulling him towards you, and he doesn’t understand it himself,” Kevin said. “He did tell me that at one time he heard voices as well, but I don’t think that he described it like you have.”

“Are you sure then that I should be talking to him? I mean, what about if this is The Voice trying to trick me?” I asked nervously.

“I guess we will find out. I will not leave you by yourself, Catlin. I promise that I will always be by your side,” he spoke. Finishing off his sandwich, he came and sat beside me, hugging me. He looked into my eyes, and I could see that he wanted to kiss me. I felt disgusted. I saw him more as a brother than anything else. How can I tell him that without hurting him?

“Here you go, Catlin. I hope you like a simple sandwich. I forgot to ask you how you like it made,” Gabriel said while handing me a plate with a sandwich that looked like it should be in a restaurant instead of here. “I hope you like it.” He gave me a small smile and sat where Kevin had been sitting. He didn’t even look at Kevin or seem to be annoyed that Kevin was beside me. In a way, that annoyed and irritated me. I looked at him dumbfounded, and he just stared at me with that smile and started eating his sandwich.

“So, what will we do after eating?” Kevin said.

We all just looked at each other and replied at once, “Don’t know.”

“Well, that was a shitty movie,” Kevin said, grabbing his beer and taking a sip. We all were sitting on the sofa sipping on our beers and relaxing, trying not to talk about the elephant in the room. I knew eventually we would have to keep talking about it. I was just relieved that The Voice had kept quiet for this long.

“Hey, how about we go for a walk?” Kevin suggested.

“No,” Gabriel and I said in unison.

“Okay

, so what do you guys want to do?” Kevin replied.

“I think maybe we should keep watching another movie,” I said. I found a cheesy one and put it on before either of them could say no. I felt Gabriel watching me, and my butterflies came back. It seemed like he wanted to talk, but at the same time, he just sat there staring at me.

Kevin sat in between us, so there was no chance of us being close again. I can say that I missed feeling his body close to mine and that baby powder smell. In a way, I was happy because I didn’t really understand my feelings. How could I have any type of feelings for someone I barely knew?

Well, hello, boys! I have been looking forward to this for some time now,” The Voice said, cackling. “So, how are we going to do this? I know I promised Gabriel to suck his eyes out. Kevin, I think I will just go nice and slow on you. I know you care so much about Caitlin; do not worry, I will be merciful. I will numb you for a while. After that, the shock will take over, and you really will not feel a thing.”

Kevin and Gabriel just sat there, looking at the body of Caitlin, but knowing that the Voice had taken over her. They knew that somehow, they had to make sure this evil monster inside Caitlin’s mind would not go outside and kill an innocent.

“You aren’t going to do anything,” came Gabriel’s commanding voice, while he grabbed Kevin and moved him from The Voice’s grasp. “You will sit there and not harm anyone.”

“Really? You feel so cocky, Gabriel. Please tell me. Who do you think you are? What makes you think I will listen to you? See, you are just human garbage; you are my toy to do with whatever I please. I do not have to listen to you or to Kevin. If I so choose, I could snap your necks right now, and you both would not have a clue what happened.”

“No, that’s what you think, Voice. See, I know exactly how you are. You can be killed; you can be taken out of Caitlin’s mind. See, you truly do not know what I am or what I am capable of. I can and will command you!” Gabriel threatened. Kevin just stood in shock, not knowing what to do. All he knew is that somehow, he was supposed to help Gabriel keep this Voice in check.

“You know, Voice, I don’t believe you will do anything to us. You know if you hurt us, Caitlin will destroy you or destroy herself in the process. She will never allow you to keep hurting innocent people,” Kevin said bravely. Sweat dripping off his forehead, not knowing if he had counted minutes, just knowing he wanted to help.

“Could you please SHUT UP!” The Voice and Gabriel shouted in unison. They both looked at each other, and the Voice smiled at Gabriel. The Voice leaned into Gabriel, smelled him, and slowly flicked his tongue, tasting a bit of his flesh.

“Um… why do you taste so tantalizing…? You do know me, but how? Tell me how, so I can enjoy you more. I will do you last. Would you like me to bite you? I would love to taste your fear,” chuckling softly, Gabriel went ahead and licked Caitlin’s cheek. He slowly took pressure off her neck so she could breathe and then tightened it a little bit, while looking at her dark brown eyes pooled in fear and lust… he stared at her while moving slowly and gently nibbled on her bottom lip.

“What are you doing? Are you

nuts? Let her go, you’re going to kill her!” Kevin started to grab Gabriel’s arm to get him to let Caitlin go. “Gabriel, please, you’re going to kill her. Please stop,” he pleaded with him.

Gabriel slowly turned and looked at Kevin, “Do you mind, human? Gabriel is not here right now. I am her mate; I am having a moment with my mate! You might be in love with her, but she does not belong to you! She belongs to me!” Gabriel whispered angrily.

Taken aback, Kevin looked at him in fear, not knowing what to do but somehow knowing he was not in danger with him. He sat down in front of Gabriel, looking hopelessly at Caitlin. “Just don’t hurt her, please. I love her; she doesn’t even know it. Please,” he implored him.

“We won’t hurt her. You are a good friend, Kevin. Not only did you help Gabriel when he needed it, but you have also kept her safe. We have been looking for her for such a long time.”

“Is that Voice part of your mate too? Or is the mate the Voice, and it happens to be inside of Cat?” he asked.

“She is our destined mate; The Voice is part of her. One cannot live without the other. Her lineage goes far back to our existence. Once, we were the leaders of our planet. We lived in peace with all creatures. Then we got cursed…” Gabriel had a wistful face recounting their story.

Caitlin started to murmur, and both Kevin and Gabriel turned to stare at her.

“You are not my mate! I do not have one; I am the one and only to exist! What are you talking about, human?” The Voice murmured questioningly.

“You may not remember, but you will. In time, now let Caitlin go and go back to the hole you need to be in. I want to talk to her,” Gabriel commanded The Voice.

Slowly, Caitlin’s body started relaxing, and Gabriel slowly laid her down. He motioned for Kevin to follow him. With one last look at Caitlin, Kevin followed him into the kitchen.

“So, if you are the same thing as Caitlin, how did you guys come to Earth?” Kevin asked.

“Haha!” Gabriel laughed hard. “No, Kevin, we have always been part of Earth. This is our planet; we have always been here. What I mean is that before kings and queens were established, we ruled all. Then came a curse or change, and everyone just scattered.” Gabriel said. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to make something to eat.”

“So, you have always been here, but at the same time, somehow you got scattered? I just don’t understand,” Kevin told him. “How can anything coexist in a human’s head but then at the same time live and think differently?”

“It is a lot to process, and I will explain. Right now, we need to get Caitlin to a safe place for her to regain control. This Voice has a taste for blood, and we need to train Caitlin to control those feelings. In the end, even though she is not a willing participant, there is a part of her that is enjoying the killings,” Gabriel sighed, a look of excitement when he found the pasta.