Possess by J.A. Howell Read Free Book Online Page A

rounded the corner, filling me with relief my long trek was nearly over. Once inside my apartment I dumped the contents of my art store shopping bag onto the kitchen table, discarding the other two bags on a chair. My fingers itched to use every shade of paint and play with my new brushes. In fact, it sounded like the perfect ending to my night.
    I pulled open the fridge and poured myself a tall glass of iced tea. I couldn't leave everything in the south. Sweet iced tea was one addiction I brought with me.
    I turned toward the kitchen window, peering out at the city as the sky darkened and the street lights flickered on. As an artist, you never know when inspiration will strike. Sometimes it comes from something life-altering, other times it will just be a nice view from your kitchen window.  I smiled, satisfied with my first subject. After all, this city was my salvation, my escape from my former life. Why not capture it on canvas?
    I grabbed my new art supplies then pulled myself onto the counter and propped the canvas against my thighs as I sketched the outlines of the city. The more my hands moved over the canvas, the happier I felt. I stayed in that spot for hours as the picture grew, layer upon layer, from a simple sketch to a colorful city of grays, pinks, oranges, and purples. After a while, it felt as though I wasn’t even in control anymore. My inner muse had grabbed hold of the brush as it swirled splotches of paint into street corners and traffic lights. By the time I finally finished, I realized just how late it was. The clock read a quarter past one in the morning. I didn't need to be up early, but the exhaustion from a busy day about town was finally setting in. My legs ached once again, as did my back from sitting on my kitchen counter hunched over the canvas all night. I carefully placed the painting on the counter then slid down to the floor.
    No need to make tea tonight , I thought as a yawn passed my lips. I was ready to fall asleep. If it weren’t for the paint on my hands, I would have made a bee line straight to the bedroom. I pushed the bathroom door open with my elbow and managed to turn the faucet on in a similar fashion. The acrylic paint washed off easily with soap and gentle scrubbing. I smiled at the sight of paint on my hands once again. Tonight had been a good night. I picked up my toothbrush and dipped the bristles under the flowing stream before squeezing toothpaste over them. Another yawn escaped as I brought my gaze up to the mirror to find myself staring at a pair of green eyes.
     “Shit!” I squeezed my eyes shut. Not real. My heart thudded heavily in my chest as my hands gripped the edge of the sink.
    You're just tired Harley, everything is fine, nothing is there. It’s just you.
    I tried to coax my heartbeat back to a normal rhythm. Slowly my breathing calmed and I chanced opening one eye just in time to see an odd ripple move across the bathroom mirror as my eyes returned to their normal deep blue color.
    No, it’s just in your head Harley. I sucked in a deep breath as I stared down my own reflection-- blue eyes, light bronze skin, wavy black hair.
    It’s just me here. Just me.
    Gradually, I regained composure, though I no longer felt as ready for sleep as I had earlier. I quickly brushed my teeth and hurried out of the bathroom, making sure to avoid the mirror as I exited. Pulling back the comforter on my bed, I wasted no time burrowing underneath the sheets. I refused to look at the mirror in my bedroom. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone might be watching me from the other side. But that was impossible, right?

     “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
    The familiar sound of dishes being dunked under a running faucet as they clinked together pulled me from my bed once more. This has to be a dream. With a heavy sigh, I slowly rolled out of the comfort of my bed. My feet dragged beneath me as I rounded the corner and walked into the living room. There she stood. Same