Creature Inside Me

Is Dave Changing?

"Another day to sleep with an empty stomach." The man muttered.

"All thanks to me." Dave muttered guiltily.

"Us." The man corrected. "I forgot to buy food ingredients. So it's all my fault."

Dave chuckled, bade the man goodnight and returned to his room. That night, his sleep was terribly interrupted by the voice of someone who seemed to be in a hurry to introduce himself. But when he woke up, the voice was gone and he was beginning to think the problem came from his subconsciousness.

When the man saw his son dressed and ready to return to work, he smiled happily. But that smile faded when he saw the scowl on Dave's face.

"What's wrong, son?"

"I feel someone's trying talk to me." Dave complained, taking a seat at the dining table.

He caught sight of the laid out pizza and tea on the table and glanced up at the man in surprise.

"I was starving so much this morning. Had to go get something to eat. Thankfully, I recalled to get for you too." The man explained.

Listening to he man's explanation, the man who always behaved serious, smiled cheekily. "Thanks so much, dad."

He was done in a jiffy as he was almost late then got into his car and drove out of the house.

When he got to the station, he met Davina with her head to her tabla and others sneaking glances at her.

"I really do pity her! I mean, what if the perpetrator of these deaths comes after her!"

"The main reason why I haven't gone close to the case before. Stuffs like this happen a lot in horror movies and it sure doesn't end well."

"Y'all feeling pity for someone who talked down on her superiors?! On the other hand, I think she deserves it."

Hearing their side comments, Dave hastened his steps and walked closer to her. Then he lowered his head and whispered into her ears. "Davina, are you alright?"

"Yeah." The lady replied, lifting her head. She glanced at the man who had a worried expression with surprise.

Guessing he had overreacted, he removed his hand and asked quietly. "Did anything happen?"

Davina shoved some paper into his hands. At the sight of the papers, he had a headache. When he read its content, the headache intensified.

"Another family of four got killed?! Who the heck is this meniac!" He yelled out in frustration not caring less as the others stared at him inquisitively.

"That shouldn't be the question. Instead of trying to track the killer, I think it'd be safer to know why he's only killing families of four who have a male and female as children." Davina said.

"Don't you get it?" The man huffed, throwing the stack of papers towards her. "I don't want to guess! I want out of this investigation!"

"Too bad. Your career is at stake here. Think twice."

The man resisted the urge to lie on the ground dejectedly. He walked over to his table and grabbed his chair, then pushed it towards her and dramatically fainted on it.

"If that's real, I may be liberated." She said, causing the man's eyes to fly open.

"Liberated? Should I remind you that you are the reason I'm in this situation?!" The man huffed.

"It's not my fault if they are stupid people and weak people. If only I had someone with the same mind as me, I wouldn't have a problem dealing with this case." she shot back.

Dave sat up on his chair and glared at her. "Who are you calling weak?"

Davina stared at him from her side eye. "Everyone's been talking about it. Why do you look like you want to eat me up now that I've said it?"

Dave glanced around and received pitiful looks from others. Davina did not know why, but when she came to work in the morning, there was a video circulating in which Jonas beat up Dave from a terrible state.

Dave lowered his eyes in order for her not to see the pain in it. "Do you have any idea who posted it?"

"Isabella White." Davina replied curtly, then looked up at him. "She doesn't seem to like you."

"Yeah." Dave replied and got up. He walked towards the first floor. Davina shrugged, picked up her own and began jotting down something.

Dave on the other hand, stormed up to the first floor where he instantly saw Isabella. With bloodshot eyes, he folded his hand into a fist and ran towards her.

Unfortunately for Dave, Jonas, who had seen him, rushed up to him and kicked him in the abdomen.

The sound of him crashing to a desk, attracted the attention of the others. Isabella turned around.

It didn't occur to her that Dave would want to hurt her so when she saw Jonas staring blankly at Dave, she assumed the latter had come to fight him.

"Dave! Have you suddenly lost your damn mind!" She yelled out angrily.

Although severely hurt, the man got up and glared angrily at her. Taken aback, the lady thought. 'Why are you staring at me? Your problem is with Jonas?'

It really never occurred to her that the man who never cared about such things in the past, would get so worked up about it now.

"I have a very important question for you, Isabella White." The man growled. It came out a little animalistic that the others couldn't help casting another glance at him.

Isabella stared at him and shuddered. Where did the weakling she used to know go?

"I ask again, have you suddenly lost your damn mind?" She replied instead.

Seeing her, all Dave thought was to launch herself at him and tear her into shreds.

"You posted something on the forum, why?" The man asked.

"Forum?" Isabella asked in confusion. Then she recalled she had posted a video with him being beat up by Jonas. But even if he was angry, why would he channel his anger on her? She wasn't the one who beat him up!

"I found it hilarious and I thought it'd be nice to also make others laugh." The girl replied.

Dave tilted his head to a side, the heat of his hate intensifying. Isabella could swear the look on his face was extremely frightening.

Jonas also noticed something was wrong and stepped forward. "If that's what you're upset about, I'll Isabella remove it and all these would. Is that okay?"

"Just like that? I won't let you guys sweep me under the carpet again! And besides, you just hit me just now."

Jonas frowned, refusing to believe the guy in front of him was Dave. The man who'd always shiver in his presence was now talking back at him?

"Hold on, what is happening?"

"Did Jonas just agree to do something that'd favor Dave?!"

"Does anyone see any pig flying? Cos I just did."

"What's Dave trying to do?"

"Probably trying to be a hero."

"I hear heros often die a tragic death, is that true?"

"It is."

"Dave, are you crazy?!" Isabella asked angrily.

Dave cast her a glance and shunned. "This is between me and him. Stay away."

Everywhere instantly became quiet. It was one thing to disrespect a senior and it was another to shun them rudely, but when one does it together, the outcome sure wouldn't be nice.

"That's enough, Dave!"

"Jonas, let's have a duel!"

"You're doing no such thing." A calm voice came from behind Dave.

For a reason Dave did not know, he became calm hearing Davina's voice.

Davina walked up to him and accused. "This is where you are while I'm busy trying to think of how to solve this burdensome case so we can both be free!"

"I-" Dave was suddenly at a loss. His change in demeanor baffled the rest. Wasn't he the one raking just now? How did the man who was Ice just a second ago, suddenly melt?

"Is this a conspiracy between you two to make your way here?" Isabella suddenly asked.

Dave was about to reply when Davina snorted. "No one said we can't come here? Or did the rule say so?"

Every assuming thought returned to its original place.

Davina extended her hand and clutched onto Dave's hand. "Let's go. We have a lot of things to do."

Together, they walked towards the elevator. Just as Dave was about pushing a button for it to slide open, Isabella called out. "Let's have it in the next two days."

"I presume you know what a duel is?" Davina asked without turning around.

Isabella gritted her teeth without saying a word. There was no way she would lay out her thoughts in front of so many men. All she wanted at the moment was to Strangle Davina!

"I presume you know then." Davina chuckled at the silence. She extended her fingers and poked a button, and walked into the elevator with Dave. Now facing Isabella, she said. "Get an authorization for us to duel here and no one would have to bear any consequences for the injury or death of the other and it will hold."