#Two in one day! That happens when I discover a dusty nearly complete oneshot in my drafts!

[gusenitsaa]

En Garde

Another deleted scene style fic, around the time of 6x09. Emma hasn't told her family about her visions yet, and decides that fencing lessons from Killian might improve her chances of defeating Gideon.  I’ve written Killian teaching Emma to fence before, fluffily, but it seemed a good time to update the headcanon with the added angst of those visions!  

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There was no time for a moving day; not when every day brought a new disaster, a new story no one was sure if they wanted to see the end of. A single chest of Killian's belongings moved in the first day, set carefully next to a box in her closet, waiting for a quiet moment to be shared. His jackets mingled with hers in the closet, his boots sat neatly underneath the hung leathers and books and papers were gradually filling the empty spaces of their house. Sometimes Killian mentioned something that he would need to get from his ship and within a couple hours it would appear on the kitchen table. He suspected she was testing her magic on his belongings when he was not looking, but it saved him a trip and hopefully calmed her frayed nerves, so he simply thanked her with a kiss on the cheek and filed another hole in a still too empty home.

Two battered sticks joined her boots next to the door, growing more banged up each day as Killian and Henry sparred in the front yard in their spare moments. It warmed her heart to see them spending time together, but from time to time the sight filled her with sudden dread as wooden practice swords were replaced in her mind by sharp steel and unresponsive magic. She fought for her life without a sound, clasping her hand tight to hide her battle from her family no more than a few paces away.

Henry hugged her tight when her eyes were distant and Killian pressed her shaking hand to his lips with questioning eyes. She caught them glancing at each other sometimes, when she told them again that she was fine. They had finally stopped asking with their lips, perhaps hoping she would tell them eventually on her own, but their eyes ever begged her for an explanation that was not forthcoming. She refused to give voice to the whole story, refused to interrupt the happy illusion she had built for herself.

The stick flew from Henry's hand once more and Killian laughed, leaning his own against the steps. "You're doing better, lad. But I've the reach of my arm and a couple hundred years training head start."

"Aren't you supposed to let me win sometimes?" Henry grumbled halfheartedly, diving to retrieve his 'weapon.'

"Never!" Killian insisted. "One of these days you will disarm me. And you will know for certain that it will not be because I let you do so. Now off with you, lad, your mother will end me if you're late for school again." Henry tossed his stick to Killian who caught it as the boy bolted for the bus, grumbling about how between two magical moms, shouldn't he just appear at school?

Killian laughed and gave Henry's pole a practice swing or two as he turned back towards the house, to his surprise he was met with the sudden appearance of a pole aiming for his head. He ducked by impulse, his arm moving before he'd the chance to identify the person on the other end of the attack. Emma grinned at him, blocking his swing with the stick he'd put down a moment ago.

"My turn, pirate. Someone ought to bring you down a peg or two!"

Killian smirked, breaking away and moving to circle her. "You think so? You may have the advantage with firearms and fireworks but swordplay... Swordplay is my strength, love."

"You underestimated me the last time we dueled. Haven't you learned your lesson?"

"I did. But that is not why you won."

"Why did I win, then?" Emma retorted. She grew tired of waiting for Killian to make the first move and dove forward, seeking an opening that was gone as soon as she moved. Suddenly she was on the defense, pressed backwards step by step until her boot smacked against the bottom of their steps. She wavered for a moment and then fell backwards, only saved from a bruised backside by Killian's hook, which had suddenly slipped through her belt loop and tugged her upright again.

"You won because I did not wish to see you die on that lakebed, my dear."

"Okay... maybe I could use a few pointers," she admitted.

"Why the sudden interest in fencing, love?"

"It couldn't hurt to be prepared, right?"

"And you think a few tricks with a blade will make you better prepared?" He reached for her hand, which had begun to tremble.

His eyes were questioning her again and she forced a smile. "I mean why not? Things are crazy, and it doesn't look like they're gonna let up anytime soon And it's an excuse to spend some time together, just the two of us. Wouldn't you like that?"

"Of course, Emma. Perhaps once all this madness with the untold stories is ov- "

"Not after. Now."

"Now?" Her eyes were blazing with determination and he tilted his head to one side, studying her intently,

"Right now!" She held out her hand to him and he took it without question. Their house vanished and the smell of salt brought a smile to his lips. When his vision cleared they were on the deck of the Jolly Roger.

"Right now it is, then." Emma had replaced the wooden stick in her hand with steel and he raised his eyebrows. "I've a better idea." Killian moved to the hatch to his cabin, knocking twice before pulling the hatch open. "Permission to come in?" he called.

Emma heard Belle's voice call something back that must have been affirmation, because Killian pulled the hatch the rest of the way open and dropped inside.

"Oh Emma!" Belle exclaimed, upon seeing her peeking her head into the opening. "I'd been meaning to thank you."

Emma cocked her head to one side, squatting down to get a better look into the cabin. To her surprise she saw that the cabin was now strewn with flowers and old books, with a tea pot steaming cheerfully in the center of the table.

"For what?"

"Excuse us, Lady Belle," Killian interrupted, reaching behind her to a pair of swords hooked to the wall "I just needed to grab these. Emma and I were going to have a bit of a lesson above, will that bother you?"

"Of course not," she said cheerfully, "it's still your ship, Killian."

Belle might have fallen for the distraction, but Emma noticed the pink suddenly at the tips of Killian's ears and a smile spilt her lips. "What were you saying Belle, what did you want to thank me for?"

"Oh, Killian told me about all this that you sent over, you were right, it is really wonderful to have some familiar things around right now when things are so..." The pink in Killian's ears had spread to his cheeks but now Belle noticed it too, though she may have been clued in by Emma's chuckle.

Before she had a chance to say anything Killian was up the ladder and she chuckled, following close behind.

"Killian?" she prodded gently. "Why does Belle think the flowers were my idea?"

"Bloody hell, Swan, leave a man his pride," Killian grumbled, tossing her one of the swords.

She shook her head and turned her attention to the sword in her hand, "So, why is this better than ours?"

"Training blade, sharp enough to cut but only just," he explained. "If I'm to be sparring with you, I'd prefer to not be constantly in fear of doing you grievous harm should you trip on a loose plank." She ran her finger along the edge, which was hardly sharper than a dinner knife. "I was going to move Henry on to them soon. I had them filed down when I taught... well, let's just say they've not seen use in many years."

"These are perfect, Killian," she said with a small smile.

The hatch door popped open behind them and Belle pulled herself up, grumbling about swollen feet as she did so. The red returned to Killian's cheeks instantly as Belle marched her way across the deck toward him. The point of his practice blade hit the deck with a thud as Belle walked up to him and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug.

"You're sweet as well as clever, Killian. I can't ever thank you enough for everything you've done for us."

"It's nothing more than you deserve," he replied and Emma grinned, Captain Hook, scourge of the high seas was blushing like a school girl, right to the tips of his ears. With a final squeeze she released him and made her way back to the hatch and Killian glanced back at Emma.

"Not a word to the lad about the flowers," he grumbled, "or your father, not a word to Dave."

"It will be our little secret," she agreed, raising the practice sword to get a feel for its weight. She could feel the beginning of the trembling in her hand and she tightened her grip in response, reminding herself again and again that the hilt in her hand would not be the one to...

"Relax, love." Killian's voice came from behind her, she had been so focused to hiding the tremors that she hadn't even seen him move. "Widen your stance, bring your foot forward to here," he tapped the deck and she glared up at him. "I think I'm a little past fighting stance, Killian."

"Did anyone ever teach you a proper stance?"

"No, I just-"

"Perhaps you can humor an old pirate then? This is the foundation. Coming back into this position should be so second nature you do not think about it. Because there will be no time to think about it." He moved behind her and ran his hand up her arm to where her hand clenched the hilt with an iron grip. "Relax."

" Killian-" Emma grumbled, "if I relax my grip I'm just going to be disarmed."

"That yellow contraption of yours, Emma, do you ever feel the need to get out and push?"

Emma took a deep breath trying to push back down the mounting irritation. She didn't have time for this. "No Killian, but I don't see how-"

"You do not feel the need to push your vessel, only guide it on its way. The blade has one job, and it is far better at doing it then you are. Let it do its job. You simply guide it on its way."

"Did you make Henry sit though all of this before getting to the good stuff?"

Killian's face fell and he took a step back. "What is your hurry, love? I thought you wished to spend this time together?"

Emma shook her head, letting the blade fall as she stepped forward. "I'm sorry. Killian. I just don't think I have time for the wax-on wax-off treatment. I need to practice, I need to-"

"Before what?"

Emma stopped speaking abruptly and glanced down at the deck.

"Emma please. Why won't you tell me what haunts you so?"

"I'm fi-"

"Don't-" His jaw tensed and there was sudden fire in his eyes that dried up the word before it fell from her lips. "Do not lie to me again."

"Killian-"

"Refuse to answer. Tell me to shove off. Do what you will, but do not... lie to me."

"I'm not fine," she admitted, "but I can't... talk about it yet. Can we just practice?"

Killian nodded, moving behind her again and to her surprise gave her a slight nudge forward. She lost her balance and stumbled forward, turning to glare at him as she recovered herself.

"That is why you need a proper stance," he told her, eyes sparkling with amusement.

The clash of metal echoed across the water, rapid clanging and quiet grunts and not a word between them. She wanted to tease him, something about having so many more years of practice than she had. Something flirtatious or... her grunt of frustration was no longer for another successful parry. He fenced like it was no more difficult than breathing, the blade an extension of himself; as much a part of him as his hook. What he had in grace she made up for in sheer frustrated passion, blow after blow pushing him back by sheer force of will rather than finesse.

She'd finally told him of her visions two days ago, and it might as well have turned him to stone. His jaw was tense, his eyes hard. But he didn't say a word. Not one teasing comment... not one smirk on his lips. She lunged forward again. Too slow, or he'd seen it coming. Either way the blow she had anticipated he would block was instead dodged and she dropped her blade to catch herself, the deck of his ship as hard and unyielding as his eyes had become.

He sheathed his blade and offered her a hand and she glared up at him defiantly. "Damn it Killian, say something."

His gaze softened and he cocked his head to one side. "What do you wish to hear?"

"You've been bottling it up for days. Just ... just do it. I don't have time for this passive aggressive-"

"You will have time," Killian cut her off.

"Please, Killian?"

"Have I upset you, love? You wished to practice with a blade and I have obliged you. For hours each day, this is what you wanted is it not?"

"You're mad at me," she pressed, "for refusing the scissors. Aren't you?"

"Whatever course you set, Emma. I am with you."

"Stop... stop telling me that. And just say it. Just tell me you hate it-"

"Of course I bloody hate it!" She had asked for this, prodded him into it but still she jumped when his words rang out loud enough for her to be glad that Belle had left for Granny's. His jaw clenched as he reigned in his temper. "I wish I could beg you to take the easy way. To assure your survival no matter what the cost. But I can't and you won't and I hate it. I hate it." She didn't even bother sheathing her blade, and it dropped to the deck with a clatter as she buried herself in his arms. "But I am with you," he whispered, "whatever the course."

"I keep telling people... Henry, my parents... that I'm going to win," she whispered, her voice trembling. "But if these lessons have taught me anything it's that without control of my magic I'm just... a sub-par fencer. I'm not fast enough, Killian."

"This isn't about swordplay, Emma," Killian said. "Bloody hell, if this was a contest of steel alone it would be my fight, not yours."

"But in my vision-"

"Damn the visions," he interrupted. "Emma, I will practice swordplay with you until we're both raw and weary to the bone if that's what it will take to give you the confidence you need. But when Ashley's life was on the line, it was not an elegant parry that saved her. You took control of your magic when it counted." He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it, "You will again."

He was right of course, and when she crossed blades with Gideon her grip was a little more relaxed, her stance a little more balanced. And it wasn't what saved her, but she stood a little taller for having crossed blades with Captain Killian Jones.

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#cs ff #captain swan #cs deleted scenes #spinning yarns #cs crew #ouat 6x09 #en garde #Two in one day! That happens when I discover a dusty nearly complete oneshot in my drafts!

[blacklioness15]

Not a Horror Movie.

Hello procrastination my old friend

Hi, guys! I present to you my longest oneshot yet! It’s been a wild ride because I’ve wanted to write something like this for a very long time. 

This is a self-insert, my dudes, so you’ll know a lot about me after this. 

I hope you enjoy it!

Genre: Horror, comedy and sarcasm

Warnings: A lot of swearing (Really, a lot), a brief description of a family’s death (So gore, I think?), literally just a word in portuguese and lots of references

Words: 5.7K

Melina was used to moving out of town.

Of country, it's another story.

The woman looked at the building in front of her, watching the flow of students coming and going.

Sighing, she lifted her suitcase and placed the straps on her shoulder. She looked at the number in the palm of her hand for the last time and entered the building.

It didn't take long to find her room in the dorm. Number 244, second floor (she thanked the heavens for not being on one of the higher floors).

It was a simple place - a room with two beds and two dressers on opposite sides; a relatively large living room, which was divided into a small kitchen. The bathroom was communal, as were the showers.

The brunette took little time to store her clothes and organize her things (which had arrived a few days earlier).

As soon as she finished packing her bag (she only had class the next day, but she preferred to do things early), the student left her room and sighed.

Students of all ages and races walked down the hallway, sometimes looking at the stranger.

Smiling politely to some people, she left the building, heading for the office.

First day: boring.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"You're the exchange student, aren't you?"

Looking away from her pasta, Melina frowned but nodded.

The two men - both with curly black hair and dark brown eyes, but one had pale skin while the one who spoke had tanned skin like hers.

"Nice to meet you!" He sat down in front of the woman "I'm Ned."

Ned pulled the other's arm, making the brunette sit next to him.

"This is Samuel. He's not very good with new people..."

The brunette smiled at the man's flushed cheeks.

"My name is Melina." She adjusted her glasses on her face, her black eyes glittering. "But you can call me Mel. Nice to meet you!"

In a few minutes, the student discovered that Ned was American, but his parents were Mexican and he was in the third year of Information Systems (a year older than her).

Samuel didn't really talk much, but he mentioned that he was in the second year of Gastronomy.

"Well, I'm Brazilian." She took a sip of her Sprite. "And I'm in the second year of Biological Science."

Frowning, the woman moved one of her curls off her face.

"Our courses are hella different. How did you know who I am?"

Ned elbowed Samuel, who nearly choked on his pudding.

"Ah ... I saw you in the dorms yesterday. Your room is across from ours." He gestured to Ned. "And there's also the fact that no one ever stays in room 244 for some reason."

"People can't sleep there." Ned shrugged. "Probably because the bedroom window faces the weird house."

At the sight of Melina's confused expression, Samuel began to speak.

"Three students who entered the abandoned house died a few days later. They say they left normal, as if nothing happened, but ended up suffering some accident later."

"I don't trust rumors, but this is weird as hell." Ned murmured. "Well, let's not scare our new colleague! Do you want us to show you the campus? Our tour is A +!"

"That would be great. When..."

The shrill sound of the signal made the three of them close their eyes.

Melina widened them as she saw half of her pasta still on the plate and her pudding in the plastic bowl.

Stuffing the fork into her mouth, her pasta disappeared in a few seconds. The brunette got up, taking one last sip of her soda and taking her pudding and spoon.

"Oh, I'll see you guys later!" Stuffing the spoon in the bowl, she smiled "I have anatomy class now."

The men watched curiously as she walked away.

"Be less obvious, Samuel." Ned shook his head. "You're such a virgin, oh my God."

"You're a virgin too, you idiot." The other muttered, getting up "Come on, we have class now."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

A few weeks passed and the three of them became good friends.

Ned actually made a tour of the campus for the woman, while Samuel talked about the place from time to time.

Now, every Friday night was movie night (none of them liked parties), where each one chose a movie and they passed the night watching.

But the days that Melina liked most were Tuesdays and Saturdays.

And today was Saturday.

The brunette smiled as Samuel pulled the collar of the pug. Ned chattered between the two friends, while Melina watched the dog and Samuel tried not to lose it.

Ned stopped abruptly, making the woman look at him.

The brunet swallowed, looking to the right.

Samuel and Melina followed his line of vision, finding an abandoned house.

They were a few inches from the grass, which was dead - just like the trees beside the residence.

The wood was painted black a few decades ago, because it was now a faded dark gray with various flaws.

What broke the silence was the barking of the pug, Anakin (yes, Anakin), who gazed intently at a window that had a piece of broken glass.

"I wanna go in there."

Melina looked weirdly at Ned, slapping his shoulder.

"No, you don't enter the house where three people died after they entered." The brunette tugged on his friend's arm. "Especially if your dog barked at the window of the fricking abandoned house."

The brunet pouted, gaining a scary look from the woman. Taking Samuel's arm, she pulled the two friends towards the dorms.

"Come on, I made strogonoff."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Melina never thought this day would come.

The trio (she, Ned and Samuel) stood in front of the "haunted" house. One of the Computer Science students had joined some friends to go out on a Friday night (almost dawn in the case) and Ned was among these friends.

After some complaints from his friends about canceling movie night, he finally persuaded them to accompany him - "You'll get free food", he said.

But here they were, not in a house full of rich, drunk young adults, but in the garden of the fricking house where Anakin barked at a window.

"So, you know" The 'host', a dude named Michael "We have some new friends with us tod- tonight!"

Melina sighed, approaching Samuel.

"He's already so drunk." - She mumbled, nudging Ned "Hey, where's the food?"

The brunet opened his mouth to speak, being interrupted by Michael.

"Ned, the genius! Samuel, the chef!" Some students hollered "And Melissa, the foreigner!"

As soon as the noise ceased, the brunette snorted.

"It's Melina."

"Whatever." The man continued "We have a ritual every Friday 13th."

He threw the beer can on the lawn, stepping on it and making a loud noise.

"One of you goes into the house, takes a selfie in the attic and brings it to us. He pointed to the top of the house. "And we pay your lunch for a month."

The blond nudged a girl, who whispered something in his ear.

"Samuel is the chosen one!"

A few more shouts rang, bothering the trio.

"Are you going or not?"

Samuel sighed, looking at Michael.

"A month's food for all of us?"

The blonde nodded, making the man take a few steps forward.

Ned, wide eyed, stared at his friend.

"Wait!" Melina said, making the brunet stop "I'll go with you."

Michael whistled, folding his arms.

"Afraid of losing your boyfriend?" He shook his head. "We'll cut the prize down to three weeks."

"I don't care." The woman answered, walking up to Samuel "If you go in there, you won't go alone."

Samuel blushed, turning away.

"Ok."

They both headed for the house, ignoring the students' crazy screams and Ned's stare.

Melina stepped in front of Samuel, opening the door and entering.

"Believe me." She pulled the man inside, closing the door. "It's never good to be the first to come in."

"Then why did you do it?" He frowned. "And why did you come?"

The brunette rolled her eyes, blushing. Taking Samuel's hand, she looked at the room in which they stood.

"Because I've seen enough horror movies to know that you shouldn't go alone in such a place. You shouldn't go into such a place in general." She sighed. "What won't you do for food."

Two dusty couches were in what was the living room, in front of a giant wooden box - one of those old radios.

"When was it abandoned?"

The brunette adjusted the glasses on her face, trying to see more of the place. The light of the street lamps didn't help much.

"I guess in the 1930s," Samuel replied, holding the woman's hand tightly. "I don't remember everything. One family was killed in 1926 and the next residents ran away a few weeksafter they bought the house. They left everything behind."

Flicking a finger on the dusty couch, the man held in a sneeze.

"No one has lived here ever since."

Melina turned to the hallway, letting go of the brunet's hand and sneezing.

Samuel murmured a "Bless you."

"Thanks. Fucking rhinitis."

The woman sniffled, focusing on the stairs.

"Samuel."

The man looked at Melina.

"What is it?"

She pointed at the stairs, blinking a few times.

"Do you see that?"

Looking at the same spot as the brunette, he shook his head.

"No. What is it?"

Even with the poor lighting, Melina could see a human form standing up. With one arm (?) resting on the railing of the stairs, the thing - That looked more like a corpse, so pale - watched her with golden eyes. In a few seconds, it smiled at the woman, it's eyes turning completely black.

With widened eyes, Melina turned and pushed Samuel towards the door, yanking it open. Without looking back, they both left the house.

Michael and the other students looked at the pair curiously - Melina was wide-eyed and seemed to be sweating (even at 48 degrees).

Ned seemed ready to enter the house and find out for himself what happened when the brunette screamed.

"The fucking ghost smiled at me!"

Michael held in a chuckle when he saw the brunette's wide eyes and closed fists. Samuel took one of her hands, opening it and lacing their fingers.

"Mel..."

"Oh really? A ghost?" Now his laughter echoed through the garden. "Don't you have a better story to make up? You're two cowards, that's what..."

Melina pulled Samuel's hand as she took a step forward, causing the man to move with her.

"Oh, yeah? Go on then, macho man. Instead of challenging others, why don't you go in?"

The woman huffed, looking at the other students.

"Just don't complain when the next corpse to be examined in anatomy class is his."

Leaving the students wide-eyed, the Brazilian headed toward the dorms, taking Samuel with her (followed by Ned). You can just imagine the earful she gave him when they got back.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"I'm telling you, there was a fucking ghost in that shithole..."

The brunette's cell phone vibrated in her pocket.

"It's my mom."

Ned arched a brow and Samuel looked at her curiously.

"I need to stop cursing, she'll end up coming here to break my teeth."

Pulling the cell phone from her pocket, Melina answered the call.

"Hi, Mom." She smiled. "Everything is okay, yeah. Why do you ask?"

Even with the phone attached to her ear, her friends could hear her mother (but they didn't understand anything she said).

"Melina, there's something wrong. Are you eating right?" A sigh "What a dumb question. You forget your own head, but don't forget to eat. Never mind, it's late there, isn't it? Go to sleep! Study tomorrow morning, don't forget to review your things. Good night! I love you!"

"Love you too, Mom."

Turning the device off, the brunette leaned her head against the wall. The trio was in the boys' room.

"She feels when I say a swear word."

Sighing, the woman's eyes widened.

"Ned, never again..."

After explaining what happened and what she saw, Melina gave an earful to Ned and Samuel. The scolding festival  took a few minutes, just because the brunette was "too sleepy for this."

It was about eleven o'clock when she went to her room, flopping on the bed and sleeping like a rock.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The woman sat up in bed, groggy, and looked at her cell phone.

3:33 a.m.

Rubbing her eyes and picking up her glasses, she glanced around, trying to position herself.

Her eyes finally glanced through the window, to the window of the attic of the abandoned house.

The walking corpse was there - staring at her.

"Fucking shit, what the fu-"

The brunette closed her curtains, taking her pillow and running through her "apartment." She picked up the key on the living room table and walked out of the room, not even bothering to lock the door, and opened the door of her friends' room with the key in her hand.

She went in and closed the door quickly, locking it and running to the boys' room.

She stood in the doorway, watching her friends sleep. Ned laid sprawled on his bed with his mouth open; while Samuel was in a fetal position, making no sound at all.

Melina approached Samuel's bed - It was a single bed, but there would be room for both of them, unlike Ned.

She crouched near the side of the mattress, poking her friend's cheek.

"Samuel, hey."

The brunet opened his eyes slowly, sitting up when he saw the woman.

"What time is it?" He widened his eyes "Wait, why are you here?"

Melina sat on the bed, hugging her pillow and looking at Samuel.

"Now I know why no one stays in that room." She sighed. "It's 3:33, Samuel. It's the devil's hour."

Approaching her friend (who was almost merging with the wall), she continued to speak.

"I woke up for some reason and looked out the window. That thing was staring at me." She blushed. "No one has ever seen that?"

"No." He nodded. "What did you see, anyway?"

"It looked like one of the Twilight vampires." She laughed. "A walking corpse, with golden eyes. But when he smiled, his eyes went completely black and damn, it's teeth were as sharp as razors."

The brunette placed her pillow next to Samuel's.

"In short, the capiroto won't let me sleep, so I'll stay with you." She laid down, ignoring the heat on her cheeks "I'll stay on the edge, don't worry. It'll have plenty of room for you."

The woman settled into the bed, making Samuel sigh. He gave a small smile, lying down in the corner.

And just like that, they slept like babies.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The next day (or the same, only later), Melina was lying on the boys' couch, cell phone in hand.

"I found it!" Exclaimed the woman, sitting up "Finally!"

Ned, who was on the floor, jumped and almost dropped his notebook.

Samuel left the kitchen, followed by Anakin, and sat down next to the woman. Ned settled himself on her other side, placing his notebook on the coffee table.

"What is it?"

The brunette turned the cell phone screen to her friends, showing a photo. A family of four. A couple in their forties, already with white hair; a man no older than 20 years old and a little girl, both with black hair.

Pointing to the man, the couple's eldest son, she widened her eyes.

"He was the one I saw."

Ned arched an eyebrow.

"Not like that, of course. He was pale and golden-eyed, but it's definitely him."

Samuel nodded, watching the photograph.

"They're the original owners of the house, aren't they? The ones who were murdered?"

"Yes," Melina replied "But now I know how they were murdered."

Turning off the screen of her phone, she began to speak.

"The parents had their throats sliced open, and their blood served to make some symbols on the wall." Swallowing, she continued. "The girl was drowned in the bathtub and then her wrists were cut open. The eldest son bathed in the bloody water and then sliced his own throat."

The brunette leaned her head on Ned's shoulder.

"They found pig guts in the basement, along with candles and a pentagram. It was a satanic ritual."

Ned glanced at Melina, looking at Samuel soon after. The brunet shrugged, but nodded shortly after.

"That explains the things that happen" But why didn't anyone see this thing and did you see it?"

The woman smiled, messing with the hem of her shirt.

"Maybe because I see demons."

Seeing the shocked glances from her friends, she sighed.

"Why didn't you tell us?! " Ned exclaimed, raising his hands "Really?"

"Hi, my name is Melina, but you can call me Mel. My favorite color is blue, and sometimes I see demons." The brunette sent a bitchface to her friend." It's not something I mention on a daily basis, Ned. If you have a demon chasing you or something, I'll let you know. But other than that..."

"Since when do you see?"

Samuel's voice interrupted the discussion, making the students focus on him.

"Since I was 15."

"You've seen demons for four years and never told us anything?"

"Ned, enough!" Samuel exclaimed, making his friend's eyes widen. "Really. If she didn't say it, it was because she really didn't need to."

The brunet stood up.

"The important thing is she told us what she saw, and-" He sighed "The thing knows she saw. And she walked into the house, which means something is going to happen."

"Something bad." Ned murmured.

"You came in, too." The woman said "I'm glad I entered first."

Ned frowned.

"Are you really thinking about who came in first? You two are in the sights of that thing."

"But I'm first." She smiled triumphantly "It'll come after me first. And while the others had no idea what was happening, I will see exactly where it is."

Samuel sat up, sighing.

"Of all people, why us?" He closed his eyes. "I need to sleep."

"Speaking of sleep." Melina looked at the pug "You need to get another dog. Anakin kept sleeping when I came in here."

Ned smiled, grabbing his notebook and opening it, showing his wallpaper to his friends.

Their cheeks flushed at the sight of the photo.

Melina, disheveled, hugged Samuel's neck, while he had an arm around her waist and his face hidden in her neck.

"NED!"

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"They all suffered accidents three days after they entered the house."

Melina finally felt the gravity of the situation as she heard Samuel. After changing the wallpaper of Ned's notebook and erasing the photo, his friends returned to the topic.

"Why always the number 3?" Ned frowned. "What's so special?"

"It's the demons' way of being petty." The brunette sighed. "They mock the Holy Trinity."

The man nodded, his eyes widening shortly after.

"Isn't that tomorrow?"

"No, no." Melina did the math, looking at Anakin "Tomorrow will be the second day. The third will be Monday."

Closing her eyes, the woman placed her hands on her head and pulled at her hair lightly.

"Shit, I have Anatomy class. I can end up with a scalpel in my throat or a needle in an artery, get ran over in the street, slip into the bathroom while I bathe and die naked, I'm going to die a virgin, oh my God..."

Anakin jumped on the brunette's lap, licking her face and stealing a giggle from her. Ned lightly tapped the top of the woman's head as Samuel wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"No, you won't."

Ned and Samuel looked at each other, nodding.

"We'll stay with you in our dorm. Nobody leaves, we stay away from dangerous things." Samuel widened his eyes "Not to mention you'll see him when something happens."

"And we still have tomorrow." Ned added "Let's look for a priest or something, alright?"

Melina nodded, resting her head on Samuel's shoulder and smiling.

"Thanks, guys. Oh, yeah" She yawned. "I think I'll go take a nap."

Releasing their friend, the men saw her go to the bedroom.

"That must be awful." Ned said, leaning his head against Samuel's shoulder (It was surprisingly comfortable.) "By the way, I have the photo on three more devices and seven different accounts."

Samuel's incredulous expression made Ned laugh.

"Oh, noobs."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

It was dark.

Darker than the living room of the house that night, or any other place Melina has been.

The brunette looked around, trying to see something; unsuccessfully.

A scream echoed near where she was. (On the other side, it seemed) and light suddenly invaded the woman's vision field, making Melina close her eyes.

She was in a child's room, a boy, apparently, surrounded by wooden cars and antique furniture. A bed lay to her right, with a desk between it and the wall. In front of her was one of those built-in closets (which were never found in any house in Brazil except the apartment her grandfather owned, almost as old as her own mother) with one of the doors wide open.

A grunt drew her attention to the open door. Her eyes widened at the sight of two standing figures: the first owner of the abandoned house (the father, that was murdered) and a boy of no more than eight years old - who looked a lot like the young man that murdered his family.

"I told you not to play with those kids." A slap was thrown against the boy's head. "They're bad people, understand? Punks!"

Now watching the boy, Melina's eyes widened. His face was full of scratches, some of them bleeding; his arms contained purple and green bruises and his left eye was purple.

He was the one who had shouted before.

"But dad..."

"SHUT UP!" The man threw the boy into the room by the arm, making him slide on the wooden floor "I don't want to see you with black people!"

The father slammed the door behind him, enveloping Melina and the boy in darkness once more.

Listening to a whimper, her eyes adjusted to the darkness quickly and the brunette approached the boy, crouching.

As she reached out to touch his arm, he sat up.

"Elliot, you're such an idiot..." The brunet hit his own forehead. "Idiot, idiot."

No.

Elliot looked at the closet, blinking slowly.

He's the idiot.

The hoarse voice echoed through the room, making Melina feel a shiver run down her spine.

"Yes, he is."

The boy got up without looking up from the closet.

It's not your fault, Elliot.

Something rolled off the closet, stopping at Elliot's feet. The boy stared at the dark green figure - a plastic soldier - looking back at the closet.

You want him to stop being an idiot, don't you?

He nodded.

Come on, pick it up. I'm going to make you be as strong as a real soldier.

Melina's eyes widened as she saw a shadow move inside the wardrobe - something darker than darkness itself.

Elliot smiled, bending down to pick up the soldier.

"No!"

The boy picked up the figurine and Melina saw something written on the plastic base. Elliot went to his bed, sitting on it and leaning his back against the wall.

The shadow came out of the closet in a flash, stopping right in front of Elliot. His wide eyes were the last thing Melina saw before the demon possessed his body and smirked at her.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

A scream made Ned and Samuel stop talking. Anakin ran toward the noise, followed by the men.

They found Melina sitting on the bed, sweat accumulated on her neck and her back and angry red marks on her shoulder.

Finger marks.

Ned widened his eyes, throwing himself beside the brunette and taking her arm. He pulled her close, looking at the marks. He glared at Samuel.

"Son of a bitch!" Melina yelled, scaring her friends. "It tried to kill me!"

And then it became clear to Samuel: the scream wasn't fear, it was anger.

Seeing Ned's curious look, the woman leaned against the wall and began to tell them her dream.

"...And the boy, no, the possessed boy jumped on me and pinned my shoulder to the ground. His hand began to burn my skin and he picked up the figurine, ready to pierce my neck with a fucking plastic soldier." She let go of the duvet, arranging the disheveled curls of her hair. "And I woke up."

Getting up from the bed, the brunette walked to the bedroom door.

"But look on the bright side! Now I know exactly what to exorcise."

"You what?!"

The pair followed Melina into the living room, where she picked up her cell phone and keys, putting them in the front pocket of her jeans.

"An exorcism." She lifted a hand as soon as Ned opened his mouth, shutting him up "I'm going to a store to buy salt and alcohol. I need you to contact a priest or a church. Can you do that?"

Samuel opened his mouth, being silenced by the woman's index finger.

"I have to do this today. Every person who goes in there leaves this thing stronger." She smiled slightly. "I do the exorcism and burn the house at dawn, so no one can stop the fire, but an exorcist needs to be warned if it doesn't work."

Ned nodded reluctantly.

"I'll call someone right away."

Melina glanced at the clock on the living room wall - 7:42 pm - and her eyes widened.

"I slept for four hours?"

"Yes. " Samuel said, making the brunette's attention turn to him. "I'll go with you.

The woman nodded.

"To the house, too."

As soon as she opened her mouth to protest, the brunet put his index finger to her lips.

"You didn't let me in there alone." He frowned "I won't let you go."

Melina sighed, nodding. She looked at Ned for the last time, smiling.

"I'll see you in front of the house at 2am."

Samuel nodded to his friend, walking out with the brunette and closing the door behind him.

Ned picked up his cell phone quickly, dialing the local church number.

"Hello? Yes, I need the number of an exorcist..."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Exactly at two in the morning, the trio stood in front of the abandoned house.

Melina and Samuel left their cell phones with Ned, stuffing their pockets with salt. In each of their hoodie's pockets was a box of matchsticks and a small bottle of alcohol.

Ned handed a large bottle of gasoline to Samuel, that thanked him.

"Let's review the plan." Melina said, looking at the boys "Ned?"

"If none of you come back in half an hour, I'll call the priest, the police, and the fire department."

"Hm." The brunette nodded. "Samuel?"

"Walk to Elliot's bedroom on the second floor, find the toy soldier, do the exorcism, and burn the house only to confirm that the demon won't come back." He squeezed the gas bottle. "If for some reason we split up, I'll set the house on fire right away."

Melina nodded, smiling.

"If you call anyone, except the priest, remember the backstory."

Ned nodded, watching his friends enter the house and asking the heavens for everything to work out.

With his cell phone in hand, he started the timer.

00:00:01

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Samuel closed the door behind him, taking hold of Melina's hand. The woman insisted on going in first again ("Just in case it's waiting for me in the living room").

The room was as dark as the last time. The only difference was the obvious tension that hung in the air.

The brunet threw gas on the couches, just as Melina had instructed. They advanced into the hallway, toward the stairs, throwing gasoline on the curtains and walls.

Melina stopped as soon as they reached the foot of the stairs, looking upstairs.

"Do you see anything?" Samuel frowned. "The demon?"

"No." The woman shook her head, sighing as she stepped on the first step. "It's just... It's there, I can feel it. I just don't see it."

The man squeezed her hand lightly, making her smile.

"Let's go. We need to get back in half an hour."

The pair went up the stairs, stopping in the middle of a corridor. To his right were two open doors: a bathroom and a couple's bedroom (judging by the huge, dusty bed).

To his left were two more doors: both open, but one with a pink bow hanging while the other contained a blue boat.

"Samuel... how many children did the last inhabitants of the house have?"

"Two, a boy and a girl." He let go of the brunette's hand to throw gas on the double bed. "Why?"

"For fucks sake... Which one is Elliot's old room? The children may have found the soldier and stored it elsewhere..."

The woman approached the girl's bedroom, leaning her shoulder against the doorframe.

Her eyes scanned the room, stopping in the built-in closet with one of the doors wide open.

Samuel stopped behind Melina, staring at the room.

Her eyes widened and she took a step forward, feeling something strange - that she felt every time she dreamed of demons - an inexplicable sensation.

The sound of something flying and knocking on the corridor wall made her turn her head quickly, panicking as Samuel stood up with difficulty.

His scream was interrupted by the door closing tightly in front of him, separating them.

"Shit!" She ran to the door, slamming her fist on it "Samuel, go!"

"No!" He hit the other side "I won't leave you here!"

"You promised me." She sighed. "Please do as we agreed. I'll deal with the demon and end it now."

The other door of the closet opened slowly, making Melina's eyes widen.

"Samuel, I promise as soon as this is over, we're going out to eat pizza and eat four ice cream tins while we watch a Transformers marathon." The brunette turned her back to the door, looking through the dark room "Please, do what you need and find Ned."

She heard the brunet curse, knocking on the door one last time.

"You'll pay for the pizza."

She smiled.

"Of course I will."

Footsteps echoed down the corridor, disappearing down the stairs and leaving Melina in horrible silence.

"So, dude." Her eyes adjusted to the darkness, staring at the open closet "Are you going to show yourself now, or are you going to pull a Poltergeist?"

A shadow ran down the corner of her eyes, making her kneel on the ground. Touching the wood, she found pieces of dolls, along with a lot of dust.

"Oh, my fucking rhinitis." Her eyes began to water. "Come on."

Walking awkwardly on her knees, she found a loose piece of wood.

As she lifted the thing, two dark legs appeared in her field of vision.

Lifting her head, her eyes widened for the fortieth time that night.

It was clear that an older Elliot was in front of him. An older, dead Elliot.

"Sweet Lord, help me."

She reached into the hole in the floor, hooking her fingers on a plastic object. She held the soldier firmly on her left hand as she placed the right one in her pocket.

Elliot smiled, holding out a pale hand and placing it on the brunette's shoulder, pulling the hoodie away from her skin and exposing the reddish skin. His grin widened at the sight of the mark on his hand, tightening his grip on the spot.

When he looked at Melina, she smiled too.

Her right hand came out of her pocket, finding the demon's.

The scream she heard was satisfying, just like the smoke coming out of the demon's hand.

Taking advantage of the shock of Elliot, she drowned the plastic soldier in alcohol and lit a match, engulfing it in flames.

But not before noticing the scrawled name at the foot of the toy.

"Abu!"

The demon sent a deadly look to the brunette.

"Your name gives me dominion over you!" She stood up, standing face to face with the creature "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, I condemn you back to hell!"

Another scream echoed through the room, and Melina flew against the wall.

Disheveled, she saw the bedroom door open and smiled.

The demon disappeared.

Still dizzy, the brunette got up and left the room, seeing flames all over the place. Holding her breath, she descended the stairs as fast as she could. She smiled upon seeing a way to pass between the sofas, throwing her bottle of alcohol on one of them.

As soon as she left the house, she was engulfed in a double hug.

"Why did you stay there alone?" Ned screamed into her ear, making the brunette close her eyes "You're crazy!"

"It was the deal, idiot."

She smiled, furrowing her brows as she saw red and blue lights at the front of the street.

"Did I take more than half an hour?"

Releasing Melina, the friends looked at each other.

"No," Samuel mumbled "I called the fire department and the police as soon as I left the house."

The woman laughed lightly, cleaning her cheek from the ashes.

"We have a lot to explain." Ned said "The same story we combined?"

"We heard rumors, challenged Mel to go in there, and we saw unrecognizable people set fire to the house." Samuel smiled. "Let's do this fast, okay? I have a Transformers marathon later and pizza to eat."

 Melina smiled, watching the cops approach. She gave a quick kiss on Samuel's and Ned's cheeks, feeling her own cheeks burn.

"What the fuck happened here?!" One of the policemen exclaimed, looking at the students. "Which one of you called?"

"I did," Samuel said, blushing slightly. "So... we heard some rumors about..."

FIN

Capiroto - A kinda funny way to say ‘devil’ bc people here believe that it’s not good to say ‘devil’.

what even is darker than darkness omg

That’s all, folks.

PLEASE, DO NOT PERFORM AN EXORCISM IF YOU’RE NOT SOMEONE SPECIALIZED IN THAT. LEAVE IT FOR THE PRIESTS. OR SHAMANS. OR PASTORS.

Once again, I hope you enjoyed it!

And thank you for reading <3

People that might want to read: @high-on-food and @brennahrae and @moonhyook <3

#and they lived hapilly ever after in a poly relationship #I really liked writing this #and believe me #it's funnier in portuguese #My writing #oneshot #self insert #ocs