ᴀɴᴛɪᴄʜʀɪꜱᴛ.

so much for that, huh? it's almost like you were DESTINED for lesser!

I don't think I need help. I'm far beyond that. After all, the photographer have seen the worlds of both ( as ) ABOVE and ( so ) BELOW ——— envy would often fill him of those who do serve a purpose that help contribute to anything good or evil, whether passively or simply handed to them. What would there be for him other than being...something?

                  SOMETHING   INSIDE   THE   CHILD   OF   THE   BEAST   TWISTED.   A   SHARP   pang   exploded   in   his   chest,   and   dropped   down   to   his   core. Company   that   would   just   listen.   The   request   filled   him   with   dread   not   because   the   idea   sounded   revolting,   but   in   fact   the   opposite.   How   many   years   had   he   begged   for   something   in   that   likeness?   To   be   heard,   to   be   thought   of,   to   be…   normal.   To   have   friends   instead   of   enemies   or   acquaintances   that   led   to   a   knife   in   his   back.      

                  Ah,   but   those   were   simple   dreams   of   a   child.

              MICHAEL   SHRUGGED,   SOMETHING   BETWEEN   NONCHALANCE   AND   BOREDOM.   HE   TOOK   ABOUT   three   steps   to   the   side   in   thought,   stopped,   and   tilted   his   head,   “   Like   some   type   of   confessional?   ”   His   own   words   made   him   chuckle,   “   The   idea   sounds   enticing.   Sure,   why   not?   Let   me   be   your   endless   ear—   tell   me   all   that   lingers   in   the   darkest   parts   of   your   mind.   ”

               EVEN   BY   SPEAKING   TO   RELIEVE   ONE’S   THOUGHTS   CAN   HELP   BE   found.   It   was   often   overlooked   when   dealing   with   powerful   figures   that   loved   to   break   down   their   hosts,   and   this   one   could   be   no   different.   Maybe   Michael   could   find   something   to   free   this   poor   soul   so   then   naturally   he   would   fall   into   his   leadership.   Hell,   maybe   Michael   could   find   a   way   to   make   the   mortal   the   one   in   control   of   the   parasite   instead.   Wouldn’t   that   be   a   twist   of   fate?

Well...what else was there to do? He had already fought to remain normal after everything ( after...with Walter... ), and yet...

Just a guy on his last leg. I'm...dying, essentially. Not even that, he scoffed out, rolling his eyes at the ABSURDITY of it all. Not a ghost or anything... I'm just being taken by something that's been within me for years. Everything about me has been fucked up ever since it wanted to...to rent me out, so to speak. Henry wished he could have at least been out photographing something CALMING ——— a landmark that would have left an impression on him. At that thought, something within Henry's eyes gradually dimmed. A curtain of RESIGNATION. Damn it all...

               AS   A   CHILD,   HE   WAS   QUICK   TO   UNDERSTAND   THAT   his   childhood—   his   own   self   was   not   normal.   What   child   scared   animals?   What   child   would   hang   those   poor   things   like   gifts?   What   about   a   child   that   bled   from   the   ears   when   holy   words   were   spoken,   who   screamed   in   pain   when   blessed   items   touched   his   skin,   and   one   that   aged   a   decade   overnight?   No,   he   wasn’t   normal…   he   was   special.   His   mother   and   her   friends   told   him so.   Although he   took glee in   horrible   deeds,   Michael   yearned   the   simplicity   to   play   like   the   other   children.   He   yearned   it.   He   wanted   to   be   good,   but   he   was   born   for   grandeur   things;   such evil   things.   His   mother   praised   him   until   she   realized   too   late   that   her   role   was   over,   and   that   realization   stayed   frozen   on   her   face   when   Michael   ate   her   heart.   

               MICHAEL   DIDN’T   MUCH   CARE   FOR   HIS   WOES,   BUT   HE   WOULD   if   it   meant   he   would   get   to   know   what   was   latched   onto   him.   In   general,   attachments   weren’t   new   to   him,   but   Michael   could   sense   more   to   this   one.   Either   way,   his   woes   made   him…   easy.   Those   who   were   down   on   their   luck   turned   to   any   sort   of   alternative   to   get   a   different   result.   Yes,   they   even   sold   their   souls.   

               THE   DARKNESS   AROUND   HIM   TURNED   ALMOST   SERENE   WITH   HIS   LIPS   stretched   to   a   sculptured   smile;   sturdy   yet   full   of   deadly   charm,   “   How   unfortunate,   ”   sympathy   dripped   off   his   tongue   as   easily   as   water,   “   You   may   call   me   ‘evil   itself’   if   that   is   what   you   wish,   but   there   are   plenty   of   others   would   disagree.   I   merely   wish   to   help   those   who   clearly   have   been   let   down   by   the   world   in   which   they   live   in,   ”   Michael   clicked   his   tongue   and   shook   his   head,   “   How   cruel   it   is   to   have   such   an   attachment   that   is…   taking   you   away   bit   by   bit.   It’s   not   fair,   is   it?   Nothing   and   no   one   has   given   you   the   time   of   day?   To   help   you?   ”

What could be considered DEATH, steadily walking right to his door, isn't enough to quell the unease from this man. The MIASMA emitting from the him made Henry's nose twitch, and his stomach to unpleasantly curl and coil. For...being like this. Vague, yes, but he isn't as fooled as others ——— if anything, it felt as though the photographer grew more tuned to the...UNORTHODOX than the mortal realm. I wouldn't want to offend you, but I have a feeling that it doesn't take much...despite that.

               HIS   SMILE   ONLY   GREW   WHEN   THE   VAGUENESS   CONTINUED,   AND   HIS   amusement   became   audible   with   the   simplest   chuckle.   Even   though   the   other   spoke   boldly,   it   was   still   clear   to   Michael   that   he   felt   uneasy   in   his   presence.   It   was   to   be   expected.   He   saw   the   way   people   shifted   away   from   him,   how   they   crossed   the   street   to   be   even   further   away,   and   the   fear   in   their   eyes.   Darkness   surrounded   him,   followed   him,   and   was   him,   “   Yet   you   still   said   it   anyway.   ”   Blues   wandered   this   potential   prey   with   practice   ease   while   he   took   a   small   step   forward,   and   he   placed   his   hands   behind   his   back.

                     “   A   DEMON?   ”   A   QUICK   AND   SHARP   LAUGH   ESCAPED   HIM,   “   HM,   you’re   quite   perceptive,   aren’t   you?   Well,   most   see   me   as   the   end   and   beginning,   ”   Hell’s   fire   burned   behind   his   eyes,   “   And   what   of   you?   I   would   have   to   guess   you   aren’t   all   what   you   seem   given   that   you   speak   your   thoughts   through   the   minds   of   others,   and   the   fact   that   you…   'sensed'   me.   ”

give that to me! where did you find this?!

do you drink coffee or tea?

sorry– am i crazy, or have we met before?

do you trust me enough to close your eyes?

when were you planning on telling me?

at the risk of being a cliché, do you want to get out of here?

can i convince you to stay the night?

do i look like someone who knows what that means?

would you consider giving me a second chance?

do you really think that's helpful right now?

would you mind showing me around?

do you ever plan on forgiving yourself?

are you thinking what i'm thinking?

can we ... go out and do something crazy?

why are we whispering?

who exactly are you, anyways?

can't we just be civil for a minute?

does the past ever keep you up at night?

if you have nothing to hide, what's the problem?

how long has it been since i saw you last, [ name ]?

did the power just go out?

are we still doing the thing where we pretend not to care?

how should we celebrate?

can we just ... start over?

why is this so important to you?

how was i supposed to know that?!

do you want me to stay? it doesn't have to mean anything.

where are you? nobody's heard from you.

can you help me zip this up?

why do these things always happen to me?

you don't secretly hate me, right?

can i get you something to eat? –or drink?

ready to see what i've been working on?

where have you been disappearing off to?

what's that perfume you're wearing?

you're laughing?! do you really think this is funny?

are you planning to stay for dinner?

did you think it was going to be easy?

you see where you went wrong, don't you?

when did we become so cold and distant?

who are you working for?

did you really do all of this for me?

can i open my eyes yet?

haven't you heard the stories?

[ name ], what are you doing here?

what's it gonna take for you to trust me?

do you believe people can change?

how about we catch the ten o'clock showing?

don't you remember what happened last time?

why is it so unbelievable that i'd want to help you?

you're [ name ], aren't you?

who did this to you?!

how did you know i'd be here?

what's that supposed to mean?

do you think i'm irredeemable?

what kind of mess have you gotten us into?!

do you see anything you like?

what do i owe you for the food?

why won't this stupid thing work?!

does tonight really have to end?

holy shit. can you believe we really pulled that off?!

i can tell you're upset, [ name ]. what happened?

how long have you been standing there?

do you ever wish you could just ... run away?

haven't we been here before?

wait, shush ... did you hear that?

did i miss today's newsletter or something?

can we put our differences aside for a second?

what are you getting out of this, exactly?

you'd tell me if something was wrong, right?

are you willing to bet on it?

would you kill for me?

what made you think that was okay?!

do you believe people can change?

what's the worst thing you've ever done?

you were going to leave without saying goodbye?

[ name ], can you sit up for me?

can i kiss you?

where are your keys? you're not driving like this.

how's life been treating you?

where have you been?!

aren't we supposed to be alone tonight?

aw, has someone had a little too much to drink?

where are you going with this?

are we really doing this right now?

have you eaten today?

can i crash here for the night?

how did you learn to lie so well?

can i at least buy you a drink?

where should i meet you?

is that  ...  blood?!

are you trying to make me jealous right now?

what’s your problem? you're acting weird.

[ name ], you're ... real, right?

where’s your sense of adventure?

do you like horror movies?

what are you trying to prove?

can you give me a ride?

do you have any idea what you've done?

shouldn't you answer that?

why should i be the one to calm down?

have you been up all night?

why are you lying to me?

is that my [ jacket / hoodie / shirt ]?

what are you so afraid of?

do you want to grow old with me?

you’re gonna walk away from this?

are you nervous? your hands are shaking.

where am i supposed to go?

how many fingers am i holding up?

you want me to just walk away from this?

[ name ], slow down– what's wrong?!

are you embarrassed of me?

what's that smell? something's burning.

how can i make it up to you?

why can't you stay out of it?

is this some kind of trick?

come on, what do you have to lose?

do you ever still think of me?

idiot. why didn't you tell me?!

can we stop and think about this rationally?

how long has it been since you’ve slept?

what's your ideal first date?

are you ready to tell me the truth?

i almost died, and you're laughing?

what do you mean, "sort of"?

can we just stay like this forever?

when can i see you again?

can we put this behind us?

oh ... you thought of me first?

where did you learn to do that?

oh my god,  are you bleeding?!

where are you?  nobody’s heard from you.

[ name ], are you drunk?

how can i make this go away?

someone's jumpy today. are you feeling okay?

are we safe here?

what can i do to convince you?

what could possibly go wrong?

you have no idea who i am, do you?

how do you really feel about me?

why can't you look me in the eyes?

did you know you talk in your sleep?

were you following me?

can we just pretend this never happened?

are you just barely getting home?

are you even listening to me right now?!

where does it hurt?  can you show me?

are you trying to get yourself killed?!

how about we just forget the world exists?

how long have you been keeping this from me?

were you ever going to tell me?

what do you make of this?

[ name ],  what the hell?!

can we just be honest with each other, here?

are you trying to keep me a secret?

why does your story keep changing?

how long have you known?

it can't be that bad, right?

are you happy? i mean, really happy?

isn't this place amazing?

did i interrupt something?

how am i supposed to trust you?

are they still following us?

are you fucking serious?

do you remember our first kiss?

can we take a break for a minute?

how about we disappear for awhile?

you're going to walk away from this?

can you please just cut the crap?!

why didn't you tell me you were hurt?

how can i make this go away?

can you just look at me, please?

is there anything i can do to change your mind?

do you ever stop talking?

that depends. are you done lying to me?

are you sure this is legal?

how do you take your coffee?

can you keep your voice down?