Fear

'I've faced countless Demons, I'm stronger than I was before. I shouldn't be scared of Melissa anymore. I've changed!'

Reciting this mantra to convince myself, I could feel her approach the door. In a few seconds, she would be here. In just a few seconds, I would once again see the person who had tortured me for so long.

'Shit! This can't be… I'm so nervous!'

Apparently, I had assumed that I had changed. Meanwhile, deep in my core, I was still the same feeble Jeremy. I only convinced myself to be in control of everything, since my opponents so far were evil monsters and naïve individuals. However, against the shadows of the past… was I still so helpless?

>CREAK< The door opened.

I buried my face into the book I was reading, pretending to be unaware of the girl that entered the room.

A whole second felt like an eternity to me. I struggled to hide my nervousness, but it appeared my acting skills were failing me.