Chapter 16: The Breaking Point

“So, let me get this straight: Eric is supposedly some kind of spirit, and he's possessing people?" Stephanie asked.

“Yes," Anya said, trying to keep her irritation in check. It was the tenth time she had explained the situation to Stephanie. The whole thing sounded crazy, but she wasn't in the mood to make something up. It would likely do more harm than good anyway. If Stephanie was going to be here, she needed to know exactly what they were dealing with.

Stephanie scooted as far away from Anya as possible within the confines of the SUV. “Okay. So you think this spirit wants something from David?"

“Something from David's past drew this…thing to him. But when I talked to it, it was very adamant about keeping something a secret. If all it cared about was helping David get even, it would've killed everyone by now. What I'm worried about right now is David wanting to give it what it wants."

Stephanie was silent. Anya stole a glance at the rabbit and saw her staring at the floor.

“Hey, don't start blanking out on me," Anya said. “You wanted to come along. I need you focused."

Stephanie continued to stare at the floor. “How did I not see it? I saw that something was wrong, and I still didn't do anything about it. I thought if I told him I would listen it would make things okay. When he started talking about Karma and getting even, I thought it was just talk."

“It's not easy to talk to someone about your problems. Not to mention David was desperate. He felt like he was drowning, and there was no one to help him."

“I should've been there to help him," Stephanie mumbled.

Things were quiet for the next few blocks. Anya tried to figure out what connected David and Eric together. David was on trial for murder, abandoned by just about everyone he knew. He wouldn't just open up to some random user on the Internet, and risk it being used against him in court. And Eric wouldn't just approach David with plans of revenge. But then how did Eric build rapport?

Anya sighed and hit the steering wheel. “Dammit. What am I missing? I can see David and Eric being drawn together, but not why David would let himself be dragged this far down."

“You said it yourself: he was desperate," Stephanie mumbled.

“But desperate for what? Peace? Revenge? Eric had to offer David something he couldn't get on his own."

“Maybe he didn't need to offer David anything."

“What do you mean?"

“I mean what if Eric only…I guess amplified the feelings David already had? What if it was more about just listening to him rather than telling him what to do?"

The words, “David is almost ready", jumped to the front of Anya's mind again. If that was Eric's plan, to turn David's feelings against him, then why? Why was it so important to push David so far?

The only connection was what made Eric choose David in the first place. It couldn't just be about the accusations; it had to go deeper than that.

“Stephanie, you knew David longer. Do you know exactly when he started using Chatline?"

Stephanie shook her head. “I hadn't even heard of it until you told me."

“What about the talk about getting even?"

“He hadn't mentioned it until recently. But he had been bottling things up for a while now. Like he never mentioned Lori cheating on him. I heard people talk about it, but I always thought they were just making up rumors."

 “Hold on, Lori was cheating on David? I knew Luther and Lori weren't really a couple, but she had actually cheated on David?"

“Yeah. David was pretty broken up about it. Luther was pretty much holding Lori hostage and, there was nothing David could do about it."

Anya swore under her breath. Lori and Luther were the ones having the affair, but David was the prime suspect in her death. No wonder David was pissed. “One more question. Did David's life fall apart before or after he found out about the affair?"

“I think after. What does that matter?"

“Just curious." It was possible Eric had been watching David since the beginning, and everyone who crossed David mysteriously died. She tucked the thought away for later.

They finally reached the street where Patricia Price lived. Anya ignored the goosebumps sprouting on her arms and slowly parked the SUV several yards away and shut off the engine.

“Why are you stopping here?" Stephanie asked. “The house is further up."

“Eric may not know we're coming. I'd rather keep it that way."

“Okay, but what are we going to do when we get to the house?"

“I haven't thought that far yet," Anya said, climbing out of the SUV. The details could come later. Right now, all that mattered was putting a stop to Eric's plans. “Stay here."

“Forget it. I'm no cop, but David's in there and you can't go alone," Stephanie replied, climbing out as well.

Anya sighed and continued down the street. She didn't have time to argue and no way of making Stephanie stay behind.

They walked down the street, quickly and quietly, neither saying a word. Stephanie stayed behind Anya. The neighborhood was unnaturally quiet. On a beautiful day like this one, no one sat on their porches to enjoy the weather, or came out to play, or even opened a window.

Just like with Brent Caldwell, Anya thought. That means he's either here or he's already left.

Anya kept her eyes fixed on the Price residence. The windows were blocked by curtains, and since it was the middle of the day, the lights wouldn't be on, so there was no way of knowing if anything was happening inside the house. Her heart beat faster the closer they got to the house until it felt as if it would burst out of her chest.

She knew it was beyond stupid to approach the house without calling for backup, but Eric would be long gone by time anyone arrived. There was also Eric's ability to possess people. He could take over someone's body and slip out in the confusion.

Deciding to err on the side of caution, Anya slipped around the side toward the back door. It gave her a strong sense of déjà vu. Hopefully, she wouldn't find David and Patricia laying dead on the floor.

The back door was unlocked, stressing Anya's nervousness. She drew her glock from the holster, whispered to Stephanie to stay close, and went inside.

The house was just as quiet as the neighborhood. The kitchen was set up as if someone was eating lunch and stopped midway. The house was dark, but no signs of blood or struggle which Anya took as a good thing.

They made their way through the house slowly and quietly. The dining room, living room, and bathroom were also empty. Anya checked every corner and potential hiding place. Each time she saw nothing, her fears worsened. Stephanie stayed so close, Anya could hear her frightened breathing.

There was a door behind the stairs. It had to be the basement. If Eric and the Prices were still here, that had to be where she would find them. Anya carefully opened the door and peered into the darkness below. It was quiet as always. Anya took a deep breath and descended.

The basement had been modeled into a man-cave. It had everything, a small bar, large flat-screen, poker table, but everything looked as if it hadn't been used in weeks. The air was filled with dust made worse by the anticipation. Sitting on the sofa, facing straight ahead at a blank TV were two humans. Anya took one final look around before approaching them.

“Mr. and Mrs. Price?" Anya whispered.

No response. Anya slowly approached the front of the sofa. Her mind flashed images of the two people sitting there, throats exposed, posed to look as if they died in each other's arms. Mr. and Mrs. Price were still alive, holding each other as best they could with their tied hands. They noticed Anya standing there, but didn't look relieved. Laying on the floor was David.

“It's okay," Anya whispered. She continued to look around. Something was wrong. She just couldn't put her finger on it. “My name is Detective Corázon. I'm here to help. Is there anyone else in the house?"

“N-No, it's just us," the man said. “I'm Richard, and this is my wife, Patricia."

Patricia said nothing and continued to sit stiffly and stare at Anya. Anya couldn't blame the woman, she was likely frightened

“So what happened here?" Stephanie asked. “And why is David here? Anya you told me Eric was the one behind this."

Anya knelt down, checked David for a pulse, and found he was still alive. “I also told you he could possess people. He probably took over David's body. Looks like he heard us coming and ran."

Anya felt something press against the back of her head and heard the familiar click of the hammer of a gun being pulled.

“Very smart, Detective," Richard said. “Now remove your gun and toss it over there."

Anya swore under her breath. She knew Eric could switch bodies, but she let her guard down because Richard and Patricia were tied up. She slowly removed the glock from the holster and tossed it across the room.

“Good. Now, Stephanie, come here please," Richard said. When Stephanie's footsteps stopped, he added. “Now you two sit still while my assistant deals with you."

At that moment, David's eyes opened and he sat up. Anya stared in shock. David was further along than she thought.

“David, what are you doing?" Stephanie asked.

“Now is not the time for talking," Richard warned.

David used a roll of tape to tie Anya and Stephanie's hands then made them sit next to Patricia and Richard on the sofa. Anya watched David carefully as he worked. There was remorse and sadness in his eyes especially when he looked at Stephanie.

When David finished tying them up, he took the revolver from Richard. There was almost glee in David's eyes, making Anya swear under her breath. It was just like that time with Carol.

Eric was in control now.

Anya thought about how they were going to get out of this situation, but she came up blank. Eric was breaking the routine, and it made him too unpredictable and dangerous. He wasn't the hostage taking type, and he had enough time to kill Richard and Patricia before she arrived.

So why was everyone still breathing?

Richard looked confused, but once he looked at David, his expression turned to pure horror. “What did you do to me?"

“We just borrowed you for a minute," David-Eric said. “Would rather not take unnecessary risks and damage the vessel."

Right now, David was her only play. David was no murderer. If she could plant doubt in his mind, it could drive a wedge between him and Eric and maybe buy some time to figure a way out of this.

She just hoped David could hear her.

“Look, Eric, I know why you want me and Patricia," Anya said. “But what did Stephanie and Richard do to you? Up until now, you've only gone after people who lied on David. Those two are innocent. You can let them go."

David-Eric chuckled humorlessly. “They're not innocent, Detective. Stephanie has teased us from the start, and Richard knew exactly what his wife was up to but did nothing."

“David, I wasn't teasing you," Stephanie said.

“What did you expect me to do?" Richard asked. “Nothing I said would convince Patricia of your innocence."

David-Eric growled, stormed over to Patricia, and struck her with a vicious backhand. She cried out in pain. Richard jumped to his feet, but one shove sent him to the floor. David-Eric struck Patricia again. Richard struggled to get up, absolute hate in his eyes. David-Eric pointed the revolver at Patricia's head and everyone froze.

“Do you feel helpless yet?" David-Eric asked tonelessly. “Forced to watch as we use your wife for a punching bag? That's how you made us feel this past year."

“You're right, David," Richard said quickly. “I-I don't understand how you feel. I'm sorry. Just…please don't hurt her."

David-Eric shook his head. “No, you're not sorry." He pulled back the hammer on the revolver. “Not yet."

“All right!" Anya cried. “We get it! You can stop with the theatrics."

David-Eric smiled at her and lowered the revolver. It took everything Anya had not to try to wipe that condescending grin off his face. It was easy to forget that Eric was in control and David wasn't in the right state of mind. She also noticed the use of “we" instead of “I", reminding her of what Eric said in Carol's apartment. “See, this body is on loan. I don't have a lot of time before Carol tries to take it back."

Did that mean Eric didn't have full control? Was that why no one had been killed yet? David-Eric's left hand had been shaking since Eric took over. Was it from excitement or something else? Perhaps she didn't need to drive a wedge between them after all.

I just hope I can use it to my advantage, Anya thought. “Was this your plan all along, Eric? To take over David's body? Did you ever give a shit about him?"

“Why do you keep calling him Eric?" Patricia asked.

“Because that's what she chooses to call us," David-Eric replied. He looked very annoyed with this new line of questioning. “It really makes no difference to us. Eric isn't even our real name."

Anya's brow rose. “What? You're not really Eric?"

“Yes, and no. We consumed someone named Eric once. After so long, it's hard to keep track of all the names."

Anya stared at him slack-jawed. At first, she thought she was dealing with some kind of spirit, but now she wasn't so sure. If David wasn't the first, just how long had this been going on? “What the hell are you?"

David-Eric looked at her as if she were something he'd never seen before. “That's an odd question, Detective. Would knowing give you any peace? You'll die soon, so I guess it doesn't matter. Unfortunately, we don't know. We don't remember our life from before. We don't even remember the name of the last vessel. We just remember the hatred, the betrayal, the pain. A spouse, a family member, a close friend. Do you know what that's like? To feel let down by the ones you trusted most?"

“So you help them, but you don't help them for free, do you?" Anya said, trying to keep her anger in check. Preying on people who are at their most vulnerable. How low can you get?

“Do you know what it's like, Detective, to want something that's always out of reach? To never feel the warmth of the sun, the cool summer breeze, the caress of fine linen?" He slowly brushed Stephanie's face. She shuddered and leaned away from his hand. “The touch of a lover? It's like starving to death without dying. After so long it can drive anyone mad."

“And David?" Stephanie asked, her voice quavering. “He asked for this?"

“In a sense. For the last year, he was being worn down. It's easier to break someone's mind than you think. Like all things in life, it's just a matter of applying the right amount of pressure long enough. You people kept squeezing and squeezing until he finally popped."

Patricia spat a glob of blood on the floor at David-Eric's feet. “So now it's my fault you ended up a mess? How about you stop trying to pass blame and take responsibility for once?"

Anya wanted to slap the woman. After blaming David for so long was she really telling him not to pass blame? And Eric was clearly unstable. Now was not the time to piss him off.

David-Eric didn't seem bothered by Patricia's comment. “The time for passing blame is over."

Anya's heart skipped a beat. This wasn't good. It sounded like Eric was making up his mind whether to kill them or not. I got one maybe two more chances to change his mind. If I can't convince him by then, we're fucked. “David, don't do this. You're not a murderer. Neither are you, Eric. You told me yourself you haven't killed anyone up until now."

“That's right, David. Do you think Lori would want you to do this?" Richard added. “Is that how you show appreciation for the woman you loved? By murdering her parents?"

“I know you think you're alone, but you do have friends," Stephanie said. “I meant what I said about waiting until you were ready."

David-Eric looked at each of them, uncertainty in his eyes. “Luther tried to kill us today. He wanted nothing more than to watch David die, and David killed him."

“That's different. It was self-defense," Anya said quickly. “I saw the damage to the door. After hearing what Luther did to you this past year, no one will blame you."

David-Eric started laughing. “People already think David's a cold-blooded murderer. But it's not about walking away, Detective. Even if Luther hadn't come, David would have killed him eventually. He needed to die if David was to move on. Honestly, you should've seen him; it was like dealing with a damn light switch. One minute it was 'fuck the world'. The next, he didn't want anything bad to happen to anyone. So annoying."

“It's called having a conscience," Stephanie said. “Something you don't know anything about."

He turned to Stephanie with a devious grin. “And what about you, little bunny? Where was your conscience when you led David on making him believe you could have a future together? But don't feel bad. If you hadn't taken away his last hope, it would've been much harder to get through to him."

Stephanie's eyes widened in horror. She shook her head, never taking her eyes off David-Eric. “No. No, you're lying."

David-Eric smiled. “ 'Fraid not."

“Stephanie, don't listen to him," Anya said. “He's just trying to make you feel guilty."

David-Eric shot the cushion between them, causing everyone to jump. “She should! She spouts that nonsense about caring and wanting to be together, but where has she been this last year? What support has she given? The only reason she even bothered to come back is because she felt guilty."

He faced Richard and Patricia. Richard shielded his wife and stared with fear-filled eyes. “And you," David-Eric growled. “We get why your wife is a cunt, but what's your excuse? How could you stand by and let her do something like this to someone you welcomed into your family? Who brought your daughter happiness?"

“D-David, I'm—" Richard began.

David-Eric growled and pressed the revolver against Richard's temple and the man fell silent.

“Go ahead, say it," David-Eric whispered. “Try to justify your actions with some bullshit about how you were in pain and confused. Guess what? So was David. But that didn't stop you from beating him down until there was nothing left!"

“What do you want from them?" Anya cried. “You made it clear an apology isn't going to cut it. They can't undo what they've done, but at least they're trying. You see they feel bad about what they've done and want to make up for it. Don't they deserve a second chance?"

“I don't need this murdering bastard's pity or his forgiveness," Patricia spat. “Just kill us and get it over with. I'm sick of listening to you whine."

“What are you doing?" Stephanie whispered. “He'll kill us."

“No, he won't," Patricia said firmly. Anya noticed a glimmer of fear in David-Eric's eyes. “He's had more than enough time to kill me and my husband, but he hasn't. Just like he's waving that gun around, but hasn't shot us yet. Now he's pretending to be insane so we'll be afraid of him."  She straightened up and looked David-Eric in the eye. “You don't scare me. You murdered my daughter. If my death is what finally puts you away, then so be it."

Anya's stomach knotted. Patricia had clearly given up on the world, or maybe she didn't care because if David killed everyone, he would finally go to jail like she wanted. Either way, it wasn't good.

“Patricia, that isn't helping," Richard said.

David-Eric continued to stare coldly at Patricia. “You call us a murderer, but what about you? You planned to murder an innocent just to frame us, but you still sit on your fucking high-horse?"

David-Eric's words had an effect. Patricia stared at the floor, looking ashamed.

“Patricia, what is he talking about?" Richard asked fearfully.

Patricia refused to look at her husband. “We were going to kill her, and frame David for it," she said, pointing at Stephanie.

Stephanie scooted away. “Me? What did I ever do to you?"

“It wasn't personal. We just needed someone we knew David was close to."

“You've been calling David a murderer for how long, and you were planning on doing the exact same thing?!" Stephanie cried, her voice laced with rage.

“He needed to be stopped!"

“So to stop a murderer, you kill someone who has nothing to do with it? Great plan."

Patricia's words made Anya think. Eric couldn't have gotten close to David on his own; she knew that. But after seeing what he could do with Carol, she also knew he could get close to David for a brief moment. If that was the case, it meant Eric could have been in contact with David for months, maybe even years. But that also meant Eric knew David's life was falling apart and did nothing to stop it.

“You see, Detective, the only person we don't have a grudge against is you," David-Eric said. “David likes you even though you are a nuisance. Now that you see these hypocrites don't deserve to live, maybe you get it now. So this is your last chance. Agree to keep quiet about this, and you're free to go."

It's the only card left to play. If it fails, we all die. “So that's it, Eric?" Anya asked. “Anyone who crosses David dies? No exceptions?"

“Of course, Detective," David-Eric replied.

“So I guess that included Lori, too."

The trembling in David-Eric's hand worsened. “W-We don't know what you're talking about."

Anya smiled inwardly. She found it, the crack in Eric's foundation that may break his hold over David. She just hoped the gamble paid off. “I think you do, Eric. You've been watching David for a while now, but David doesn't know that, does he? Just how long have you been watching him? Spying on him? Planning to take over his body? But first, you needed him to trust you. You needed permission or else David would eventually force you out. So you started killing anyone who crossed him to gain his trust. But you couldn't just start knocking people off without a good reason. David needed to wish they were dead. You needed to isolate him from everyone so he would confide in only you. So you killed Lori and convinced Luther to pin it all on David and after that, the pieces just fell into place."

David-Eric's face turned pale and his tail ducked between his legs. The hand holding the revolver began to shake. “L-Lori died in a car accident. Everyone knows that."

Anya nodded. “True, but then again, a lot of people in David's life have been having 'accidents', right?"

“Shut up," David-Eric growled. The trembling in his hand worsened and spread to the rest of his arm.

“So David is just another victim," Richard said. “If you hadn't killed my daughter—"

“WE DIDN'T KILL HER!" David-Eric bellowed. His fur stood on end, but there wasn't an ounce of fury in his voice. “She betrayed him! She deserved what she got! But we had nothing to do with it!"

“You sound a little desperate there," Stephanie said. From the look in her eyes, she caught on to Anya's plan. “David told me himself he still suspected Lori even after the affair ended. It tormented him, but you made the pain go away, didn't you?"

“You're the reason David's life fell apart," Anya said. “You're the reason the love of his life is gone, the reason everyone he knew turned on him, the reason he now gets to spend the rest of his life with your hand up his ass like a damn puppet—"

David-Eric snarled and pointed the pistol at Anya, but his hand trembled so badly, there was no way he could shoot. He grabbed his hand, his face twisted in pain. “David…David listen," Eric grunted. It was no longer David's voice speaking. It sounded as if someone were speaking through a veil of water. “She's lying. I didn't. I would never have hurt Lori—I know how much she meant to you."

“But you were watching him long before everyone else betrayed him," Anya said. “You've had plenty of time to plan it all out. So, how did David find out about Chatline anyway? Close friend recommended it? David wouldn't've risked a public website unless someone he trusted gave him the idea. Admit it, you've been possessing his closest friends, haven't you? All to make sure David does what you want. You burned all his bridges so he would have no choice but to turn to you. You ripped his life apart so you could steal his body and feel the wind in your hair."

David-Eric glared at Anya with a rage that made her lean back in her seat. “You have no idea what you're dealing with, Detective," he growled. “You think I'm sick? You haven't seen the things going on in his head. The things he wished he could do if only he had the balls. This is one sick puppy, and I'm the only thing holding him back." He grunted again and doubled over, clutching at his head.

“Seeing how David never acted on those urges, I think I'll take my chances," Anya said. “David, you have to force him out! He's almost gone!"

“That's right, David!" Stephanie cried. “Make that bastard pay for what he did!"

David-Eric fell on all fours and howled. It sounded like a cry from some demonic fantasy creature, echoing off the walls and making Anya's very bones ache. He writhed on the floor, clutching at his head as if trying to hold it together.

Then it stopped all at once as if someone hit the world's mute button. David remained on the floor, breathing heavily.

“David?" Anya asked.

David groaned and grabbed the pistol on the floor. Anya tensed, wondering if Eric had reclaimed control and was going to kill them all.

“Yeah, it's me," David said.

Anya let out a sigh of relief. “It's finally over then. C'mon, untie us."

David looked down at the revolver in his hands and didn't move.

Anya felt her stomach knot again. “David?"

“It's funny isn't it? All this time, I thought Eric gave a shit about me, but in the end he was using me just like everyone else."

Anya swallowed thickly. “David, it's over now. It's okay. Eric's gone."

“Like hell it is," Patricia snapped. “He broke into our home, assaulted me and my husband, and threatened to kill us! I'm pressing charges!"

“Patricia, please," Richard said soothingly. “After what we just saw, how can you blame David for this?"

“How can you sit there and defend him? He's clearly unhinged! He needs to be institutionalized."

“Mrs. Price, just let me explain—" Anya began.

“Anya, don't bother," David said monotonously.

Anya knew how it would end before she saw it. For a split-second that seemed to last an hour, she thought of something she could say or do that would change the outcome. But nothing came to mind.

The events played out in slow-motion. She saw David raising the revolver, pointing it at Patricia Price, and squeezing the trigger. Patricia's head snapped backward, blood and bone splattering over them and the sofa. No one made a sound nor moved.

“That woman was really getting on my damn nerves," David said.

His voice snapped Anya back into to reality. For a moment, she almost forgot she didn't have a weapon. She stayed in her seat, glaring daggers at David. “Why?" she asked, her voice shaking. “If you had left things alone, you could've claimed extreme-emotional distress. Once a jury heard how you've been tormented this last year, you would've walked!"

David shrugged. “You heard her, Anya. She wasn't going to leave me alone. It's either them or me. It's clear I can't trust anyone. The only thing I can do is make sure no one ever fucks with me again. Eric, too. He's still in here"—he pointed at his head—“but right now he has no control."

Anya could only stare at David in horror.

David looked at Anya with no emotion in his eyes. “I should kill you. You're a cop—you can't leave me alone now. But you opened my eyes, so I'll let you go. But in case you get any funny ideas about following me…" He pointed the revolver at Stephanie. Stephanie's already shining eyes widened in absolute terror. He pointed the revolver at her leg and fired. Stephanie screamed in pain. “Hopefully I won't see you again." David disappeared up the stairs.

Anya immediately rushed to Stephanie and pressed her hands on Stephanie's gunshot wound. “I know it hurts, but I need to keep pressure on it."

“I know," Stephanie said through clenched teeth. “I honestly saw that happening differently in my mind."

“I'm afraid revealing Eric's betrayal pushed David over the edge," Anya said solemnly. He didn't even blink when he sacrificed her so he could get away. If I get in his way, he won't hesitate. He won't stop until he gets his hands on Alex and anyone else on his bad side.

Anya turned to Richard, “I need you to call 911."

Richard sat there, cradling his dead wife, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Richard! Please, I can't do it and stop the bleeding with my hands tied like this."

Richard didn't acknowledge she was talking to him. “It's all my fault. I'm so sorry. It's all my fault."

“Anya, I can apply the pressure myself," Stephanie said. “Just leave me a phone so I can call for an ambulance."

“Are you sure?"

“Yes, I'll be fine. You have to save David. It's Eric. He's making David do this. I don't know how Eric got control, but David can't come back without your help."

Anya wanted to tell Stephanie David was doing this on his own, but now was not the time. She rushed upstairs to the kitchen and used a kitchen knife to cut her hands free. She then hurried back down and did the same for Stephanie. She considered untying Richard, but it might be best to leave him restrained. It wouldn't be good if he decided to go after David as well. Anya left her cell with Stephanie and rushed back to the SUV, wishing she had listened and not parked so far away.

David had a head-start, but she knew where he was going. He was going to take care of Alex Fields. She sped down the street, siren blaring.

I don't get it, she thought. If he really wanted me out of the way, he had the perfect opportunity to end it. He could've killed all of us back there. Is it as Stephanie said? Can David still be talked down?

 She didn't know the answer to that. She did know that David was unraveling and needed to be stopped, and if she had to kill him to do it, she would.