Douglas's Dilemma - Chapter 6

Douglas has a serious chat with Illyana.

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Douglas took one last look at Tiffany's serene face, illuminated by the moonlight peeking through the curtains.

As he gently shut the door behind him, her peaceful breathing was the only audible sound in the dark bedroom. She was fast asleep in bed and hopefully enjoying a sweet dream. Shutting the door behind him, he hit the streets.

The night air was unexpectedly brisk for this time of year, and Douglas rubbed his arms to warm himself up.

He regretted his earlier decision not to bring a jacket, cursing his arrogance.

He would have preferred to stay in bed, snuggled up with Tiffany's warmth as they spooned together, but he knew this conversation with Illyana was necessary.

He had been dodging her calls and messages for days, but she persisted in trying to get his attention. She even went so far as to ask about him at his workplace twice.

Despite his attempts to hide it, Tiffany knew the truth about what had happened between Douglas and Illyana in the past few weeks. And thanks to Major Kraam's untimely interruption, Douglas didn't technically cheat on his girlfriend. But they were dangerously close to crossing that line before the explosion occurred. If it had happened just seconds later, not only would Douglas have betrayed his girlfriend, but he would also have transferred her powers to Illyana, making her the most powerful and terrifying being in human history.

Douglas was consumed with guilt for deceiving his girlfriend, and she wasn't even angry at him. Her love and kindness only intensified his self-blame for what he had done to her. He knew he didn't deserve her or her gentle nature. To earn Tiffany's trust, Douglas pleaded on his knees and promised to cut all ties with Illyana from that point on.

Making this decision felt like the earnest thing to do, but Douglas quickly realized it did nothing to help him forget about Illyana. In fact, the dreams he used to have about her returned even stronger and more vivid, tormenting him throughout the night and turning his cock into a raging monster. He would startle awake at least three times, drenched in sweat with thoughts of Illyana's laughter and beautiful face haunting him.

In these visions, Illyana reigned as a sinister deity, commanding world leaders to grovel and lick the dirt off her boots in front of billions on live television while her laughter blasted with sadistic delight through the speakers of the ones watching at home.

Douglas felt immense relief that he had resisted the temptation to kiss her in a moment of weakness. Had he given in, the world would be at Illyana's mercy, subject to her every desire. Knowing her, those desires would likely not lead to anything positive.

Douglas glanced from side to side before darting across the busy road, narrowly avoiding a speeding car. He continued, heading towards the train station. Despite the rowdy group of teenagers drinking and a haggard-looking man enjoying a smoke while lying on a makeshift bed amidst piles of trash, the station appeared deserted.

Douglas strolled casually across the platform, his silhouette faintly illuminated by the orange lights lining the walls. He scanned the area with an attentive gaze, about to reach for his phone to call Illyana, when he spotted a figure emerging from behind a stone pillar. The sound of heels clacking against the floor signaled her approach as she approached Douglas.

It was Illyana.

He couldn't help but shake his head when he noticed her attire—an ultra-mini skirt that left little to the imagination.

"Do you really want to get assaulted so badly?" Douglas looked at her disapprovingly as she twirled around in her mini skirt and long legs, a sight that he couldn't help but admire, even though he disapproved of it.

"Not if I had those powers you've promised me." Illyana exhaled a cloud of smoke and crushed the remaining cigarette with her boot. "I guess we can blame it all on you if something happens to me on my way home."

Douglas let out a snicker. "Straight to business, huh?"

Illyana stood with her arms crossed, her captivating gaze fixed on Douglas with a mixture of contempt and disappointment. "Someone has to be. Seeming you spend all your time avoiding me."

"I was busy trying to comfort a traumatized girlfriend. I'm sure that even you can sympathize with that." Douglas said.

"And I'm not traumatized?" Illyana's voice rose. "You haven't even tried to reach out to me since that day. No calls, no texts, nothing. You remember that day, don't you? I was almost raped!"

"That wasn't my fault!" Douglas shot back.

"Wasn't it? Who put me in that position?"

"Come on, that's not fair." Douglas pointed his finger. "How was I supposed to know that a group of murderous aliens would attack our city that day? Be grateful that Tiffany saved you."

"You should have kissed me, Douglas," Illyana stated with a hint of disappointment.

Douglas shook his head. "No, I'm glad that our kiss was interrupted."

Illyana's expression turned cold as she glared at him. "Is that why you've been avoiding me? Because you don't want to give me these powers anymore?"

Douglas looked away, his eyes falling on a nearby trash can.

"Why the sudden change of heart when you were so eager to bestow these powers upon me before?" Illyana pressed.

Douglas let out a sigh, his gaze eventually settling on Illyana's. "It's what's best."

"For who? For you and Tiffany?"

"For the world," Douglas said.

Illyana laughed. "And since when do you give a rat's ass about the world, Douglas? The last time we talked, you were fantasizing about some dark superbitch unleashing destruction upon it."

"I know what I said, but it was a mistake. I can't let thousands of people, maybe millions, suffer just to satisfy my carnal needs."

"So now what?" Illyana said. "You're just going to go back to your boring life with miss ethical AF?"

Douglas nodded, already turning to leave. "That's right. And from now on, I suggest you steer clear of me, or I'll have to take legal action against your stalking behavior. Or perhaps I'll let Tiffany arrest you instead."

"Mr Corn," Illyana said.

Douglas stopped in his tracks, his curiosity piqued. "What about him?"

Illyana moseyed over to Douglas, the sound of her boots breaking the silence of the nearly abandoned station. "Have you ever heard the true reason as to why I set that jerk's car on fire?"

Illyana inched closer to Douglas, gazing at him with captivating eyes. "Judging by that clueless look on your face, I assume you haven't. You probably assumed I did it because I'm just an incorrigible girl who does these things without a justified reason, just like everyone else. Well, you're all wrong because good old and highly respected Mr Corn touched me!"

The shock in Douglas's eyes was apparent. "But why choose such a drastic measure, like setting his car on fire? Why not report it to the school's authorities? I'm sure they take something like that serious."

Illyana laughed. "You think I didn't? A girl with a reputation like mine isn't taken seriously by anyone. After hearing my testimony, all Mr. Bombshell did was promise to have a talk with Mr. Corn about it and call it a day. That sneaky weasel of a Mr Corn flashed me a smug grin the next day, knowing he would get away with it."

"But what about your Dad? Did you tell him?"

Illyana snorted. "My Dad was there when I told my story to the school's principal."

"How did he respond? I'm pretty sure he was enraged about the matter and wanted to crucify Mr Corn."

Illyana let out a bitter chuckle. "Maybe I could forgive him if he had just been scared to confront my abuser."

Douglas arched a brow. "He did not believe you?"

"He had doubts, yes. I probably shouldn't have been surprised, considering all the little lies I've told him in the past. But I would never lie about something like this!"

"So you took matters into your own hands?" Douglass said.

"So I took matters into my own hands," Illyana replied with a heavy sigh. "So you see, Douglas, this happened to me twice now, and how many more times will follow? If you had just given me these powers, I wouldn't have to worry about being harassed anymore. No one would dare lay a hand on me. Don't I deserve a thing like that after everything I've been through? Do you know how hard it was for me in juvie? How many times I had to fight for my life against girls who were a lot bigger than me?"

"What about the rest, Illyana?" Douglas said. "Who will look out for those who can't defend themselves?"

"Fuck the rest!" Illyana snapped back. "What have anyone ever done for me? I've always had to rely on myself."

Douglas smiled at Illyana. "I think I've heard enough to know I'm making the right decision here." He turned around and started walking.

"Aaargh! Come on, Dougie!" Illyana hurried after him, grasping onto his arm. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm not completely cold-hearted."

"No, you're not. But you're no Tiffany either."

Illyana sighed, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and frustration. "No, I'm not," she said, her tone heavy with self-pity. "Look, all I'm trying to say is that no one on this rotten planet truly cares about me. But you do, Douglas." She took hold of his hands and gazed at him intently, her green eyes sparkling with emotion. "I found it incredibly brave what you did that day for me, standing up to that Major Guy even though you knew you were no match for him. No one has ever done anything like before."

Illyana's lips inched closer to Douglas's, anticipation and longing evident in her every move. Just as their lips were about to meet, Douglas suddenly turned his head away and walked off. "Have a good life, Illyana,"

Illyana let out a disbelieving laugh. "Really, Douglas? Just like that? You're going to regret this!" Her voice turned harsh with anger. "Mark my words. This is what you want, Douglas." She pointed at herself "This is what you want, you hear me!"