The drive to see Father Geoffrey was over in a matter of minutes. A combination of back roads, low profile tyres and modified camshafts made it a fun drive to boot. It was still only mid afternoon as Josie pulled up into the car park at the small church. Sure enough, there was Father Geoffrey's grey sedan parked in its usual spot. What she also saw, gave her pause... There must have been either an event, or an afternoon service on today. This was going to either make things far better, or far worse.
"Breathe Josie, you've got this, he won't hurt you in a room full of witnesses." She reached up, touching her cheek where he had struck her two years ago. "You're doing this for Charlie..."
Climbing out of her car, she began walking towards the front entrance. Listening in satisfaction to the sound of her car chirping as the locks set. It wouldn't take her long, but she didn't take chances with her baby. As expected the front door was unlocked, so she stepped inside without a moments hesitation.
"Hello," A small woman greeted her by the door. "The service has already started, but you're welcome to sit in."
"Thank you, I won't be but a moment." Josie smiled, trying to soften what was to happen.
She followed the sound of Father Geoffrey's familiar voice, he was spewing some nonsense about confused teenagers and unbridled lust. It was emanating from a doorway down the opposite hall she had previously been lead down.
"Yet another reason I was stupid coming here... Forgive me Charlie..."
She calmly walked into a well lit room, filled with worshippers, staring intently at the Priest. Josie frowned at the expressions she could see on everyone's faces, it was clear they whole heartedly agreed with Father Geoffrey's venomous words. She calmly made her way down the walkway towards the altar, smiling the moment he caught her eye.
"Father Geoffrey!" Josie called out.
The room fell silent at once, nobody had ever interrupted a sermon like this before. "Josephine, have you reconsidered my offer?"
Josie smiled and shook her head, "Father, I was wondering if you could explain to the good people here why you are stalking me?"
A collective gasp shot out around the room, Father Geoffrey raised his hands and waited for the room to fall silent. "You dare come into a place of god and accuse me? ME!? Of all people, of stalking you?"
"Father, I will say this only once more. Stay away from me and my property, or I will have you arrested. My housemate Charlie spotted you creeping around my home. I am having cameras installed."
"I did no-"
"Further more!" Josie cut him off, "I am not, and never will be interested in sleeping with you, no matter how much you offer me."
Josie watched his expression turn to shock for the briefest moment, before turning and walking back out. Passing the elderly woman at the front desk, she nodded politely as she left. Josie decided she deserved ice cream on her way home. She always kinda felt bad about bringing home treats, Charlie seemed to get funny around her, almost... Jealous, so she ate it in the car. Soon Josie was pulling into her driveway, the evidence of her snack all but destroyed. Josie couldn't help but smile, watching the downstairs lights snap on, just as soon as she opened her car door.
"I'm home!" Josie called, walking up the stairs and giving the door a small kiss.
This time, Charlie didn't twist the key for her, but Josie was immediately assaulted by various delicious smells coming from the kitchen.
"What are you up to Charlie?"
"Just a thank you, I hope you like it."
"Charlie... You don't need to thank me, this is all my fault anyway." Josie sighed, running her hands softly along the handrail.
"See, that's what I'm talking about!" Charlie chuckled, "I was all alone, scared and angry until you got here."
"Charlie..."
"Don't Charlie me woman! That bastard priest wouldn't be hanging around if I'd been nicer from the get go!"
"You didn't know-"
"YOU DIDN'T DESERVE HOW I TREATED YOU!" Josie winced at the volume, "sorry, I won't yell..."
"It's ok Charlie, let me shower, then I'll finish dinner."
Josie walked up the remaining stairs and immediately headed for her en suite. Josie loved her en suite, it was larger than most bathrooms she had ever used. It contained a large open ended shower, large enough for two, an old claw footed bath and a beautiful stone sink, carved right into the wall. She loved a good soak in the bath, but tonight she was in a rush, so a quick shower was on the table. Fifteen minutes later, Josie was wrapping herself in a silk bath robe and heading back downstairs. Walking into the kitchen, she briefly spotted a series of ink, black limbs thrashing about in the kitchen. Some pulling things from cupboards, some stirring various pots on the stove, others chopping herbs. But in a flash, several limbs quickly shot out, blocking Josie from entering.
"No no, I've got it tonight," Charlie growled
"Charlie... You don't even eat... I don't expect you to make my meals..."
"I know Josie, that's why I like doing it... Besides, since you set up the internet, I've been learning to cook." Charlie almost chirped.
"Wait... How do you use the internet?"
"... Your laptop..."
"How did you get in my laptop?" Josie gasped.
"Well... It's hard to explain, but I kinda see everything in this house... Every... Thing... Including when you type your password."
Josie thought about that for a moment, "Charlie?"
"Please don't be mad at me..."
"Do you watch me when I'm naked, Charlie?"
"I... Ah... I try to ignore you," Charlie said softly.
Josie frowned a little, "Charlie..."
"You're a beautiful woman Josie." Charlie shot quickly.
Josie nearly choked on some saliva, doubling over making choking sounds, she quickly found herself wrapped in Charlie's inky limbs. It made her pause... Charlie was sentient, that much was obvious, but what else? Charlie like physical affection, like stroking the hand rail on the stairs, the goodbye kiss on the front door. Charlie hated modifications being done to the house, unless Charlie came up with the idea. Charlie had personality, was cheeky, enjoyed games, obviously had a high level of intelligence.
After all this time, was Charlie wanting something more?
Josie bent lower, taking hold of an inky limb, and gently pressed her lips against it, giving Charlie a gentle kiss. She was surprised when the limb quickly shot back into the wall.
"I'm sorry Charlie, I didn't mean to upset you!" Josie frantically shouted, as the limbs fell from her body and retreated.
"No... No it's ok, I just wasn't expecting it." Charlie chuckled nervously. "It's been a long time since someone was affectionate with me..."
"I'm sorry, I won't do it again..." Josie whispered, stroking a nearby wall, hoping Charlie wouldn't be offended.
"It's ok Josie, please, serve yourself dinner, I need to check something."
"Thank you Charlie." Josie was almost in tears, Charlie was in such a great mood, now she'd gone and killed the mood.
Charlie retreated into the secret space. Where the heart was, the source of the power that sustained life. Charlie couldn't feel Josie anywhere, she was too far away now, she wouldn't hear anything going on. Charlie pulled the inky appendage into sight, examining the kiss... It wasn't anything like Josie had expected. Charlie fed off emotion, the stronger the emotion, the more power. Josie's simple caresses were like a light meal. Josie's bedroom partners, were a few decent meals. But the tender kiss, directly on the inky appendage. Charlie smiled internally, watching the miss-coloured pink splotch on the limb. It was still growing, slowly taking over... After all this time... Maybe Josie would break this curse?
Josie was sitting quietly at the table, she was eating some form of risotto. It was absolutely delicious, but she didn't have anyone to share it with, not to mention, Charlie was strangely quiet. Josie was unnerved, Charlie was never quiet for long, especially when Josie wanted to chat. Josie noticed the floor tremble slightly, and Josie couldn't hold it in any longer.
"I'll go if you want me to." Josie said quietly, as a tear rolled down her cheek, "I'm so sorry Charlie-"
"Stop that," Charlie snapped, "I'm fine, I promise, you shocked me a little, that's all, no harm, no foul."
"You promise?"
"I promise, gees!" Charlie chuckled, "look, I've been practising!"
Josie looked around the room, waiting for a sudden emergence, but heard a clang coming from the kitchen. Josie turned and spotted a walking stick figure made of inky black limbs, but the clang, was caused by the numerous pots and pans it seemed to be wearing like a suit of armour.
"Am I sexy yet?" Charlie growled seductively.
Josie collapsed, rolling on the floor, tears running down her face as she laughed hysterically. After a few minutes, she finally managed to compose herself enough to sit up. She stared at the figure standing before her, and watched as it struck a pose and pushed out what could be assumed as it's ass. Josie started laughing again, she had never quite seen Charlie pull something like this before. She was still chuckling to herself later that night as she curled up in bed.
"Charlie?" Josie called out.
"Yeah Josie?" Charlie replied immediately.
"Can you get the light?"
"Sure thing-"
"And Charlie?" Josie interrupted
"Yeah?"
