Tempted

chapter 2

Ryan, at least that was what he was calling himself right now, loved his job.

Not making sandwiches, that's hardly a real job. A hobby really. No Ryan tempted people.

It was his job to temp people, weaken their resolve and cause them to fail in their positive endeavours. He practically fed off of it.

He could embed himself into his preys subconscious and overtime his thoughts would feel like their own.

There were some of his kind all over, many chose easy hunting grounds like bakeries or the regular fast food spots, but those people were already week.

It was hardly pleasurable to him to tempt someone so lost already. No, Ryan loved a challenge. Here, next to the gym, he was perfectly situated to watch each day as people worked to improve themselves. Here he could fight against those strong willed individuals and make them fail. And he was good.

He believed he was so good that he could even overcome one of the others, those of his kind that used their ability to temp for good, to reinforce people's wills.

That was why he was here, if he could beat them, maybe he could even make them fail. Twist them as well.

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Rebecca was concerned, it was past time for Angela's apointment.

Rebecca was a personal trainer at the gym, sort of, she was also a motivator. It filled her with pride and energy to see people succeed and her recent project Angela was not here for their appointment.

She first saw Angela at the Target down the strip, she was looking at bathing suits and was feeling a bit dejected. A bit of motivation got her to buy that bathing suit, some workout clothes and march right over to the gym to start a membership and get to work.

That session went great. Angela pushed herself and was so motivated that she didn't stop at the fast food places on the way home. They booked this appointment to keep her going with her commitment.

"So where is she?"

Rebecca walked out into the parking lot and saw Angela's car, "so where is she?"

Rebecca pulled out her phone and texted Angela.

-Hey, ready for your workout?

It took a minute to or so before the response came back.

-Sorry got hung up at work I will have to reschedule.

Rebecca knew she was in the area. She walked about the mini-mall trying to pick up on her thoughts. She sensed her in the Target.

She sensed that Angela was feeling a mix of emotions. She was a bit sad and guilty, likely from skipping the gym, but there was a new sense of confidence.

"I can work with that." Rebecca tried to tune in to Angela's thoughts as she observed from the next aisle.

"This is the one. This bathing suit looks so much better. Like classic 1950s swimwear. Even the mannequin looks more like me. Plus I bet Ryan would like it."

So there was a guy. Even better.

"Wouldn't Ryan like it if he could see more of you?" Rebecca's planted the thought

"If he keeps giving me cookies he will." Angela responded to herself, almost excited thinking that's what Ryan wants. She made a mental note to grab a candy bar on the way out.

"Cookies?" Rebecca thought, "Candy?" This wouldn't work.

"But the gym, shouldn't I try more? Guys really like a girl with a great body." This was Rebecca again

"I have a great body. Came Angela's voice. The only thing that would make it better would be more of it." Angela moved her hand from the large size to the XL swimsuit.

Rebecca was shocked, she was supposed to be bolstering this girls will, but now it was different, it was almost as if...

Rebecca turned, there he was, she could tell what he was just by looking.

"You!"

"Yes", came Ryan's reply full of confidence.

"Back off, she is mine.

Ryan gave a look over in Angela's direction. "I disagree. She is thinking quite hard about making me happy."

"That's because you are ruining her."

"Oh please you had her killing herself for your own gain don't act like a saint at least she is going to enjoy herself my way."

"What as you make her fat."

"Fat isn't failure first of all. Secondly that is too easy. No it's not her that I am really after. Really looking to tempt into failure."

Rebecca paused. "Me?" Haha you are delusional if you think you can break me.

"Really. Care to place a bet."