I walked on through the darkness not having any idea what time it is, or even how long I'd been gone. All I knew was I was freezing and becoming more discouraged with each passing minute. As I picked my way carefully along the icy sidewalks, I really wished there was someone I could call to come get me. But there was no one. I couldn't let dad or Carol get me, they'd be furious and would ask too many questions. Jake would never leave his precious hole of a bedroom, and even if he did he would tell dad. Alex didn't have a car nor her license, so I was stuck.2
I jammed my fists into my pockets, feeling pretty sorry for myself. It was my fault I was out here. I had thought Charles would've been at least partly decent considering he's uberly in love with me, and maybe we could've talked about it. But nope. He had tricked me. It was my fault I was prowling the streets late at night in below freezing temperatures, and so far from home. I mentally berated myself as I passed a Kroger's and a BP station. My feet were become severely frozen since I, being the genius I am, was only wearing clogs. I muttered obscenities to myself and kicked a dirty pile of snow out of my way. I plunged deeper into the night and kept my head down the whole way, up until I heard a few men at a strip club catcalling to me from across the street that is. I really wished at this point I could just crawl in a hole and die. I pulled the collar of my coat tighter around me and walked at brisker pace. I didn't need any trouble from those big biker looking guys, no way. 3
The only light being afforded to me was that of the streetlights and buildings. The gray clouds were so thick now, they were completely covering the moon and stars. After a few more disparaging thoughts,and almost tripping over a raised sidewalk, James appeared with a small pop. 4
“ James oh my God! Don't do that. You scared the hell out of me. And what happened?” 5
He ignored the statements, “Are you alright?” I stopped walking and I let him check out the side of my face. “Oh Kristy,” he murmured, his pale lips barely moving. I stared up at him, wanting nothing more than to just be home in bed, and have him with me, but in my world, things aren't that simple. He stroked my cheek with a slightly callused , glowing thumb, “Why? Why in God's name did you see him? I know you must have, he couldn't have gotten into your house.”6
I stared guiltily down at my clogged feet, not wanting to answer. “It's just- he said he had something to tell me, and he said it was important, and I dunno. I just wanted to find out, I was hoping I could just talk to him about this, and get him off my back, but he sucker punched me and I woke up down in that basement and,” I took a breath from my rapid spewing of words, and James took this as his cue to interrupt.7
He pulled me close to him, and I stood there in the below freezing temperatures, clinging to him. I wasn't so much upset as I was scared and angry. As we pulled away I noticed a look in his eyes I had never seen before. Fear.8
For me. Because here I am always doing stupid things to get myself into trouble. Why couldn't I just be normal? Why couldn't I do the things normal girls worry about, like having a date for prom or wondering why my jeans don't seem to fit some days? Why did I have to be cursed with this stupid ability to see the dead? Of course without it I never would have met James. But you can't miss what you never had. And if I hadn't had this ability, I never would have known James existed so I wouldn't be standing here musing over this. Sometimes I really hate my life.9
James broke the heavy silence, “Come on let's get you home.” I nodded feeling a bit noncommittal, and let him lead me into the night in silence, past a hospital, past Big Dan's Pizza, and past hundreds of houses with people more fortunate than me sleeping in their nice warm beds. Stupid people, sleeping and not freezing to death in 12 degree weather. I hate those people. They suck at life. Actually, ha ha, I do, I thought sullenly.10
I don't know how many minutes went by before I said anything. It must've been quite awhile, since we were now at school. One more mile to go, and man was I feeling it. “What happened down there? After I left?” I asked suddenly.11
James looked at me from underneath his thick black lashes and seemed as if he didn't want to tell me. He sighed deeply before answering. “ He left the body. Mark's I mean. He's been possessing him. He left Mark there to die.”12
Aha! I knew it. I was just celebrating my early victory when James killed it, “ He got away before I could do anything about it. The firemen showed up, and he bolted.”13
“Well what happened to the body?” I asked feeling slightly worried. It wasn't Mark's fault, not in the least. Charles was the one controlling him.14
“He got taken off in an ambulance. He suffered some pretty bed burns and smoke inhalation, not to mention the nasty broken nose you gave him. And what I did didn't help matters much.” James smiled a bit ruefully. 15
“What did you do?” I paused to look at him.16
“Don't want to talk about it.”17
I nodded and didn't press the matter. We continued on.18
I'm not exactly sure how we made it back, or how I got up to my room, but I'm not gonna lie, the moment I saw Jake's old beat up car in the drive, I nearly collapsed from happiness. Once in my room, I didn't bother to change out of my bloody, dirty clothes, I just crawled into bed, and passed out. James however, tucked me in, and sat by my side all night, like a mom protecting her kid from the bogeyman. The bogeyman, however, is nothing compared to the goings on in the mind of Charles St. Mark.
19
20***
21
22I slept for a long time. When I woke up James informed me I'd slept for almost 32 hours. I stretched out luxuriously in my full sized bed and noticed him reading in the arm chair. “Morning sleeping beauty,” I grimaced at the name but said nothing.23
“What time is it?” I said reaching for me clock. “Oh my god it's 11:30. I'm late for school!” I made to jump out of bed but James laid a soft, restraining hand on my shoulder.24
“Carol called you in sick, besides it's you're birthday. They let you sleep.” I relaxed and settled back under the covers visibly relieved. 25
“Wow, I'm 18 today. God I totally forgot about that.”26
James strode over to the bay window and flung the curtains open, letting the bright sunlight penetrate my dungeon of a room. You'd think instead of a ghost living here, it would be a vampire. “Yea and it's no wonder. Happy birthday Ace,” he smiled coming back towards me. “I have something for you but, I'll wait until later to give it to you.”27
I pouted like a child being denied this grand treasure and stretched again, yawning. I didn't feel so great. Probably because the night before I got my butt kicked by the ghost of some crazed stalker. I looked down at myself and felt sicker. I still had my bloody, dirty clothes on. My coat and shoes were off (James probably did that) but I was still wearing the clothes I'd been in from two days earlier. I cringed in spite of myself.28
“You know what?” James asked cheerfully, “I'm going to draw you a bath, since today is your birthday and all, and those bruises could use it. They look so painful,” he winced. Yea, lucky James. He doesn't feel cold, or pain, or anything like I do. It must be nice never feeling pain. Lucky dog.29
I smiled toothily and him, “Aw thanks, but you don't have to,” I said, getting out of bed. James stood near the bathroom door ready to go make me a bubble bath, and then strode over to my bed.
30
31“Nope, you get back into bed, I'm doing it and you're going to like it.” It was only then I noticed that his sleeves weren't rolled back to his elbows like they normally were, but instead were down and buttoned around his wrists. That's weird.32
With that, he turned his back on me and went back into the bathroom, where I heard the tap sputter to life and him whistling. I gazedin his general direction fondly, I really do not deserve him.33
A few minutes later James came back out, “Okay, now you may get up. 34
I slowly and painfully got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom, “Thanks Jamesy.” I kissed him lightly on cheek and stepped into the bathroom, closing the door softly. The second I passed the mirror I shrieked. Dried blood was still crusted on my chin from the cut on my lip and I had a huge purplish bruise on my cheek. My hair was matted down, and my clothes were filthy. How the heck could James stand the sight of me? Even I thought I was grotesque. I'm not shallow or anything, but dried blood and bruises don't do any girl any good. And sadly I knew this firsthand.35
I stripped out of my nasty clothes and gasped again. I had a huge bruise on my torso where Charles had punched me. I scowled. If I ever saw him again, I'd kill him. Of course, I thought dryly, he's already dead. I stepped into the tepid water and sighed in relief. Every one of my muscles had been aching, and I didn't realize it until now that relief had come. I scrubbed the blood off my face and forearm where the nail had tore my skin, carefully trying to avoid any scabs. That would just cause me more problems. I soaked for maybe an hour, occasionally adding more hot water. And I didn't get out until I was sure every part of me was washed. Twice. 36
After I stepped out of the tub I felt like a million dollars. Sure I still partly had a black eye. And yes I had a huge scrape along my forearm and on my lip. And okay, I had a huge bruise on the side of my rib cage, but I was clean. I love the feeling of being clean, it makes everything not seem so bad. I sighed in happiness and noticed James had left me my pink satin pajamas on the sink. I slid into them and stared at my reflection again. Sure it could've been better, but at least I felt better.. I quickly towel dried my hair and drained the water out of the tub. 37
Back in my room, James had brought up a tray with soup and crackers on it, along with a tiny crystal vase holding a single, exotic orange flower. I smiled, “What's this for?”38
He gently placed the tray on my unmade bed and I saw the corners up his mouth shoot upward, “It's your birthday. And I think you could use a break, after the other night and all.”39
I beamed at him, “Wow James, that's just.. so sweet of you.Thanks.” 40
“Anytime.” 41
My smile widened and I stood on tiptoe to kiss him. “I mean it. Thanks. I really appreciate it. It's just so nice of you. I ran a gentle hand down the side of his cheek when he caught sight of the gash in my arm. 42
“Kristy, why didn't you say anything about this? It could become infected.”43
“I washed it in the tub, it'll be fine.”44
James dark eyes narrowed, “Come on.” He then proceeded to drag me into the bathroom where he played doctor. I sat on the edge of the bathtub and he knelt in front of me, slathering my cut in antiseptic ointment. 45
There's good old James for ya. Always worrying about others when he should be worried about himself. He wrapped some sort of cloth around the injury and clipped it together. “There you go,” he patted it lightly, “all better.” I looked up from the cut and smiled at James, then I kissed him gently.46
Finally, I thought, a normal day for once. Mind you a normal day for me is making out with hot dead guys in my bathroom, but I wasn't complaining. This mediating business really does know how to ruin a girls attempt at a normal existence.
47
Adding your comment:
You jerk...
