It was a long walk home, it shouldn't have been. I had been doing it for months and it always seemed so quick. A lot quicker then my last job. I used to ride my bike and it could take almost twenty minutes, sometimes thirty with traffic. Still it had been nice exercise and scenic. Now my bike mostly sat in the garage, the walk was endless houses, one after another.
I knew it wasn't the walk. It was the same as it had always been, my mind and heart were just racing. I was worried about what I was going to do. We had just gotten settled in. Just last weekend or the one before it, we'd put up curtains. Our bed, OUR BED was so comfortable. I could snuggle with him forever. I liked his touch and his smell. We'd finally gotten our dishes down to one set instead of two and we had a routine.
I would shower while he shaved. He would cook and I'd do the dishes. I'd do puzzles and he'd watch the TV and drink. He'd fix something in the garage and try to explain it to me. I think I knew how to change the oil on most engines by now. It was amazing how when you knew how to fix a car, your garage suddenly became an auto shop for all your friends and neighbors.
I sniffled as tears streamed down my face. I no longer needed to hide them now. I was so scared. The first time I saw him I just wanted to end it right then and there but now I had a life. I had dreams and goals and had formed attachments. All the shit I wasn't suppose to do but it had been six years, when I only thought I would get six days at best. Once he found he he didn't like to stay away long.
A very uncomfortable memory crossed my mind. I swore I could feel it as if it were happening right here and now. I felt his lips at the back of my neck as his arms came around me from behind. I knew what it felt like to hold his arms in mine.
We'd been in some room made of marble, it was open and there were sheer fabrics floating in the breeze everywhere. I recalled staring into an open fire pit as he whispered in my ear. "I can not stay away from you." I felt him trail kisses down the back side of my neck as he lifted his hands to grope my breasts. I slowed down, I felt strange...not the way I should...the way I wanted to. I didn't like it.
I pushed the memory away, jamming the thoughts and sensations from my mind. I would not WOULD NOT!...allow such a memory to flow through me. I ran as if I could outrun the memory and everything that came with it. There were just places I didn't want to go! There were things I didn't want to know. I HATED HIM! I HATED HIM! I HATED HIM! AND that was all there would EVER! EEEEVVVEEERRR be to it!
I saw the house we were renting up ahead and was happy to be home at last. This was my home! Let it be for that much longer! I continued walking and noticed others were walking up to our place. I thought maybe they were going into the neighbors but I saw someone walk right up to our front porch and go inside, carrying something. I froze mid-step noticing a bunch of cars were on the street...way more then normal. Just what was going on? Had something happened?
WAIT! Had 'HE' sent others to our place. I thought he wasn't awakened but maybe that was to catch me off guard. Maybe he was sizing me up while he had people raiding our place. He'd done it before countless times. He'd gone through out stuff...sometimes he even took everything. I remember one time, I worked for him and we went on some business trip and he moved out my entire apartment without telling me.
I bit my lip before I could think of what to do I realized I recognized some of the faces. I think I recognized one of my cousins. It had been years but I think that was him all grown up. I saw a nurse from my time in the institute. She had her kids with here. She was opening our front gate and noticed me. She looked surprised and quickly rushed inside with her kids.
I thought that was weird but a second later Angie dashed outside. She put her hands on her hips and asked. "What are you doing here?"
"Uh I live here?" I said.
Angie was an older woman. She had been Casey's teacher when he was a teenager and had inspired him to go into teaching himself. They had even worked together for a few years and always kept in touch.
"You're suppose to be with Casey." she said.
"No, I just got off work, oh wait?" I said realizing Casey had asked me to wait for him. He was getting off early today but I closed early with everything going on. "I forgot he asked me to wait for him."
"Oh, Okay?" she said, looking around. "Uh, we can work with this?"
She pulled her scarf off and put it on me, dropping it down around my eyes, like a blindfold. "There. Just for good measure, close your eyes.'
"Why?" I asked.
"Don't ask questions, just close your eyes and let me guide you inside." She moved me around warning me when there were steps. I thought this was all rather strange. She pushed me to our bedroom then had me sit on the bed before she took her scarf back. I turned, noticing some people out back through the window, quite a few actually.
"NO!" She said quickly closing the curtain. "Stay here! Stay quiet and ignore anything and everything. Okay."
"Okay," I said but couldn't help but smirk.
She was up to something. She shut the door and I tried to think of what this could be. It was obviously some gathering but what for? It wasn't either of our birthdays. It wasn't a house warming party, we were renting and we'd been living here for a few months. But why would people we knew gather, unless it was for some big announcement.
For a moment my face flushed, was Casey going to propose? No he didn't think we were going to last but it was possible he changed his mind, living together, being together as a real couple. Maybe he realized this was the real deal. Shit! Shit! I mean it was sudden but maybe. Maybe. No. I quickly dashed the thought from my mind no he'd made it clear how he felt about us. If...he ever would consider proposing it wouldn't be any time. Still...maybe. I let out a sigh and fell back on the bed. I was truly hopeless.
I decided to just wait and see. It was clear this was suppose to be a surprise and I didn't want to ruin it, especially if it was a nice surprise unlike earlier. The door opened as I thought about 'HIM' again. It was Angie and she was on her phone, "Yeah, I'm getting her."
She handed me her phone and I said "Hello?"
"What are you doing home early! You aren't suppose to get off work for another ten minutes." It was Casey and he did not sound happy.
"Yeah," I sighed, "I closed early."
"Why?" he asked.
I thought I heard a beeping sound in the background, like he was at a grocery store, check out. I knew he wanted answers but I didn't feel like discussing it over the phone. This was a much more serious conversation, we needed to have in person, when it was just him and me.
"I'll tell you about it later." I said then asked. "Why are there so many people at our house?"
"Don't worry about it! Just lay down and take a nap or something."
"Right, okay," I said handing the phone back to Angie.
Angie smiled at me and got back on her phone, "See she's fine, yes, yes, no I don't think she saw a thing," Angie winked at me then left the room, shutting the door behind her.
In the brief moment the door was open, I noticed some people hanging something up. I could see a ladder and there were some colorful streamers. I could see a lot was going into this. I bit my lip, getting more curious and excited by the second.
I laid back on the bed and closed my eyes. I kept trying to guess what this might be. I knew today had been six years since everything so maybe that was what they were celebrating but I seriously doubted it. Whatever was going on, everything with 'HIM' was going to have to wait until after this. I didn't think we could talk with so many people around. I knew I shouldn't wait too long but there was not much I could do about it.
Music suddenly blasted outside and I quickly shot up in bed. Everything went quite then I heard Angie yelling, "NOT YET BRET!"
"I'M JUST TESTING IT!" Bret yelled back.
"LATER!"
I bit my lip and really wanted to peak outside but again I didn't want to ruin whatever this was. I let out a heavy sigh and laid back down. I don't know how much time passed but I was almost asleep when Casey burst into the room. He quickly shut the door behind him then clapped his hands together and said, "Okay, let's do this!"
I sat up and raised an eyebrow at him asking, "And what exactly is this?"
"A surprise," he said. Then wrapped some cloth around my eyes.
I realized it was the drawstring from his robe. "Wait is this the drawstring from your robe?"
"Right now it's a blindfold." He said, "And you are just going to close your eyes and not look or listen to anything."
"Uh, okay." I said laughing.
He lifted me up and carried me somewhere. I heard whispers, the sound of kids playing and parents hushing them. One child asked when they could have cake. Oh there was going to be cake! Again what was this? He set me down and I realized we were outside. I thought we might be in the backyard. Yet when he removed my 'blindfold' we were in the front yard and everything looked normal.
"Oh are you kicking me out?" I teased.
"No! Not yet." he teased back as he rolled up his robes drawstring and put it into his pocket. "How it was suppose to go, was I would have picked you up from work, then walked you home." He gestured to the front gate then opened it. I went through and he shut it. we got onto the porch and he continued "We'd walk onto the porch" he picked up his feet more then he needed to "I'd cough a lot." he coughed a bunch then got his keys rattling them. "I'd unlock the door and you'd be none the wiser.
"I still am." I said crossing my arms. "Honestly I don't know a thing."
"Good!" he said opened the door.
We stepped into the living room and it was filled with people and there was a big cake in the center of the room with a table that had all sorts of snacks. The entire room burst out. "Surprise!" quickly followed by "Congratulations!"
I noticed the cake said congratulations and there was a big sign hanging from ceiling that also said it.
"What? I said confused.
Casey pulled something out of his pocket. A piece of paper. He unfolded it and began reading it aloud "Congratulations Ms. Nona Menez, I would like to congratulate you on behalf of the Barrot Administration, for successfully meeting the requirements or you High School Equivalency Test"
My eyes went wide as I took in what he was reading. "I passed? I PASSED!" I looked at him. Then around the room, then back at him. "I SERIOUSLY PASSED!"
My mom came out holding a frame with an official certificate. It had my name on it with the date of completion. I burst into to tears then I couldn't believe it! I suddenly felt overjoyed. I had studied and studied. Since I had missed so much school I was so far behind. I had to learn so much. Year after year I wasn't ready or kept putting it off for one reason or another. At times I felt like I wasn't going to ever catch up. I definitely didn't think I was going to pass the first time.
I reached out and grabbed him, "I can't believe it!"
"I can," said Casey, "You've always been smart.
"Too smart," my mother said reaching out to hug me, "For your own good."
"Better late then never." said my father. He just gave me a pat on the back but I hugged him too, which I think surprised him.
I knew I shouldn't play with their emotions. I knew now more then ever it was dangerous to be close to them but in this moment I selfishly decided to have my cake and eat it. At least for a few hours. I just wanted to let everything go and throw caution to the wind. I think given what I knew now and that 'He' wasn't awake I had a few hours, maybe even a few more days.
They opened a bottle of champagne and started cutting the cake. The music soon turned on and I saw the backyard was set up with tables and chairs. People had brought more food and set up a sort of buffet. Casey also started up his grill as people rushed around congratulating me.
The kids set little party poppers off and strings of colored paper and confetti went everywhere. I was given a drink and it took me a good fifteen or twenty minutes to get outside. I got into one conversation after another. The main questions were was it hard and what was I going to do now? I knew the answer to the first one but was still thinking over the second one. One or two people asked me how I had prepared for the test since they still need to take it. I saw a few of the nurses from my days at the institute were there and they gave me flowers. They were all so proud to see me out and about, living and achieving.
I got a few other gifts and a lot of hugs and kisses. Honestly it was more then I deserved after all that I had done. For a moment I wondered if I hadn't done that or hadn't completely shut down, would we all be closer. Of course everything had its reason. If I hadn't done what I did, I wouldn't know the nurses. Casey and I also probably wouldn't be together if I had ever been his student. It all served a purpose...whether I liked it or not.
I kept trying to make my way over to Casey. He was busy, grilling up, burgers, chicken, steaks and sausages. I remember when we were moving and we had to get something from the store. We got separated and I found him looking at that grill. I thought it was huge. It was for big parties and considering most times it was just me and him, I didn't think we needed such a thing. He said you get a big grill so you could have big parties and everyone was going to want to come to our place. He got it but I thought it wasn't going to get much use.
I could see now I was wrong. I walked up to him as he talked with a few of his students, who had showed up. He was encouraging them to go for their high school equivalency as he took a sip of his beer and winked at me.
"You're burning it!" I teased.
"Not on your life!" He said before moving some things around in the grill.
"I see, you found an excuse to use the grill."
"Yeah a pretty good one." he said. "My girlfriend is pretty smart."
"Right," I shook my head, "I was suppose to get this years ago.'
"Who says? It's not a race everyone goes at their own pace."
"Yeah but most people my age-"
"You're not most people you got some high scores."
"What?" I said not believing him. He dug into his pocket and showed me a piece of paper. It showed my score. I saw where I barely passed a few sections but he had been right I did have some higher then average scores in some areas, "Wow."
"Yeah not only did you passed but you did better then they expected you to do."
"Not on everything I almost failed history." I felt it was ironic given if you didn't know history you were failed to repeat it but at this point I had so many histories. Every new life had a chance for a new world and a new way of doing things. Though strangely some of them had similarities. I felt like there was something to that.
"Almost but you didn't, "Look at your language score, maybe you should become a reporter."
"Right and report on...what?"
"Anything, everything."
"And have to write essays day in and out. No thank you!" He dared to lean in and kiss my cheek and I blushed.
"So what was it you needed to talk to me about? Why did you close early? "I got quiet as it all came back for a second. He noticed "Nona?"
"Later," I said quietly, "Right now let's just be here in this moment."
I looked at him with such love as I reached out, brushing my hand against his cheek. I could see this only made him more concerned. Before he could say anything someone stepped up with plate, asking if any of the burgers were done. Casey turned to check on them and I used this moment to slip away and get myself some food.
I was suddenly starving and there were so many options. I grabbed a plate and took a little bit of everything. I also made a plate for Casey and had one of the kids bring it to him. I could see he was annoyed I'd stepped away and hadn't returned but it was better not to get into this right now.
I spent some more time talking with others. I thanked them for coming and caught up on what was going on with them. Then I listened to some music and cleaning up a bit. I also ran a few things out to some of the older guests, more food and drinks. I got called out for it and was told to just enjoy the party. I grabbed something to drink and just tried to relax.
The party lasted longer then it was suppose to. Casey had figured it would be two maybe three hours, at tops but we went for about five or six. People just kept coming and going. We got some people who even left to do something and came back. I guess that meant it was a pretty good party. It was dark by the time everyone left and our house was a mess.
We gathered up most the trash and did some dishes but decided to leave the rest for tomorrow. Casey ran the trash bins to the curb and I barely had enough energy to brush my teeth and change into a nightgown. I was so tired I just collapsed on the bed. Casey took a quick shower then curled up in bed with me.
I dreamt of the beach at first. Golden waves crashing into orange sands. The sunset was breathtaking with red skies. It was so exotic. I didn't do much traveling in this life so my dreams were like little getaways. I saw and did so many different things. I laughed as I splashed in the water. It was warm to the touch and felt so nice. My skin would glisten after I touched it.
At one point I ran along the sand and floated up into the sky. The clouds were pink and so fluffy. However in the distance I saw dark clouds were suddenly forming. I felt like someone was entered my dream and I was no longer alone. I just knew 'HE' was coming for me. I tried to fly away but the wind got strong. I fell to the ground and ran towards a collection of buildings. My dress flowing behind me. I opened a door and was suddenly in a kitchen. There was like teal green wall tile and wooden floors. I saw counter tops, a fridge and oven but no other doors. It was so weird to go from a strange beach to a kitchen. I felt he was still after me and tried to make another door.
I grabbed at the fridge but instead of opening it, I pulled the entire wall and everything with it...like it was hidden door. I snuck into a hallway just as he entered the kitchen. He saw the door I had made and ripped it open. I ran down the hallway and opened another door. I was in a laundry room now. I opened the hamper and there was a ladder leading down to another room. I went down the ladder and was in a bathroom. I got in the tub and pulled the faucets, turning the tub into a slide. It went down and around.
No matter how fast I ran, no matter what tricks I pulled or barriers I tried to put between us he was always hot on my trail. He was unrelenting. He would not let me escape this time! When I dared to look back at him. He took his current form! He looked just like he had in the store. He reached out with his black leather glove and grabbed my throat. He squeezed and blood suddenly poured out and around my neck as his eyes got dark and dangerous.
He roared at me. "DID YOU THINK YOU COULD ESCAPE ME! DID YOU THINK I WOULDN'T FIND YOU! THERE IS NO WHERE YOU CAN GO! NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO GET AWAY FROM ME! YOU ARE MINE!
I struggled to get free but he wouldn't let go of me... there was just so much blood. After a moment he threw me to the ground. I crawled on my hands and feet as he tore at my dress. He got on top of me and forced himself inside me, raping me! I swear I could it! The sharp burning... the fire between my legs. I woke up screaming and scrambled out of bed. I rushed into the bathroom and dropped into the corner, crying hysterically.
"HE FOUND ME! HE FOUND ME!"
Casey flipped on the lights a second later rushing to me, "NONA!
"DON'T! DON'T COME NEAR ME! I screamed, "He knows me. He'll know you to. He's co-"
"It was just a nightmare, no one is coming for you Nona! No one is going to hurt you!" Casey assured.
"NO!" I screamed, not calming down, "It's not just a nightmare! IT'S REAL! He came into the store today! Six years to the date and he came into the store today! HE'S COME FOR ME!" I shivered and shook as Casey finally managed to grab hold of me. He yanked me to him gathering me up in his arms.
He squeezed me tightly and insisted. "No he hasn't! Nothing has changed"
"Yes, yes he has! Everything has changed!" I cried into his chest. "I can't go back now! I can't go back, he'll be there!"
"I'll go with you!" he assured me. "I made you a promise didn't I. He wont get you! He wont hurt you!" He began rocking me. It felt good to be in his arms. To be held so tightly by him and rocked.
"You, you can't stop this. I can't stop this, no one can." I sobbed.
"Shh, shhh," he said running his fingers through my hair. He sat down on the bathroom floor, just holding me in his arms, "I'll take care of it. I wont let anything happen."
"There is nothing you can do,"
"You can't say that," he said touching his forehead to mine, "Remember, until you've tried everything you can't say that there is nothing you can do."
I clung to him and things go very quiet. I wanted to believe him but he didn't know what we were up against. It wasn't just 'HIM' but the curse. "We need to go. We need to run."
"We're not going to run," he said, "I'll make him go away. I'll come with you to work tomorrow and make him go away."
"What if he doesn't come back tomorrow?"
"Then it worked," he said.
"What if he comes back another day, when you're not there?"
"Then you'll call me," he said "And I'll be there just like I am now."
I listened to the sound of his voice as he reassured me. He was too good for me. He was always too good for me. After everything we'd been through, even when he was upset and scared, he always tried to make me feel better. I loved him so much and didn't want to lose this...him. I rested my head against his chest as he kept talking. I listened to the sound of his heart beat and he slowly rocked me until I calmed down.
He carried me to the bed and gave me something the doctors prescribed, for when I got upset. I took it and then we laid down and spooned. He kept telling me he'd be here. He'd be here. I knew there was nothing either of us could do. We needed to run. We couldn't fight this. We just needed to delay it for as long as we could.
I was tired of knowing...of struggling with this. I closed my eyes and hoped it would be better in the morning. At the same time, I hoped it would never come. I hoped we could just stay like this together forever, wrapped in each others arms. It didn't take long to fall back asleep my dreams were a blur.
It was a quiet morning. He woke up before me or he never went back to sleep. He woke me up and had me take my medications before I went through my morning routine. While we were eating breakfast, he called in sick to work. I didn't want him to. I told him I could call in or quit. He said it was important I got back to the store and know everything was okay. He'd go with me today and I'd see it was all alright.
We slowly got dressed and locked up the house. It took us nearly twenty minutes to get to the shop. We walked so slowly hand and hand. I could see he was tired. I knew I had kept him up and he was always worrying about me. Maybe this wasn't going to work this time around. Maybe I should break things off or make him think he did. I had waited so long for us to get together but I could see how tired he was these days. He needed some peace...some real joy in his life and I was just a sinking ship.
He shook my hand like he knew I'd gone somewhere dark, "Hey," he said. "Cheer up, I'm here."
"I know." I said. I put on a half smile.
"Maybe you can show me what's new?"
"Surprisingly most of it. We usually get things coming and going."
"You ever wonder if this place is a front," he teased. "All this stuff on the shelves. I wonder how she floats the place?"
I knew he was just trying to distract me. He'd make up other mysteries for me to dwell on hoping I'd drop the ones that were getting me worked up. "Most of it sells, you'd be surprised."
"Perhaps I will be," he said. "Since I'm going to be around."
"You gonna stay the whole day?"
"The whole day," he said before giving me a kiss. Again I loved this man.
I unlocked the shop and went through my morning check list while he pulled up a chair near the front counter and sat down. He snagged a morning paper and put a few dollars on the counter so he could sit and read it. After we opened we got a few costumers. I noticed him sitting in the chair with his arms crossed. Every now and then he'd lower his head and start to drowse. I could see he was tired and it had to be boring keeping watch but he didn't complain.
He was doing this for me, to make me feel safe. He thought he was just checking for monsters under the bed but this...was so much more. I kind of wished he knew the full extent and then I'd come to my senses and hoped he'd always think I was just crazy.
Some girls came in mid-morning and were looking for some gifts to raffle off at their school. I told them if they talked to the school before they purchased anything the school might be able to buy it for their raffle. I'd seen other schools in the area do it. They had these little vouchers that were as good as checks. The girls said they were trying to get some new equipment and wanted some really good prizes, good but cheap. They jotted down a few of our best sellers then left.
I started putting things on the shelves and doing some inventory. A woman came in with a broken mug and said it came like that. I got her a replacement and she got a few other things. I filled out paperwork for the broken mug and Casey went to the restroom a little before lunch.
I wasn't sure if I wanted 'HIM' to show up today or for this to be a waste of Casey's time. I knew "HE" would be back at some point and Casey couldn't always be here. I needed to decide what I was going to do. I suppose I could treat him like anyone else until he one day snapped or avoid him as much as possile. Once again, I considered quitting. Maybe it I got a new job I could delay things for a few more years...until he found me again. Then what?
The bell above the door rang and I looked up like I did every time it rang today. My heart would always skip a beat and my breath would catch in my throat until I knew it wasn't him. Yet this time it was. He'd styled his hair today and was in another suit. His long coat flowed behind him as he didn't bother looking around. He just went straight for me as I stood behind the counter.
I frantically looked for Casey. For a moment I forgot he was in the bathroom. Shit! Of all the moments for him to walk in. This was not good! I knew he wasn't awakened yet but I did not want to be alone with him, again.
"Hello," He smiled at me and asked, "How are you today?"
"Well enough," I said.
"Oh, just well enough, why's that?"
I didn't respond. He had black leather gloves on...just like in my nightmare. I swallowed recalling it as he slid his fingers across the counter. He noticed me looking at them and lowered himself, a bit, to meet my gaze. He smiled at me and it seemed more natural this time. "Do you close for lunch?
"No," I said.
"Then when do you eat?"
I don't with you around, I thought. I bit my lip then said "I usually eat here."
"Hmm," he said nodding. He looked around licked his lips then asked, "If I invited you out to lunch. Could you close the shop for an hour or so? I'd like to talk to you."He wanted to take me to lunch and talk? About what? We had nothing to talk about... in his current state. Even then, if he were aware, we'd have even less to discuss. I must have given him a look cause he quickly added "Or dinner. Lunch or dinner would be fine. When do you get off?"
Oh I did not want to continue this. There was no way I was going anywhere with him...ever, if I could help it. I slightly turned my head towards the back and called out, "CASEY!
He knew that tone and came out of the bathroom a few seconds later. He was still drying his hands. He finished, then dunked the paper towel in a near by waste basket before he scratched his nose and said, "Yeah, what's up?"
I gave him a panicked look then slowly turned my head back towards our greatest enemy. Casey looked at me confused then turned to look at 'HIM.' He looked even more confused, raising an eyebrow. From the look on his face I could see he honestly didn't expect there to be a guy. To be fair...I'd been telling him 'HE' was coming for six years but "HE" hadn't shown up until yesterday.
"Mr. Madison?"
WAIT! WHAT! My eyes nearly popped out of my head as I turned back to "HIM" Did he know Casey. WAIT! Did Casey know "HIM!"
Casey slowly walked towards us. "I'm sorry do I know you?"
"Yeah, Becket Rouse, I think I had you for fourth period, one year."
"Oh," said Casey slowly.. He titled his head slightly surprised. "Yeah."
I wasn't sure if Casey remembered him or not, but I was glad he at least knew who Becket was, in case...no when, I suddenly went missing.
"What brings you here?" asked Becket. "You looking for a gift?"
"Uhh," Casey hesitated. I looked back at him, giving him an insistent look. This was the guy! How much clearer could I be. It's him! I nudged my head in 'HIS' direction. 'HE' was right fucking there. YES! 'HE' is real!. Now what?
Casey let out a heavy sigh, "Uh, Becket, do you have a second?"
"Yeah," said Becket.
I could see he was looking at me strangely. Of course, I was making all sorts of faces, and the tone of my voice was all over the place. Since he didn't know who he was, he had no idea what I was going on about. I probably looked crazy, but it was better to have Becket think I was crazy, then know the truth.
Becket! I paused for a moment realizing I knew "HIS!" name. Becket was his name Becket Rouse. The name sizzled through my mind like a firecracker, whirling through the air. I now had a name to put to his current form. I knew he had many names before but for some reason they had been lost to me. I usually just thought of him as the monster, the nightmare, the man with ice blue eyes who was going to tear my entire existence apart.
Casey walked around the counter, "Let's you and me talk outside."
"WHAT!" I blurted out without thinking.
Casey gave me a look. He told me he'd handle it but I thought I'd be around to see it. Who knows what could happen, what he might say, if they went outside together. I'd told him a lot of things but I knew he still didn't believe me. They were sworn enemies, they hated each other more then anything. I couldn't imagine them just going outside and having a nice 'chat.' I furrowed my brow looking worried.
Casey gave me another look and said. "It's okay, I'll be right back, think about what you want for lunch."
"Okay." I said.
He and Becket turned and started walking towards the front door. In a matter of seconds they'd be out of my sight. I knew it was probably stupid but I called out to Casey, just in case he didn't come back. "I love you!"
They both turned back to look at me, I didn't expect 'HIM' to also turn. The look Becket gave me, made me look way. I didn't know what it was, a mixture of surprise and something else, I couldn't' quite describe, only it was...unsettling.
Casey cleared his throat and I looked back. I knew he was still a little weirded out saying in front of other people, especially past students. "I love you too," he said. I looked back at him half smiling. I watched Becket's face twist as he looked at me and then Casey narrowing his eyes. I could see he didn't expect us to be a couple. They turned back around and went outside without another word. With them gone the room felt so very empty. I didn't realize how much room their presence took up. I fell forward on the counter, pounding my forehead against it.
Why had I told Casey he'd come in! I shouldn't have! No, I should I have just quit my job and suggested we relocate. No, Casey would have found out eventually and then he'd be mad, I hadn't told him. He thought I was paranoid, that all of this was just in my head, but he had no idea! I really hoped he wasn't about to find out! I knew he would someday but I wanted things to go on, just a little longer, a few hundred year or so.
I stood upright and threw my head back, looking up at the ceiling. I let out a long sigh that seemed to go on forever then I dropped my chin to my chest. I knew it was good I told Casey but now what? Just what was he going to say to him? I bit my lip and wondered if I could spy on them. Of course, Casey would just love that, him and Becket out their talking while I glared at them through the shop windows. No, he had taken him outside for a reason, to talk in private. I just had to wait and hope he'd come back.
|
