Of the Blood
Page 15
Chapter 15
His eyes opened. Every other time, the dream had ended before the scene in the room and even that part faded from memory soon after waking. This time the whole thing remained. Andrew knew it wasn't a dream. It was a memory, one that he had been forced to forget, but like the other things, it was something that he now refused to forget ever again.
His mind reviewed the dream and Andrew realized that Johari and her kind had been keeping and eye on him for some time now. Both Johari and the demon had mentioned something about people who stood in the way of the demons. Was he destined to be one of those people? Was that why both the demons and their immortal enemies both kept Andrew in their sights? It was a mind numbing thought to think that he might have some kind of role in a war that he had just come to be aware of. He shook off the thought and decided not to worry about it. If he had a role to play, it would become apparent in time, but worrying about it now wouldn't change anything.
Andrew glanced at the clock on his nightstand. He had woken before his alarm again and his parents would still be downstairs getting breakfast. He stretched and climbed out of bed to join them before they had to go. They were still surprised to see him, but just as enthusiastic as the day before.
After breakfast, Andrew got ready and left for school. He arrived early once again, though not quite as soon as he had the day before. He noticed more banners and signs made by students and he resolved to see if there was anything he could do to help out around the school too.
That day, classes were still more involved and students more excited than usual. It was a slow start in each class, but once Andrew got involved, the rest followed suit. He also continued to make new friends. There were some amazing people in his class that he had never given the time of day before.
Andrew also pulled Jason along with him. At first Jason was dark and resistant. As the day progressed though, Andrew saw his friend warm up to the changes. At lunch Jason even told jokes and laughed along with the rest of them at the table.
There were always people around, so Andrew refrained from mentioning the dream to Johari. In fact, he didn't mention anything that would confuse people or that might get her in trouble if it were overheard. He supposed he could always talk in Aramaic, but even that could cause trouble if it were overheard. So instead, Andrew just focused on being as happy with his new life as he could.
All that day, Johari seemed to delight in watching him finding new relationships with his classmates. She also encouraged and found joy in him working with his friend to pull him from the self imposed gloom of separation and loneliness. She smiled and told him that now that he had discovered the light, it was amazing that he would choose to spread it to those around him. She seemed to be alluding to something deeper with that comment, but he wasn't sure what that might be.
The day was over before it even had a chance to begin. Now that Andrew was taking an interest in things around him and enjoying himself, time flew by at breakneck speeds. The final bell rang and Andrew and Johari were back at the lockers for the last time of the day.
“What are you doing after school today,” she asked him? Andrew slipped his books into his locker and glanced at his work schedule he had taped to the door. He slammed it shut before answering.
“I don't have anything. Do you want to hang out, or maybe we could even go on that date.” Andrew was surprised at himself for having the courage to just bring up the date in such a casual way. In the past, he wouldn't have dared, but a part of this new life he was forging for himself was the decision to go for things he wanted instead of waiting in the background for things that came his way on their own. Johari's smiled and shook her head.
“It still surprises me that knowing all that you know, you still want to go out on a date with me.” Andrew smiled at her as they walked down the hall toward the parking lot.
“Of course I do, if you are interested of course. I understand that you are older and might not find me as interesting as someone like you.” Johari shook her head.
“No, I like the idea. I haven't found anyone like me that I was interested in. Why don't I stop at your house a little before dinner time and pick you up, six thirty or so?” Andrew nodded and climbed into his car. He didn't bother to look around for the slim figure who had long since vanished.