Branded

by Keary Taylor

  After several long moments of pure joy, I opened my eyes and saw Emily leaning in the door frame, a tiny half smile on her lips.

  “Thank you,” I mouthed to her. Despite the bomb she had dropped on me earlier, I would be eternally grateful to her for however she had magically made Alex appear. She simply smiled and nodded.

  I stepped back just a bit, not releasing my arms from around his neck, so I could look at Alex’s face, not caring how horrid my own must look. “How?” was all I managed to get out.

  He pushed the hair from my face as he looked seriously in my eyes, emotions playing intensely across his impossibly blue eyes. “Things got wrapped up in California more quickly than I expected and I just had this feeling that I needed to get home.” My insides quivered slightly as he said the word home. “I got back to the house just a little bit ago and your friend here was there and told me where you were and that there had been an accident with Sal. We got up here as fast as we could.”

  A little sob escaped my lips as I buried my face in his chest, unbearably grateful he arrived when he did. It had been all I could bear to contain everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner,” he whispered as he stroked my hair.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” I choked. “You couldn’t have had better timing. I’m just so glad that you came back at all.”

  I regretted saying the last part almost as soon as I said it. Alex pulled me away from him just enough so he could look me in the face. He seemed to be searching my face for something for a long moment before he spoke. “It was much harder than it should have been for me to be gone as long as I was.” He pulled me back into his firm embrace again and I thought I heard him mutter something like

  “don’t you realize?” but I wasn’t sure, nor did I have the energy to ask him what he had said.

  After several minutes that passed all too quickly, I realized I was being very rude in not formally introducing Alex and Emily.

  “Oh,” I said as I stepped away from Alex. “I’m so sorry, Alex this is my friend Emily Lewis. Emily this is Alex Wright.”

  “Ya, we did actually get to that part in the whirlwind of this evening,” Emily said with a little smile from the doorway.

  I blushed slightly, feeling a little stupid. Of course they would have at least gotten each other’s names considering Alex most likely had found her in his house.

  “Please, sit,” I said as I wiped my tears on the sleeve of my jacket. Once everyone was settled I took a deep breath, preparing myself to say what I knew needed to be said.

  “The doctor said it looks like Sal tried to commit suicide,” my bottom lip quivered slightly as I spoke. “The hospital wants to keep her under observation for a while to make sure she really should be living by herself.” Everyone was quiet for several minutes after I spoke, each unsure of what to say. A few tears escaped down Alex’s face though he made no move to wipe them away.

  “I’m so sorry Jessica. Alex told me how close you two were and that you took care of her,” Emily said as she stood and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “You are a good woman.”

  I accepted the embrace immediately. The raised skin of what I knew would be an intricate set of wings was barely detectable through the fabric of her sweater. She backed away after a moment, a knowing look on her face.

  Just as Emily backed away, a nurse came into the room to check Sal’s vitals. I realized they were checking her every hour.

  “She’s doing just fine,” the dark colored woman with motherly eyes said. “The medication we gave her should be wearing off soon so she could wake up at any time. We have her on the monitor down the hall but she’s likely to be very confused when she wakes up and her throat is going to bother her from when we pumped her stomach. Just push this button here when she wakes and someone will be here in just a moment.”

  We nodded and thanked the woman and she left with a comforting smile.

  “Do you want us to stay with you?” Alex whispered as if he were afraid to wake Sal.

  “You don’t have to,” I said as I rubbed my eyes. “I’m sure you’re tired after traveling all day. You should go and get some sleep.”

  Alex grabbed my hand in both of his and brought it up to his face, gently pressing his lips to my knuckles. “Do you want me to stay with you?” he asked earnestly.

  “Yes,” the words slipped out of my mouth before I could tactfully think of a way to say so without sounding so desperate.

  “Then I’ll stay.”

  I just nodded my head and tried to keep the thankful tears back.

  “Um,” Emily said, sounding slightly uncomfortable.

  “I don’t want to make Sal uncomfortable when she wakes up since she doesn’t know me. Maybe it would be best if I go back to your house and get my car?”

  I considered this for a moment. She was right. Sal did have a hard time with new people, Cole was proof of that.

  “Ya, that would probably be a good idea. Thank you for coming up though. I really appreciate it.” Emily stood and gave me an encouraging hug. As she stood, Alex dug around in his pocket and handed her what I recognized as the keys to my car.

  “Can you drive a stick?” he asked. “You can take my truck if not.”

  “I think I can manage,” she said as she gave us a wink.

  “I’ll leave the keys on the table. I’ll call you later, Jessica.”

  “Okay,” I managed, my voice sounding hoarse.

  She left with a quiet click of the door.

  We sat in silence for a moment, simply staring at Sal’s still form. I wondered what was going on in her mind right now, what could cause the perplexed expression she bore. It didn’t seem fair that she should have to be so tortured in her sleep.

  I stretched my legs out in front of me as a huge yawn escaped. I couldn’t help it as I rubbed my eyes.

  “Why don’t you take a break for a minute,” Alex said as he rubbed a hand in circles on my back. “I can sit with Sal for a bit. Why don’t you go get something to drink? I saw a vending machine in the waiting room. I’m pretty sure they even had Dr. Pepper in it,” he said with that half smile.

  I let out a little chuckle. So apparently he had noticed my drink of choice.

  “I think that would be a good idea at this point,” I said as I stood, raising my arms above my head, trying to make my blood circulate again. “I’ll be back in just a minute.”

  “Take as long as you need.”

  It was indeed a relief to be out of the tiny room that was beginning to feel stuffy. I was however not exactly anxious to leave Alex’s side so quickly after he miraculously returned. But the halls were a welcome break and oddly lifted my fallen spirits a bit with their white walls and bright lights. It also helped me to feel more alert and awake.

  My first stop was to the ladies room that was just off the waiting room. I was glad to see it was empty as I stood at the counter and looked in the mirror. I looked like a nightmare. The bags under my eyes were frightening and I wondered if they would ever return to normal. My eyes were swollen and bloodshot; all evidence of the make-up I had worn earlier had been long washed away with the tears.

  My skin looked splotchy and unhealthy. The mane that was my hair was turning frizzy and looked disheaved. I suddenly wished I was the type of girl who kept a portable salon in her purse. Anything to help the scary face that looked back at me in the mirror.

  I splashed some water on my face and quickly dried it.

  It felt refreshing and I wished I could take a shower. That was going to have to wait though.

  I felt suddenly ashamed after I stood looking at myself for several long minutes. Sal had just been fighting for her life in that room and I was worried about what I looked like.

  How could I be so shallow?

  There was indeed a vending machine in the waiting room and I was grateful they did have my favorite drink. I bought two of them and quickly made my way back to Sal’s room.r />
  “Feel better?” Alex asked with a little smile as I closed the door behind me.

  “Much,” I said as I tried to force a smile onto my face unsuccessfully. I held one of the sodas out to him but he shook his head.

  “I’m okay. I can’t say I care too much for that stuff anyway. Thanks though.”

  “Well, I don’t think I’ll have any problem downing both of them,” I chuckled as I unscrewed the lid to the first one. I downed half of it in less than thirty seconds.

  “Whoa!” Alex laughed. “Slow down there.”

  “Sorry,” I said as I wiped a tiny drop that had escaped onto my lips onto the back of my hand. “I’m tired.” The laughter that had just filled Alex’s face suddenly died away. My heart sank into my stomach for a moment. I hadn’t forgotten what I told Alex but up until this point I was pretending I could ignore that fact and just simply enjoy the actuality that he was here.

  But rather than just look at me like I was a freak, he opened his arms and ushered me to him. My heart gave a little flutter as I settled myself into his lap and he wrapped his arms comfortingly around me. I let my head rest on his chest and his chin settled softly on the top of it. He began humming softly and after a few minutes I couldn’t find the will to ask him what the tune was and break the near perfectness of the moment.

  There was a not entirely small part in the back of my mind however that wondered if the closeness we were experiencing would last beyond this dramatic night and into tomorrow when things would return to a more normal state.

  I was trying hard not to think about that.

  The clock ticked on, the second hand seemed to grow fractionally louder with each tick. Despite the setting and circumstances we were there under I couldn’t help but be wonderfully happy.

  Just before three, the magic was broken, though it was not an entirely heartbreaking experience.

  Sal’s eyes fluttered open and then shut once, her brow becoming all the more furrowed. Her lips quivered, almost as if she were trying to say something, but was unable to find the strength to make the words come out.

  We both jumped to the side of her bed and I took one of her hands in mine as I sat on one side.

  “Sal?” I whispered. “Can you hear me?”

  Her eyes opened briefly again but they were unfocused and clouded looking. They slid heavily closed again. Her lips began to move a little more deliberately and small hissing sounds escaped them as she tried to force air up her throat to speak.

  “It’s Jessica,” I whispered as I touched her face, pushing her wild hair out of her eyes. “Alex is here too. He got home this morning.”

  “Where?” the word raspily made its way out of her throat.

  “You’re at Saint John’s Hospital, Sal.” I had to try very hard to keep my voice steady as the tears threatened to spill over again. I didn’t think I could handle telling Sal what had happened as I knew it was likely she wouldn’t remember the incident at all.

  “He told me…” her voice quivered as her eyes remained closed but the furrow between her brows continued to deepen. “Make me forget. Forget what happened.”

  I looked up at Alex with a worried and confused expression. His own face reflected how I felt.

  “Let him in. Black eyes said trust him. Face tricked me.” Sal’s eyes slid open and she found my face, suddenly able to focus. Her eyes stared intently into my own and I saw fear spread through them. “Wasn’t what he seemed.

  Tricked me. Don’t trust him.”

  “Sal, I…” I stumbled for words as I kept the intense stare she was giving me. “Who are you talking about?”

  “Don’t trust him, Jessica,” she wheezed as she squeezed my hand with much more force than I thought she would be able to muster.

  Just then the dark nurse came in the door with a quiet tap.

  “I thought she must be awake,” she said. “The monitors suddenly started jumping all around.” She walked to Sal’s side and began checking things and Alex and I had to move to get out of the way.

  “Dr. Ostler is going to want to check her out again and talk to Sal in private,” the nurse said, turning to us. “I suggest the both of you head home and get some sleep. It’s been a long night I’m sure. The hospital will give you a call, Miss Bailey, to let you know what is happening.” I simply nodded my head, which suddenly felt like it was spinning with the possibility of leaving Sal in this hospital full of strangers by herself.

  “We’ll be back soon, Sal,” Alex mercifully spoke when I couldn’t. She stared at him blankly before her eyes slid shut once again.

  I grabbed my few things from the room and we left silently.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  I quietly explained to Alex what had happened prior to his sudden arrival as he drove us back home. I was tempted to lie down on the seat but knew if I did I was likely to fall asleep. So instead I propped myself against the door, letting my forehead rest against the frigid window.

  “I can’t believe it,” Alex said softly as he stared at the dark road before us. “I don’t know Sal very well but I just can’t believe she did this.”

  I could only nod my head just slightly. I was trying to push the whole incident from my mind. It was too much to think about.

  “Emily must have left some lights on when she left,” Alex observed as he pulled into the garage. I barely even glimpsed to see if my car was returned to the garage, which it was. He offered a hand and helped me climb out into the dark. My legs felt shaky and wobbly and I was glad that Alex held on for a few moments longer than necessary, maybe for more than just that simple reason.

  Alex held the door open for me as we went in through the garage door that led into the side of the kitchen. I nearly jumped a foot in the air when I saw a figure rise from the dining table and take a few steps forward.

  “Cole?” I nearly screamed, my pulse hammering in my ears.

  “Jessica, I’m so…” his buttery voice trailed away when he saw Alex enter behind me.

  A rater tense moment passed as Cole’s expression turned strangely hard. I wasn’t sure what to expect if I was to turn around and look at Alex’s face. I suddenly felt very uncomfortable standing between them.

  “Uh, Alex, this is Cole Emerson. He bought the house next to Sal’s a few days ago,” I stammered. “Cole, this is Alex Wright, the one I told you about.”

  I heard Alex’s breathing relax slightly behind me but Cole’s expression stayed tense and hard, his dark eyes seeming to turn flat black. I felt a cold shiver run down my spine.

  Alex stepped around me, his hand extended toward Cole. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Emerson.”

  After a moment’s hesitation Cole’s face relaxed just slightly as he shook Alex’s hand. “Please, just Cole.” Alex only nodded before he motioned toward the couches next to the fireplace. They each took a seat on a different couch. I chose to stand.

  By now Cole seemed to have regained some of his composure, his face now looking more relaxed but concern now filled it instead. “I got home just as Emily was leaving.

  She told me what happened. I’m so sorry, Jessica. That must have been a terrible ordeal for you.”

  I could only nod my head as I hugged my sides. I really didn’t want to talk about it anymore tonight. It was all just too overwhelming.

  “You know you can call me anytime if you need to talk,” he continued, his eyes were intense, still that chilling black color. “Or come over. Anytime.”

  “Thank you,” I managed to get out, my voice sounding terribly hoarse.

  Cole continued his intense gaze for just a moment longer. Different emotions seemed to be rolling in his eyes as if he were struggling with some internal debate. Finally he nodded once before he stood. He took the four steps toward me before wrapping his arms around me in an embrace which I returned stiffly. I fought off a shiver as he stepped away.

  “I’ll see you later then,” he said as he quickly crossed the room and left without another word or backward glance.

  A
s soon as the door closed I collapsed onto the couch, knowing my legs wouldn’t support me much longer. I leaned my head to the back of the couch and let my eyes slide closed.

  “I’m sorry about that,” I murmured, not really wanting to talk about it but knowing there was need for some sort of explanation. “That must have been really awkward for you, coming home and finding someone who wasn’t supposed to be there in your house.”

  “Well, it wasn’t the first time,” Alex replied, his voice just a little too serious for the joke I knew he was making. I opened one eye and peeked over at him just to make sure he really was joking. He was looking back at me, a small tired smile on his lips.

  “You should get some sleep,” I said. “I’m sure it’s been a long day for you.”

  “Longer for you,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “I’m used to long days,” I replied feeling slightly uncomfortable.

  Alex looked into my face for a moment, his expression soft and nonjudgmental. “Jessica, you should get some sleep if you need. Don’t worry about me being here.

  Really.”

  I tried to manage a small smile and hoped the tears that suddenly sprang to my eyes didn’t show. “Thank you. I still haven’t decided if it’s worth it or not tonight.” He gave another small smile before getting to his feet.

  He extended a hand to me and helped me to my own.

  “Whatever you decide is just fine. I do think I need to get some rest though.”

  I simply nodded as I followed him down the stairs. We didn’t say any good-nights as we each went into our separate rooms.

  I changed into the new pajamas I had bought earlier.

  They were surprisingly comfortable, silky slick blue bottoms and tank. It felt surprisingly wonderful as I brushed my teeth furiously and scrubbed my face till it felt raw. It felt as if the events of the past few days and weeks were covering me in grime and filth that would never come off.

  My bedroom felt suddenly incredibly empty and cold as I perched on the edge of my bed. While I knew I should take time to think about everything that was happening I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Unreality was calling to me and I knew I couldn’t think straight through it. The brand on the back of my neck prickled, reminding me of the ever constant human need for sleep.