by Shelly Crane
Being loved.
And me. I cook with her, bathe her, put her down for her naps, brush and braid her hair, let her sweet talk me into just about anything. Everything a mother would do.
Because that’s what I am.
She may not call me mommy and I would never ask her to, but it’s how I feel. Everyone even asks me for permission before doing anything with her or giving her snacks and such. The first few times I cracked up thinking why on earth they thought I had more rights than them to make a decision about her.
However, everyone started doing it. Everyone considers Merrick and I her guardians. I mean, I guess it was no secret we wanted the job. And Lily certainly isn’t complaining.
And Calvin. Oh Calvin.
He is just a handsome, healthy, happy young guy. He is growing and becoming a little man, taking care of business. He has taken an extra interest in his mother since she rescued him. His love and affection for her grew that day as well as his respect.
He makes sure to include her in his conversations and relays what our meetings are about. He is a sweet perfect son who is growing up way too fast. It happens. Adversity waits for no man...or child. He had to grow up. His youth has been beguiled from him, but what other choice do you have in this situations?
He isn’t bitter one bit though. Maybe he just hasn’t figured out that he has a right to be yet. I hope that day never comes. I hope he continues to think that this is just what is and some things you can’t change. But that’s ok. Some things aren’t meant to be changed. All things happen for a reason. One reason or another.
The past three weeks have been peaceful. Calm. Quiet. Blissfully danger free. Both children survived and have suffered no nightmares or trauma remarkably.
Not only Lily’s parental figure but also another role has been handed to me, against my will in more ways than one but, you have to do what you have to do.
Trudy. I’m the new Trudy.
I make all the kitchen shopping list and dinner menus. I do a fair amount of the cooking though we still rotate with the other ladies.
Everyone just kinda started asking me things and making me responsible for Trudy type situations. At first I completely rebelled in body and spirit. I was grieving and it just made it harder but so was everyone else. So I took the job and have handled things every since. It’s kinda funny considering I’m one of the youngest in the bunch and I have been hefted such responsibility in such a trustworthy fashion over so many people.
In a way, I’m flattered. My crew of misfits trust me fully to do it and do it well. And I will.
As for Merrick and I, things couldn’t be better. After a few days of resting and recouping things pretty much got back to normal. Except for the fact that Merrick was even more determined now to watch me closer than ever.
His whole ‘you are not safe without me’ theory had panned out more than once, so I let him do what he feels like he needs to without giving him any flack. If it makes him happy to watch me like a hawk every minute of every day, so be it. My personal secret service. A gorgeous and persistent secret service who forbids me to leave the bunker under any circumstances.
He constantly asks me if I need help with anything, how is my leg, can he do some laundry since it’s hard for me with crutches. And do I complain? No! What other guy in my life has done these things for me? Zero!
And Lily only makes things better. We spend our time with our new family during the day, play with our new charge as I affectionately call her.
Then the nights are just for Merrick and I and things just get better and better once we enter that little room and close the door.
Even with all the bad stuff that’s happened, I still consider myself the luckiest girl this side of the hemisphere.
Amazing guy, amazing family, amazing love.
It’s a Tuesday...I think. We are hanging around the commons room after a dinner of Mrs. Trudy’s famous pancake recipe that I made from memory. Miguel finally informed me I could use a walking brace now. Yeah! So I am, and making the most of it.
It’s been 6 weeks since that day. Trudy’s death and the children’s kidnapping. Not much has changed, and I like it that way.
Marissa and I dole out coffee. I see her out of the corner of my eye as she bends down to kiss Jeff quickly before giving him his usual, six sugars and lots of cream. It still makes me smile to see them and know that, these days, just about anything is possible.
Merrick takes his coffee cup from my grasp, letting our fingers slide slowly against each other as he always does, giving me that I-can’t-wait-til-tonight look which still sends chills down my spine. I smile knowingly and bite my lip.
How does he still have the ability to drive me so crazy after all this time? It feels like it did we just met. Butterflies and tingles haven’t relented.
After our coffee and chat I put myself down on Merrick’s lap, exhausted from pancake flipping. Can you guess how many pancakes have to be cooked for a crew this size? Yeah...
“You look tired,” Merrick says sympathetically.
“I am tired,” I whisper, putting my head on his warm chest.
“Ready for bed?”
“No. Can’t make it. Too tired. Must sleep,” I mutter with my eyes closed.
He leans down and nuzzles my neck whispering.
“I could carry you, if it wouldn’t hurt your pride.”
“Are you in a some hurry to get into that room, mister?” I say playfully, popping open my eyes and lifting an eyebrow.
“Oh, yeah,” he breathes, his breath blowing the curls around my neck, making me shiver.
I gaze into his green eyes, utterly baffled by his love for me. Maybe one day I’ll accept it completely, but today...still baffled. His slow spreading knowing smile brightens the room like he knows what I’m thinking, something he’s always wanted to do. Then he asked me his usual fatherly line of questioning.
“Did Lily go down for bed ok?”
“Yep. She didn’t even ask for a song tonight. She was pretty tired. I think Uncle Danny chased her over every inch of this bunker today.”
“He is so great with her. I always knew he would be good with kids but...”
“Never have any of his own? Yeah, I know. He makes a great uncle. Wind them up, spoil them rotten then send them back to mommy and daddy,” I said laughing and Merrick laughed too.
It was true. I doubt that Danny will have kids of his own, or that he would’ve even without the end of the world. He just never seemed interested but now... I don’t know.
Him and Celeste are probably the most blatant couple in the bunker. They make out in every corner, they hug in every hallway. They follow each other absolutely everywhere. They can’t seem to not be touching each other.
It’s wonderful! I’m so happy for them and glad they found other. There is not a smidge left of my original wariness.
Granted, Marissa and Jeff have been known to smooch in the public eye as do Merrick and I but, some things are better left in private. But right now, with Merrick’s lips mere inches from mine, his fingers rubbing the ring on my finger and his soapy clean smell in my nose all I want to do is kiss him.
And I do.
Pulling him to me, he resists like a toddler resists a tootsie roll. He chuckles under his breath as I capture his lips with mine. One arm goes around my back and the other is rubbing in the hair on my neck. I hear murmurs and the radio and a card game around us but I could care less as I run my hand through his hair.
You’re making me insane.
I gasp inwardly at his groaned words. I’ve never heard him speak to me in my mind while we were kissing before. It’s strange...and oddly enjoyable. My Merrick has my full attention and right now, all I can think about is how I’m now suddenly very ready for bed. I whisper something along those lines in his ear, feeling his grin on my cheek.
“It’s about time, woman. You can’t just strut around in that apron, flipping your pancakes. You know what it does to me,” he whispers jokingly.<
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I giggle and bite my lip but before I can respond we all hear something that silences us all.
“Hello? Everyone awake?” a voice yells from the stairwell.
Margo.
She was supposed to be closing up the store.
We all turn and watch the stairs to see what she is yelling about, fearing the worst. Things have been good for too long.
I hear a lot more footsteps than Margo could produce by herself. Then my breath catches as I lift myself from Merrick’s arms and hobble to the entrance way of the commons room. Chills run over my arms as I see a flood of faces I thought I’d never see again come down into our safe haven with weary and anticipatory expressions.
One face in particular out in front, I’m more than happy to see.
“Lillian!”
Part 2
Dawn Of A New Day
The New Kid In Town
Chapter 1 - The Taker
I wake up with a rag in my mouth. A moist rag from my heavy breathing and saliva and what tastes metallic, like blood as well. Human blood. My human blood.
I don’t feel right.
I feel...good.
Great even. Much better than dead which is where I was headed the last time I remember anything other than now.
I can hear whispers, distant. Can’t comprehend them and don’t care. I marvel at my body. The way is vibrates with life. Hums and pulses with my heartbeat, now so much stronger than before. My blood feels potent and important. I try to wiggle, to sit up but-
A sharp pain stabs my temples, sending me crashing back down, the little progress I’d made, back to the hard cold floor. I try to grab it to brace myself but my hands are bound. What? Why?!
I’m furious but something is settling in my mind. Expanding the nerves and vessels. Something vague and foggy. I remember...others.
I remember...pain and confusion and commands. My commands. I told them to bound and gag me. Well, the old me did. The previous one, before me. That’s right. This isn’t my body, I mean it is, but with other’s life in me. My life now. My blood. My vitality.
I open my eyes for the first time and see the ones chatting in the corner. I have no idea what their names are nor if they realize I’m awake. I’m sure not, seeing as how I specified to be untied and ungagged before I to awoke. I didn’t want anyone to hear my cries of pain nor hurt myself. The process of incarnation is so different than just absorbing another life force.
How do I know all this? And my nose is itching like I’ve never felt before in my lives and if I can’t scratch it soon, so help me...someone will pay.
I blink and squint to focus. My eyes are crusted and sore. I wonder how long I’ve been changing. I mumble through the gag to get their attention.
“Mmmmfmpm.”
The taller one has the smarts to gasp and look shocked at least as he sprints towards me.
“My Lord. I’m sorry. We thought you had more time,” he sputtered as he pulled a knife from his pocket and began to cut what I can only assume is rope binding my hands and feet.
Once free of the gag I coughed and licked my too dry lips.
“Don’t call me ‘My Lord’.” I wiped my mouth and scratched my nose groaning with the pleasure of finally reaching it. “Wasn’t this discussed with you? Get me loose fool.”
“Sorry my...sir. Our last Taker preferred us to call him that.”
“I’m not anything like your last Taker,” I scold with certainty.
“I can see that sir. What would you prefer me to call you?”
“Right now? My driver. It’s daylight is it not?”
“Yes sir,” he said and double checked his watch twice while the other idiot, the short rounder one, stood in the corner, frozen like the prey he is.
“Then I can’t fly right now, can I? Call my driver... and then you may call me Malachi from now on. Do you know what Malachi means?”
He extended an arm to help lift my body from the floor and I swatted it away in annoyance. Did he not know who I am?
“No sir. I’m afraid not.”
“Yes. You need be afraid. Malachi means Messenger. And I mean to deliver a message. Would you care to know what that message is...before anyone else.”
I watched his eyes get bright with excitement and his lips part in anticipation at the promise of being special and enlightened. He leaned forward and looked side to side, as if I would whisper it to him.
“Yes. Please sir. Yes.”
“I’m taking over this world. Not unlike your last Taker, pathetic as he was, but I mean to succeed. And I will. How you ask? I’ll show you.” Before he could move another inch I grabbed him and held him to me, like an embrace, placing my palm over his chest and watching the tell tell light of essence spring forth, filling the room and illuminating my preys companion with enough light to see his round face go rounder and his eyes bulge in fright. “By taking no prisoners and showing absolutely no mercy,” I spat out at his life filled me.
Oh yes... I remember this. It’s like a drug. Their expressions and the scent of fear wafting off them like a spring bouquet. I can’t get enough and the humans are even better at sating me, but unfortunately for these two, there are no humans here.
His power and life floats and zings through my veins to my arm then my shoulder, through my chest to my heart. Where I need it most and I can’t help but sigh with the numbing sweet sensation that I get through my whole body. No human or Lighter experience can compare to the utter annihilation of inhibition and personal suffering. I almost forgot how good this feels. Man, it’s good to be back.
And right now, absorbing this fool and anticipating his friend being next...there is nothing but pleasure.
And So, We Meet Again...
Chapter 2 - Sherry
The high pitch girly squeals and peals of delight and wonderment were all that could be heard in the concrete block of a home, and I was a little embarrassed to be the most guilty party.
I still wasn’t getting around the best on my foot and almost tripped trying to leap across the couch to get to Lillian. Merrick caught me before further embarrassment was had and I hobbled to her as quick as I could. I could hear murmurs and greetings behind us but couldn’t concentrate on them.
Even though Lillian wasn’t even that great of a friend and I’d only known her for a short four weeks before we parted ways from our first hideout, the basement of the warehouse, I was sure I’d never see them again and have always wondered if they made it or not and where they were. How they were faring.
I feel Lillian’s tears on my neck and glance up to look at her. Oh my. I hadn’t noticed before.
She looks destroyed. As I look around, they all do. Matted and dirty, bruised, injured and broken. Even though she’s glad to see me I can sense something different about her. She’s stronger, physically I can feel her hard arms that used to be soft and feminine around me but also spiritually stronger.
The sweet innocent gleam that once was in her eyes in no longer present. It has been replaced with fierceness and her jaw is set in a determined way that tells me it must stay that way a lot. Makes me wonder what they have been through.
I frame her face with my hands and feel her rough skin and the scars and blemishes on her cheeks.
“Lillian. I thought I’d never see you again. I can’t believe you’re here. How did you find us?”
“We didn’t,” she said, placing her hands on top of mine. “I mean, we did but we didn’t know it was you. Word about you’re flyer got out and we made our way here for shelter. We came down the hatch and there you were,” she says and she starts to sob placing her head on my shoulder again.
“Lillian. Don’t cry. You’re safe here with us.” I try to placate her with my soft reassurances but she continues to cling to me.
I take a look around the room and see other members clinging as well.
Piper.
Piper, the Keeper who hated and resented me for Merrick’s love for me is clinging to him just as much if not m
ore so than Lillian is doing with me. A wave of hot jealousy blares through me. I feel guilty instantly but still...jealous.
Merrick catches my gaze and as I look closer he’s not even hugging her back. In fact he’s trying to extricate her. He pleads with his eyes, begging me to rescue him and I feel the sting leave my stomach. Of course Merrick doesn’t want her hugging him, not after knowing how she feels about him.
I walk Lillian to the couch and set her down.
“I’ll go get you a glass of water, ok? Be right back,” I tell her but make a small pit stop.
“Merrick. I need you in the kitchen. We need to make them some sandwiches or something. I’m sure they are all hungry and thirsty.” I turn to Piper and smile my sweetest grin. “Hey, Piper. I’m glad you’re here. Is everyone alright?”
She pulls back enough to finally glare at me, her fist still knotted in Merrick shirtfront. Her face streaked with tears and dirt, but I feel no sympathy. She is giving me one of the most hateful looks I have ever been on the receiving end of.
“Of course. Sherry. I should have known you’d still be stringing Merrick along,” she all but spat.
“Piper,” Merrick warns.
“Not at all, Piper, but we can talk about that later. Right now I need my husband to come and help me. Excuse us.”
I am satisfied to hear her gasp and I grab Merrick’s arm with a determination to yank if need be but she lets go freely with a surprised look on her face. He puts his arm under mine to help me to the kitchen and then turns to me.
“Thanks.”
“No problem, on my part anyway. What’s with her?” I ask, glancing over his shoulder to see her still glaring.
“Don’t know. I would have thought she’d been in my brain the second she saw me, like she used to, but she didn’t. They must be exhausted. She was genuinely surprised by the husband remark,” he said smirking.