by Dakota Lake
“Bottom cupboard.” Carly answered.
Aimee opened the bottom cupboard and looked back at Carly.
“You really need to go grocery shopping, these cupboards are bare. As in completely naked.” she said returning to the table with a packet of biscuits. “Anyway if Caitlin knew about all this I don't think she'd be able to sleep again. It would keep her awake all night. Fallen angels and death trackers, she probably wouldn't believe me anyway. She'd say me and her grandma Dorrie were as crazy as each other and should be locked up together. It's best this way, everyone thinks Ruby ran off with her boyfriend and that her and Jessie are living it up in some decked out apartment, stealing credit cards and living life without a care in the world.”
“That doesn't sound like something Ruby would do?” Carly said half smiling.
“No but it's probably something Mack...err Jessie would do. I still muddle the names. Anyway we know the truth and Seth of course.”
“So how are you? You've changed your hair.” Carly said changing the conversation. “I'm great no complaints. I've decided to grow it. No more red streaks. What do you think about the side cut?” she asked, flipping her brown hair over to one side to show a shaved section. “Surprisingly it actually suits you.”
“So how's Carly doing?” Aimee asked reaching over and squeezing her arm.
“About the same as last time. I wish I'd known you were coming. I would have at least cleaned up.” “No it's fine.” Aimee said waving it off, not caring that the sink was piled up with dirty dishes and pieces of clothing littered the floor.
“Well I haven't seen you for a long while, I know I've been busy with course work and working at the beauty salon. But I thought we should have a catch up. And I had this weird feeling this morning, it's the same weird feeling I've being having all week.”
“Are you sure you're not pregnant?” Carly asked sceptically raising an eyebrow at Aimee. “Hell no. Not that sort of feeling, it's more I dunno I can't explain it. I sometimes get this strange feeling and it's usually followed by some big event. I had this feeling a few days before Ruby disappeared and I've had it before. A week before my dad disappeared, mom thought I had a stomach bug because I kept saying I felt sick but it wasn't actual sickness. And then right before my bunny died when I was eight I remember getting it. But also good things like the morning I received the telephone call to say I'd been accepted for the job at the beauty salon which was actually the last time until now.”
“Are you sure it's not excitement or nerves or something like that, maybe you got wind.” Carly asked trying not to laugh.
“I don't have wind.” Aimee replied laughing. “I'm telling you the truth.”
“And you're getting it now?” Carly asked unsure.
“Well not right this minute but yes I think something is going to happen. There's something in the pipeline.”
“I repeat are you pregnant?”
“No, hey I'm being serious, don't knock it. My auntie used to read tea leaves and shit like that. I think something weird runs in the family.”
“Okay so is there anything I should be looking out for?” Carly asked.
Aimee shrugged. “I have no idea. I just thought I'd give you the heads up.”
Carly nodded at the strange information unsure whether to take it seriously or not. “How is your hairdressing course going?” Carly asked.
“It's good, it's only four days a week but I'm already feeling the pinch travelling back and fourth to Copeland. I think I'm gonna have to invest in a more fuel efficient car, it's draining me.” “Why don't you ask Beck? I'm sure he'd be happy to buy you a new car. It's not like he doesn't have the money. I can't imagine he spent the last few hundred years or however old Beck is doing nothing. You need money for everything he probably has stacks of it.”
“He's been down here six hundred and thirty something years. But yes he does have the cash, I accidentally saw his bank account balance the other day. I'm dating a sugar daddy.” “Accidentally?” Carly smiled.
“Okay I was purposely looking for it. But I don't like to ask.”
“Aren't you two practically living together now?”
“Well he cleared out a drawer for me, but that obviously wasn't going to be enough space. I was about to buy another set of drawers but he offered me his spare room for my clothes. It's now a walk in closet.”
“Just ask him. He'd probably love to buy you a car. He adores you and he's head over heels in love with you.”
Aimee smiled to herself and finished off her tea.
“Not like you though,” Aimee added.
“What do you mean?” Carly asked.
“You two are like Romeo and Juliet. Love at first sight. The way he knew about you before you did. It's so romantic.”
“It was just a vision of me coming to visit Ruby, hardly romantic.”
“Yes but he knew you were coming before you did. From the moment he saw you even if it was only in a vision first, it was love at first sight. You told me before that you instantly fell for him. Just the very thought of him had you throbbing in places...”
“Stop, okay I get the picture. But it wasn't the best timing the very next day after I'd met him everything turned to crap. Ruby went missing and Jessie was killed in that fire. And now Micah can't even look at me. I think he feels as though he's not allowed any happiness, he's punishing himself and I'm like a walking reminder of Ruby. Just the other day I was wearing one of her hoodies. I don't have the warmest of clothes so I took a few from the cabin, where he's left all her stuff perfectly untouched as if she's coming back next week. Well when he came back he flipped out, saying I shouldn't have gone over there and I definitely shouldn't be walking around in her clothes. He misses her as well, he just wont admit it. I'm constantly walking on eggshells round here. He has these moments where he loses it and then there's these other moments where we fit so perfectly together I couldn't imagine being away from him.”
“So any new information about Ruby come up? Beck's keeping one ear open all the time for anything.”
“No nothing. Micah has spent so much time and energy tracking down any leads or chasing down dead ends. No ones talking. Either no one knows anything or they're not giving anything away. People don't want anything to do with these death trackers, no one will even talk about them. The only thing we had to go on was the name Cameron Teller and that probably wasn't even real. It's as though he just vanished and the high school magically have no record of him ever having worked there.”
“Maybe he didn't work there and he was only pretending to work there. Putting on those green overalls and walking around with a screwdriver. I mean who would question that? He fit the part of a janitor so well no one questioned him. So you're still sticking with the idea that Cam took her?” Aimee asked.
“Yes. Micah had one last conversation with Jessie before the fire. Jessie was convinced there was something strange about Cam. He'd seen Cam following her around at school and finally connected the dots but it was too late. Meanwhile Micah thought it was those psycho fallen angels that were going to take her, all along it was obvious it was this Cameron Teller but no one saw it. Micah has spoken to a few of the fallen guys from that night. It's all very hush hush but the description they gave him fit the description for Cam the janitor.”
“Cameron Teller/Janitor/Death tracker.” Aimee said picking up both mugs. “What would some death tracker want with Ruby? It still makes no sense.” she added putting the mugs in the sink. “It must have something to do with her ability, it's the only thing we can think of.” Carly said. “The mind reading thing. God I hate to think what she heard inside my head when she was here. How did you spend everyday with her knowing she could do that? Didn't it bother you?” “No, we were close we shared everything. Her reading my mind wasn't a problem it was like having a twin that finished your sentences for you, she already knew what I was going to say before I said it. We didn't have any secrets so I had nothing to hide. We used to have entire conv
ersations like that at school. I'd be talking to her in my head and she'd be on the other side of the classroom nodding or shaking her head at me or abruptly laughing out loud in class from something I'd said to her.”
“You need to come out for a drink with us. You, Beck and I. Leave Micah here.” Aimee said. Carly joined her at the sink. “Hmm I'm sure he'd love the idea of me going out drinking with you.” “One way to kill a party, bring Micah.” Aimee said laughing. “I'm kidding of course bring Micah. You both need to get out of this tiny trailer and have a little fun.”
“See how things go next week. Depending on his mood I mean.”
“Whenever, just give me a call anytime. Speaking of time,” Aimee said checking her watch. “It's getting late, I should go. It's Beck's night off. We're going to that new bistro that's just opened up near the sports store. I love the name 'Late Night Bistro' so cute. You should come.” “Oh no, no not tonight I don't feel like going out. I can't be bothered to get dressed up and put make up on.”
“You don't need make up, it's only us two silly.”
“Maybe some other time. I'm tired, I'm just going to go to bed.”
“Okay well if you change your mind you know where I'll be.”
“Thanks Aimee.”
“Oh before I go, do you want me to take some of this laundry? Beck wont mind.” Aimee asked looking at a pile of clothes next to the bathroom door.
“No it's okay. It's my main mission for tomorrow. I'm gonna get up early and head straight to the laundrette they open at seven.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes I'm sure. I think Micah will have a fit if he knows you're washing his dirty undies.” Carly smiled laughing
“Gross! Maybe you're right. So promise you'll call if you need anything?”
“I will.” Carly replied as Aimee pulled her in for a goodbye hug.
Carly locked the door behind Aimee and started filling the sink up with water to wash up but changed her mind. Instead she took the microwave meal out, took one look at it and chucked it in the trash. She turned the lights off and took herself off to bed.
The next morning the sound of her dreaded high pitched alarm buzzed on her cellphone as it vibrated loudly across the nightstand. Carly reached over and madly tapped the screen trying to make it stop. She groaned and rolled over, after another ten minutes of drifting in and out of sleep she finally managed to wake herself up and get out of bed. She pulled on anything that looked half decent to go outside in. Leggings and a grey cardigan. Last nights rain had turned half the driveway to muddy slush so Carly opted for her pink Wellington boots. She took the three large bundles of laundry and shoved them into the back of her red VW Beetle. Trying to get the car out of the drive was a chore it kept going into all the mud holes. Carly knew it was about time she changed her car if she was going to stay living on the trailer park in a town that never stopped raining. The main reason Carly had held onto the car was it reminded her of back home, the lovely beaches, the warmer weather and it had been a present from her father. She missed her parents terribly but after what had happened with Ruby disappearing and Carly learning the truth about everything, going home didn't seem like an option. She couldn't leave and move on with her life it didn't feel right and over the past twelve months she'd fallen for Micah, she'd never felt this way about anyone else before it was different. It wasn't some silly teenage crush. It felt real and was the only thing keeping her going.
She arrived at the laundry dead on 7am where a little old lady in a pinafore opened the door for her. She listened to her ipod and kept herself busy filling in quizzes inside cosmo magazines that had been left behind. By the time all her washing was done there weren't enough dryers free, so she decided to take the rest of the damp washing back to the trailer to air dry on the line out back. On the way back home Carly detoured and drove around to the club where Micah worked to see if his truck was there. He hadn't come home and it was becoming a more frequent occurrence. She didn't like to think she was becoming one of those jealous girlfriends but something always made her want to check up on him every once in a while to see he was where he said he was. He seemed to be putting more and more distance between the pair of them and Carly felt the need to keep an eye on him. Sure enough when she swung round into the parking lot she saw his Dodge parked up round back. She sat in the car with the engine running debating whether to ring him, she didn't like the way they had left things last night. In the end she decided against it, she'd wait at home for him until he decided to come back on his own.
When she arrived back she took the dry laundry inside and spent a good thirty minutes organizing and putting the clothes in the right places, she'd almost forgotten about the damp clothes in the car. She went back out to the car and dragged the heavy bag out and lumped it around to the back of the trailer where the washing line was.
Hushed voices caught her attention, she looked over her shoulder. The piece of clothing she was holding fell from her hand and she stood motionless frozen on the spot looking over at someone she had not expected to see ever again.
Ruby stood watching her, no emotion showed on her face. Ruby wore a hoodie Carly had seen on her many times even the shoes she was wearing Carly remembered. Carly finally took a step forward, the corners of her lips turned up and tears were appearing already. She started to walk towards Ruby but the stranger that was standing next to her put his arm out protectively in front of her. Carly had never seen him before, he had very light ebony skin and dressed like a spoilt teenager in hi-tops that probably cost more than Carly earned in a week. Ruby softly pushed his arm aside. “Kenzie it's okay,” Ruby said to the boy.
He frowned looking back and fourth between Ruby and Carly, but finally he let her pass. Ruby stepped forward and Carly who had been trying her best not to cry burst into tears and rushed towards Ruby hugging her tightly. Ruby slowly lifted her arms and hugged her back. Carly pulled back and sniffed. “Ruby where have you been? I thought you were dead.” “It's a really long story.” Ruby replied looking over at Kenzie.
“Well are you okay?” Carly asked holding tightly onto Ruby's arms afraid she was imagining this whole moment and Ruby would disappear at any minute.
“I'm fine, except I don't really remember you.”
“What?” Carly asked confused looking between Ruby and Kenzie.
“There was this thing that happened the night I disappeared, it sort of screwed up my memory.” A sudden gust of wind whipped leaves into the air, Kenzie held his hat in place re-adjusting it and Ruby shivered.
“Come on, let's go inside and you can tell me everything. If that's okay?” Carly asked aiming the question at Kenzie who had been watching her closely with guarded eyes since they arrived. Ruby looked over at him and he nodded.
Chapter Thirteen
“I'm scared if I let you leave I'm never going to see you again.” Carly said running her fingers through the ends of my hair like it was the most natural thing ever and it felt oddly comforting, something she had probably done many times before.
“Now that I know how to get out, I will definitely be coming back.” I said trying to reassure her. I smiled, then noticed Kenzie's hardened look. He hadn't spoken one word while we'd been inside with Carly. The only thing he'd said was 'no thank you' when Carly offered him a drink. She had made me a cup of tea, apparently just the way I liked it. I did like it, no one had made the tea taste that good back at the manor.
“I wish you could stay longer. Micah should be back any minute. I doubt he's going to believe me when I explain all this to him, especially about Jessie. Are you sure you can't stay? I know Micah will want to see you and you could tell him about Jessie yourself.”
“I would but.....” I looked sideways at Kenzie who was checking his watch again. “I'll come back. I Promise.”
She nodded and held onto me hugging me tightly, I wondered whether she was ever going to let go. I didn't mind though. It was a strange feeling and I couldn't explain it, it felt as though I already k
new her even though I couldn't remember her. She certainly knew me from everything we had talked about. I had told Carly everything. Even Kenzie looked surprised at all the stuff I was telling her but most of the time he just looked uncomfortable I didn't think he wanted me telling her anything. He had looked angry though when I was telling Carly about what Emmett had been doing to me each night to stop my memories from coming back. Something he didn't know about and he didn't look too pleased about it. I left out the part about Alex giving me that tip about the elevator and the fourth floor. I kept it simple and said I'd figured it out by myself, I didn't want Alex getting into trouble no matter how much I disliked him.
“Ruby we need to go.” Kenzie said pulling on my sleeve, surprising us both when he spoke. “Okay.” I replied.
I saw the way Carly's eyes darted to his hand that was still holding onto my sleeve. Since the moment I had explained to her what Cam and Kenzie are she had looked at him differently. Not scared of him but not too sure either.
“Do you want a ride?” Carly asked.
“No!” Kenzie said louder than necessary.
When I'd been explaining to Carly how I'd found my way out I hadn't told her the exact address, I'd only said it was a large house over the back of the trailer park. I didn't think it was a good idea to be giving out the address to the underworld, and Kenzie was giving me some worried looks when I was talking about it.
“It's okay we'll walk.” I said noticing how tense Kenzie suddenly looked.
Kenzie pulled his hood up over his cap and started walking without me. I took one final look at Carly and smiled, wondering if this would be the last time I'd ever see her. I didn't know what Kenzie was going to say to Cam or if he'd say anything at all.
“What's the rush? It's 11.20pm back home. Everyone one will be in bed by now. No one's going to be looking for me, they'll just think I'm upstairs and technically I am.” I said making a light joke at the end but he didn't reply. I jogged to catch up with him.