Odie’s eyes grew big. “Always wondered?” She repeated.
I nodded.
“That can only mean one thing,” she said. “Not only was Jimmy being controlled by another being, but it was by someone you know.”
I immediately thought of Derek, who’d said almost the same kind of thing to me in my bedroom the night he attacked me. I thought of how his gross, clammy hands felt on me and how he forced himself on me, kissing me and touching me, pinning me down on the bed.
“Oh no, Odie,” I said, feeling sick to my stomach, “What if it was Derek? What if Derek was controlling Jimmy? And I… oh God… I enjoyed it. I kissed him back! Oh no…” I stood up and ran to one of the stalls as my insides rejected the bagel I’d eaten that morning.
After my body purged itself dry, I came out of the stall where Odie handed me several paper towels. “First of all,” she said, “Do not smudge that makeup! And secondly, who the heck is Derek?”
***
It was a “Come-To-Jesus,” type of morning. All the things I’d so carefully kept from Odie about my past were laid out for her to see. I told her everything. My mother, Derek, Angelina. Nothing was kept private.
If I thought she’d be mad at me for not telling her sooner, I was both wrong and stupid.
As she listened, her eyes would fill with tears. She’d reach out to hug me every few minutes. She wrapped her arm around my shoulders and squeeze.
She did every little loving thing that I didn’t expect, but received anyway.
Because that was just her. Big-hearted. Sympathetic. Compassionate. Generous with her love.
I ached to be the type of friend she was.
Once I had finished spilling every single part of my life, we’d missed first period entirely, and second period was halfway over.
“I don’t know about you, but I say we chuck it and go do something fun,” Odie suggested.
“What do you mean?” I asked. “Like, ditch?”
She nodded. “My parents are cool, they let me have one day a semester to goof off, if I need to. Do you think Mitch and Bonnie would care?”
I shrugged. “Only one way to find out, I suppose. Let me use your phone.”
Odie handed her cell over and I texted Bonnie a quick message.
Me: Hey Bon, it’s Roz. Having a weird day. Would you care if I ditch with Odie?
“Oh my gawd, I can’t believe you just said it straight out like that!” Odie cried out.
I laughed, “Why not? She’s pretty open, pretty cool. Plus, we’re all going through stuff right now because of Amelia leaving soon.”
Odie’s soft eyes turned serious. “She’s the sweetest little girl. I hope that aunt treats her like royalty, because if she doesn’t-”
“Oh believe me,” I interrupted, “Aunt Winifred will have the entire Walters clan on her case if she’s not good to our Amelia!”
Just then, Odie’s phone buzzed.
Bonnie: It’s fine gorge, as long as grades stay up. No drinking. No boys. No shenanigans.
Me: Haha no promises!
Bonnie: I know you’re joking, otherwise I’d call the school and tell them what you’re up to. Btw, you know how to sneak out of there?
“Uh, do we know how to sneak off campus, Odie?” I asked.
Odie looked at me and shrugged. “Just because my folks let me have one day a semester to ditch, doesn’t mean I ever have. Nope.”
Me: Umm. no?
Bonnie: The PE gate is always left unlocked. You’re welcome. If you get caught, I don’t know you.
Me: Have I told you lately you’re the best?
Bonnie: Indeed. Now stop already and go let off some steam. You’ve earned it.
CHAPTER 24
We snuck off campus through the P.E. gate. It wasn’t padlocked like the others, just as Bonnie had said. Odie and I were both surprised at how easily we managed to get out, all things considered.
Once we were clear of the school, we headed toward the bus stop, trying to decide on how to spend our free day.
“I think we should see a movie,” Odie suggested. “I want to see the new Chris Hemsworth flick! Ugh. That boy. He is so much fine.”
“Well that’ll kill two hours,” I said, “But I’m exhausted. I need coffee.”
“There’s a coffee shop next to the theater,” she grinned.
“Perfect,” I said. “We’ll do coffee first, otherwise I’ll fall asleep during the movie.”
“What?” She exclaimed. “How could you possibly fall asleep while the deliciousness that is Chris Hemsworth is on the big screen?”
“Because I pulled an all-nighter last night,” I said, “And obviously I’m not as big a fan as you are.”
“Aww, it’s okay, bestie,” she said. “I don’t care if you pass out during the movie. You can drool in your sleep, and I’ll drool over Chris.”
And thus, our day-of-ditching plans were decided.
***
We used our bus passes and managed an uneventful ride on public transportation. It was my first time using my pass since arriving in Marion, and we made it to downtown with no troubles.
We checked movie times first. The show we were going to see didn’t start for another hour and a half, so we purchased our tickets and then walked across the street to a quaint little coffee shop that I immediately fell in love with.
It was built entirely of red brick, with a sign that read, “Ben’s Beans.” There was a large, covered patio for customers who liked to sit outside, with all sorts of plants, twinkle lights, and wind chimes decorating it. Little bistro tables and portable heaters were placed randomly beneath the patio roof, and a few patrons were seated there drinking coffee, eating pastries, and reading newspapers.
Small speakers were mounted outside, and the music that played was a soft, dulcet tune from a bygone era. The singer had a hypnotic quality to her voice and I found myself drawn to it.
“Ella Fitzgerald,” Odie said as we entered the shop. “Remind me to give you a CD of my jazz stuff.”
Of course, leave it to Odie to school me on music once again.
We walked inside and I fell in love. The smell of coffee filled the air, and my nostrils. I breathed in as deeply as I could, feeling my veins begging for the caffeine. The ambience was cozy and quite laid back. A fireplace sat to the left, a giant window to the right, and the counter was directly in the back. Only a few tables were available, so we dropped our things down on one to save it, and went to place our orders.
A tall man, bald, with dark skin and green eyes stood smiling at me from behind the counter. He wore a blue polo shirt and a dark brown apron with the shop’s name on front.
“Good morning ladies,” he said with a smile as we approached. “I’m Drew, what can I get for you today?”
I crossed my arms over my chest and waited as Odie ordered what she said was her favorite from the shop, a large cappuccino, light foam. Then it was my turn.
“Are you a barista?” I asked. He nodded and smiled.
“Okay, then surprise me. Nothing too sweet or heavy, but with a lot of caffeine and maybe a dash of chocolate!”
He laughed and smiled. “I think I know exactly what you need. Have a seat and I’ll bring them out when they’re ready.”
We took our seats at the table we’d picked for ourselves and watched Drew work on our orders.
“Aren’t you afraid of what he’s putting in it?” Odie asked.
I shook my head. “He’s a barista. They make the most amazing things that are typically not on the menu.”
She looked at me. “How do you know that and I don’t? I’ve been coming here forever and I never knew that.”
I laughed. “A barista’s job is to know coffee. The best coffee I’ve had has been when I’ve said, ‘surprise me.’”
As we waited, I kept an eye on the men seated near us. Not a single one looked at us, or, more importantly, at my chest. I began to wonder if I’d been wrong all along about keeping my shape concealed. Perhaps I
really had noticed Derek watching me for all those months. Perhaps he, and he alone, was the reason why I decided to only wear loose, baggy tops and flannels.
When Drew brought our coffees, I rejoiced and took a sip.
“Oh my word, that’s perfection,” I said.
He grinned at me. “You like?”
“I love!”” I exclaimed. “What’s in it?”
“Our Columbian blend with an espresso quad shot, half and half, dulce de leche syrup, and a shot of mocha.”
“Add it to your menu,” I demanded. “Everyone needs to drink this.”
“Okay, let me try it,” Odie said. She sipped it and declared it was wonderful, but she preferred her cappuccino.
I shrugged at Drew. “She’s not a coffee connoisseur like me.”
Drew chuckled and said, “What’s your name?”
“Roz,” I said and offered my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Pleasure is all mine,” he said, and shook my hand. “Well then, that settles it. The Roz Special is now on the menu.”
He grinned at us and went back to the counter.
I looked at Odie who chuckled and said, “I really don’t prefer my cappuccino, but I couldn’t admit that to him.”
As we sat and drank our coffees, it occurred to me that, although Drew had had ample opportunity to look at my chest, he never did. Maybe I was on to something. Maybe I didn’t have to keep hiding my figure every time I left the house.
But I sure as heck would not be flaunting it, either.
***
Watching a movie with Odie was every bit as hilarious as I’d imagined it to be. She wasn’t the type to talk during a film (thankful for that!), but she would reach over and grab my arm whenever something exciting happened. Or, when Chris Hemsworth was on screen.
Although I did have to admit the actor was quite sexy, he didn't blow me up internally, the way he did Odie. Good grief, she had it bad. When he appeared momentarily shirtless in one scene, I thought she was going to combust beside me.
Once the movie was over, we walked slowly back to the bus stop, talking quietly and giggling about what we'd just watched.
“Did you see those arms? And those abs?” She sighed. “Just call me Mrs. Hemsworth.”
I laughed. “Yeah, you and a million other would-be wives.”
“Okay,” she said, all persnickety-like, “You tell me then. Who's a gorgeous male?”
“Jimmy,” I said wistfully.
She rolled her eyes. “He doesn't count. To begin with, you’re the only one who can see him, so no. And for another thing, he’s your boyfriend. Boyfriends do not count.”
“Oh, alright then. Are we talking famous guys, or regular guys?”
“Whichever.”
I said the first name I thought of. “Parker.”
Her whipped around to glare at me. “Parker Evans? Are you high?”
“What?” I asked defensively. “He might be a creeper, but he's totally good-looking.”
She sighed as we came to the bench marking the city’s bus stop. We sat down to wait, and she turned to me.
“Okay, you’re right. He’d be a dream if he wasn't such a jerk.” She admitted.
I nodded. “Too bad the inside doesn't match the outside.”
“Indeed! What's his problem, anyway?”
“I have no clue. He could be a great guy if he wasn't so…” I trailed off, looking for the right word.
“Douchey?” She offered. “Creepy? Eerie? Scary? Jerk-facey?”
I chuckled and said, “He's not scary in real life, just in my dreams.”
She grew quiet, then a light came into her eyes.
“Speaking of dreams, I have a thought. I might be grasping at straws, but it's a sound suggestion.”
“Okay, let's hear it.”
She explained that she'd been thinking of how Jimmy disappeared once I'd drawn the runes on my skin. “You protected yourself, right? But that left him unprotected. And since he was getting pulled into a few of your dreams, maybe…? I don’t know, maybe if you stopped drawing them on yourself and let the ink fade away, then yes you’ll be unprotected, but-”
I caught her meaning. “But maybe somehow it'll let him come back to me.”
She nodded. “It's worth a shot, no?”
“It’s worth a shot, yes.”
***
That evening at home, dinner was a quiet affair. Although Mitch and Bonnie both smiled and joked around like always, their usual spark was missing. I attributed it to Amelia’s impending departure from our house and our lives.
Even Vincent seemed to lack his normal exuberance. He just pushed his food around on his plate for most of the meal, then asked to be excused. Bonnie nodded and let him off the hook.
Amelia was the only one who seemed to be truly happy, as she smiled at each one of us and nodded when spoken to. When she was done eating, she went first to Bonnie’s chair and gave her a hug. Next, she went to Mitch and did the same. Finally, it was my turn.
I hugged her as tightly as I could without hurting her. I burrowed my face into her shoulder and inhaled her soft, clean scent. My eyes burned as her little arms squeezed me back.
And then, just like that, she turned and headed for her bedroom.
The three of us who remained at the table slowly shattered piece by piece, until all that was left was Bonnie’s quiet tears, Mitch’s confounded silence, and my bleeding heart.
CHAPTER 25
I readied myself for bed later that night with every expectation that Jimmy would still remain invisible even without the runes, but I was willing to try anything to see him again. I missed him far more than I wanted to admit, and my heart felt like a rock in my chest with the ache of it.
I took a hot shower and scrubbed the ink from my skin, making sure no traces of the runes remained on my body. Then, I popped a sleeping pill but left the anti-anxiety medication. I wanted to sleep and dream, but I didn’t want my senses dulled.
I just wanted to see if Jimmy could at least get sucked into my dreams again, from wherever he was hiding. Even if he couldn’t break free to come to me in my physical world, maybe somehow, I could find him in his spiritual one.
I turned on the bathroom nightlight, cracked the door, and turned off the main light in my room. I burrowed down deeply in the warmth of my covers, sending up a prayer to whoever listened that this would work.
I pushed all thoughts of Amelia, Odie, and life in general from my mind, concentrating only on Jimmy. I thought of his hair, of the way he kissed, of the sound of his voice. I thought of the way he always felt so cold to the touch, but how it brought no discomfort to me. If anything, his cool presence acted more as a soothing balm for me than anything else.
I had just begun to drift off when I felt the bed dip slightly, followed by a loud hiss. I opened one eye to see Tobias had jumped up on the bed and was now perched near my feet, giving me the evil eye.
“Go away cat,” I said forcefully, “Go chase the dogs or something. I’m trying to sleep.”
Trying to sleep? A very snooty, almost British sounding voice said in my mind. You’re already dreaming, Human.
I looked at Tobias questioningly. The darn thing nodded at me. Literally nodded. At me. Just like a person.
“Did you just speak in my head?” I asked him, glancing about my room and then back to him.
Of course I did. You didn’t think it was Haley, did you? She wouldn’t know how to find your room if you led her to it!
“Hey, don’t be mean to Haley, she’s a sweet dog.”
She’s mangy and obnoxious. Unlike myself, of course.
“Oh, of course,” I said sarcastically.
Not a bad job with the sketch of me, by the way. You did well, but could have been better.
I threw my hands up and asked with full exasperation, “Why are you talking to me?”
Because I’m a cat, he explained, and we have a direct line to the spirit world.
I stared at him for almost a full
minute. “So, I’m dreaming?” I asked.
You are.
“So when I dream, I’m in the spirit world?”
Not exactly, but in dreams, you are more susceptible to some of its sights.
I nodded. “Okay, so… Is Jimmy here?” I asked.
Oh, he’s here alright, the cat said mysteriously, but it’s up to you to find him!
Then he leapt from my bed and was gone.
I sat up, looking around for him in confusion, but the cat was nowhere to be seen.
“Fine, Tobias,” I said angrily, “Haley might be obnoxious, but I bet she’d never leave me to fend for myself!”
I stood from the bed and glanced to my window. It was open, revealing what should have been the backyard, but was anything but.
I gasped as I walked slowly to the window, unable to believe what I was seeing. The backyard was gone. In its place was a red sky, and burnt, charred, dead trees lining the otherwise barren landscape.
I lifted the glass plane and stuck my head outside. Hot winds were blowing from the south, and I suddenly had a very bad feeling about this.
I eyed the area before me uneasily, but lifted my leg up and through my window, stepping into the outside. I had take two steps away from the house when I heard it. The nightmare-Amelia spooky voice. It sounded like what I imagined an old witch or hag would sound like, and once more it sent chills down my spine.
“He’s quite unhappy with you, girl,” it said, its raspy voice genderless and frightening.
I didn’t ask who was unhappy with me. I had a feeling I knew what the answer would be.
The necromancer.
I took one more step forward and suddenly, there was a flash. It was almost like a strobe light, turning off and on in rapid succession and each time it was flipped on, there stood a person. However, when it was flipped off, no one was there.
I couldn’t tell who it was, the way they kept blinking in and out of being. It could have been male or female, either one, but they wore a forest green, long velvet cloak with a hood that concealed the face. The only thing visible were the hands. They looked abnormally long, skeletal, and bony, with an almost-grey skin color.
Rest in Peace Roz: The R.I.P. Series Book 1 Page 16