He walked inside, grabbed a booth and opened up the paper as the waitress took his order for coffee and a quick breakfast. His meal arrived as he scanned through the pages marveling at what was going on in the world and then a quarter page ad caught his eye. ‘Voted Best ER in the Area’ St. Luke’s Hospital at 125 Jefferson Street. There was a small picture of the hospital and map.
He leaned back in the booth, the picture already blossoming in his mind of how he would ‘accidentally’ run into Willow to invite her for that cup of coffee after work one evening this week. Maybe even tonight.
Then he sighed heavily to himself as that picture quickly faded and reality took its place.
Why was he wasting valuable time on her? She was nice. She was a good person and not someone who he’d want to hurt intentionally. So why would he want to call her when there were plenty of others he could pick up at one of the local bars for a few drunken nights of complete mayhem and no strings attached? He shook his head at his own foolishness.
He flipped through a few more pages to the classifieds and found three ads for apartments for rent that seemed to be good prospects. And for just a split second, he couldn’t help but wonder how close they were to St. Luke’s or her house.
He stood up and wiped his mouth and threw down his napkin in disgust. This shit had to stop. He was going out tonight, alright…to a dive bar. It was time for some highlife with the lowlifes. Booze, sluts, loud music, and whatever else he could find for entertainment. There had to be someplace like that around town. No Willow. No heroics. No anything but a good time. Because time was precious and it was indeed running out for him bringing him closer to that bitter moment once again, when he would turn to a slab of cold granite while his mind stayed at least partially awake watching in agony for weeks until it finally shut back down too.
He paid his bill, left a tip on the table and folded the paper under his arm as he walked toward the door.
His first stop would be to one of the electronics stores he’d passed along his route last night to pick up a cell phone. He could definitely use one of the devices, since there seemed to be hardly any phone booths anywhere to be found, and instead everyone held one, as if glued to their ears or typing on them. And least that way if he needed to grab a cab, or happened to get the number of a party girl, he could call her later without hassle. Or call Willow his mind whispered.
Samson pushed open the door of Chico’s and headed back out into the crisp air. For just a split second he felt the strange sensation again. Very similar to the one he’d felt when the dog bit him….like some sort of electricity flowing in his veins. And a chill. Not the kind you feel from cold air either. It sort of felt like a mild current that radiated down into his bones.
What the hell was it? It certainly wasn’t another Change. Christ, he’d only been human again for barely a day. This was something else. He could feel an icy tingle on the back of his neck and every hair there stood on end. Damn. He felt as though someone were following him. He turned around and looked to find no one there.
He shook his head and turned back around again to scan the area before tucking the paper under his arm and heading up the street toward the electronics store.
C HAPTER SEVEN
The Watchers Adrielle and Maximus looked on in silence as the cursed human Samson exited the building, unaware of their presence. Some called them Guardian Angels…some thought they were Nephilim. Some called them Demons. And yet, they were perhaps a bit of both. Beings of Light and dimension travelers who resided in the ethereal space between particles of matter, just outside of human perception; ever on the lookout for those souls of damnation who had shown potential for redemption.
Sometimes, if they moved too close he’d turn around as if the gargoyle in him could sense them, just as he had a moment ago. And yet, they knew he couldn’t. He was after all, human, or mostly so for the next few weeks at least. Their movements were nothing more than the breeze to him.
They had been keeping tabs on this Changeling who held promise for some time now, almost from the beginning of his damnation, watching his every move. Looking for signs that he had learned something since that day, centuries ago when the old priestess had drawn her circle, lit the candles and called upon the dark forces to work their magic.
At his first Awakening and for at least a few after that, he had shown no remorse, no care for the ugliness in his soul that had brought him to this. But slowly, after a few more times, after he’d done some good deeds out of motive alone…tried to take his own life…tried nearly everything else, he’d come around and began to realize that perhaps the heart of stone he’d shown to others truly was the very thing that had dictated his curse. Perhaps it was finally time to bring his soul the freedom he so desperately craved. But was he ready?
Time to wait and see was not something that either the Watchers or the Changeling had in abundance right now. The choice of souls ready to move beyond a spell such as his, and for some the transition into Guardianship was very small. Only a few were selected and if he didn’t make it now, it would be another five hundred years before the chance was available again. Ten more long cycles of stone that he would endure.
It had been eons since the Angels had waged war upon mankind for their sins. And although salvation was available to those who truly sought it, war from on high was the last thing they needed here…for the human race seemed to be good enough at waging war upon themselves. Poverty, lust, greed, murder, torture. The sins of man were numerous and depraved enough that little more than a threadbare fabric stood between the dimension called Hell and this place called Earth.
Some would almost call it one and the same, since so few souls advanced beyond this place and for those who were heading up the spiritual ladder, it was a long, hard climb…slowed by the temptations of self-servience and setbacks of every day survival. And so the Angels had committed themselves instead to watching over and helping humanity to advance through their own growth intellectually and spiritually.
“We must move soon,” said Maxiumus.
Adrielle nodded. “Yes, I know. But do you really think he’s ready? He still lusts. You’ve seen the way he looks at the woman.”
Maxiumus nodded. “Yes. He is after all, still human, and sexual attraction without ethics is but one of the many distractions that their bodies dictate. But he did step in to save her after you infected the dog and it went after the humans. He seemed to have no other motive than protecting his own kind…and what of the mercy and kindness he showed the animal? He didn’t have to do that either. He truly didn’t do any of it expecting favors. He has come a long way.”
Adrielle‘s brows knit together as she hugged her arms around herself as if to ward off the coldness of her doubts. “This is the first time he’s come close….and yet we cannot wait for another Change to come and go so we can be sure.“ She sighed as Maximus moved behind her and took her into his own arms.
“I know we are taking a risk. If we make a mistake, then someone else will be passed up who may have actually been the one who was ready and deserved our assistance. But isn’t it always a chance that is taken when one of them breaks their bonds to join us and one of our own ascends to the next level?” He knew all too well the truth in his statement.
“Very well then. We will contact him when the time comes, but as you well know first he must figure out the curse’s undoing,” she sighed.. “Since there is so little time, there is no law that says we can’t leave him maybe one or two clues, right?“
Maxiumus frowned for just a moment. “You know we can not reveal ourselves to him before he has figured it out for himself. It is against the rules.“
“I know. There is no need to worry, my love. He is still human….he cannot see us.” She smiled and he finally nodded in agreement.
A split second later they shimmered back to their own dimension.
The day passed uneventfully for Willow. She and Sasha had showered and had a bite to eat, then made sure the dog was fe
d, had fresh water and did his business out in the back yard before calling a cab to take her to her car.
The streets had been plowed, salted and were fairly dry aside from the piles of dirty snow along the sides of the road. They picked up her car and drove in silence for the three blocks over to Jefferson Street to St. Luke’s Hospital‘s garage, parked, and stepped into the elevator that would take them up to the fifth floor. Sasha noted Willow’s faraway look as they‘d driven along the familiar route.
She finally scolded, “Oh come on! Stop pouting. You’ve hardly said a word the whole drive! He’s gonna call you for Godssake. It’s only been what? Eight hours?”
“I am not pouting. And I don’t give a damn if he calls. Well, okay…so that‘s a lie. He needs to come get his dog.” Willow shot back.
His blue eyes, and his sense of humor; everything about him had nothing whatsoever to do with it, she told herself. Yeah. Right.
She looked over at Sasha who was just standing there staring at the ceiling suppressing a smirk, until she finally cracked.
“You are just as full of shit as they come, and you know it!” Sasha laughed. “But hey, I don’t blame you….he’s gorgeous.”
Willow rolled her eyes as they stepped out of the elevator and headed to the nurses station. “Well, look, he does need to call and come get Fido, or Cujo or whatever his name is!”
“Cujo? NO way. That dog is a doll. If he doesn’t call to pick him up and you don’t want him then I’ll take him!” said Sasha matter-of-factly. “We have to think of a good name for him.”
Willow sighed. “I know. The dog IS sweet and yes, you know that if he doesn’t come get him, I’m going to just keep him! But that is only if he doesn’t come pick him up. We are NOT naming him yet.
She removed her jacket and made a show of primly smoothing her scrubs. “Now go work, slave!” Willow smiled and shooed her away and quickly changed her demeanor to that of the professional she was because now it was time to keep her mind on the duties at hand. It was important that she be focused and not let some stupid incident….or some man she’d met at a club of all places invade her thoughts while she was taking care of her young patients!
She clocked in and sat down at the desk to check through the charts and get ready to do rounds.
C HAPTER EIGHT
Eight and a half hours later Willow finished writing up the last of her reports for the night and headed to the lounge to get her purse and other personal belongings from the break room.
Sasha caught her in the hallway. “So has he called or left you a message?”
“Nope. So, I guess Doggie will definitely be ready to go out to pee when I get home!” She opened the cabinet door and grabbed her handbag.
“Well, I’m so ready to hit the sack tonight. I love you dearly my friend and your chair is nice, and so is your spare bedroom. But, there’s nothing like my own bed!” Sasha said as she grabbed her bag out of her locker.
“Yeah, I don’t blame you. I’m really pretty tired myself. I didn’t sleep as good as normal with a stranger in the house.” Willow pushed open the door to the lounge and walked toward the elevator, stepped in and headed to the parking garage. A minute later, as they stepped out of the elevator and headed towards Willow’s car, Sasha could no longer contain herself. She had to push her buttons just a little. That’s what best friends are for, right?
“So, are you in denial that you’re still pining away because he hasn’t called you?”
“No!” Willow shot back. “For God’s sake, he will either call or not. Come on! He IS just some guy we met in a bar. What do you expect?”
Sasha shrugged.”Yeah. I guess you’re right. He just seemed…well….nice.”
I know, thought Willow. But she wasn’t going to say so out loud and let Sasha win.
“So, if I don’t boot you out of my car right now, are you going to nag me the whole ride back to your house til I‘m screaming and ready to decapitate myself with the automatic window?” Willow said.
They both broke into laughter. “No,” said Sasha, quite matter-of-factly. “I’ll shut up. And, please spare me the decapitation. I’ve had enough medical conditions for one night, thank you very much,” she sighed, in reference to the ten year old girl she’d cared for all night, who’d just had surgery to pin a broken bone in her leg after a very bad car accident she’d been in with her parents.
“So, I’m just some guy in a bar, huh? Does that mean I should go away?” A rich male voice from behind them echoed slightly against the concrete walls. Willow didn’t even turn around. It was of course, Samson. He’d obviously heard every word they said. Great.
“I see you found my place of employment,” she shot back. “I warned you about being a stalker last night, didn‘t I?” She turned on her heel to face him as he approached her car door, suppressing a smile and trying desperately to conceal any excitement that she was feeling. “Oh, and let’s not forget about your furry friend,” she added as he moved in closer.
“I knew you’d take care of him.” He smiled and she couldn’t help but wonder if it was possible if his eyes had gotten bluer overnight.
“I was going to see if you wanted to go to Chico’s and have that cup of coffee,” he offered cautiously.
“Well…yeah.” Willow nodded. “That would be nice actually, but we have to go let your dog out!”
Samson hadn’t thought of that on his way here. He of course, hadn’t forgotten about the dog, but he did seem to forget that Willow would need to get home so he could do his business after so many hours inside the house.
“Should we plan for another day?” he asked, knowing he had no damned business being here today, much less planning for another.
Willow started to tell him that might be a good idea, but Sasha cut her off.
“Why don’t you just let me take your car and you go with him to have some coffee. He can give you a ride home after. Give me your keys and I’ll go let whats-his-name out and feed him.” Sasha grabbed Willow’s keys out of her hand. Once again, Willow opened her mouth to speak but Sasha put her hand over Willow’s mouth.
“You can just drive her home later?” Sasha raised her brows at Samson.
“Yeah, actually that would be nice,” he replied.
And he wasn’t lying. Today he’d gotten quite a bit done, including getting a driver’s license, finding a place to stay and renting a car. In the past couple of Awakenings, he’d somehow taught himself to drive and gotten a license once before. It was a big change from riding a horse or driving a buggy, but it was quite a rush…one he wanted to enjoy again and again. He’d had to be an incredibly fast learner in most things since the world changed around him so completely, and driving was simply a part of that necessity. His heightened hearing, reflexes, speed and agility also proved to be more than a bit useful.
The roads were much more crowded and dangerous, including the speeds which people drove these hulking crafts of metal down the paved highways and byways, but it was a risk of which he savored every moment. And it was kind of like riding a horse or bike. Once you got it, you had it forever. Just a matter of learning new controls and steering.
He offered Willow his elbow, hoping he looked gentlemanly instead of like an out-of-style idiot from another
century…which technically, he was. Willow’s face lit up and he could tell she liked the gesture.
She took his arm and said, “Okay. But Sasha will you stay at my house ‘til I get there and make sure he’s alright? I mean he’s probably been lonely all day in the house, and if you just come and go too fast he might get upset at being left alone again so soon. And I hope to God he’s housebroken enough to have not gone all over the floor and hasn’t torn up anything.”
Sasha nodded. “Yeah, I’ll stay…and yes, I’ll clean up any messes he’s made. Ah, well. So much for sleeping in my own bed! I’m just going to bunk in at your place again if that’s okay. It’s already after 11 and by the time you get home it’ll be ahem…late.”
“You already know you‘re welcome to stay over any time,” Willow said. She smiled sheepishly, feeling guilty at the thought of poor Sasha stuck cleaning up torn up pillows or maybe dog poop while she was out having, hopefully, a nice time.
Sasha grabbed Samson‘s arm. “Before you go, I know this might seem sort of late in the game, but can I see your license?” she held her hand out. “I want to see your address, so if anything happens to her, I know where to come to kick your ass.”
Willow’s mouth dropped open at Sasha’s blatant demand but Sasha shushed her. “Listen, I know he stayed over last night, and he could have done God-knows-what and didn’t. But we barely know him, and since I’m sending you away in his car….” She raised her brows and shrugged as she turned back to Samson. “This girl is my best friend. She’s like my sister and I intend to make sure she’s safe.”
Samson laughed good-naturedly. In past Awakenings, he could have surely guaranteed that there would be no safety for her friend from his advances, his wild antics, or his confectionary lies, should they come in handy. But here and now, he found it strange and a bit unsettling that his intentions were quite tame, and he had to give Sasha credit for her moxie in protecting her friend.
“It’s okay. In fact, I admire you for caring enough to ask me.” He handed Sasha his license and she quickly made note of his address and made sure it was in fact him in the picture.
She smiled smugly. “Now…you kids go have fun,” and she shooed them away.
“Okay then. Come on and let’s go get some sugar and caffeine,” said Samson as he led her away from her car and toward the black SUV he’d parked a few aisles back.
Willow looked back over her shoulder at Sasha who was grinning triumphantly like a Cheshire cat, before getting in Willow’s car.
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