Witness

by Lori Darnell

  “Now, how to make you do that louder…” I reached down the side of her body, flexing my fingers at her ribs and tickling her. She tried to hold it in, but she failed. “You know, that sound is quite intoxicating; it makes me shiver,” I said conversationally. She responded by giggling louder.

  I heard her voice. It was light and airy. I grabbed her hands from my neck and touched them to hers. “See, you can feel your own voice.” She blinked in shock. I laughed.

  “Jill, you know what James said earlier, about me wanting to hear you say ‘I love you’ – well, that wasn’t exactly right. The thing I would love to hear the most, would be for you to say my name.” I looked down, embarrassed. It shouldn’t matter; it never had before. But I still wanted to hear it. Right then, I wanted to feel her voice say it more than anything.

  She brushed her hand across her cheek. I looked up, and she was crying. “No, don’t do that. We can try. If you can’t, it doesn’t mean I love you any less. I couldn’t love you any more. It was just something that popped in my head. Please, don’t cry.” I wiped the tears away with my fingers. I could tell she was afraid to try. She was afraid of letting everyone down.

  “Jill, really, it’s okay. Don’t worry. I will talk to James, let him know this is too much to ask.” I made a move to get up, and she bowed her head.

  “Don’t… give up.” My eyes shot wide. Just a faint whisper, very breathy, but it was there. Jill had spoken. I looked at her, “I heard you!” She looked up. Her face was strained but happy. She tried again. But the sound escaped her. She growled in frustration. She knew she had her voice a moment ago. Why was this so hard?

  “Sweetheart, you’re doing so well. Don’t worry. No one is going to push you. I love you, no matter what.” I blushed as she tried to say my name, but her attempts were cut off by my lips approaching hers.

  Some time later, she leaned into my chest as we lay on my bed. She hummed an unfamiliar tune, holding her hand to her neck. She was practicing. She wanted this too, for me… for her.

  I had fallen asleep. I was dreaming of Jill, resting her warm body across mine, looking deep into my eyes and speaking my name. My body felt like it was on fire. Her voice caressed me in ways I had not known before. It was powerful. I could feel her body, even in sleep, snuggle closer to mine.

  Then suddenly, I was walking the streets, looking for Jill. She was afraid and in trouble. I didn't know where to turn. James was nowhere to be found. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of several black robed figures jolting past the ally. I was instantly on guard. I called for Jill, but she couldn't answer. I searched the area - she was supposed to be here. From behind me, I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. I froze, preparing to strike.

  "Marcus, you have to leave her." It was the voice, the one of the woman who claimed to be a god. She was there, right behind me. I spun around, stunned. She was really there, and she was real - I could see her, glowing and ethereal. I just stared like an idiot. The god grabbed both of my shoulders, shaking me.

  "If you don't leave her, I won't be able to protect you. She will bring into this world the most powerful psychic ever seen. You have no idea what will happen. You alone can stop it."

  "NO! NO! I will not leave. She needs me to find her."

  "Marcus, she is already gone. No matter what happens she will die. You won't be able to save her. I'm so sorry." This beautiful god, for there was no denying what she was, once I saw her, was crying for Jill. She was crying for me. It hurt me, nearly physically, to see her cry.

  "Don't cry. We humans are always willing to sacrifice for the ones we love."

  "That is the problem."

  "I don't understand."

  "You will. One day you will." She took my hand. She was leading me away from where Jill was supposed to be. I panicked, ripping my hand from hers.

  "NO! You can't take me from her. I won't let you." I stood stock still, refusing to move. The god decided to change her tactics.

  "Marcus, I can't do that. I won't do that - if I could I would have before now. You love her too much now. It would kill you both to be separated - I know that now." She hung her head as she grabbed my hand. "Come, I have to show you something." Noticing my hesitation, she stopped once more, glancing at me. “Don’t worry, you will be returned.” I relented, following her.

  We walked into clouds of darkness. I could hear murmurs off into the distance. As we walked, there were several figures in the dark, glowing. Just like the woman at my side.

  "Are these gods too?" She smiled and nodded. She held her finger up to her lips as an effort to encourage my silence. I was stunned silent. I had just entered a room where several gods were standing about, having not-so-civil conversations.

  "It isn't right. He is doing this on purpose. This has to stop. We have to move on. We can't stay here and wait for him anymore." They were speaking in angry tones, the voices all blurring together.

  She then led me away from them and to another room. There were several empty chairs; she motioned for me to sit, then sat on the arm of the chair and leaned into me, staring. Her glare was intense.

  "Marcus, you need to wake up. Marcus, They will come for you. I will do what I can. But time is of the essence. Your lives are so short. Please don't waste what you have left.."

  "Will I ever see you again?"

  "Of course, but you will hear me more often. I won't try to separate you from Jill again. I will try to guide you. I can be patient if I try. Besides, you have given me an opportunity I can't pass up." She laughed a little, smoothing my hair away from my face, as a mother would to an unruly child. Her last statement made me flinch internally. She looked almost dangerous at that instant.

  "I don't even know your name." I looked down. I still felt like I was dreaming, but I wasn't sure anymore.

  "You may call me Isis. I know what it is to have lost everything, especially those you can't live without. But heed my warning. My plans are too important to ever give in. If you stay with her, I will use the situation to my best advantage. I will try to help as much as I can, but there is little I can do on Earth. That part is left for you."

  Isis stood and pulled me to my feet. She leaned closer to me, whispering, "such a beautiful boy…" I stood frozen as she brushed her lips against mine. She smelled and tasted of warm spices, earthy and foreign.

  "It is time for you to go back to Jill. I will speak again when it is needed." She placed her hands over my eyes, and then there was nothing but blackness.

  Chapter 16

  I heard the even breathing of my own body. I was still sleeping, I think. I could feel Jill's hands running across my chest. My shirt was unbuttoned, and she was exploring my body as I slept. Not wanting her to stop or to startle her I kept my eyes closed and enjoyed the sensation. She continued on, now moving both of her hands more urgently. I felt the tugging of my jeans as she undid them. I stopped breathing. She noticed.

  She moaned softly, I heard her whisper "please..." I didn't open my eyes as I ran my hands across her hip, pulling her closer. She was still undressing me, as I caressed her naked body. She felt so warm. I would never have been able to let her go. I opened my eyes and found her sea foam gaze burning into mine. How would I ever be able to say no to those eyes? I grabbed her roughly, pulling her body up so I could reach her mouth. She tasted so sweet, mint and strawberries. My mouth moved down the side of her neck; she started panting.

  "Marcus..." I froze.

  "Jill? Please, say it again." I pleaded. She smiled

  "Marcus," She said, just above a whisper, but it was clear and strong.

  I lost control. I reached for her, my eyes watering in amazement at the glorious sound of her voice. My hands ran down the length of her body reaching behind her knee pulling her on top of me. My body was already hard as she moved against me.

  "Please?" she whimpered as I lifted her hips and thrust deep within her. Her body contracted against me.

  "I am yours," I purred. Frantic in her quest, her body cont
racted again. She shivered, pausing momentarily. She was an extraordinary creature. Unable to stand further delay, I flipped us both, taking over as she continued to moan and shudder. She was wild in her need. She contracted against me once more, her nails clinging into my back. There was no more pause, no breathless motion. She looked into my eyes and screamed my name with all the voice she could muster, driving me to release. Her whole being positively glowed as I collapsed at her side, still shaking in ecstasy. She wrapped her long legs around me and nuzzled into my neck. Over our heavy breathing, I could hear Dean and James laughing upstairs. Apparently, Jill had more volume than I was aware of. I shook my head slightly, and Jill looked up at me, worried.

  "Don't worry. I am sure they are thinking more about each other right now than your exhibition." She frowned as she thought about it, but ended with a smile. "Yes, I am glad James has someone to love too," I said in answer to her thoughts. Her mind was as open to me as ever. Her thoughts reflected my own.

  "I love you," she whispered. I fell asleep again, feeling as though everything in the world just fell into place with one decisive, small click. This woman was mine; she loved me so much that she would give me anything I ever dreamed of asking for.

  It was well into the dawn hours when we finally had the courage to get out of bed. Neither of us had ever been so free with ourselves as we had been last night. Definitely never as vocal. I blushed as I walked to the shower. Jill was standing there, waiting for me. "Jill, are you sure this is a good idea? She laughed, though the actual sound was not a quite laugh. Her voice was growing stronger quickly; it seemed she wanted to hear her own voice just as much as we all did.

  I walked into the bathroom; the heat of the water had already steamed up the mirror. It was too inviting to pass up. I got in and she followed. "Jill?"

  "Shush... your turn to be silent." I was shocked again at the sheer volume of her voice. I had expected her voice to be higher, childlike. This was not the case. She sounded sultry and breathy. Just her voice alone had my body reacting all over. Like I had been hit with electricity, I was charged and ready.

  Her lips curved into a smile as she reached in front of me and grabbed the soap. Her hands were magical. How would I ever have enough?

  "Jill, I want you." She reached up, placing her hands around my neck and, tugging gently with her teeth on my earlobe, she ground her body against me. I groaned in response. She turned her back to me and I ran my hands against her back. Ever so gently, I entered her. She braced the wall for support. Cradled against my body, rocking with me, we both found our release. The water was getting cold and we were clearly having too much fun here. We both washed quickly and rinsed even quicker. She laughed as the water turned to ice at the same moment she had handed me the sprayer to rinse myself off.

  "Vixen...” I accused, shivering and raising my eyebrow at her. She saw the mischief in my eyes and rapidly exited the shower before the icy water reached her. Once out of the bathroom, we dressed quickly to escape the chill left from the water.

  "Ok, are we ready to be presentable? I think we have some things to discuss with James." She looked at me curiously and I knew that I had to tell her about my dream. So that she could see and feel, I let her into my mind as we often did when we were alone in the herb garden. It seemed so natural. In my own silent way, I told her I still loved talking to her this way. She smiled. Then she stopped smiling at the end, especially when she saw the beautiful, immortal god kiss me. She glared at me – deliberately choosing not to put into words what she was thinking, which was far worse.

  "Hey, I didn't even have control of what happened,” I claimed defensively. “I was innocent, I swear! She knows I love you. She isn't going to tear us apart." She said she could if she wanted to. We couldn't exist without each other.

  "She will come for us, in the end." Her voice was faint but firm, carrying a foreboding note.

  "No, she said she wouldn't." I was panicked. I knew more than anyone else how powerful my love for Jill was, and the great lengths I would go to protect her. I also knew Jill was much stronger than the Church knew.

  "I am going to die. I don't know when that will be, but you can't give up. She will need you." She walked across the room to the window, looking out. Where on Earth did she come to that conclusion? Isis never mentioned death – I would have noticed, I was sure of it.

  "Jill, I don't understand." She silently walked back across the room and placed my hand on her stomach. I looked down, then back into her eyes, searching mine. "You're not pregnant. You can't be - we have been so careful. This will not happen. I won't have it." Pregnancy now would be costly – the Church would likely kill her, or worse, consider her a whore and slave her out to the hotels. No chance would I let that happen.

  "You can't stop the rain. It will happen. I want it to happen. Not today. But someday, it will happen. That is, unless you never plan to touch me again." Her voice was soft and pained. She was afraid I would leave her, still.

  "Jill, I would never hurt you like that. I need you too much. But I will still be as careful as I can. I won't make this happen, not until you are sure, not until I know you would be safe." Angry at myself for even admitting the possibility, but knowing that accidents happened, I added, "not if I can help it."

  "Marcus..." my body shivered as she said my name."I love you, and I will love her. Don't fight this. And please, don't put this on yourself. No matter what." Her words terrified me.

  “What do you mean her? Do you know the baby will be a girl? How could you know that?” I tried to understand all she was telling me both with her voice and with everything I saw in her mind, but it all came at me in a blur.

  “I don’t know for sure it is a girl, but it feels like it.” She smiled and brushed her hand across her stomach. “Someday, we will find out.” But I would try to prevent it, for her. I knew in the end she would win. She would always win. Her mind, body, and soul were tied to mine. If we were ever separated, I couldn't even think of how I would go on.

  We walked as quietly as possible down the stairs, the news on the television chattering the day’s headlines. Jill looked up at me, and panicked again, not knowing if she could speak again in front of them.

  "Don't worry. Everything is okay. Just try. You can talk to me. I know you can do this." I stroked her face and she rested her cheek against the palm of my hand. I couldn't help myself as I leaned down and kissed her gently. No, I was not strong enough to stay away. I would never be that strong. She heard my thoughts and a small smile spread across her face. She liked that a lot.

  James and Dean were sitting on the couch, leaning close to one another and speaking softly. Dean peaked around James and saw us enter the room. He smiled so wide I could see all of his teeth. James quickly turned to see the objects of his attention shuffle quietly into the room. The walk of shame, with Jill pushing me in front. That figured. I shot her a look, sighing, then bit the bullet and walked the rest of the way into the room.

  Dean started clapping, loudly. James laughed and did the same. We froze. I know my face was so red I must have looked as though I had been set on fire. I looked at Jill, and for once she shared my affliction. She turned to walk away, embarrassed, but I held her firmly and pulled her back to me.

  "There is no denying that you are at least partially responsible here," I voiced. She looked at me and her mouth dropped open. I laughed. James, silent now, leaned into Dean.

  "Ok, now enough. We are going to scare them off. If they go back to their room now, we may not see them again for days." James shook his head. Dean shrugged back but couldn't, or more accurately wouldn't, wipe the smile off his face. In that moment I wanted to do it for him. But I just sighed and dragged Jill to the floor with me across from the couch. She snuggled into my side and waited for me to start the conversation, of course. I didn’t get the chance.

  "So, Jill, I know that you have found your voice... so let's hear it. How are you today?" Dean asked conversationally.

  She looked up at
me. She was scared. Scared to trust, scared to try. "Jill, sweetheart, I know you can do this. Just pretend you're talking to me."

  "I... I am doing well." She was very quiet and cautious. My smile felt as though it stretched from ear to ear. Her eyes darted back toward my face, seeking encouragement. She was doing wonderfully.

  "Jill, we both know you can talk louder than that," James teased, and Dean was hiding his face in his arm, uselessly trying to muffle his own laughter. Jill’s newfound confidence deflated almost instantly. She turned her face to my chest and, beyond embarrassed, she began crying softly. This was going too far. I stood up and brought her up with me. She nestled further into me, not willing to show her face, even to me. I was furious.

  "Ok, you both have had your fun. So what were you two doing last night - playing chess?" That shut them both up. I felt Jill's quiet giggle against my chest. She hugged me tighter.

  "Jill, I am so sorry. It is just so new. I never knew how much you two were involved; I guess I envy you both a little." James reached over to Dean to take his hand. "We could never be open - no one can ever know about our relationship, the way that eventually you and Marcus will be able to. It is just petty. Jill, we are very sorry, both of us. Honey, don't be embarrassed – your voice is quite impressive, and so soon!" He sat up and came over to us, tugging on Jill's shoulders and trying to make her look up at him. She finally relaxed and turned. Her tears startled him. "I am so sorry." He hugged her, gently running his hand down her hair at the back of her head.

  "We both are,” Dean reaffirmed. “It is just been so long since we could really find anything funny. We got carried away," he apologized, with a remorseful glance at me.

  Jill looked up at James. He released her only to come to me and embrace me as well. I hugged him tightly. As I was taller than him, I lifted him off the ground just a little.