After Reed

by Blythe Stone

  “She probably thinks you want to leave,” I said. “And I wish I could disagree with that but you've been asking leading questions today and I can't.”

  “I’m staying,” she said. “I want to stay,” her voice was softer on the second delivery.

  “You don't have to be here every second. Nat doesn't need a protector, she's strong. Is this about work?” I was trying to figure it out.

  She was right though, hearing myself I really was starting to sound like a little kid.

  “What if you set up an office here?” I asked. “We can have one built, I have money and the property’s big.”

  “You really don't think you being out here puts a big target on your back?”

  “As opposed to being where?!” I asked, bothered.

  “The city’s safer,” Nora said. “There are more people in the city. He'd have a harder time.”

  “Would he have a harder time or would you have an easier time?” I asked, trying at something.

  Nora looked at me angrily. “This isn't about me,” she said.

  “Why does it feel like it is?” I asked.

  “Leah, come on,” Nora scoffed in frustration.

  “If you're trying to freak me out I can tell you, I was just as scared in the city as I am out here. I'm much more worried about moving and losing Reed’s connection than I am about Daniel finding me here.”

  “There's a lot to think about,” Nora said. “We just need to talk about these things. Nat hasn't wanted to.”

  “Nat’s had a lot on her plate.”

  “I didn't come here to piss you both off.”

  “No one else has stayed longer than a week,” I reminded her, my voice rising. “It's barely been that, okay? She needs time. She probably feels like no one cares.”

  “I do care.”

  “I know,” I said, taking her hand and holding it in both of mine.

  I leaned up on my knees and hugged her. “I'm really glad you came, really. Please don't be scared to talk to me.”

  “Okay,” she said, but I knew she was still holding back.

  She was so good at listening to other people. She worked so hard to not let herself be heard.

  “Did something else happen?” I whispered. “Something you’re keeping from me?”

  “I told Natalie I love her,” Nora said.

  “Oh…”

  I wanted to ask if it was true. That was rude though so I kept my question to myself.

  “What?” Nora asked.

  “Maybe you’re right then,” I said carefully. “Maybe she is pushing you away. I know Reed tried to do that with me when I first told her.”

  “She did?”

  “Uh-huh,” I nodded. For whatever reason I kept holding Nora long after it should’ve been acceptable.

  “How’d you fight that?” Nora asked, holding me too.

  “I told her nothing was going to change my mind and I stayed near her, refusing to change or leave.”

  “Hmmm,” Nora said.

  “That’s what you’re doing, isn’t it?”

  “Guess so,” she said, softly. I felt her hand rubbing my back.

  “You feel really good,” I laughed, moving myself away. “Sorry if I overstayed my welcome. You’ve both been so sweet to me.”

  “You’re easy to like,” Nora teased.

  “Yeah, I don’t know about that,” I laughed, rolling my eyes.

  “No, you are,” she said.

  I got up on my feet and picked the empty Ouija board box up and put it back in the cupboard.

  “I’m gonna keep this out,” I said, when I came back to the room.

  “That’s a good idea,” Nora said.

  She was watching me move. I fetched some candles out of the entertainment center and brought them back to the coffee table so that later I could light them here.

  “You’re gonna become a witch aren't you?” Nora teased.

  “I think so,” I laughed. “Before all that though, I’m gonna take a few pictures of myself outside.”

  “Want me to come too?”

  “I’m gonna be naked, so, no,” I chuckled.

  “Okay,” Nora laughed too. “Leave the door open.”

  “I will,” I said, walking away to look for my camera. I knew Nat brought it the only question was where.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Nat

  I ran until I was so tired I knew I could crash.

  I hadn’t had much time for myself. Sometimes at night I’d use the treadmill but it was so loud I always worried I couldn’t hear Leah if she fell or was crying for help.

  That didn’t leave much time for exercise. When she was really out I could open the garage and jump rope while she sat in her chair.

  That all felt a little sad. I’d pump her favorite music. She’d stare vacantly.

  I’d feel bad and stop.

  It was so quiet out here.

  I think my favorite time was always holding her. It was nice to give her baths and talk to her. Leah wasn’t home though. I took care of her like she was my precious doll.

  She’d always be that though. She’d always been that in some way, my girl.

  When I got back in the house I could barely stand, my muscles were so sore.

  “You were out a long time,” Nora said.

  “Where is she?” I asked.

  “She’s taking pictures out back.”

  “Not far?” I asked.

  Nora shook her head, no.

  I could hear the sound of the shutter and the bulb flash.

  “I’m gonna check on her,” I said.

  “I know,” Nora said, ignoring me the best she could. Her atmosphere was so tense. I called her out and made it clear I wanted her only if this was real.

  I toed my shoes off and walked through the house, passing Nora and then the open glass door.

  To the right of the house Leah was fiddling with her camera on a tripod. She had nothing but her black underwear on and she pointed the camera at the outside wall.

  “What are you doing?” I asked carefully, drawing close.

  “I’m taking some shots of the marks,” Leah said. “This day’s important.”

  “Did you take a nap?” I asked.

  “Can’t,” she said. “I want to get stronger for you.”

  “For me?” I asked, surprised by her.

  “Nora’s freaking me out,” Leandra said. When she looked up at me I could tell she felt guilty.

  “Jesus.. What’d she say?” I asked, bothered.

  “Nothing specifically,” Leandra said. “She was dancing around things.”

  “What things?” I asked. Leandra knew more than she was saying.

  “Hey,” she said, turning to face me. “Why didn’t you tell me they let Daniel out?”

  “Daniel?” Shit…

  “Yeah, Daniel,” she said, trying to read my emotions.

  “I-I don’t know why,” I lied.

  “I want to stay here with you Nat,” Leah said.

  “Okay,” I laughed awkwardly. “I didn’t think you didn’t want that.”

  “I know,” she said. “But if you’re wondering. I want you to know how I feel.”

  “I know how you feel,” I said. “Why do you think I brought you out here?”

  “To protect me?” Leah asked.

  “I mean, sure, a little bit, but it was more about having you alone and giving you new space. I knew you wouldn’t be okay around your parents. I knew that living where Reed lived would make things harder for you.”

  “You know me,” she said, smiling.

  “I do,” I said, confused by the conversation. “I didn’t keep the information from you,” I said. “I just didn’t know when to tell you.”

  “It’s okay,” Leandra said, pushing her underwear off and throwing it onto the stone path. “I just wanted you to know, I like being here. I want to stay here.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked, looking down at her body on accident. The marks were so intense and the r
est I’d been seeing every day for months but it still surprised me somehow.

  “I’m sure,” she said. “But I think Nora might be scared.”

  “Oh…” I said. That could explain a few things.

  I watched as Leandra ran up to the wall and raised her hands up to form a triangle with her fingers over her head. She had her legs spread slightly and she just looked like a little statue. Seconds later the camera automatically clicked and a flash went off.

  “I’m gonna go shower,” I laughed. She was so fucking weird.

  When I got to the bathroom I let the water flow. My clothes were all damp and smelly.

  “Still sick of me?” I heard Nora ask.

  “I’m not,” I said, turning around to face her.

  “Uh-huh,” she said, coming close to me and helping me take off my sports bra.

  “I can do it,” I said, taking her hands and stopping them.

  “Do you want me to go?” Nora asked.

  “I’m all gross,” I said. “I just ran forever.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” Nora said.

  I swallowed hard. “No,” I said. “No, I don’t want you to go.”

  “Good,” she said, leaning back to shut the door.

  “Don’t lock that,” I said nervously.

  “She’s fine,” Nora said, walking close again and touching my neck with her hand. My eyes rolled as I felt and heard her starting to kiss me again. “You taste good,” she said.

  “I’m gross,” I laughed, awkwardly. Every kiss felt like heaven. Somehow though, it all felt a tiny bit wrong.

  I squirmed, not sure how to take it.

  “What’s wrong?” Nora asked, being gentle and needing permission to proceed.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, stepping back a bit. “I just don’t like her out there alone.”

  Nora let out a big sigh and pushed herself backwards.

  I watched her, feeling guilty, as she moved to the door and slipped back out, shutting me alone back inside.

  My eyes rolled up as I felt the bitterness and the sadness and the awkwardness and tried to fight back my tears.

  I just wasn’t ready. I don’t know why. Opening up to her now, after what she said…

  “Fuck…” I said, pushing my pants off and picking them up off the ground.

  When I moved to the mirror I saw that someone had written a word in the condensation and I started to laugh.

  “Real nice,” I chuckled.

  It simply said: Pussy.

  It was Reed for sure.

  “Gimme a fuckin’ break,” I muttered, pulling the shower door open and forcing myself to get in.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Leah

  I had a few ideas of how I could doctor these photos. I wanted to make something special out of them. I wanted to hang them up. I could already see the end result in my mind.

  “Still naked?” Nora asked, coming out just to check on me.

  “Nope” I said. I’d put my underwear back on.

  My legs had been shaking for the past few minutes. I hadn’t been on my feet this much yet. With everything that I’d learned, I still had adrenaline.

  “You probably shouldn’t be standing this much,” Nora said.

  “My legs are numb,” I laughed.

  “Healthy,” she teased. “Do you want a sandwich or something?”

  “Tea?” I asked.

  “Tea sounds good,” she nodded, a small smile escaping her. She fixed her hair a bit and looked around the property a little paranoid.

  Something told me if Daniel was really here he wouldn’t be keeping it a secret. He liked to spy but Nora was right, this place was almost a beacon, he could just swing right in and do anything and just leave.

  I wasn’t scared. I was curious but not scared.

  Nora lifted up my tripod and began to carry my equipment inside.

  “Come on,” she said holding her hand out so that I’d take it. I let her slip her arm around my waist and help me in. “If Reed’s watching she’s pissed at you,” Nora laughed.

  “Everyone’s always pissed at me,” I muttered.

  “When we get inside you should put some clothes on and call your mom.”

  I still hadn’t called her. I was a little scared.

  Nora locked the back door after us and let my camera sit on the tripod in the side of the room.

  I walked to go change. When I opened the door I saw Natalie jump.

  “Sorry,” I said.

  “Its fine,” she smiled, shaking it off.

  “I’m making myself call my mom,” I said, sitting down on the bed.

  “Shit,” Nat said, crawling up next to me and just watching.

  I pulled the phone up in both of my hands and lay back on the pillow.

  Nat put her arm on my stomach and rest her head on my shoulder.

  It only rang once before my mom picked up.

  There was silence on her side of the line.

  “Mom?” I asked.

  “Leah?” She sounded scared.

  “Hi,” I said.

  “Hi,” she said back.

  Last time she’d come I wasn’t very present. I registered that she was there but I couldn’t speak or move and I hardly heard a word.

  “I’ve got a crazy story to tell you,” I laughed.

  “Baby…” I could tell that she just started to cry.

  Nat held me tight and listened too.

  “You’re really not gonna believe this,” I laughed through tears.

  “Okay, okay, tell me a story,” my mom laughed too.

  It probably shouldn't be the first thing I really told her but I was happy and I wanted her to know so I told her about Reed and about the marks and the dreams.

  My mom asked to talk to Nat right after and I took that time to get dressed and gather my wits.

  When I made my way back out to the main room Nora had tea waiting and she was reading a book.

  “Everything okay?”

  “She probably thinks I’m crazy,” I said shakily. All my muscles were just about ready to give out.

  I pulled up onto the couch and laid my head in Nora’s lap. “I think I’m too tired for tea,” I said, feeling as sleep quickly took me.

  “We’ll have tea when you wake…”

  That was the last I heard before I surrendered to the weakness in me.

  My eyes weren’t closed more than a few seconds before I felt them blink and I saw Reed again.

  “Finally! You’re asleep,” she said, whisking me up in her arms and kissing me passionately.

  “I can’t believe this is happening,” I laughed, looking at her. I put my hands on her face and let her hold me as I looked down on her from up in her arms.

  She was always so good at carrying me.

  “I’m really glad you know it’s me now. It was kind of hard when you thought it was a dream and I know this is weird. I have no idea how or why… I just know I couldn’t leave while you were still here and alive. I can’t leave you. I won’t.”

  “Oh man,” I laughed, overjoyed. “And here I thought we were only bonded till death!”

  I kissed her face several times. “I love you, I love you, I love you,” I said, overwhelmed by her.

  “I love you too,” she said, letting me do whatever I wanted. “I wish I could touch you all the time though.”

  “You managed somehow,” I laughed. I moved down her body and looked down at myself. Dream me didn’t have the marks though. “Shoot…”

  “You saw it though, right?” I asked. “That was real. What you did.”

  I couldn’t stop holding onto her.

  “I know,” she laughed, smiling down at me. I was back to being short and annoying.

  “It’s not scary in your world is it?” I needed to know.