Her Guardians: Her Guardians Trilogy Book 1

by Roberts, Jaimie

  The moment he left, I let out a deep breath, and my heart started to calm a little—until Kali came back from her lunch.

  “Don’t worry.” She placed her hand up to stop me from speaking. “I’m over it already. He’s an arsehole anyway. I’ve just bumped into someone at the local shop and he’s taking me for dinner on Saturday night. Stephen can go run and jump. You’re welcome to him.”

  I still didn’t want her thinking it was a two-sided effort here. “Kali, I don’t even want him. You know I didn’t encourage him to ask me all those questions. I left and he followed me. I couldn’t help that, either.” I hated myself for lying to her. I did like him, no matter how much I tried to deny it to myself.

  “It’s okay, Cassie. No need to explain to me.” She smiled and that’s when I realised we were okay.

  “So, who’s this guy you bumped into?”

  Kali’s face suddenly lit up. “Oh, my god, Cassie. He is hot. His name’s Cameron and he works as an Estate Agent just a few minutes’ walk from here. He’s got my number.”

  We both erupted with laughter, but our attention was soon back to work when our Executive Officer, Faith, looked over in our direction. She was a nice enough girl, but she could be a little hard-nosed at times.

  **********

  Once our day was finished, I said my goodbyes to everyone and headed on out. Unfortunately for me, Paul spied me and rushed over before I reached the door.

  “Hey, beautiful. Just wanted to know what you thought about this Saturday?”

  I tried to think of a quick solution. Luckily, one entered my head. “I can’t this Saturday, Paul. Sorry. I have other plans.”

  He looked disappointed, but nodded. “What about the Crime Investigation Division get-together on Friday night. Are you going to that?”

  “Yes. Kali and I planned to go together.” I thought I had better tell him that just in case he asked if he could take me. Then it would seem like a date, and I had to avoid that.

  He smiled half-heartedly. “Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

  I felt bad turning Paul down, but it wouldn’t be fair to him if I led him on. I had never felt like that towards him, and I knew I never would. He was a good guy, I knew that much, but that was where it ended.

  I left with a nod but, once outside, I was immediately set upon by some random stranger. “Hey, good looking. Whatcha got cooking?”

  Oh, jeez! Why would any man think that was a good pick-up line?

  “Nothing.” I tried to be as polite as possible. “I’m going home.”

  I made an attempt to turn, but he caught my arm. “Hey, pretty lady. Don’t go. I want to talk to you. What’s your name?”

  Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any worse, this lame, skinny arsehole with crooked teeth came crawling out of the woodwork.

  In an effort to get away, I tried to pull my arm from him, but he just gripped it tighter. “Mister, whoever you are, I don’t want any trouble. I just want to go home.”

  “Who said I wanted trouble? I just want to talk to you.” He smiled widely, showing me his yellow teeth.

  “But she doesn’t want to talk to you. Now, beat it before I arrest your arse, McClain.”

  Just as he released my grip, I looked up to see my rescuer. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Michael.

  “Now, hitting on lady so forcefully is not very nice, is it, McClain? Not only that, but you’re doing it right in front of the police station you’re supposed to attend bail to. That shit ain’t clever, is it?”

  The man cowered like a scared puppy. “Sorry, PC Andrews. It won’t happen again.” With a polite smile in my direction, he walked off.

  “Are you okay?” He sounded almost sympathetic.

  “Yes. Thank you for rescuing me. He was a bit full-on.” He laughed and it made me feel a little giddy. As per normal, though, it didn’t last very long. Before I knew it, the serious face was back again.

  “I have to go.” His tone was emphatic, ending any further conversation.

  He stormed off, leaving me, as always, in complete shock. I really didn’t understand his problem.

  I stopped by the local supermarket on the way home so I could pick up a few bits and pieces for one of my elderly neighbours, Ms. Summers. She had very bad arthritis and, at times, she found it hard to walk about. It really annoyed her as she did like her walks.

  She was in her eighties with white hair, which she always wore in a bun. She reminded me of a schoolmarm, and I certainly wouldn’t want to mess with her. She was very sweet, though.

  We chatted when I moved in, and I offered to bring her regular things from the shops so she didn’t have to get them herself. She didn’t want a fuss being made, but I really didn’t mind. I liked to help her.

  Once in the shop, I got to work on the list of items she gave me yesterday, gathering it all. With all her items collected, I used the rest of my time to gather a few bits and pieces for myself. Satisfied that I now had everything, I made my way home.

  Outside Ms. Summers’ house, I knocked on her door and, after a few seconds, she answered. “Cassie, dear. So nice to see you. Come in.”

  I stepped through and the smell of her old furniture hits me. It’s not a bad smell. It’s actually rather pleasant…in a strange way. My favourite item was her Grandfather clock because it made the most hypnotic sound. I sometimes found myself going into a deep trance listening to the tick, tock noise it made.

  “I managed to get all the things you wanted, Ms. Summers.” I smiled at her and took my seat, as always, by her table full of magazines and newspapers.

  “Thank you, dear, and how many times do I have to tell you to call me Dorothy?” she scolded. “Would you like some tea?”

  Nodding, I could feel my mouth watering at the thought. “Yes, please. That would be lovely.”

  I stayed for a little while and listened attentively to her reminiscing about her husband, George. He died about five years ago, the day after their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Dorothy told me that he had pancreatic cancer and was suffering quite a bit in his last days. He was determined to see it through until after their anniversary, though. He didn’t want her alone on that day. He held strong, telling her how much he fell in love with her all those years ago, and that he still felt the same. By two o’clock the next morning, he was gone. Dorothy took comfort in the fact that he was no longer in any pain. She still missed him terribly. He was a major part of her life. He was her lover, companion, and best friend. It always tore me up every time she spoke about him.

  At home later that night, I found myself daydreaming about the love she shared. I had to wonder whether I would ever find someone as close to me as Ms. Summers was with her husband. Anyone would think that, with my gift, I would be able to see what was in store for myself. The problem was, it didn’t work like that for me. I could never tell my own future. But, the next day, I wish I could.

  Chapter 3

  The next morning, I went through my normal getting ready routine. Unfortunately, I didn’t realise it was frosty outside. As I came down my last step, I slipped and fell on some ice that had formed on the ground.

  A young girl came sprinting over to help me. She held her hand out and, instinctively, I took it without thinking.

  I really wish I hadn’t. What I saw was violent and disturbing. I was starting to wish I wore gloves.

  “Thank you so much.” I was desperately trying to recover from the vision as I frantically wiped off my coat.

  “No problem at all. I very nearly did the same thing this morning. It’s so bloody cold.”

  She smiled and the guilt washed over me. She was a pretty girl with auburn hair and dark green eyes. She was smaller in height than me, but had curves for which any woman would die.

  “Well, I better be getting off to work.”

  She turned and I watched as she walked away. The pain in my gut grew worse the further I saw her walk. I couldn’t let her go. I couldn’t. I had to say something.
/>   “Lisa-Marie! I need to ask you something.”

  She froze for a second before turning. “How do you know my name?”

  This was beyond stupid of me, but I couldn’t do it to her. She was a lovely girl and didn’t deserve what I saw. She had very close family that loved her and they would be torn apart if anything happened to her.

  “I know this is going to sound crazy, but please hear me out. Please don’t go on the train to work this morning. Take the day off or find some other means, but please do not use the train.”

  She looked very confused and I couldn’t blame her. “I don’t understand.”

  “Neither do I at times, Lisa-Marie. I honestly don’t want to scare you or anything, but I would implore you to listen to me. I know it will muck your day up a little, but I assure you that it would be better for you not use that train.”

  Gripping my bag tighter, I felt a bitter wind hit my face. Lisa-Marie stood motionless, trying to weigh me up. She probably thinks I’m some crazy stalky bitch. I just hope she listens to me in the end. “I have to get going. I’m so sorry.”

  I quicken my pace away from her, hoping that she would not come after me and start shouting. To my surprise, she just stood still and watched.

  **********

  I was glad to get to work because it was really cold outside. I saw Michael on my way in and he held the door open for me. “Thank you.” He just politely nodded. I wanted to say more, but my tongue was tied. It was too late anyway as I saw Stephen heading towards me.

  “Hey, Twinkles. How you doing today?”

  I was confused at the sudden nickname. “Twinkles?”

  “Yes. Your light green eyes twinkle in the light. They really are rather beautiful.”

  Blushing, I turned to find an unamused Michael staring at us. I didn’t know why, but it felt as though I was doing something wrong. Michael always seemed to cause that reaction in me. There was nothing wrong with me talking to Stephen, so I didn’t know why I felt guilty all of a sudden. I could talk to whomever I wanted.

  “So,” Stephen sighed, diverting my attention. “How are you?”

  I smiled sweetly despite myself. I was suddenly angry at Michael for his abrupt attitude. “I’m fine, thank you. What about you?”

  “Great, but doing much better now that you’re here. Can I take you for a drink at lunch? I finish early today. A few of us are going, if that makes you feel better.”

  I smiled, thinking how much it seemed like he could read my mind. I made it a habit to turn people down as I knew their intentions. With Stephen, it all seemed mysteriously fascinating.

  I didn’t know why, but I said, “Yes, that would be lovely.” I probably wouldn’t have agreed if it wasn’t for the fact that other people would be going.

  “That’s great.” He beamed a great big smile. “I’ll see you at two, if that’s alright with you?”

  “Sure thing.” I thought I had better head off before I lost my footing a bit from that smile of his.

  Turning around, I was halfway up the stairs when I felt a tug at my arm. “What does Stephen want with you?”

  With an abrupt spin, I found Michael staring intently at me, almost glaring. “Excuse me?” I was confused as to why he was so interested all of a sudden.

  “What…does…he…want…with…you?”

  This was just getting weirder and weirder by the second, but I wasn’t going to back down. “Why do you want to know?”

  “Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?”

  I couldn’t believe this. How dare he question me? He never acknowledged me and now he’s asking what another man wanted with me? He’d seen a few people ask me out, so why was Stephen different?

  “He asked if I wanted to go for drinks at lunchtime, that’s all. Why do you want to know, anyway? What’s the big deal?”

  He looked down at the floor like he was ashamed. The anger was still there, but I could tell he didn’t like the fact that he showed me it bothered him. “Nothing,” he huffed as he walked away.

  He was seriously starting to piss me off.

  Shrugging, I walked to my desk and got to work. About an hour in, we all heard the news. I was walking past the TV room on the way to the photocopier room when I heard it.

  “Breaking news – A Wimbledon to Victoria train crashed today in what officials are saying is the worst underground train disaster in decades. Twenty people were killed, numerous others were injured as the train failed to slow down and even seemed to increase speed before it crashed into another on the same line.”

  Everything seemed to come to a halt. Time stood still and my head started spinning so badly that I thought I was going blind. It was then that the blackness took over.

  **********

  “Cassie? Cassie, can you hear me?”

  I wasn’t aware of anything at first. My eyes were shut and I didn’t quite know where I was. For a moment, I thought I must have been dreaming.

  “Someone get some water!” I heard a voice shout.

  Opening my eyes, I found Kali, Paul, and another officer, Trevor, staring down at me.

  “What happened?” I was confused and disorientated, and I didn’t know why I was lying on the floor.

  “You passed out. You started mumbling about saving someone and asking about Lisa-Marie.” Paul looked down with concern.

  Making a feeble attempt to get up, I stumbled as two sets of arms held me in place. I still felt a little dazed, but the memories were starting to come flooding back. I felt sick.

  I was pulled into the TV room so that I could sit and take a few deep breaths to calm myself down. I wasn’t sure how I could explain all this. I had to try, though.

  “Are you okay?” Kali frowned and handed me some water.

  Nodding my head, I gave her a weak smile.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Paul diverted my attention, the concerned look never wavering.

  “No. It’s okay, Paul. I haven’t eaten anything this morning and I think my body was just disapproving, that’s all.”

  “Can I ask who Lisa-Marie is?”

  Looking over at Kali, she instantly knew. Paul was just intrigued, like the police officer he was. “She’s just a friend. I’ve been worrying about her lately. I suppose she must be in my subconscious somewhere.” I hated lying, but what else could I do?

  “I need to use the bathroom.” I just wanted to escape.

  Getting up, they started fussing around me. “I’m okay, honestly.”

  I wasted no time walking to the bathroom. Kali followed me in there and, as soon as I knew we were alone, I pulled her in for a hug.

  “All those people, Kali; all those deaths. I knew it was going to happen and I did nothing about it. I saw it this morning. Lisa-Marie is the girl who gave me the vision. I met her when I fell on some ice and she helped me up.

  “Kali, what am I going to do? I have all these deaths on my conscience now. How am I going to live with myself?”

  Pulling away, she looked at me. “Cassie, you can’t blame yourself for this. It was obviously meant to be. Sometimes bad things are meant to happen. Call it fate, if you will.”

  She stood there silently for a while and wiped a tear from my eye. “Look,” she began, “what could you have possibly done? If you told London Transport, for instance, they would have thought you a nut-job and laughed at you. We both know that’s not the case, but they don’t know that. Don’t you think that the accident would have happened whether you had said something or not?”

  What she said made sense. I still felt really bad, though, and I was really concerned for Lisa-Marie. I may never know if she got on that train or not. I suppose, at some point, they will release the names of everyone who died, but I don’t think I really want to see it. I felt bad enough without knowing who they were—knowing they had names, lives, and families who will miss them.

  “Thanks, Kali. You’re right, of course. You always are.” I smiled at her and she rewarded me with a sympathetic smile of
her own.

  “That’s better. Just remember, you can’t save everyone. It’s what makes the world go ‘round.”

  I nodded, knowing how true a friend Kali was. She seemed to always know the right things to say and it made me feel better, but I still felt a huge pang of guilt.

  Once I was out of the bathroom, Paul came rushing over to me and gave me two cereal bars with strict instructions to eat them both. It was nice of him to do, but I was still very wary of him. He may have good intentions, but he was fiercely possessive. I certainly didn’t want him to think that by looking after me, he could lay some sort of claim.

  **********

  At two o’clock, Stephen walked up to my desk, smiling his devilish grin. I was warming to him in a very big, strange, sexy kind of way—although I still felt bad for the fact that Kali met him first and liked him before me. I knew she said she didn’t care now, but I still felt a little guilty. It’s not what friends do to one another. I know I would be pissed as hell if she suddenly started finding Michael attractive. It just didn’t feel right.

  “Are you ready to go?” He stood there, eyebrow raised, and I felt the heat rise a little.

  “Yes. I didn’t realise you were going to pick me up.”

  “Door-to-door service. Only the best for you, Twinkles.” He smiled and my heart fluttered a little. I’m in so much trouble!

  On our way out, we passed Kali. She took her lunch earlier than me as she had a hair appointment. Whoever her hairdresser was, they had done a good job.

  “Wow, Kali. Your hair looks fantastic.”

  “Thanks,” she said, flicking her blonde locks. “I take it you’re going for drinks now?”

  Stephen smiled brightly in her direction. “Yep, a few are already waiting. It’s a pity you couldn’t come.”

  I didn’t know why, but I felt a tiny stab of disappointment when he said this.

  “That’s okay,” she replied, interrupting my thoughts. “I’m sure there will be other times. Anyway, better get back to work. Enjoy your drinks.”