by Carlos King
Menacingly marching up to Drake, Alex replies, “That’s the point, demon. You think I’m not strong enough to protect her and I feel the same about you. The only way we’ll know who’s right is by seeing which of us is best.”
Jade steps directly in front of Alex and places her hands in his chest, preventing him from getting any closer to Drake.
“Alex, please,” she begged.
Alex’s pitch black eyes stare into Jade’s. “Get out of my way,” he coldly commanded. “I told you we couldn’t trust his kind, but you ignored me. Now look at you. I’ve worked with the savage long enough. All of this ends now.”
“What’s the matter with you, Alex?!” Jade asked. “Why can’t you see that he’s not the enemy? He’s been helping us.”
“You better listen to her, Alex,” said Drake. “Whatever your issue is with me, you better get over it fast.”
“Don’t tell me what to do!” Alex barked, his eyes reigniting, burning brighter than before.
He shoves Jade aside, knocking her into a pile of hay. Upon seeing this, Drake becomes enraged. Drake’s eyes instantly redden and burn so hot that thin streams of smoke emit from them. Alex aggressively stomps toward Drake, raising his fist, readying himself for the attack. On the other side, Drake gets into a defensive stance, preparing to counter.
Alex mysteriously pauses, his fist still in a cocked position. Drake is temporarily confused, but when Alex’s angry frown dons a sadistic grin, Drake realizes that he’s just been tricked.
Slowly lowering his fist and falling back to less hostile posture, Alex calmly tells him, “Now look at what you’ve done. You’ve gone and used your powers. I guess that means your friends can track you now, huh?”
Drake’s eyes return to their natural color as he stands in awe of Alex’s deceitfulness. And while he’s fuming over the devious deed, his evil side can’t help but admire and respect Alex’s wicked action.
With a reluctant smirk, Drake says, “Well played, angel…Well played.”
“Thank you,” Alex responded. “Now if you really care about Jade as much as you claim to, you’ll get the hell out of here before your pals find you.”
Drake is disgusted with the fact he allowed himself to be suckered in to Alex’s trap. Nevertheless, the damage has been done and he knows that for Jade’s sake he can no longer stay in Wakarusa. Before leaving, he glances over at Jade. The look in his eyes clearly illustrates defeat. Without saying a word, Drake takes off running, immediately blurring out of vision. The only thing he leaves behind is a trail of kicked-up hay.
Alex stands proudly in the center of the barn, watching the hay settle. Reveling in his victory, he momentarily forgets he’s not alone in the barn. When he spots Jade still sitting in the pile of hay he pushed her in, a look of remorse surfaces. He knows there’s no excuse for what he did to her.
“I’m sorry about that, Jade,” he began, moving towards her, his hand extended.
As he nears Jade, she scoots back—almost as if she’s afraid.
He lowers his hand and asks, “What’s the matter? You know I wouldn’t hurt you.”
Confused, Jade asks, “You planned that whole thing, didn’t you?”
“I had no choice. You wouldn’t get rid of him, so I did. I did it for you own good, Jade.” Alex extended his hand out once again.
“I don’t know who you are, but you’re not the Alex Henley I know,” said Jade, getting up on her own, disregarding Alex’s hand.
“Yeah, you’re right…I’m not the same person you know,” Alex told her. “The person I am now is stronger—mentally and physically. I’m done sugar-coating everything and I’m done entertaining situations I’m not comfortable with. I’m gonna do whatever it takes to keep you safe—whether you agree with my tactics or not.”
Jade stared at Alex as if she didn’t recognize him. “What’s the matter with you? Why are you acting like—”
“Like what? You’re the one acting like a nut-case. You’re more worried about Drake than you are me. You do know that it’s his kind that’s after you, right?”
“I know that you have a lot more in common with his kind than you know.” Jade’s words silence Alex. “I’m going to bed,” she finished, making her way past Alex. Alex grabs her by the hand.
“Jade, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. It was like I lost control for a minute. I was aware of everything I was doing, I just couldn’t…I didn’t want to stop myself. It was like I was hooked.”
Unmoved by Alex’s confession, Jade responds, “Yeah, well, because of your temporary lack of self-control, you left Drake with no other choice but to leave. And regardless of what you think, we needed him more than you know.”
An irritated look appears on Alex’s face. “We need him, huh? I don’t need the help of any demon…Never have…Never will. Be honest, Jade. You just want him around for your own personal benefit. Admit it. Who knows how far you two would’ve gone if I didn’t interrupt.”
Appalled by Alex’s crude remarks, Jade snatches her hand away from him and exits the barn. As he stands alone in the barn, watching Jade walk away, Alex realizes that he’s done it again.
“Jade, I’m sorry,” he told her.
Jade continues walking, ignoring Alex. Frustrated, Alex runs his hands through his hair. He walks back over to a pile of hay and lies down. Staring up at the stars, a single thought commands his mind.
“What the hell’s happening to me?”
CHAPTER 24
The still night has come and gone. The rising sun sheds new light on the small town of Wakarusa. Roosters can be heard in the far distance and the glossy reflection on the crops created by the morning dew helps to bring out the true beauty of the countryside.
Inside the hushed farmhouse, Jade lies in an upstairs bedroom, fast asleep. Standing in the doorway, quietly watching her rest is Alex. He walks into the room and heads for her bed. He stands over her, watching her for several seconds before grabbing a nearby chair and sitting it down next to the head of the bed. Minutes go by as Alex stares peacefully at a resting Jade.
Alex can’t help but to admire Jade’s elegant and unique features. The smoothness of her skin and how it always seems to be glowing—the perfect facial structure that gives shape to her beautiful face—and the way the darkness of her hair accent all of these qualities to the fullest.
Alex takes a single finger and gently lifts strands of hair off of Jade’s face and smoothly guides the hairs behinds her ear. Despite his soft touch, it’s just enough to nudge Jade awake.
“Good morning,” Alex said with a smile.
“Good morning,” said Jade in a groggy, yet pleasant voice.
“Jade, I want to apologize for last night. I was a jerk.”
“It’s okay,” she responded as she sat up. “I guess walking in on me having a make-out session with someone you’re sworn to hate, partially puts some of the blame on me, too.”
“I should’ve handled myself better. It’s not your fault…Not even partially. I can’t come back into your life after all this time and expect your heart to still be mine. And it’s none of my business who you choose to move on with. It’s your life and your decision to pick whoever it is you want…No matter if it’s a man, angel, alien or demon,” he joked.
“That’s just it, Alex. If I would’ve known who Drake truly was and what his true intentions were, I would’ve ran for the hills the first time I saw him. All I knew about him is what I saw upfront and what I had heard from other people. I realize now that they were only telling me about the original Drake and not the one who took possession of his body.” Jade shakes her head as she releases a lighthearted laugh. “It’s weird. I love someone whose name I don’t even know. Drake’s not his real name.”
“I figured as much. For all the things I saw about him, his past and his name were the only things I couldn’t see.”
“Do you think that means anything?”
Alex gets up from the chair and takes a seat next t
o Jade on the bed. “It means he’s lost his identity. He’s so wrapped up in trying to fit in among the humans he’s somehow managed to burry who he really is in the back of his mind.”
Jade recalls the conversation she and Drake had on the bus. “On the way here, Drake was telling me how he wanted to cross over to the other side.”
“Other side?” Alex questioned. “Heaven?”
“Yeah. Is it possible for that to ever happen? Is it possible for a demon to become good again after enduring hundreds of years in Hell?”
“I’m not the best person to answer that question. God has the final say on everyone who’s allowed into Heaven and who’s not. As far as I know, in all of Heaven’s history, I’ve never heard about God exonerating a demon.”
“What if they did a really good deed? And I don’t mean just saving one life…I’m talking about the lives of billions.”
“It depends,” Alex told her.
“Depends on what?”
“On their intentions. Risking your life for someone else is a good way to put yourself in God’s graces, but if your intentions weren’t noble, and the only reason you risked your life was for the sole purpose of getting into Heaven, then you risked your life for nothing because that good deed was just voided by bad intentions.”
“I don’t think that’s the case with Drake,” Jade told him. “I think he’s trying to do what’s right.”
“Jade, you need to understand something. By nature, Drake is an evil and manipulative creation. It’s not his fault; it’s just the way he is. He was designed and constructed to be a perfect killing machine—heartless, calculating and able to make anyone believe he’s harmless. With that being blueprinted into his character, there’s no way he could ever fully escape that.”
“What are saying?” she defensively asked. “You’re saying I can’t trust him? You’re saying that regardless of all he does to help me, I should always look at him as a threat”
Recognizing Jade’s upset by what he’s implying, Alex explains, “Before I say anything else I want you to know that I’m not down-talking anyone. I sat in that barn all night trying to sort things out in my head. I eventually came to the conclusion that Drake is the new owner of your heart and whether I like it or not, that’s just something I’ll have to accept. I need to accept that just like you need to accept the fact that he’s a demon.”
“I believe a person is only as bad as people make them out to be. If you constantly brand someone as a liar and a thief, then sooner or later they’re going to start believing it themselves. Soon or later, they’ll start lying and stealing. But if you have faith in someone who’s lost their way, in time, you can get them back on the right path.”
Alex can’t help but admire Jade’s nurturing and compassionate mentality. Sitting on the bed next to her, he can’t help but smile.
“You think I’m crazy don’t you?” she asked.
“No. I don’t think you’re crazy at all. I do think you’ll be getting hungry soon. Tell you what…Let’s cut out all this jabber-jawing and find a place in town that serves a decent breakfast. There is a restaurant in this town, right?”
“Yeah, I think I know a place.”
“Okay. You go ahead and get ready. I’ll wait for you on the front porch, okay?”
Jade grins. “Okay.”
Alex pats Jade on her knee and gets up from the bed, heading for the bedroom door. Just before he leaves the room, Jade calls out.
“Alex!”
Alex stops and turns to Jade. “Yeah?”
“You’re not mad at me about Drake, are you?”
“No. I can’t get mad at you because you’ve fallen for someone else. Just like I hope you won’t get mad at me for refusing to fall out of love with you. I don’t like the idea of it, but I’ll force myself to respect the feelings you and him share. I want you to know that I’m never going to give up on the possibility of me and you, though.”
After exchanging a brief smile with Jade, Alex exits the bedroom. Jade sits in the bed for a couple seconds. Alex’s declaration has found a special place inside of her heart. She gets up goes into the adjoining bathroom.
CHAPTER 25
Inside a small diner, Jade and Alex sit at a booth waiting for their food to be served. Thanks to the clothes they keep in the farmhouse for future visits, Jade and Alex were able to change into cleaner, fresher attire. However, no wardrobe for Alex is complete unless his has a hooded-sweatshirt that he can wear to conceal the invisible aura that surrounds him.
During their wait, the two talk about many minor situations from their past, along with other random things that help keep their worries to a minimum.
Jade tells Alex, “I’m telling you, this place has some of the best waffles and eggs you’ll ever taste.”
“That’s a bold statement to make, Jade. You know how hooked I was on my mom’s waffles.”
“Have you given any thought to seeing your mom?”
Alex hesitates. “I thought about it. But with everything that’s going on, now just isn’t the best time. Maybe if I’m still around when this thing’s through I’ll be able to pay her a visit.”
“You know what happened to her after you died, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I know. She had a nervous breakdown. She lives in a rest home now because there wasn’t any family around to take care of her.”
“She’s not completely alone. I go visit her every Saturday. I know it’s not much…I just want her to know that she’s still loved.”
“I know about that, too,” Alex smiled. “And thank you. I know she appreciates seeing a familiar face every now and then. It doesn’t really make a difference how often you go, just as long as she knows that someone from the outside world is still thinking about her.”
The middle-aged waitress that originally took their order comes back to their table with their meals, juggling a plate in each hand. She sets the steaming plates down, one at a time, before rushing back off to help the other waitresses manage the early morning rush of customers.
Gawking at the delicious serving of waffles and eggs that the waitress has set in front of them, Jade reaches across the table, grabs a small jar of syrup and pours a small portion over Alex’s plate.
She confidently tells him, “You’re gonna love this.”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
Alex takes hold of a knife and fork and slices into the waffle. He places the waffle cut in his mouth. Jade watches Alex eat, waiting for his reaction.
“What do you think?” she anxiously asked.
Alex puts off answering until he’s had a chance to swallow. He eyes Jade with a look of disbelief.
“I think that’s the best waffle I’ve ever tasted.”
Relieved, but still boastful, Jade tells him, “I told you. I told you.”
“That’s got to be the softest waffle I’ve ever had,” Alex added.
“I know. Wait until you try the eggs. They put cheese in them. They’re delicious.”
Alex takes his fork and uses it to pick up some of the golden-yellow eggs that surrounded his waffles. Once his fork is loaded up with a sufficient amount, he scoops the eggs into his mouth. His satisfaction with the eggs is symbolized by the timeless “Umm Umm” sound.
“I’m glad you like them,” Jade laughed. “Make sure you enjoy every bite. We’ve got a long day ahead of us.”
“We do?” asked Alex, his mouth full of food.
Now pouring syrup over her own meal, Jade avoids making eye contact. “Yeah, we do. We’re gonna go see your mom today.”
Shoveling another serving of food in his mouth, Alex answers, “No, were not.”
“Come on, Alex. You and your mom haven’t seen each other in two years. If you knew all that stuff about her being sent away and me visiting, then you must know how often she talks about you and how much she misses you.”
“Yeah, I know. I miss her, too, but we can’t be distracted from the task at hand here. I didn’t come back to
save my mother. She’s going to be fine. It’s you that need my help.”
“Your argument has been noted. But we’re still going to see your mom.”
Alex smiles. “You’re still as stubborn as a mule.”
“You know it. Now when are we heading out to see her?”
“Give it a couple days. By then, things will have hopefully cooled off enough to the point where we can go find Drake.”
Jade can’t believe what she’s heard. “Find Drake?” she repeated.
Alex takes a break from scooping food into his mouth. “Yeah. I’ve had time to think about it and you guys were right. Although I’m very confident in my own capabilities, it probably wouldn’t be an absolutely horrible idea to have a little help,” he forced himself to admit.
Shocked at Alex’s change of heart, Jade asks, “You’d do that for me?”
“I’d do anything for—” Alex suddenly cuts his sentence short when something inexplicable seizes his awareness.
“Alex, what is it? What’s wrong?” Jade asked, concerned.
Alex remains silent and motionless. He turns his head from side to side, looking around the diner—almost as if he’s trying to hone in on whatever it is he’s sensing. Seconds after he began this erratic behavior, he seems to find what he’s looking for. He fixes his eyes on a wall located on the opposite side of the diner. Alex stares intently at the wall like it’s not even there—like he can see beyond it. What Jade doesn’t know is that whatever it is Alex is seeing has nothing to do with that wall in particular. Alex’s eyes are seeing well past the dingy café wall, transcending to a place far away from Wakarusa, IN—a place nearly a thousand miles away.
CHAPTER 26
At the coastline in Atlantic City, New Jersey, more than nine hundred miles from Wakarusa, Indiana, thick, gray clouds form over the currents of the Atlantic Ocean. The weather is cool, and the off and on stormy conditions have prevented beachgoers from visiting the sands.