by J. A. Hunter
It was starting to get late and I was worrying about Reed. I imagined him trying to confront Cory on his own. Knowing he would curl onto the floor if he went near him, I was afraid I would never see him again. My thoughts of him were strong enough to call him to me.
"What did you find out?" I asked as soon as he solidified in my room.
"Nothing. Paul has no idea either."
"So what do we do?"
"As far as I can tell, he hasn't tried to hurt you." Reed stated.
"No, just the opposite actually."
"Ok, so for now just try to stay away from him."
"That's not a problem, I have years of practice."
"Yes, but now he knows that you know. There is no telling what he might try."
Reed was right. Now that I knew his secret, there was no telling what he might do. I imagined becoming his next victim. I flashed back to the night Reed was taken, the feeling of losing my breath, the emptiness of the black. It started to scare me.
Reed stayed with me that night. As I lay down to sleep, he sat beside me, warming me from the inside to calm me into my slumber. It was the best way to fall asleep.
The next morning I couldn't get rid of him. He was like a protective Rottweiler scoping every inch of every room I entered. With my last period canceled for the play, I only had to dodge Cory through the halls. I glanced in every corner, through every shadow, but Cory wasn't there.
"You know you can't follow me to the dressing rooms right?" I stated as I reached the auditorium.
"Why not? Oh, yeah, you're right." He almost blushed.
"I'll be fine in there, just find a seat in the audience. I'm sure you can watch me from there." I ordered.
"Ok. I'll feel your thoughts if you're in trouble."
"I know you will."
I left him and went into the dressing rooms.
"What the hell happened to you last night?" Heather attacked.
"I'm sorry. There was something I needed to do."
"You have been so weird lately. I wish you would tell me what's going on."
"I wouldn't even know where to start." I sighed.
"Is it the mystery guy?" She asked.
"Sort of, it's really hard to explain."
Before Heather could continue with her questioning we were interrupted by Mrs. Schuler's directing.
"Ok everyone! Let's get the last of our costumes on and meet behind curtain!"
I quickly zipped up my costume and followed the cast. Mrs. Schuler gave one last speech of encouragement and everyone took their places. Those who didn't appear until later returned backstage to watch.
The curtains opened and a sea of faces welcomed us on stage. As I started my part, I surveyed the audience for any sign of Cory. I looked to the rafters to see Reed watching over me with a proud smile. My voice rang over the crowd as I tried hiding the fearful quiver inside me. With everything that was happening I didn't even think about the hundreds of people watching me- only Reed and Cory had my attention.
We went through the first act without a hitch and the curtains closed. We all prepared for the second act. Heather stayed backstage, awaiting her entrance.
I continued watching Reed as he watched over me. At this point he was enjoying the show more than he was protecting me. It made me feel more confident and at ease. I couldn't worry about Cory if Reed wasn't.
As the play continued it was time for Carlotta to appear onstage again. As we reached Heather's cue there was a pause. Confusion set in as Heather was nowhere to be seen. The pause seemed like an eternity before Heather's understudy appeared from left stage, bursting into her song.
I watched as Mrs. Schuler ran around the backstage, searching for Heather. As soon as the curtains fell I ran to Heather's dressing room to find her. She wasn't there. A small envelope sat on her chair with my name on it. My heart fell to my stomach as I opened it.
"The Green Hills Cemetery, 6pm, Come alone. Heather is waiting. Cory"
My stomach tied in knots as I checked the clock. It was already 5:30 and Green Hills was 45 minutes away.
I grabbed my keys and started running out the back door.
"Where are you going?" Mrs. Schuler called out.
I didn't have time to answer, I didn't have time to change, and I didn't even have time to think. I started driving, as fast as I could, hoping Heather was ok. The note said to come alone and I knew it meant without Reed. I did my best not to think about him, I couldn't risk him feeling it and putting Heather in even more danger. With the power Cory had over Reed, I didn't want him hurt either.
I didn't know what to expect when I pulled in, but my car clock showed I had 5 minutes left. I parked the car and started running down the dark aisles of the cemetery, trying to catch a glimpse of Heather.
As I reached the southern fence, furthest from the street I could hear her high pitched muffled squeals. Cory stood over her staring at me.
"Are you ok?" I asked as I watched Heather struggling in the duct tape.
"She's fine." Cory replied. "You just made it." He continued.
"Why are you doing this?"
"That’s the easiest part of all this. I did this for you." He smirked.
"For me?"
"Yes. After I saw you in the café with him, I knew I didn't have to hide anymore." He stepped closer.
"How? How are you dead? I looked into your eyes."
"Oh that? That's just science."
Cory reached up and removed the brown contact lenses from his eyes, leaving his real blank dead stare.
"But you are always alive, how many people have you taken?" I cringed when thinking of the innocent people he had killed.
"As many as I need to keep living, including your boyfriend."
"So it's true. You did take him?"
"Yes. I was at the game and started to feel my life slipping. My parents were with me. I couldn't just disappear. When I saw Reed on the field, he was so vibrant. I couldn't help myself."
"You killed him!" I screamed as I lung toward him. He quickly raised his hand, sending it across my chin.
"I did him a favor. His life would have gone downhill after high school, the soccer star. What would have been next for him, college on a soccer scholarship? Becoming a coach after that? Then marriage and kids and alcoholism?" He laughed.
I started to think about Reed and how he was truly the victim in all this. His life snuffed out so Cory could breathe.
"It sounds like something you know a lot about." I remarked sarcastically.
"Touché." He laughed.
"I'll admit, I was the football star. I would have had the same future. But I was lucky. I was able to avoid it all with one night of partying. Too many pills, too many beers and you never wake up. Only, I did wake up. I was able to see clearer than I ever did before." He continued.
"So what now? You're going to take Heather?" I felt my heart skip a beat as Heather's tears fell to the ground below her.
"Not at all. She was just bait for who I really wanted. You!" He stepped even closer as I tried crawling away.
"How can you take me? You're still alive." I pointed out.
"Not for long. I can feel my life fading as we speak. In just a few more minutes you'll be mine."
"Why me?"
"Because I always wanted you. Since the day I met you I knew you would be special to me. But you didn't want to have anything to do with me. Now I will be able to live off you for a while. How much closer can two people be?"
"You're insane." I screamed as I felt my tears forming.
"No, I'm obsessed."
I watched as his body started to gain its faint glow. I could almost see the life draining from him as he stepped away from me. His blank eyes began getting their ghostly color and he let out a blood curdling shriek. He was dead again.
"It's time." He stated as he floated toward me.
I reached into my dress and pulled out my pendant, gripping it tightly in my hand. I started thinking about Reed, about his life, his de
ath, and our time together. Every moment I spent with him came flashing before my eyes.
I thought about Nina, my parents, and how they fell into a depression after her death. My heart broke at the thought of them getting another visit from the police, and having to bury another child. I thought about Katie, about Mrs. Archer and how their lives were ripped apart when Cory killed Reed.
Lastly I thought about Heather and how she was about to witness her best friend's death. How confused she will be as Cory disappeared in front of her and how I will suddenly just stop breathing. I didn't have time to explain it to her; I should have done it a long time ago.
In a way I knew this day was going to come. Since the day I met Reed a part of me always wanted to join him. A sense of calm came over me as I realized what my death meant. We could be together. We could have forever.
I heard the rustle of the tree branches as the wind kicked up. I waited for Cory to take me, to get it over with. I gave in. I was ready.
The world went silent. There was no noise from the leaves. I couldn't hear Heather sobbing. All I heard was my heart beating in my ears and Reed calling out to me.
"Ally!"
My eyes shot open as my breath escaped me. I felt his grip on my heart and fell over. As my eyes started fading to black I could see Reed flying at me before it all went dark.
Seconds felt like an eternity as my skin chilled. I could hear their voices in my head, fighting one another. Cory's scream pierced my ears before my heart started beating once again. My eyes cleared and I could see Reed looking down at me. His glow was gone, his eyes were cold and dead, and his hands were cradling me gently.
"What happened?" I mumbled softly.
"I broke your rule. I jumped in." He smiled.
"You did? Where's Cory?" I looked around.
"He's gone, I took him."
"You did?" I smiled. "You're alive?"
"Yes, but only for a moment. Dead souls don't last."
I didn't hesitate. I reached up and slid my fingers in his soft messy hair, pulling his lips to mine. I felt his soft kiss take my breath away. His tongue slid gently with mine in perfect harmony. I tasted his breath, felt it on my face. I kissed him harder, refusing to let go. It was more perfect than I had ever imagined. It was as though his lips were made for mine.
I caught my breath as Reed pulled away.
"I can feel it slipping away." He frowned. "I don't want to drop you." He continued.
"I love you." I whispered.
"I love you too Ally." He whispered back as his glow slowly returned. His eyes turned the deep blue I adored and I felt his grip loosen and fade away.
"I better tend to Heather. I have a lot to explain." I stated.
"Ok. I'll see you back at your house." He disappeared.
After untying Heather I started the long explanation on our way home. It was easier for her to understand after witnessing everything that had happened. She was surprisingly calm about it and even asked questions about me and Reed.
When I returned home Reed was waiting for me. I was exhausted from the events of the night and he stayed with me again. His warm touch soothed me and even though his human form offered more affection, I would miss his ghostly form. There was still so much left to learn about his world and about myself. I knew each day with Reed would be extraordinary, and I couldn't imagine going back to an ordinary life.
Knowing there was an entire world of ghosts, takers, and gatherers out there, I should have been afraid. But with Reed in my life, I just knew it would all be ok.
I didn't know how long we would have with each other, but with my fear of death behind me- I could see forever.