by Tara Brown
He looked so panicked as he tried to solve my mysterious health issues.
“I always feel better when you’re near me.” I smiled trying to reassure him.
He closed his eyes and groaned, “Nooooo. Oh no. I’ve done this to you. You’re in liver failure that’s what’s wrong. I am an idiot.”
I shook my head, “No the doctors said I was fine. My eyes aren’t yellow and my skin is only slightly yellow.”
He shook his head, “As long as I’m here you’re going to feel fine but its only the symptoms that are being masked not the actual problem. Like that headache you had that I took away, I never cured the headache only made the pain go away. I’ve been touching you and near you so much that it’s masked your illness. We need to get you back now. Your liver probably was fine when you left the hospital but it went sometime in the last couple weeks. ”
I nodded looking around, “Where are we?”
He smiled softly making my heart skip a few beats, “The beach I took you the first night.”
I looked around me and saw it all clearly now, the waves crashing and the sand beneath me. The cool ocean air was clearing my head.
I felt a tear starting to well in my eyes, “are you really going to leave me forever?”
His faced turned angry, “I don’t know how to stay.”
His words felt like swords slicing into me. I had spent so long trying not to feel anything and he came along and not only tore down the wall I had built but burned the whole village down. There were no survivors. Looking at him I knew what I wanted in life, even if my life was only going to be a few hours longer.
“I need to go back to the school for a minute, I need to say goodbye to my sister and Shane and Blake.”
He shook his head as he bent down and picked me up. He tensed like he was about to take off again, “I need to take you to the hospital first Aimee.”
I shook my head, “I’m the smartest person you and I both know Aleks, I know what happens to someone who lets their liver failure go on for too long without treatment. I am at least an hour helicopter ride away from a major hospital. In this small town I will be dead by morning. I will be flown to the city the minute I get to the hospital, that means I wont be seeing anyone else for a while. I need to tell them I’m okay. They’re going to worry if I don’t and I cant explain how I got myself to a hospital without outing you on the weird traveling thing you do. They’ll send out a search party.”
His jaw tensed as he started toward the school. I was leaning into him as much as I could, taking as much of the painkiller as I could off of his skin. I didn’t understand the science behind a person giving off a soothing pheromone that stopped pain but at the moment my skin felt like it was in a cold fire and my head was starting to pound so much my eyes burned.
I took in deep breathes of him, I needed every drop of him before he was gone forever. I couldn’t think about it just yet, all I wanted was to enjoy every last second.
He walked into the back door of the school at the gymnasium entrance and put me down outside of the bathroom, “No one but you can see me right now okay. So don’t talk to me. I will walk with you and keep a hand on you at all times.”
I nodded wanting to look up into his blue eyes and get lost, press myself up against him and kiss until I died peaceful knowing true love. I would give up my forever to be with him for that last day. I knew I wouldn’t be able to live when he was gone. No matter how much I tricked myself into believing I could live with Shane and love the person who was better for my heart I would be dead without the feelings I had then for Aleks.
As we walked from the hallway he held a hand on my shoulder making me feel weird but I knew it was essential to have him touching me if I wanted to stay upright.
I saw Shane looking at me oddly as he stood from the table and walked over frowning, “Hey you okay? You look really sick.” He reached down and picked up my hands. I felt awkward with him touching my hands and Aleks holding my shoulder, like my love triangle had come to its head.
I nodded, “I’m getting my dad to come get me. I feel sick again. I need to go back to the hospital. Thanks for bringing me here.”
He leaned down and kissed my cheek softly, “Thanks for coming with me Aimee, you’ve made this the best night of my life. I’ll walk you out and come with you.”
I felt dirty and panicked all at once, “No that’s okay, stay and enjoy. He’s waiting for me outside. Seriously don’t worry. Tell my sister and Blake I went with my dad okay.”
He looked at me and frowned, “I should come with you, your dad wont mind.”
I nodded, “Yeah but he wants me to go with him, just me. He said he wants to talk about something.” I seriously was the worst liar ever, four year olds could be more convincing.
I felt my stomach twisting with the guilt and lie as Shane’s face filled with disappointment, “Okay. Well let me walk you out.”
I didn’t know what else to say so I just turned and started to walk out. The music was at a quiet moment in between songs when suddenly I heard it, the bird squawk. It happened once and then again just like in the woods. I turned suddenly looking around to see Mr. Mac pick his phone out of his pocket as he answered it. I looked at his mouth as he was talking, his thin lips moving quietly into the phone. How had I missed how thin his lips were?
His eyes shot over to me seeing the look of recognition on my face and he turned to leave the gym quickly.
“Shane it’s Mr. Mac, it’s him. He’s the rapist.” I pointed shouting. The room began to spin in confusion as Shane ran and tackled the fleeing teacher.
“You son of a bitch.” He held him on his face on the hard floor and sat on his shoulders pinning him to the ground.
Mr. Mac was a strong looking man but Shane was very imposing standing next to him, sprawled out on top of him it was clear Mr. Mac didn’t stand a chance.
I looked as Blake came running over looking outraged at Shane, “No Blake it’s him. He did this to me.”
Blake shook his head as his mentor was held on the ground. My sister was already calling for the police officers in the corridors, as were a few others no doubt. Mrs. Sinclair our principal was trying to break up the fight but everyone was attempting to explain the strange occurrence to her before she helped free the pervert.
Mr. Mac turned his face and looked at me, his thin lips curling into a smile and his always-friendly eyes turned cruel as he watched me. I felt dirty knowing what his intentions had been in the woods that day. His face would haunt my dreams forever more, his look sent a shiver down my spine.
I felt the warm air fill the space around me and I knew that no matter what in that moment I was safe. Shane looked back at me to see if I was okay, his worried face was ripping my heart out. I knew I had betrayed his trust and love for me but I couldn’t help my feelings and I couldn’t make myself love him the way he loved me. I knew I should have been honest about it all instead of falling for someone else and pretending with him.
The stress of the moment was more than I could bear and I felt myself shiver with the cold burning skin again. I was slipping away.
I dialed my cell phone, “Dad meet me at the hospital, I’m going there now. I’m okay but I think my liver is still sick.” I hung up before he could ask questions I didn’t want to answer.
I felt a tug on my shoulder as I was steered to the bathroom. In the chaos I got away before anyone noticed me leaving again. Aleks picked me up and ran out the back door as again I slipped out of consciousness.
Chapter Eleven - ETERNITY IS A LONG TIME TO BE DEAD
“There is no way we can treat her here, the heli will be here in about fifteen minutes. She needs to go to Portland.” A woman spoke softly.
“Okay well I will meet you guys there in the morning. This is just insanity, she seemed to be getting better. She was just sleeping a lot. The doctor said she needed a lot of sleep. What are her odds once you get her to the city?” My dad sounded stressed.
I opened one of
my eyes to see Aleks beside my bed holding my hand; his eyes seemed haunted as if he were looking at a ghost. I took that as a bad sign. The pain was gone completely and I wondered if it was him or drugs preventing me from feeling the brutal agony.
His hard face was tragically beautiful but like all great works of art he had a flaw, I could read his face like a book, he was leaving me or was I leaving him, I just didn’t know which one it was.
“When?” I whispered softly so my dad wouldn’t hear.
Aleks closed his eyes for a second, “I don’t know. I should already be at my next place but I can’t leave you. I can fight the urge to leave a while longer I think.”
“Will you ever come back?” My whisper cracked slightly under the emotional strain.
He bit his upper lip; he was hesitating and finally sighed, “No.”
I felt a tear slip from my tired eyes and I nodded, “Then just leave now and let me die in peace.”
He gripped my hand harder, “Don’t say that. I love you more than anything and I cant bear the thought that I will have to leave you let alone live in a world where you are gone from. Lets just focus on the most important thing, you getting better.”
My dad came to my bedside, his eyes were puffy and distressed, “Aims, hey kiddo you’re awake. You’re leaving for Portland here in a minute, how ya feeling?”
I nodded licking my lips, “Pretty good dad, just tired.”
I looked behind my dad to see the older police officer, “Corporal Williams.” I whispered.
He nodded at me and walked into the room, “I just want you to know that we have him, its air tight. His house was full of the stuff to make the drugs. We have everything being sent to labs to ensure it’s the same but I know it is. We found a shrine to your friend Giselle, pictures of your sister and Jaime. His handwriting appears to match the love letters too. So I want you to be able to go to the city at peace with this.” His eyes glistened almost for a second as he put a hand on my dads shoulder and squeezed.
“Thanks.” I nodded.
Aleks stood in the corner of the room watching me intently, I had a hard time looking at anyone but him. I wanted him to be mine, I wondered if I died if we could be sort of angels together. I could live with that option.
I looked at my dad’s sad face and felt guilty for even feeling okay with dying to be with a boy and leaving him heart broken.
“Take care and I hope you have a speedy recovery. See ya Don.” The corporal left.
“Thanks see ya.” My dad smiled at him and turned back to me, “Well at least that part is over.”
I nodded not sure whether to throw up or go back to sleep.
The stretcher came as Shane did. He looked so sexy changed into jeans and t-shirt that stretched across his chest. He smiled as he ran his hands through his hair, “Aimee you are by far the worst prom date ever.” He knelt at my bedside and kissed my hand. I looked to the corner to see Aleks’s jaw clench. His eyes looked savage as he watched Shane kiss my hand and my cheek.
“Yeah well it was my pleasure.” I smiled back at him.
His face was full of tension he was working so hard to contain.
“They’re taking her now Shane, are you coming with me to Portland?”
I was stunned my dad asked him that.
Shane nodded, “Yeah. I will drive Mr. James, you look beat.”
He never took his eyes off of me as he spoke. It was comforting knowing I was going to have him there for my dad.
Suddenly the quiet of the hospital broke with the shrill screams of my sister, “Aimee, Aimee.” She was searching for me running through the halls of the hospital no doubt still in full gown as I could hear her heels clicking as she ran around till she reached us.
Her face was panic stricken as she nearly jumped on me crushing me a little.
“Aims oh my god. Are you okay?”
I nodded as her skinny arms choked me, “Yeah just need to go to the city and get checked out.”
She nodded taking a huge gulp, “They took Jaime too, this afternoon. I think that fucker should get a life sentence.”
“Alise!” My dad whispered harshly.
Alise frowned at him, “Well I do. His drug is a poison that’s nearly killed everyone I love. I can say whatever I want.” Alise started to cry, I wanted to comfort her but she just did the drama so well I could barely watch. She sat still on my bed looking at me with tears running down her perfect face onto her full lips. Her eyes looked like molten silver they were so shiny.
Blake walked in looking worried but also confused. He was in shock still that the man he loved so dearly could have been the rapist. I was having a hard time believing it myself, I loved him too. I found no comfort in the fact he hadn’t meant for it to be me. I wasn’t part of his evil plan or his shrine. I was an accidental victim. It was no consolation to me.
The men walked into my room after waiting in the hall to allow my family to say goodbye to me.
“Okay it’s time, we can’t wait any longer sorry folks.” The man spoke sympathetically.
My dad kissed my cheek, “See you in a few hours kiddo.”
He stepped back so Alise could have her moment, “Aimee be strong and get better okay.” She kissed my cheek leaving sticky lip-gloss all over my face. I rubbed it off frowning at her, which she ignored and walked into Blake’s arms.
Blake hugged her and then walked to me, “I miss you in class Aims, you need to get better so we can hang out a little more.” I nodded feeling a lump in my throat. He kissed me on the cheek and whispered softly in my ear, “I love you Aims. You’re my best friend.” He stood wiping his eyes and walked away with Alise putting an arm around her as she sobbed.
Shane knelt back at my bedside, “I love you Aimee. I will bring your dad to the hospital, don’t worry about him okay. I will see you in a few hours.” He kissed me softly on the lips, just brushing them. My eyes flickered to Aleks who stood in the corner brooding. His huge Viking presence wasn’t improving. He looked as angry as he could get. His fists were clenched and his face was infuriated.
I glanced back at Shane who was standing with the bleakest look on his face. He walked from the room as the men came to transfer me. I felt weak as they helped me onto the stretcher but my eyes never left Aleks’ face. He looked broken but stayed with me as we wheeled out to the helicopter. He climbed on board sitting beside me never taking his eyes off of me.
The new hospital room was a lot bigger with machines everywhere. I was put on dialysis just as Giselle had been and Jaime was as well. We were all on the same floor but different rooms. Aleks stayed beside my bed still not speaking which made me nervous. He seemed to be in a severe struggle to remain with me. I knew he would leave sooner than later.
“What if I die and become like you?”
He shook his head, “I’m cursed, you can’t become cursed. Besides I would never want this for you. Eternity is long time to live alone Aimee.”
He walked toward me now and picked up my frail little hand.
I moved as well as I could so he could lay beside me.
“I want you Aleks, I want to be with you no matter what. If I have to die to do it I will.”
He frowned laying down beside me, “You will always be my heart Aimee, you are everything I needed to feel again and I thank god every day we met. I was a shell for hundreds years and you’ve awakened my soul again. But there is no way I would deny you the freedom of the afterlife.”
“Are there others like you?” I asked staring up at the ceiling feeling his warmth beside me.
“Yeah, something close to what I am.” He spoke quietly and I understood his lack of want to speak of it.
“Have you met them?” I asked treading carefully, I wanted him to answer.
“Yeah.” He was still so reserved.
“Tell me something Aleks. Something you don’t want to. Just one thing and I wont ask any more questions.” My throat was hurting from the amount of tears that had sat in it for the past few hours
.
Aleks hesitated and processed what lame thing he could tell me to get me off his back when suddenly a dark figure appeared in the doorway.
Aleks was off the bed within a second and pinning a laughing man against a wall.
The dark haired man laughed holding his hands in the air, “So she can see you brother? Did you offer her immortality to save her life just yet?” He asked in an English accent. His dark eyes were unbearable to look at. He had the blackest eyes ever, like his pupils were the only things in his eyes. He was considerably smaller than Aleks but something about the way he stood commanded respect. His face was that of an incredibly young man, I would guess my age at most. His confidence and smile contradicted his dimples and soft face. He dressed different from Aleks as well, more JCrew and clean cut. Aleks always looked like he was going back packing but this guy was wearing khakis with a white long sleeve dress shirt open casually. He looked like he should be on a beach somewhere. His dark hair was styled funky; he clearly cared a lot about how he looked. He winked at me and suddenly the two men were gone and I was alone with a million more questions.