He brought me a new sketchpad when he visited a few days later, sensing my need to keep my mind off things. And as promised, he brought information about what was happening on campus. Things had gotten really bad there. News reporters and media descended on the campus like a plague of locusts. Paranoia set in because of the mysterious deaths that occurred to four young coeds in less than a month: the mugging, the female drunk driver, Lila’s overdose, and, now, Piper’s murder. Were any of them truly accidents; truly suicide? People didn’t seem to think so, and the media storm fueled their suspicions even more with their incessant stories. Students were required to attend weekly counseling sessions, and the attrition rate dramatically increased. Luca told me Portia had been among that group. She transferred schools like so many others. I guessed she couldn’t deal with the stress of school while at the same time battling the loss of two friends.
I made him promise to stay with me until I fell asleep. When I climbed into bed, he sat next to me, writing in an ivory journal he brought with him that day.
“Will I ever be able to go back?” I asked him. The need for sleep burned my eyes, and my eyelids drooped.
He looked away from his notes and down at me. “I will do everything in my power to make sure you get the future you desire.”
I didn’t have time to question his curious response. The lights went out in my mind, and my brain finally rested. With his presence soothing me, I finally had a full night’s sleep.
*
He was gone again when I awoke, but I knew he’d be back soon, hopefully with more news and a plan that would allow me to start a new life. I’d come to the realization there was nothing for me back there. That part of my life was over.
I climbed out of bed and showered. The heat soothed me instead of fueling my pain. I was grateful for the change. After dressing, I walked over to my dining table. My favorite brand of Chai tea and my signature peanut butter brownie from Demitasse Café were on the table, with a note that read:
To remember better days. I will check in soon. – L
Alongside the food was another one of his beautiful blooms. I lifted it to my nose with a small smile, inhaling the floral aroma. With the natural smell, I was reminded of him.
How did he always know how to remind me of the beauty within the world?
I went to my miniature kitchen in the corner, finding a floral teapot on the stove. After filling it with water from the sink, I set it to boil. I found teacups in the lower cabinet and a dessert plate to hold my brownie. I didn’t bother with anything else. I probably wouldn’t be able to get this down, let alone anything else from the stock Luca provided me with.
I finished preparing my breakfast and took to my bed, grabbing my sketchpad along the way. After getting my breakfast tray situated across my lap, I assembled my station.
Ignoring my food, I decided to sketch. I dove into recreating my surroundings. I gazed around the room in earnest, but the leaf-green wallpaper and beautiful windmill outside my window changed. They gave way to visions of darkness, stenciling me into the objects of my nightmares.
My work was both frightening and terrifying, but I couldn’t stop. The page was littered with everything. My destroyed paintings. The darkness on Garrett’s face. Piper. I penciled harder and sketched faster. More and more blood. More and more death. More and more gore.
“Dammit!” I shouted in frustration as my arm knocked my cup of tea off the tray. The china hit the clean bedspread before I could even think to catch it.
I got up in a huff and located a towel from the bathroom. I dabbed at the stain, but the action was no use. The creamy brown shade of the tea already did its damage. The bed was sticky from the cream and sugar.
This was just great. Now I would have to sleep on dirty sheets until Luca came back.
I sat on the edge of the bed and threw the sodden towel to the floor. I put my head in my hands. My fingers fought to go to my waist, but I forced them not to. I knew the jewel wasn’t there, and my heart ached. It would never be there again.
I stewed for a long time, pissed at my life and pissed at myself. Lifting my head from my hands, I looked toward the windmill. I was already uncomfortable enough without the extra inconvenience of a sticky bed.
I got up and went to the door. Putting my ear against the wood, I listened. My ear strained for the slightest of sounds, and there were none.
That had to be a linen closet I saw down the hall the day I tried to leave. No one was there before. Maybe no one would be roaming the halls again today.
I slowly opened the door and looked through the tiny crack. I held onto my chest, as if my hand could muffle the sound of my pounding heart. The hallway was as vacant as the day I walked down it the first time. Maybe there weren’t many other guests at this time of year.
I stepped into the hall and made the football field-length journey to the closet at the far end. With every step and creak of the floorboards, I was sure I’d be handcuffed and taken into the back of a squad car. My legs were as shaky as ever, but I kept my pace steady and quick. The sooner I was back inside the safety of my room, the better.
Reaching the door at the end of the hall, I turned the knob. The squeak of the handle was like a clap of thunder in my head. The door opened just a crack. I scooted into the dark area and closed the door behind me. Once inside, I stayed completely still to make sure no one heard my movement.
No sounds.
I closed my eyes with relief, and felt for a pull light. Catching the cord, I tugged. The room illuminated in light, revealing clean linens and refills of various toiletries. Happy my assumption was correct, I quickly grabbed a handful of sheets that looked to be the size of my bed and added a few bars of soap for good measure. The longer I could keep myself from coming back here for more supplies, the better.
I reached for the doorknob. At the sound of voices, my hand snapped back.
I yanked on the pull light and put my ear to the cold door. The voices sounded like children, two, maybe three. I could just make out the sound of a young girl’s voice and a young boy’s taunts.
“What did you do? Set your hair on fire? Look, Bruce. Tomato head set her hair on fire!”
The boys laughed.
“You guys better leave me alone,” said the young girl.
“Or what? You’ll sic your mom on me?” said the same boy.
Whimpering sounded just outside the door.
“What, did that make the wittle baby sad? Look, Bruce, she’s crying!”
The two boys roaring laughter continued as I heard the knob of my closet turn.
I jumped back in surprise. If they saw me, my cover was blown.
I backed up as far as I could go. It seemed deep enough to conceal me from the light of the open door. I could only hope that luck was on my side.
The door quickly opened. The little girl ran inside and closed the door behind her.
The click of a lock sounded. Now, why hadn’t I thought to check for a lock?
I prayed the girl wouldn’t back up. I didn’t know exactly how much of a distance there was between us, but she was close enough I could hear her quiet whimpers.
“She’s getting away!” said one of the boys.
A jerk of the closet’s knob sounded followed by banging and pulling noises on the door.
“She locked it,” said the other boy.
“It’s okay, Tyler. We’ll smoke her out if we have to. She can’t hide in there forever,” said the first boy.
The girl gasped at the threat. I felt so bad for her. Hell, I felt bad for me. I was in here with her. I didn’t want to be smoked out. I could stand here, hiding with her, or I could do something about it. I just hoped she wouldn’t be too scared to cooperate with me.
“Psst!” I whispered.
The girl’s crying halted, but she didn’t respond.
I tried again. “Psst! If you stay in here, then they’ve won.”
The closet filled with light as the girl flicked on a little green fl
ashlight she held. She pointed it in my direction.
I could see her now just as well as she could see me. She couldn’t have been more than ten-years-old. She had a head of thick, curly red hair, and her rosy cheeks failed to conceal the sandy freckles concentrated on her cheeks. Her doe eyes were wide with fear, and tears made tracks down her cheeks.
“W-Who are you? What are you doing in here?” She backed up slowly toward the door.
“I’m hiding, just like you. Don’t be scared. My name is Ariel.” Crap. I probably shouldn’t have told her that.
“Who are you hiding from?” Her flashlight shook as much as her voice.
“Everyone. You?”
She gazed down at her flashlight. She glanced over her shoulder, then looked back at me. “Tyler and Bruce. They always pick on me because of my hair.”
Grabbing a strand of her red locks, she scowled at it, like she found it more disgusting than Brussels sprouts.
“I think your hair is beautiful. In fact, I have a friend who has hair just as red as yours is, except hers is even redder, the color of a fire engine, and guess what?”
Her emerald eyes stared at me anxiously.
“All the boys love her.” I winked at her.
A sweet smile spread across her face.
I wanted to help her. A plan brewed in my mind. “I think we can get rid of those boys, if you help me out. You in?”
For the first time since our meeting, hope illuminated her face.
I bent down to her eye level and whispered the plan.
She listened intently, taking in every detail and action with an eager nod.
“You ready?”
“Yeah.” She smiled at me. “My name’s Bailey.” She held out her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Bailey.” I shook her little hand, then gestured her toward the door with a nod. I backed up into the darkness and got my attire ready.
Turning around, Bailey clicked off her flashlight and took in a loud breath. She unlocked the door, turned the knob, and opened it just enough to get herself into the hallway.
“She’s back for more,” said one of the boys, his voice smug.
He wasn’t going to get her this time. Bailey was ready.
“You better leave me alone, Tyler.” Bailey’s voice rang with confidence.
“Not that again. I told you, I’m not scared of your stupid mom,” said Tyler.
“It’s not my mom you should be scared of,” she said.
There was an uneasy silence.
“What are you talking about?” said Tyler.
It seemed like the little jerk was getting a little scared.
“I didn’t go into the closet to hide. I went in to summon her.” Bailey gave them her best eerie voice, just like I told her.
“What are you talking about? Summon who?” This boy’s voice was different from Tyler’s. It must have been Bruce.
“She’s so horrifying I can’t say her name aloud. My soul would be ripped from my body if I did. You see, she hates people who are rude, and saying her name would be disrespectful because I’m only a kid. I’m not worthy to say her name,” said Bailey.
“What are you talking about, tomato head?” asked Tyler, his voice shaking with fear.
“You shouldn’t have said that. I just got done telling her about how rude you’ve been to me, and I have proof now because you just made fun of me again,” said Bailey.
Right on cue, I heard Bailey shift to the side. It was my time to shine.
I kicked open the door with the bed sheet wrapped around my body like the grim reaper. The sheet covered my face just enough to not be revealed. I cued my scariest voice up. “Bruuuccce,” I hissed.
The boys’ mouths dropped open.
“Tylerrr,” I hissed again. “I have heard about the rudenesss you have displayed toward my friend Bailey, and I have no toleranccce for disrespect.”
I should win an Oscar for this brilliant performance.
Bruce and Tyler backed up slowly. “W-W-We’re sorry,” said one of the boys.
“Liesss!” I shouted. “More disrespect!”
“No, we really are sorry!” shouted one of the boys. They both looked two seconds away from pissing their pants.
“I’m going to come and get you when you least expect it. I will rip the respect from you!”
“Please don’t do that!” they both pleaded.
“Perhapsss, I will reconsider ifff ….”
“Anything!” they both pleaded again.
“If you never messs with poor Bailey again. If you do, I will know. If you do, I will find you!” I screamed.
“We promise! We promise!” they screamed.
“Good.” I said eerily in a whisper. I braced my hands around the bath salts in my palm. “Now, depart from my sight!” I threw the salts into the air.
The boys were gone so quickly the last grain of salt barely got the chance to hit the ground.
Bailey held her stomach in a fit of laughs.
I pulled the sheet off and balled it under my arm. “We make a great team, girlie.” I gave her a high five.
“Thanks for your help, Ariel.” She reached up and gave me a hug.
I tensed when she hugged me, but she didn’t seem to notice.
She pulled away. “Are you staying here?”
Crap. “I am staying here, Bailey, but I’m undercover,” I lied. “My identity must be kept top secret. No one can know that we met here today. You can’t tell anyone you met me.”
Her face grew excited in response to the prospect of knowing a spy. “Of course, Ariel. I mean, of course person I’ve never met before.” She giggled.
“Good. Now I must go. I feel as if we are being watched.” I pretended to look for threats around the hall.
“I understand.” She charged off, but stopped. Turning around, she ran back to me and threw her arms around me again.
This time there was no hesitation from me.
I watched her skip down the hallway. After giving me a wave, she turned the corner.
After grabbing my linens and extra soap, I headed back to my room. I expected it to hurt, but the smile I made was painless.
Chapter Fifteen
Knock, Knock, Knock.
I cautiously opened the door, and the sight of Luca’s wonderful smile sent a whirl into my body. I couldn’t help but throw my arms around him. He received me warmly and rubbed my back. I held him for as long as was polite, and then let him go.
He walked inside and closed the door behind him. Taking my hand in his, he led me to the windowsill. We sat together, looking into the wide abyss of prairie grass ahead.
I snuck a glance at him and our eyes met. I looked away in shyness, but looked back when he touched my hand.
“How have you been holding up?” The concern in his voice matched that of his bright eyes.
“It’s been hard,” I whispered.
He nodded. “I wish I could bring you good news today, but I cannot. The events on campus are much of the same since the last time we spoke. I do not want to burden you with any more pain.”
I appreciated his thoughtfulness. I didn’t want to push for any information on the events of the outside world tonight. I wasn’t ready to deal with anymore of it just yet. I wasn’t strong enough. “That’s probably best.”
He nodded again. “How have you been spending your days? I am sure it is hard to be left with your thoughts this way.”
I debated telling him about Bailey, but didn’t see the need. Nothing bad had occurred from revealing my identity to the young girl. Besides, I didn’t want to alarm him. I would never see her again, so there was no use in stirring up any unnecessary worry. He’d probably want to move me if he found out, and I didn’t have the strength to travel. I was so emotionally drained. “Nothing special, really. Just a lot of sitting around.” I managed to give him a slight smile.
He smiled when he saw mine, but the expression left him. Scrutinizing my body, he frowned. “Have you been eating?”
I followed his gaze and glanced down. I did look like I lost weight since being here, something I normally wouldn’t have minded, but all my current condition did was make me feel dry and empty. No matter how hard I tried though, my appetite wouldn’t increase. The nightmares grew worse every night. The pain released itself throughout my body like a cancer and made me sick to my stomach. Pretty much everything came back up these days. “I’ve been trying, but ….” I glanced away from him, my eyes welling.
“It is all right, Ariel.” He pulled a strand of hair away from my eyes, his fingers lingering against my skin. “I will bring you anything you need to make it easier. All you have to do is ask.”
I closed my eyes at his touch. When I opened them, he smiled, but the lines of worry on his face couldn’t be ignored.
He took his hand away, and stared at me for a long moment, sadness in his eyes. “I do not want to keep you long. You look tired. I think you should be getting some rest.”
My heart sunk. He couldn’t leave yet. I’d been waiting so long for him to come back. I needed him. “Is there any way you could stay?” I knew I sounded desperate, but that’s exactly what I was.
He sighed and looked to the stars. “I cannot stay, Ariel.”
The pressure of disappointment inside my chest overwhelmed me, and I looked into the night, as well.
He brought my gaze to him by the touch of my cheek. “But I will stay until you fall asleep.” He smiled.
I put my hand on his. “Thank you.”
I went into the bathroom and changed into my silk nightgown. Gazing up, I flinched upon looking into the mirror. Dark circles surrounded a set of dull, blue eyes. My cheeks seemed to have melted with my weight loss, and there were bones exposed in my shoulders I’d never seen before. The bruise on my cheek was yellow now. At least that part was on its way to being done. I wanted to cry again, but didn’t want him to see me look weaker than I already was. I did what I could with my hair to at least look presentable, then walked back into the room.
The Crimson Hunt Page 15