Don’t say you went out with a gun, Alice thought hoping that her dreams had been just dreams.
“Then I went out with my gun but there was no one there.” He clenched his teeth.
“Where’s Howie?” Alice asked, shaken but not willing to let Ron know. “I’ll try to ask him.”
“I sent him to his Mom the first thing in the morning,” Ron said coming closer. “For the first time in my life Alice, I was so scared. What if something had happened to him? Wouldn’t be able to forgive myself.”
He hugged Alice; Alice patted his back in sympathy. She expected him to let go instantly but he didn’t; his strong arms crushed Alice by the second. She couldn’t even move her arms.
“Ron,” Alice gasped.
“Yeah?” he murmured, unaware of the pain it was causing her. Maybe he thought it was romantic but to Alice it was a survival situation. She literally couldn’t breathe…
“Ron, please let me...”
Before she could finish, the door to the store crashed open and by the time Ron looked up, Derek had pushed him a step away from Alice. “Don’t you dare touch her again.”
“What if I do?” Ron taunted, grinning devilishly.
“Then I guess I just have to show you,” Derek said, raising his fists and taking a fighting stance. Ron countered with the same reaction and the black snake tattoo looked ready for a fight as well.
“Wait guys…” Alice put herself between them. “We‘ve got to go.”
Alice pushed Derek, but he didn’t budge and he refused to take his angry glare off Ron, who was by the way, still challenging Derek with his taunting expression. “We were talking and there was a problem he had. It was nothing, nothing at all. ” Alice explained, tilting her head several times to one side while glancing at the door, indicating to Derek that it was time they should leave.
Derek understood and calmed down. He dropped his fist, and his body relaxed making it possible- even if not a breeze- for Alice to thrust him outside.
“What the hell is the matter with you?” Alice shot at him.
“Wow, I expected a ‘thank you’.”
“That didn’t answer my question,” Alice pointed out.
“I’m supposedly your boyfriend,” he declared wearing his helmet. “I’m riding us back home.”
“Pretend boyfriend!” Alice reminded before he could change the subject.
“I was behaving like a pretend boyfriend,” Derek said and Alice rolled her eyes. “He was hugging you although you didn’t like it,” Derek shot back.
“You didn’t look like you were acting,” Alice said.
“You just don’t know how good I am at acting,” he said. Then he shook his head and sat. “Come on let’s go.”
Alice wasn’t happy with his answer, though she realized she had to be. She actually liked the way he had behaved inside for her and secretly wished he really was so concerned about her.
Alice told Derek to get off at Anna’s place. She knew Anna would be waiting on him, as he had mentioned she had a day off from college. As soon as they approached, Anna opened the front door- like some sixth sense told her they were there-and stepped out, waving and smiling.
“So you are free tomorrow?” Derek half-whispered to Alice.
Alice shook her head, trying not to be too obvious.
“Why not? Rashi told me you don’t have work at the store for a whole week,” he said.
“You inquired about me at the store?” Alice asked in disbelief. She shot him a stunned look, which was lost on account of the sunshades.
“I’m bored here with no company. Everyone is busy. We could do some exploring.” It was almost a whine.
“No way.” She was becoming agitated.
“Please…” he implored, childishly.
“No.” Alice said with finality.
Anna called to him. As Alice took in her appearance, she was jealous. She had a wooden spoon in her hand but she was dressed like she was going out to a big event. The cobalt boat neck dress might’ve been the best Alice had ever seen. She looked way hot, and the fact that she was leaving Derek with her made Alice uncomfortable. There was going to be more than talks between them inside, and with the day’s temperature starting to drop... Alice didn’t want to think further.
“So what? They are a couple.” Alice muttered.
“Did you just say something?” Derek took off his helmet.
Suddenly her full attention shifted towards Derek. She observed him all through morning and had to admit that today he looked more irresistible than all the other days. Alice wished she could take him away for herself.
“What are you doing Derry? Come on already!” Anna expression hardened as she began to walk towards the gate.
“I said,” Alice emphasized. “We can’t meet tomorrow.”
Derek offered a disappointed nod before saying, “Ride safe.”
Before her voice would give way, she went ahead, saying no more. Before she took the turn to her path she could see Anna pulling Derek inside, from the mirror. Alice had no problem spending another day with him but she was already sharing more time with him than she was comfortable with. She liked him, but the more she got involved with him the more she realized he was altering her feelings. Was she starting to love him?
Not love, she corrected. Just fondness, she thought, trying to convince herself.
The fact that he loved Anna would keep him from being more than a friend to her.
Okay fine, she thought. It will even prevent me from exceeding friendship. But now as she thought more about it, she really didn’t want that, all that she wanted was to have her true love, Lance back.
CHAPTER 15
Anna usually presented what she cooked quite well, even if it was just hard-boiled egg. But now the baked fish lay crooked on the plate and some of the French fries landed up on the table. Multitasking had never been in her forte- Making sure Derek hadn’t left to see Alice again, checking her appearance in the front camera of her phone and plating at the same time was hectic. While she bent back to look at Derek again, the bowl in her hand tilted and a bit of white sauce fell on her dress.
Don’t panic. You have not ruined the best dress of your wardrobe. She took a deep breath and tried to calmly wipe the small stain off her Valentino silk dress- something she had preserved for a special occasion- but ended up wearing today, mainly for Derek. Lucky for her, the stain came off in no time.
Finally relieved that he was still there, she returned to the living room. Derek had a business magazine in front of him. He was wearing the black shirt she had picked from his closet yesterday, suggesting he’d look really handsome. He’d also added a white T-shirt underneath, and left the first two buttons of his shirt undone. And he looked so good that she hated the way she was feeling right now. The urge to have him, to kiss him, to mess his perfect hair was overwhelming.
“Looking good,” he said, taking the plate from her. He was smiling at her, and looking him smile always made her smile. “And wow, the fish is too.”
“Had a nice day?” she asked, taking a seat a little closer to him than usual. She almost rested her head on his arm.
“I really did,” Derek smiled to himself. “Alice and I were...”
Anna sat up straight and took a deep breath. Right, Alice. How on Earth did she forget about her?
“Nice to know,” Anna’s voice came out arrogant and hurt.
“Are you okay?”
“I am. It’s just college.”
“Is someone causing trouble?” he asked on a serious note. And the look he gave, Anna was sure he was ready to teach a lesson if she gave a name.
Anna laughed, “It’s just class.”
“You are taking so much trouble to cook for me,” he said pouring some more sauce. “Tell you what, take a break tomorrow.”
Sure he had a plan to take her out, Anna went through the restaurants in her mind. There were no new places here in Castle Pines but she knew a new Chinese place not too far. “I k
now where we can go,” she said excitedly turning towards him. “There’s this...”
“Actually,” Derek interrupted. “I’ve thought to spend the day with Alice. Before I return I need to know that she’ll be alright.”
“You’re spending a lot of time with her,” Anna said with bitterness that Derek didn’t register.
“That’s okay.”
“I need to ask you something.” Anna bit her lip.
“Yeah?”
“Do you want Alice to… l mean like you?”
“In a friendly way,” he concentrated on his plate. “So that she can call me anytime she has a problem.”
“She could call me,” Anna suggested.
The suggestion faded as Anna’s phone rang. It was Bell.
“Hey, Anna. Calling in to say I’ll be late.”
“Alright.”
“I know that bastard is there, don’t take this as an invitation to keep him longer.”
“Uh-huh,” Anna said. “Bye Bell.”
“What did she say?” Derek asked.
“She’ll be back late.”
“Okay. Need to go. Thanks for lunch.”
“Why don’t you stay?” she grabbed his hand and almost pleaded. “Stay.”
“I could but I need to think.”
“We can do that together as we did all these days,” Anna said, hopeful.
“This time I need to do it myself,” he smiled to her and looked at her hand that still held on to him. “So are you letting me go or am I captive in your house?”
“No,” she pulled her hand away instantly. “I understand.”
“You always understand.”
Anna faked a smile. He wasn’t going to stay and what she had imagined wasn’t going to happen. But at least she wished his words came with a kiss.
Things were changing. She was trying to get his attention, to make him spend time with her but these days it wasn’t working. Her friend, Jenny was right; she would lose him if this went on. But her heart had hope that her future with Derek was a possibility.
CHAPTER 16
From the moment the moon came up, Alice dreaded to think about sleep. It was scary how her dreams coincided with reality. And also thinking harder she could faintly remember a man dying the night before that- but that could be her, creating a new fake memory. Still the possibility that she was there couldn’t be avoided. Not dreaming, perhaps more like sleep walking as she found herself to be out of bed these days. Sleepwalking didn’t fit in exactly either. But going along with her instincts was necessary tonight. The thought of being outside and encounter the black person or black creature, terrified her. Night was a dangerous time to be outside. The lame theory of the road demon had freaked her out now.
She could nap in the morning but she was already fighting sleep. This hour was way past her bedtime. And also she needed someone to check on her later. Against her better judgment, after the vows she’d secretly taken to keep distance from Derek all evening, Alice reached for her cell phone and typed in the number Derek had left on the table. He had written below it- ‘I know you wouldn’t ask but here is my number anyway.’
“Hey Alice.” Derek answered groggily, making Alice realize he had already stored her contact. “What time is it… 2am? Are you alright?”
“I’m pulling an all-nighter,” she half-whispered, not knowing why.
“With whom?” Derek asked and Alice shook her head thinking of what to exactly say. “Is it someone you know?” he asked troubled.
“By myself,” Alice cleared.
“Ah, by yourself,” Derek said. “May I know why Ms. Reed?”
Alice smiled. It was too late in the night to be engaged in such meaningless talk. Fortunately, Derek did not push her to come to the point. She imagined him resting on his pillow, half nodding off to sleep, half smiling...
“Well, I’m pretty sure I sleepwalk,” Alice told him. “Could you come over at five?”
“Why’s that?”
“I’ll get some sleep when you arrive. Then you can check on me for a few hours to see if I really do sleepwalk”
“You want me to watch you while you sleep?” Derek laughed.
“It’s not funny,” Alice said.
“Of course it’s not,” Derek sobered up, realizing his mistake in mocking her. “Why don’t I come right now?”
Keys sounded from the other side; Derek was serious.
“No, don’t,” Alice protested. “I’m awake now and I can go on for another three hours.”
“What do I get in return?”
“Anything,” Alice said and the next moment knew what was coming.
“So we’re spending the whole day tomorrow,” Derek said.
Alice tried to suppress the smile. “If you don’t show up on time, I’ll call it off.”
“Aye, aye Alice. Goodnight.” He was chuckling as he hung up the phone.
She had to kill more time before sunrise. She first took up a home improvement book- ‘Spruce up your home on a low budget’. There were some projects she could take up to fill in the obvious emptiness of the place, but now reading made her sleepy. So she typed in some funny kids’ videos on the net and watched. There was a video with a little girl reciting rhymes. It was so cute with all the actions. There was one- ‘Pop goes the Weasel’, that caused Alice’s mind to trail off to a dark scene, where a little girl floated around in circles in the dark. When the word ‘pop’ came, she fell to the floor. Alice slammed close her laptop and held her head. She was messed up with lack of sleep. She made her way to the kitchen and drank coffee like one would take down alcohol. She wished there was alcohol with her. It could help her calm down- suppressing all the worries in the world- letting her sleep in peace without having to worry what will happen. But becoming an alcohol addict was dangerous- not only did it risk her revealing her state to people, it would also leave her broke. Considering her job and the money she had left, only the most basic lifestyle was affordable. She even would have to let go of the house if it was not paid for.
Derek arrived when it showed two minutes before 5: AM on her phone. She felt her way around in the dark up to the door; when she finally found it, fumbling with the lock, until by some miracle, she had unlocked it.
Derek looked stunning. He smelled so good that the whole aura captured the scent. She collapsed in his arms, smiling, almost asleep now.
*****
Derek caught her, lifted her effortlessly, and carried her to the couch. He lay her down gently, propping her head on a small pillow and covering her with a light throw he found stuffed in the corner of the sofa.
His first thought was to look inside her closet- but he had and come up with nothing yesterday. Then a box he realized was below the table. He quickly pulled it out like a kid excited to have found treasure. It had the letter she had shown him earlier and then some coins in a glass jar. There were also the documents her mom had mentioned to have given in the letter- fake ones saying she was Alicia Reed. Nothing else ending Derek’s search there.
The kitchen he knew was useless to check, but still gave it a try. Even the kitchen at his dad’s place had not so many dishes or plates as there were there. Alice had no guests but still kept so many. He even found an identical looking diner set to the one his mom owned. She had used up so much money for all this instead of more important things- such as saving to set up a heating system. But with the heater that stood in her room- he didn’t want to impose to buy her something. At least not yet. He’d be happy to but was unsure how she’d take the gesture- maybe something similar to how Steph had, by frankly telling him she didn’t want help and could take care of herself. After all he was just a friend. Wasn’t he?
He read the home improvement book and laughed at it. He loved only the beautiful home décor magazines which had nothing to do with hard manual labor. Later after a lot of sitting around with nothing to do, he decided to grab the tin of paint he’d seen in the garage. With that he started covering up the red stains on the purple w
all- that looked nothing like paint. He didn’t know why Alice would do something like that with blood. After concealing the red with the paint- which turned out to be a different shade than that the wall was painted with- he didn’t like the outcome. The dark purple ‘X’ looked bad and so it seemed a better idea to transform it into another shape. After a lot of thinking he knew what would fit. While he was perfecting the strokes, the phone he had left on the dining table rang out loud.
Derek rushed to cut the call, and was relieved that Alice didn’t awaken with the sound. Anna’s name displayed on the screen.
Lil busy text you later. He typed.
The phone beeped. What are you wearing for the party tonight? I’m wearing blue!
Without replying, he went back to finishing the perfect shape on the wall. Alice slept soundly for the next two more hours. She never moved. She must be exhausted, he thought. Derek watched, her soft, rhythmic breathing confirming her peacefulness. Derek later browsed on his mobile phone, occasionally looking up. He caught her smiling in her sleep one time, causing him to smile.
As Alice was waking, Derek went into the kitchen and fixed a pot of coffee. He came back with two cups. Alice was sitting up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, smiling sheepishly.
*****
“How long was I out for?” Alice asked, taking the cup Derek was holding out to her.
“You’ve been out for two days,” he jested. He had trouble containing his smile.
“No way!” She was awake now!
“Just kidding, love. You slept soundly, and I mean soundly for five hours. You didn’t turn over not even one time.”
“Really? You mean I don’t sleepwalk?” This should have been good news to her, but for some reason, it was somewhat bothersome. Can’t deal with that now, she thought.
‘So, you promised me the day,” Derek reminded her. “How ‘bout if we take the Vespa and explore around a bit? You’ll have to dress warm, though. It’s rather cold outside, and riding the Vespa will make it even colder. What do you say? Are you game?”
The Grasp of Nighttide Page 12