"Are you alright?" I herd a voice say. I whipped my mouth and steadied my self.
"Just fine." I lied.
"Strange, because if you were alright, you would be in class right now, not hurling into the toilet." The voice said again. I turned around to see Ashlin smirking at me. This girl was so weird. I got up and walked over to the sink.
"It's just a migraine."
"Yeah I had those two when I got mine." She said. My eyes widened, and I looked over at her.
"What are you talking about?"
"I think you know."
"I honestly don't." She gave me a sympathetic look and walked over to me and brought me into a comforting hug. I was once again shocked that I was getting no visions from her.
"Avery I can help you, and if you wanted to I could take them away. You just need to admit that your a medium." She whispered in my ear. I only stayed silent and tried to process what was happening.
"I get it. You don't want to tell me because you don't trust me. Don't worry though I've seen your future, although you can't I can, And you will you'll trust him as well." She said as she moved away.
"Who's him?"
"Jericho. You know he wasn't happy when you walked away. He was actually pretty hurt." She said.
"I I would love it if you and your friends stayed away from me. Your going to get me in trouble with my family. So could you just leave me alone?" I said as I walked out of the room.
Human
Jericho
Where was she? She had looked as if she was in the most excruciating pain. Then she just got up and left. I didn't like it. My wolf was on high alert and refused to rest until he and I both knew she was safe. I stared down at the math test in front of me. I wish I had acutely paid attention to what Avery was saying instead I tried to seduce her. I filled in random numbers hopping to be right. When I was done I handed the test in and waited for the bell to ring. When it did I rushed out of the classroom and search for her scent. It was covered up by the thousands of other scents.
"Jericho!" I turned around to see Ashlin rushing towards me. she looked panicked.
"Ash, what is it?" I asked her.
"It's Avery she's sick. I went to try to get some answers from her but-" She said.
"What do you mean?"
"She said she want's to be left alone because she'll get in trouble with her family. I don't like it. I tried to read her mind to get some more info but she pushed me out. It's like she's blocking out memories. I don't like it at all." She said. I ruffled her hair and walked past her.
"Thanks for trying. Where is she?" I asked her.
"The nurses office." she said. I walked over to the nurses office. I creaked open the door and saw her laying down with her arms over her eyes as she tried to block out the light.
"Go away, Jericho." She said.
"Just wanted to know if your okay." I said as I sat down next to her.
"Just peachy. Now leave." She groaned.
"Don't want to." She removed her arms from her face and glared at me.
"What do you really want. I can tell you want to say something." She said as her eyes narrowed into slits.
"Ash said that you would "get in to trouble with your family" if we didn't leave you alone. Like to explain?"
" The only people they let me be around is Terrance's friends. I hate them just as much as him so I keep to my self." She briefly explained. God, I hate him so much right now. The thought that he is around her twenty-four-seven infuriates me. He is the reason she is alone!
"They wouldn't have to now." I said to her. I heard he sigh.
"It's not that simple."
"Yes it is." She sat up and stared at me intently with furrowed brows.
"No it's not. There's thing that I don't want you to know, and if I got close to you ...you would find out. I don't want to be hated." She said in a weak voice. I wrapped my arms around her and brought her close.
"You really think I give a shit about that?" Was all I said. Her hands rose and fell. Then she finally wrapped her arms around me and buried her face in my chest. She felt so small and fragile in my arms. It felt right. Suddenly the bell rang and she pushed away from me.
"You should go. You can't be late." She said with empty eyes. My heart sunk a little more.
"What about you?" I asked her.
"I'm staying her for the rest of the day. I could use the rest." I kissed her forehead and said,
"I'll come get you after school. Wait here, okay." I then walked to the door and looked back at her. One hour. I would see her again in one hour. Then seventh period is our free period, so I could just leave with her.
The day went by and that was the longest hour of my life. As soon as the bell rang I ran like a mad man down the halls. I threw the Nurse's office door open. I scanned the room most likely smiling like a moron. I Felt like some one shot me in the chest when I say the empty bed. I looked over to see Mrs. Burklee reading a book in her chair.
"Where's Avery?" I asked her. The school nurse was a short and stout middle aged woman, who had four kids, so needless to say she treated everyone like her own.
"The little redhead?" She asked me.
"Yeah..." I said with a heavy heart. She looked down at her log.
"She wasn't feeling good so I gave her some some thing to help with the head ache, she took a nap, and then about two minuets before the bell rang she sighed out. Why did you have plans with her?" She briefed me.
"Yeah I did." I said. God I feel like shit right now! I turned around and booked it to the front of the school. I pushed past people and tried to make to the parking lot. I opened up the door and stared out into the parking lot. My eye saw something orange move. I instantly looked to see her walking out of the gate.
"Avery!" I called. she looked at me with a scared expression on her face and ran. I followed suit. Dammit she fast! I pumped my legs harder as I ran through the parking lot. I turned the corner and ran out the gate. I saw her about a block away and ran even faster. I finally caught up to her. I grabbed her wrist and turned her around.
"I told you to wait for me!"
"I told you to leave me alone!" She yelled back at me. That's the one thing I cant do. Leave her. It is physically impossible for me to walk away from her.
"Why me! Why do you have to toy with me?" She fumed at me. Then I remembered, my little Avery was human. She was ignorant to the supernatural world around her. I stared at her as she wore a displeasing scowl on her face. I grabbed her and threw her over my shoulder as I walked back to the school.
"What the hell! Put me down Dammit!" She protested. I ignored her and picked up my pace. I walked into the school parking lot and walked to my bike.
"If I put you down, will you not run?" I asked her.
"Fine! Now put me down." She said. I set her down on her feet and she crossed her arms and glared at me. She then turned and tried to run but I caught her before she could. I took my helmet and put on her head. The black helmet was huge on her and was extremely loose.
"What are you doing?" She asked. I still had a grip on her wrist.
"Taking you somewhere we can talk." I said as lifted her onto the bike.
"What if I don't want to talk?" She whined.
"To bad." I got onto the bike and started the ignition.
"What about your stuff?" She tried to give me a reason mot to leave.
"I'll have one of the guys pic it up for me." I said. I revved the bike to life and pulled out of the parking lot. She wrapped her arms around me and pulled her self close to me. We pulled up to a random restraint at the harbor. I turned off the bike and she slid off the side of the bike. I chuckled when she staggered and the helmet wobbled on her head. She took the helmet off and poked me in the chest,
"Never, do that again. I thought I was going to fall off." She warned me. I fought the erg to wrap my arm around her, knowing that she wouldn't feel comfortable. When we entered the restraint the bell rang as we opened the door. I noticed that no one else was i
n the restraint except for a waitress sitting behind the bar. We sat down at a booth in the corner.
"So what did you want to talk about?"She asked me.
North and South
Avery
I sat across the table from someone who was almost an alien to me. The things I knew about him were things that were no secret and the same for him. He only knew my name and my reputation. Nothing else, nothing more. That is how I wanted to keep it. I crossed my arms and angled my head down slightly. I was going crazy! He was immune to me! I could not hear his thoughts at all. I couldn't even read his emotions. What drove me over the edge was when I got visions I never saw him. It was like a missing puzzle piece, and you are left to wonder what was on that piece, and what the picture would look like with that one piece in place. I had gotten a vision earlier, and it predicted exactly this moment. However I only saw me, alone, but talking to air. I wasn't talking to Angela in my vision. I would have seen her. I always do when I have a vision of her. I knew for a fact it was Jericho.
"Hey, are you listening?" He asked me waving his hand in front of my face.
"Hmm?" I answered.
"I was asking you if we could at least be friends." He told me. My heart sank. I'm sick and tired of being alone.
"That is not such a good idea. I enjoy solitude..." I said looked down.
"Is that you or your wardens talking?" He asked me with a stern voice.
"That's irrelevant." I said. He was right though it was them. I was scared of what they would do to both me... and him if they found out he was even within five feet of me. They did want our little "secret" to get out, and have their little "income" move away.
"You can make your own decisions. It’s alright."
"It is my decisions." I said. I felt guilty, I felt sick, and I felt aggrieved. He could be my life boat, my way out. He could save me, but I had to let him walk away. I had to make him walk away. I was the living
proof of what they were capable of doing, and how they never felt remorse. If they did then they would have stopped long ago.
I saw something flicker in his eyes. He had many conflicting emotions. I saw pain, doubt, determination, and anger.
"Avery, don't lie. I know that look. Dylan, Erika, Chris, and Mia all give me that look. That's the look of guilt from lying." Damnit! He was spot on.
"Avery I'm going to ask you again and I want you to answer honestly. Is that you or your wardens talking?" He stared at me intently; his teal eyes were hard and cold. I looked over at the window to see Angela across the room. I stared her with a pleading look. As if asking her what to do. She nodded at me. She knew that I could tell him the truth, maybe eventually all of it. I closed my eyes and sighed,
"Your right. I absolutely hate being alone. To tell you the truth it terrifies me sometimes." I finally admitted. Never in my young life had I said that aloud. He stared at me in shock.
"Does it feel good to finally say it?" He asked me. I didn't know how to respond.
"So why are you alone?" He asked me.
"I already told you that." I said.
"Then why don't you leave?"
"Why don't you have wings?" I fired back. He glared at me.
"Don't avoid the question." He said.
"I have nowhere to go, and who would want me anyway..." I said. It wasn't the truth nor a lie. I felt the lump in my throat begin to well up. I refuse to cry in front of him.
"That isn't true." He said. I scoffed at him. What did he know? He doesn't know what I am and what I am capable of.
"My last foster mom died of a heart attack all the ones before that said I was a burden and shipped me off." I still remember being accused of witch craft, being possessed, and even being a demon. I also remember being told that I was hated and unwanted. No small child should have to be told that. I looked over at him.
"I know we all have our own demons by mine are most likely a hell lot bigger than yours." I said as I stood up and walked out of the restraint.
"Avery!" He yelled as I walked away. I could hear his footsteps behind me. Then I felt his firm hand on my shoulder.
"I don't know exactly what you’re dealing with, but at least give me a chance. I like you a lot. So please at least give me some time." I wanted to run to him and wrap my arms around him but the realistic side of me prevented me from doing so.
"You don't know me." Was all I said before walking away? He caught my arm.
"I want to know you. I want you to trust me, but I can't do that unless you let me try." He said. I shook my head at him,
"I- I can't do this." That was as all I said before I walked away. I looked back to see Jericho in utter pain. He looked as if I just ran over his cat. My chest tightened and became heavy. I didn't mean to hurt him. I never wanted to hurt anyone. I walked away from him and this time he didn't follow me.
I walked into the house, and quickly cooked diner. I then walked to my room and locked my door. I plopped down onto my stiff, old, spring mattress. I stared up at my ceiling fan and thought of what the event that occurred to day. I replayed the look on Jericho's face. I wish that I had met him in a different situation. Not like this. If I had a normal life with a family maybe thing would be different. I closed my eyes and exhaled. That would be the day... I soon dozed off to sleep. I was woken up by Cathy's booming voice.
"What the hell were you thinking?" She yelled.
"Sorry, Ma I just lost my temper." I heard Terrance say. There was a long silence and the Cathy sighed before yelling,
"Avery!" Got up off my bed and walked into the living room.
"I got a call from the principle at work today saying that Terrance was harassing you. Since Terrance wouldn't tell me exactly what happened, I want you to tell me." She said. I gripped my forearms and shifted uncomfortably. I looked over at him and saw that he was glaring at me.
"Umm... well... I was at my locker and Terrance came and said some things I didn't like. So I ran away from him. When he caught up to me, he threw me against the locker. He raised his hand at me and was going to hit me but..." I stopped speaking. Was it safe to tell her about Jericho? Knowing her she would pry until I told her every conversation we have ever had.
"But what?" She snapped at me.
"He... decided against it and walked away." I wasn't safe to tell her.
"Is that really it?" She asked me.
"Y-yes ma'am." I lied.
"Ma that isn't what happened. I wanted to hit her ,and I was going to but Jericho, Levi stopped me." Terrance said with a evil grin playing upon his lips.
"That isn't all of it. I saw her leaving school on the back of his bike." He continued. I stared wide eyed at him! That bugger!
"What! What did you tell him? where did he take you?" Cathy stormed towards me. I cowered backwards away from her.
"He- He wanted answers about Terrance but I just told him to leave me alone! I swear!" I stammered.
"You lying bitch! I you told him didn't you!" She pulled her hand back and swung at my face. I sunk down to the floor and whimpered as I felt my stinging cheek.
"No I didn't!" I told cried.
"I bet you poured your heart out to him thinking he'll save you! He won't! No one wants you! You’re fucking lucky I tolerate you!" She then kicked me in my stomach. Even though Cathy is a tall slender woman, she was extremely strong.
"Don't go near him again. I don't need him snooping around." She gave me another good kick and then walked with her son. I sat there for several seconds before getting up and going to me room. I locked my door and laid down on my bed. I brought my knees to my chest and cried into them. I jolted up when I heard a creaking sound. I instantly relaxed when I saw that it was only Angela. She looked at me with apologetic eyes.
"I'm so sorry." she whispered. I shook my head at her,
"No, there was nothing you could do." I said as I gave her a half hearted smile. She wrapped her arms around me, however I couldn't feel them.
"I could have helped if I was still alive." she said.
"Ang, if you were alive we wouldn't be friends. You would probably be married with a kid." I said in a weak voice.
"I guess you're right, but still times like this I wish I was still alive so you could confined in me and cry on my shoulder." She said as she pulled back to look at me.
"You've done enough just being here." I told her.
"Thanks." she smiled at me. I got up and walked over to my cracked full length mirror. I lifted up my shirt and cursed under my breath when I saw the a nasty bruise beginning to form. I walked over to my closet and grabbed my old Polaroid instant camera I lifted up my shirt again and snapped a photo of my torso I then took a picture of my cheek. I picked up the photos from the floor. I then walked over to my bed and reached under it. I felt the cold chill of metal touch my fingers. I pulled out my fire box. I took the key I had tied on the camera strap and unlocked the chest.
"Avery what is that?" Angela asked. I slipped the photos into the file-folder that was labeled, “September -2011." I then looked over at her and said,
"Evidence."
Sticks and Stones
Dedicated to sami13
I was still tightly wrapped up tightly in his arms. He leaned down and planted a warm kiss on my forehead. I pulled away and frowned at him.
"Just friends..." I told him. He smiled down at me.
"Friends for now...Just let me have my moment right now." He told me. I couldn't help but to smile at that. He pulled me against his chest and inhaled deeply.
"What are you going to do? Eventually I'll get caught and then what?" I asked him.
"I'll make sure Terrance shuts his trap." He told me.
"And if I get in trouble?" I asked him again.
"We'll find away." He said simply. I heard him mumble "It's not fair." under his breath.
"What's not fair?" I asked him.
"Just the fact you have this life... " He said.
Haunted Page 3