“It has to do with the strength of my spirit,” he says after swallowing another bite of his sandwich. “As you noticed, once spirits turn into Malighosts, they have enough spiritual energy to touch living objects as well. They are fueled by their anger and anguish, which strengthens their resolve and spirit. Unfortunately, it is only to harm others rather than to help, like we Reapers try to do. As you’ve also noticed, we can’t get to everyone before they turn.”
I take a few bites of my sandwich in silence, thinking.
What in the world, or should I say ‘otherworld,’ have I gotten myself into?
It’s all so crazy that I half wonder if I will wake up tomorrow in my own bed like this has all been an overly vivid dream. I hope it isn’t but, I mean, how can all this be real? It can’t be.
Honestly, I don’t want it to be a dream. I want it to be real. I need it to be. Yes, there are huge downsides to finding out about all this, and that I might have to deal with other abilities in the near future, but there is one upside that is worth it all.
Him.
We talk and laugh while we finish eating. Degory tells me a few jokes he remembers from when he was alive and he gets me giggling again. I’ll never forget them, because they are so funny, but definitely not what I would hear in this day and age.
If I had friends, I would have shared the jokes with them in a heartbeat. Either way, I will remember them. I’ll be able to share them with someone someday. I will always remember his voice thinking about them, too. It is so unexpected to hear him have such interesting jokes! I know he’s funny, but this is a different sort of humor I didn’t know he possessed.
The first one he says is this: When is it no misfortune for a young lady to lose her good name? When a young man gives her a better one!
The second joke: What does every man, no matter how smart, overlook? Their nose.
His third and final joke before we finish our meal is: Why would an owl be offended at your calling him a pheasant? Because you would be making game of him.
Although a little cheesy, they definitely make me laugh. I’ll never forget what he did for me tonight with those jokes. Not only am I feeling better after giggling so much, our dinner somehow tastes better, too.
The food even helps me get some of my energy back, so that we are able to stay up and watch The Wizard of Oz before I fall back to sleep. The television is set against the wall opposite the love seat, so we are both able to see it from where we sit.
It amazes me that Degory hasn’t seen a movie before. I realize that they were invented after he died, but I just assumed they have them in Eden. Or do Reapers not get time off to relax and enjoy themselves?
If not, that must be a lonely and stressful existence. Either way, I guess being a Captain of one of the Ten Division regiments keeps him really busy. I feel bad knowing he may be shirking his duties to spend time with me.
I imagine Ms. Kingsley thinks it strange a Captain is waiting on some human hand and foot, too. That brings more questions about this mysterious boy to my mind that would have to wait for another time.
Though he would answer any question I ask, I want to give Degory the opportunity to experience a movie. Seeing the look of sheer awe on his face warms my heart, and makes me giggle at how little he knows about the Living World.
After it’s over, I snuggle under my blanket while Degory stays sitting on the edge of the bed, facing the TV. He seems wide awake and completely puzzled by the film. He’s astounded by the colors and how realistic all the scenes had looked.
He doesn’t seem to want to leave my bedside though, either. I think he’s worried that I might get attacked again. I’m not sure how or why I would, but I like knowing he’s there and wants to protect me. To appease a bit of my curiosity, I try to ask him some questions as my eyes grow heavier with each second that passes.
“What is your life like in Eden?” I yawn, sleepily. “Do you do this for everyone, or just humans you feel responsible for?”
I smile, not having the energy to laugh at my own sarcasm. He grins back, understanding what I mean.
“Actually, I’m used to having subordinates take care of small tasks,” he shrugs, “like bringing me food and such, while I’m worrying about bigger issues. I’m known to be focused on my duties and responsibilities, rather than being a rebel. I don’t think my regiment has ever heard me tell a joke before, in fact.”
“I am very serious and cold, and tend to get annoyed when others goof off or joke around,” he admits. “It may sound strange, but I like making sure you have what you want or what you need. I like laughing with you. The jokes we share don’t seem so immature, or a waste of time.”
“It’s very out of character for me,” he chuckles, “and if my Lieutenant saw me like this, she would never stop teasing me about it. But it doesn’t feel strange or wrong with you.”
“Are people going to wonder why you aren’t in Eden,” I ask. “Or why you’re hanging around with a human?”
He chuckles a little, watching me try to stay awake to talk with him longer. I rub my eyes to try and erase away the sleep, but it doesn’t work. I yawn again, closing my eyes while I wait for him to respond.
“Yes, probably,” he admits. “But honestly, I don’t care. As long as I get my duties taken care of, they can’t say anything about how I spend my free time.”
“So, I’m not keeping you from anything?”
“Maybe a little,” he laughs again. “That isn’t anything you have to worry about, though, I promise.”
“Being a Captain sounds like it’s a lot of work,” I say, yawning again. “Does that mean you’ll leave soon to go back to Eden, and not know when you can come back again?”
He doesn’t respond. I can’t see his face with my eyes shut and the blanket curled up in front of my face, but the silence is somewhat off-putting.
He’s practically emanating a perpetual sad vibe, which tells me that I’m right and the thought upsets him. He knows he has to leave but is afraid to leave my side after being attacked today. I have a feeling that he might actually leave and soon.
“How long are you going to stay this time?” I continue, cautiously. “How did you know where to find me today?”
He clears his throat before responding.
Is he holding back tears?
“I’m able to stay for another day or so,” he says, somberly.
I can hear how badly he wishes he didn’t have to leave from the longing in his voice.
“When I came back to this world, I first went to your house but saw you weren’t there,” he says. “I was only able to find you because I could feel the spirit power from the Malighost as he transformed.”
I can hear the sadness in his voice again. It’s unmistakable and there’s no way for me to ignore it, even if I wanted to. This time I think it’s from almost not arriving in time to save me from the monster. I want to ask him more questions, but my mind is starting to cloud up with sleep. Instead, I ask him to tell me a story from when he was first training to become a Reaper while I’m falling asleep.
“Okay,” he agrees. “What sort of story do you want to hear?”
“Anything,” I admit, my words a little mumbled from drowsiness. “Just something that’ll tell me more about you.”
“Hmm…” he takes a few moments to think. “Well, back when I first entered --”
“Can you come keep me warm?” I interrupt.
I’m already half asleep, otherwise I would have been too nervous to ask him. I don’t feel anxious at all. Having his body against mine while I sleep is all I can think about.
“Sure,” he says, hesitantly.
I can tell by his reluctance that being interested in a girl is completely new to him, so he isn’t quite sure how to react. Well, maybe not a completely new experience, but it seems to be a distant memory he can’t quite grasp or remember – like he can’t recall what the proper etiquette or response is in this type of situation.
He gets up from hi
s seat on the bed, and crawls under the covers with me. I’m already lying on my right side, facing the wall. It’s easy for him to scoot in next to me, so that his chest is against my back. He leans his forehead against the back of my head, and curls his legs up against mine before lying his hand over my side and stomach.
He’s so gentle that it doesn’t hurt – I barely feel his arm rest on top of me. He whispers his story in my ear, and I fall asleep listening to his voice with his breath against the back of my neck.
Chapter 7
I wake up the next morning feeling better than I have in a long time. I don’t have my energy back, but I feel content, less lonely. Like the hole in my heart is being filled by this mysterious boy. It’s like he came right out of my dreams.
I’m still on my side when I come out of dreamland, but I can’t remember where I am at first. The whole day yesterday just seems like a dream now, so waking up this morning shocks me.
Have I finally lost my mind and everything I’m experiencing isn’t actually real?
I really don’t want to wake up if I’m dreaming, or crazy. I would be content dreaming the rest of my existence.
I’m expecting to see my bedroom wall rather than lying in this room above the chocolate shop, so when I open my eyes, I end up freaked out by how close my face is to the drywall and strange light green paint.
Degory is still sound asleep next to me. He has his arm around me, too. I turn over carefully so I won’t wake him up. I didn’t know Reapers could sleep, but there he is looking so very peaceful. Seeing his handsome, relaxed face in the early morning sunlight makes me feel like I’m part of a dream again.
I have to push away the nagging feeling that something’s going to go wrong, though. I know who I am – good things don’t happen to me very often, but I’m not going to let that ruin this moment.
The sun has only just started to rise, so I snuggle closer to him, placing my hand underneath his. He doesn’t fully wake up when I move, but he rolls over onto his back, and pulls me closer to him so that my head is laying on his shoulder. I lay against him, tangling my legs in his, and place my right arm over his stomach.
He puts his hand on top of my arm, and we both fall back to sleep for a couple more hours. It’s so right and comfortable that I’m back asleep before I can worry again about all this possibly being a dream.
We are woken up a few hours later by a knock at the bedroom door. I can’t hear what the woman is saying, it sounds muffled to me, but Degory seems to hear her. He kisses me on the forehead and gently crawls out of bed. I roll over, looking at the wall again, while I wait for him to return.
I adjust the blanket around me so I’m tucked in nice and warm, and make sure I’m covered up to my neck. The blanket is off for a second and still the air is freezing. It doesn’t help that his smooth, porcelain skin constantly has a chill to it. I, also, feel so safe in his arms, I never want to go back home. I know that’s impossible, but I want to stay with him forever.
Degory exits the room quietly, and has a short, mumbled conversation just outside the door with whoever is there. If I wasn’t still so sleepy and drained, I would have been curious about what they are discussing.
My ivory god returns after a few minutes with a tray of fresh breakfast food for us, though. The owner apparently brought us fresh fruit and orange juice for breakfast. Degory shuts the door behind him with his elbow, and I sit up, leaning against the headboard again, stretching my arms out.
He sits the tray down where he had been lying and takes the spot he enjoyed while we watched the movie the night before. I rest my feet against him and he keeps one arm on top of my ankles while we eat. It’s comforting knowing that he wants to have as much contact with me as I do with him.
“How are you feeling?” Degory asks before taking a bite of watermelon.
I have to think about it, which already worries me a little. I don’t have all of my energy back yet, so I’m still weak. I’m getting really sick of feeling so low on energy.
“Better. I’m not completely okay, but I’m better,” I admit. “I still haven’t recovered the energy that was taken from me since the Malighost attacked me…”
“Hmmm…” he frowns, his brows coming together in concern.
I bite into a strawberry before taking a look at him. He seems to be thinking, his face is scrunched with worry.
“What’s wrong?” I inquire.
He sighs before responding.
“Kingsley says that you should be back to 100% by now,” he discloses. “She explained that if you are still not feeling completely better, then something else may have happened in that attack than you simply almost becoming dinner for the Malighost.”
“There isn’t really anything ‘simple’ about it, but I get what you mean. What should we do?” I ask.
I should be concerned but I’m not. I’m more annoyed that I don’t have my energy back than something more being wrong.
“Do I need to go to the hospital?”
“No,” he confirms, his frown deepening. “Unfortunately, with an attack from a Malighost, human hospitals won’t be able to restore your energy. They won’t even be able to recognize what is wrong with your body. Kingsley actually would like you to stay here a while longer until she can figure out what happened and heal you.”
“That’s very generous of her,” I reply, swallowing the rest of my strawberry with difficulty.
The shock of the news almost makes the morsel get caught in my throat.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, though,” I finish.
“What?” Degory says, surprised. “Why not?”
“I have already overstayed my welcome,” I acknowledge. “I wouldn’t feel right spending another night here and taking advantage of her hospitality. Plus, I don’t think there’s anything I could say to my dad that would make it okay for me to stay above a chocolate shop for any length of time.”
“What would you rather do?” he asks, concerned and a little frustrated.
“Well, do I have to be here for her to figure out how to fix me? If not, I can always stay at home and rest while I wait to hear from her. Dad trusts me. If I tell him I’m not feeling well, then he’ll at least let me stay home from school to rest.”
“I would rather you stay here, where I know you’re safe…” he whispers just loud enough so that I can hear him.
The worry in his voice almost makes my heart break into a million tiny pieces.
“I know, Degory, but I can’t stay here forever. We don’t know how long it’s going to take Ms. Kingsley to figure out what happened.”
He hesitates before speaking again. He’s struggling internally again, but this time, between what he wants and what I want.
How long has it been since he cared about anything besides his work?
“I suppose it’s settled, then,” he announces, finally. “After breakfast, I’ll take you back home.”
“Thank you,” I smile, relieved.
It’s been amazing spending the night with him, but staying here without him would be weird. It is super nice that this shop owner is so willing to help me out and figure out what’s wrong, but I’m super uncomfortable being here without the safety net of Degory with me.
So, whether I’m not doing well or one hundred percent healthy, staying another night isn’t going to happen.
After all the fruit is eaten and the orange juice is gone, Degory helps me get my winter clothing back on. He keeps an arm around my waist so that he can help me walk with how weak I still am.
I’m a little worried he’s going to have trouble helping me, but he doesn’t. He’s able to make it seem like I’m no heavier than a feather – like he doesn’t have to put any effort into lifting me or anything. He makes it seem so effortless.
We stop on our way out the door to thank the shop owner before heading out. She’s a very kind woman with long auburn hair that falls into her face, and seems to be in her late 30’s or so. She tells me that I can come back any
time, even if I’m not going to buy anything.
She, also, reassures me that she will figure out what’s keeping me ill. It makes me feel better about spending the night, but still a little weird being here on my own. It might be a while before I can come into the shop on my own.
I let her know I appreciate the offer, though, so that I don’t seem ungrateful for all her help. We leave the store slowly, my personal hero not letting me go for even an instant.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to carry you?” Degory asks, as we walk down the street toward my house.
It isn’t as breezy as it was yesterday, so my coat and scarf are able to keep me pretty warm, and having him close helps, also. My cheeks won’t stop burning whenever he is around – he’s created a perpetual blush on my face.
He says I still have a fever, but I’m not shivering like when I have the flu. I’m actually starting to feel comfortable with it, so I don’t think it has anything to do with my blushing.
“No, I’m okay,” I respond.
Every step takes more effort than the last, but I know it isn’t a good idea for him to carrying me home.
“I would feel strange having you carry me home,” I admit. “This is working just fine.”
I definitely can’t walk without his help, but I don’t want him carrying me. I can imagine passersby staring at me floating in midair, since they aren’t able to see him. How weird would that be? I would be ushered into a mental hospital for sure.
Plus, I have an urge to at least seem strong in front of him. He’s a Captain to one of the Ten Divisions of Eden. I have to look pretty lame compared to him. I have a feeling he knows I’m trying to be tough for him, but he doesn’t argue, he just keeps a firm but gentle grip on my side to make sure I stay upright.
When we reach my house, he walks me up to the front door before, reluctantly, letting me go. I lean against the door for support.
“Meet me at my window,” I whisper to him. “I’ll let you in the house from there. I would feel weird having you following me inside even if my family can’t see you.”
Waiting a Lifetime (The Waiting Series Book 1) Page 6