TITLE: Not While I'm Around
AUTHOR: JackPhillipsGirl
DISCLAIMER: I don't own So Weird or any of its characters, except for Jack, in my dreams. =) Rob is the only character that is mine. Gabe Crawford is from the episode "Angel". The song "Not While I'm Around" is from the Broadway musical Sweeney Todd, but I used only a small portion of the lyrics. No, I'm not obsessed with Broadway or anything. LOL. If you read all the way to the end of this one, then write a review! Enjoy!
Chapter One
Finally, our one-month escape from the hectic touring life was just minutes away. This meant one month to ourselves, to do anything we wanted. For four weeks we would have the chance, for the first time in nearly a year, to relax and catch up on life at home. We would be able to meet up with friends, neighbors, and above all, each other - because being on the road all the time can make anyone go crazy. Yup, in a few minutes, we'd all be back in Hope Springs.
"Jack, are you sure going to Seattle for a month is what you really want to do?"
Well, must of us, anyway.
"Yes, Mom, I'm sure," I replied. She still had that motherly look of concern in her eyes, and I flashed a grin that I hoped appeared comforting. "Don't worry! I'll be fine. I'll keep an eye on Fi."
She still looked a little uncomfortable, but finally gave me a small smile. "I know you will," she admitted. "I guess I'm more worried about myself. What will I do without both of you?"
"Oh, don't worry about that, Mrs. P," Carey interrupted, taking another bite of his hamburger. "I'll keep you company."
"Yeah, because you have nowhere else to eat breakfast!" I joked.
"Hey!" Carey said indignantly. "My mom's not a bad cook."
Mom laughed at this, and finally looked a bit happier. "Just don't fall too in love with your Aunt Melinda's home. I can't afford to have both of my children gone! Especially while Annie's staying with her parents for another month."
"Don't get carried away," I said. "You know that's not going to happen."
The bus screeched to a stop in front of the airport that's just outside Hope Springs. "Well, Jack, this is it," Carey said. "Have a good time, bro."
Mom looked at me again, and her eyes still pleading me to stay. "I'll be fine," I repeated. "Really."
She sighed, and gave me a hug. "Bye, Jack."
I picked up my bags as the others called their farewells and entered the airport. A couple hours later, I was on the plane impatiently anticipating take-off. I haven't seen Fi since Christmas Day, I realized. How long was that? Seven months. I really missed her. In a strange sort of way, being apart only pulled us closer together. I remember how just a couple years ago it seemed like Fi and I would never learn to get along, and now we were the best of friends. Some siblings do nothing but fight, but we aren't like that. I guess as the years go by, our bond will grow even stronger.
Even though I wanted to go home, and I know my mom needs me, I knew that visiting Fi was what I needed. After Annie joined the tour, nothing was the same. And though I know very well that it will never be the same again, I still wish for it.
Maybe being with Fi for a month will help it feel like it is.
Chapter Two
"Jack!" I could hear Fi calling for me already the second I stepped off the plane. A second later, I was practically smothered in her hug.
"Hey, Fi," I said, grinning. "Ready for a month of excitement?"
"Oh really?" she teased, raising an eyebrow. "And just what is going to be so exciting?"
"Ha, ha," I said sarcastically. I looked around, realizing Fi was alone. "Where's Aunt Melinda?"
"Oh, she's back at the house," Fi replied, grabbing one of my bags. "Okay, now -"
"Wait!" I said. "How did you get here, then?"
"That's what I was getting at," Fi said, sounding a bit annoyed. Just then, a man with short, dark hair and green eyes walked over to us and casually looped his arm over Fi's shoulder. "See, I -"
"Who's that?" I demanded.
"Jack!" Fi exclaimed. "Will you let me finish a sentence?"
"Sorry," I said sheepishly. Turning to the man, I asked, "Who are you?" He was silent for a moment, his deep green eyes boring into mine. He seemed dark, quiet. Mysterious. I didn't like him. "Rob," he stated finally.
"Rob?" I repeated. Was this guy for real? "Okay, then. Fi," I said, turning to her, "would you like to elaborate?"
"Well, um," Fi began, clearing her throat. "Jack, Rob is my... boyfriend. We've been going out for about a month."
"What? Fiona, have you lost your mind? How old is this guy, twenty-one? Twenty-two? Just look at him! Everything about him is just... evil!" I screamed. Actually, I didn't say any of that, as much as I wanted to. Even though I still think of her as my baby sister, Fi was seventeen years old; and it was her choice of who she wanted to date. All I really said was, "Oh." Goodbye, month of sibling bonding. Goodbye to my hopes of things being like they used to be.
"Rob drove me here," Fi was saying as we walked to his car. I was only half-listening, though. What was it that was so creepy about this guy? What could my sister have seen in him? Am I jealous? I wondered. I hate to admit it, but I probably was. I was jealous of the fact that Rob would be getting more of Fi's attention than I would. I'm her brother! She hasn't seen me for seven months! But I could already tell that for the next four weeks, I would become nothing more than a third wheel.
Chapter Three
"At least give him a chance," Fi told me. It was late at night, and we were in the spare room that would be my bedroom for the month. Fi had tried telling me all about how she met Rob and what he was like, but I was pointedly refusing to listen.
"Come on, Fi!" I said. "How old is he, anyway?"
"Nineteen," Fi stated, sounding annoyed. "What exactly don't you like about him?"
"A lot of things!" I half-shouted, trying to keep my voice down since Aunt Melinda was sleeping in the next room.
"Like what?"
"Like..." I began, but I still couldn't quite place what it was I hated so much. "Like the way when I asked him who he was, he stared at me for at least a minute, and then all he said was, 'Rob,' just like that."
Fi sighed. "And what exactly was he supposed to say?"
Now it was my turn to sigh. "I don't know..."
"Jack, I really like him," Fi said. "Please, please, don't go into your overprotective big brother mode and just try to give him a chance. It's really important to me." I didn't say anything. "Look, Rob and I were going to go to the movies tomorrow anyway. Why don't you come with us? That'll give you two a chance to get to know each other."
"I don't really want to be a third wheel," I replied.
"You won't be," Fi promised. "Please, say you'll come with us!"
I was silent for a moment. I really didn't want to go, but I could see how much this meant to her. "All right," I agreed reluctantly.
"Thanks, Jack!" Fi squealed, throwing her arms around me. "You're the best. I'm going to call Rob right now and let him know!" She ran into the hallway.
"By the way," I called after her, "what did you mean by my 'overprotective big brother' mode?"
Chapter Four
It was the next day, and Fi, Rob, and I were eating lunch at a local fast-food place. The two of them were discussing the movie, but I wasn't really taking part in the conversation. Rob seemed friendlier today, but I still didn't like him. There was something really peculiar about him, like right now, for example. It was only partly sunny outside, but Rob was wearing very dark sunglasses. And now that we were inside, he still hadn't taken them off.
Thinking about this, I blurted, "Why are you still wearing those?" Both Rob and Fi stopped talking and turned to look at me. "Wearing what?" Rob asked.
"Your sunglasses. It isn't sunny inside, you know," I responded.
Rob stared at me the same way that he had yesterday. What was with this guy? This time, he appeared almost threatening. Okay, Fi, I'm giving him a chance. Happy now? I still hate him. Then, without answering my question, he turned to Fi and said, "Some parts of the movie were very unbelievable." After saying this, I swear he looked at me for a split second, as if to make sure that I was listening, and then turned back to Fi. "The part where the woman helps the ghost of her daughter was absolutely ridiculous. Don't you agree, Fiona?" The way he said the last sentence was more like a statement than a question.
Ha! I thought. Boy, was Rob in for a shock now. Then, to my dismay, Fi said, "I know. People who believe in ghosts need to have their heads examined."
"WHAT?" I shouted. "Fi, you believe in ghosts! Your entire life revolves around these 'paranormal' happenings!"
Fi rolled her eyes. "Jack, please. I don't believe in that stuff anymore. I guess you could say that Rob showed me the light," she added, smiling at him.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, there's a logical explanation for anything," Fi replied. "I told Rob about some of the stuff I've seen and he explained what it probably really was."
I gaped at her with wide eyes. I've only been doing the exact same thing every single day of my life! I thought angrily. I looked at Rob, who only shrugged with a slightly amused expression. Oh, there was definitely something evil about this guy that went beyond what was only my imagination. Now if only I could find out what it was.
Chapter Five
It was Saturday night, and Fi was out with Rob. After I told her that I never wanted to go anywhere with her and Rob again, she was pretty angry with me. Somehow this was not how I foresaw the way my visit with Fi would turn out. Everything I had hoped would happen was slowly disintegrating right before my eyes.
After asking Aunt Melinda if I could use her phone, I dialed my girlfriend's number. I call Gabe every Saturday, that is, if she doesn't call me first.
"Hello?" I finally heard her angelic voice on the other end of the line.
"Hi, Gabe," I said happily. "It's me."
"Jack!" she exclaimed. Finally, I was talking to the one person that I could count on to never go crazy. "Aren't you in Seattle?"
"Yes, I am. But Fi's out with her boyfriend right now and I had to talk to you." I stroked the angel on the necklace around my neck. I should have gone to Ohio for a month instead of having to deal with this.
"Why? Is there something wrong?" Gabe asked, concerned.
"It's Fi's boyfriend, Rob," I explained. "I don't know if it's my imagination running away with me, or if it's jealousy, but there's something about him that's just really creepy."
"Like what?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "He just gives off bad vibes. I always feel like he's going to try and hurt Fiona."
"Jack, maybe you just love your sister too much," Gabe replied. "I think Fi knows what's best for her."
"Come on, Gabe, you of all people have to believe me!" I said. "There's more than that. I mean, now Fi doesn't even believe in the paranormal anymore. She said that Rob showed her 'the light'," I added.
"Now that's the last thing I ever would have expected to hear," Gabe commented.
"I know," I agreed. "I feel like he's rubbing it in my face, by the way he keeps staring at me. He knows something. This guy is like, some sort of evil demon."
"A demon?" Gabe repeated.
"Well, not seriously..." I began.
"You said his name was Rob?" Gabe asked.
"Yeah, so?"
"Oh, Jack, please don't tell me that he has some sort of scar on the side of his face..." Gabe said worriedly.
I tried to picture his face in my mind. "Actually, I think he does."
"Oh no..." her voice trailed off.
"Gabe, what is it?" I asked, scared.
"He is a demon!" she said. "His name, the scar, and the way he seems to have such a strong influence over Fi all prove it. Jack, you have to trust me on this. My angel told me everything about the supernatural forces, the ones on the other end of the spectrum. The evil ones. Demons possess people, Jack. That's what Rob is doing to your sister. He's slowly making her think and act the way that he wants her to. And all demons have a small but very distinct scar by their right eye."
Only because she's my girlfriend and I love her, I listened to what she was saying. "But what about his name?" I asked.
"My angel told me another thing, too. The most evil of all demons is named Robviach. Jack, I have to go now and have dinner. Please stay away from Rob. Help Fi before it's too late."
AUTHOR: JackPhillipsGirl
DISCLAIMER: I don't own So Weird or any of its characters, except for Jack, in my dreams. =) Rob is the only character that is mine. Gabe Crawford is from the episode "Angel". The song "Not While I'm Around" is from the Broadway musical Sweeney Todd, but I used only a small portion of the lyrics. No, I'm not obsessed with Broadway or anything. LOL. If you read all the way to the end of this one, then write a review! Enjoy!
Chapter One
Finally, our one-month escape from the hectic touring life was just minutes away. This meant one month to ourselves, to do anything we wanted. For four weeks we would have the chance, for the first time in nearly a year, to relax and catch up on life at home. We would be able to meet up with friends, neighbors, and above all, each other - because being on the road all the time can make anyone go crazy. Yup, in a few minutes, we'd all be back in Hope Springs.
"Jack, are you sure going to Seattle for a month is what you really want to do?"
Well, must of us, anyway.
"Yes, Mom, I'm sure," I replied. She still had that motherly look of concern in her eyes, and I flashed a grin that I hoped appeared comforting. "Don't worry! I'll be fine. I'll keep an eye on Fi."
She still looked a little uncomfortable, but finally gave me a small smile. "I know you will," she admitted. "I guess I'm more worried about myself. What will I do without both of you?"
"Oh, don't worry about that, Mrs. P," Carey interrupted, taking another bite of his hamburger. "I'll keep you company."
"Yeah, because you have nowhere else to eat breakfast!" I joked.
"Hey!" Carey said indignantly. "My mom's not a bad cook."
Mom laughed at this, and finally looked a bit happier. "Just don't fall too in love with your Aunt Melinda's home. I can't afford to have both of my children gone! Especially while Annie's staying with her parents for another month."
"Don't get carried away," I said. "You know that's not going to happen."
The bus screeched to a stop in front of the airport that's just outside Hope Springs. "Well, Jack, this is it," Carey said. "Have a good time, bro."
Mom looked at me again, and her eyes still pleading me to stay. "I'll be fine," I repeated. "Really."
She sighed, and gave me a hug. "Bye, Jack."
I picked up my bags as the others called their farewells and entered the airport. A couple hours later, I was on the plane impatiently anticipating take-off. I haven't seen Fi since Christmas Day, I realized. How long was that? Seven months. I really missed her. In a strange sort of way, being apart only pulled us closer together. I remember how just a couple years ago it seemed like Fi and I would never learn to get along, and now we were the best of friends. Some siblings do nothing but fight, but we aren't like that. I guess as the years go by, our bond will grow even stronger.
Even though I wanted to go home, and I know my mom needs me, I knew that visiting Fi was what I needed. After Annie joined the tour, nothing was the same. And though I know very well that it will never be the same again, I still wish for it.
Maybe being with Fi for a month will help it feel like it is.
Chapter Two
"Jack!" I could hear Fi calling for me already the second I stepped off the plane. A second later, I was practically smothered in her hug.
"Hey, Fi," I said, grinning. "Ready for a month of excitement?"
"Oh really?" she teased, raising an eyebrow. "And just what is going to be so exciting?"
"Ha, ha," I said sarcastically. I looked around, realizing Fi was alone. "Where's Aunt Melinda?"
"Oh, she's back at the house," Fi replied, grabbing one of my bags. "Okay, now -"
"Wait!" I said. "How did you get here, then?"
"That's what I was getting at," Fi said, sounding a bit annoyed. Just then, a man with short, dark hair and green eyes walked over to us and casually looped his arm over Fi's shoulder. "See, I -"
"Who's that?" I demanded.
"Jack!" Fi exclaimed. "Will you let me finish a sentence?"
"Sorry," I said sheepishly. Turning to the man, I asked, "Who are you?" He was silent for a moment, his deep green eyes boring into mine. He seemed dark, quiet. Mysterious. I didn't like him. "Rob," he stated finally.
"Rob?" I repeated. Was this guy for real? "Okay, then. Fi," I said, turning to her, "would you like to elaborate?"
"Well, um," Fi began, clearing her throat. "Jack, Rob is my... boyfriend. We've been going out for about a month."
"What? Fiona, have you lost your mind? How old is this guy, twenty-one? Twenty-two? Just look at him! Everything about him is just... evil!" I screamed. Actually, I didn't say any of that, as much as I wanted to. Even though I still think of her as my baby sister, Fi was seventeen years old; and it was her choice of who she wanted to date. All I really said was, "Oh." Goodbye, month of sibling bonding. Goodbye to my hopes of things being like they used to be.
"Rob drove me here," Fi was saying as we walked to his car. I was only half-listening, though. What was it that was so creepy about this guy? What could my sister have seen in him? Am I jealous? I wondered. I hate to admit it, but I probably was. I was jealous of the fact that Rob would be getting more of Fi's attention than I would. I'm her brother! She hasn't seen me for seven months! But I could already tell that for the next four weeks, I would become nothing more than a third wheel.
Chapter Three
"At least give him a chance," Fi told me. It was late at night, and we were in the spare room that would be my bedroom for the month. Fi had tried telling me all about how she met Rob and what he was like, but I was pointedly refusing to listen.
"Come on, Fi!" I said. "How old is he, anyway?"
"Nineteen," Fi stated, sounding annoyed. "What exactly don't you like about him?"
"A lot of things!" I half-shouted, trying to keep my voice down since Aunt Melinda was sleeping in the next room.
"Like what?"
"Like..." I began, but I still couldn't quite place what it was I hated so much. "Like the way when I asked him who he was, he stared at me for at least a minute, and then all he said was, 'Rob,' just like that."
Fi sighed. "And what exactly was he supposed to say?"
Now it was my turn to sigh. "I don't know..."
"Jack, I really like him," Fi said. "Please, please, don't go into your overprotective big brother mode and just try to give him a chance. It's really important to me." I didn't say anything. "Look, Rob and I were going to go to the movies tomorrow anyway. Why don't you come with us? That'll give you two a chance to get to know each other."
"I don't really want to be a third wheel," I replied.
"You won't be," Fi promised. "Please, say you'll come with us!"
I was silent for a moment. I really didn't want to go, but I could see how much this meant to her. "All right," I agreed reluctantly.
"Thanks, Jack!" Fi squealed, throwing her arms around me. "You're the best. I'm going to call Rob right now and let him know!" She ran into the hallway.
"By the way," I called after her, "what did you mean by my 'overprotective big brother' mode?"
Chapter Four
It was the next day, and Fi, Rob, and I were eating lunch at a local fast-food place. The two of them were discussing the movie, but I wasn't really taking part in the conversation. Rob seemed friendlier today, but I still didn't like him. There was something really peculiar about him, like right now, for example. It was only partly sunny outside, but Rob was wearing very dark sunglasses. And now that we were inside, he still hadn't taken them off.
Thinking about this, I blurted, "Why are you still wearing those?" Both Rob and Fi stopped talking and turned to look at me. "Wearing what?" Rob asked.
"Your sunglasses. It isn't sunny inside, you know," I responded.
Rob stared at me the same way that he had yesterday. What was with this guy? This time, he appeared almost threatening. Okay, Fi, I'm giving him a chance. Happy now? I still hate him. Then, without answering my question, he turned to Fi and said, "Some parts of the movie were very unbelievable." After saying this, I swear he looked at me for a split second, as if to make sure that I was listening, and then turned back to Fi. "The part where the woman helps the ghost of her daughter was absolutely ridiculous. Don't you agree, Fiona?" The way he said the last sentence was more like a statement than a question.
Ha! I thought. Boy, was Rob in for a shock now. Then, to my dismay, Fi said, "I know. People who believe in ghosts need to have their heads examined."
"WHAT?" I shouted. "Fi, you believe in ghosts! Your entire life revolves around these 'paranormal' happenings!"
Fi rolled her eyes. "Jack, please. I don't believe in that stuff anymore. I guess you could say that Rob showed me the light," she added, smiling at him.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Well, there's a logical explanation for anything," Fi replied. "I told Rob about some of the stuff I've seen and he explained what it probably really was."
I gaped at her with wide eyes. I've only been doing the exact same thing every single day of my life! I thought angrily. I looked at Rob, who only shrugged with a slightly amused expression. Oh, there was definitely something evil about this guy that went beyond what was only my imagination. Now if only I could find out what it was.
Chapter Five
It was Saturday night, and Fi was out with Rob. After I told her that I never wanted to go anywhere with her and Rob again, she was pretty angry with me. Somehow this was not how I foresaw the way my visit with Fi would turn out. Everything I had hoped would happen was slowly disintegrating right before my eyes.
After asking Aunt Melinda if I could use her phone, I dialed my girlfriend's number. I call Gabe every Saturday, that is, if she doesn't call me first.
"Hello?" I finally heard her angelic voice on the other end of the line.
"Hi, Gabe," I said happily. "It's me."
"Jack!" she exclaimed. Finally, I was talking to the one person that I could count on to never go crazy. "Aren't you in Seattle?"
"Yes, I am. But Fi's out with her boyfriend right now and I had to talk to you." I stroked the angel on the necklace around my neck. I should have gone to Ohio for a month instead of having to deal with this.
"Why? Is there something wrong?" Gabe asked, concerned.
"It's Fi's boyfriend, Rob," I explained. "I don't know if it's my imagination running away with me, or if it's jealousy, but there's something about him that's just really creepy."
"Like what?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "He just gives off bad vibes. I always feel like he's going to try and hurt Fiona."
"Jack, maybe you just love your sister too much," Gabe replied. "I think Fi knows what's best for her."
"Come on, Gabe, you of all people have to believe me!" I said. "There's more than that. I mean, now Fi doesn't even believe in the paranormal anymore. She said that Rob showed her 'the light'," I added.
"Now that's the last thing I ever would have expected to hear," Gabe commented.
"I know," I agreed. "I feel like he's rubbing it in my face, by the way he keeps staring at me. He knows something. This guy is like, some sort of evil demon."
"A demon?" Gabe repeated.
"Well, not seriously..." I began.
"You said his name was Rob?" Gabe asked.
"Yeah, so?"
"Oh, Jack, please don't tell me that he has some sort of scar on the side of his face..." Gabe said worriedly.
I tried to picture his face in my mind. "Actually, I think he does."
"Oh no..." her voice trailed off.
"Gabe, what is it?" I asked, scared.
"He is a demon!" she said. "His name, the scar, and the way he seems to have such a strong influence over Fi all prove it. Jack, you have to trust me on this. My angel told me everything about the supernatural forces, the ones on the other end of the spectrum. The evil ones. Demons possess people, Jack. That's what Rob is doing to your sister. He's slowly making her think and act the way that he wants her to. And all demons have a small but very distinct scar by their right eye."
Only because she's my girlfriend and I love her, I listened to what she was saying. "But what about his name?" I asked.
"My angel told me another thing, too. The most evil of all demons is named Robviach. Jack, I have to go now and have dinner. Please stay away from Rob. Help Fi before it's too late."