3/19/10
Disclaimer: I do not own Rose Red, its characters, its ideas, its concept nor its logos. They belong to Stephen King. Thank you.
Oy. Show Me What I'm Looking For, My Skin and Half Acre. DEPRESSION CITY. I needed to lighten up the mood a bit ... (I'm listening to I Like to Move It.)
I hope you like this chapter!! Please, I will get to the love part soon ... I actually forgot about it because I was thinking, "Rose Red .. ghosts .. death .. Ellen and Sukeena and April and John ... ... hmmm .. " and forgot all about the simple four-letter word that we all can't seem to figure out ... "Love."
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When I awoke I was in my bed. At least the bed I was using for the night. And it was, in fact, still night. I sat up, feeling the cool of the air wrap around me. This wasn't right. I had led Pamela outside .. but after that, I didn't remember. It was like I blacked out or something.
Swinging my legs off of the bed, I stood and crossed over to the door. Pushing it open, I stared out into the empty hall. This large and growing house had not expanded from when we had last traveled. Stepping out, I closed the door behind me and was swallowed up by the night. It seemed a sudden chill settled around the area, giving it a deep glow. Everything seemed almost like a motion-picture. I could almost hear the rattling from the reel of film.
I slowly began my descent down the hall and towards the front of the house. I wasn't sure what I was doing, but I knew I couldn't stay in the room any longer. I felt almost half-crazy as I traced my steps out of the hallway and then found myself at the Grand Staircases. Climbing down the wooden stairs, I ran my hand along the banister. I had no feeling or thoughts as I walked down the steps, all of them which slowly creaked. As I hit the ground floor, I stared across the Entry Hall towards the doors that led outside. I turned right and walked between the staircases, down the Kitchen Hall. I soon came to the Kitchen. It was silent and cold. Crossing from there, I went towards the Breakfast Room, which was also empty.
I expected to be alone as I stood in the door, staring into the room. But the shadowed figure standing next to the windows proved me wrong. I watched them as they lifted a lit cigarette to their mouth, staring out towards the yard. White smoke curled from their mouth into the air, disappearing. The butt of the cigarette burned red, giving off a small circle of light. I could see the faint outline of the person's face.
I silently padded into the room, crossing towards them. Suddenly they looked over at me, their face hidden in shadows. They stood from their leaning stance against the wall and lowered the cigarette to their side, pinched between their index and middle finger.
"What are you doing up?" More smoke trailed from their mouth.
"Smoking's bad for you."
"Rose Red is bad for us."
I couldn't help but smile. "Smoking's worse .. it's long-term lung cancer. Rose Red just kills you."
I heard him sigh. "You think that?"
"No. I think we were dying from the start, when we were first born. But we only realize it after our thirtieth birthday."
He stepped back, turning his face towards the window. A small amount of light poured through and shone on his face. His pale features glowed a sickly blue. His eyes were shadowed and dark, giving him the appearance he was dead. And as far as I knew, he could be. If Ellen had gotten to him through someone ...
"Weren't you sharing a room with Joyce?"
"I thought she was downstairs .... I came to see if she needed help."
"Why didn't you just sleep down here?"
"I didn't want to."
"Why not?"
"I talk in my sleep. I didn't want her to hear me."
He turned his face to me. Only half of it was lit up now, and it was a shallow light.
"Yes, Nick?" I asked when he didn't speak.
"You said you weren't psychic."
"Yes. What about it?"
"You're probably one of the most vital persons that his house can accommodate."
"Mmm ... "
"You don't see that?"
"No."
He raised his cigarette to his mouth, puffing on it for a few moments. "I suppose it's like Steve ... "
"Steve? What about him?"
"You know that he's also psychic?"
"Hm. If Ellen was, he'd have to be. He's related to her."
He let out a short laugh. "You've done your research ... I'm surprised Joyce isn't that interested in using you .. "
"Using me? ... wouldn't that be a good thing?"
"Yes. But I mean she's trying to get Annie to ... " He paused, "Never mind ... "
I closed my eyes, feeling weary. Talking too energy, and I had little for some reason. "You mean to say that Annie is going to be the life-force that wakes up this monster. That's what you mean."
"I don't know for su -- "
"You're psychic. Do your job."
I heard a murmuring laugh, "It's not a job, being psychic."
"Sure seems like it."
"How's that?"
"You're being paid, aren't you?"
Nick was silent for a while. As the sun came up slowly, the rays filtered into the room and began to shine on his face, lighting up his features. His eyes glittered as the sun hit them, giving them a watery look. He tilted his head to the side, smiling a bit. "I didn't do it for the money."
"Oh, no. Of course not. You're not that kind."
As the light poured into the room and began to crawl across the ground towards me, my feet almost being bathed in gold, he murmured under his breath.
"Did you come to ask me something?"
"I had no knowledge you were here, Nickolas."
A slight smile spread over his face and his eyes brightened, as did the room. "There's no need to be formal."
"I apologize if my accuracy is not to your liking."
Raising an eyebrow, he began to smoke the cig, "I didn't peg you as a literary ... nut."
I was silent, stepping back as the light came closer. Nick noticed this, as he should have. It was quite obvious. "Is something wrong?"
"I like the dark."
He smiled and I felt as if words were pushed into my mind.
My little vampire bat ...
I was slightly confused, but decided these were my own thoughts, though the voice sounded much like Nick's. I tilted my head as I hit the wall and pressed my hands against the cool wood. The sun seemed to be stuck, as the light no longer rose towards my feet. Nick began to walk across the room, holding the cigarette at his side again. He passed by me, stopping momentarily.
"I would have come even if I wasn't getting paid .. you being here was just lucky .. for me." He glanced at me before disappearing out of the room, smoke trailing behind him. I stood in silence and stared at the golden light spilled onto the floor and walls.
Yes, I thought, pointing my thoughts towards Ellen, I would like him if I am to be with you ... Please ... As I continued, my demand became that of the woman's when she had asked me in the tower. ... Get me Nickolas Hardaway.
