AN: So...I'm back, more or less. lol I apologize sincerely for my abrupt disappearance but due to an unfortunate chain of events in my personal life, time has seemed to slip away, at least what of it I still have that has not been designated to productive matters. But, it would appear things are slowing, at least for the moment so I want to finish this story since it is so close to the end. That's the more part of being back, the less part is that I'm not exactly sure how quickly the last three or four updates will come but I do vow they will all be up before the end of JAN. Now while this is an update it is small, it was meant to be part of a bigger chapter but while I have momentum I wanted to get something up to motivate myself as well as let you (anyone still following/willing to follow) know that it is returning. Thank you all and hope your holiday season has gotten off to a good start.
Pokie
CHAPTER TEN: FEAR
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"I've went from a Walking Dead episode to Phantoms." Theo sneaks up behind me.
"The movies with the purple guy?"
"No, the movie with Liev Schreiber back before he was Ray Donavan and badass."
"I don't know it."
"From ninety-two, when we get out of this we need a movie night."
"Right at the top of my list of concerns." My words trail, several more steps forward. And then several more, further into the nothingness that I once called home.
I hear my name being called in the distance, Evony I think. An uncertainty in her voice, something that concerns me less with each step. Voice inside of my head tells me to stop all the while asking what the hell I'm doing, but like Evony, it drifts away. Thoughts suddenly cluttered but it doesn't feel sudden. No. I mean it doesn't feel cluttered. No, I mean sudden.
No, I'm not sure what I mean.
Something's wrong Bo. Something's wrong. Turn back. Back where? Where am I?
"Bo!" The sting spreading through my cheek goes hand in hand with the sound of her voice. "Bo." Her voice stronger than I've heard in a while, hands gripping the collar of my jacket.
"What just," Words trailing as I glance around. Where'd my office go? "Did you just hit me?"
"Yes."
"Um, why?"
"You left me." The fear in her voice scares me, her hands moving to my cheeks as she looks into my eyes. She's looking for something. "Y-you were gone."
"I-I-I," head shaking, still not completely sure what's happening.
"We might have underestimated your brother." Evony says from over my shoulder. "He might have some type of hold. Maybe figured out how to manipulate the connection between you two."
"We have no connection."
"Bo." Lauren's call of my name, hand on my shoulder letting me know I'm harsher than I should be. I honestly can't even tell.
"Hate to break it to you succubus interrupted, but every bloodline has a connection. Especially in a line a powerful as yours, blood is everything. Jack had it, it's not crazy to think your brother would have it too."
"We're going to have to accept the possibility." Lauren mutters in a sigh. "At this point, we have to accept any possibility."
"Don't sound so defeated babe." Halfhearted glare sent her way, her head hanging. "We're gonna be just fine." My hand taking hers as I turn around. Both Evony and Theo just staring at us, something I'm less concerned with when I realize just how far I have wandered from the truck, lights barely visible now. "Come on."
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B/L House-7:48 p.m.
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"Still no word?"
"No." I sigh, hands tightening around the railing as I stare out into the darkness. The snow continues to fall, yet I haven't felt the wind once. Reminds me of a snow globe. A nice little gate to a hell dimension type of snow globe. The best kind, huh.
"What?"
"What?" I glance over my shoulder at her, her arms folded as she stands in the doorway. The dim, off white light behind her coming from inside frames her silhouette perfectly.
"You snorted."
"Did I?"
"Yes." She nods, smiling softly as she looks down. "I'm sure they got it Bo."
"And they might be dead already."
"Or they might not be."
"Or they might be."
"Bo, there is a number of reasons that could be why we haven't heard from them."
"Number one being they're dead already."
"Now you're just deliberately trying to be a pain."
"When aren't I?" Smirk sneaking its way onto my lips. Holding my hand out, it doesn't take but a second for her to walk over to me. Instinctively my arms wrapping around her, holding her close suddenly just needing to feel her against me. Needing to be close enough to take comfort in her embrace, in her scent. "You were right."
"When aren't I?"
"Cute." Laugh escaping as I tighten my arms around her, resting my head against hers.
"I am, but what was I right about this time?"
"That having a generator was a good idea."
"Ah, yes."
"Do you think they're all dead?" Question a mere whisper after several minutes of silence. The second the weight of the words spoken aloud hit me I suddenly realize the silence was better.
"Yes."
"What happened to optimism?"
"It's focused on believing their deaths were quick and painless."
"Okay, you win." I speak once again after several minutes of silence. This time she stands up straight, backing away from my embrace slightly. "Evony can be godmother. I suppose every kid needs that crazy family member."
She stares curiously at me for a moment, eyebrow raising. A hint of suspicion laces the smirk she gets, almost as she's waiting for the punch line of a joke at her expense. But after a moment of silence her lips start to part and I'm half expecting a snarky comment, instead I just get a thank you as she moves back in closer.
"Wait a second."
"What?"
"Are you just saying that because you don't think she's going to make it?"
"What?" I can't help laughing. "No!"
"You're lying succubus."
"I so am not." Chuckle escaping as I playful smack her ass before pulling her back to me. I'm not ready to let go yet.
"I don't trust you."
"Oh stop that."
"I don't."
"Oscar won me over."
"I'm watching you." She playfully bites my shoulder, her embrace around my own waist tightening. "You can't be scared Bo, you can't this time."
"I'm not."
"You're not?"
"Well I am, but not for the reason you think."
"Hm." She takes a step back, meeting my eyes as my hands take hers.
"I was scared, terrified. I was standing out here thinking of all the ways we could, the ways we were going to fail. I was thinking about the million and one ways that they could be dead now. I was thinking about what would happen to the world when we fell. The look on your face when you realized I had failed you. I was terrified."
"Wh-."
"Then I saw you standing there in the doorway. Then I felt your body against mine. Then we talked about nothing and everything all at once standing here. The secret Lauren is that I'm always afraid, I always have been. But I use that fear to push me. That fear of losing you, of what could happen, all of it. It gives me strength. I think I just forgot that."
"My succubus, always the secretive one." She smiles softly, eyes moving over my face.
"Have to keep some mystery alive don't I?"
"No."
"No?" I sort of laugh.
"Nope." She shakes her head, eyes meeting mine and I can't quite gauge what she's feeling. "Tell me another."
"Another secret?" The only response given, a nod. "Okay, um, ah I got it. I am madly in love with you."
"That isn't a secret."
"It's not? Damn." Another laugh escaping at the look she gives me. "Okay, I got it."
"It better be a real one."
"That's a very serious tone Doctor Lewis."
"Oh yes, sense it."
"Well, it's real." Eyes meeting with hers once more, this slight rush spreading through my chest before dropping to my stomach like a ton of bricks. Still after all these years, she can make me as nervous as a young girl. "The greatest sound in the world is your voice or maybe your laugh. At least that's what I'd say aloud. Each make me smile, make my heart skip a beat but the truth is, it's the sound of your heart. I rest my head on your chest sometimes, just lying in bed and the sound calms me. Makes me smile inside like I can't describe. Maybe it's just because I relate the sound to those perfect moments of us alone together untouched by the world. Maybe it's because I always feel like mine falls in perfect rhythm with yours in that moment, and if they do, well then there's no denying we're meant to be. Two hearts beating as one, right?" Smile puling at my lips, partly in embarrassment realizing how silly this sounds aloud. "Or maybe it's because I know in my heart, in my soul that each beat is for me." My hands moving to her waist, thumbs gently brushing over her stomach as my smile becomes less about embarrassment and more about comfort. "Well, us now."
"Bo-"
"I didn't know I could love you as much as I do. I didn't know it was possible. But I do Lauren, and sometimes I'm weak and forget who I am. But I remember now," Eyes traveling up from her stomach to her teary eyes. "It's okay. I remember who I am and that above all else means that I will win against Kostas. Against anyone who threatens you-"
"Us."
"Exactly." Eyes fluttering shut as her lips find mine with a gentle speed I wasn't aware she possessed. Her hands draping over my shoulders as she pulls her lips from mine. "W-what was that for?"
"For being you."
"Is that," My words trailing off like my smile as light shines over the snow ripping my attention away from her. "Go back in the house."
"No."
"Don't argue just-."
"No." She stares me down, arms dropping from my shoulders as her compromise is to take a step behind me. Better than nothing I guess. I take a single step down, staring into the brights. It's a car, I know that much. But is it one we're expecting? It's stopped further down the way, hidden just enough within the darkness and shine of its lights. Friendly or hostile, it's not moving. The doors remaining shut as I take another two steps, breath held.
"I got a clear shot," Theo's voice cuts through the air, pulling my attention briefly. He's at the doorway, rifle aimed. Doubt he can see through the glare, but if he says he's got it, I don't doubt him. "Do I take it?"
"Bo, it could be them."
"Or it could be something coming to rip our throats out and have our hearts as dessert." Evony volunteers from behind Theo.
"Sheriff, if it starts moving I'm going to lose my shot."
"Just," trailing off I reach the bottom of the stairs, not that it helps much. He's right, if it comes at us he'll just be shooting blind. Can we get out of the way quick enough? How much damage will it do? But Lauren is right, it could be them. They might not be able to tell it's us like we can't tell it's them. They might be hurt.
"Do I take the shot or not?"