Chapter 19: Fireworks
Night seem far, with only the stroke colors of sunset twilight etched in the sky. Clouds nothing but small stripes of soft cotton. The sea air thick than ever before. A wonderful feeling soars through the body, having remember fonder times. Yet, those fire of pains are never far behind. Closing one's eyes to force it away works, in little time, but soon it'll come back.
"I have to go back soon." Zack said out loud, sitting a bench, not far from the sides of corners of the open ocean, having his legs up pulled close to his being. Rocking a little in a soothing matter.
Mark glanced to him from his side, standing to get the some pictures before daylight was gone. Eyeing the time on his wristwatch for hoping Violet would get back soon.
"Yes, but not until the second of January. We've got lots to do before then."
"What about the others?"
The other gave a sigh, finishing up another shot, walking back over to the bench, slipping the camera into his hood. Leaning heavily on to the woody bench.
"Zack . . . "
"I don't really want to go back. But more for them, really."
"I'm sure that Theo guy is holding them together just fine."
"Until he's something he's not use to, he'll blush and go into sheer panic. I should have went back after Christmas."
"But you didn't. Remember?"
Zack did fully well, after seeing that dream and many others after it. His mind pang him to go back. Having that . . . thing . . . whatever it was that called itself, Cody, kept pleading him to come back. Halfway to finally packing everything and ready to head back without Mark or Violet's knowing.
The blonde young man looked down on his hand, that on that day, shaking from an icy hell, just inches away from the opening the door. Only to have pulled back. Dropping his bag, falling to his knees and screamed. Awaken many that lived the apartment and those just outside. Mark finding him, upon the floor, a rattling and wailing mess.
He didn't try it again. He didn't think of going back to that place. Nor told them why all it happen, thinking it was for the best for them. Seeing they done enough as it was for Zack.
"Still, as much as it hurts . . . I-I just need to."
The other pulled him into a side hug, a little taken back from the sudden latch-on the other did. But said nothing. Not making note of one of Zack's knees lugged into his belly. Only laying his head on top of the other's, using his long hand to rub smoothly on to the other's shoulders. Upon soon seeing Violet coming back, musing in lighting in her steps to scare the blonde boy. Sitting by her lover.
Moving her eyes from Marks to the blond down casting from the other two.
Mark only gave a light frown to her.
Violet only reached for his hand, holding it. The three not taking the larger and louder crowds gathering for the show of fireworks. With glee shouts from children ready to see the show. Adults chatting among each other. Some having a drink or a snack.
The first pop from the crackling colorful sparks, awoken all to looked up in the night sky. Splashing with sparkling strokes from the fireworks.
"Let's not miss this." Mark said, in a calm voice, over the crowd of noisy people and fireworks.
Violet moved to sit up slowly, when seeing Zack was going to budge. Until finally, in what felt like hours, Zack eyes looked to the sky. In what seem like he was enjoying the show. All the senses of the body were working overtime, upon taking everything around, all at once. A warm swarm it was.
"Just like before."
Mark gave a small smile to the other young man, looking to his lover who had the same face. All soon looking back up. Knowing soon this moment would be over. But it was best to live in the moment, then never at all.
"Zack . . . Zack . . . Zack . . . "
The said person glanced around the area, upon not knowing who was calling for him.
Sudden clashing of waves near by, took him by surprise. Having him bolt up to stand. Saying quickly to other couple that he was going for a short walk. And left before hearing what the others had to say.
"Mark?"
He could hear the deep worry in his girlfriend's voice. With a sigh. Stood up. Facing her, seeing that she was still holding his hand. Mark gave it a quick kiss, then her lips, with a gentle squeeze. Smiling at her with the calmest smile he could do at the moment.
"I'll be right back. With Zack. If I'm not back soon, go back to the apartment. Okay?"
She nodded, shakily letting him. Watching him run off to find the scared-eye blond.
Somewhere, on the beaten wood and stone path, overlooking the sea-line.
Passing many those watching the firework show from afar, were roughly bumped into, knocked down, or merely grazed by a young man. Panting heavily from the lack of fully used body. Letting sweat coat in a thick sheen wetness. Night chill set in, having the runners breathing blinding him every so often. All sense of others, the waves, the boom of the fireworks, and that others, muffled and useless to him.
"Zack . . ."
"Zack, stop!"
Before he was able to take another step, a quick drawn hand grabbed his jacket sleeve. Almost having fall backwards, but the other steady him. Upon seeing clearly in front of him, that he was finally jump away from diving into the water. Mark leaned barely on him, but enough to steady them both.
Zack could hear the airy breathing of crying from the other, stiffly knowing what could have been if Mark didn't make in time.
"You're an idiot."
"I know."
Surprise of how strong Mark could be when angry, for in some way, Zack was suddenly face other. Who's face was fully painted red with rage and running for who how long. Both hands gripping tightly, to where the fingernails of the dark hair boy could almost break Zack's skin.
"If you know, will you talk to me."
"I do."
"About everything. After what back then, you and I both know there's been a wall from then on. And I want it gone." Mark started out, getting some quick breaths before going on. "I stayed by, as a good friend should. Even when others just hightailed it. Saying over and over, that the Zack we knew then, isn't here anymore. And, I, blindly denied it. Wanting to prove them wrong."
"Mark . . . "
"Just let me speak."
Zack snapped his mouth shut.
"I couldn't stand it. You just breaking. And them . . . Tapeworm . . . Bob . . . Barbara . . . Janice and Jessica . . . Agnes . . . and Jamie. All just up and left. Without a care."
"Cole got along with them better than me. They just saw, no point, in helping someone who outlived their favorite . . . "
Mark wasn't the type to act in anger, or believed in violence. When feeling the out of the blue hand stuck Zack's face, letting a red hue formed on his right cheek, caught him off guard.
"Don't you go there, Zachary. Don't. Cole wouldn't want you to think that. Nor Violet or me." Mark finished, lazing his arms at his sides, less wanting to act out on Zack again.
"I didn't build a wall to keep anyone out. Just something . . . in."
"What would that be?"
The blond young man, questioning himself for a moment. Recalling back, only to give a short take of laughter. Shocking the other. Only to have the face formed what could be seen as concern.
"It's been so long, I oddly forgot what it was. I know it's there and it hurts. But what it was, is still a flesh pain."
Mark tried not to smile, only having a hand cover his mouth to hide it.
"Somehow, I wouldn't think anything less from you, with an answer like that."
"Sad, isn't it?"
"Doesn't make my mind go in much ease. If that's what you mean." Mark started out before adding. "Zack, please, tell me, why did you run?"
Zack slowly rubbed his neck of a soreness he didn't know he had.
"I heard something. A voice. Calling for me."
"Cole?" Mark asked, tenderly.
"No. Funny, it normally it is. But no, it was Cody."
"The human knife?"
Zack glared lightly at Mark, but nodded.
"He sounded scared. Hurt. Wanting to go to him."
The other, not sure what to say. Eyeing the waters, that Zack could have no doubt ended his life in.
"Tonight. Okay. I at least got to have Violet know you're alright or she'll do something you might do."
The blonde gave a light smile.
"You have to grow some balls and ask her. You keep saying I have problems. But, I'm not the one with a hot model waiting for a dork like you to come home."
"Hush." Mark order, grabbing Zack by the arm like he was a child, pulling in lack of needing to.
"Zack . . . "
I'm coming. Hold on.