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I struggled to sit up but found myself flat as before, my head swimming. I forced myself up,grabbing hold of a branch to keep my balance. My hands found my stomach once again raising the torn,damp fabric to show what once was a fatal knife wound. Now, it was a long, angry pink line just inches below my belly-button. Then I looked lower to my hip finding an even angrier scar circular,almost bullet-like. My fingers felt a tingling sensation every time I touched the small raised surface.

As I slowly found my way back to Ashley's car--ignoring the dead bodies of the men that tried to kill us--I kept seeing flickers of black on the edge of my vision making me more paranoid than I already was in the dark forest. It was like someone was running, but when I turned to see what they were, all I saw was forest.

I needed to get to Ashley.

Thanks to : mermaid340, wannabebo352, Hotcutii3 for reviewing last chapter!!

Chapter Twenty-One : Touch Me I'm Going To Scream

I searched desperately through clearing skies for the millionth time, whispering a prayer under my breath to whatever gods were listening. Please don't let her be dead,please don't let her be dead...

In the short time I was here, in the same foreign building I woke up in after that night in the woods, the sky had turned from a dank grey to an array of fiery oranges and reds as the sun edged closer to the horizon. I wondered what it would feel like to be anywhere else but here. Feeling anything else but anger and guilt...

It was not supposed to be like this. I was not supposed to be the one who was waiting,wondering if Spencer was dieing in a ditch somewhere. It was suppose to be the other way around. Me instead of Spencer.

"You can't keep doing this," I heard Glen say assertively from the doorway, his hands linked casually behind his back. "Blaming yourself...and blaming them. Nothing good will come of this."

Turning from the window, I whispered angrily at him,"She was right there,Glen...I could feel her. They did too,I know it! And they just left her out there! Why would they leave her there?!Why!"

"Ashley,"Glen sighed;His voice lowered as he spoke again, with a sadness, an edge that betrayed him. He didn't want me to see him like this. " I'm just as angry and betrayed you are. They left my sister barely alive and bleeding to death! When I found out I wanted to rip them to shreds..."

As I listened to the hatred in his voice,an erie feeling swelled up inside me, and I slowly stepped back looked at him. I was truly frightened of Glen for the first time.

"I'm sorry if I'd scared you,"he apologized,hanging his head shamefully."I am truly sorry..."

"I-It's fine."

"You must understand,Ashley,"he pleaded to me. His body remained remotely still;Controlled. The only movement was his hand,held up to me,as if trying to convince me not to jump off of a crowded bridge.

"After,I learned of what happened to you and Spencer...I could not begin to see reason in those first few moments. I wanted nothing but to break every bone in their bodies. I nearly got my wish,pinning Noah onto the ground and my hand crushing down onto his throat. I could feel the heat rushing from everywhere to my hands wanting me to squeeze just a little bit more..."

His fists had clenched wildly at his sides before he relaxed completely;serene."But I was stopped, of course. I heard my father's voice in my ear telling me it was going to be alright, and I let go."

"Your...father?" I stared at him completely bewildered,wondering if I'd heard him wrong."He's here?"

"Yes,"Glen spoke quietly,the shame no longer lingering in his tone. "He was lucky...If I hadn't found him in the forest...he might've not made it out alive. When we arrived,all kinds of evil edged closer at it's trees wanting to kill. Demons,darklings...They smelled you and my sister--your very essence excited them. You made them very,very hungry. But they weren't there by chance...they were lured. I wanted to find you both,protect you! But father wouldn't let me...he begged me to leave. I brought him here and that's when we were informed of your situation."

"You know then,"I presumed, the words, laced with malice, dripped venomously from my lips."Why they left her there and not me."

"Because I had to make a choice." Waryn made the slightest, barely noticeable movement, towards me. Noah stiffened at his side. "If you let me explain..."

"Don't come near me."

"It was either taking the risk of losing one of you to them or losing both of you,"Waryn said,making quite an effort to not look me in the eye. He knew what I was feeling right now,everyone in the building did. "And that I would never let that happen. You two mean more to this world than any of us. Do you realize that? There is something...something so great destined for you. I realize now that leaving Spencer there was horrible--I would gladly take her place if it meant not causing you pain. But I do not regret what I did."

"Mind your words,"Glen murmured coldly,his hand tightening around a dagger strapped to his right thigh.

"We pledged our lives to protect you from harm,"Noah pleaded,defending his brother;A desperate look spreading across his features. "Spencer made me swear once,if it came to saving you or her...that I would take you. We did what she asked of us,and we would do it again."

"Ashley,"Glen urged softly beside me,his hand on my shoulder. I stared at him for a minute or two, attempting to read his expression. "Come with me downstairs,please?I will wait with you..."

In his eyes,all he saw when he looked at me now was a girl who's face screamed hurt and who's heart was out on her sleeve slowly breaking away. Like me,deep down inside, he didn't want to fight anymore,only for Spencer to be safe again. I complied with a small nod,and he lead me away from Noah and Waryn. When we were only a foot from the door,and control was barely within my grasp,I hear Waryn's voice.

"I hope someday you will understand why I did what I did,"Waryn whispered,his low voice breaking as he looked over at me. His guilt grew a thousand times over as he stared shamefully at my bruised,blackened eye. " That you will forgive me. I'm sorry,Ashley..."

"If something happened to Spencer,"I spat back,venomously. Again,it took all of my will power not to scream straight into his face. I let my threat linger for a second my eyes trailing back to stare at them both. "So help me,I will kill you myself."

..........

We slowly made our way down the dark apartments spiraling staircase,seeing Glen's body guard,Jovier,glaring at me from afar and the woman, Benny, nodding respectfully as our eyes crossed paths. Glen went to fix me a cup of coffee leaving me alone once again. I walked into the living room and sat on the couch,sinking myself deeper into its cushions. It was only then,a few minutes into my sulking,that I realized I wasn't alone in the living room.

"Jesus!" I jolted away from him,stumbled back and flying off the couch. I stared over at the strange man to my left as he sat there,unmoved,with a kind expression of his face. "W-Who are you?"

"Don't be afraid,"the man said,rising from his chair. As he gazed peacefully at my face,a look of recognition passed his for a moment. He's seen my face before,though only from Noah. I wasn't a stranger to him. "My name is Aurthur. It's quite an honor to meet you,finally."

"Your...Spencer's Dad."

"I am,"he replied,with a soft chuckle. It was the merriest sound anyone could ever hear. Aurthur slowly stood up, he was tall with brought shoulders,thick black-gray hair,and a slight goatee.

He frowned as he looked down at me. But before I had a chance to assess his expression further,a hand rose quietly from under his dark red cloak. He held it out for me,that familiar kind smile flushes his wrinkled face. "Let me help you, Ashley. Take my hand."

As he pulled me up,I felt a surge of warmth run up my arm making my muscles tense for a second. "T-Thanks."

"I'll be damned," Glen muttered,relieved,walking over to us."You can't just disappear like that, Dad. It's not safe for either one of us to be alone,you know that."

"My apologies son,"Aurthur answered him."But you need not worry so...I was perfectly focused. I would've sensed something coming from a mile away,you know that."

"Besides,I was looking for my daughter,"he whispered looking over to me,his voice softening. "A father can sense when one of his children dies, Ashley. Being gifted,as we are,it makes that connection so much stronger. I searched for that connection tonight. Though, tangled and tattered...there it was, much more vital and determined than ever. My daughter is alive and she is searching for us too."

My mind was on overload, every emotion and thought and feeling wanted to be a part of this moment. I grasped what ounce of control I had left, pinching back the tears stabbing at my eyes.

"Have more faith in Spencer,"Glen interjected my immense relief,sitting next to me on the couch. "I can already sense her getting closer and closer by the millisecond. All this strain and worry your putting yourself through isn't necessary."

I groaned,burying my face into one of the long couch's many throw pillows--which did no help for my braced arm. My stomach was in knots. I couldn't breathe and barely could bring myself to talk so I just layed there in silence. As I layed there, my thoughts were slurred and confused trying to piece together everything that he'd just said,repeating the worlds in my head over and over.....

.........

I slowly wake up, the next morning, to the sensation of sunlight on my sunlight on my face but I didn't dare open my eyes. Sunlight had spilled into the room from the window, high above my bed before finally resting on me. I ignored the fact that I wasn't on the couch anymore,but in another room on a bed. I sighed and took in it's warmth finding myself peaceful for the first time since Spencer and I left for Spencer. Oh Spencer...

"I'm here,"I heard her beautiful,wonderful voice answer before I felt someone leaning over me and kiss my shoulder. "It's alright now,I'm right here. Open you eyes."

"I-I don't want to,"I whimpered,not wanting to let this dream to end. Before I could think,even move, she pressed against me and effortlessly moved me into her arms to face her. "What if I'm still dreaming...and your not here when I open them?"

"I'm here...with you,"my beautiful angel whispered;Her fingertips were blazing on my tear-stained face."Ashley,open your eyes."

My eyes swept up to hers,squinting though a film of tears in realizing I was really awake. Within seconds,I couldn't control the tears streaming down my face,I could taste the salt on the tip of my tongue. Spencer stared at my creased face,at the bright spots of tears at the corner of my eyes,wiping them away with her thumb.

As we layed there I was surprised to hear a cry escape my lips. In an instant, Spencer's hands instinctively go to my face,searching for an answer. "What's wrong?"

"I'm fine,really. I'm just happy,I mean...,"I blubbered,desperately halting my tears in their tracks and pull myself together. "It's just...In my head, a big part of me already had my mind made up that you were captured,or tortured,or getting thrown off a cliff somewhere...I hate this. I hate worrying every second that your not around---especially in these kind of situations. My heart can't take it."

"There's nothing I want more than whatever is happening out there to fade,being rid of it for good. For you, Sophie, and I to walk along the park without a worry in the world,"Spencer whispered,smiling faintly,"Just walking with you,holding your hand, and kissing you cheek to see the scarlet fill them...Oh, how I wish it so..."

"That sounds nice...,"I mused,sleep had not entire left from me yet. But a certain image in my head pulled me closer into consiousness." Your father...I met him last night. He was here. Did you get to---"

"We had a long talk,my brother, him, and me...but I'll tell you all about it later." She smiled,"He likes you."

"He seemed very kind,"I muttered,nudging deeper into the pillow."Like someone else I know..."

"One day, we will have our day together in the park,"her soft voice promised in my ear."However long that may be from today...It will happen."

"I believe you,"I agreed,wholeheartedly."It's just everything just seems...so far away right now,but after all this is threw...then I'll be able to breathe again. Settle down, and live what else I have left of my life." I would've laughed at my last statement but Spencer's expression made me realize I might've said too much.

"You didn't do anything wrong,don't apologize." Spencer's smile faded into a hard line,shifting her glance to our intangled hands. "Ashley...I don't want you to die."

"That's good,"I stammered,my muscles tensing a bit."Me neither."

"No that's not what...,"she muttered,regretting it the moment she opened her mouth. "I know I'm going to sound dreadfully selfish and horrible for saying this,but I cannot keep it from you. Especially now that we're going through all this..."

Air was tight in my chest, and I realized I hadn't been breathing. I sighed,forcing air back into my lungs. Within seconds her hands were gone,her body sitting next to me on the bed. As she looked down at me, her breath came slowly, as if unsure of herself. "I meant that I didn't want you to stay mortal. It's too dangerous--I think you've already proven that fact by how much harm you've come across. But as much as I want that,I could never make you choose. Every day,every second I'm afraid I'm going to lose you...especially to mortality."

"Oh,"I heard myself mutter,clearly thrown off,but I recovered quickly."You mean...like you. Spencer, I don't know if I could...I mean, I just can't--"

"No,I understand,"Spencer assumed,her face contorting into a familiar twist of pain, before silently climbing off the bed."I shouldn't have asked this much of you,it was wrong of me. I'll leave you be now if you'd prefer..."

"Spencer,wait,"I pleaded,unsurely,trying to comprehend the situation. It took all my strength to force the door away from under Spencer's grasp,hearing it's hinges rattle as it slammed back into the wooden frame.

I slowly turned to her with a mad expression of determination and irritation on my face. Spencer did not look at me,her eyes on the door I just slammed shut/possibly broke.

Why was it so hard to talk to the person you love? My stomach was in knots. I couldn't breathe and barely could bring myself to talk when I did so moments later. "I'm going to explain now,and I need you to listen to me,okay?"

"First of all, I don't know what my future will be. But I gotta feeling where it's heading,and it's not death,"I told her sternly. "I know your worried about the fragile thing, but I can take care of myself."

She raised a knowing,bemused eyebrow making me smile for a brief second.

"Well,most of the time, but that's my point. I can still do it a moderate fraction of the time. Besides, it's dangerous for you too,you know. I'm too much of a distraction for you,and your going to end up getting yourself killed."

"I highly--"

"I'm not finished," I interjected,hearing a soft groan as she lent against the wall."Right now...where I am in my life. I couldn't dream of wanting to make it any more complicated by making myself...like that. I mean,what would I tell Sophie when she realizes that Mommy isn't getting older in a couple of years? When she was my age? I couldn't do that to my daughter! And my family,what about them? Will we have to move away?"

"Ashley,I don't think you understand what I was proposing--"

"Oh, I think I understand plenty,"I interrupted again,much too angry than I'd like to be at her. "Did you think I would just drop my whole life so you wouldn't have to deal with the petty human as much anymore? Was I an obligation to you?"

"You were never an obligat--"

"I'm talking,"I practically yelled,way past irritation now."So,what you told me wasn't real? That you really don't care about me like I thought you did?That everything I've been feeling is just an illusion that you cooked up from some spell for your enjoyment? Now your gonna tell me you really aren't in love with me?I'm just this damn toy you can---"

For a second time today, I found myself pinned against the wall before I could even react to that fact. I would've complained further but she had her hand over my mouth,but that didn't stop me from squirming away from her grasp. I glared into what I'd expected to be a water of frigid blue,but instead a glittering ocean of navy and turquoise.

"Did you honestly think you being immortal,"Spencer paused,with a shockingly tempting smile, and locks her other hand on my wrist,"was going to be permanent?"

"That's what you wanted."I raised my chin defiantly, uncaringly. I was surprised,and slightly annoyed to see her leering down at me,her mouth twisting cruelly."Wasn't it?"

"Far from it,"she promised, sincierely;Her face smoothing into quiet amusement."Just until this was all over...then I would change you back. As I said,I could never make you choose. So,I took a less destructive route."

"What?"I asked, eyes narrowed with skepticism. As I scanned her thoughts reluctantly,I heard myself let out a breath in the form of a small,but shocked gasp. I ducked my head,embarrassed. "Oh."

"'Why is it so hard to talk to the person you love?'"she quoted me,thoughtfully. Her embrace became softer and closer,tracing kisses up my neck and over my lips to my flushed cheek. "And I do love you Ashley Davies."

My stomach flipped. "Huh?"

My heart was beating so hard that I could hear it in my head,unnervingly fast and louder than any thoughts I was having at the moment. A slight wave of tingling sensations shot through my fingertips as I placed a hand over my motorized heart. It wasn't exactly pain, but it's wasn't the best feeling to have when your having a self-realization moment.

The intensity of the pain grew into waves of fire smashing against my cells,spreading the burning everywhere else. When I thought I couldn't take the countless layers of burning and stabbing of the inner walls of my being another second...it stopped. Of what probably only lasted a few seconds felt much longer,but I was greatful the worst was over.

The pain was only a soft murmur now only leaving me to feel something else in return;I felt the sparks of love.

"I'm sorry,I think I'm hallucinating,"I breathed,"Can you say that again?"

"I'm deeply and irreversibly in love with y---"

I interrupted her phrase with my lips ramming into hers. This was it. No more holding back.

Our legs intertwined as the ground caught them,our knees bending and bodies pressing against each other for support. My blood was boiling, my mind clouding over with millions of bright,vivid colors and images of everything. I could feel and see everything in that moment,becoming apart of every single person alive for a brief millisecond in time. But when the faces and colors faded, there was only one face left. The one person I haven't been able to geet out of my mind since the day I met her.

Everything was clear now;Simple. I knew what I truly wanted. I could see my future right in front of me. It was her all along,my Spencer.

She was beautiful. She was mine.

You know when your drunk and suddenly your courage meter goes out the roof? That's how I would describe my behavior in this moment :

My hand hesitated at her waist, pulling tently at the smooth fabric. A half a second later,she was shrugging out of the jacket and chucking it across the room;It hit the crumbling brick with a loud smack before slugging in a pile onto the ground.

We kiss and kiss again. Then we kiss some more. Oh,how sweet it was...I would give up every feeling I've ever felt before this if I could do it forever. Hands down.

I feel Spencer's warm, wonderful hands tangling in my hair, and pulling on my neck deepening the kiss. Too intoxicated by this very movement,I barely paid any attention to the winds stirring restlessly outside the window.

I can hear a sigh escape her lungs between kisses,followed by what I could only describe as a growl. Humored by the fact that I just made spencer growl, I smiled taking hold of the bed's comforter in large fist fulls, pulling myself up onto my knees. This,partly because Spencer's grip on my waist was almost impossible to remove;Almost.
Another smile tugged eagerly at my lips,Spencer's against my tussled hair,as she slowly lifted me effortlessly onto the tattered mattress.

When I found my eyes drifted aimlessly over to the window, the suddenly black sky sent a growing heaviness and discomfort in my stomach.

The winds outside had not died down since I'd last payed any of my attention to them. Instead, they had tripled in viciousness, occompanied by rolling waves of stinging rains. The rain flew from the clouds with a hidden ferocity, the lightning and thunder jolting the earth's surface.

The perfect silence in my head had stopped unexpectedly, replaced by screaming. My hands flew up to my mouth,expecting the screaming to stop,assuming it was my screams. The wonderful happiness I had felt throughout my entire body only buzzed softly now. Instead, the screams overwhelmed my senses as goosebumps slivered across my skin until I froze completely.

We both were surprised to hear the cry that left my lips and Spencer was beside me in an instant.

"Ashley? Ashley,talk to me!" She knelt onto her knees, touching my jaw lightly with her fingertips so that I was looking at her now,a mixture of complete horror on my face.

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