On the Road
Jasper had the bags packed up and ready to go outside. The sun was in the sky beaming down its radiance over the town. Shadow was getting the car from around the corner. With what little money he had left he got a little beater car. Nothing to fancy, simple and nice. She couldn't help but feel a spark of happiness every time she thought of him. They were together again! Bonnie and Clyde, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Peanut butter and Jelly.
This was a second, or third chance that she didn't deserve. This time she would do right by him. Do better than she had done before. She had too, needed too! It would be hard with what she did but she would do everything in her power to do everything right.
Despite this oath, she swore to him she could still see it in his eye sometimes. A scared look on his face when he would wake up in the middle of the night. Screaming something inaudible. Then he would look lover to see her still there except this time with only one eye. A flash of anger would pass across his face then disappear just as fast as it came. He was trying his best too. Doing his best to move past what she did to him. It wouldn't be easy, he wouldn't forget, forgiving would be the first step.
Jasper could hear the car coughing and sputter down the road. An old jeep that he bought off some cheap car dealer. When he pulled up next to her a grin was plastered on his face.
"Hey girl You live around? I think I would have noticed someone so beautiful." His voice had a charm to it that she loved.
As confused as she was her cheeks reddened from the comment. "Shadow stop playing around you know it's me." She picked up the bags to put them in the trunk.
Shadow chuckled at her, all this time and she still was naive to the ways of human speech. You would think a species as old as they wouldn't take everything so technical. When she got in the car he pulled out a pair of dice that he laced over the rearview mirror. When she looked at him in confusion all he said was that every cool car had to have a pair of douchey dice. Wouldn't be right without it.
Jasper leaned back in the seat. The clouds raced by through the sunroof. On the radio, a man was singing about the beginning. She was confused until Shadow started to sing along with the man.
"It's the beginning of forever!" Shadow sang away as he gripped the wheel. A certain emotion behind the way he sang awed her. She only heard him sing a few times. It had been a long time since the last time she heard him. Whose fault was that she thought.
Her hand touched the back of his head.
Shadow flinched from the touch. He relaxed when it was just her caressing his hair. He knew that when she stopped she had noticed his reaction.
He coughed before he spoke. "I'm sorry…" he felt like something should be added on but couldn't figure out what.
When she touched his arm he didn't flinch this time. Her face held a concern for him, made him want to get mad but he took that emotion and bottled it up. Conceal, don't feel.
Jasper sat up to look him in the face. "Don't say you're sorry when you've done nothing Shadow," she turned her head to look out the window. "You have every right to react the way you do."
When he didn't say anything at first she thought he was mad. Hesitant at first she turned to look at him. Just like before he had a tired expression she wouldn't forget.
His hands gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles began to turn white. His voice was low and quiet when he spoke. "Jasper, do you remember that night when you found Lapis and me on the beach?"
The question was odd, she thought he wouldn't want to speak of it. "Yes, I do." She said quickly, not really wanting to stay on this topic.
"That night I kept thinking about us. And you know what happens when I get to thinking." Shadow took a deep breath before continuing. "I was just scared. Everything was going so well. I had a family that I felt like I didn't deserve. A love that I thought I wouldn't have again in this lifetime. Things were okay. I've grown so pessimistic about life that I was scared that things wouldn't last."
"Shadow please." Jasper tried to plead.
His hand hit the wheel in a burst of frustration. "Just give me a second!"
She stopped talking after that. "I was mostly scared that you would leave… and you did. My worst fear came true. Now we're here. A year later, back at it again despite what my brain keeps telling me. I'll do anything to make things work. All I'm asking is that you give me some time."
Jasper crossed her arms over her chest. She wasn't angry or anything the complete opposite actually. Relieved that he wasn't having any second thoughts. At least none that he said verbally.
Jasper was happy so she wanted to show it.
Though the gem was still unaccustomed to human affection she studied a little bit on the internet. She leaned over to him. Her mouth parted slightly than on his neck she started to bite and suck at his neck. The car suddenly jerked and a car ahead of them honked when the car veered into the oncoming lane.
"Shit!" Shadow cursed as he turned the wheel correcting the car at the last second before the collision. When he was done breathing hard Shadow glared at her. Even with his dark skin, she could tell that he was blushing. His eyes wider than a can of the tuba.
"What are you doing?" He shouted.
Jasper replied back with a toothy smile at first. "So you do like that huh? I read that some humans like to be bit. I didn't take you for one of those humans Shadow."
Shadow scowled at her and turned his eyes back to the road. "I do not," he grew quiet. "You just caught me off guard is all."
Now she laughed. Jasper leaned back over to whisper in his ear. "You….are a...terrible liar." Her voice was low and came with an animalistic growl that rolled down his neck giving him goosebumps. This time when she bit him he didn't move. He sucked in a deep breath from the feeling she was giving him. An elated feeling that ran through his neck making his skin crawl. When she pulled her face away from his neck she could see her work marked on his skin. Something about it made her want to bite him all over his body. She liked to think that she was marking what was here. He certainly had no objections to it.
Hours had passed since they started driving. In the distance, the sun began to set. The dying light ran through the crops that they passed making it look like the field was set ablaze. Beautiful to say the least.
"Do you want to pull over?" She asked. He looked like he was tired. They had driven for a long time.
Shadow humphed like some old man. "Are you asking or telling me?"
Jasper growled. "I'm telling you." Her voice dangerously low.
He got the hint though. It was about that time anyway. Shadow began to pull into a gas station so they could fill up and get directions. It was an old style station. Two dings went off when they ran over a cable along the ground. Shadow was hit with a feeling of nostalgia. The peeling paint of the building gave it a vintage charm. A rundown Coca-Cola machine flickered on and off when the two-way door opened. Out came a boy, maybe 8 or ten dressed in a pair of overalls came out. His dirt covered hands and oil ridden hands gave the impression that he must have been working on something. Before he spoke he started to clean his hands off on a red bandana he had around his neck.
"What do you want mister?" He asked with a southern drawl. His tone, on the other hand, irked Shadow.
Shadow squinted his eyes in irritation. "I just want to know where the closest hotel is."
The boy put a handout. When Shadow didn't move he beaconed him to hurry up.
"You apart of the make a wish foundation? His attitude slipped into his words. So much for being the adult.
The kid leaned up against the car to look the man dead in his face. "We don't just give information to whoever around here. Money talks and if you don't get it then you best be getting on."
Jasper leaned up in her seat to see the little human. "I think I like this kid." She said.
Shadow growled at her. "Shut up."
He turned back to the kid. "Listen kid I'm not paying for squat until-"
The door of the station opened and a man came out dressed in overalls as well. Just as dirty as the kid he was. A mustache on his face and wrinkled skin told Shadow that this man was older than him.
"Son are you giving these folks a hard time?" The man asked as he stepped next to his child. He ruffled with his hair making the little boys head shake. Clearly this man was his father.
He leaned down to look in the car. He tipped his hat to them, a warm smile on his face reassured Shadow that he didn't have the same attitude as his spawn.
"What can I do you folks for?" He asked with a chipper tone.
"Just need some directions to the closest hotel sir." Shadow smiled back.
He stood up for a second then pointed North of where they were. "If you keep heading down the road you'll come across a four-way. Take a right then the immediate left. Harriot's rest stop will be on the right-hand side."
Sweet now they were getting somewhere. The thought of a nice warm bed made him happy. "Thank you sir for your help," he glared at the little boy. "Eat your veggies kid or you'll be small forever."
The boy blushed at the insult and glanced sideways. His father laughed and ruffled his hair again.
"I told you Joshua, other people think you're small too you know." The boy smacked his father's hand away making him laugh.
Shadow couldn't help but smile again. The father and son moment he never had for himself.
He turned back to turn the car on. The engine made a rapid coughing sound before shutting off. When he tried it again the car didn't even try to turn over.
"Ha-ha well look at that. My new car is dead."
The old man scratched at his head. "New?" When he said that both he and his son began to laugh.
Two peas in a pod. Pair of assholes Shadow thought.
Before he started to grow more irritated at this new dilemma he got out of the car.
"Looks like this night just grew longer," Shadow glanced sideways at the father. "You think we could use your phone to call a mechanic sir?"
The man put a dirty hand in Shadows shoulder. "Son I can do you even better. This is actually my mechanic shop. I can get you fixed up and ready to go by tomorrow afternoon."
Now he was speaking his language. "Wow." Was all he could say. Then his eyes squinted at him. "This isn't gonna cost me an arm and let right?"
"No certainly not. Seeing as how you don't even have a place to stay how about you come stay with me and my family tonight."
Jasper was now out of the car. She looked more skeptical than he did. Well, Shadow wasn't really skeptical, just shocked.
He had to bite back a laugh when the man's face looked shocked. He wasn't expecting Jasper to be so tall. His son's face was just as priceless.
"If you are willing to have us then my-" Shadow glanced back to Jasper then back to the man. "My girlfriend and I would be in your debt."
Jasper got back into the car before Shadow noticed her blushing.
Since business was so dead the man who introduced himself as Matthias closed up the store. Shadow and Matthias rolled the car into the garage then locked up.
It didn't take long to get to his home. He owned a few acres a few miles west of the gas stop. A house that he had built with his wife before Joshua was born.
The lights of his truck shone through his podunk home illuminating a few chairs and some furniture on the inside. Standing just a few inches taller than Shadow was a woman. She wore a yellow apron decorated with various fruits. Her hair was up in a messy bun revealing a beautiful face with a few wrinkles that you barely even noticed.
"Momma we have guests!" The boy practically screamed. From earlier, his attitude seemed to change real fast when seeing her. He hugged his mother before disappearing into the house.
Momma came out from behind the door to greet her husband with open arms. A smile plastered on her face.
Jasper and Shadow stood side by side kind of awkwardly. It was kind of weird just being here with a family so bubbly. Minus the son.
The wife peaked around her husband. "Why Y'all just looking like a peachy bunch." Her southern drawl was worse than her son's. At least she didn't have an attitude. She stepped around Joshua to head towards them.
With his hand out he waited for her to shake it, he always stressed good manners whenever he met someone new. "Hi my name is Shadow."
The woman just kind of scoffed at him and bypassed his hand. "No honey we don't play those city games around here. If your gonna be in my home then I need to know were family."
Before he could even say anything she hugged Shadow. Fear broke through his body when he turned his head to Jasper. Surprisingly, her face was blank. Not a single muscle in her face moved. Whether it was a good sign or bad he was just glad she wasn't trying to take his other eye.
"Marybell Blume please," her husband shook his head but he wasn't mad or anything. "Let our guests sit down before you suffocate them."
Marybell shook a dismissive hand at him. The housewife looked up at Jasper. Both of them glared at each other like old rivals. Suddenly an amused smile spread across her face and she suddenly got into a semi-squat, wrapped her arms around Jasper then lifted her up a few inches off the ground in a bear hug.
"Oh my goodness, you are heavier than all getup." Marybell put down Jasper and laughed in good spirit.
Jasper herself chuckled at the woman. She was not expecting such a strong woman to exist on this planet or someone so bold as to pick people up off their feet. "It is nice to meet you," Jasper said simply. A few words but she actually meant them. Marybell could see that.
Marybell took both of them by the arms and escorted them inside the house. Shadow didn't know whether to make a run for it or just be grateful they had a place to sleep. It was a simple home. Box television, some furniture here and there along with some heads from various animals in different parts of the house.
Joshua was sitting in front of the TV watching an old Clint Eastwood film, Dirty Harry Shadow had guessed.
The little boy saw Shadow and stuck his tongue out. This made Jasper laugh and jab him in the side.
"This kid really has it out for you."
Shadow rolled his eyes at the obvious. "I can tell." He said grumbling.
Matthias and Marybell directed them to sit down and relax. Marybell handed them couple glasses of lemonade along with some snacks.
"So give it to me straight," Marybell came back from the kitchen and sat down in a recliner across from them. "How long have you two been together.
The question was so sudden Shadow choked on his drink. Jasper still had the same blank expression as if nothing bothered her.
"Well…" Flashbacks of when they met popped into his head. Two years minus he would have to guess. "We've known each other for quite some time." Jasper noticed his hesitation cause she put a hand on top of his. When he looked at her she was grinning, a sad but not sad expression on her face this time; if that made sense.
Marybell just looked at them confused. "Did you lose your eye before or after you met?"
Now that one really made him cough. This lady really did ask then spot of questions. It was their household though and he didn't want to be rude. Jasper squeezed his hand, he ignored her.
"I got into a fight. I lost and now," he pointed at his eye patch. "I'm the greatest pirate I know."
She didn't seem to find that funny instead she looked sad. Before she could ask another question Matthias came, freshly dressed in some new clothing and all cleaned. Under all the gunk that covered his face earlier he was a handsome man.
Matthias stood next to his wife with one hand on her shoulder. "Honey stop harassing them. I'm sure they want nothing more than a good meal and rest."
Shadow shook a hand. "Oh no it's fine we're perfect-" his stomach growled from the thought of food.
Both of them laughed. "Looks like your lips can lie and not your stomach." The husband joked. "Please relax, we aren't going to cut you up into pieces and eat you or anything. We're just a humble family that love to help anybody we can."
Him saying that wiped away any worry he had in the back of his mind. Besides the old French couple, Steven and the gems, he hadn't met a lot of nice folks.
Shadow and Jasper joined the family at the table. Beef, salad, some mash potatoes among other food was laid put on the table for them to eat. Marybell must have taken a lot of time to cook it.
Under a single bright light, they sat. Marybell waited for everyone to settle in before she looked to Shadow. "I don't know what your religious preference share mister Shadow, but would you like to say grace?"
Matthias, Joshua, and Jasper turned their heads towards him.
"What's grace?" Jasper said aloud. The way she sounded he thought she was thinking it and instead blurted the question out.
Matthias grinned at her. "Grace is sort of a prayer thanking God for all he has given us."
"God?"
Shadow jumped in before the conversation could continue. He knew Jasper still didn't know much about human culture especially not religion. That was a conversation he was not looking forward to.
Shadow didn't want want to say no. He was raised a Christian himself. After Erica's death, he sort of strayed away from his beliefs. The request was easy he just felt ashamed.
"Yes I don't mind…" his voice trailed out and his eyes closed. When he felt a nudge he opened them. Jasper had grabbed the hands of Matthias and was waiting for him to grab hers. She winked at him and he rolled his eyes. Grabbing her hand he closed his eyes to say Grace.
"Lord we are here today to thank you for all you've done," he opened an eye to see if that was good enough. Everyone still had their eyes closed, damn it. "I want to thank the Blume family for having us here with them in their home. Amen."
"Amen." Everyone said except the gem.
Food began to be passed around and the conversations began.
Shadow laughed at something the kid said about Jaspers gem. He asked her if she could sneeze and she was offended beyond belief.
Matthias looked up from his plate to Shadow. "So son, not to pry. How did you lose your eye? I know if your uncom-"
"No, it's fine." Shadow blurted out. He didn't mean to sound rude if he did. Everyone stopped to pay attention now. Even Joshua was leaning forward in his seat.
Shadow seemed to gaze at the center of his plate when he spoke. "I'll be the first to say that I'm no saint. Some of the things I've done in my past weren't always good," he cringed when he thought of killing Erica's killer and Pearls would be rapist. "When I lost my eye though it was from someone I loved. A lack of trust and pure blind rage was all it took to turn my world upside down."
Everyone sat silent for a moment. Jasper was about to say something when Marybellspoke.
"Do you still love her?"
Shadow chuckled with a shake of the head. "I didn't for a very long time. I almost destroyed myself in my anger and sadness. With the help of some very good friends, time and patience, I slowly began to heal."
Matthias clapped his hands. He hoped to get there attention so that they could quit the conversation. Marybell wasn't having any of it.
"That doesn't answer my question," a little more force was put behind her voice. "Do you, still love her?
Shadow couldn't find himself to look up. To see Jaspers face. His eyes darted back and forth across the table. Words and explanations that he tried to think up raced through his mind. Yes and no, anger and forgiveness, regret. A headache came on him that ripped through his missing eye.
Lights from five vehicles pierced the house. All of them blinding the family and guests.
"Matthias! You get out here now!" A man's voice shouted.
Jasper and Shadow turned to the man of the house. You could see a bead of sweat roll down his face.
Marybell tried to whisper something to him but she spoke loud enough. The fear in her voice apparent. "Honey don't go. You know what he wants." This wasn't the same woman that picked Jasper up off her feet before. This was a wife filled with so much fear her hands shook when she grabbed her husband.
Matthias forced her hand from him and stood to his feet.
"Please Jasper, Shadow, if you could-"
"Who are they?" Shadow almost growled when he spoke. Another jolt ran through his head. This time a rush of energy filled his body.
Matthias was shocked by the question but answered. "Local bullies that want my land and gas station. For months they have been trying to buy it. That station is how I feed my family, this land we built with our own hands."
That was all Shadow needed to hear.
"Shadow." Jasper touched his hand then pulled back quickly. Something shocked her.
By the time she could think about what happened Shadow was already outside on the porch. All the lights dawned on him. A lone man holding himself ready to fight the tide.
Sporting a pair of six-shooters on his hips and a jeweled leather jacket his eyes were hidden behind a pair of aviators. When he looked up from his hat the man grinned, then spit tobacco from his lips onto the ground.
"Well look what we have boys. A nigger amongst our fine community!" He spread his arms out as he spun around to at least ten men who stood in their pickup trucks laughing at his racist jab.
Shadow kept forgetting trash like these men still lived in the world. A disgusted scowl grew on his face. When he took a step forward the man drew his revolver and fired off a shot that went hit the wooden steps of the Blumes home. Shadow just stared at where the bullet hit.
"Woah there boy," he drew his other revolver out and pulled the hammer back. "I don't know what you think this is but if you don't leave right now. I can't promise I won't kill ya." He spits again then laughs.
Jasper came running out with Matthias who had a double barrel shotgun in hand.
"Mr. Kraus I told you plenty of times that I ain't selling my property. Now why don't you and your boys leave and have yourselves a fine night." Matthias shouldered his weapon but didn't aim. He didn't want to set the man off or have to shoot anyone tonight.
Mr. Kraus, on the other hand, didn't like the sight of that weapon. He did like what he was looking at now. Jasper.
"Boys look what we have here!" He pointed one of his revolvers at Jasper nonchalantly. "Have you ever seen a bitch like her?"
Another burst of energy ran through Shadow like cold water. His hands started to burn with a power he thought he couldn't summon anymore. Jasper noticed and tried to touch his shoulder. Again she was shocked and stepped back. Even Matthias stepped back when the hairs on his body began to rise. You could feel the static electricity in the air.
The man continued. "I have a proposition for you Matthias. You let us kill this monkey here. Let us run through big girl there and will leave your family alone." All sorts of hollers came from his men. "Or," he continued. "Will kill him anyways then you, and will fuck her and your wife."
Shadow was done hearing it. He turned his head to Jasper slightly. "I know I told you I'll do better Jasper. I told you to just give me some time-" electricity erupted from his fists. This was different than any other time he used his powers. This was menacing and more destructive. Shadow let this new feeling wash over him like a shower. "She might have been right. I am a monster."
Mr. Kraus pointed his weapons at whatever this thing was. He fired multiple rounds. Shadow just flicked his wrist and tendrils of electricity formed spider-like arms that reached out to stop the rounds. He flicked his wrist again and a bolt of electricity struck him. The flash from the man exploding blinded his friends. In place of where he stood was chunks of Mr. Kraus in a burnt crater. If he was in the right state of mind Shadow would have vomited from what he'd done. A The truck was lifted off the air from the explosion and sent tumbling down on another one. A man who was crushed underneath the two screamed for all but two seconds before Shadow pulled a bolt from thin air. Like a javelin, he reared his arm back then tossed it at the man. A heavy thunk replaced his screams. The others tried to run away from this unholy creature. Shadow knew what would happen if he let them, what would happen to this family if he let them live past today. What he was doing had to be done.
Both of his hands rose, fingertips spread apart. Suddenly everything vibrated around them. Like an earthquake then, when he let his hands strike against the ground with his palms. A barrage of lightning rained down on the men in the field. Screams of pain and death filled the air then all was quiet. The only sounds that could be heard were the raging fires and Shadows heavy breathing.
When his high began to run out Shadow collapsed on knees then fell over on his side. His body felt so drained. It didn't matter how hard he tried to will his body to move he was just done. Footsteps from behind him came rapidly. He was happy to see that it was Jasper. Her face written with panic. When she determined that it was safe to touch him she scooped him up in her arms.
"Please don't do this to me Shadow." She begged him. The last time he had fought humans he almost died. She couldn't handle that again.
He wanted to nod but couldn't. Shadow fell in and out of consciousness. When he opened his eyes again he found himself on the floor of the Blume home. Jasper was standing in front of him protectively. Her crash helmet was summoned and Matthias was aiming his shotgun at her. He screamed something that he couldn't understand. Demon, he thought he heard him yell. Shadow groaned catching their attention. Jasper spun around and dropped to her knee to hold him.
She said something, a worried grin on her face than black again.
When he opened his eyes again he was looking up at the sky. The clouds were racing them again. He turned his head, Jasper was driving. As scary as that was he found he had no strength to argue.
"Jasper." Saying her name gave him some strength.
Jasper turned around to see him then looked back to the road. "I was wondering when you'd wake up." She didn't sound so happy.
Shadow turned back to the clouds. "How long have I been out?" He asked.
"Long enough for you to finally wake up. If all your gonna do is try to get yourself killed then I outta just run this car into the ditch." It was an empty threat that still made him grin.
He could still feel the tiredness behind his eyes. "So they called me a demon huh?"
She opened her mouth, a lie was what she was about to tell him but she didn't have it in him. "Mary-bell did. She was just afraid of what you did to protect them. I cleaned up the mess as best as I could. Joshua fixed up the car and after that we left."
"Demon," Shadow was caught up on the word. "I'm sorry for making you work so hard Jasper."
"Shut up fool. Go to sleep before I really kill you."
Shadow closed his eyes. He was done trying to beat the clouds. So he let them win and rolled with the consequences. The sounds of screaming from the men he killed and the look of fear on that families face.
It took him a few hours before he finally fell asleep.
Author's notes:
Hi everyone how have things been going? I apologize for the long transfer I was doing some military things that kind of put a damper on getting this chapter out. Not only that I bought monster hunter world and… let's just say I have a lot of things distracting me. Speaking of distractions, I have uploaded a new story. A fanfic based on roosterteeth's animation RWBY. I will be working both stories as best as I can. Now that I'm back home I'm hoping to be better at getting more chapters out. As always thank you for reading this chapter and thank you for your patience. Stay classy people.
Shadow...