Chapter 43: Unexpected Reaction

"Can you take us down to it?" Zak asked, wanting to get some footage of watertight door 13.

"Sure, follow me," Rob said.

Before Zak could turn to follow him, I forced myself to speak up, despite knowing it wasn't normal to interrupt him.

"Zak…?" I asked, somewhat softly.

Zak looked back at me.

He didn't seem mad, more curious.

"What's up Ali?" Zak asked.

"Can I talk to you for a minute…in private?" I asked.

Zak looked confused.

I knew this was beyond the normal routine of things, but I had to tell him. I didn't want to screw up like I had before.

That's if I hadn't already, by not telling him right away.

"Uh, sure," Zak replied, then looked at Aaron and Rob. "We'll just be a few minutes," Zak added.

"No problem," Rob responded.

Zak walked over to me and followed me as I walked out of earshot of Aaron and Rob.

I turned my camera off and Zak looked even more confused.

"What's up?" Zak asked.

"Before I explain…please, please don't get mad that I didn't tell you right away…I knew you most likely wouldn't let me come to the lockdown if I had," I started.

Zak's brow narrowed.

"Did you see Emily again?" Zak asked.

"Actually, this isn't about Emily at all," I said.

Before Zak could say anything else, I took the drawings from my back pocket.

Zak temporarily took my camera as I unfolded the drawings and held them out to him, taking the camera back.

He looked at the drawing of the struggling couple at first, and I could tell he didn't think much of it.

Then he looked at the next drawing, which showed a small ship being sliced in half, with the bloody propeller in one corner.

Zak's eyes widened.

"Where did-" Zak started, but I motioned for him to look at the third one.

Even he flinched at the gruesome drawing of the man being crushed by the door, but then his expression turned to shock when he made the connection with the story we had just been told.

Zak looked at me.

"Where did you get these?" Zak asked.

"I…I think I drew them…" I replied.

"You drew them?" Zak asked, in utter shock.

"I was in my hotel room, working on a completely unrelated drawing while sitting on my bed. The next thing I remember, Aaron was knocking on my door to let me know it was time for dinner. I was lying on my back and when I sat up, those were torn out of my sketch book…" I explained.

I braced myself for Zak to explode and get angry.

He glanced at the drawings, clearly thinking, then looked back up at me.

"Does anyone else know about these?" Zak asked.

Uh oh.

"Aaron…" I replied.

Zak nodded.

"I'm not mad," Zak started.

What…

"You're not…?" I asked, still in shock.

"No," Zak said. "A little birdy gave me some good advice recently…and I think she was right, so I'm trying to follow it," Zak added.

A little birdy? Oh.

It was then that I remembered what Cheryl had said to him while I had been eavesdropping, just a little less than two weeks ago:

"But seriously…I understand that to get more involved, you need her to open up. Can you just promise me…that you'll do your best to give her time? I really think she wants to open up to you, she's just unsure how to. She's been rejected so many times before…" Cheryl explained.

And I definitely still remembered Zak's response.

"I'm not going anywhere this time, regardless of how long it takes. I promise," Zak replied softly.

Zak's voice distracted me from the memory.

"You didn't tell me right away…but once you saw the connection getting stronger with two of the drawings, you did tell me," Zak explained. "And there's nothing in these to suggest you getting hurt," Zak added.

Oh thank God, I thought.

"I think I might know what these are…I know a woman, we've brought her on a few investigations before, and just by sensing the spirits around her, she can draw portraits of what they looked like when they were alive. It's amazing," Zak explained.

I was dumbfounded.

I would definitely have to watch those investigations.

"I'll see if I can get in contact with her, and ask her about it. My only concern is, is you don't remember doing them…and had fallen back on the bed. That suggests you may have blacked out," Zak said, concern on his face.

I nodded.

"I know…" I said.

Zak hesitated.

I could see him working things out in his mind.

"Don't tell anyone else about these, or show them to anyone," Zak said, folding up the drawings and handing them to me.

I returned them to my back pocket.

"We'll continue with the lockdown, but I want you to stay around me, alright?" Zak asked.

I nodded.

"I can do that," I said.

"And if you start to feel off, or have visions, or see or hear Emily, or any other weird things, tell me, please?" Zak asked, this time he looked slightly pleading.

I nodded.

I wouldn't keep anything else from him.

"I'll tell you," I promised.

Zak smiled slightly.

"One other thing…" Zak started, glancing around and seeing no one in sight, stepped closer to me and reached up and gently cupped my face in his hands.

What is he doing…?

I watched him as he leaned down and gently kissed my forehead, his lips lingering slightly.

I closed my eyes, feeling like I was in heaven.

Then, sadly, I felt him gently pull back and I opened my eyes to look at him.

"Thank you…for telling me," Zak said softly.

I thought I almost felt brave enough to tell him everything about Emily and my parents.

But I knew it was the wrong place, and definitely the wrong time.

"You're welcome," I replied softly.

Zak smiled.

"We should head back," Zak said, as he turned and started to head in the direction where Aaron and Rob were.

"Right," I replied, turning my camera back on so it would be ready when we got back.

"By the way…" Zak started, glancing back at me slightly. "I love your hoodie, my cute little angel," Zak added, with a slight smile.

I felt my face flush.

"Thanks," I mumbled shyly.

Zak smiled as we finally saw Aaron and Rob, having moved inside a bit and were animatedly talking.

Damn you Bagans...

"Everything okay?" Aaron asked, noticing Zak and I walking toward him and Rob, looking particularly at me.

Since Zak was slightly ahead of me, I nodded to Aaron, to silently indicate that I had informed Zak of the drawings.

"Everything's good bro," Zak said, patting his shoulder and then looking at Rob. "Sorry about that," Zak added.

"No problem," Rob replied. "Shall we head to door 13?" Rob added.

"Yes, please," Zak said, and indicated to Aaron and I to start recording again.