Written by Sara Watson
The 4th Addition to the Life Possession Collection
TopCow owns Witchblade, Fathom, Darkness, and the other comic characters in this story.
I own the original characters.
Chapter One
The pilot's attendant's voice rang through my ears waking me up from a four hour sleep. I wanted to get up and punch him in his face. But hey, the plane's going to land soon. Why bother him right now? If I ever see him on the street, boy watch out!
Ugh! I'm such a hardcore bitch sometimes. My grandmother used to tell me that if being a bitch was the only thing I could be, be damn well good at it. My nickname from her was bitch goddess. Some people would find it offensive, but I loved it. Not many grannies would call their granddaughters bitches. Not many people would find it a compliment. I found it almost reassuring. My grandma loved me in a special way. Actually, she loved both Julie and I in the most unbelievable way. When either one of us was sick, she'd use her knowledge to catch the pain. If we ever faked, she knew. School wasn't an option. It was a command. If we didn't go, we better be almost dying. One time, my sister, who has always been beautiful, got hit in the eye by a baseball. She didn't want to go to school at all. She thought that the bruise was just so horrible. Hell, she ended up going anyway. My grannie was going to call her school and tell them she skipped. Now, that's straight not cool. Julie forgave her that afternoon. The guy she liked finally asked her out. Just because I'm a freak to the guys, doesn't discount Julie as Ms. Popular. She didn't start feeling her powers until she turned eighteen. That's when her freaky ways began to pour out of her. Her first newly dead experience involved a six-ounce baby that died from heart trauma. I think that was the most frightening moment of her life. She cried her eyes out when she had to put the baby back into the ground. Her bringing the baby up was a mistake. In fact, she was supposed to raise a fifty-year old newly dead man. Instead, the baby was raised. She never got over it.
I finally caught hold of Claudia before the plane left for St. Louis. She didn't seem in the mood to talk, but hey, I didn't want to get on the plane either. But look at the consequences. If I don't go save St. Louis, all the wereanimals will croak. Is that really such a bad idea? Of course it is. Cameron's a werewolf. Duh!
Speaking of Cameron, where the hell did he go in the first place? He said it was a shoot, but where? Is he going to some exotic place that he thought wouldn't be fair if I knew? Did he think I'd throw a big fit over it? You're damn right I would. Smart man he is.
* * *
The plane landed abruptly at five thirty that afternoon. Claudia told me to wait outside the building for a guy that's about five-eight with short blonde hair and who's probably wearing a black leather coat. Well, that's great. I have to once again base my arrival somewhere on the needs of someone else. Another male.
I stood next to a tall gray concrete pillar staring out into the beautiful light blue sky that penciled itself around the building. How could a place so beautiful be plagued by things so devastating? How could Houston have huge bats running rampart and no one know? Stupid people. They are all living in denial. Just imagine, one of their own sisters or brothers could be a huge mammal. Nice Christmas present that is.
crossed my arms, rubbing my fingers along them. Something is making me chilly, nervous, and worried. Something is out there. Something. I feel like I'm living in the X-Files now. Mulder, something is out there. It's up to you and me to find it. Shit. I know there's something's out there. It's not an alien though. It's part human and plentiful. And I'm dating one of the headmasters. Good enough to make me sick. I hugged myself tighter as I noticed a man identical to the description Claudia gave me. I don't think she mentioned him having a girl with him though. Oh well. Only more conversation to elude. Let's only pray she's quiet, if that's him.
The man continued to walk up to me with the girl dangling on his arm. She was five-six with shoulder length auburn hair that glittered under the sun's warmth. Her lips were full as her smile revealed a relaxed mood. Her strides were long from the long legs she used to walk with. She was quite beautiful and getting more and more attractive the closer they walked.
He was wearing black loose jeans with a light blue shirt that matched the color of his eyes. He had the look of southern charm written across his boyish face.
She was the first one to speak up as he took a step back behind her.
"Hello, are you Sara?"
"You know Claudia?"
Her smile was brilliant against her bright white teeth.
"Well, yes. I don't think we would ask for you if we didn't." She turned her head sideways as if trying to catch the full picture of me.
She reached out a slender hand with sculpted fingernails.
"Hello, I'm Nicole."
I took her hand slightly as if afraid I'd break it. I shook it softly letting my hand fall back to my side.
"I'm Sara."
She smiled. "I kinda figured that out sweety."
I let my arms hug myself again. I looked back at the blonde wondering who he was and where he came from, but didn't ask. If he wasn't going to reveal himself, why should I bug him about it?
"Sara, you're riding with us."
"I'm hoping so. I didn't want to be stuck here til a cab came and picked me up."
She laughed lightly, walking up behind the guy. She grabbed his hand pulling him forward.
"Sara, this here is Edward."
I reached my left hand out to him. He took it quickly then fell back into the shadows.
"What's wrong with you?"
His eyes looked straight into mine. I felt shocked for a second. Were those the eyes of a killer?
I dropped my arms to the side, but still felt a chill. My left hand rubbed up and down on my right arm. Damn, it's not cold. Why do I feel so cold?
She grabbed hold of his waist, pulling him closer to her. Her lips caught hold of his left cheek. My stomach was about to regurgitate everything I ate on the plane. Lovebirds can be quite nauseating. Especially when you're missing that special someone in your life. Get over it Sara!
My eyes wandered to a couple getting into a cab. They were hanging off each other. Her mouth was rotating above his neck. His hands were filling up her front. Love is in the air and it's making me damn well sick. No more love please. Not until I see Cameron walking right in front of me. Oh, please!
I rolled my eyes and walked ahead of Nicole. I kept a quick pace until I heard her voice. She seemed angry with me. Too bad.
"Where are you going?" She ran up in front of me, placing both of her hands on her hips.
I buried my hands into my pant's pockets moving my leather jacket behind me and revealing my inner pants holster with my new golden Beretta. Special made just for my hands.
Her left eyebrow rose up in shock. The man stepped beside her with a small grin.
"My Hummer's this way." His left hand moved in back of him.
I walked next to Nicole, not willing to chance the vibes I'm getting from Edward. I quickly pointed forward with my hand, but Nicole just stood there with a pissed look on her face. Her heart shaped head was leaning against her shoulder. The amber in her eyes held a tinge of amusement mixed in with curiosity.
I sighed, stepping in front of both of them. I briskly walked ahead to the Hummer. I tried to open the backseat's door, but it was locked. I suppose no matter where you are, you can't trust anybody.
Nicole and Edward slowly caught up to me. She continued to whisper in his ear as he opened her door. She giggled when he lightly pushed her into the seat. I just rolled my eyes, focusing on catching the lint with my hand in my left pocket.
Edward's hand startled me when he reached for the door. I jumped backward letting him move in front of me. I noticed that the hair on the back of his head was evenly cut. My eyes wandered further to see the imprint of a gun under his blue cotton shirt. So he is armed and dangerous. He looked so very charming and innocent. Well, so do I. Looks can fool the hell out of people sometimes.
* * *
My body tensed up as I watched Edward drive by "The Downward Spiral". I absolutely despise that place and everyone in it. The feelings increased when Edward quickly turned into the parking lot. My throat convulsed as my stomach turned bitterly. I don't want to lose my head. I can control myself. I will not puke. Yeah, Sara just continue telling yourself that.
I began to breathe in exaggerated breaths. The longer I breathe the better I am. Now, if I can only get rid of the pain in my heart.
I miss Julie so much. The way she used to call in the morning to tell me something ridiculous. The way she threw away half of my tank tops so I'd finally buy new clothes. And the way she forced me to get more fruits and vegetables since she thought my diet wasn't balanced enough. I argued with her on that one. I'm a meat and potatoes girl. I occasionally crave fruits. If I do, it's usually when my body needs it. Just as it craves other things that I won't mention.
* * *
Nicole guided me into the main door of the very familiar building. Her hand was placed carefully on the small of my back. My eyes caught view of the destroyed interior inside the building. The flower wallpaper was being peeled off slowly. There were men on platforms with scraping tools doing it. I felt extremely sorry for them.
My eyes then recognized a tall blonde with bright green eyes. His clothes darkened the skin around his face. The color was very unique on him. A beautiful navy blue. His legs were long and form fitting in those loose jeans. It almost made me realize why Claudia likes him so. Yeah, even my best friend is in love. What now? All my dead relatives awake from their deafening sleep. Um... Let's hope not. Their bone structure wouldn't be the greatest. Down right nauseating. Think normal thoughts. Think normal thoughts.
"Hey Sara."
My eyes removed themselves off the ground and onto a familiar face. Richard with his beautiful chocolate colored eyes stood before me wearing a green turtleneck shirt with blue jeans. His permanently tanned skin glowed around his smile. A smile that's been lost on my face for a few hours resurfaced.
"What's up Richard?" He reached his hand out to me and I graciously took it.
"Just waiting for you and Anita."
Curiosity shot through my skull. "Who's Anita?"
His eyes wandered to the bar. His body went all tense. I looked back to see Shawn moving past Richard. If Richard was too chicken to tell me, then Shawn better speak the hell up.
"Shawn, who's Anita?"
Shawn looked up at me with amusement. "It's Richard's girlfriend."
I turned back to Richard with a smile. "Now, how hard was that?"
He shrugged. I rolled my eyes, sighed, and then looked back at Shawn.
I walked up closer to him putting my hand on his shoulder. He was kneeling down trying to fix a leg on a table.
"Where's Claud?"
He glanced up at me for a second. "She went to get a friend. She'll be back in a few."
"Aight. Why are we here?"
He finished jiggling the leg of the table, then stood up. I walked over to the other side of the table, and grabbed a hold of it. "At the count of three, turn it over."
I nodded. "One, two, three." My wrists worked magically as the table turned over on all fours. Hey, it does help to have a man that can pick up a Mazda on the other end.
I turned my glare back to Shawn. He looked at me as if he had no clue what I wanted. Then all of a sudden, there was a light bulb. It was almost comical.
"Claudia bought the place."
I couldn't even fight the confusion planting itself on my face. Then, like some kind of miracle, his voice returned as if to answer my prayers.
"The previous owners were going to tear it down due to the past this place has, but Claudia started thinking and she bought it. She thought it would be great to continuously have the feel of Julie around her."
I sighed. "Whatever the hell makes her happy. What she turning this place into?"
His brilliant smile returned to his face revealing gorgeous white teeth. "A karaoke bar."
"Shit."
I turned around and tried to head for the doors, but Shawn grabbed me by the waist. I stood there with my hands in fists cursing at him.
"I heard you could sing."
I wanted to sling my fist in his face, but this hardly seemed like the time. Give it a few minutes. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, and I heard you suck."
He walked out in front of me. "What I'm not saying."
I rolled my eyes while trying to push him to the side. After trying a few times, he finally moved over. I walked past him heading in the direction of Richard. Richard was standing next to a jukebox machine flicking through the records lying on top of it. So they hadn't had time to fix it up real nice. Not my problem.
He had hold of Shania Twain's "Honey, I'm Home" when he finally realized I was standing next to him. He moved a few inches away from me as if afraid I'd touch him. I've got more than enough of my own problems to worry about another person. No need to make more.
I let my hand run across the glass of the jukebox. Shawn's voice calmly scolded me. Telling me to please do not put fingerprints on the glass. I only sighed in response. I continued to drag my fingers on the glass making a screeching noise. Shawn walked briskly up to me jerking my hands off the glass. I turned to him and laughed. Shawn's face went to smiles once Richard joined in on the giggles. I padded both of their shoulders, then walked in front of them. I turned around giving them my full attention.
Right when I was about to say something, Claudia's voice interrupted me. She stepped into the room wearing a tight blue short-sleeved naval baring shirt with loose blue jeans. If I hadn't known her so well, I'd have said it looked kind of weird. Who am I to judge? I'm the queen of tank tops.
"Sara."
She ran up to me throwing her arms around me. I laughed as I returned the feelings. She backed off of me finally letting me breathe. Her voice was breathy.
"I've got a surprise for you."
I stepped back from her until I hit the jukebox. I was being surrounded by the three of them. No, no, no surprise! Get away! My claustrophobia was setting in. Hell, I didn't know I had it.
"Sara, I know you don't like surprises, but I know you'll like this one."
I pushed Shawn out of my way and walked over to the table he and I turned over. I placed my hand on it while trying to ignore the people around me. My eyes stayed fixated on the floor until I felt a familiar power creeping its way up my spine. I raised my eyes to see two large feet housed in adorable sandals standing at the doorway. I lifted them higher to recognize those blue jeans, that white button up silk shirt, and that dark Latin skin. My body eased out tension I didn't even know I held.
He walked over to me placing one hand out thinking I'd actually shake it. I grabbed his hand pulling him closer to me. He laughed slightly as I cradled his fingers into mine. He bent his head low until he reached my ear. He whispered softly. "The shoot was canceled from a family emergency."
His face resurfaced in front of mine. "Is there anything wrong with your family?" He leaned closer to my ear again. "Yeah, a family member died."
My eyes went wide as I hugged him a little tighter. His eyes returned to a worried glare. "Are you alright?"
His lips went back to my ear. "I think so. My cousin died."
"How did he die?"
"From whatever is out here in St. Louis."
"How long ago did he die?"
"About two days. I'm here to help arrange the funeral."
I looked up into his eyes. "Is that the only reason why you are here?"
He smiled into my ear. "I'm holding my number one reason."