Confessions
Outside of Manti, Utah
Peyton looked around, then back down at the map. They were in the middle of Utah, with 3 ways to go. She was wearing dark blue jeans that fit her well and a lime "New York" shirt. She looked back up, then over at Josh. He was still asleep, his brown hair falling into his eyes. He was wearing the typical man clothes: Jeans and a t-shirt that read "Anudder brilyunt mind distroid by education."
She sighed, then chose to go right. There were heading towards the edge of Emery county, towards Colorado. She had done some research on the ghost that Thomas had released from hell and found out that it had previously been living in Colorado. They thought that's where it would head, so, that had to follow it in order to send it back.
So far the trip had been boring. Josh hadn't been much company, seeing as how he just witnessed the death of the person he had been working with, and he realized that could have been him. Plus he was pissed that he didn't get the money he needed. I would have been too. But, of course, we live two different lives, thought Peyton.
Peyton lived in a run down apartment building. In the main room, she kept a bucket off in a corner, that kept the water that was falling from the roof. After she had rented the apartment she found out a pipe had burst above so water was constantly dripping from the ceiling. For the first week she couldn't get to sleep because the water was so annoying. Over time, she got used to it.
Peyton had practically nothing in her apartment. That's because very few objects had nothing bad connected to them from a person. She had a mattress, not a bed, some food in a tiny fridge, a couch, a dresser, and clothes. She also couldn't usually get a job because of her different nature. Peyton had spent her life savings on the SUV because it was her only freedom.
Peyton heard a moan from beside her and looked to see Josh waking up. He rubbed his eyes and looked around.
"Keep your eyes on the road," Josh grumbled, seeing her look at him, obviously mad.
Peyton watched the road, then replied, "What's wrong?"
"Let's start with the obvious. One: I'm now poor," Peyton almost smacked him at that, but just clenched her teeth and let him continue, "Two: I just witnessed a man being burned to death. Three: I'm chasing after a ghost from hell. Four: I'm in a car with a know-it-all, but won't tell me how she knows it all."
Peyton looked over at Josh, who was slumped in his seat. His arms were crossed over his chest. He stared forward, his jaw muscles were clenched. Peyton smiled, Well, isn't that ironic. He looks cute when he's angry. Josh looked at her out of the corner of his eye and she immediately went back to watching the road.
Peyton messed with the dial on the radio, trying to find a song she knew. The radio crackled, only getting static. She had CD's in the car, but she couldn't multi-task and get them. She sighed, knowing the only choice she had wouldn't be easy.
"Hey, Josh, you want to do me a favor?"
Josh shot her a look, "What?"
"Will you grab the CD's I have in my door and pop one in?"
Josh apparently didn't like the silence either. He started to reach across Peyton's lap. She pulled back from his arm, not wanting to be touched in case she got another vision of his past. He grabbed the CD case and opened it. Looking through the selection, he decided on something and popped it into the CD player.
Matchbox 20 blasted through the stereo.
"You don't seem like the Matchbox 20 type," Peyton stated.
"Neither do you," Josh replied.
Peyton shrugged as she listened closely to the lyrics of "Push."
She said
I don't know if
I've ever been good enough
I'm a little bit rusty
And I think my head
Is caving in
And I don't know
If I've ever been really loved
By a hand that's touched me
And I feel like something's
Going to give
And I'm a little bit angry
Peyton searched for some sign of life, but found none. A tumble weed rolled across the ground and she almost laughed. Canyons rose in the distance. Above them black thunder heads threatened to open up.
Well, this ain't over
No, not here
Know what?
I still need you around
You don't owe me
We might change it
Yeah, we just might feel good
Peyton looked over at Josh and found him mouthing the words. She smiled, then thought of how horrible his life must be right now. His wife died, he just witnessed a man burned to death. . . He must understand this music.
I wanna push you around
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna push you down
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna take you for granted
I wanna take you for granted
Yeah, yeah
Well I will
Peyton began to sing softly along with the words. She couldn't help it, she always did that and it was not a good thing. She saw Josh look at her out of the corner of her eye and she continued to watch the road.
She said
I don't know
Why you ever would
Lie to me
Like I'm a little untrusting
When I think that
The truth is gonna hurt ya
And I don't know
Why you couldn't
Just stay with me
You couldn't stand
To be near me
When my face
Don't seem to wanna shine
'Cause it's a little bit dirty
Peyton watched the clouds open up and let rain sprinkle down. She turned on her window washers, knowing it would only get worse.
Well, don't just stand there
Say nice things to me
'Cause I've been cheated
I've been wronged
You, you don't owe me
Yeah well I can't change
I won't do anything at all
Peyton heard a curious sound coming from the seat next to her and looked over to see Josh singing the words softly. The rain was now pounding against the windshield. She smiled, and her singing got louder, more confident. Amazingly, as Peyton's singing got louder, so did Josh's.
I wanna push you around
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna push you down
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna take you for granted
I wanna take you for granted
Yeah, yeah
Well I will
Oh a dom bomb me over
Just wait a minute
Apart things get so crazy
Crazy
Don't rush this baby
Don't rush this baby
Baby
Soon Peyton and Josh were singing confidently to the music, enjoying themselves and smiling.
I wanna push you around
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna push you down
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna take you for granted
I wanna take you for granted
Yeah, yeah
Well I will
I will, I will
I will, I will
I will, I will
Push you around
I wanna push you around. . .
Peyton looked over at Josh, smiling. She found Josh looking intently at her.
"How do you know everything?" He asked.
Peyton sighed. She knew this was coming.
"I'm psychic," She simply stated. When she saw his blank stare she got the idea, "Ok, let's begin this story. Ever since I was a kid I've had this gift where if I touch a person or an object, I can see all the horrible things they've gone through. It's a new level of empathy. But, it's never easy. Like, for instance, I can't get close to anyone, mentally or physically. I can't love someone, because it's too painful to touch them. Sometimes it's more of a curse than a gift." Although there is one person I have gotten close to, Peyton thought.
Peyton felt her eyes fill with tears that threatened to spill over. Her lower lip quivered as she continued.
"The worst was my first kiss. . . It had been with Ryan Johnson. I was fourteen years old. It wasn't pure bliss like it was supposed to have been. It was pure terror. When his lips touched mine, I saw his worst memory. He had witnessed his mother being murdered," Peyton stopped, taking a deep breath to calm herself as tears slid silently down her cheeks, "I felt his horror, his anguish. She had been stabbed five times, and he witnessed ever single one. Afterwards, the murderer just her left to die.
"I pulled back from the kiss, screaming in terror as I cried. Ryan never talked to me after that. From that point on I was labeled a freak. I never dated anyone after that. I was too afraid to get close to them. . ."
Peyton's knuckles had gone white from clutching the steering wheel so hard. She brought her right hand up and wiped away the tears, taking another deep breath. She glanced over at Josh, who was giving her a look of pity.
"Don't. I don't feel sorry for myself, why should you? Life is hard; it's supposed to be that way."
Josh looked out to the road in front of them, window washers pushing away the water that obscured his view.
"She was pregnant," He whispered.
"What?"
"My wife was pregnant when she died."
"I'm so sorry."
Josh continued to stare at the road as he continued, "I was reading when I got the call. We had just found out she was pregnant. She smiled so beautifully. She had to run to the grocery store to get some food, and I suggested I do it instead. She laughed, insisting she wasn't that immobile yet.
"So, I sat down and read a book, waiting for her to come home. That's when they called. They asked if I was Josh Mackey, and I answered yes. She had been hit and was in critical condition. I rushed over there as soon as I could," His lower lip trembled, "I loved her. Not only did she lose her life that night, but so did the baby. . ."
Peyton felt saddened as the SUV traveled over the concrete towards Colorado.
"Hey, don't worry about me. After all, you know what they say," Josh said.
"What do they say?" Peyton asked.
"It's better to have loved and lost then never to have-" Josh stopped, realizing what the rest of the saying was. He clamped his hand over his mouth and gave Peyton a pleading look, asking for forgiveness. However, she didn't catch his look, for she was watching the road. Her eyes were hard, obviously hurt.
Guilt crept over Josh and he opened his mouth to ask for forgiveness when he was cut off.
"So, we're both going after a ghost that might kill us because we think we have nothing left for us," She said solemnly. Josh looked at her, surprised.
"Yeah, I. . . I guess," He replied.
Peyton looked at him, "I'm sorry about your wife. I hope you find someone else."
Their eyes locked for a moment, then Peyton went back to paying attention to the road. Josh felt even worse. He studied the land outside his window, finding nothing but rain, mud, clouds, and canyons. They still had a while to go. After a while Peyton noticed a sign on the side of the road. It said "Deer Xing: Next 10 miles."
"Dammit! How am I supposed to be watching for deer in this weather?!" She slammed her hands against the steering wheel in her anger, "It's going to be a long ten miles, I'll tell you that much!"
"Do you want me to drive?" Josh asked, watching her intently.
She looked at him wearily. How bad could it be? Besides, I could get some sleep. . .
"If you crash this car, I'm suing your ass until you have no money left!" Peyton threatened, opening her door and getting out. Josh hopped into the drivers seat as Peyton opened the passengers door and climbed in.
She was already soaked and had only been out in the rain a minute. Her curly blond hair was now soaked and straight. Her clothes were partly wet, slightly clinging to her. Peyton shivered, teeth chattering. She reached into the back and grabbed the wool blanket she kept back there.
Josh looked over to her and smiled smugly, "I'm bone dry."
Peyton shot him a look, then leaned over and wrung her hair out in his lap. He yelped from feel of the cold rain. Peyton smiled smugly back.
"Now you're not."
Josh mumbled something about how she should be thanking him and started the car. Peyton rolled her eyes and settled down for the ride to Colorado.
The rain was pouring down, hitting the roof of the SUV with a comforting sound. All life had gone to their home, hoping not to drown.
Pitter patter.
Peyton felt her eyelids getting heavier. The SUV traveled smoothly across the ground, causing Peyton to fall asleep fast.
Outside of Manti, Utah
Peyton looked around, then back down at the map. They were in the middle of Utah, with 3 ways to go. She was wearing dark blue jeans that fit her well and a lime "New York" shirt. She looked back up, then over at Josh. He was still asleep, his brown hair falling into his eyes. He was wearing the typical man clothes: Jeans and a t-shirt that read "Anudder brilyunt mind distroid by education."
She sighed, then chose to go right. There were heading towards the edge of Emery county, towards Colorado. She had done some research on the ghost that Thomas had released from hell and found out that it had previously been living in Colorado. They thought that's where it would head, so, that had to follow it in order to send it back.
So far the trip had been boring. Josh hadn't been much company, seeing as how he just witnessed the death of the person he had been working with, and he realized that could have been him. Plus he was pissed that he didn't get the money he needed. I would have been too. But, of course, we live two different lives, thought Peyton.
Peyton lived in a run down apartment building. In the main room, she kept a bucket off in a corner, that kept the water that was falling from the roof. After she had rented the apartment she found out a pipe had burst above so water was constantly dripping from the ceiling. For the first week she couldn't get to sleep because the water was so annoying. Over time, she got used to it.
Peyton had practically nothing in her apartment. That's because very few objects had nothing bad connected to them from a person. She had a mattress, not a bed, some food in a tiny fridge, a couch, a dresser, and clothes. She also couldn't usually get a job because of her different nature. Peyton had spent her life savings on the SUV because it was her only freedom.
Peyton heard a moan from beside her and looked to see Josh waking up. He rubbed his eyes and looked around.
"Keep your eyes on the road," Josh grumbled, seeing her look at him, obviously mad.
Peyton watched the road, then replied, "What's wrong?"
"Let's start with the obvious. One: I'm now poor," Peyton almost smacked him at that, but just clenched her teeth and let him continue, "Two: I just witnessed a man being burned to death. Three: I'm chasing after a ghost from hell. Four: I'm in a car with a know-it-all, but won't tell me how she knows it all."
Peyton looked over at Josh, who was slumped in his seat. His arms were crossed over his chest. He stared forward, his jaw muscles were clenched. Peyton smiled, Well, isn't that ironic. He looks cute when he's angry. Josh looked at her out of the corner of his eye and she immediately went back to watching the road.
Peyton messed with the dial on the radio, trying to find a song she knew. The radio crackled, only getting static. She had CD's in the car, but she couldn't multi-task and get them. She sighed, knowing the only choice she had wouldn't be easy.
"Hey, Josh, you want to do me a favor?"
Josh shot her a look, "What?"
"Will you grab the CD's I have in my door and pop one in?"
Josh apparently didn't like the silence either. He started to reach across Peyton's lap. She pulled back from his arm, not wanting to be touched in case she got another vision of his past. He grabbed the CD case and opened it. Looking through the selection, he decided on something and popped it into the CD player.
Matchbox 20 blasted through the stereo.
"You don't seem like the Matchbox 20 type," Peyton stated.
"Neither do you," Josh replied.
Peyton shrugged as she listened closely to the lyrics of "Push."
She said
I don't know if
I've ever been good enough
I'm a little bit rusty
And I think my head
Is caving in
And I don't know
If I've ever been really loved
By a hand that's touched me
And I feel like something's
Going to give
And I'm a little bit angry
Peyton searched for some sign of life, but found none. A tumble weed rolled across the ground and she almost laughed. Canyons rose in the distance. Above them black thunder heads threatened to open up.
Well, this ain't over
No, not here
Know what?
I still need you around
You don't owe me
We might change it
Yeah, we just might feel good
Peyton looked over at Josh and found him mouthing the words. She smiled, then thought of how horrible his life must be right now. His wife died, he just witnessed a man burned to death. . . He must understand this music.
I wanna push you around
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna push you down
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna take you for granted
I wanna take you for granted
Yeah, yeah
Well I will
Peyton began to sing softly along with the words. She couldn't help it, she always did that and it was not a good thing. She saw Josh look at her out of the corner of her eye and she continued to watch the road.
She said
I don't know
Why you ever would
Lie to me
Like I'm a little untrusting
When I think that
The truth is gonna hurt ya
And I don't know
Why you couldn't
Just stay with me
You couldn't stand
To be near me
When my face
Don't seem to wanna shine
'Cause it's a little bit dirty
Peyton watched the clouds open up and let rain sprinkle down. She turned on her window washers, knowing it would only get worse.
Well, don't just stand there
Say nice things to me
'Cause I've been cheated
I've been wronged
You, you don't owe me
Yeah well I can't change
I won't do anything at all
Peyton heard a curious sound coming from the seat next to her and looked over to see Josh singing the words softly. The rain was now pounding against the windshield. She smiled, and her singing got louder, more confident. Amazingly, as Peyton's singing got louder, so did Josh's.
I wanna push you around
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna push you down
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna take you for granted
I wanna take you for granted
Yeah, yeah
Well I will
Oh a dom bomb me over
Just wait a minute
Apart things get so crazy
Crazy
Don't rush this baby
Don't rush this baby
Baby
Soon Peyton and Josh were singing confidently to the music, enjoying themselves and smiling.
I wanna push you around
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna push you down
Well I will
Well I will
I wanna take you for granted
I wanna take you for granted
Yeah, yeah
Well I will
I will, I will
I will, I will
I will, I will
Push you around
I wanna push you around. . .
Peyton looked over at Josh, smiling. She found Josh looking intently at her.
"How do you know everything?" He asked.
Peyton sighed. She knew this was coming.
"I'm psychic," She simply stated. When she saw his blank stare she got the idea, "Ok, let's begin this story. Ever since I was a kid I've had this gift where if I touch a person or an object, I can see all the horrible things they've gone through. It's a new level of empathy. But, it's never easy. Like, for instance, I can't get close to anyone, mentally or physically. I can't love someone, because it's too painful to touch them. Sometimes it's more of a curse than a gift." Although there is one person I have gotten close to, Peyton thought.
Peyton felt her eyes fill with tears that threatened to spill over. Her lower lip quivered as she continued.
"The worst was my first kiss. . . It had been with Ryan Johnson. I was fourteen years old. It wasn't pure bliss like it was supposed to have been. It was pure terror. When his lips touched mine, I saw his worst memory. He had witnessed his mother being murdered," Peyton stopped, taking a deep breath to calm herself as tears slid silently down her cheeks, "I felt his horror, his anguish. She had been stabbed five times, and he witnessed ever single one. Afterwards, the murderer just her left to die.
"I pulled back from the kiss, screaming in terror as I cried. Ryan never talked to me after that. From that point on I was labeled a freak. I never dated anyone after that. I was too afraid to get close to them. . ."
Peyton's knuckles had gone white from clutching the steering wheel so hard. She brought her right hand up and wiped away the tears, taking another deep breath. She glanced over at Josh, who was giving her a look of pity.
"Don't. I don't feel sorry for myself, why should you? Life is hard; it's supposed to be that way."
Josh looked out to the road in front of them, window washers pushing away the water that obscured his view.
"She was pregnant," He whispered.
"What?"
"My wife was pregnant when she died."
"I'm so sorry."
Josh continued to stare at the road as he continued, "I was reading when I got the call. We had just found out she was pregnant. She smiled so beautifully. She had to run to the grocery store to get some food, and I suggested I do it instead. She laughed, insisting she wasn't that immobile yet.
"So, I sat down and read a book, waiting for her to come home. That's when they called. They asked if I was Josh Mackey, and I answered yes. She had been hit and was in critical condition. I rushed over there as soon as I could," His lower lip trembled, "I loved her. Not only did she lose her life that night, but so did the baby. . ."
Peyton felt saddened as the SUV traveled over the concrete towards Colorado.
"Hey, don't worry about me. After all, you know what they say," Josh said.
"What do they say?" Peyton asked.
"It's better to have loved and lost then never to have-" Josh stopped, realizing what the rest of the saying was. He clamped his hand over his mouth and gave Peyton a pleading look, asking for forgiveness. However, she didn't catch his look, for she was watching the road. Her eyes were hard, obviously hurt.
Guilt crept over Josh and he opened his mouth to ask for forgiveness when he was cut off.
"So, we're both going after a ghost that might kill us because we think we have nothing left for us," She said solemnly. Josh looked at her, surprised.
"Yeah, I. . . I guess," He replied.
Peyton looked at him, "I'm sorry about your wife. I hope you find someone else."
Their eyes locked for a moment, then Peyton went back to paying attention to the road. Josh felt even worse. He studied the land outside his window, finding nothing but rain, mud, clouds, and canyons. They still had a while to go. After a while Peyton noticed a sign on the side of the road. It said "Deer Xing: Next 10 miles."
"Dammit! How am I supposed to be watching for deer in this weather?!" She slammed her hands against the steering wheel in her anger, "It's going to be a long ten miles, I'll tell you that much!"
"Do you want me to drive?" Josh asked, watching her intently.
She looked at him wearily. How bad could it be? Besides, I could get some sleep. . .
"If you crash this car, I'm suing your ass until you have no money left!" Peyton threatened, opening her door and getting out. Josh hopped into the drivers seat as Peyton opened the passengers door and climbed in.
She was already soaked and had only been out in the rain a minute. Her curly blond hair was now soaked and straight. Her clothes were partly wet, slightly clinging to her. Peyton shivered, teeth chattering. She reached into the back and grabbed the wool blanket she kept back there.
Josh looked over to her and smiled smugly, "I'm bone dry."
Peyton shot him a look, then leaned over and wrung her hair out in his lap. He yelped from feel of the cold rain. Peyton smiled smugly back.
"Now you're not."
Josh mumbled something about how she should be thanking him and started the car. Peyton rolled her eyes and settled down for the ride to Colorado.
The rain was pouring down, hitting the roof of the SUV with a comforting sound. All life had gone to their home, hoping not to drown.
Pitter patter.
Peyton felt her eyelids getting heavier. The SUV traveled smoothly across the ground, causing Peyton to fall asleep fast.