Damn Jealousy
Peyton came awake with a start, tears leaking out of her eyes. The car was on the side of the road. Josh was looking at her with concerned eyes. She felt her neck stinging. Flipping the mirror down, she saw claw marks all over her throat. Blood was slowly leaking out of a few, while the others were bright red. She buried her face in her hands, thinking about how she was going to die.
"Peyton, what's wrong?" Josh's voice penetrated her thoughts. She looked up at him, her face stained with tears.
"I'm. . . I. . . I saw my own. . . Death," Peyton's lower lip quivered, "I'm going to die by the ghost. He's going to. . ."
Josh looked at her clawed throat and nodded understandingly. Rain was still pounding against the windshield. Looking around, Peyton spotted a deer gracefully leap across the road. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
"It's ok, Peyton. It was just a dream. There is a possibility it isn't going to happen."
Dazed and amazed, Peyton looked at Josh, "It was a vision. I know it. I know how I'm going to die. I could feel being short of breath. It's not just a dream. I'm going to get murdered."
"Have you ever tried to stop a vision from coming true?" Josh asked.
Peyton shook her head, "No, I always figured it was destiny. Everyone knows destiny shouldn't be screwed with. I never even tried."
"Then we can fight this. We'll try to protect you," Josh sounded soothing. Calming down, Peyton looked at him hopefully. Maybe. . .
Josh turned the car back on and started driving again. Time passed by and Peyton watched out the window. Suddenly, the car swerved. It was going out of control when Josh slammed on the brakes. Peyton's head whipped forward and hit the dashboard.
"Dammit, Josh! What happened!?" Peyton yelled, grabbing her head and rubbing it. She look over at Josh who was breathing fast. He looked guiltily at Peyton, "What?"
"I almost hit a deer," Josh admitted.
"You what!" Peyton screamed. Josh covered his ears.
"It's ok, everything's ok."
Peyton exploded, "YOU SAID YOU'D DRIVE! YOU SAID IT WOULD ALL BE OKAY!!! YOU ALMOST WRECKED MY CAR BECAUSE OF YOUR STUPIDITY!!! GET OUT! I'M DRIVING!!!"
Josh scrambled to open the door. Falling out of the SUV onto the wet ground, Josh struggled to get back up before Peyton drove away without him. Running over to the passenger's door, he opened it, climbing in. As soon Josh got in, Peyton floored it. Quickly buckling his seatbelt, Josh adjusted himself so that he wouldn't get to badly hurt when the airbags popped out. Josh was about to tell Peyton to slow down when she shot a look at him. Clamping his mouth shut, Josh focused on the road in front of him. Peyton was driving at about 80 mph.
They had been driving like that for about an hour. The rain had stopped, but the ground was still wet. Josh occasionally checked the meter that told the mph. It usually stay around 85 mph. Suddenly, the car started slowing down. Looking over, Josh found that they had. He smiled smugly at Peyton.
"Happy now?" He asked.
Peyton shot him a look, "Do you want me to kick your ass now?" She asked, getting out of the car. Seeing her get out of the car, Josh got out of the car too.
"What are you doing?" Josh asked.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I saw a gas station a half a mile back, so I'm going to get some gas," Peyton replied coolly, getting a gas canister out of the back of the car.
"Wait, I don't want to be in the middle of nowhere alone!" Josh called out as Peyton walked away.
"Then come with me," Peyton called over her shoulder, still walking away. Grumpily, Josh followed her.
They hadn't seen any life since they started walking. Occasionally, they saw a hole in the ground that might have been occupied by an animal. Sometimes, Josh let out a grumble and Peyton would roll her eyes.
Suddenly, they saw a car coming towards them. It looked like a blue mustang. As it passed them, they saw a man. His face was burned. Dark hair fell into his dark eyes. Searing pain flashed across Peyton's mind. She collapsed, holding her head and groaning.
"Peyton! Are you okay?" Josh asked, crouching next to her on the ground, "What was that?"
"I. . . I'm not sure," Peyton replied as she looked back up to see the car. However, it was gone. Her mouth dropped open, "What happened to the car?"
"What?" Josh turned around and saw there was nothing there, "Where did it go?"
Shaking, Peyton got up and started towards the gas station, "The sooner we get out of here, the better."
The gas station was in pretty good shape, considering how far from civilization it was. It was called the "Stop and Go." Outside there were four stations where you could fill up your car. Inside was a selection of snacks and drinks. Peyton went over to one of the station to fill up your car with the gas canister while Josh went inside.
Looking around, Josh went towards the snack section. After looking every item over carefully, he picked out a few snacks, some candy, and a canister of Pringles. He walked to the counter, pulling out his wallet. Peyton walked in, struggling with the gas. Smiling, Josh went over and easily picked up the canister.
"You're so weak," Josh teased.
Peyton gave him a look and headed over to look at snacks. There she found a man about a year older than her. He was pretty well built and about four inches taller than her. His blond hair was falling into his eyes and he distractedly brushed it away. She caught a glance of his soft, green eyes,
"Oh my God! Scott?" Peyton asked, mouth open.
The man turned around and looked at Peyton. His mouth fell wide open.
"Peyton?" He asked, unbelieving.
"Yes!" Peyton ran up to him and jumped into his arms, then leaned back to look at him, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here researching some supernatural happens," Scott replied, smiling, "What are you doing here?"
Peyton started telling him the whole story. Hearing some talking, Josh headed over to the snack section. Upon seeing Peyton hugging someone, Josh felt a wave of jealousy wash over him. Frowning, Josh moved towards the couple.
"Uh, Peyton? What's going on?" Josh asked, wondering why she wasn't in pain, seeing all of this guys past.
Turning around, Peyton smiled, "Josh, there's someone I want you to meet. This is my best friend, Scott."
Scott smiled and extended his hand. Josh took it, squeezing it hard. However, Scott didn't seem fazed and he squeezed back, hurting Josh's hand. Josh pulled his hand back and cradled it. Peyton smiled at Scott adoringly. Does she mean best friend as in boyfriend? Josh thought, jealously flooding over him.
"Peyton, can we talk?" Josh asked.
"Yeah, sure," Peyton replied, following him.
"What's going on? How come you didn't get a flashback of him?" Josh asked when they were somewhere private.
"I'm too used to Scott. We've been good friends since, like, freshman year," Peyton replied coolly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"What happened to 'I can't get close to anyone mentally or physically because it's too painful?'" Josh asked, doing quotations marks with his fingers.
"I seemed to get close to Scott. Do you have a problem with it? 'Cause if you do, screw you!" Peyton replied coldly, brushing past Josh and heading towards Scott, "Oh, and by the way, Scott wants to help us out, so he's coming with us."
Josh felt jealousy flood over him again, along with regret. He walked briskly over to the counter, grabbed his snacks and the gas, and walked out the door of the gas station towards the SUV. Behind him, he heard Peyton and Scott walk out, laughing. Turning around, he saw Scott had his arm around Peyton's waist. She looked so comfortable with it. It looked as if she was used to it. Almost as if it was comforting to her.
Sighing, Josh called out to Peyton, "Give me the keys. I'm going to go fill up the car and then I'll wait in the car for you guys."
Peyton rolled her eyes. Scott whispered something in her ear and they both burst out laughing. Oh no you didn't! Josh thought, growing red with jealousy. She reached into her jean pocket and pulled out the keys. She tossed them to Josh. Upon catching them, Josh turned around and started jogging to the car, not wanting to see Scott whisper another sweet nothing into Peyton's ear.
Eventually, Josh got to the car. Dropping the bag of snacks on the ground, he felt like kicking them. He opened the tank and poured in the gas. After he was done, he slammed the tank close, picked up the bag and got in the car. Turning on the car, he tuned the radio until he found some music. A woman's sad voice was heard clearly through the radio. It was a song he hadn't heard before.
Too strange to be strangers
Too far gone to be friends
Too lovesick to be lovers
Only one way this could end
Josh wasn't really paying attention to the words until he heard the part "Yeah I'll stick around to crash and burn with you." Once he heard the he stopped and listened for more lyrics, but they didn't come. Then he listened for the people on the radio to say the artist, or song name. However, once the song ended, he only heard the radio crackle.
Damn song! Damn singer! Damn Peyton! Josh thought, quickly switching the station. Turning the dial, the radio only crackled. That's. . . interesting.
Thoughts clouded Josh's mind. He was so preoccupied, he didn't even notice Peyton and Scott had reached the SUV. Peyton walked next to the drivers seat and watched Josh deal with his thoughts.
"Uh, Josh?" Peyton asked tentatively. Josh jumped, looking over at Peyton.
"What?" Josh asked, still a little shaken up.
"I'm driving. And Scott is going to sit in the passenger's seat. So. . . Get in the back," Peyton told him. Her eyes had rolled around to emphasize the "so," and then she just let Josh have it.
Josh's mouth dropped open, "You've got to be kidding me! I'm not sitting in the back! I was here first, Scott can sit in the back!" Josh jumped into the passenger's seat and sat, arms folded across his chest, extremely determined. He clenched his jaw muscles to show how determined he was.
Josh snuck a glance at Peyton and saw her doing something odd. Is she. . . Is she begging? Josh asked himself. She had her hands folded at the side of her hip. Giving him a pleading look, she stuck her bottom lip out, quivering it.
"Please?" She asked, still begging.
Grumpily, Josh climbed into the back and laid down, bringing the wool blanket with him. Smiling, Peyton let out a small "Yay!" She opened the drivers door and climbed in. On the other side, Scott climbed in. They continued whatever they were chatting about while Josh stared at the roof of the SUV, jaw muscles still clenching. Music started playing. It was Matchbox 20.
"Oh my God! You've always known what I love!" Peyton screamed, leaning over and giving Scott a quick peck on the cheek.
Josh hit his forehead with the palm of his hand. Deciding he didn't want to be conscious to hear or see them, he closed his eyes, hoping to get some sleep and peace. Not to mention a break from the real world.
Peyton came awake with a start, tears leaking out of her eyes. The car was on the side of the road. Josh was looking at her with concerned eyes. She felt her neck stinging. Flipping the mirror down, she saw claw marks all over her throat. Blood was slowly leaking out of a few, while the others were bright red. She buried her face in her hands, thinking about how she was going to die.
"Peyton, what's wrong?" Josh's voice penetrated her thoughts. She looked up at him, her face stained with tears.
"I'm. . . I. . . I saw my own. . . Death," Peyton's lower lip quivered, "I'm going to die by the ghost. He's going to. . ."
Josh looked at her clawed throat and nodded understandingly. Rain was still pounding against the windshield. Looking around, Peyton spotted a deer gracefully leap across the road. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
"It's ok, Peyton. It was just a dream. There is a possibility it isn't going to happen."
Dazed and amazed, Peyton looked at Josh, "It was a vision. I know it. I know how I'm going to die. I could feel being short of breath. It's not just a dream. I'm going to get murdered."
"Have you ever tried to stop a vision from coming true?" Josh asked.
Peyton shook her head, "No, I always figured it was destiny. Everyone knows destiny shouldn't be screwed with. I never even tried."
"Then we can fight this. We'll try to protect you," Josh sounded soothing. Calming down, Peyton looked at him hopefully. Maybe. . .
Josh turned the car back on and started driving again. Time passed by and Peyton watched out the window. Suddenly, the car swerved. It was going out of control when Josh slammed on the brakes. Peyton's head whipped forward and hit the dashboard.
"Dammit, Josh! What happened!?" Peyton yelled, grabbing her head and rubbing it. She look over at Josh who was breathing fast. He looked guiltily at Peyton, "What?"
"I almost hit a deer," Josh admitted.
"You what!" Peyton screamed. Josh covered his ears.
"It's ok, everything's ok."
Peyton exploded, "YOU SAID YOU'D DRIVE! YOU SAID IT WOULD ALL BE OKAY!!! YOU ALMOST WRECKED MY CAR BECAUSE OF YOUR STUPIDITY!!! GET OUT! I'M DRIVING!!!"
Josh scrambled to open the door. Falling out of the SUV onto the wet ground, Josh struggled to get back up before Peyton drove away without him. Running over to the passenger's door, he opened it, climbing in. As soon Josh got in, Peyton floored it. Quickly buckling his seatbelt, Josh adjusted himself so that he wouldn't get to badly hurt when the airbags popped out. Josh was about to tell Peyton to slow down when she shot a look at him. Clamping his mouth shut, Josh focused on the road in front of him. Peyton was driving at about 80 mph.
They had been driving like that for about an hour. The rain had stopped, but the ground was still wet. Josh occasionally checked the meter that told the mph. It usually stay around 85 mph. Suddenly, the car started slowing down. Looking over, Josh found that they had. He smiled smugly at Peyton.
"Happy now?" He asked.
Peyton shot him a look, "Do you want me to kick your ass now?" She asked, getting out of the car. Seeing her get out of the car, Josh got out of the car too.
"What are you doing?" Josh asked.
"What does it look like I'm doing? I saw a gas station a half a mile back, so I'm going to get some gas," Peyton replied coolly, getting a gas canister out of the back of the car.
"Wait, I don't want to be in the middle of nowhere alone!" Josh called out as Peyton walked away.
"Then come with me," Peyton called over her shoulder, still walking away. Grumpily, Josh followed her.
They hadn't seen any life since they started walking. Occasionally, they saw a hole in the ground that might have been occupied by an animal. Sometimes, Josh let out a grumble and Peyton would roll her eyes.
Suddenly, they saw a car coming towards them. It looked like a blue mustang. As it passed them, they saw a man. His face was burned. Dark hair fell into his dark eyes. Searing pain flashed across Peyton's mind. She collapsed, holding her head and groaning.
"Peyton! Are you okay?" Josh asked, crouching next to her on the ground, "What was that?"
"I. . . I'm not sure," Peyton replied as she looked back up to see the car. However, it was gone. Her mouth dropped open, "What happened to the car?"
"What?" Josh turned around and saw there was nothing there, "Where did it go?"
Shaking, Peyton got up and started towards the gas station, "The sooner we get out of here, the better."
The gas station was in pretty good shape, considering how far from civilization it was. It was called the "Stop and Go." Outside there were four stations where you could fill up your car. Inside was a selection of snacks and drinks. Peyton went over to one of the station to fill up your car with the gas canister while Josh went inside.
Looking around, Josh went towards the snack section. After looking every item over carefully, he picked out a few snacks, some candy, and a canister of Pringles. He walked to the counter, pulling out his wallet. Peyton walked in, struggling with the gas. Smiling, Josh went over and easily picked up the canister.
"You're so weak," Josh teased.
Peyton gave him a look and headed over to look at snacks. There she found a man about a year older than her. He was pretty well built and about four inches taller than her. His blond hair was falling into his eyes and he distractedly brushed it away. She caught a glance of his soft, green eyes,
"Oh my God! Scott?" Peyton asked, mouth open.
The man turned around and looked at Peyton. His mouth fell wide open.
"Peyton?" He asked, unbelieving.
"Yes!" Peyton ran up to him and jumped into his arms, then leaned back to look at him, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here researching some supernatural happens," Scott replied, smiling, "What are you doing here?"
Peyton started telling him the whole story. Hearing some talking, Josh headed over to the snack section. Upon seeing Peyton hugging someone, Josh felt a wave of jealousy wash over him. Frowning, Josh moved towards the couple.
"Uh, Peyton? What's going on?" Josh asked, wondering why she wasn't in pain, seeing all of this guys past.
Turning around, Peyton smiled, "Josh, there's someone I want you to meet. This is my best friend, Scott."
Scott smiled and extended his hand. Josh took it, squeezing it hard. However, Scott didn't seem fazed and he squeezed back, hurting Josh's hand. Josh pulled his hand back and cradled it. Peyton smiled at Scott adoringly. Does she mean best friend as in boyfriend? Josh thought, jealously flooding over him.
"Peyton, can we talk?" Josh asked.
"Yeah, sure," Peyton replied, following him.
"What's going on? How come you didn't get a flashback of him?" Josh asked when they were somewhere private.
"I'm too used to Scott. We've been good friends since, like, freshman year," Peyton replied coolly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"What happened to 'I can't get close to anyone mentally or physically because it's too painful?'" Josh asked, doing quotations marks with his fingers.
"I seemed to get close to Scott. Do you have a problem with it? 'Cause if you do, screw you!" Peyton replied coldly, brushing past Josh and heading towards Scott, "Oh, and by the way, Scott wants to help us out, so he's coming with us."
Josh felt jealousy flood over him again, along with regret. He walked briskly over to the counter, grabbed his snacks and the gas, and walked out the door of the gas station towards the SUV. Behind him, he heard Peyton and Scott walk out, laughing. Turning around, he saw Scott had his arm around Peyton's waist. She looked so comfortable with it. It looked as if she was used to it. Almost as if it was comforting to her.
Sighing, Josh called out to Peyton, "Give me the keys. I'm going to go fill up the car and then I'll wait in the car for you guys."
Peyton rolled her eyes. Scott whispered something in her ear and they both burst out laughing. Oh no you didn't! Josh thought, growing red with jealousy. She reached into her jean pocket and pulled out the keys. She tossed them to Josh. Upon catching them, Josh turned around and started jogging to the car, not wanting to see Scott whisper another sweet nothing into Peyton's ear.
Eventually, Josh got to the car. Dropping the bag of snacks on the ground, he felt like kicking them. He opened the tank and poured in the gas. After he was done, he slammed the tank close, picked up the bag and got in the car. Turning on the car, he tuned the radio until he found some music. A woman's sad voice was heard clearly through the radio. It was a song he hadn't heard before.
Too strange to be strangers
Too far gone to be friends
Too lovesick to be lovers
Only one way this could end
Josh wasn't really paying attention to the words until he heard the part "Yeah I'll stick around to crash and burn with you." Once he heard the he stopped and listened for more lyrics, but they didn't come. Then he listened for the people on the radio to say the artist, or song name. However, once the song ended, he only heard the radio crackle.
Damn song! Damn singer! Damn Peyton! Josh thought, quickly switching the station. Turning the dial, the radio only crackled. That's. . . interesting.
Thoughts clouded Josh's mind. He was so preoccupied, he didn't even notice Peyton and Scott had reached the SUV. Peyton walked next to the drivers seat and watched Josh deal with his thoughts.
"Uh, Josh?" Peyton asked tentatively. Josh jumped, looking over at Peyton.
"What?" Josh asked, still a little shaken up.
"I'm driving. And Scott is going to sit in the passenger's seat. So. . . Get in the back," Peyton told him. Her eyes had rolled around to emphasize the "so," and then she just let Josh have it.
Josh's mouth dropped open, "You've got to be kidding me! I'm not sitting in the back! I was here first, Scott can sit in the back!" Josh jumped into the passenger's seat and sat, arms folded across his chest, extremely determined. He clenched his jaw muscles to show how determined he was.
Josh snuck a glance at Peyton and saw her doing something odd. Is she. . . Is she begging? Josh asked himself. She had her hands folded at the side of her hip. Giving him a pleading look, she stuck her bottom lip out, quivering it.
"Please?" She asked, still begging.
Grumpily, Josh climbed into the back and laid down, bringing the wool blanket with him. Smiling, Peyton let out a small "Yay!" She opened the drivers door and climbed in. On the other side, Scott climbed in. They continued whatever they were chatting about while Josh stared at the roof of the SUV, jaw muscles still clenching. Music started playing. It was Matchbox 20.
"Oh my God! You've always known what I love!" Peyton screamed, leaning over and giving Scott a quick peck on the cheek.
Josh hit his forehead with the palm of his hand. Deciding he didn't want to be conscious to hear or see them, he closed his eyes, hoping to get some sleep and peace. Not to mention a break from the real world.