AN: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEWS! WE HAVE PASSED 20! YAY! -Grins- Sorry about my outburst just then. I am just seriously… HAPPY! And maybe a little suicidal… For all you Paulie fans –dun, dun, dun- Our sizzling bad-ass shifter will be back in a matter of chapters. So just wait and soon you will have your intake of Paul… just like I have intake of meds.
MERCY GET YOUR ASS ON THE FREAKING COMPUTER! I DON'T WANT TO WRITE THIS STORY ALOOOOOOOONE!
I swear, I will kill her and exorcize her ghost faster than she can say, 'I'm a mutant lawnmower.'
Anyway… Back to what I was saying. Thanks for the reviews, you have motivated me to write more to this. So enjoy Chapter Four.
And flame CharityGoddess with complaints, telling her that she must come back online…
MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
-chokes- Also, in this chapter, we find out what David wants to tell Suze –insert cheesy and mysterious music-
A note to everyone who pointed this out: I KNOW Seattle is not in a different country, what Adam meant was that they all came from DIFFERENT countries as in Australia, England, Scotland and America! SO SORRY!
Chapter Four – Of Stepbrothers, Rocksand Ghosts
'Ready to go, Querida?' I grinned. Jesse was walking me home.
'Yep.' A few goodbyes and an explanation to Dopey about why I was walking home – for a change, I had said – was all I had to do before we started to walk.
My bag was quite heavy, as Jesse saw, did I want to let him carry it? I decided against it. He looked a little down but then I reminded him… what would people do if they saw a floating bag? Jesse agreed and we continued our walk.
Jesse and I talked, laughed and argued for the whole trip home. Not about anything in particular, just a whole load of topics. How my school was, what Jesse did today, about how beautiful the sky was, Jesse yakking on about how nice I looked today, how I denied his complements, how he refused to give in to my insulting myself then saying I was the most beautiful girl on earth – exaggerating much? – and finally about how stupid our quarreling was.
Eventually, I settled with giving him a kiss on the cheek – when I made sure the coast was clear… that we were alone, that is – and thanking him and saying how nice his complements were. It was quite funny, in Jesse's point of view anyway, when I tripped over a rock and fell flat on my face – Or that's what I was supposed to do, Jesse saved me in time to wreck my "beautiful face" as he so eloquently put it. I found nothing funny about it and started swearing at the rock, who, as an inanimate object, did not do anything but sit there… unmoving.
This was what Jesse seemed to find the most funny. And I quote, Talking to an inanimate object now, are we Querida
And my reply of: I wasn't talking to it Jesse, I was swearing at it… Shit happens.
Then Jesse's gasp of: Susannah, do not say such rude words!
Me: -mumbling- You didn't stop me a minute ago…
Jesse: What was that?
Me: Oh nothing, Nothing at all…
Jesse: Come on, Susannah… tell me… -pouting-
Me: -stare- Jesse, stop that… you look like a moose.
Jesse: A… what?
Me: Nevermind.
Yeah. You get the picture. But it was fun, nevertheless, and interesting to walk with Jesse. We agreed that we had to do it more often.
Walking home with each other, I mean, not arguing.
Or swearing at rocks.
It was only until after dinner that David approached me. This was fine by me, however, because I had been busy doing homework for the rest of the afternoon.
Trigonometry… Fun.
I was almost praying that Doc was not going to burst into a lecture, like he had a tendency to do at random times… a lot.
As I was saying, Doc led me into his room after dinner. He looked so excited that he was practically bouncing off the walls. I bet the scene looked a little funny, him all excited and swift next to me just gliding along calmly, with slow strides.
When we got into his room, I saw that it had been thoroughly cleaned, unlike the last time I saw it.
Doc raced to his computer instantly, switching it on before promptly rustling through a load of papers on his desk.
I just stood at his door, watching as his twelve year old self typed like wildfire into the computer. Finally, after what seemed an eternity of waiting in silence – other than his rapid typing, that is – he turned to me.
A beam on his face and the gleeful tone in his voice was actually kind of scary, now that I thought of it. I was lost in my musings – this happens a lot, you see – Until Doc finally spoke.
'Come and see this!' He exclaimed, his voice well above a whisper. Motioning to me with a single hand, Doc turned back to his computer and opened up a folder, which lead to a various amount of documents. I was never really good with computers and except for the occasional website for school, I tried my best to avoid them altogether.
Doc clicked on a document labeled: suze.wav… what was a file doing on his computer with my name on it? I wanted him to explain to me this, but before I could, something I assumed was 'WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER' loaded and a specialized screen came on with a play, pause, fast forward and rewind button along with a large line and a small timer at the bottom.
'Listen.' Doc said, with a finger to his lips. He pressed the button that said 'PLAY' and a rustling noise sounded. I was about to ask what the meaning of this was when I heard it…
Something that changed my view on Doc for a hell of a long time.
But not in a bad way.
'I will wake her up now…' The voice was barely a whisper, but a damn familiar whisper as well:
'Querida?'
Silence. I spun around, expecting to see Jesse when I realized that… oh gods… it was on the tape.
I thought this all the more when I heard something else, still in the same sugar-coated voice of Jesse's. 'Susannah, this is Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Susannah.'
'Oh my freaking god,' I breathed. This was huge, this was major… how the hell did this happen?
Doc looked at me for a second but was quiet, I realized I had said this out loud because he replied my question – either that or he was a mind reader – 'A new invention of mine… listen.'
Another voice came on the computer after another minute of silence. 'I was hoping you could help me…' I knew this voice as well… Elizabeth.
The whole conversation between us and Elizabeth continued to play, not only on the computer, but in my head as well…
When it was over, I turned to Doc. 'Spill.' It was one word, but my youngest stepbrother caught onto it and began to explain.
'Well, I have been experimenting with Paranormal Activities ever since that night that that ghost… Jesse, I think his name was… awoke me and told me that you were down at the mission. You were fighting with another ghost… remember?' I nodded. Heather's memory still haunted me… just as all the other ghosts did.
Not to mention Paul…
No. Shut up Suze.
Must.
Not.
Think.
Of.
Paul.
Slater.
So not going to work. Paul's face had been glued on the back of my eyelids like a permanent tattoo ever since I had had that Daydream at lunch whilst in school. There was no way I could get rid of it… but I knew a certain Latino ghost that could, indeed, try.
I tuned into Doc's speech again, 'Yeah. Well, I finally came up with an idea and I constructed a special tape recorder, it records voices, just like a normal recorder would… but this one is different. You see, some times we normal people sometimes shiver or sense the occasional "cold spot" and its all to do with electronic waves. I played around with these waves and came up with the tape recorder. So it records voices of both the living and the undead.'
My eyebrows raised… woah. Scientific much? I hardly understood what he said, but got the basic gist of it.
But Doc wasn't done with surprising me today… hell no. He was only getting started.
'I also have something else I want to show you. After hearing your conversation – I hope this will make you forgive me for eavesdropping, by the way – I did some research on this "Elizabeth Slater" character, and found some pretty horrific – but interesting – results.' Doc opened up another document, closing the Windows Media Player. This time, it was a text passage.
Or, at least, a newspaper article.
It read: A horrific number of events have lead up to nothing good in Seattle this season. Sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Slater was found raped and murdered down by a local park. Media are outraged and the family – the Slaters – are grieving over the loss of their precious daughter. The culprits – the murderers – are yet to be identified, but the detectives and officers on this case say they are very close to capturing the killers and making sure that no more brutal events happen as this one has. This occasion has certainly striked fear into the people of Seattle's hearts and they are doing everything they can to figure this case out.
On the page, it showed a picture of Elizabeth… her hair looked a little shorter and her clothes had changed – obviously - so the pictures were not the exact same to the Elizabeth I had seen this morning. But they were the same girl… definitely.
'Doc, this… this is major.' I didn't realize I had blurted out my nickname for him, but Doc didn't seem to mind. He just nodded. I continued to speak, 'Maybe… if you have some spare time you could look further into this case?' I didn't want to push my luck, but David seemed happy to help… more than happy… he was practically beaming ultra violent rays as if from the sun or some large orb of light or whatever.
'Will do.' He said, grinning. I rolled my eyes. Stepbrothers were weird.
Just as I was walking through the threshold out of his room, Doc called me back.
'Uhm… Suze, I hate to ask but…'
I kept my voice calm, wondering what he was asking me. 'Yes?'
'What type of things to girls like for their birthdays?'
Walking back into my room, I let out a large yawn. Any louder and it would have awoken the whole family, bar Doc who was still in his room. Most probably as tired as me.
Geez, we had a fun time in there. I thought, looking at the clock which read 10:30 pm. My mother had come up five minutes after Doc had asked me his question and told us that she was going to bed, and so was Andy and that we please be in bed by 9:30.
So much for that.
I had spent three hours helping my youngest step-brother out with presents he could buy this new girl at school. He said her name was Shannon and he never stopped talking about Shannon until I finally told him to shut it and let me think.
I mean, it's cute and all… Doc wanting to please this girl and everything… But its damn annoying – for the older sister who has to listen to him brag on about her - as well.
Taking out a pair of light blue pajama's, I strolled into my adjoining bathroom and took a shower. The hot water that cascaded down my back revitalized me… making me feel more refreshed and awake.
After ten minutes or so of showering and washing my hair, I put on my pajamas and blow dried my hair. This took another ten minutes of my time – more the blow-drying than the dressing – and I was damn tired after all of it.
Sauntering back into my room, after chucking my dirty clothes into my small laundry basket in the corner, I felt the sudden sensation of being watched. My eyes flew to my mirror and I went to have a look at it.
Your wondering why I went to look at my mirror… right? Well. When I walked in, it was swinging off its hook, as if out of control or something.
This freaked me out slightly, but what happened next scared me out of my wits – only for a few seconds though.
I looked at my face, everything was the same. Until my eyes locked with that of the mirror…
Blue eyes stared back at me.
'Holy-' I breathed, jumping back and looking at the mirror with widened eyes.
No. I did not just see Paul Slater's eyes in that mirror… I swear I didn't.
No matter how many times I repeated that in my head, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was wrong. Paul Slater was in the mirror, he was…
Haunting me.
My knees buckled and I fell to the floor, exhausted. I had been tired before, yes, but being shaken like this: I was completely fatigued.
Oh what I would do to have Jesse right here now.
As if on cue, whilst I was still breathing heavily and clutching a hand to my heart as if holding it like it was my only hope would help the rapid beating slow down, Jesse materialized behind me.
I didn't know this, however, until he gasped in a sharp and concern-filled voice, 'Susannah!'
I couldn't respond even if I wanted to.
'Susannah, can you hear me?' I nodded. That was the only thing I could do. I was unable to move from my spot on the floor…
Immobilized.
I really didn't know why I was this scared of Paul Slater. I mean, I've beaten him before. More than once. But, this? This was just damn freaky! I guess you had to be there to really be lost in the moment, I mean… I saw my worst enemies freaking eyes in my freaking mirror.
It's enough to cause someone to have a heart attack.
Yeah, I know. How was I certain that I knew Paul was watching me? How was I certain that it was his blue eyes staring back at me and not a devious trick of the mind? But I knew. Oh god I knew. Paul Slater's eyes were unmistakeable. You just… knew. Knew that it was him. Knew that he was watching me.
But the presence was gone.
Now that Jesse was here.
I gave a silent thanks to god and let Jesse's strong arms make their way around me. I took a few deep breaths and my heart rate slowed. I was safe now… Paul couldn't hurt me whilst I was in Jesse's arms.
'Querida, Your cold,' his voice was worried. Bless him. I usually avoid saying anything about religion, but I thank god for giving me Jesse. Sure, he was dead, but he was the best company ever. 'Your shivering.' He pulled me closer and it was then I realized I actually was shivering.
But not from the cold.
From him.
Paul, not Jesse. Only Paul could give me those shivers that felt so wrong… yet so desirable. Jesse made me feel nothing but intense warmth and safety.
I wasn't safe with Paul and I knew it. And I most definitely did not want Paul over Jesse. Jesse was perfect, Jesse was everything… Jesse was…
Mine.
This thought, once registered into my still-shocked brain, calmed me right down and made me feel a great deal of affection towards Jesse. Jesse was here with me… all was saved.
'Susannah, what happened, are you alright?' Jesse asked, pulling me away from him after another minute of holding me there. I was able to speak now, but my voice was still hoarse and my throat, sore.
'I-I…' I tried, but I couldn't. I couldn't lie to him again.
So I told him everything, about the dreams that I couldn't remember… then the daydream at lunch in school today… and how I kept feeling these awful feelings… and now the blue eyes in the mirror.
Jesse's face was emotionless all through my explanation. He did not say anything until I had finished. He only kept his gaze on my face… as opaque a brick wall painted ebony.
Once I had finished, however, Jesse's face immediately morphed into that of an extremely angry glare. It wasn't directed to me though, Jesse never sent such nasty glares to me, it was directed to Paul Slater… as if he were in the room.
Pacing madly across my room, hissing under his breath and flailing his arms as if it would somehow explain his words better – not that I could understand them… I mean… they were in Spanish – Jesse was in an tremendously P.O ed mood.
'Jesse.' He didn't listen to my croaky whisper. So I stood up and tried again.
'Jesse!' I called his name louder, but he took no notice. Just like I had done to him today… I thought… in the halls of the mission.
I was so glad that no-one saw that.
Jesse was pacing too fast for me to kiss him, though, so I did the first thing that came to mind.
I took my pillow from my neatly-made bed – courtesy of Jesse – and smashed it into his face.
That made him stop.
'Jesse, I'm fine.' I said, once I took the pillow away from his face. Jesse looked dumbstruck. I guess he didn't expect that.
When he regained himself, he said loudly – almost a yell – 'No, Susannah, you are not fine. I have seen you at night, tossing in your sleep… I don't know what he is doing, but it is nothing good. If that puta lays an hand on mi querida he will regret the day he was ever born.'
Woah.
I mean… Woah.
I felt tears sting my eyes. Not because he was threatening Paul but because Jesse seriously cared that much for me. I sniffled loudly, causing him to look at me… as if seeing me for the first time.
'Susannah… Why are you upset?' Jesse's anger apparently dissappeared and was replaced with that concern I always saw in his eyes. He came over to me, gripping my shoulders in his large, bronze – not to mention glowing – hands.
'Y-you care… t-that much for me?' I asked, wiping a tear from my left eye. I don't know why I was so emotional today. I blame the aftermath of shock.
That and being in love.
Trust me… that stuff – love I mean, not shock – makes you drugged. As if you are flying high in the sky… the nice kind of drug.
Hmmm…
Jesse looked devastated at my question – or was it more of a statement, I seriously don't know – and he rather loudly stated. 'Susannah, mi Candela, mi querida. Of course I care for you! How can I not? I am… after all… in love with you so much already…'
I froze.
Jesse… he loved me?
I mean, I knew he must have felt something. Love, perhaps. I knew that ever since that day – that sense-shattering day – in the graveyard with him – that he had feelings for me… but to hear him speak these words in such a way.
Something that he had never said before…
Promptly, I burst into fresh tears.
'Oh Jesse,' I sobbed on his shoulder, 'I love you so much as well.'
Despite my actions, my sorrow and my crying. I could feel Jesse's grin on me.
And see it all the more once I raised my head.
His lips on my frozen one's bought me back to the sweet reality of it all.
He loved me.
AN: Ack… Seriously. I have nothing to say. SHOCK HORROR! Except maybe that. And that. And this. And this…
You get the point.
I guess I do have something to say after all: FLUFF RULES! BOTH SUZE AND JESSE SAY THE 'L' WORD! OH HAPPY DAY!
Acknowledgements:
MerakSardonyx – BILL THE PONY! YAY! What about bill the llama? Lol. Llama's rule. You should all go to: http: Here's a llama there's a llama and another little llama funny llama fuzzy llama… llama, llama, DUCK! LMAO! I'm glad you liked my post. Also, with the hacker thing… No way. I mean, the whole 'freaky Paul thing' is Mercy's idea. So go and chop her up with a machete. No one will care. CAUSE SHE ISNT ON THE FREAKING COMPUTER! Grrrr…. Lol. IS THIS NOT ENOUGH FLUFF FOR YOU? NO? YOU SHALL GET MORE… next time on: Imaginary. I hope this chapter was good enough for you as well
nikki007 – Why are you thanking me, Woman? I should be thanking you! Your new story 'My life is over' ROCKS! YOU MUST UPDATE! Or… Or… I WILL NOT UPDATE ON THIS AGAIN! SO HA! Uhm… Yeah.
Maritinkerbell – Man… I've full on remembered you name. It reminds me of: My Tinker Bell. So it's easy to write About the Seattle thing? Yeah, What they were saying was that it came from ALL different countries, not just countries AROUND America. Get what I'm saying? They're not that stupid… I mean, I am and all but… Not CeeCee. She rocks.
And the affair thing. I didn't mean to make it sound like a one-night-stand or anything. It was a person that Father Dominic was in love with before. Just he hasn't told Suze the whole story. And he's overjoyed at the fact that now, he has his own daughter (SPOILER THINGO MAYBE NOT: Basically, Aimee has been dead for a while, Father D thought that she had gone, but somehow… she hasn't. I'll get into that later.) I hope this covers things up with it.
Appepalupagus - Yuppers. Bill is like… the god of everything (other than Meg Cabot… the goddess of authoring) I'm glad you love Fluff, I think we all do. READ THE CHAPTER ABOVE! JESSE AND SUZE SAY THE 'L' WORD! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Zonked out on meds.
Love
ValiantGoddess.
P.S AND NOT MERCY… SO NAH!
