Eighth:
After constant tossing and turning Jaeden wakes, she sits in the bed watching Lydia and Kira sleep beside her. The heat from their bodies cascades around her, as she slips out. She slides her sneakers on her feet, sneaking herself outside in the warm night. She takes a few paces, towards the mailbox as she stands and watches the dark empty streets. A breeze blows through her as she tightens her long black hoodie tight to her body.
"Jaeden?" A frail whisper calls out to her. She does not flinch around as the soft steps creep up behind her. "Couldn't sleep?" Lydia stands next to her, with her hair pin in French knots as a few strands of baby hairs flies out from her forehead. A silence passes through them for a few minutes, Jaeden shuffles around on her feet twirling the strings from her hood. She steps down onto the edge of the curb, blanking out on the torn road in front of her. Lydia joins her, laying her head on Jaeden's shoulders like a heavy weight.
"Lydia," Jaeden's voice squirms in her throat. The words trying to fight their way out of her. A low hum rolls from Lydia's mouth like a small bird. "You mention, earlier about Kira knowing where we were?" As she speaks, she notices how more strands of Lydia's hair unravels from the braid on her head. "Lydia, do you not trust Kira?"
Lydia shudders, the goosebumps raising on her skin brushes against Jaeden's hand for a moment. She curls her arms around Lydia pulling her closer to her body as Lydia wraps herself around her waist. "I trust Kira." Lydia breathes the words along the base of Jaeden's neck.
"No you don't." Lydia allows the phrase to linger in the air for a moment, tightening her arms around Jaeden while the base of her heartbeat drums faster in her chest.
"It's not like I don't trust her," Lydia begins, without realizing what it is that she intends to say. She knows Jaeden's eyes bore on the top of her head. "It's just that whole situation was bizarre, and she manages to show up after it was all over with. I'm always on edge with people like that."
Jaeden ponders back, the monster staring at them like a huge statue as it rips through the jeep. She ponders back to that day Kira greeted her after getting out of the hospital. How the monster uses it tentacles to grip around her neck like a straw. She tries to figure out how Kira reacted, how she responded to the two incidents. Scared? Worried? Relieved perhaps? How before everything went black for her that last thing she hears was Kira's desperate cries. And when she wakes up, Kira was there waiting for her with these dark circles of concern and stress underneath her eyes.
"I don't think that's reason enough to suspect her of anything." The blanket of warmth leaves Jaeden's body, watching Lydia as she braces herself on her feet.
"Right, of course not." Lydia grumbles under her breath, a hard stomp rattles from her feet as she leaves Jaeden alone on the curb. Jaeden attempts to stop her, to explain to her the reasons why she is wrong about Kira. List all the great things about her personality and her loyalty, traits that could not coincide with the image that Lydia is trying to create for her.
Instead, she grapples at something different, something more distant from herself. "Lydia," Lydia almost moves a few steps forward until she stops. "The other night, after I was discharged." Jaeden pauses, determining whether she should even try. Whether or not it is a mistake to tell Lydia anything. " That night I left. Kira and I went to the park. And we saw that thing."
Kira wakes up early, the sun pouring in through and inside the purple tank top strap around her shoulders as she tightens the shoelaces on her sneakers. She sprints, enjoying the tightness in her chest while her feet hit the pavement and slips off into the dirt trail. The long trees sprout high in the sky blocking out the cocky heat, its brown leaves shrivel and land on the ground at her feet.
Her long black hair swings behind her, gaining momentum and grace as she flies along with the butterflies. The sweat puddles against her collarbone, grifting in the fresh air provided by the bushes and shrubs around her. She continues running, barely passing anyone as she appreciates the solitude she has. All of it vanishes as she notices Scott, paddling towards her in his biker shorts and tight grey sweatshirt. She finds herself behind a tree, her heart beating faster than it has since she began running this morning. She waits, hoping to hear the creak of Scott's bike roll by her so she goes back to running instead of hiding like a young child on their first day of pre-school.
Nothing spreads behind her but more tapping of running footsteps that seem to halt. At last, she sneaks a peek around the tree only to be spotted by Scott, in deep conversation with Allison. Scott waves at her, gaining Allison's attention as she turns her head, displaying her large dimples in her high cheek bones as Allison flashes a smile to her.
Kira limps forward, like a wounded animal, as she cringes and winds her face into a plastic smile. "Scott, Allison."
They try to engage her in conversation, talking about college and professors. Kira averts her eyes, pretending the dark brown stumble under Scott's chin is not imprinting the flashbacks of them together. With him between her legs, his dark brown eyes gleaming at her among her brief moments of pleasure.
"I hope you don't mind I'm going to go run. Down the trail." Kira finds her feet scooping up dirt in a small pile.
"Yeah, do you mind if I join you?" Allison's voice perks up, Kira almost notices her entire body sinking into the ground. But she smiles, almost enjoying the childlike way Allison smiles back at her.
Her and Allison take off running, Allison's long slim legs cover more ground like she is leaping through the air in elegant sprints. Kira struggles, pushing her tiny statuesque body to its limit attempting to keep up with her. They race up down a hill, a sensation of tumbling down the winding paths with jagged boulders lining against almost like an attempt to block out the river that rushes a few feet away.
Allison pants, resting against a tree as her brown ponytail hangs behind it case in heavy sweat. "You sure can move Kira." A slight giggle trickles from Allison's full lips somehow makes Kira swell up with intense guilt.
"I better head on back. Down the trail I mean, before the others wake up." Kira watches as Allison straightens up, a good few inches over Kira as her trim arms and chest frames out of her dark green sports bra.
"Yeah, you're right. You want to get a coffee after this?" Stun, Kira fumbles over the question. Dissecting every word like it was a foreign language. Without wanting to hesitate for too long, she nods. Both of them rushing back up the hill.
The coffee shop is bustling and crowded when they enter. A long line stretches from the counter out the door. The whirling of machines and chatter of people fills the place up along with aroma of sweet hazelnut and vanilla. Kira gets in line, Allison blocking her with a message to pay for both of their drinks. Kira drifts through the cramp cafe, her fingers shaking as she tries to type out her order to Allison. The text goes through, Kira reading it over and embarrassment flushes her face at the complicated drink she reads in front of her.
She tries to cover it up with a laugh emoji, requesting a simple black coffee with cream and sugar on the side. She finds an empty table by a wall of windows, crumbling up a piece of napkin as she waits for Allison. It seems like hours before Allison slides over her latte.
"Oh, I didn't mean to give you a headache over my order." Kira frowns, reading the side of the cup with all the list of flavors, milk, and steam that she wants. "I would have been fine with a small coffee." Allison giggles again, her eyes dance like tiny shadows over her dimples.
"Trust me, Kira. I know all about complicated coffee orders." Allison rambles about some story, of her and her parents at a cafe. Kira fades out, trying to flesh out the details of what Allison is saying. Only to be bog down with shame, picturing Scott's eyes cover with a flood of tears on her doorstep and his gruff arms snug around her body.
Allison giggles again, Kira mimics her hoping it passes off as the real as she flashes back to Allison across from her. They sip their drinks, watching people scurry about like rabid dogs.
"Actually, Kira. I wanted to ask your opinion on something." That's when her heart stops in her chest. Could Allison have figured it out? Could she have known? Kira nods her head with calm satisfaction like she was confessing her darkest sin to a priest. Kira allows Allison to proceed. They remain in silence until Allison tries to begin, fluster and stumbling over her words. "It's kind of complicated and embarrassing to say out loud at least." Allison's face creeps into a hollow frown that startles Kira.
Kira begins to apologize, panic rising in her like a volcano. "It's not your fault," Allison interrupts with a joyful smile on her face. "And it's not something that I really planned. But when Scott and I broke up a few weeks ago, I just felt so miserable and alone and afraid." The silence settles into a tense cloud around them, Kira grips her fingers tighter around the cup in her hand.
"But now, I feel guilty."
"Guilty?" Kira pinpoints her glare at her. "Guilty for what?" The question almost directs itself to her before Allison answers.
"I guess because of how I was able to move. Because I met someone." The lobby near the entrance soon becomes empty after moments of chaos. The shop gets quiet as nothing more than a few glints of chatters swelling around them.
Kira listens as Allison continues, describing every detail of how she met someone a few days ago. How beautiful and warm and charismatic the girl was when she first spoke with her. Allison flares her story like a typical harlequin romance novel, lamenting on how great she smells and look and taste. After relinquishing the entire story to her, Allison collapses back in her seat, a long sigh escapes her full lips like she just let go of years of built up torture.
"Don't get me wrong," Allison starts once more. She swirls her stick around her coffee, the warm scents die down as the steam from the cup disappears. "I loved Scott. I mean, we were together all through high school. But I think it's time for me to let try to let go of him."
Kira smiles, only to force it to not appear as bright and gaudy. "Allison, that's wonderful news." Allison slides her fingers across the table, cradling them as they lapse onto Kira's.
"Does this make me, a bad person?" Allison's large brown eyes gloss over with tears, droplets landing on the table. Kira's hand trembles as they slide over Allison's fingers, with the only word that could come out of her mouth being no.
Lydia's grip becomes tighter around hers as her pace quickens, the large doors in front of them swings open revealing the empty corridors and stairs seat near the entrance. The entire inside of the building is dark, empty. Enough for their footsteps to echo through the halls and the lack of light to disguise their shadows on the walls. Jaeden cements her stance to the ground, pulling Lydia back into her with her long red hair grazing against the air.
She stares, first at Lydia for a moment but then her eyes dart to the dark shadows in the corners as they appear to shift and dance like young flames. Lydia snaps and refocus all the attention back towards her, glimpsing a hint of fear that glosses over Jaeden's eyes. "Hey, are you alright?" Lydia's voice softens, caressing the back of Jaeden's hand.
"Lydia, where are you taking me?" Jaeden notices herself scratching at the scars hidden underneath her long green flannel shirt, until a slight shove knocks her fingers out of the way with Lydia's pale fingers caressing themselves further and further along the base of her forearm.
"Don't worry, I'm not kidnapping you." Her response simple, and giddy. She continues marching forward, pulling Jaeden along with her down the hallway until distinct ramblings of voices muffle themselves out to them. Soon, the ramblings get clearer and more precise.
They enter into an empty lab, glass beakers line on the tables as Stiles and Danny shuffle them between themselves. Jackson sneers at his phone, looking up with everyone else when they step into the room. He does not waste time before he demands why they are there. Everyone else stares, expressions shock but bewildered
It was not until the click of the door shutting behind them that Jaeden finally displays it to everyone a visible jump, only to find Lydia stomping in front of everyone. "Alright," Lydia glances at Jaeden first before turning her head towards everyone else in the room. "Just tell them what you told me."
Silence hangs, nobody daring to move or speak as they are land their eyes on Jaeden. She fidgets, combing her hands through her long green dreads. The intensity of the quiet begins to weigh on her before she desires herself wanting to exit.
"You know," Lydia starts, almost like she is about to gush over something important. "About that 'thing'. That you and Kira saw that night." A few more seconds of silence drifts in as Jaeden starts, skimming over certain details and fragments of the story that she complicated to Lydia the other night.
They hang onto her every word, even after she finishes telling them everything. Stewing in this information, no one speaks or responds. Just the sound of beakers clinking together in the dim light pressing through the window is all that is heard.
"Well?" Lydia directs this question towards the group like a dictator. "Doesn't anyone think this is the least bit weird or suspicious?" Jackson bemoans at Lydia's question, only resulting in them to engage in a debate.
"Listen," Danny interrupts. His calm, deep voice appears to sooth everyone. He catches their attention, unprepared to say more but decides to keep the momentum going. "I agree with Lydia that it's bizarre and a strange coincidence but that doesn't mean anything without enough evidence."
The entire room ponders over his words for a few moments, until Lydia combats these points dragging the conversation down into another intense argument. It lasts longer, twisting Jaeden's stomach into wired knots in her gut. She remains quiet, waiting to find breaks in the conversation while eyeing outside the door. The shadows seem steady, only for slight jerks and shifts in them.
Jaeden shifts herself to the group, dividing their attention as she flops down on a stool. They proceed to argue for a few more moments, their tones and words itches on the back of her neck until she cuts through the tension.
"Guys, I understand the concern but this is starting to sound more like." Jaeden chokes, almost letting the tears slip out from her eyes. "Look, I know I made everyone's life miserable before and it seems like, barely out for a few weeks or hours and I brought even more trouble for you." Jaeden slides her eyes down to her arms, like the scars are seeping through her shirt in dark red rings. "It just, I know this is all my fault. I'm so sorry."
A heavy silence drapes itself over everyone in the room. Immediately, a pair of arms encase around her. A guff of soft red hair tickles her chin. "Jaeden," Danny approaches her with a slight brush of his hand on her shoulder, causing a slight twitch in her arm like a shiver sprints down her spine. "No one is blaming you, at all."
A quick glance towards Jackson and Stiles, their eyes hanging low towards the ground. "We just think," Danny turns towards everyone, gaining unspoken encouragement from everyone as he lets it off his chest. "This is something that we need to be more mindful, something we need to try to understand before it becomes and gets too out of hand."
Jaeden scans around the lab, getting a glimpse from everyone as their expressions morph from concern to determination. Her own expressions attempt to mimic theirs as her heart sinks further deep into her chest. Lydia grazes her small hands around her wrist, noticing her words of support placate in her ears like balls in an empty bowl.
"Before we get excited here," Jackson lets his words break through while everyone prepares to exit out. "Do anyone have any idea on how we're going to go about this? Because I don't know about anyone else but I'm not too keen on chasing after some homicidal monster without one."
They linger around in the lab, contemplating on how to wrap their minds around this. How they could prevent themselves of being placed in harm's way while still trying find the creature that is after them. Until they finally rest upon an idea on the best solution to this. Stiles snatches a notebook from his backpack, scribbling down as the tip of his pencil digs into the stark white sheets of paper.
"What are you doing?" Jackson snarls, inching his face to peer over Stiles shoulders.
"I'm just keeping track of where that, thing, attacked. What we need to do," Stiles pauses. The notebook in his hands twirling around like a Frisbee. He closes the notebook, a deep sorrow glare flashes before his dark brown eyes as he peers around at everyone. "We may need to investigate the playground where it first attack?"
With a hefty shrug of her shoulders, Jaeden nods as the gaze of everyone burns into her skin like iron coals. "We may also have to learn more the facility, you were staying." Soon all the burning gazes flash onto Stiles like lights, highlighting the words that have just escaped his mouth. "I'm sorry but, I think it's needed."
"Way to be sensitive, jackass." A snarl purrs from Jackson's lips, the words rumbling in his throat. Stiles tenses his entire body, squeezing the notebook tight in his palms as he tries to scan over Jaeden's face.
She snatches a flag of flesh from the cuticle of her fingers before forcing her hands into her pockets. She stretches her face into a smile. "No, Stiles, you're right." A pill of blood spools from her finger, dampening underneath her nails as she claws at it, making the blood run more freely. "I want to find this bastard as much as you do. And we have to do what we can do." A shock rumbles through Jaeden's forearm as Lydia brushes her pale fingers along her deep dark brown skin.
The silence in the lab begins to thicken like a drape of fog over them. Danny breaks the silence, only to suggest that everyone remains together. His tone stern and tight, but his stance calm and comforting. "I'll call Allison and let her know." Lydia chimes.
"And I'll call Kira. Keep her in the loop too." Everyone agrees, rushing out of the lab with a new found sense of urgency.
Jaeden slows her steps, walking in step with Lydia as the others speed off through the empty building. Soon, a low growl seeps into Freddie's ears with its sharp pain sprinkling down her spine. Soon, the growl drains out, replacing itself with the echo of Lydia's heels stomping on the concrete floor.
"Listen, I know you want to include Kira in this." Jaeden stares down at Lydia, confusion settles in her head. "I know you and Kira are close, really close." The hint of anger prances around on the last couple of words, pulling herself to a state of calm before continuing. "But I don't think that's a good idea."
Without hesitation, the bumbling of words shoots out of Jaeden's mouth with the words bouncing around on the walls. A long slew of accusations and questioning direct at Lydia. "Jae, babe relax. I just," Stopping, Lydia stares down the long hallway forcing her mind to vanish and evaporate every ill thought staining her brain. "I just don't really trust her." Lydia glides the base of her heel along the concrete, her cheeks flush underneath her green eyes.
"Lydia, I can't just keep things from her." Lydia's shoulders slump back, an exasperated giggle sneaks from her mouth. She snaps down the hallway, her pace moving so fast that clicks bellow like hefty drums. They step outside, watching the others waiting for them by the entrance.
"It's just suspicious to me, how she always manages to be there whenever it shows up." Jaeden halts herself in front of Lydia as the words bellow from her mouth in a low whisper. She peers down at her, Lydia's green eyes dancing before the intensity from Jaeden's glare causes her to look away. "I know you two were close but,"
"She visited me, every week. Until I asked her, to stop. To not waste her time, her life on me. Then one day, she didn't show up." A gentle touch from Lydia's small fingers swipes away a tear that slips from Jaeden's eye. Jaeden leans into Lydia, wrapping engulfing each other into a tight embrace. Lydia whispers in Jaeden's ear, explaining how much people can change in just a couple of years, how much everyone changes in high school, and how much she desperately does not want her to get hurt.
Lydia lingers, pushing herself tighter against Jaeden before pulling away and trying to calm her heartbeat as they walk back to their vehicles.
*WARNING: I WILL BE TAKING A SHORT BREAK FROM WRITING THIS STORY, NO MORE THAN A FEW WEEKS OR SO SINCE I'M AT THE HALF-WAY POINT OF THE STORY
*BUT PLEASE STILL LEAVE A REVIEW AND TELL ME WHAT YOU WOULD THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR WHAT YOU WISH WOULD HAPPEN AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU LIKED*