Chapter 12
A long sigh escaped her chest as Misty stared up at the ceiling. She felt emotionally drained, but not necessarily 'tired'. When she attempted to reach for sleep, it dodged out of her grasp. Her eyes felt heavy, but her body felt restless. She sighed and stood with yawn and a stretch before walking off to the kitchen. Back at home, if she couldn't sleep, she would warm up a small glass of milk. She had forgotten what had originally inspired her to try it, but it worked. After placing a microwavable cup half-way full of milk into the microwave, she pushed the buttons to set the time and the pressed 'start'. She leaned back against the counter, staring at the ground. She would have jumped when footsteps echoed down the hall before Gregory stepped into the kitchen. He started when he saw her.
"You havin' trouble sleeping again?" he asked, grabbing the jar of peanut butter from the cupboard along with a knife.
Misty nodded with a yawn.
"I'm real tired..." she shrugged, "but I just can't sleep..."
Gregory shifted uncomfortably as the microwave beeped. Misty retrieved her warmed milk and sighed as she began walking back into the living room. He followed her and stood beside her as she sat back down on the couch.
"Want me to sit up with you till you're able to sleep?" he offered.
Misty smiled a little.
"I guess that would be fine..." she smiled, patting the seat to her right.
Setting the peanut butter down, he sat next to her and leaned back a little.
"So..." he began.
"So...?" Misty laughed, leaning into his arm.
"Um...I've been meaning to ask you..." he stuttered, "Johnny's aunt has a heated, indoor pool...I was thinking we could all go for a swim one day...You know...Tony, Anna Rudolph...you and Lynx...and the band mates and I...I think the parents might be too busy to go for much of a swim..."
Misty sat back in thought as she sipped her milk.
"Hm..." she murmured, "That sounds like fun...Is Johnny alright with it?"
"Well...actually...it was Johnny's idea..." Gregory replied sheepishly, "He wanted me to ask you..."
"Sure..." Misty nodded, "Like I said, it sounds like fun. When should we go?"
"Maybe after the Halloween party..." Gregory suggested.
"Halloween party?" Misty echoed excitedly, "What Halloween party?"
"You don't know yet?" Gregory asked, furrowing his brow, "Yeah, the school is having a Halloween party next Friday....you know...'Halloween day'?"
"I nearly forgot how close Halloween was!" Misty smiled blissfully, hugging his arm a little, "Halloween is my favorite holiday..."
"No!" Gregory scoffed sarcastically, "I wouldn't have guessed!"
Misty giggled and punched him lightly in the arm.
"Seriously, though..." he chuckled, "It'll be fun. The guys and I are gonna be the entertainment...We'll be performing."
"Oh! That's cool!" Misty laughed, "Maybe they'll let Lynx and I join the party committee to plan for it. Lynx and I always went way over the top with Halloween. We'd really be able to spice it up."
"You should ask..." Gregory shrugged, "They'll be having meetings all week this week and next. Go to one of them and offer up any ideas you have."
"Sounds great!" Misty giggled, "I'll do that..."
She yawned again as she finished her milk before turning to him.
"Well, I think I'll be able to get some sleep now..." she sighed, "You best get some sleep too..."
Gregory nodded and stood before heading to the stairs.
"Don't forget the peanut butter..." Misty whispered.
He laughed a little and snatched up the jar before walking back upstairs.
"Night..." he waved before disappearing up the steps.
Misty smiled and lay back, playing with a lock of her hair as she stared up at the ceiling. A light blush still tinged her cheeks as she closed her eyes. It was nice to have Gregory acting so sweet. He was even a little attractive like this. She'd always imagined that she'd fall for a guy like Gregory. She'd not planned to fall for a boy who'd been a vampire, but it wasn't too bad. It wasn't like the 'romance' she'd read in Twilight. Gregory had been a bit of a jerk when they met, but she understood his reasons. He was a vampire and he and his family had been hunted for centuries. He'd warmed up to her eventually, but he didn't just hate her and keep pretending to hate her before suddenly becoming obsessed with her enough to stalk her. She also wasn't 'head-over-heel's in love with him from the moment she saw him. Gregory was handsome, but he wasn't exactly drop-dead gorgeous. She giggled a little. No, he definitely wasn't the most handsome guy she'd ever seen, but he was still good-looking. When he wanted to be, he was sweet and very likable. With a sigh, she closed her eyes and let herself drift off.
--
Nothing. Pure, black nothingness all around. Misty tried squinting her eyes, but could see nothing at all. A soft groaning filled the air around her. There was a faint glow to her right. Slowly, she looked around. There was a gathering of people in the distance. Most held umbrellas to shield them and others and everyone was dressed in black. The image began to become clearer as she neared. The sky was still dark and rain fell heavily from above. Despite her clothes being drench, Misty did not feel the cold or the damp. She approached the crowd. Flowers could be seen on the ground. She could make out faces in the crowd. In front of them all was a priest, his back straight as he addressed them all, and his bible in hand. Lynx's usually cheerful disposition was gone and his tan face now held a melancholy demeanor as he stood between a crying Dottie and a tense-looking Bob. Tony stood in front of Lynx, crying a little as well and holding his glasses in his tiny hand. In the other was Anna's hand, holding his tight as she leaned into his arm. Rudolph looked both angry and sad, but the sadness conquered his face as he stared down. His parents stood to the Thompsons left, both bowing their heads somberly. Freda held a handkerchief to her eyes, trying her tears as Frederick held the umbrella over their heads. Teddy was on the ground in front of them, sobbing and desperately trying to dry his eyes. Jimmy was crouched behind him, patting his back and trying to soothe him with inaudible words. Johnny stood with Gregory, both looking paler and more depressed than usual. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw herself standing between the two. She couldn't remember the last time she'd looked so sad, a flower held shakily in her hands.
Misty stopped and looked around at her surroundings. The group had gathered in a cemetery. The Misty between Gregory and Johnny stepped forward and bent down a little, holding the flower out. The Misty watching the scene darted forward. No! This couldn't be! She shuddered when she saw the tombstone. The tall, stone slab stood somberly over a fresh grave. The name was etched beautifully into the granite, but it was too fuzzy to read it all. The only part of the name visible was what was in quotations in the middle. She covered her mouth as the Misty standing in front of the grave moved back to cry into Gregory's shoulder. He stared down at the grave with a frown and lay his head against hers, letting her weep. Johnny placed his hand on her shoulder and held her as well, hugging her from behind to offer her more comfort. Teddy latched onto her legs, crying into her hips, while Jimmy just stared at the tombstone like Gregory was. He looked to be thinking hard to himself; something along the lines of 'Can't be...' and 'There's just no way he's gone...' The Misty standing off to the side screamed, unable to take anymore of this. She screamed until her throat was sore. What was going on?!
--
With a jolt, Misty opened her eyes, still screaming and bolted into a sitting position. There was the faint sound of footsteps as the parents and the awoken children rushed down to see what was wrong. It took a moment, but Misty finally stopped herself from screaming shortly before they reached her.
"What's wrong?!" Dottie cried.
"Yes, why did you scream...?" Frederick gasped.
Misty looked around and felt her face. Her skin was damp from sweat and so was her hair and her night shirt. After it all sank in, she heaved a sigh of relief and slumped back.
"A dream..." she panted, "It was a dream..."
"What was a dream...?" Freda asked, "I watched you face my husband and take Rookery head on. What could possibly have frightened you so much?"
Misty glanced at her sadly.
"I...I don't know how to describe it..." she mumbled, "At first, there was nothing around...Then there was this scene in a cemetery...It was like I was watching a movie...There was rain and everyone was dressed in black...It was us...all of us...The Thompsons, the Sackville-Baggs, Lynx--the band mates even! And we were all standing there and staring down at something on the ground...I got a little closer and saw it was a grave..."
"A grave...?" Bob asked.
"Who's grave?" Dottie asked.
Misty bowed her head and rubbed her eyes. Gregory cocked his head to the side and stared at her.
"What's wrong...?" he asked softly, "What did you see...?"
She bit her lip.
"It was Bill's..." she wept, "I saw us at his funeral..."
"Oh...Oh...no..." Freda murmured worriedly, walking to sit next to her and hug her, "Oh, dear, it's alright..."
"No..." Misty mumbled miserably, holding a hand to her face, "I...I've had dreams like this before...It's not actually a dream..."
"No, dear," Freda agreed, "It was a nightmare..."
"No..." Misty wept, "It's not something my mind created...It's not fake...Not a dream and not a nightmare...Tony had these kinds of dreams often before we met you all...Dreams of the past, though...not the future..."
"You don't really mean...?" Tony began, furrowing his brow.
"I do..." Misty nodded, "It's a vision...I hate to say it, but it's a vision of what's to come...soon..."
"But I thought the only reason I had those dreams was cause the stone was in my room..." Tony noted.
"That's true," Misty nodded, "You don't have a telepathic ability like Lynx or I have...These dreams were triggered because you had a...a connection with the Sackville-Bagg family...The stone was seeking to be found since the comet's arrival was so immanent. It could have been anyone who might've had those visions. It couldn't seek help from beyond that room, so it reached out to the one occupying the room at the time...You...And you were able to share a vision with Frederick because of the magical properties of that necklace he had. It's all connected with you. Lynx and I have this ability all the time. We can predict the future at times if the event we see will be soon."
"You think this funeral is coming up?" Frederick asked.
Misty paused, the date on the tombstone flashing in her mind.
"Yes..." she mumbled, "I...I couldn't see the exact day...but it's in October of this year...October will be over next Friday...and we've already been told that Bill doesn't have much longer anyway...The funeral I saw will be held soon..."
She bowed her head and leaned into Freda's hug, seeking motherly affection. As she wept, only one thought was strong in her mind; 'If those hospital bastards knew what was good for them, they'll let me visit with Bill tomorrow.'
--
The school day dragged on. Misty was still very tired from waking up in the middle of the night and that didn't help her concentration. When the day was finally over, she was the first to the van. The others would look at Gregory for an answer, but he just shook his had and told them to just get her to the hospital.
"What's the rush?" Johnny asked as he settled into the driver's seat, "Is something wrong?"
"Misty says she had a vision about Bill's funeral..." Gregory answered.
"Oh no..." Teddy murmured sadly.
"Yeah..." Misty mumbled, "Just...Don't tell Bill about it...I don't want him worrying about me...He knows how sad this makes me..."
"Yeah, we understand..." Jimmy nodded, "We won't say anything..."
When they reached the hospital and Bill's room, they found he seemed to be worse off than before. He looked much paler and weaker. His bones could easily be seen beneath his skin. His condition had been close to this the other day, but he just looked awful now. There were heavy bags under his eyes and it appeared that every breath was an effort. He looked up at them as they walked in and smiled. Misty looked less than excited when she saw him, but she fought to put on a smile for his sake.
"Glad to see you...came to visit today..." he began weakly and between breaths as she hugged him.
"We would've been here yesterday," Misty sighed, "but they wouldn't let us..."
"They said you...you caused quite the...commotion...yesterdee..." he breathed through labored breaths.
"S' their fault..." Misty grumbled, "If they'd have just let me come visit you, that wouldn't have happened..."
"Ah, you know...know there was...there was no need for that..." Bill tutted, "I...I'm not going...anywhere..."
Misty forced a smile and nodded.
"I know that..." she lied, "I just like seeing you and damn that bitch who wouldn't let me..."
"Watch yer....language..." Bill scolded pathetically.
"Sorry..." Misty bowed her head politely.
"Listen..." Bill began carefully, "I've had the doctors contact...a lawyer and a notary...They're working on...finalizing my will....I wasn't lying when I...when I said I left everything to you...Despite that you're not eighteen...they'll give you nearly...nearly everything I left...My little...little money will be kept in a bank...but otherwise, you...you get it all..."
"You didn't have to do that..." Misty sighed.
"I did..." he sighed, "Someone had to...take my things..."
They shared a small laugh before Bill started coughing a little. The cough was long and sounded painful in his chest. When he'd finally calmed again, he looked even more tired as he fell back against the pillows.
"I hate seeing you in such a state, Bill..." Misty mumbled, "I really do..."
"It's alright, dear..." Bill assured her hoarsely, "Though it's sad to think about...death will be a bit of a relief...It will end the pain I'm feeling now and...and bring me peace..."
"I know..." she sighed, "And, in that respect, I'm glad. I want you to rest...but I know I'll miss you...I just hurts to know you'll be gone..."
"I know..." Bill murmured sleepily, "But the pain will pass...You're tougher than that..."
She smiled and nodded as his eyes slowly closed. The treatments he underwent tired his body greatly.
"Bill," she began softly, "Would you like us to leave so you can rest? I know you must be really tired."
"I hate to kick you all out...." he wheezed, "But yes...I think I need to get some sleep...I'll be right as rain tomorrow...You're coming back tomorrow right?"
"Of course!" Misty smiled, "I plan to come every day until you're released."
He smiled at her gently, which caused her to fight back a shiver. It was the kind of smile that a dying man gave his family when he knew his time was almost up. The kind of whimsical, but also melancholy look of a man who's days are simply limited. She returned the smile and bent down to hug him tight. Deep down, she feared it might be the last time she could embrace him so warmly. After pulling away, he accepted a hug from the other boys. Gregory was hesitant at first. He was sure Bill still remembered what had happened. To his surprise, the old man smiled at him.
"Come on, give us a hug..." he smiled, "It's the best kind of medicine..."
"'Sides laughter..." Lynx chuckled half-heartedly.
"True..." Bill shrugged before urging Gregory for a hug.
The Sackville-Bagg shrugged uncomfortably before leaning down to embrace the man warmly.
"You take good care of her..." Bill whispered into his ear so that only the Sackville-Bagg could hear, "I did...Now it's up to you..."
Gregory glanced at him slightly. He was really starting to talk as though he were truly close to death...
"I...I will..." he breathed back, trying to ease the man's worry.
Bill nodded as Gregory pulled back again.
"Well, it was....great seein'...you all here..." Bill sighed, "I'll see you tomorrow..."
"That's a promise," Misty winked, trying to be optimistic as she was led from the hospital room.
She sighed as she and the others made their way back to the van. Before leaving, she informed the woman at the front desk that they would be staying the Thompson residence from that night on and gave her the contact information. A part of her wanted to stay, but she knew that was out of the question...As they settled in the car, Johnny broke the long silence that had settled.
"So, we're off to the Thompsons?" he asked.
"The Sackville-Bagg's first..." Misty mumbled, "So Lynx and I can grab our belongings. We packed last night. All that's left is heading home."
"No need," Lynx spoke up, "I asked Dottie to take our bags home this morning. She did the same with her family's..."
"Oh..." Misty nodded, "Then to the Thompson house we go..."
--
Misty tapped her feet to the music as she listened to the band playing in her room. Thanks to excessive research and Lynx's impressive knowledge of electronic equipment, her room was practically soundproof. They'd accomplished this a long time ago, to make the house appear to have no one living in it. It came in handy during long study sessions when the Thompsons wanted sleep. At the moment, Misty was lying on her couch, reading one of her copies of Cirque du Freak. Anna, Rudolph, and Tony had come up and were watching 'Hocus Pocus' with Lynx, who was getting a little too into the film.
"Run Binx!! Run!!!!" he shouted suddenly, drawing the band mates and Misty to glare at him a little, "No!!!"
He turned to Misty and gave her a pathetic look
"Dey killed Binx!!!!" he whined, "He gots runned over by a bus!!!"
Misty rolled her eyes before glaring and throwing her shoe at his head.
"Lynx, you've seen this movie dozens of times," she sighed, "You know he's fine!"
Lynx glanced back at the screen and smiled excitedly when he saw that the black cat was back on his feet.
"YAAAY!!!!!!" he cried excitedly.
Misty sighed and rolled her eyes as she settled back to the thrilling saga of Darren Shan. She nearly jumped when the phone suddenly started ringing.
"I've got it!" Dottie called from downstairs.
Misty shrugged and returned to her book. Meanwhile, downstairs, Dottie had picked up the phone.
"Hello?" she answered, "Thompson residence...Yes, she's--what?"
She paused to listen. Her face grew stern with each word on the other end of the line.
"When...?" she breathed, covering her mouth, "Oh...yes, I'll have her pick up the phone..."
She nodded to Bob.
"Go tell Misty to answer the phone," she instructed, "Tell her it's urgent."
Bob nodded and rushed up the stairs. Misty jumped when he knocked sharply and barged in.
"Bob, that's very rude..." she told him when she glanced at him.
"Yeah, she coulda been naked..." Lynx added backhandedly.
Misty glared at him.
"Misty, pick up the phone," Bob told her in a serious tone, "Apparently it's important..."
She furrowed her brow as she swung her legs over and walked over to her coffin-shaped telephone. The actual speaker and receiver was the lid of the coffin while the hook held a fake vampire.
"Hello?" she asked when she picked up the phone, "Yes, Dottie, hang up..."
Once the familiar click of the other phone hanging up was heard, she listened for the voice at the other end of the line.
"...Yes, this is she..." she answered, "The hospital..."
Her brow furrowed and the others looked at her carefully. Even Lynx had torn himself away from his movie to see what was going on.
"Well, let us come see him now!!" Misty cried, before her face fell, "Too late...? It can't be too late!! You all were supposed to call me before this took a turn for the worse!!"
She paused and slumped onto the bed.
"How long will you keep him there...?" she asked sadly, "...Yes...Yes, we'll be there tomorrow afternoon...Thank you..."
She sighed as she hung the phone back up. Her hair fell into her face and shielded her eyes from the others. Lynx stood. There's a feeling someone gets in the pit of their stomach when they hear a phone call like that. It was never hopeful. The feeling was of both dread and knowing of what was to come...
"Who was it...?" he asked, sounding more serious than he ever had before.
"Bill's doctor..." Misty answered before biting her lip.
The band shared a glance.
"What did he tell you...?" Lynx asked, swallowing the lump in his throat.
She paused and put her hand over her face as she fought back the many tears building in her stomach. She sniffled a little before glancing at Lynx. No words were needed as he bowed his head and rubbed a this eyes roughly, forcing back his own tears. Teddy looked shocked as he walked over to Misty and sat beside her before hugging her around her shoulders. He began sobbing, drawing her to let go of her own tears and cry as well. The other band mates flocked around her and shared Teddy's embrace, hoping to offer solace. Lynx ushered Anna, Rudolph, and Tony out of the room, telling them that he and the others needed a few minutes alone and to go see their parents. After a moment, Lynx shut the movie off and walked over to the bed to sit with the others to weep with them, sharing in their sorrow.
A/N: Okay, if the peoples reading this don't know what happened...yeah...you'll find out in the next chapter. I want it to be subtly obvious...oxymoron! But seriously...I didn't want to make it too obvious, but I wanted to get the point across. So, if you know what happened, good, if not, you'll find out anyway in chapter 13...