Thank you all for reading and leaving reviews, you're all stars! This took ages to get, what I felt, just right. Didn't want to make Mitchell too angsty cause you lot are a way better at that than me. Anyway, enjoy!
Initially, Annie couldn't understand why most of the other souls in the crowded waiting remained silent; no one acknowledging her presence, her cries and questions. It was beyond frustrating. She wanted to shake them, force them to listen, even flicker a glimmer of eye contact. Why wouldn't they answer her?
The others, the ones who weren't silent, whispered about her. They stared, some even glared, all too frightened to approach her; she was the black sheep, the first to reject death, or co-habit with a vampire and a werewolf. Apparently, that was a disgrace.
With time she understood. The silence wasn't out of respect, no, if you spoke to the newcomers, they'd drag you into their black hole of despair and desperation. So she became one of the emotionless silent ones, not even sensing the fresh crying faces, ignoring the stares, the background slowly fizzing into a dark blur.
By this point Annie had given up, positive her message to her boys after Kemp would be her final goodbye. After that little trick with Kemp, they had been furious, angry enough already with her little door dodges. They had to control her, set an example.
That's when they brought those cold, thin silver chains, the darkness and punishment. She tried to imagine the good old days, her little pink house and laughter. Her dad always told her to imagine the things she loved when she was frightened. They put a stop to that quickly.
Her throat still felt raw, not from her initial screams, but her final silence.
And pop, she was back. Shocking, an unimaginable surprise nonetheless. Complete sensory overload; sounds crashing her eardrums, bright lights blinding her watery unaccustomed eyes, hugs, kisses and tears confusing her shell of a soul. That muffled feeling when you stand too close to speakers at a concert.
God, she probably gave them all a fright just standing there like a zombie. It was all so overwhelming. Never did Annie believe she'd be granted a second chance. She didn't care how she got back, she only wanted to remember how it felt to be touched, to feel and speak.
Not in her wildest dreams did Annie think she'd be here, arms entwined with a rather overexcited George, acting like the little tour guide for their new residence as they walked down the bumpy country roads.
She pinched herself, not just to test this was reality and not some cruel dream, but also because she could actually feel the nipping pain it induced. She could actually feel; the breeze, sunlight, and her clothes – the rules had changed apparently. Still dead as a ghost could be, no pulse, just a little different now.
The hazy sunlight warmed Annie's cool skin. It actually was pretty beautiful here, peaceful, just what they needed until all hell broke loose. She couldn't suppress the small grin twitching her face as George pointed out all the different sheep fields, rushing his words like a gossiping house wife.
All George's little expressions and gestures were like rewards to Annie, traits that Annie engraved into her memory. She didn't realise how much she'd miss him. As with Mitchell, his protectiveness, charm and Irish twang. That was the Mitchell she knew; not the blood fuelled monster who leered over her in the kitchen, frightening her. Annie being Annie, could forgive him, she knew the guilt was eating him up. It's all in the past now, and her sole purpose is the present.
The future would contain a good dose of healing, Annie was sure. Of course, explaining to George and Mitchell what happened…well, that wouldn't aid their healing one bit. No, they didn't need to know; Mitchell maybe in time. Not ever George.
She couldn't tell them she was scared of the night; more specifically, being left alone. The first night had been ok, the three of them crowding the couch until morning, Nina observing in the background, keeping a slight distance.
The following night, fear swept through, an unwelcomed visitor. It had been late by the time she literally commanded George to bed with a thankful looking Nina. She remembered claustrophobia setting in as her mind played tricks; shadows in her peripheral vision resembling doors, creaks and cracks pulsing shivers down her spine.
Annie recalled a tired Mitchell returning from the kitchen taking one look at her before prying her hand from the cushions, pulling and guiding her to his room. She felt uncharacteristically intrusive, wholly intending to sit all night on the little chair occupying the pretty much empty room. So she felt a little bashful as Mitchell patted the space beside him, beckoning her to join him. Annie produced a weak response that'd she'd hog all the covers, while removing her Uggs and cardigan automatically, the need for physical contact overpowering her politeness.
Mitchell grunted a reply, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her closer, instantly falling into a deep sleep. She relished in the warmth of his arms, the material of his top gently grazing her skin. Despite never sharing a bed with Mitchell before, it felt completely natural and safe. Her mind was clear of all that had happened, calm, and Mitchells light snores lulled Annie into the first sleep she'd had since death.
After that sleep, she had felt amazing, completely recharged and finally a little more like her real self.
Annie didn't need to cling onto George to absorb energy from him; now it was just like old times, good friend style as they rounded the corner, feet crunching on the gravel, the cottage merging into view.
Spotting Mitchell and Nina waiting awkwardly for their return, finishing their cigarettes, Annie could sense tension lingering between the two; George believed it was slightly better now though and eventually they'd reach a mutual understanding.
Annie smirked as George pulled his arm free, jogging over to Nina to plant a sloppy kiss on her lips. She was ecstatic the couple had settled their differences and found each other again.
Mitchell sauntered over with a lopsided grin, as Annie shivered in the late afternoon breeze, ruffling her cardigan. To her relief, he was looking less exhausted, still drowning in angst but a heck of a lot better. A glimmer of the Mitchell she knows returning somewhat.
Puzzled, Annie accepted the scarf Mitchell tugged off and wrapped carefully around her neck, wondering how he knew she was solid. The puzzlement quickly dissolved when Mitchell kissed her cheek, lingering, and a warm sensation trickled to her face in what she presumed a faint blush. The pair remained completely unaware of Nina prodding George and pointing in their direction, George huffing and puffing.
There was enough time to ponder on whatever pull was drawing her and Mitchell together. Time was in the plenty.
Now, she was back, happy and loved; things would be different. No more secrets and hopefully, they would learn from their mistakes.