CHAPTER THREE: 4 DAYS BEFORE
Bo's Voiceover: "Fear is not real. It is a product
of thoughts you create". Or so someone once said.
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"Look Theo, I didn't imagine this would be how things would end." I snort a chuckle, looking around the otherwise empty office. "In fact I hadn't really imagined an end. But here we are."
"Here we are." He nods, leaning against the wall as far as possible from me.
"When I got here it was wasn't supposed to become a home and when you got here, I never expected to care about you the way I do. Me and Lauren, you've become family to us."
"Is this goodbye for a few days to sort things or is this goodbye forever Bo?"
"Don't make me lie to you anymore than I have." I take a breath, looking down to his boots. It's odd, I'm going to miss those ugly ass boots. "Please Theo."
"You know Hunter is going to take your spot, once everyone realizes you aren't coming back."
"No, no. I made it sure its clear you're in charge while I'm gone. Once they realize that-."
"That you've abandoned us?"
"That they need a new sheriff, by then it will have been long enough for you to show them that you're the best choice. I wouldn't leave if I didn't believe you couldn't do this."
"I thought you weren't going to lie to me anymore?"
"That isn't a lie."
"Whatever you say sheriff." He laughs, this disgusted look on his face as he looks out the window at Lauren and Dyson. "For what it's worth, I don't trust him."
"Neither do I."
"Then why you running after him like dog after a bone?"
"Because some things are bigger than trust. Some things are bigger than any one person."
"What happens now?"
"As soon as I leave, this trouble should too. Lauren left you an official statement, some answers to questions she thought people might ask. Levy, the others needed money and got roped into a scheme. Drug scheme, some new thing. It had side effects. Something like that." I look toward his desk, eyes immediately finding the thin folder Lauren left for him. "She made it sound good, convincing. The fact that the people here are hostile towards outsiders should make it easier to sell."
"You know, I've only ever wanted to help people. Really help people. This small town, it's not really the opportunity to help is it?"
"Theo, I've been in the position to help people like this and like, more than this. Let me tell you, this is the far better deal."
"I could come with, help you in whatever this is."
"You could, but then I'd be responsible for you. For what happens. I can't be responsible like that for you, for anyone else. Believe me, I have more than enough responsibility weighing on me. Me leaving, leaving you behind, it's me showing you how much I care. And I really hope that one day you'll be able to get that."
I take the four steps forward, meeting his glare. This is supposed to be the part where we hug, a final goodbye. But he keeps his back pressed against the wall, this slight head shake. I guess I should be used to hostile goodbyes by now. So instead of a hug, I just give him a forced smile and a nod. I really hope he understands this one day.
"About time." Dyson mumbles, getting into the driver's seat. Should have taken our own car.
"You okay?" Lauren asks softly, cupping my cheek for just a second.
"Yeah, goodbyes just never seem to get any easier."
"No," She pulls her door open. "They never do."
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200 Miles from The Dal
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"Who picked there?" Dyson asks, his third attempt at starting a conversation.
"We both decided." Lauren bites.
"Glad to see you two worked out that communication issue."
"Well as much as I love White Lake Falls, we had exactly five things to do to keep us busy. Festivals. Gossip. Communicate. Binge watch. And um," She giggles softly. "Anyway, let's just say thank God for Netflix."
"I still haven't gotten it."
"Really?"
"No."
"You should have, more for shows than anything. But we had a lot of time once we finished all of my Star Trek."
"I've seen that."
"Have you?"
"Yes, years ago. A bit. I didn't mind the captain."
"Captain Kirk?"
"Yeah."
"I liked Spock."
And I thought the silence was awkward.
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179 Miles from the Dal
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"Gossip huh? Hard to imagine you or Bo gossiping."
"Bo was actually surprisingly good at it. I assume since she grew up in a similar place that it was easy to slip back into old habits."
"Thanks for that babe."
"Bo gossiping." He laughs. "Something new every day."
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163 Miles from the Dal
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"Ah, I have a good question."
I seriously doubt it Dyson, but keep trying.
"How come the two of you haven't settled down yet?"
"I don't know how much more settled you'd like us to be. We live together. We don't see other people. We share a Netflix password. It's serious." She laughs softly, shifting as he knees hit my seat.
"You want me to pull my seat up babe?"
"No," Her hand rests on my shoulder, giving a little squeeze. "It's fine."
"Well I just figured that with the two of you, by now there would be a ring involved. I didn't think I'd be invited considering, but-."
"Okay, how about some music." I lean forward, hitting the radio several times until something comes on.
"Okay?" He glances over at me.
Mind your business wolf, keep driving.
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131 Miles from the Dal
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"Can I talk again?" He asks, looking over at me.
"What?"
"I don't know, you seem to have a problem when I speak."
"Hey, did you two know that everyone has a unique tongue print?"
"You can speak, in fact you haven't stopped speaking since you popped back up in our lives. Who am I to stop the mighty Dyson from doing as he wants?"
"As opposed to the mighty Bo?"
"It's just as unique as a fingerprint, really. I mean we won't be using it to identify anyone, but it's an interesting fact."
"What does that even mean?"
"It means that people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones Bo."
"Another fun fact about tongues, I used to have a tongue ring." Lauren's words register, causing me to look back at her. "Something you didn't know."
"That's uh, that's an interesting image." I chuckle to myself, relaxing in my seat. Very interesting indeed.
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118 Miles from the Dal
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"A fun fact about awkward silences is that after four seconds of one in the middle of a conversation creates a feeling of rejection."
"Your girlfriend has quite a bit of experience in rejection." He snorts. "Or would I say in rejecting people. Which would be the proper way to say that Lauren?"
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98 Miles from the Dal
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"Can you just shut up? Please? Can you do that? You've already gotten us held captive, you don't need to torture us too." I snap, hitting the radio again, though he hits it right after me, shutting it back off.
"My car. No radio."
"My car, no radio? What are you five?"
"If I were you I wouldn't bring up maturity." He growls. He actually growls.
"You know what? Stop the car and let us out. We're going back."
"Stop being a child."
"A child? Really?"
"How does Lauren suffers through you?"
"Big words coming from the guy who tried to get her out of the picture more times than I can count so you could have the chance to suffer through me."
"Female kangaroos have three vaginas."
"What?" Both me and him ask in union, glancing into the backseat. She smiles, giving me the tiniest of shrugs. God do I love her and all of her adorable little quirks.
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79 Miles from the Dal
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"Do you think anyone else will be coming back?" She whispers, her arms resting over my chest. My hand running across her forearm idly.
"Maybe."
"It would be good to see them again."
"It would, but I doubt they will."
"Why?"
"Because there is no-."
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78.7 Miles from the Dal
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One-one thousand. Two-one thousand. Three-one thousand. Four-one thousand.
Breathe Bo, you're okay. Breathe and everything will be fine. Breathe dammit!
Oh God!
Everything hurts—everything I can feel that is. Everything from my right knee down seems to be gone, but I know it's not. My left foot wiggling against my right—at least I know it's there. My neck is throbbing—no it's my head that's throbbing and my neck that's bleeding. I think. Blinking back a mixture of blood and tears I look to my left—the driver's seat empty and torn to shreds. I can't see into the backseat. Glass shards are everywhere. In the seat—in my seat—in my skin. There's so much blood. Why is there so much blood? Why am I upside down?
Oh God!
"Lauren." My voice breaks so much I can barely hear myself. "Lauren!" I call out again. I know I'm yelling now, but-I can barely hear myself. I choke on a mouthful of blood hushing my next attempt to call for her. The muscles in my neck giving out as my head falls back. A cold wave of numbness spreading through my body. "Lauren." Her name a gargled whisper, blood slipping from my mouth into my nose. I ready to turn my head, try to breathe, but I see something off in the street. It's big and—motionless. "Lauren."
"Bo! Bo! I need help!" It's Dyson's growling yell, eyes adjusting. Lauren isn't the only motionless thing in the street. Two other bodies. "Bo!"
Fumbling hands finding the clip, a thud following the click. Jesus! Instinct over confusion. Determination over pain. I crawl out from the shattered windshield. Dyson's on the ground, struggling with one of those things. Fighting to gain concentration I push myself up, eyes on Lauren. Her chest is rising and falling, I can see from here. She's okay. Alright, let's save Dyson's ass. Staggering over to him, the thing atop of him doesn't even hear me. Apparently brains isn't one of their strong suits. Sort of falling onto the pair, arms around it's neck. It takes a few seconds before I hear it's neck snap.
"Are you alright?" He asks breathless as I push myself back up. "Bo."
"I'll tell you in a minute."
"Bo?"
"I said, in a minute." I drop to my knees beside Lauren. "Lauren? Lauren baby, wake up." Hand on her cheek, gently shaking her. "Come on baby. Lauren, please wake up."
"Ow—ow."
"W-what?"
"Oww." She smiles weakly, eyes fluttering open. "Oww."
"Thank you. Thank you." I whisper to myself, pulling her up into my arms. "Thank you."
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78 Miles from the Dal
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"I hate you. I really do." I glare at him, still helping Lauren clean the blood off of her arm. "I can't stand him right now."
"It's not his fault."
"That's like your favorite line this week." I kneel down, dipping the piece of ripped up shirt back into the stream.
"I killed two of them without your help. I stopped them from taking Lauren."
"Do you want a medal?" Scoffing as I stand back up. "You're supposed to be a good guy. Good guys don't need medals every time they help save the day."
"Help? I saved it."
"Last I saw you were about to be food to a particularly ugly infected thing."
"How about we just keep walking until we get signal?" Lauren suggests, looking between the two of us. The scrape on the side of her forearm by far the worst. She'll bruise here and there but she was lucky. I was lucky. "Are you okay?" She asks, cupping my cheek and forcing me to look at her. "We need to get you fed and soon."
"Don't look at me." He snorts.
"I wouldn't feed off of you if you were the last snack in town."
"And we're back to this." She sighs, throwing her arms up as she starts back toward the road.
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73 Miles from the Dal
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"This is the road trip from hell." I sigh, hands gripping the straps of my backpack. "Lauren, let me carry yours for a while again."
"Bo, I took far less damage than you."
"But still."
"But still nothing." She looks over at me, holding her hand out. Sighing in defeat, I take her offered hand. "We should reach somewhere soon. It'll be fine. Maybe get you something to eat."
"How does that work?" Dyson asks, looking back at us.
"How does what work?"
"How does you feeding work now that you two are fully committed."
"She's mastered feeding without touching along with self-control. Her physical activity, non-sexually speaking has decreased so her need has decreased. And she's also mastered her ability to calm into a weak compulsion. A little here and there from a few strong people and she's set."
"I don't think that's going to work now."
"Let me guess, I should feed off of you?" I snort, rolling my eyes.
"Lauren would you please tell her that I have no interest in her anymore."
"Lauren would you please tell him that I don't trust him or anything he says."
"Lauren would you please tell her that she's being a child."
"Lauren would you please-."
"I like Taylor Swift, it's my guilty pleasure."
"I knew it!" I laugh out, pulling her closer. "I knew that it wasn't a mistake her youtube channel came up on our account."
"Yes, yes. Gloat all you'd like." Shaking her head, she lets go of my hand before draping her arm around my shoulders. "I just want to let you know I'm running out of these surprising facts to defuse this situation, so if you could try a little harder to get along that would be great."
"Tell him to-."
"Bo, please." Her eyes meet mine, she's serious. She's exhausted and probably sore.
"Won't hear another peep, I promise." Soft smile on my lips, ignoring my own pain as I lean in a steal a kiss.
Best behavior Bo, best behavior.
At least for now.
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Harrison Inn-70 Miles from the Dal
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"Here." He throws the key to me, an unnecessarily hard throw. Guess he can't let it go. Ass. "We're right next to each other."
"Couldn't get adjoining rooms?"
"Bo, I've just walked eight miles. I'm sore, I'm tired, I've lost my car and I'm irritated. How about you cut me a little slack?"
"How about we all just take a timeout. A nice shower. A little nap. Then we can figure out what to do next?"
Lauren as always, the voice of reason.
She takes my hand, pulling me across the parking lot. Honestly, at this moment I'm just more scared than anything. Scared for her. Scared that we aren't prepared for these things. Scared that no one else will be coming. Scared that they will. Scared that I'm not ready for this. Scared that she isn't as okay as she's saying she is. Scared that I'm not as okay as I say I am. Scared that I'm going to actually need to feed this time around.
I'm just scared and I don't know how to be scared anymore.
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Room 17-8:58 p.m.
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"Are you still awake?" I whisper, glancing over at her. Her eyes closed, but she's breathing too heavy to be asleep.
"No."
"Good. Me either."
"Go to sleep Bo, we need the rest."
"I can't sleep." Sighing, hands going underneath my head as I stare up at the ceiling. This place needs a paint job, like yesterday.
"Bo you can't protect me or anyone else if you aren't rested on top of not being fed."
"I know, I know. I just, keep thinking about-."
"If the answer isn't me," She opens on eye, tilting her head just enough toward me. "I would tread very carefully."
"Of course I'm thinking about you."
"And?"
"And about why we're going back."
"Bo, not again."
"No, I mean think about it. Why does Dyson need our help?" I roll onto my side to face her, she shaking her head despite keeping her eyes closed. "I get we're going back because it's our duty. Blah, blah. But why couldn't he handle this?"
"For starters it doesn't seem as if it's an easy fix."
"And?" Hand lazily going to her stomach, gently rubbing over the material of her shirt. "You're telling me with all the Fae there he couldn't gather enough help?"
"Maybe not." Her hand resting over mine. "We weren't the only enemies he made with his choices."
"Ah-ha! So you admit we're enemies."
"Just a choice of wording."
"Appropriate choice."
"Bo, can you do me a favor?"
"Anything." She turns her face toward me, smiling softly.
"Just tell me in all seriousness what is scaring you so much about this?"
"Nothing," I shrug into the pillow. "I've told you already."
"We can't work through it if you won't talk to me."
"There's nothing to talk about." I fib, sighing softly to myself as she moves her hand. "Lauren, come on."
"You can be so stubborn."
"Where are you going?" Head poking up, watching her roll from her side off the bed. Her phone in hand as she walks to the corner of the bed, this look on her face that says she wants nothing to do with me at the moment.
"Just." Free hand running through her hair, pushing it from her face. Eyes shifting from me to the dimly lit screen of her phone.
"Lauren, come on. Come back to bed. I promise I'll keep thoughts to myself."
She looks up with that 'Are you serious' look. Smirk pulling at the corner of my lips as I push myself up, leaning back on my arms. She's shaking her head, maybe at me or at whatever it is she's doing. First instinct is to make a smartass comment about texting her other girlfriend with me right here, but my second instinct tells me that wouldn't be the brightest idea. So instead, I just sit here, watching her.
"Dance with me."
"Um, is that a euphemism for something?"
"No," She laughs softly, playfully rolling her eyes at me. "Dance with me." Repeating herself, she sets her phone on the dresser face up.
"You're serious?" I find myself sitting up fully.
"I am, now get up and dance with me."
"O-okay."
It takes an effort to not laugh as I push myself off of the bed. Only would she come up with something so spontaneous. She was hardly ever actually, but in the moments she was, they were something. Yawning I stand at the end of the bed, smirk in place as I just kind of stare at her. She's got that 'I'm going to kick you' look, but instead of actually following through she brushes her finger over the screen of her phone. The beat starts soft and interesting to say the least, all I can think about is how good the speaker on her phone is. Like it's ridiculously good, that's not even full volume and it fills the room. It's crisp and clear. I think I need to switch phones.
Then, all I can think of is her.
"I want every single piece of you. I want your heaven and your oceans too. Treat me soft but touch me cruel." She signs ever so softly along with the song, stepping into me. Her hands guiding mine to the small of her back. Her arms draping over my shoulders. "I wanna teach you things you never knew, baby. Bring the floor up to my knees. Let me fall into your gravity." Her voice is so soft, if she wasn't this close I'd miss it. Her cheek ghosting over mine, lips so close I swear I can feel them on my ear. Warm breath covering my skin in goosebumps. "Then kiss me back to life to see. Your body standing over me." Her lips graze along my skin as she pulls back, eyes meeting mine.
I'm lost in their inconceivable depth.
What is it about a woman that is so undeniably sexy?
Is it physical?
The natural lure that lays deep within the eyes. Invitingly soft lips that demand attention. Gentle touches with seemingly always the right amount of pressure. Silky skin that begs to be endlessly caressed. Commanding curves. Oh God the curves. Curves of the breasts, hips, ass and thighs. Mm, thighs, the gatekeepers of the sweetest temptation of a woman. Physically speaking women are a work of art to never be denied.
Is it intellectual?
The way women just seem to always be smarter in everything. The way they adapt to any challenge thrown their way. Their adept skill to work through any problem. Their way of figuring you out before you've even figured yourself out.
Is it emotional?
Men may have cornered the market on physical strength, in most cases, but women are far stronger where it really matters. Breaking a man may be hard, but a broken woman will always heal stronger than before. The amount of burdens a woman can carry is astonishing. The capability of loyalty a woman possesses is unmatched. The capacity a woman can love you surpasses logic and reason, no creature loves more fiercely than a woman.
Is it personality?
Every single woman is unique, like a snowflake or a fingerprint. No two alike. Even those following the crowd, if you take the time to see beneath the surface, you'd be amazed at the depth beneath the surface.
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((((I miss you when the lights go out-It illuminates all of my doubts-Pull me in, hold me tight, don't let go-Baby, give me light))))
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Maybe it's a combination of them all. Maybe it's none of them. Maybe there is no simple answer. Maybe attraction is just attraction and there is no way to explain it. Well that is unless you ask an absolute genius with an adorable predisposition for Geek-Speak. Then depending on which mood you find her in, she'll give one of two answers. She'll either say, "Attraction like love can simply be explained by the release of a mixture of chemicals known as dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin" or "Well my love, the body desires what the body desires and the heart desires what the heart desires. And luckily in our case, both desires are exceptionally insatiable".
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((((I miss you when the lights go out-It illuminates all of my doubts-Pull me in, hold me tight, don't let go-Baby, give me light))))
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Personally I don't know enough about science to agree or disagree with the first answer, but I'll take her word for it. The second answer on the other hand, I can certainly attest to. But, I don't know. Ever since meeting her I find myself compelled to find an answer that always seems just out of my grasp. There's something about just saying "it's love" or "you can't explain matters of the heart" that just don't cut it. They're too simplistic. And there's an irony about that in and of itself. Every single day since I've been sixteen I've begged, prayed, wished, hoped and cried for simplicity. In any respect because since that moment with Kyle, I can't remember the last time something was truly simple. And as big of a personality flaw as it might be, I'll be the first to admit I jump at any chance for a simple choice.
But, not with her though.
"I love the way your body moves. Towards me from across the room, brushing past my every groove." She begins to sing along again, eyes moving over my face with such an intensity I have to remind myself to breath. "No one has me like you do, baby. Bring your heart I'll bring my soul. But be delicate with my ego." Palms resting on the curve of my neck, fingers wrapped around the back of my neck. "I want to step into your great unknown, with you and me setting the tone."
Her body resting against mine and I have to remind myself I've felt her a million times before. I know this, I keep each times as a vivid memory. But now, I have butterflies running amok in the pit of my stomach as my heart skips every other beat.
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((((I miss you when the lights go out—It illuminates all of my doubts—Pull me in, hold me tight, don't let go—Baby, give me light))))
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Physically she's a masterpiece. The greatest symphony written into existence. The most stunning painting ever put to canvas. The most elegant performance ever danced. From the very first moment I ever laid eyes on her, she was everything I never knew I wanted. Up until that moment lovers for me were an albatross. An addiction unable to be quit that made me fear myself nearly as much as I hated whatever I was. Whoever my unlucky victim was could be attractive or not, it didn't exactly matter. Most of my musings about attractive men and women were passing thoughts, ones I'd often feel guilty for knowing I could never have something….normal. When I had saw Dyson that day of course I thought he was handsome, sexy in that broody deranged way. He was built and aesthetically pleasing, using Lauren's word. But when I saw her, even in that very unpleasant moment, I memorized every detail of her face. I couldn't help but feel myself come alive in ways I had forgotten. In ways I didn't know existed. Desire becoming something more than a word.
Intellectually, I've never met someone I felt stupider when compared to. Her mind just works unlike anything I've seen and not to brag, but I've been around. The way she can solve any problem and overcome any obstacle. She's suffered so much and you would never be able to tell. The mental strength she's had to have through her life is astonishing really. And then, the way she figured me out effortlessly. It was infuriating and calming all at the same time with the way she always seemed to know what I was going to say or do before I even did.
Emotionally, I don't think I know anyone that can compare. Except maybe Kenz. The stories I've lived through with her, the ones she's told me and the past I know she hasn't even began to share would have broken anyone else. But her? She stands tall with her head high. She breaks with such a strength and elegance that you could miss it unless you knew what to look for. Every single time she emerges stronger than the last, and that alone is enough to make me love her. True, it's been her who's broken my heart, but I know I've broken her too. I didn't quite notice at the time, but looking back, I know I have. And yet she stood by my side through everything. That strength, that loyalty is incomparable.
Personality, well let's just say there is absolutely no one like her in this world. Or any other for that matter. To describe her would be like trying to describe the indescribable. Something like trying to put faith or love to words. Nothing quite seems to adequately describe it. Nothing quite seems to do it justice. I could try to describe her in one word, in one paragraph, in one book even and it still wouldn't completely do her justice.
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((((I miss you when the lights go out—It illuminates all of my doubts—Pull me in, hold me tight, don't let go—Baby, give me light))))
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Memorizing lips bush against mine, teasing in the sweetest way possible. If ever there was something that would drive me insane, it would be her. Hands cascading down my body, her eyes following them as if to make sure they won't get lost. I have to bite my lip to keep from moaning as her fingers wrap underneath my waistband. A rough jerk toward her and I'm sure we'll fall. Her tongue brushing over my lips, begging for permission it doesn't need.
"We play so dirty in the dark, cause we are living worlds apart." Smile on her lips as she begins to sing again. I can feel it before I see it. "It only makes it harder, baby. It only makes it harder, baby." The gentlest of laughs accompanying her words now. Hands gripping my hips just hard enough to surprise me. "Harder, baby harder," A push and I'm on my back. Hands underneath my calves, pulling me toward her. Heels digging into the edge of the mattress. "Baby harder, baby harder, baby." She's smirking down at me now, hands running down my thighs from my knees and back up.
I can't tell if it's the sexiest thing I've ever seen or the most adorable. Maybe both.
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((((I miss you when the lights go out—It illuminates all of my doubts—Pull me in, hold me tight, don't let go—Baby, give me light))))
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Her hands run down my thighs again, only this instead of running back up to my knees they run along my waist. Fingertips pushing my shirt up just over my bellybutton. The tiniest of nails dragged down my skin. Skillful fingers slipping the button open, her thumb pushing the zipper down.
"Just because we're going back to our old lives, doesn't mean we're going back to the old us."
"Oh good because the new us has a LOT more sex."
"Bo," Her eyes meet mine and even in the darkness of the room, I can see the weight in them. "I'm serious."
"Lauren." Her name a moan as her thumbs brush me over the material.
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((((I miss you when the lights go out—It illuminates all of my doubts—Pull me in, hold me tight, don't let go—Baby, give me light))))
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"We are never going back to that place."
"And what place is that?" My own hands lightly wrapping around her wrists.
"You know what place."
"I want you to say it."
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((((Ooh (I miss you)- Ooh (I miss you)- Ooh (I miss you)- Ooh (I miss you)- Ooh (I miss you)Ooh. ))))
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The song comes to an end and suddenly everything is real. Silence swallowing us whole. Eyes locked as if we looked away we'd lose each other.
"We are not going back to that place of uncertainty. We are so far past that Bo." She smiles, turning her hands palms up, my own effortlessly slipping down into them.
"Do you promise?"
"Do you feel like we would slip into that place again?"
"No, but then again I never doubted us." I squeeze her hands, keeping her from pulling away. "I've never doubted us Lauren and since we left I know beyond a shadow of a doubt you haven't."
"I have never," She swallows hard, leaning forward until her hands are on my shoulders. Following her lead I sit up. "Never doubted us." Soft smile as she pulls my shirt off, hands cupping my cheeks. "I only ever doubted myself and what I had to offer you."
"Ah, so what happened was you finally stopped being crazy?" Smile covering my face, hands running up the back of her thighs.
"Pretty much, yes." She nods with that adorable face she makes when she gloats while pretending to be modest.
"I love you." Hands giving her ass a playful squeeze before running over the small of her back. "I love you more than anything else." A gentle kiss placed to her stomach.
"Yeah?"
"Mm-hm." I nod, kissing her stomach again before standing up, keeping her pressed tightly to myself. "So much."
"Then show me."
Lips brushing over hers, turn us around in clumsy steps. Hands running over her body, needing to feel every inch of her. I've felt it a million and one times, but God does it feel new every time. Knees pressed into the edge of the mattress as I push her down onto her back. Her hands running over my stomach, over my breasts, over my hips all before moving into my hair, guiding my head down to her. She moans as I kiss along her collarbone, biting softly.
I've never needed to be with someone the way I need to breathe until her. It's never just about sex. It's never just about love. It's never just about need or desire. It's never simple with her and I never want it to be. I love the mess she makes me. I love the state of perfectly calm chaos she causes me to live in with her. In her I find myself, my salvation, my hope, my heart. In her, I find everything.
One of biggest difference I came to realize between her and Dyson is that he needed to be that for me. He needed to be the reason I woke in the morning and the reason I fought. He needed to be the reason my heart beats and the hope that got me through the day. He needed to be my everything, because that is who he is. Lauren on the other hand, she never needed it, she wanted it. She wanted to be my everything. She wanted to be what got me through the day. She wanted to be who I needed. She wanted to be these things because she chose to, not because it was who she was. It was about me and us. Dyson was always more of a, him and us.
The actual biggest difference between them is that he wanted me to be strong, to lead because of him. Lauren reminds me that I am strong, that I can lead because it is who I am. Truthfully I question whether I could do what I've done without her, but that isn't the point.
"What is that?" The words leave my mouth, startling myself. She moans through a laugh. I glance down, my hand having made its way between her thighs.
"If you're needing to ask that, then I need to be a little concerned."
"No." I give her a playful pinch, smirking as I look up toward the window. "Wait." Whisper wavering in determination as she arches her hips up toward me. "Lauren, I'm serious."
"It was a car." Leaning up she steals a kiss before her lips feverishly trail down my cheek. "This is a motel."
"Don't remind me."
"Come on, it kind of reminds me our first night back together."
"That was fun." I laugh, memories of that night flooding back to me. The way she rocks her hips against my hand sandwiched between us helping them along. Free hand pushing her shirt up, we really need to get rid of this.
"We spent two days there. Just you and me and horrible room service."
"We really should revisit."
"How about we just," She trails off as I slide down her body leaving a path of wet kisses in my wake. "Bo."
"Mm-hm." Smiling coating my lips as I bite the inside of her thigh.
"No Bo, stop."
"What?" I look up, listening. "I don't hear anything."
"Just wait."
"Is this one of those times when you're trying to trick me? Because I have to say I'm about at a fifteen right now, so I wouldn't recommend it."
"Fifteen?" Her eyebrow raises, smirk on her lips as she props herself up on her elbows. "So soon? I told you it's been too long since you last fed."
"There's a very, very pervy joke just waiting to be made here." I look down, hands on her thighs.
"I really thought I heard something."
"Did you want me to look?"
"No, it's probably just a dog."
"So, Dyson?" I can't help laughing.
"You know he hates when you call him that."
"Thus why it's so funny." Feeling her relax my hands run up to her hips, pulling her to the very edge of the mattress. "Relax babe, we'll get him a nice, new leash tomorrow and he'll forget all about it. Maybe a chew toy too."
"If I didn't want you so badly right now." Her words seem to trail, hands moving into my hair. She may make jokes about my fifteen, but she forgets I can see her aura. My very insatiable doctor is a solid thirteen and rising.
"You'd what?" Question mumbled against her thigh. These damn jeans need to go. NOW.
"I'd do something."
"How descriptive." Laugh quickly dying against her thigh as a loud bang comes from outside. "Either that's a really big dog or that's something about to interrupt our very fun night."
"I'm thinking it's the latter."
"Yeah." Nodding, I bite her thigh before reluctantly pulling away. "I don't suppose we have time to," She scowls, trying not to laugh. "Wishful thinking."
Standing up she quickly hands me my shirt. The bang becoming louder. What is that? Loose screen door flapping in the wind? No, it was too loud. Car backing into another? No, too quiet and too frequent. Dyson? No, even as pissed as I am with him he's not that big of a perv. More possessed slash infected creature things? Most likely.
Sighing to myself, slipping back into my gym shoes by the door. They may not help accentuate my ass the way the boots did, but they seriously save me like fifteen minutes a day getting in and out of them. Fair trade. I chuckle to myself, letting go of the wall for balance. Lauren's smirking at me curiously.
"Did you want your gun?"
"No, I don't need to draw any attention to us."
"I think a dead us would draw a lot more attention than you having a gun."
"A dead us?" My hand resting on the doorknob, her comment halting me. "Have you lost that much faith in my hand to hand?"
"Um," She stands, smirking.
There's another bang. This one is closer and far louder. It's something hitting the walls or doors. Something big and heavy. Yep. Ten to one it's our possessed buddies.
"We are done with this conversation, but stay here."
"What?"
"Lauren, just stay here."
She's not gonna stay, I just know it.
Shaking my head to myself I slip from inside, pulling the door shut behind me. Car. Car. Truck. Car. Truck. Car. Nope nothing weird. Main office off ahead, dim light flickering just as it had when we arrived. So, that's normal though annoying the shit outta me. To my left, four other undisturbed, red doors. Screens properly closed. To my right eight other undisturbed red doors that run into another eight that run up to the main office.
Hm.
Three steps forward to the edge of the sidewalk. Toes hanging over the curb, eyes running over the parking lot once more. A new truck and a new car. Hardly something to flip out over, after all as Lauren said, this is a motel. The single street light across the street flickering. Again, annoying but normal.
Maybe it really was a dog.
I look over my shoulder at Dyson's door. He has ears far better than mine and Lauren's, why isn't he out here? Maybe it really was nothing. Maybe it was him shifting. Maybe he was working out. Maybe he was pulling a creepy Norman Bates move and there's a whole in the wall. Farfetched, but hey, it would give me reason to kick his ass without pissing Lauren off.
Hm.
The wind blows steadily, it's cool but not cold. It feels nice actually. So why is the hair on the back of my neck standing at attention? The sound of something causes me to look back at Dyson's door. Or at least I would have had I not found myself falling to the ground liked a sacked quarterback. Head slamming against the pavement so hard I kind wish I had blacked out.
He's feral, I'll give him that. He's on my back, my arms folded over my head as he slams his arms down. Feet kicking at the ground. I need to turn and quick. If he gets a clear shot at my head though there's no guarantee I'm staying conscious. Screw it, Lauren always says I have a hard head. His forearms hit mine and I count. Each time leaves me one second before the next hit comes. Let's go Bo. The hit comes, my hands dropping to the ground, feet kicking simultaneously. It's a half pushup, it's pretty pitiful actually but it's enough that his next hit gets my shoulders before he falls off of me.
Quick Bo.
Kicking off the ground further into the parking lot, reaching out for a broken chunk of pavement. He's tackled me again, chunk flying out of my hand. Managing to turn this time gaining better leverage. Forearms pressing up into his chest, keeping him from completely dead weighting on me.
"Oh God." Words muttered to myself, turning my face away from him. Black, thick liquid dripping onto my face from his mouth and eyes as he snarls. Come on Bo, you got this.
Or you don't.
He flies off of me, eyes closing on reaction as blood splatters over my face. The weight completely gone, using the back of my hand to wipe my eyes as I bolt up. And there's Lauren whacking him in the head with a, with a lamp. That's creative.
"I think you got him babe." I laugh, pushing myself up.
"Better safe than sorry." She drops the lamp, following my line of sight. "It was this or a Bible. I improvised."
"Good improvising."
"Did you get any of that in your mouth? Eyes?" She makes her way to me, one hand on my shoulder, the other gently cupping my chin as she looks me over. "Ears? Nose?"
"Ears?"
"They're an orifice Bo."
"Well no, none of his yucky got in my ears. Or any other orifice."
"Couldn't pass that up, hm?" She smirks, giving my shoulder a playful nudge.
"Not at all. But in all seriousness, what is this?"
"I have no clue. But we need to get you cleaned off immediately. The less time this is on you the better."
"Sponge bath?"
"Bo, I'm serious. I don't know what this is or even how it's contracted. We'll need to throw your clothes out too."
"Okay, relax Doctor. I'm willing to follow all instructions."
"Bo."
"Wha-oh." My eyes following hers up to the roof. Another one of those things crouched, snarling down at us. I guess that explains where the other one came from. "I didn't know they could climb."
"Not a clue." She takes several slow steps back as I do the same. "I can get to the lamp."
"Leave it."
"What else are you going to kill it with?"
"I'll improvise."
"I don't like you improvising Bo. That usually means something dangerous."
I stop short, Lauren is far enough back now. Not once has he looked at her, only me which lets me know this little plan may actually work. Or I'm going to break something in the process. Should have grabbed Lauren's lamp on second thought.
This succubus may be a bit rusty, but I haven't forgotten everything. He crouches further, knees pressed tightly to his chest. Snarl growing. He's about to lunge. They're fast and powerful. I can't win a ground game and I can't risk Lauren's play again. Dear back, I apologize for this in advance. He lunges right on cue and I throw myself onto my back. Knees up to my chest, palms hitting the ground. His chest hit my feet and I use every bit of strength I have left to throw my hips up, pushing against the ground. He flies right over as hoped, but not as far. Dammit.
In one motion I roll onto my stomach before I'm back on my feet, staring him down. This one looks even worse than his buddy. Thick, black goop falling off of his face in chunks. His snarl sounds gargled. But in his defense, he's still strong as hell. Can't I ever just face a cuddle monster or a teddy bear?
"Bo." She whispers, I don't need to glance at her to know what she wants. I feel something cold, hard and thin in my hand. Clutching it tightly, I take a step forward. Tire iron? Crowbar?
What it is doesn't matter so much as it's effectiveness. And boy is it effective. He rushes me, within arm's reach I give my best Tiger Woods impression and it's disgusting but he collapses to ground. Tire iron dropping from my hand the second I realize there's still a part of him on it.
"T-that was traumatizing."
"Ya' think babe?" Snorted chuckle as I wipe my hands on my pants. "Science and all that is your area of expertise and all, but his head-."
"Shouldn't have done that?" She shakes her head, already kneeling down beside him. "No."
My heart skips as I hold a breath. Everything stops. I can't move. The blur from something rushing toward Lauren pulls my attention. The sound of his snarl cut off by the sound of a gunshot. The two of us jumping. I hadn't even heard him. I hadn't seen him. How did I miss him?
Looking from Lauren, heart starting again realizing he hadn't got close enough to her to touch her, out into the parking lot. Theo standing there in the darkness, gun still aimed at the body at our feet.
"I think," He starts, coming towards us as he holsters his gun. "I'm going to have to insist about those answers now."
"What's happened?" Dyson's growl overlaps his words. The three of us looking toward him as he comes walking up. Shirt in hand, jeans still undone.
"Well, that explains where he was." Lauren, mumbles as she stands. "Theo help me get these in the back of your truck now. We have to leave STAT."
"What happened?" Dyson asks again, stopping beside me.
"Just felt like going for a run?"
"I was feeling restless."
"Mm-hm."
"Bo." He grabs my wrist, pulling me to a stop. Theo already dropping the body, taking a step toward us.
"Just a coincidence right?" I snort, looking over my shoulder realizing people have begun to come out from their rooms. "Help them get the bodies into his truck. Please." Jerking my hand free.
Coincidence or convenience?