by Kelly Hall
“So what’s up with Talon? You gonna get back together or not?”
“I don’t know. He said we’ll talk when he gets back. He’s just, so confusing. I mean—never mind.” I stopped, realizing that Owen wouldn’t want to hear about how Talon had been flirting and playing me hot and cold.
“He’s so stupid. He needs to stop punishing himself and just get over it already. It’s not like he did it on purpose. From what Hunter told me, it was Kevin’s own fault. He ran into the branch just as Talon swung it forward.”
“Yeah, well it’s not the first time he’s been in this situation. It makes it harder.” I bit my tongue as soon as I said it.
Owen threw me a glance. “What do you mean? You’re making excuses for him now?”
“No. I’m serious.” I didn’t know if I should tell Owen the details. I walked on in silence, hoping he’d forget all about it, but I couldn’t be so lucky. After a long pause, he persisted.
“You gonna tell me?” He gave me a nudge. I thought about it and decided that not telling would only make him press me more.
“You know Talon was on probation, right?” Talon must’ve told him that much. He knew about the accident and Angie, Talon’s ex-girlfriend, who’d been injured in the wreck.
“Yeah, but that girl only had scars and a broken arm, it isn’t like he killed her.”
I swallowed hard, knowing I had to explain. “He feels terrible about that, but that’s not it. He killed the other driver.” I hoped Owen would understand Talon’s grief a little better.
“Whoa, he killed someone else?” I could see the disbelief in his eyes as I nodded. “Why isn’t he in jail?”
“He’s a minor and Mom helped get him probation.”
“Didn’t this happen before you met?” Owen stared at his feet as if trying to remember the details.
“Yeah, but the man he killed is the same man who killed my dad, so when they contacted my mom, she came forward and fought for Talon. She helped him get probation, like the man had gotten when he killed my dad. She thought it was only fair. That’s how she met Tom.” I waited until he processed this information. “Please don’t tell him I told you.” I started wondering why I’d spilled such a secret. I tried to defend Talon, but if he found out, would he see it that way? “Things have been strained with us since the incident with Kevin. I’ve been having strange ... dreams.” I noticed him giving me a concerned look. I didn’t want to go that far into things with him and ‘fess up to having the vision. “Talon’s having nightmares too.”
He put his hand on my shoulder. “Hey, it’s a hard thing to deal with, Lily. You watched him die! It’s bound to make for some strange dreams and stress. The fact that we didn’t, well couldn’t, report it makes me feel guilty, too. But we could only do what we could do. Look what it’s doing to Talon. He’s gone crazy breaking up with you. He’s mental. Just know I’m here for you.” He brought my fist to his lips and kissed my hand.
I got quiet and thought about LeAnn’s rant again. Still feeling the lingering warmth on my hand, I realized that Owen must be more like his real dad, instead of his mom.
“So, that’s kind of weird. He killed the man who killed your dad. That’s quite a coincidence.”
“I’ve stopped believing in coincidences. Talon thinks there’s a reason we ended up here, that there’s some sort of greater power at work, like we are all meant for something bigger.”
Owen kicked a clump of dirt from the dusty road. “Maybe some things are just meant to be. He’s right, though. Some people are meant to experience life together.”
“You’re saying that Talon and I are meant to be?” I held my hand up to his forehead, checking for fever.
He held his hand to my forehead and gave me a sideward glance. “I’m saying I agree that everything happens for a reason. Just like him breaking up with you. I’ll never understand why you two thought your relationship would work.” He shook his head but I remained quiet thinking how I could never imagine me and Talon any other way. “But I know one thing for sure, girlie, you were meant to be here at this very moment with me, your favorite person ever,” he winked. Exchanging a smile, we continued on. Then I thought of LeAnn again. I had to see what her next move was. I knew I had to stop her from destroying their lives.
We walked the long road to the shack and went inside. Granny had given us her old patio chairs at the end of the summer when she’d finally replaced them. So we furnished the shack with two cushioned chairs and one chaise lounge, none of which matched. We’d also brought in two folding chairs to complete the circle. The sun-dried plastic cushions crunched under us as we took a seat.
“So, what are we doing here?” he asked. “Anything special or just practice?”
“Promise you won’t get mad,” I asked.
He narrowed his eyes. “No, but that doesn’t matter. No secrets, remember?”
“Fine, then I won’t tell you it’s a secret.” I shrugged and smiled slyly. Then without another word I held out my hand and the Light appeared, setting my visions into motion, as well as my hair.
Ignoring the glow of my hand, I stared at the Light, focusing on nothing else. I ended up in a dark place where smoke-thick fog lingered. As it dissipated, I recognized Bragg Road.
Standing in the middle of the dirt path, I looked back and forth, unable to determine the direction. Both ends looked the same, and in my head I tried to figure it out. My instincts pulled me one way, so that’s where I went. I ran and ran but seemed to go nowhere. The ground below worked like a treadmill keeping me in place. I stopped and then looked around again. Owen’s voice screamed out. “Lily, I’m here! I’m coming to you. I’m almost there.” I looked back the other direction and Talon’s voice screamed out. “Lily, Hang on.” Am I lost? I turned around, spinning in circles, until I got dizzy trying to find my way. Which way should I go? Is this the future? I could still hear them screaming, their voices blending together as one. Then it went silent. From out of the woods, a figure approached. “Talon!” I yelled. “Owen, is that you?” More like a nightmare, this wasn’t like any other vision I’d experienced.
I felt another presence. “Are you lost, Lily?” the Shadow called to me. Chills crawled up my neck and scalp as I recognized the slimy voice of Kevin Hilliard who’d dropped his silly nickname for me. As he stepped closer, he became more visible. His face appeared bashed and bleeding; tree bark clung to the seeping wounds, but as he spoke again his face became normal and unharmed as if all the blood had been an illusion. “It’s a shame that you can’t find your way.” He smirked and his sly smile made my skin crawl. “I was lost, too, you know—couldn’t seem to get to the other side. Of course, out here there are so many distractions. So many spirits calling me back, wanting me to stay.”
“You’re not real.” I choked out the words.
“Does this feel like a dream?” He grabbed my arm hard and squeezed before throwing me to the ground.
Feeling the dirt cake my hands, I inched away to put some distance between us so I could stand. I couldn’t let him get the best of me. “I’m in control here! It’s my Light!” I tried to be bold, but the fear gripped me. “You’re not wanted here!”
“Wanted or not, here I am! And I’m not going away. Not until I take your Light. Nothing can stop me now.” He laughed, and as he threw his head back, everything went black.
“Lily? Lily!” I heard Owen’s voice begging me to snap out of it. I opened my eyes. “Oh, thank you, God.” He pulled me to him, and buried his face in my hair.
“Owen,” I whispered. I hoped Kevin had gone and I’d be safe.
“Yes, I’m here.” He stroked my hair and patted my back. “Right here.”
“I couldn’t find you. Talon either. I was lost. I didn’t know which way to go.”
“It’s okay.” He pulled away and our eyes met for a moment. I couldn’t tell him about Kevin. He’d be furious and take it out on Talon.
“Come on, I’m taking you home.” He grabbed my arm and
I flinched. It hurt where Kevin had grabbed me and I thought for sure there’d be bruises.
He let go of my arm. “What’s the matter? Did I hurt you?” he asked.
I peeked and found some dark spots, but I wouldn’t draw attention to get a better look. “No. I’m just spooked.” I’d been certain my last dose might lessen any headache if I was lucky, but I didn’t expect Kevin’s visit. I’d have to take more Water when I got home.
Owen walked me all the way to my door and left me to sneak in. I went straight to the bathroom to find that there were bruises, but luckily they’d begun to fade. I took an extra sip of the Water just to be safe and headed for bed with a new fear. Kevin had hurt me and I feared he’d try it again.
I’d forgotten I’d promised Holly my bed, but decided to take the blow-up mattress instead of Talon’s. I hated to be so far away from Holly if another vision happened, especially if it involved Kevin. I remained spooked from before, and the fact that Talon hadn’t called my cell didn’t make it any easier. I tried not to be too upset. Maybe he’d gotten busy or had fallen asleep.
I unfolded the cover and spread it across me. Its soft texture made me feel unprotected and vulnerable. I pulled the blanket over my head and buried my face in the pillow, thinking that I should have put more air in the sagging mattress.
Restlessness tried to keep me from sleep, but I finally found it and sure enough I ended up on the dark road, looking both ways, wondering how to get home—how to get anywhere. Thankfully I didn’t find Kevin there, but hearing the cries of Owen and Talon disturbed me enough to make it a nightmare. I awoke with a start and sat up disoriented, wondering if the night before had all been a part of the same dream. It wasn’t.
“Whoa!” Owen jumped. I looked over to find him lying beside me. “Hope I didn’t scare you. I was waiting for you to wake up.” He shut my aunt’s diary.
I glanced around, a little confused by his presence. “What the heck are you doing here? Light reading?” I frowned then stretched my muscles. I glanced down to make sure he hadn’t gotten under the covers with me. Waking up next to him had been odd enough.
“Yeah, I figured I’d kill some time. You seriously should get some magazines or something. I wasn’t about to raid your teeny vampire novels. Alyssa’s pretty mushy, though. She sure had the hots for Mr. Hill.” He made a face. “To each her own, I guess.”
“Actually, he was a very handsome man in his youth, believe it or not.” I yawned.
“Oh yeah, I keep forgetting, you knew them.” He made a strange face as he gave that more thought and dropped the book to the floor. I had gotten to know them in my visions.
“That chick had the most boring life. We think life on Bragg Road sucks now, but at least we have four-wheelers and cars. She couldn’t get away, and when she did, she’d just walk down the road to visit some old lady.” Even I had skipped around a lot because her entries were all the same, not to mention the fact that the missing pages made it inevitable.
As Owen continued to ramble, it reminded me that Alyssa’s life hadn’t been much different from my own. “You know you make this little purring, kind of moaning sound when you sleep? It’s almost a snore, but not quite. It’s really cute until it gets annoying.” I frowned, which only egged him on. “And your hair is really pretty ... scary in the morning, too.”
I sighed, still not sure just when he’d give up, but then he laughed. “I’m just kidding.” He touched my hair and kissed my forehead playfully.
I slapped his hand away and his eyes met mine in shock. “Owen, get out of my bed. It’s not ... right for you to be here like this,” I snapped. “There are some boundaries, you know.” The kiss had set me off. My heart had reserved those morning kisses, no matter how innocent, for Talon alone. I pushed at him and sat up, drawing the covers close to my chest.
“What is your problem?” he asked, looking at me like I’d lost my mind. “You never seemed to have a problem holding my hand or hugging me, and one tiny forehead peck sets you off? I kiss my granny the same way.” Insulted, he glared at me, and with good reason. I was over-reacting. “As for boundaries, I think the cousin wall is strong enough, so ... don’t flatter yourself.” He curled his lip, stood to his feet, and then headed for the door.
Just before he reached it, I screamed after him. “And what if that wall got knocked down? What would your limits be then?” I accused.
He spun around on his heel. “That’s really unfair and cruel coming from you.” He pressed his lips in a straight line and turned away. “It’s not like that’s ever gonna happen! No matter how much I’d want it. Nothing can change blood, right?” He stormed down the hall and I followed, monkey sleep pants and all. I’d hurt him, and I’d never intended to do that.
“Owen, I’m sorry!” He slammed the door in my face but I continued after him. “Can we just talk a minute? Don’t run away from me.” I winced as my bare feet hit the pavers, but hobbled behind him on tender skin.
He stopped, but kept his back to me. I didn’t know what to say, but I didn’t want him to go away mad. “I’m sorry,” I said in desperation. “Please.”
“It’s hard for me, Lily, harder than you can ever know. I watch you with him and how happy he makes you. I watch you without him and how miserable you are. It sucks! I’ve been forced to divert my feelings for you. It’s not what I really want.”
“I know.” I wanted to tell him the truth so bad.
“So what does that make me? I mean, I try really hard and I don’t need you throwing it in my face.” He turned and looked me directly in the eyes. “Maybe we should just spend less time together, too.” He walked on to his house and left me standing in the yard, barefoot and freezing, with my heart in my throat.
***
I spent the rest of my day and all evening sulking in my room. Holly came in early from her date with Hunter.
“So, Owen said you two had a fight.” She sat on the bed next to me.
“Yeah, he wants to stop seeing me, too.” I let out a long sigh.
“He’s miserable, in case you wondered. Sulking in his room, just like you. Look, I know it is awkward with you two, but let’s face it, no matter how odd of a relationship you have with him, he’s your best friend.” Part of me wanted to argue with her, but she was right. She lifted her shirt tail and pulled the two-way radio from her waistband. “Hunter wanted me to give you this.” She laid it on my pillow. I knew that Owen had the other.
“He’s the one who didn’t want to talk to me,” I said, pushing it away.
“Just keep it and give him a chance.” She stood up, and looked down to me with pity. “I’m gonna watch a late movie with Hunter and Granny. You can always come if you want.”
With the sinking feeling still in my heart, I shook my head. “No thanks. I’m going to bed.” I took to my feet, and was on my way out the door to Talon’s room.
“Fine, but you’re bringing this with you!” She walked over and handed me the two-way. “Just tuck it under your pillow.” I could tell by the look in her beady blue eyes that I had no choice.
“Fine.” I went to Talon’s room and pulled back his covers. I could smell his scent on them and it made me miss him even more. I went to his dresser and pulled out a pair of his boxers and a t-shirt and went to the bathroom to change and brush my teeth.
After I had snuggled down in the covers, I turned the two-way on and slid it under the pillow. I’d give Owen a chance, knowing I’d probably be sad come morning if he didn’t call.
To make things worse, Talon hadn’t made his nightly call and I wanted to tell him all about the conversation I’d had with Mom about my dad.
Just before I drifted to sleep my cell phone finally rang. “Hey.” I answered.
“Hey. Sorry I’m late.” Talon sounded winded. “I just got in and realized the time.”
“No problem. I mean, you didn’t even have to call. Didn’t bother you to miss last night,” I said with a bitter tone.
After an awkwardly long pause
he finally spoke. “Lily, I wanted to call, it just got too late. I miss you.” I felt my heart ache. “I’ll be home tomorrow.” His sweet and soft tone warmed my heart. “It’s hard being away from you.”
“So why torture yourself?” I asked. “Or are you punishing yourself?”
“I don’t know. Maybe both.” He sounded defeated.
“Do whatever makes you happy.” I yawned.
“I want you to be happy too, Lily. You always make me happy.” But something in his voice kept me from trusting his words. He didn’t sound serious. After another yawn, he told me goodnight. I’d have to tell him about my dad later.
I’d just nodded off again when I heard Owen’s voice calling out my name. “Lily.”
“Yes.” I pushed the button and answered.
“What are you doing?”
“Same thing I’m always doing when you call me on this thing.” I mumbled, still half asleep. I studied the two-way waiting for his voice to sound from it.
“I couldn’t sleep,” he said, making me feel terrible that I could. “I just have to get this off my chest. I’m sorry about what I said. I’d never be able to stay away from you, no matter what. I’d miss you too much. I’ll be the best cousin ever and eternally on my best behavior,” he vowed. “If you’ll have me.”
I felt guilty letting him make such a promise, knowing that I wasn’t his cousin, and I wondered when he found that out, if he’d still want to just be my friend. I was quiet, thinking about what he’d said.
“Lily, are you awake?”
“Yes. I forgive you, and I’m sorry, too,” I said, yawning.
“I’ll talk to you in the morning. Only, I’ll let you wake up alone, okay?” His soft chuckle stifled as his finger left the button.
“Goodnight, Owen.” I tucked the two-way under my pillow as he said his goodbye. The next morning I would wake alone.
