'Til Fear Do Us Part (A Grim Awakening Book 1)

by Michelle Gross

  I started running. I didn’t get past the third step before a strong arm wrapped around my waist and pulled me backward, into his chest. I panicked, kicking and thrashing. “Let me go!” I screamed.

  “I can’t do that.” He replied and a shiver ran up my spine. What was he going to do to me? My heart pounded out of control. “Will you stop?” He took a deep breath. I felt his breath against my hair when he released it.

  “Let me go,” I said again. “I don’t know what you want but let me go!”

  He let go while I was still fighting him and I fell onto the gravels. Rock buried into my knees from the unexpected fall. I ignored the sharp pain. “There, happy?” he grumbled. “I have other things to be doing human.” I was still on my knees, but I was too afraid to turn around. I could feel his gaze burning into my back. He sighed. “So, what do you plan to do when Molly comes back? Oh, believe me, she will be back. And many more.”

  I picked myself up and finally turned around. “Molly?” I finally got a look at his face. He was handsome, in an older, rugged way. His eyes were cold and dark. His hair was wild and unruly. I knew he was dangerous. Then I remembered what he said. “What do you mean, mere human?” He spoke as if he wasn’t one.

  His mouth curved up in a wicked way that made him look terrifying. “Molly is the one that just tried to kill you. Although, she is no girl.”

  “Yeah, thanks for stating the obvious,” I spat. He grinned and that somehow made him look even more lethal.

  “You understand that much. You can see ghosts.” It was not a question, he merely stated. Just who was he? “Let me put it this way, Melanie.” He stepped closer. “There’s a lot more than ghosts, things you never thought possible. This is only the beginning.”

  “What do you mean?” I frowned.

  “What I’m saying, human, now that you're eighteen, you are nothing but a target to every demon in the Underworld.” I stood there, mouth opened, trying not to burst into giggles at how ridiculous this guy sounded. Only I was afraid, he was scary. I couldn’t laugh no matter how insane it sounded. Demons? Underworld? My life was messed up, maybe that’s why I couldn’t not believe what he was saying. “Most of all, a very evil and powerful entity is after you.”

  “What?” I muttered, barely managing to hear his voice through all the thoughts running through my head. He grabbed my shirt and yanked it down. He exposed the X above my left boob. Because of his barbarian action, I felt violated causing my hand to connect with his face. A loud smack echoed through the air, followed by the stinging on my hand.

  His head jerked from the impact of my palm. It was only at that moment that I realized what I did. His expression darkened, an evil gleam pooled in his eyes.

  “Very foolish,” he warned me. I took a step away from him. “Not a very nice thing to do to the person that’s here to keep you safe.” He’s here to keep me safe? I should be running away from him. Everything about him screamed danger.

  “I don’t even know you. Like I would believe anything you just said.”

  “Ah, you have a point.” He moved his hand to his chin as he watched me. “But something tells me you already do. Soon enough, though, you will understand everything.”

  “Just stay away from me. Don’t come here anymore!” I told him, walking away backwards so that I could keep an eye on him. I had my hands in front of me for protection. (As if that would stop him if he wanted to attack me.) He never followed me. My heels caught the porch and I fell back onto the steps.

  Ow, my butt took the fall, but I refused to rub the ache.

  “You're not even listening to a word I’m saying.” A dark eyebrow rose in amusement.

  I picked my throbbing butt off the steps and ran inside. I locked the door and peeked out the window but the stranger was already gone.

  Chapter Four

  “Ms. Rose, this is the third time I've woken you up. Stand up.” My forehead hit the desk when she startled me awake. I winced, rubbing my forehead. Everyone laughed except me. I stood slowly using all the strength I had to stay awake. I was so tired. Even the thought of what happened last night couldn't keep me awake.

  Mrs. Thorn glared through her overly big glasses. She expected me to stay awake when this class was so boring? All she ever did was talk and read books that either made me sad or bored me to death. It was beginning to sound like a lullaby. A horrible one. I didn't sleep last night. I was afraid to.

  Lunch was no better. I barely had an appetite but funny thing, most of my food was gone on my tray. I guess nothing could keep my appetite at bay, even lack of taste buds and ghosts trying to kill me. Or maybe I was hungrier than I realized? Or so tired that I never noticed all the food I was stuffing in my face.

  “What is with you today?” Tess looked at me as if I was some science experiment gone wrong.

  “I couldn't sleep.” I didn't sleep. And I had no intentions on telling her why.

  “Yeah, your dark circles gave that away. So, what's up? New ghost?” She leaned over so that no one could hear what she asked.

  “I guess you could say that,” I mumbled. Ghosts never tried to kill me before.

  “Seriously, what is with ghosts? Don't they realize once you're dead, you're supposed to rest in peace. Not loiter around with the living,” she grumbled. I agreed, but that didn't change the fact that some chose to stay. I always wondered why some wandered as a ghost. Was it unfinished business, regrets, or love? Whatever the reason, I wish I didn't have to see them. I would rather not know like everyone else and walk around completely ignorant. Because if you never saw them, they'd just be another scary movie.

  “Where's Mike?” I noticed that he was missing from the table.

  “Oh, the football team is eating together over there.” She pointed to loud group of boys wearing jerseys. I spotted Ryan. That explained why they weren't with us. Some sort of pregame ritual, I guessed. “They have their first scrimmage game tonight and they're pretty pumped.” I could tell from all the laughter and hollering among them.

  “On a Monday?” I asked. Did they normally have games on Monday? I couldn't remember. Ryan noticed me staring from across the cafeteria. He smiled and my insides turned to mush. He walked toward us.

  “Hey.” It sounded more like a question than a greeting.

  “Hey,” I said back.

  He blinked a few times, deciding on whether he should say what he wanted. He looked down at his feet before asking. “You coming to the scrimmage game tonight?”

  “Ah,” I mumbled.

  “We will be there,” Tess answered. And that was the end of that. I was going now whether I wanted or not. But it was never a bad thing seeing Ryan play. I loved to. The problem was I had no idea when something bad was going to happen again.

  ________

  After school, I picked up Alex and took us home. I made steak and baked potatoes. Mom had just woke up when we got home. She staggered around the house still half asleep wearing her red robe and mismatched pink pajama bottoms. Night shift was rough on her, but it was what she preferred. We sat and ate together, it was like any other Monday.

  I began to relax more by the time I arrived at the football field. I brought a thin jacket with me, the nights were beginning to get chilly. A sign summer was ending and autumn was taking its place. I always enjoyed the crisp smell of fall air.

  After paying my way in, I found Tess hugging Mike next to the field. He was already wearing his padding underneath his jersey. I slipped through the metal fence made of three bars that separated the bleachers from the football field.

  The bleachers were already filling up with people, which surprised me since it was just a scrimmage. But our small town loved local football and a lot were freshman and sophomores that weren't even interested in the game. They came to mingle and attract the opposite sex.

  “Melanie.” I turned to see Ryan running toward me. He looked so good in his jersey, with all the padding and tight white pants that would soon be stained with grass and dirt. He made the
ugly green color of our school look nice.

  “Hey.” I beamed at him.

  “Whoa, you're in a good mood.” He grabbed his chest like he was stabbed. “Your smile caught me off guard. You're so beautiful when you smile.”

  That smile was because you are so nice to look at. “Thanks, Ryan. You make it sound like I'm a scrooge.” I punched his arm playfully.

  “You're the one that said it.” I gaped my mouth open at his words and he laughed. My chest ached. Why couldn't he be a jerk? The whistle startled me and the coach began calling all the players in. Ryan looked to his coach then back to me. He leaned his cheek to my face and pointed a finger toward it. “A kiss for good luck.” I wanted to do what he asked and that was what made it dangerous. I couldn't let myself act on my feelings, even if our feelings were the same. I turned my face away and nudged his cheek with my palm. He smiled like it was enough. “Was that for good luck?” he asked.

  I couldn't speak so I simply nodded. We stared at each other several moments before he ran to catch up with the others.

  “It's sad watching you two dodge your feelings for one another.” Tess was next to me without me realizing until she spoke. I glanced at her then to my feet. I had nothing to say. She was right. Ryan had gone out of his way all summer letting it be known that he wanted more than a friendship with me. But because of me, of the way I am, we were stuck as friends. I wouldn't drag him down to my world. “Let's go sit down,” she said. Maybe she sensed I couldn't deny my feelings for him at the moment. So, we stayed quiet.

  I grabbed the top bar of the fence and slipped back onto the other side when I noticed him sitting on the bleachers. It was impossible not to notice him. He looked out of place. He still wore dark clothing but his leather jacket was missing. A black t-shirt fit snugly against his muscular frame. His intimidating glare said don't-mess-with-me. Everyone seemed to go out of their way to avoid him. The bleachers around him were empty. He stretched out one of his legs covered in dark jeans that disappeared into his boots.

  What was he doing here? Was he following me? As if he knew what I was thinking, his eyes met mine. He tilted his head as his gaze devoured me. I looked away. I got my answer, he was following me.

  “Who the hell is that guy?” Tess asked in her usual loud voice. I panicked.

  “Don't stare at him!” I warned her quickly, grabbing her arm. I looked down, around, anywhere but where he sat.

  “What's wrong with you?” She arched her eyebrow. This was Tess I was talking to, I should have known not to tell her to do something. She would do the exact opposite. She snapped her head back to check him out, very thoroughly. Her eyes traveled his entire body. I was irritated with her; she couldn't see the danger. I hadn't told her anything, though so I had no right to be upset. “If you look over the broodiness about him, he's very attractive.” I gave her a skeptical look. Nothing about him felt attractive to me. Scary? Yes!

  “He looks dangerous,” I pointed out.

  She laughed and bent her body to go through the bars, I was already on the other side. “That makes him even more sexy.”

  I couldn't win an argument with her. It was better to drop the subject altogether. Tess wasn't one to let anything drop, though. I followed her to the bleachers, frowning when I realized where she was taking us. She took the seat right below him. She smiled and patted for me to join her. I wanted to tell her no, but that would only drive her to be more reckless. I glared at him as I sat down.

  My back felt like it was on fire and I had a feeling he was still staring at me. I placed my jacket next to me and tried to concentrate on watching the boys warm up on the field. The opponent’s bleachers were crowded as well.

  I smiled when I found Ryan's jersey number, twenty-three, on the field. “I see Mike,” Tess said, pointing at him. I smirked thinking we were doing the same thing.

  “I found Ryan,” I added.

  “Excuse me,” a shy voice of a girl behind me said. I was curious, but not enough to turn around and risk making eye contact with him. Tess turned around to look though. “My friend wanted me to ask if you could tell us your name.” Curiosity finally got the best of me and I turned around. Three girls hovered close to him, blushing and fawning over him. They looked to be about sixteen. Only he looked annoyed. He tilted his head, I saw the tick of his vein across his jaw as he glared at them.

  Their smile faded. “Sorry,” one said hurriedly.

  “We just wanted your name.” Another one grabbed the girl in front and begin to pull her away. “Let's go.”

  “What a jerk,” she muttered before they all walked off. He watched them leave then turned back to me. I was too slow at trying to turn away, I knew he caught me staring. Oh, now that he had, I guess there was no point in stopping. His eyes were cold and disapproving as they bore into mine.

  He leaned forward, closing in on me. He placed his elbows on his knees and made a devilish smile that wasn't a smile at all. “Relax your expression, you look as if you want to rip my heart out.” I tipped my lip up in disgust. He wasn't entirely far from my thoughts. Only I would choose to rip out those cold, calculating eyes of his first.

  “Do you know him?” Tess studied him, the way he was so close to me.

  “No,” I said abruptly, but I knew it sounded like a lie.

  “I was just at your house last night.” He dropped the bomb, and Tess's pretty face wrinkled with surprise.

  “Melanie?” She looked to me for an answer.

  “I don't know who he is.” I admitted.

  “Not yet. But you will,” his deep voice promised. Just what was he trying to do?

  “Just ignore him. He's creepy,” I replied, not caring that he heard me.

  “I don't know...” she hesitated, tilting her eye while she stared at him. “Are you flirting with Melanie?” I opened my mouth to the horror that just spilled from her lips.

  Before I could answer, he laughed bitterly. “No.” He looked repulsed by the idea and now I was the one feeling offended. “I'm just speaking the truth.”

  “Let's go sit somewhere else.” I grabbed my jacket as I stood up and walked away. I didn't look back to see if she followed. I hoped she would.

  Seconds later and she was by my side. “That guy was strange,” she mumbled.

  “Creepy. Scary. Crazy,” I added.

  “Should we, maybe report him or something? He did say you'd get to know him. That was scary.” She turned back to where he sat. “He's still staring at you.” She sighed. “And to think he's so good looking.”

  I groaned. “No, I don't want to report him, but I do think I should go home. Will you tell Ryan that I have a headache and went home?” I asked.

  She smiled. “Yeah, of course. Do you want me to come with you?”

  I shook my head. “No, stay and watch your boyfriend play.” I grabbed her shoulders and squeezed, reassuring her I was okay. I wished I was.

  “Okay, text me when you get home.”

  As I walked away from the bleachers and to the parking lot, I was constantly looking over my shoulder. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was following me. I felt some comfort as I made it to my car and got in. I was putting on my seatbelt when I noticed something in the rearview mirror. I looked back into the mirror and screamed. The ghost girl was in the backseat. I let go of the seatbelt and reached for the door. I heard the click of the doors locking. “Not going to get away this time.” Her dark hair floated in the air as she threw herself between the front seats. I screamed for help and tried to open the door.

  She pulled out a small knife or maybe it just appeared in her hand. I reached for her hands as she swung at my neck. My hands went through her, but I leaned back enough that her knife missed my neck and sliced my shoulder.

  “Ah!” The pain tore through me.

  Someone opened the back door. She lunged for me again, but her body was jerked out from the back door. She screamed a hideous sound that made me cover my ears. I reached for the door and this time it opened. I stepped o
ut, holding my injured shoulder. It was him again and somehow; I wasn't surprised. He held the ghost by her neck. She wiggled and hissed in his grip. “You are quite brave Molly. Coming back for her, knowing I'd be here,” he told her.

  “She doesn't belong in this world any longer. She belongs to him!” She smiled as if she won before looking at me. “Her fate is sealed.”

  “I don't think so.” He glared, tightening his grip around her neck. She laughed once more before vanishing. He swore before dropping his empty hand. I stayed still, seeing him there but feeling my mind elsewhere. I was trying to understand what the ghost had said.

  “Hey,” he called to me. When I didn't reply or look up to him, he shook me. “Hey.” He sounded annoyed. That finally caused me to snap out of it. I shook my head and looked up. His hand was over mine as I held it over the nasty gash on my arm. “Let me see,” he ordered.

  “Huh?” I was still stunned.

  He sighed. “Let me see your shoulder. How bad is it?” Oh, I moved my hand and saw all the blood on it. I was shaking and tried to calm myself. He didn’t miss anything I tried to hide. He watched me close my bloodied hand before asking, “May I?” I started tugging my t-shirt down off my shoulders and he helped. I wanted to cry out as we moved it over the wound. It was a nasty looking cut and deep. It was worse than I thought.

  “How did a ghost do this?” I asked.

  “She wasn't a ghost,” he answered. “She was, but she became a poltergeist. She was given even more demonic powers after that.”

  “Demonic powers?” I tried to laugh but it sounded closer to a cry. So, I stopped altogether for the fear of crying.

  “Don't ask things, Melanie. Not yet. Not until you're capable of understanding what's happening.” His expression was hard and impossible to read. I needed to know who he was. How he saw what I saw and just what exactly he was himself. But more than anything, I wanted to know what was happening to me. He seemed to know. He looked behind him, I followed his gaze to vehicles pulling in the parking lot. A group of teenagers wandered around, not interested in the game, just wanting to hang out. “We should go somewhere more private.”