by Rue Volley
“What bet?” I asked her.
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They looked at each other.
Theodore broke the silence.
“Oh Rue…messy business really… You don't want to know.”
I shoved some fruit in my mouth. “No…I think I do.”
Sam moved over to the chair, across from us.
“It was Hitler,” she said with a huff.
I stopped chewing. “What about Hitler?”
Josh smiled. “He was a dick…you know that. Well hell, everyone knew that.”
I sat back and grabbed a pillow. I swung my legs up slowly and placed them on it. I winced a little and Theodore rubbed my foot, smiling at me.
Josh sat on the chair arm and looked down at Sam, who had a bored look on her face. She waved her arm. “Go ahead Josh.”
He smiled. “Well…Sam and I decided to kill him.”
“What?” I asked.
Sam interjected, “Yes…we knew what a bastard he was. The war that the humans had going on was coming to an end and Josh and I decided that he should die so…”
Josh interrupted her, “So…Sam here wanted to go in and take him out in that stupid bunker he built. I told her she probably wouldn't be able to do it alone and she got all, to borrow your word Rue, „Pissy" about it… So I bet her, who would be able to get to him first and stab him in the heart.”
I know I looked like a kid seeing Santa Claus for the first time, but I urged him on… “And?” I asked.
“Well, Sam here, went in all ninja like. She had fifteen killed before I even got in there… You know you would think that those Nazis would have been a bit more trouble then they were, but anyway… She's all creeping around, going for numbers and I, on the other hand, wanted the prize. So I went straight at him… I could feel the nasty energy coming off of that piece of crap as soon as I got in that rat hole… He was hiding out in his room.” Josh stopped for a moment like he was remembering. “I walked in and looked him in the eye, he started talking to me in German.”
I had to ask. “Well what did he say to you Josh…? I mean do you even know German?”
Theodore laughed… “Josh here knows 7 languages Rue.”
I got a wow look down… “Geez Josh, well what did he say?”
“Ich warte seit mein kind.” Josh said, in a perfect German accent. I have to admit, it was hot.
“Translated for the language impaired, he said, „I've been waiting my child".”
“Why would he say that?” I asked.
Josh shrugged his shoulders… “Who knows.”
Theodore rose up. “Well I know…that pig was all about the occult… He probably thought you were the angel of death, which I might add...you were that night.”
Josh grinned, “Yea…I will say it felt to good to deliver some kick ass on him of all people.” He went on, “Well anyway, I didn't chat… I put a binding on him and I stabbed him in the heart…twisting it. Then I healed him and did it again.”
I looked at him, with a blank face. “What…? You killed him twice?”
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Josh started to laugh…”Oh I killed his ass twenty seven times that night Rue…
Would of been twenty eight, but my stomach started to growl and I was not going to feed on him… No way.”
“Geezus Josh…twenty seven, huh?” I shifted on the couch and hissed from my pain.
“Oh, I would have killed him for a century… Who wouldn't?”
“No, I totally agree… Just seems, I don't know, crazy I guess.”
“Well, to tell you the truth, he's lucky I got to him first… Samantha here is quite the torturer.”
Sam grinned big… I didn't want to know.
“You kick more ass then I thought existed dude... Twenty seven times…? That's awesome!”” Kai jumped up and gave him the coveted fist bump.
“Yes...yes I do, and Sam here owes me, because I won… In fact I think it was a record.”
Sam shrugged her shoulders. “You know I don't mind owing you, as long as he died.”
Josh grinned at her, “I agree.”
Josh turned to me and took a piece of food off of my plate. Chewing with his mouth open at me.
“Gross,” I whispered.
Sam stood up. “I'm going to bed... Don't forget Josh…I killed Napoleon.”
Josh laughed. “True, you did…but mine was harder. He just laid there Sam!”
We all heard a “Shut up,” faintly.
Kai followed after her… “You killed him…? Sweet!”
Josh started laughing. “The fact that, that little stub of a man, thought Sam was going to give him some…is just ridiculous.”
I had to ask… “She killed him in bed?”
Josh grinned, “Sure did.”
“Should somebody warn my brother?” I asked.
Josh grunted, “Sam likes him…he's safe. She likes to be aggravated and Kai"s got that mastered.”
I had to laugh… “Well, that's the truth.”
Theodore smiled. “I love my siblings… So feisty.”
I laughed too…and Theodore was right, they were.
******
I looked down at my plate…it was empty, but I didn't want to stay up any longer.
“I'm going to bed too…I need to get this day over with.” I pushed myself up and almost fell over. Josh flashed to me and grabbed my arm helping me up.
“You know there is no way you are climbing those stairs.”
I didn't want to admit it, but he was right. He grinned and picked me up. I said good night to Theodore who had a big smile on his face. I looked at Josh.
“Thanks.” He had a crooked grin on his face.
He carried me upstairs and passed my bedroom.
“Ummm, my room on the left, you just missed it.”
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“Oh, I'm collecting my favor,” he said.
“Oh my god, put me down now.”
“Its not what you think Rue… You"re just dirty.”
“Me?” I asked, completely shocked.
“I just thought you could sleep in my room tonight…just sleep.”
I looked at him, wondering what the punchline was, but nothing came, he just stood there.
“Oh,” I said.
“Rue, come on… It's not a lot to ask, in trade....for saving your life right?”
I sighed, low blow.
“Okay…just one night…and…”
He carried me in and laid me on the bed.
“I know, that is your side and this is mine...line right down the middle,” he said as he took off his shirt.
I pulled up the blanket and rolled over, away from him. He climbed into the bed.
“Rue?”
“What Josh?”
“You kicked all ass today…you really did.”
I rolled over and winced from my leg. “You think so?”
He reached out and brushed my hair behind my ear. “I do…”
I felt a little odd for not turning back over...away from him. “Can I ask you something Josh?”
“Sure…what?”
“Why have me sleep in here tonight...? I mean you could have waited and had me do anything for you in the next hundred years.” He rolled onto his back.
“Because this is all I wanted, just to sleep next to you tonight.”
“Huh…okay,” I said.
“If you don't think it's enough, you can take off your clothes or something.”
I hit him in the stomach and he doubled up laughing. I laughed too.
“Your an ass Josh.”
“Yea I know Rue... Trust me…I know.”
I rolled over and I felt his arm wrap around me.
“What happened to „my side, your side"?” I asked.
“Come on Rue…just let me spoon you.”
“Oh for crap sake... Fine…goodnight,” I said in protest.
“Good night Rue,” he whispered.
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Chapter 11
Moment of Clarit
y
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Sleep…what a wonderful thing. I slept so sound…no dreams, no walking…no nothing. Maybe it was a good idea to sleep in Josh's bed. I didn't even feel guilty, as I drifted off. I just relaxed and let him lay against my back…
his body so warm, felt like a cozy fireplace in winter. I woke up and slowly opened my eyes…Josh's face was right in front of mine. He snorted and I closed my eyes from the rush of air on my face. I opened my eyes back up and looked at his face. It was so peaceful and quiet…not like him. He aggravated the crap out of me most of the time, but for some reason I liked it…kinda looked forward to it…to him. He opened his eyes up and caught me looking at him.
“Hello Rue,” he said, half yawning.
I started to roll over and let out a low grunt when I twisted my leg.
“Still hurting, huh?” he asked.
“Yea, I guess I'm like an old lady with arthritis now…sweet.”
“You will never be old Rue.”
“Ohhh…that's right…I stop aging at twenty one, right?”
“Yep…no more, no less.”
“How old are you anyway, Josh?”
“Oh…I'm, lets see…around 150… It took me awhile to reach twenty one, so if you add that time, I'm more like 160.”
“A hundred and sixty…? Well you don't look a day over a hundred, I swear.” I gave him my sarcasm full throttle.
“Oh…really?” he grinned at me and I didn't know what was coming.
“Well,” he added. “I think I've changed my mind about what you owe me Rue.”
“What do you want Josh…? It better not be nasty,” I said laughing.
“I am not „nasty" by nature Rue… You hurt my feelings.”
“Hurt your feelings…? Come on, well what is it?”
He leaned up on his elbow, facing me… “Well...I want one kiss.”
I started to sit up, struggling not to show any emotion about my leg.
“You want one, what?” I asked, with a look of “you gotta be kidding me”, painted all over my face.
“Yes…one kiss, and then I want you to tell me that I kiss better than Johnathan does…because I know I do, no doubt.”
I sat against the headboard.
“I will not and you do not...period.” I crossed my arms across my stomach.
“I see that you want to avoid it, because you know I will prove you wrong.” He grinned up at me…pissing me off in the worst way.
“No…I am not wrong.”
“How can you be so sure?” he sat up and leaned next to me, nudging my arm.
“You said all you wanted was for me to sleep in here with you, just for the night…
It was so sincere that I felt compelled to do it, because you asked and you did save my life…”
“You"re scared…it's fine, I understand.” He had looked away from me and I could feel the blood rushing into my face, as I got aggravated.
“Listen to me Josh Barrington...I do not get scared.”
“Oh…we are using whole names...? Are you getting mad at me?” He smiled.
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“You drive me crazy Josh… I have never had anyone piss me off as much as you...”
I was interrupted by his hand touching my face.
I looked at him… “What are you doing?”
He grinned, leaning toward me.
“I will kick your butt right off this…”
He took his finger and traced it across my lower lip, looking at it. I blinked a couple of times, slightly turning my head downward...lowering my eyes to avoid looking into his.
“What are you doing Josh?” I whispered.
“I'm watching you get flustered… It's cute.”
“I...I am NOT flustered,” I protested.
He rolled out of bed... “How is your leg doing?” he asked.
I shook off his annoying come on. “Yea, well…it hurts, but today I'm walking down the stairs.”
He grabbed a shirt off of the floor and smelled it, he lifted his arms and pulled it over his head, I looked as every muscle in his stomach flexed... I don't think that I had noticed, until this very moment, how tone he was. Of course he noticed I was looking at his stomach and he slowed down as he pulled it to his waist. My eyes lifted and he had a grin on his face.
“Jealous?” he asked.
“Ha…oh yea, sure,” I said…really trying to get away from the subject fast. “I'm just disgusted that you recycle your clothes, instead of washing them.”
He lifted his arm and smelled his pitty (term borrowed from Sara… She used it, instead of “arm pit”… Don't blame her really…just gross anyway.) I
“yucked” out loud.
“What...? Doesn't smell Rue!”
“Uh huh…anyway…I'm hungry, I'm going downstairs.”
I pulled my legs over the side of the bed and put my feet to the cold wood floor. I looked down, just hoping that I would be able to put my weight on it without hissing or doing anything that would give him the impression that I needed his help. I pushed off and I stood up, no problems. I could feel a slight pulling in my muscle, but other than that, no sharp pain...awesome.
“Huh…” I said, as I looked down.
Josh came over and looked down at my leg. He knelt down and leaned in, to get a closer look.
“Wow…Rue, this is healing really fast.”
I had to smile… I don't want to hobble around...it's annoying.
“Yea…” I bent over and ran my hand along the fading black bruise on my leg.
“Looks like I suddenly heal, really fast.”
Josh was still on one knee and he looked up at me. “You didn't heal fast before?”
“Well, I have always bruised really bad…and it doesn't help that I seem to trip on dirt.”
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Light started to glow in his palm and he placed it to my leg… I could feel a warm sensation to close to other parts of me off limits to all boys. “Oh…” I said kinda excited and I backed away from him, bumping into the bed.
“Did that hurt?” he asked me.
“No…it was fine really. I…I'm gonna get dressed and go downstairs.”
He stayed on his knee. looking at me like he really wanted to know what the hell just happened.
******
I walked out, a little bit slower then I would normally move, but quicker then I could of the day before. Cool…just be cool Rue, this is ridiculous. Where the hell is Johnathan anyway? I started to get annoyed that he would leave me here, after all the crazy. I shut my bedroom door and locked it. I'm not playing the tub or the shower game today. I'm not in the mood. I took a shower…very hot water poured over me and I thought about things for the first time. Seems I rarely get a moment to anymore.
I decided that today is the day that I'm going to the library. I hadn't even considered it before now, but the thought of smelling the books and snuggling in my chair… Wait, my favorite chair on the first floor is gone isn't it? Crap. No matter, I'm going anyway. They say that when you get into a car crash that the sooner you get back in a car, the better. I have to go there, before I never step foot in it again. I have too. I got out and dried off, still wondering if there was any possibility that I would be able to go alone. I doubt it…with the thought of Mikah heavy on my mind. I still didn't know how she had broken through the protection spell Theodore and Sam had placed over this town and I don't want anymore surprises… I just want to have one day of kinda normal…just one. I guess being flanked by a body guard isn't so bad anyway…not now.
I picked out clothes that fit my mood. I threw on a gray cotton t-shirt that said “this is me, not caring about you” printed in black on the front, and my favorite jeans, today my red chucks seemed to look the most appealing to me. I braided my hair into two loose braids that hung over my shoulders and grabbed my black hoodie with a white, evil looking teddy bear painted on my back. I zipped it up half way and popped my hood onto my head. I love this hoodie, because it has two cute evil teddy ears on t
he hood. I felt and looked normal today. Good start. My chucks are high tops so I bent over and rolled my jeans at the bottom.
When I opened my door, I could hear the conversation had started downstairs, and I headed towards the kitchen. When I took the first step on the stairs I told myself, no matter what, I wasn't going to make a sound, even if my leg gave me crap, but I quickly realized that I could walk with just a slight pulling of my muscle. It wasn't a pain, as much as a dull ache…no biggie. I made it to the kitchen table and sat down in my designated spot… Seems we all had our places we claimed…this was mine, facing Josh, how ironic. I grabbed my glass and chugged some orange juice down. When Iowered my glass and noticed that Josh was staring at me.
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“What?” I said to him.
He grinned. “You look cute…the ahh, ears.” He pointed his fork at my head.
“Yea…evil teddy…he's my favorite.”
“Mmm,” he muttered and went back to shoveling food in his mouth.
“So...Theodore…I thought maybe we could go to the library today.”
Chewing stopped at the table.
Theodore grinned. “Well…I would love to take you on a tour Rue… I think you will just adore what I did… My taste level is impeccable.”
“Okay…yea, after breakfast then?” I asked.
“Oh…I am so excited… I'm changing my clothes… You just finish breakfast…I'll be back!”
Theodore jumped up and went towards his room...the one he had claimed here.
“Well, get ready Rue…you just asked for it,” Josh said to me, with food in his mouth.
“I think Theodore will be fun,” I replied with some irritation in my voice.
“Oh...if you call an explanation for every little thing fun…then have at it Rue.”
“Why do you even care Josh?”
He stood up and took his plate to the sink.. “Well, because I will be with you, and so...I get to experience it too.”
I stopped chewing and swallowed. “You don't have to go…I can go on my own.”
He laughed and looked at Sam. “Really…? That sounds great…yea.”
Sam looked at me, and bit her lip, then she shared the reality. “Okay...remember Mikah...? Well, we don't want to have a repeat…so one of us will be with you, wherever you go from now on Rue.” I opened my mouth, ready to protest the idea, and she kept going. “You are not in on the vote here… You just need to accept it as fact.”
