"I'm sorry. I'm sure you don't want to deal with some distraught random stranger." I gave her a watery smile and held out my hand. "I'm Lucy. Thanks for giving me a lift."
The woman looked a little more reassured. She took my hand. "My name's Mary Sharp, and that's my husband Warren." Warren put up a hand in silent greeting.
She looked at me closer. "Are you sure you're all right? Can I get you anything? We have some crackers in the cupboard... maybe a soda?"
I shook my head. I needed time to think. "If you don't mind, I'd like to sleep for a while. It's been a long day."
"Of course." She moved to sit in the passenger seat at the front of the RV.
I leaned my head against the curtain, peeking out to study the night sky. I wondered what was happening to Aric right now; a tear rolled down my cheek. Would I ever see him again?
I dashed the tear away angrily. What was wrong with me? I'd always been an independent person - I'd spent a lifetime making sure I never had to depend on anyone, and here I was crying like a baby when I should be looking after myself. I pushed thoughts of Aric's predicament to the back of my mind - there was nothing I could do for him. The fact was, I needed to protect myself. I needed to try to shield myself, even if I was an amateur. It was better than waiting here like a sitting duck for the Innaki to come get me. I wondered what I was going to do when I got to Newtown. Aric said he had friends there who would help me. How would I find them? In the crisis he'd forgotten to tell me an address to head to. I closed my eyes and decided to concentrate on one issue at a time. The most important thing right now was to not fall into the hands of the Innaki - I would deal with finding the others when I got to Newtown and hope that Aric was okay and eventually find me again. Inhaling deeply, I pushed all thoughts out of my head, other than the big black circle which represented my head. In my mind, I drew a strong white line around the circle, and concentrated on keeping it secure. That was all it took to shield - the hard part was believing it would work, and keeping it up. My brain hurt, but I ignored the pain. After five minutes of it I was exhausted, but I kept it going.
I was concentrating so hard on the circle I didn't notice Mary approach me.
"Are you all right dear? You're shaking like a leaf!"
The circle disappeared, and I looked at her in surprise.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine, thanks." I grew anxious because my shield was gone. I expected to see the blinding flashes of white light heralding the arrival of the Innaki around the RV at any time.
"I just need to sleep."
Mary patted my shoulder. "I'll get you a blanket then."
She stood up and hobbled to the back towards the bed.
There was a screech of brakes.
"What the hell!" Warren yelled. He was stomping on the brakes, the RV's tires squealing as the heavy vehicle came to an awkward stop.
I was thrown forward towards the back of the driver's seat. Mary went flying the full length of the RV, heading for the windshield, just managing to save herself by clutching at the fridge handle as she flew by. The fridge door opened and closed with a thump, and the rattle of bottles rang through the air.
I pulled myself upright, and helped Mary to her feet. Thankfully, she was uninjured. Warren was out of his seat, and heading for the door.
"What the hell are you doing standing in the middle of the road at night like that!"
Mary and I crept towards the front window and peered at the figure on the road, lit up by the RV's lights.
I screamed. "Aric!'
Pushing past Warren, I ran to Aric and threw myself at him. Laughing and crying at the same time, I wrapped him in a bear hug. He held me tightly.
I held his face in my hands and kissed him quickly. "Are you okay? What happened?"
He wiped the wetness from my cheeks. "I'll tell you later," he whispered, and looked over my head at the Sharps.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. I thought you might not see me in the dark if I waved you down from the side of the road."
Aric kept his arm around me, and we moved closer to the couple.
"Do you want to tell us what the hell is happening. Who are you?"
I looked up at Aric. "He's my boyfriend. I'm afraid we had a big argument at the roadhouse. That was why I was crying. I decided to go on to Newtown by myself." I was surprised at how easily I came up with an excuse. I was usually a terrible liar.
"Then how'd you get out here before us?" Warren looked suspiciously at Aric.
"Motorcycle - cross country." Aric pointed to a motorcycle at the side of the road. "I um, 'borrowed' it. I wanted to catch up with Lucy. That was the only way seeing as our car's dead. There's a biker back there who won't be very happy."
Warren looked at the motorcycle and grunted.
Mary took a step towards us. "I saw you two together at the roadhouse," said Mary. "I think they're telling the truth, dear."
She took my arm, and urged us towards the RV.
"Come on. If your car is really broken down, then you still need a lift."
Warren looked dubiously at the motorcycle, and then back in the direction of the roadhouse.
"Leave it," said Mary. "The bikers will find it eventually."
Warren grunted and followed her dutifully into the RV. Aric and I settled on the seat I'd been sitting in before.
We made small talk with Mary for a while, and then she left us to sit next to her husband.
Aric guided my head to rest below his shoulder, and brushed a light kiss over my hair.
You did great Luce, he said in my head.
I looked up at him, and his lips rested on my forehead.
What happened back there? Are those two guys still after us?
He squeezed my shoulder. Not for now.
So what happened?
One of the bikers was worried about a fight he'd been in. He'd killed a guy in Burrough.
He told you that?!
No, I read what he was thinking. I mentioned to him that I thought the two guys near the door were feds as I'd overheard them talking about apprehending a biker for murder in Burrough. All hell broke loose after that. I snuck out in the middle of it, grabbed a bike, and took off cross-country to try and reach you. I don't think they'll be in a state to follow us right now. So, you're safe for now.
He grinned, obviously pleased with himself.
I savored the cozy glow of safety, and then a thought hit me. I sat up, and looked at him in alarm as realization swept over me.
"We're not safe!" I whispered frantically. "I tried to shield myself while you were gone, but I didn't manage to keep it going all the time. The Innaki are sure to know where I am."
He smiled, and moved my head back to his shoulder.
Relax. I was shielding you all that time. It's never been down.
You were? You can do that from that far away? I could feel the adrenaline subsiding, and I relaxed against his chest.
Yeah, it's harder, but I managed it.
Why didn't you just let me stay and help you ditch them? I hate not knowing what's happening to you.
I wanted you away safely in case I failed.
There's a flaw in your plan, I told him. You didn't tell me the address of the others. If you hadn't made it back to me, I would have had nowhere to go; I'd be just as vulnerable in Newtown as I was in Craigsville.
He pulled the blanket Mary had provided over my shoulder. No, you will know the address if and when you really need it.
Puzzled, I moved so I could see his face.
I couldn't give you the address outright, he explained. It's too dangerous. If you fall into the wrong hands, they would make you tell them where the others are. I've buried the address so deep in your mind, that you'll only remember it if you really need to.
My eyebrows shot up. He was full of surprises. Hmm... neat trick, I said in my head.
He smiled at me, and pulled his arm tighter around me. Get some sleep Lucy. You're safe for now.
I lay my head back do
wn against his chest, and closed my eyes. I could feel the reassuringly steady beat of his heart, and I began to relax. Before long, I was asleep.
* * * * *
"Well, we're nearly there, kids!"
It was Warren's voice that woke me. I opened my eyes to see Newtown's city skyline in the distance, lit up like a sparkling fairy town, a stark and pretty contrast to the huge black sky. The highway was busier and brightly lit as we neared the city. A sense of relief mixed with excitement washed over me. I looked triumphantly at Aric. He was slumped over, his elbows resting on his knees, his head on his hands. He looked up with tired eyes, squinting through a lock of hair that had fallen over his forehead. He looked awful.
"Aric! What's wrong?"
He sat up and slumped back against the seat, and gave me a weak smile.
"Nothing. I'm just tired. I'll be okay."
I looked at him with alarm, and felt his forehead. "Are you ill?" He didn't have a fever.
"I'm fine. Really. I just need some rest, and I'll get that later - when we get... when we get to where we're going."
I looked anxiously at the lights of the city. We weren't moving fast enough for my liking - he wouldn't last long. His face was drawn, and the dark circles under his eyes stood out against unusually pale skin. His eyes kept drooping, and he forced them open by blinking hard. His head dropped so his chin rested on his chest, then jerked up again. He was obviously fighting sleep.
I need to keep the shield up. Whatever you do, keep me awake, okay?
I nodded, and watched him anxiously as we drew nearer to the city.
"So where do you want to be dropped?" Warren called from the driver's seat. I looked at Aric, and nudged him when he didn't answer. His head jerked up from his chest again.
"Where do you want us dropped off?" I repeated Warren's question.
"Oh, near the main bus stop in the city transit center, if you don't mind," he told Warren. Mary was giving him strange looks.
"Are you all right, dear?"
"I think he may be coming down with the flu," I said quickly. "He just needs to get to bed."
"Have you got somewhere to stay?"
I looked at Aric; he didn't answer. "We're just staying at a hotel tonight," I said.
Mary didn't look too reassured, but she didn't pursue it, turning back instead to watch the road ahead.
We pulled up at the city transit center, and I let out an inaudible sigh of relief. Pulling Aric to his feet, I pushed him through the door. He was weak, and stood up unsteadily, blinking at the bright lights around us.
Warren looked at him curiously. "Are you sure you're okay, son? You look like you should be in the hospital."
I answered for Aric. "He'll be fine. I'm going to put him to bed." I gestured at the 'vacancy' sign at a hotel across the road.
We thanked the Sharps, and they took off in the RV, leaving us alone in the deserted street.
I looked around at the buildings. To our left was the transit centre, and for as far as I could see in either direction, the street was full of hotels, stores and office buildings.
"Where do your friends live then?" I asked.
Aric looked around, confused, then pointed down the street. "That way."
I put my arm through his and we headed in the direction he'd indicated. We'd been walking for fifteen minutes before Aric stopped and leaned against the wall of an office block. He shook his head and rubbed his eyes, then leaned over, propping himself up against the wall again.
"How far away do they live Aric? You can't get far like this."
"About a half hour's walk."
"A half hour?! That's too far for you! Why didn't you just tell Warren the address and we'd be there by now?!"
"Too dangerous for them to know." His knees gave way, and I quickly put my arm around his waist and hoisted him up.
"Come on," I said. "The sooner we get moving, the sooner we get there."
After half an hour, Aric was so weak he could barely stay on his feet. I held on to him, and literally dragged him along. We were going at a snail's pace.
"Are we close yet?" I asked, peering around. He didn't answer. His eyes were nearly closed. I shook him. "Aric! Wake up!"
His eyes sprang open again.
"Are we there yet?" I asked again. He shook his head and I dragged him on.
A police car cruised by, slowing as they spotted us. "Everything okay?" called an officer from the car.
I nodded and forced a smile. "Yeah," I said, pointing to Aric. "A bit too much to drink. I'm taking him home."
He dipped his head and gave a small wave, and the police car continued down the street. A drunk being carried home in the early hours was obviously nothing unusual to him.
We turned off the main street, and hobbled down a more dimly lit road. The buildings were apartment blocks here. I felt slightly more positive.
Aric stumbled, and I just caught him before he hit the pavement. I pulled him to his feet, and he leaned heavily on me.
"We're here," he said. I looked up at the apartment block. It was a huge, red brick building, with dozens of mostly darkened windows overlooking the street.
"This one?" I asked, pointing to the front door. He didn't answer. I staggered under his weight as his legs gave way again. I shook him, and he looked at me momentarily, but there was nothing in his eyes.
"Aric! Wake up!" There was no response; his eyes didn't register at all. He was nearly catatonic.
I looked at the entrance to the apartment building. There were a number of buildings in our immediate vicinity he could have been referring to when he'd said 'we're here', but a sense of familiarity struck me when I looked at the door to our left. I dragged him up the front steps, and pulled him, with difficulty, through the door into the foyer. To the right there was a set of stairs, and for a moment my heart sank at the thought of dragging Aric up numerous flights. I spotted a small elevator in the corner to my left, and could have cried in relief. I punched the 'up' button, and waited impatiently for the doors to open.
I shook Aric again, and he jerked his head up. "Which floor?" I asked. He just stared past me with empty eyes.
Sighing, I dragged him into the elevator. I looked at the row of buttons - eight floors. The fourth floor button seemed to draw me, and I pushed it. It just felt 'right'. Aric was nearly on his knees by the time the elevator doors opened, and I pulled him out as though I was dragging a dead body into the long corridor. There were numerous doors on either side. I pulled Aric to the side, and positioned him so he was propped sitting against the wall. His head sank to rest on his shoulder, but his eyes were open. I looked at the doors - four on either side of the corridor. Which one was it? My eyes were drawn to the second door on the right. Throwing a quick glance at Aric, I ran to the door, and pounded hard on it. After what seemed to be an interminably long time, the door was thrown open, revealing a man who looked at me through sleepy blue eyes - the same strange color as Aric's. I took a step back in surprise, then composed myself. I pointed to Aric, slumped against the wall next to the elevator. "Help him," I said, and the man understood immediately.
He raced down the hall, and crouched in front of Aric.
"Aric," he said shaking his shoulder.
Aric seemed to recognize him. He pointed at me. "Shield her," he said, and passed out cold.
* * * * *
Between the two of us, we managed to drag Aric into the apartment. We lay him on the sofa.
"What's wrong with him?" I asked anxiously.
The man placed a cushion under Aric's head. "He's just very tired."
I looked dubiously at Aric - he looked more like he was at death's door than 'just very tired'.
"He'll be all right... 'Lucy', isn't it?"
I nodded, surprised he knew my name, then I remembered - he was probably a mind reader too.
He held out a hand, and I took it. "I'm Saul. I'm Aric's brother."
That explained the eyes, although I thought they were really the only feature
which resembled Aric in any way. Saul was small and thin, lightly built, with dark hair and a fair complexion. His face was what I'd call 'pleasant', but unremarkable. Aric had obviously been the lucky one to be blessed with the good looks in their family.
I blushed when I remembered he could read my mind. I had to watch what I was thinking.
A woman emerged from a room to the right. She rubbed her eyes sleepily, and pushed her sleep-messed hair back from her face.
"Ah, Ellen - this is Lucy," said Saul. "She's brought Aric to us. Lucy, this is my wife Ellen."
Ellen waddled across the room, and extended a plump hand. "Oh," she said, stepping back from me, as if she had been burned. She looked at Saul, seemed to listen to something he said in her head, and nodded.
Saul ushered me to an armchair facing the sofa and Ellen knelt beside Aric, putting a hand over his forehead. "It seems the two of you have been going through a rough time."
"Can you heal him?" I asked hopefully.
Ellen shook her head. "This just requires rest. He's got no more gas in the tank, so to speak, and has to... refuel. He must have worked hard to end up like this."
I looked at him guiltily. He was this way because of me.
Ellen caught the look on my face, and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry yourself Lucy. He'll be right as rain in no time," she said, hoisting herself to her feet. "I'll go put the kettle on, we'll get you a nice cup of tea, and you can tell us what happened."
"You don't know already?" I asked, surprised. They both looked at each other, then back at me with blank expressions.
"It's just that, well, the mind-reading thing, I thought you would have read my mind by now, and found out the story... "
Saul smiled kindly at me. "We don't go into people's minds unless it's absolutely necessary," he said. "You can rest assured your thoughts stay your own."
I breathed a sigh of relief. I had enough to worry about without having to try to do the shielding thing as well.
Ellen made us some tea, and offered me some toast and beans. I told them the whole story, minus the kissing bit in the cabin, although they probably worked it out from the look on my reddened face.
Starcrossed: Perigee - A paranormal romance trilogy Page 10
