The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven

by Jessica Miller

  I ventured down the hall to Jack's room and knocked on the door. He opened it almost immediately and slid his way out through a tiny opening. “You know, I've never seen your room before,” I said, hand on the doorknob, ready to open it when Jack yanked my hand away.

  “Trust me. You don't want to go in there. My roommate is a real slob, it's a mess.”

  “Oh c'mon, I'm sure it's nothing. Besides I know what it's like to live with a slob. I'm sure there isn’t anything I haven't seen before.”

  I reached for the door again, but he stopped me. There was urgency in his grip that tightened slowly around my wrist. “Maybe later. We have to get going. Besides you did see it already,” he said, dropping my hand. I looked at Jack confused and rubbed my sore wrist. “The first weekend you were here,” he said reminding me. I didn't push the subject. Clearly there was something that he didn't want me to see.

  Down in the lobby on our way out, I ran into Tristan, literally. He was surrounded by girls and stumbling all over the place. When he bumped into me and saw me with Jack, he looked as though I had just stabbed him in the heart. I tried to pay him no mind and kept moving forward.

  “Tristan, you coming?” I heard one of the girls call. I took a quick peek over my shoulder at him standing there, watching me. Josie was right, he was looking bad, worse than I expected.

  Our eyes caught for a second and I quickly looked away, inching myself closer to Jack for warmth. I couldn't tell whether it was the cold air or Tristan's dead stare that sent chills down my spine. I shivered and Jack wrapped his arm around me pulling me closer to him.

  Jack took me to one of the local restaurants downtown. He talked about the new painting he was working on, which only made me think of Tristan. Jack did most of the talking throughout dinner, my mind was somewhere else, but he didn't seem to notice.

  After dinner, we went to the student center to grab some coffee, and then Jack walked me back to my room. “Thanks Jack, I had a really nice time tonight.”

  “Me too,” he said shifting, slightly uncomfortable. “I guess, I'll see you later?” he stuffed his hands in his pockets not sure what to do.

  I smiled politely at him. “Would you like to come in?” His eyes went wide. “I mean and watch some TV. I did just drink that large coffee, so I won't be able to fall asleep anytime soon.” He flashed me his crooked smile and nodded his head bashfully. I opened the door and turned on the light.

  After Josie had borrowed the TV from the A.V. Kids, we felt we should just invest in our own. We went out the next day and bought a flat screen with DVD player. “You can have a seat. I'm going to look through Josie's mess for a movie.” Jack awkwardly took a seat on Josie's bed while I dug through her pile of clothes trying to find a movie. “I know it's here somewhere. She just rented it the other day.” I dug through a few more piles of hopefully clean clothes and found it under the bed.

  “Found it,” I said, popping up from the floor. I walked over put in the DVD, clicked play, and took a seat on my bed. “You don't have to sit over there. You can sit next to me, I don't bite.” I smiled at Jack as he slowly made his way over to me and sat down.

  “So what movie is this?” Jack asked, trying to get comfy.

  “I don't know? I think some horror movie. Billy picked it out. Apparently Josie gets scared and turned on at the same time.” I bit my tongue. I hadn't meant to say that last part out loud. I couldn't tell who was blushing more, me or Jack. I quickly got up to turn off the lights then sat back down on the bed and waited for the movie to start.

  The movie ended up being some slasher flick where some psycho goes around killing everyone. I covered my eyes at all the gruesome parts, which was most of the movie. “Ugh this is horrible, how can you stand to watch this?” I asked Jack, covering my face again.

  He chuckled and put his arm around me. “It's not that bad. Besides, it's not the movie that I'm really interested in.”

  “Oh,” I said, blushing again. He just smiled as I leaned in closer and rested my head on his shoulder.

  If felt nice in Jack's arms, not like the way I felt in Tristan's which was safe, warm, protected, and loved. Jack had a nice body from what I could tell, not cut like Tristan's, but there was muscle there. If I really were to compare them I would say Tristan fits the profile of an Adonis, molded to perfection in every aspect. Everything from his dark messy hair, his deep blue eyes that you could get lost in for days, down to his lean body. He was the world's greatest masterpiece. Jack you would categorize as the cute, but geeky nerd. Jack also had very unique eyes, there was something almost familiar about them, but they didn't hold a candle to Tristan's piercing blue. And...What the hell was I doing? What was wrong with me? I needed to stop comparing Jack to Tristan. There was no comparison, they're complete opposites, and Jack was the smarter choice.

  At least that's what my head was telling me. My heart was another story, but I chose to ignore it.

  I looked up at Jack as he watched the movie. He wore a blank expression. I turned back to the TV just as the killer ripped a fingernail off one of his victims and ate it. I shrieked, covered my face with my hands, and buried my head in Jack's chest. He laughed lightly at my reaction and wrapped his arm tighter around me.

  “Is it over?” I asked, peeking between my fingers.

  “It's over, you can look now.”

  I looked back up at Jack. “You must think I'm a wimp.”

  “I don't think you're a wimp. It is pretty gruesome.”

  “How come you're not scared?”

  “I am, but I'm trying to be brave. Don't want you to think I'm a wuss,” he said, giving me a half smile.

  “You don't have to pretend for me. I won't think you're a wuss.”

  He looked into my eyes just then and I could tell he wanted to kiss me. I knew if I didn't let him I wouldn't be able to move on, get pass whatever feelings I was still harboring for Tristan. And I needed to. So I took the initiative. I titled my head up and kissed him.

  I could tell he was a little surprised at first, but soon relaxed, and started to kiss me back. His lips were soft and small and they wanted mine. I could feel it in the way he kissed me.

  He slid lower on the bed and pulled me closer to him. He kissed me gently at first, and then with more aggression. Like he was hungry for it and couldn't seem to get enough. Way too soon he was on top of me and I couldn't breathe. “Jack,” I said, pulling my head back, but he didn't stop.

  His lips trailed down to my neck. His body pressed harder on my hips. I tried to push him back so I could breathe. He grabbed my wrists and thrust them above my head and gripped them tighter when I tried to move. “Jack...wait,” I tried, but it was just a whisper. I heard a low growl come from deep inside Jack's throat. I felt a slight pinch, then a burning sensation on my neck. I winced at the pain but then relaxed as it was soon replaced by a sensual sensation. It felt good, really good.

  My whole body tingled with this strange, sexual feeling. A feeling I couldn't seem to get enough of. I pressed myself into Jack, wanting more. He gripped my wrists so hard I thought they'd snap. His mouth pushed harder against my neck. I almost let out a moan, but then he pulled back.

  My head was rushing, I felt like I was floating. I blinked a few times to try and focus. It was like I was in a dream, here one minute gone the next. I focused on Jack's face and noticed splotches of something on his chin and around his mouth. At first it just looked like smeared lipstick, but I didn't remember putting any on. I slowly started to come out of the drug induced coma I was feeling trapped in. I felt a warm, wet liquid drip down my neck. I reached over and touched it. I pulled my hand back to find blood on my fingers. I looked at Jack, feeling more lucid now. He had blood dripping from the side of his mouth, his face in a snarl. His teeth appeared to be razor sharp and his eyes, his eyes were glowing gold.

  I screamed and jumped off the bed. My head was still dizzy from the rush so I fell in my haste to get away from him. “Ella,” Jack growled.

  “Stay
away from me,” I screamed, terrified.

  “Don't make this any harder. We can do this the easy way.” He stood to get off the bed and made his way towards me like a predator stalking his prey. I used the wall for balance and scooted my way up. I made a run for the door, but he caught me and pinned my arms to the wall. He moved so fast I almost didn't believe it myself. No human could move with speed like that.

  “I bet you're thinking you wish you took up running after all,” he said, letting out a malicious laugh. “It wouldn’t really matter anyways. You could be an All-star and still wouldn't be able to out run me. Although I do like a challenge,” he said with a vicious smile, as if tempting me to escape so he could feel the rush of a chase.

  “What do you want?” I asked, trying to contain my trembling hands.

  “What should rightfully be mine,” he said, leaning in and exposing his teeth. Not wanting to get bit again I thought fast and brought my knee up into his groin. He cried out in pain releasing my wrist. I tried the door but it was jammed. I was trapped. I slipped away from him looking for some weapon or a form of protection. I only made it a foot before he reached out grabbing my ankle and pulling me down to floor. He yanked me closer to him causing the carpet to give me a rug burn all up my back.

  I tried to scream, but he covered my mouth. “Do not, try that again,” he warned, eyes glowing fiercely. “I will take my hand away, but you have to promise not to scream. Don't want anyone coming here and pretending to be a hero. Trust me, you wouldn't want that either.” I nodded letting him know I would obey his request. He slowly moved his hand away, leaving my mouth sore from his tight grip.

  I took one long, disgusted look at him and spit in his face. He smirked, wiped it off with the back of his hand, and then cracked me across the jaw so hard I thought he might have broken it. I bit my tongue. I was not going to cry out in pain. I refused to show him any more fear. He allowed me space and I pulled back, standing up. He knew I couldn't beat him with having nowhere to go. He watched me curiously with a crude smile.

  There was a knock on the door. I opened my mouth to scream but Jack was on me within a split second covering my mouth again. “Keep your mouth shut. You say one word and I'll kill you before you even have the chance to blink.” I had no doubt he could, so I didn't risk it.

  “Ella?” I heard Josie's voice as she tried to turn the knob. Panic spread through my whole body. I prayed that Josie would just walk away. I did not want her to get hurt. She jiggled the handle but it was locked. She knocked again. “Ella...I'm sorry about earlier, please let me in...Hello?” When she got no response I heard her stomp her foot and walk off.

  I closed my eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. “Your friend is smart,” he said, his eyes gazing over me. He took his hand away. “Now, where were we?” His eyes started to glow, and he leaned down ready to bite me again. I was ready to strike out when I heard Josie's voice again. Jack stopped. He pulled back growling in irritation at the interruption.

  “Sorry Tristan, but I don't care if Ella's pissed at me or not. I'm not sleeping out in the hall because she's being a brat,” Josie complained. Jack kept his hand over my mouth, reminding me to be quiet as we heard a key turn in the lock. I was not going to let my friend's walk right into the lion's den without a warning.

  I bit Jack's hand, hard. He growled pulling it back and I screamed as loud as I could. “Oh my God, Ella!” I heard Josie call.

  Jack elbowed me knocking me down to the floor. “You're going to pay for that you stupid bitch.”

  “The door, break it down!” Josie yelled, as I heard thud after thud.

  My face was throbbing from where Jack hit me. I tried to crawl away but he grabbed my leg pulling me back to him. “You're not going anywhere.”

  “Hurry Tristan!” Josie commanded.

  “I'm trying but,” Thud. “It just,” thud. “won't,” thud. “break.” Crack was the sound the door made, splitting apart from the hinges. Tristan and Josie came barreling through to find Jack with his arm around my throat. They froze not believing what they were seeing.

  “One step closer and I'll kill her,” Jack warned.

  “Josie, get out of here,” Tristan said, pushing her behind him.

  “No, I'm not going anywhere,” she said, standing firm.

  “Let her stay, I could use another snack,” Jack said smiling.

  I looked at Tristan, eyes panicked. I knew he was about to do something dangerous, something that might get us both killed. I heard a low growl come from Tristan. The same feral growl I heard from Jack earlier. Then just like Jack, his eyes started to glow, but not gold like Jack's. No, his eyes glowed, that beautiful blue I fell in love with. I looked into Tristan's eyes, trying to see if I could see or feel something like I had once before. The only thing I sensed was pure, raw emotion. It was very animalistic.

  Tristan charged Jack without a moment’s notice knocking all three of us to the floor. Both Tristan and Jack recovered quickly, jumping to their feet. They started to circle each other, waiting for the other to make a move. I heard Josie call my name, but it sounded so far off in the distance. I felt her hand on mine pulling me, trying to get me to move, but I couldn't. I couldn't take my eyes off of Tristan or Jack.

  The way they stood, there stance was battle-like. The low growls coming from both of them, the glow in their eyes, and the way they both moved with such speed. I couldn't make myself look away. “This is a dream, this has to be a dream,” I thought. This couldn't be real. The pain in my body from being thrown around told me otherwise.

  “It's a shame you know. You and I could have been friends,” Jack said to Tristan.

  “I would never befriend someone like you. I should have known too, I could smell it on you. All you rogues have that filthy trash smell.”

  “Please, you can't smell shit with all that boozing you do. How'd you think it was so easy,” Jack said, smiling the most evil smile I'd ever seen and pounced on Tristan, but Tristan was quick and threw him back. They started to circle each other again. “You're pathetic just like her. You hide your powers, weaken them. So when you need them most, there no good to you and that is why you can't beat me,” Jack laughed.

  “We'll see about that,” Tristan growled, reaching for Jack, but he was out of the way and out the door in a flash.

  “Ella was right, you really should start going to AA meetings, maybe then you might actually have a chance.” Jack looked at me. “I'll be seeing you soon. I'm not finished with you yet.” I blinked and he was gone.

  Tristan fell to his knees by my side. He gripped my shoulders and shook me lightly. “Ella...Ella...are you okay?”

  I stared blankly at the door where Jack was just seconds ago. 'I'll be back. I'm not finished with you yet.' His words replayed over and over again in my head.

  “I think she's in shock,” Josie said. Tristan picked me up and carried me over to my bed. I just stared up at the ceiling. Their voices were only a distant echo in my mind. Tristan cupped the sides of my face. “Ella? Ella...look at me.” I turned my eyes to his as the glow started to diminish and his eyes turned so dark they looked almost black. “Ella, you will forget all of this. None of this ever happened. Do you understand me?” I nodded my head slowly, feeling dizzy.

  “What are you doing?” Josie demanded. Tristan turned to her and pulled her aside. I saw them arguing but I couldn't hear what they were saying. The next minute, Josie was out, by the wave of a hand. Tristan caught her and carried her to the bed, laying her down gently.

  Then he returned to me, his eyes still so dark. I lifted my hand up to his cheek. He closed his eyes and sighed into my hand. “Don't cry,” I whispered, wiping away the tear that fell down his cheek.

  “I'm sorry Ella, but I have to do this. Don't worry, I will make everything better, okay?” The look on his face was so sad and all I wanted to do was hold him and tell him everything would be okay. I wanted to comfort him and tell him I wasn't afraid. He washed a hand slowly over my face, pausing slightly on m
y jaw. I closed my eyes and slowly felt my pain fade away. He kissed me lightly on the cheek and I looked back up at him. “You came home from dinner and went straight to bed,” he said, tears dragging slowly down his cheek.

  “I went straight to bed,” I echoed.

  “Right, straight to bed, and now you're going to go to sleep and forget everything.”

  “Forget everything,” I said, my eyelids suddenly becoming heavy.

  I felt his soft lips press lightly on my forehead. Then he whispered goodnight in my ear and the next thing I knew I was out.

  Chapter eighteen

  I woke up in the morning with a killer headache. I pulled the covers back and noticed I was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday. “What the?” I said to myself, confused. I looked over to see Josie was sound asleep in her bed. Then I looked around the room for some clues as to what happened, but the more I tried the worse my headache got. I got up slowly and got some aspirin from the first aid kit, grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, and popped the maximum dosage allowed. Then I changed out of my clothes, into some sweats, and went back to bed. I knew from experience that sleep was the best thing for this migraine.

  When I woke up the second time, the headache was gone, and Josie was sitting on her bed eating a piping, hot pizza. “Pizza?” she said, offering me a slice.

  “For breakfast?”

  “Ella, it's one o'clock in the afternoon.”

  I rolled over and looked at my clock. She was right. “I can't believe I slept that long. Why didn't you wake me?”

  Josie shrugged. “You looked so peaceful. I didn't want to disturb you.” I sat up and looked at the delicious pizza. I watched the steam rise and rubbed my grumbling belly. Josie pushed the box towards me and I helped myself to a slice. “So how was your date with Jack last night?”

  “Good, I guess.”

  “You guess?”

  “Well, I don't really remember much,” I said, scratching my head, feeling a slight headache starting to return. “We went to dinner, then coffee, and then I don't remember anything after that,” I said, pressing my fingers to my temples to try and relieve some of the pressure.