“You're not hurt, are you?” he asked while examining my healing spots and I shook my head. He pressed his lips against mine and I kissed him with fervor while I had the chance.
“Mina, I—” Jaden started to say but my dad's shouting voice interrupted him.
“Get off my property!” he shouted from the bottom of the stairs. I heard a gun click and we both turned to look. When did my dad get a gun? He was holding a shotgun in both hands, loaded and ready, pointing directly at us. I stepped in front of Jaden trying to protect him in what little way I could. His hands braced my hips, hoping to move me away.
“What are you doing?” he insisted, a sense of urgency in his tone. “Don't spare your life to save mine. You are much more valuable.”
“He won't hurt you. Just go,” I whispered. His eyes flickered to mine and back to my dad who was now only a couple feet from us. “Dad, he’s leaving. Put the gun down.”
He squeezed my hand, sending excruciating pain into my palm. He was overcome with worry, I could feel it. I knew I needed to tell him.
“I’ll be okay.” I pulled on his arm and whispered in his ear, “I love you.”
I gave him a quick peck on the cheek, glancing up to his baby blues as I walked away. The look of surprise that was apparent on his face was one I would never forget, his eyes filled with profound luminosity.
When I faced my parents in the foyer, I glanced at my dad’s neck and saw red burn marks all over him. Were those from Jaden? Did he even remember getting them? I didn’t have time to ponder to long because soon, I was falling to the floor in a dizzying daydream.
Chapter Thirty Three
It was nightfall and there was barely enough light surrounding me to see. I walked up the front steps, which were very similar to the ones of our house but I knew this was a dream. This was the old house. All of the lights inside were off, nothing but darkness behind the glass.
As I reached the front door, I reluctantly reached for the handle and was surprised to find it unlocked, the door easily swayable. It squeaked with the movement and opened the rest of the way on its own. I stepped inside and an overwhelming smell vacated my senses. It was gas. I hurried into the kitchen to see if the stove had been left on.
I walked over to the stove, which had to be a few decades old, and turned the knobs but they were already off. I sniffed the air and could no longer smell the scent in the kitchen. I went back into the hallway and stopped when I saw Joseph. He was a few years older than I remembered, looking very much like Jaden as a child. He was standing at the bottom of the stairs with a pack of matches.
I walked slowly over to him being careful not to frighten him with my presence and I made it all the way into the hallway without being noticed. Maybe he didn’t see me.
“Joseph?” I spoke quietly but he did not react. He rubbed the match across the back and a flame burst out. I watched him stare at the matchstick with reluctance but then dropped it on the stairs in front of him. The flames spread quickly up the wooden staircase to the upstairs hallway, where his family was sleeping. He put the pack of matches in his pocket and headed outside to escape the inferno.
I followed him since he still seemed to be unaware of my presence. He ran across the yard and knelt on the ground next to a tree, trying to stay hidden as if he expected someone to burst out of the house after him.
I walked toward him to get a closer look. He was burying something deep in the ground. He dug a 10-inch hole, dropped a small metal object inside, sealed it up and neatly placed the displaced grass on top. An explosion occurred inside the house, causing the windows to burst. I jumped and guarded my eyes but I wasn’t effected by the gust from the blast, like I was watching it on a screen.
He stared back at the house, flames flickering in his eyes, and they filled with tears as he watched it burn. He turned to me and smiled, finally seeing that I was near him. He was trying to communicate something to me but I couldn't make out the jumbled images he was showing. They were just another illusion inside of a dream.
When I awoke from my slumber, I found myself lying in bed with my mom’s cheerful morning face staring back at me. She was shaking my shoulder, trying to wake me.
“I’m up,” I groaned, pulling the sheets over my head.
“You have class in half an hour, time to get crackin’.” I sat up quickly and grabbed my alarm clock. Crap. She was right and if I didn’t hurry, I was going to be late. I hopped out of bed and got dressed.
“What are you doing home?” I was suspicious. She should've been at work hours ago.
“Well, your dad is making enough money at his job. We both decided it would be better if I stayed at home and spent more time with you girls.” I zipped up my jeans and walked over to her, studying her eyes.
“But you love teaching.”
“I do but I think you’re trying to tell me something with this recent behavior of yours.” I scoffed and marched out of the room. I brushed my teeth and applied some light make-up. I didn’t have time to do my hair. I wound my hair up and clipped it to my head, pinning it in place.
I went back into my room to grab my school stuff. Nothing was where it should’ve been, though. I still had Thursday’s books inside. I don’t even remember coming to bed. Did they put me here or drag me here I should say? I didn’t have time to wonder for too long. I dumped out my bag onto the bed and put in the books I needed. I headed down the stairs and my mom was waiting for me in the hall, keys in hand.
“You’re driving me?” She nodded with a smile. I sighed and headed outside. My class was starting in fifteen minutes and she was speeding, which was not a normal thing for her. She was always obeying the laws in every aspect. I guess I could respect her in that way but then again, she never seemed to have any fun and unwind, break the rules every once in a while.
“What happened last night?” I asked, still confused.
“You fainted again. I was so scared. I think you need to see a specialist.”
“A doctor isn't going to help me.”
“I wish you'd tell me what was going on with you. Are you doing drugs?” I glanced her way and shook my head. “I know you have in the past.”
“That was the past and we should leave it there.”
The rest of our drive was silent and she dropped me off at the nearest walkway.
“I’ll pick you up here at two. I expect you to be prompt,” her voice was stern. I raised my eyebrows and nodded in defeat. I waved goodbye and walked to the Liberal Arts building that was a few hundred feet away. I smoked a cigarette on the way and indulged in the nicotine to help wake me. I left in such a hurry that I didn’t have time to wake up. I still had sleeping sand around the corner of my eyes and I wiped it away before going inside. The dream from that morning left me feeling wiped, my energy was completely drained.
Luckily, class went by pretty quickly; although, I’m pretty sure I fell asleep a couple times. I was thankful there wasn’t an assignment over the reading or quiz since I hadn’t finished Hamlet. I was too busy this weekend and after what happened with my dad, the last thing I was thinking of was homework. Mr. Grayson went over on time by a couple of minutes so I was in a hurry to get to the next building when I left. The day had a weird vibe and I hated feeling rushed.
I lit a cigarette while I speed-walked there. I recognized Lisa a few steps in front of me, the annoying girl from biology. I thought I’d be nice so I caught up to her and we chatted. She asked me about my weekend and if I’d heard about the carnival. Apparently, the woman that died was a family friend. I tried to have sympathy for her but I didn’t know her. The situation was awful enough since I was there to witness it.
“They aren't ruling it an accident anymore. They suspect foul play.”
“What happened wasn't deliberate,” I said. “You take a risk going on rides like that. I saw what happened and it was an accident.”
“Wait, you were there? You saw it?” she asked and I nodded.
“I think they were having a pr
oblem with the ride.” She covered her mouth, not knowing what to say. We were about to walk into the classroom when someone shouted my name from the end of the hall. I knew who it was without even looking. His tingle felt pleasurable probing through my body. I turned and smiled, his grin welcoming me in.
“I’ll be right in,” I said to Lisa who looked like a deer caught in the headlights after seeing Jaden Laenzar running toward her. Did she blame him for that woman’s death as well? I shot her a look of disapproval and she hurried inside. He was running toward me and didn’t seem to be slowing down as he got closer. He swept me off my feet and swung me around in the air. He sniffed my hair and slid his nose down my neck, inhaling my scent.
“You don't know how relieved I am to see you safe. How’d you get here?” He pulled me to him and planted a kiss.
“My mom drove me.” He raised an eyebrow and scratched at the side of his face.
“I assume she’ll be picking you up as well.”
“Uh-huh, exactly at two.” I saw the teacher coming down the hallway and I didn’t want to be late. “I’ve gotta go. Will you meet me here in two hours?” He lifted my hand and kissed my flesh, leaving just enough moisture to warm me inside.
“I promise.”
“Bye,” I rose onto my toes and kissed him quickly on the cheek, then disappearing into the classroom. Lisa had saved me a seat at our usual table and I was thankful for her thoughtfulness but her incessant staring was unsettling.
Class went by rather quickly that day since we had a lab. We looked at blood cells in the microscope and had to identify the different types of cells and tell if they contained antigens. It was a simple assignment and Lisa powered through it like a champ. He let us out a few minutes early and I almost hugged him for doing so. An extra five minutes with Jaden, rather than one.
I thanked Lisa for all her help and raced out the door. I searched the hallway for Jaden and felt disappointed when I didn’t see him right away. Then two people moved at the opposite end and I saw him, arms crossed, staring out the window. He hadn’t noticed me walking up but when I wrapped my arms around him, he knew. I saw a grin spread across his reflection. He turned and took my hand, leading me outside. We stuck to the side of the building that way we were out of sight from the adjacent parking lot. He lit us each a cigarette and leaned against the wall, sliding his sunglasses down his face to shelter his eyes.
He kept my hand in his the entire time we were together, looking me over at all times, checking me for new bruises or perhaps he was looking to see if I was still myself. I stroked my thumb against the back of his hand and enjoyed his scent drifting around me with the breeze.
“I hate doing this,” he finally spoke.
“It’s only been a couple days.”
“It doesn’t matter when every day feels like a century. I’m worried every moment that something is harming you and I’m not there to help. I detest the thoughts that run through my mind but yet I cannot control them. I know you’re a smart girl and you’ll begin to understand what I told you but until then, you’re easy prey for those who wish to influence your innocence.”
“Jaden, don’t worry about that. I’m in complete control of my thoughts.”
“Are you sure?” He raised an eyebrow. “I mean, you were the one that told me that my father was invading your dreams. You obviously are open to outside suggestion. Not everyone can channel others into their dreams and be aware of it.”
“I always knew I was a freak.” He chuckled and kissed my neck with gentle grace.
“You’re not a freak. You just see the world differently, like I do, and it explains so much about the connection we share.”
“I never wished for this,” I defended and he tugged at his chin while he pondered my claim. “I was just fine living life like a normal person.”
“Were you?” He pressed on. “After everything you’ve learned about me and this town, you continued to stay here and never even considered moving away until now. This town is quite possibly the strangest in the country and I am what you referred to as not entirely human—so I have some trouble believing that you preferred a normal life to the one you’re entering into. You were in search for something different and don’t try to deny it. I could see it in your eyes the first time I saw you.”
“How is it that you know more about me than I do?”
“I had a feeling and it turns out that I was right.” He grinned with pride. “No sane person would have ever chosen me after all the chaos I’ve put you through but you stayed. It reveals a great deal to me about you.” I stroked his face and his eyes burned into mine through the thin lens of his glasses. They were like burning ice and stung just as sharply.
“I’ll admit that I see life differently than most people.”
He chuckled and leaned against the brick wall behind us. “You’re almost ashamed to admit that and I can’t understand why. You see reality far differently than the average person and you could never be normal if you tried.” I was slightly offended as he put me in my place but sometimes you need to hear the truth from another person to believe it. “Quit trying to please others by being someone you aren’t.”
“But I don’t even know who I am anymore,” I revealed with embarrassment but I soon became calm as his eyes soothed me.
“Only you can know who you truly are, not your parents, not your friends, or even me for that matter. You allow fear to hold you back from everything when you should be out there exploiting your potential. You worry too much about everyone else’s happiness and not enough about your own. If it wasn’t for the opinions of others, we wouldn’t be apart right now.” I turned away as I fought back the tears forming in my eyes because I hadn’t expected him to know me so well and the shadow that I was so desperately trying to hide. I felt exposed that he could see through my ego and stare directly into my soul with an ultimatum of transformation or else.
“This kind of change is impossible to fight. I’m trying to ease your struggle because neither of us can hide any longer.” I wiped the tears from my cheeks.
“The only thing that makes sense to me now is you but everyone in my life is forcing us apart. I think they’re doing it just to torture me. I feel like I could crack at any moment if one more thing goes wrong.”
“As you recall, I didn’t wish this for you but you were quite the persistent devil.”
I fell into his arms, burying my face in his chest. “Please take it all away.”
“I wish I could, my sweet girl.” He stroked my hair and looked down at his watch. “You gotta go.” I pouted and slung his arm over my shoulder as we walked.
“I don't want you to worry but I fainted again last night,” I commented and his eyes darted to mine. “I’m okay but I slipped into another dream. I dreamed of Joseph burning the house down. I watched him light the match.” He avoided my eyes.
“It’s true. He did start the fire but it was the only way he could escape. You don't know what things our family was involved in. My father was the only one who ever tried to escape.”
“So, everything I’m dreaming about really happened?”
“I’m afraid so.” We walked to the end of the path and I slipped his arm off my shoulder.
“This is where we say goodbye. My mom has wandering eyes.” His lips brushed my hair and his fingers slid down my face while he inhaled my perfume. He lifted my chin to meet his spirited lips. He kissed me so sweetly and it was very romantic, something out of a movie in an epic goodbye scene. “Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.” The further from him I got, the stronger I felt his eyes and they were unusually painful that afternoon. There was sadness in them, which radiated through me like flowing rain.
I immediately saw my mom’s jeep since she was parked as she was earlier. I sat in the passenger seat and closed the door, glancing over to see Jaden’s blackness in the distance.
“So, how’d it go today?” She broke my attention and I stared ahead at the road as we drove home.
“Pret
ty good. I have plenty of homework tonight.”
“That should keep you busy.”
“Yeah.” My stomach growled loudly and my mom chuckled.
“I suppose you would be hungry after skipping breakfast this morning.”
“Well, I was in a hurry.”
“How about some lunch?” I shrugged my shoulders. “Come on, we haven’t gone out in a long time, just the two of us.”
“All right. I guess I should eat something.” We stopped at a quaint family restaurant that was located downtown and our lunch was pleasant. I had a bowl of vegetable soup and a side salad. It was good in both taste and quality, and satisfied my growling tummy. I hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday afternoon and all I had was a banana. I wasn’t eating very healthy as of late, my mind was too distracted. I suppose I need to remind myself to eat now.
We ate lunch together in private but I couldn’t help notice the unashamed interest I was receiving from the public. Occasionally, I'd glance around the restaurant and I swear its patrons were whispering insults at me that I could barely make out at such a distance. It seemed that without my knowledge, I had been branded a deviant by the public just by associating with Jaden Laenzar. It could've been complete paranoia but I had never felt so invaded by another group of people in my life. I took a sip of my soda and concentrated on my salad instead.
“So, have you thought about having Gregory up for a weekend? I’m sure he would like that.” I furrowed my brow, wondering why she was bringing him up at such a random moment.
“Did he call you?” The tone of my voice revealed that I hadn’t yet forgiven him.
“He might’ve.” I slouched in the booth and crossed my arms at my chest. “He feels awful about what happened and he just wants to make it up to you. I think you should hear him out. In case you forgot, he is the most important person in your life. I always imagined you two would get married.” My eyes narrowed at that proposition as she took a bite of her burger.
Shadow Heights Page 33
