by Amanda Miga
"Yeah, maybe you can pick up more information."
"That Grey guy didn't seem so bad, but from what you told me he seems... off... " Alex trails off as Laurie comes back to fill their mugs that don't need filling. She seems interested in him since her eyes never meet mine. He displays a charming smile I've seen him use on Violet. It so fake I want to point it out to the stupid girl. At least Violet isn't as bad as Laurie. Though, he gets her to bite her lip. I wish I had that effect on girls—especially Violet, but without being fake. He pulls his eyes away from Laurie when she walks away.
"I can hear you, remember?" Alex grips his coffee mug.
"I haven't forgotten." I grin.
Alex stirs his coffee. "I think that the journal isn't showing everything. It felt like I was being rushed through the whole thing. Did you speed read or something?"
"No. But I know what you mean." I put my fork down. "I don't like not knowing everything. It bothers me that Red could be filtering what we read. It’s genius and it’s annoying."
"None of this is logical; it's all fairytale magic and shit." Alex sips his coffee. "The deeper we go the crazier it sounds. What else can Red do?"
Red can do a lot. I don't want to share it with Alex. Things I saw elsewhere. Things I don't think were meant to be shared. I have a gut feeling it's for my eyes only.
"I can't see your thoughts as clearly when you think about the journals. It kinda freaks me out."
"It's probably all cryptic like the journals, right?"
"Yeah, all mathy and shit." His eyes squint just trying to see into my mind. I'm glad he can't see everything.
"Stop thinking about it, it's actually hurting my head. Feels like I’m in school.”
I snicker until he's is distracted once more when Laurie makes another appearance with two pieces of pie.
"On the house," she says leaning in close to Alex. "I hope you’re hungry." She bats her lashes at him. I'm pretty sure she had unbuttoned the top two buttons on her waitress uniform to reveal her fleshy cleavage. Alex and the waitress eye fuck each other for a moment, like a private conversation is taking place. I try to look away but there's nothing but the damn pie. Laurie finally leaves the receipt in front of him. His eyes follow her backside as she walks away.
"Alex, what did we agree to?" I push the pie away.
Alex snaps back to the conversation like Laurie doesn't exist. Surprising, he picks up where they left off. He's been paying attention.
"Violet. She's what we all want, right?" He simply says, flipping over the receipt. His smile is a devious one. He digs one finger into the pie and puts it in his mouth. "You pay for this and I'll handle the tip."
I look at the receipt as he leaves the table. In large girly handwriting, Laurie leaves a message when she'll be getting off. Alex goes through the same door Laurie had a moment before. I pay for breakfast, but he still hasn't come back. I go to check on him and find the door locked. I press my ear to it. It sounds like Laurie has gotten off early. From the sounds of her moaning voice, Alex is leaving a generous tip.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Alex
The crumpled sheets and pillows in the center of the bed are obvious—the bed was slept in. The room reeks of the other guy—Grey. Did she sleep in his bed? Dash would know just by looking. Why did this guy leave her? Why would I remind Violet of this guy? Maybe it’s because he loves music just as much as I do; or maybe it’s something else. This guy was her real boyfriend, the one she had fun with. The one she... I look away from the bed. I hate the bed.
I saw through Red's envious eyes the love they had for each other. Not being the one that she reaches for hurts like hell. It ripped a hole in Red and I felt it. To recall the rooftop scene makes me envious. This guy loved her. Did she do it with him... here? Dash will have to cough up that info later. I gaze out of the windows to the dark view of the forest. Creepy as hell.
I turn to the music collection. This guy has good taste in music. Maybe that's why I remind her of him. I grab an LP off the wall.
The door creeks open.
Violet stands awkwardly in the doorway. Her brown curls are tied back. It's the first time I notice her bare neck. That's where Grey's necklace used to be; the one Dash told me about.
"Oh sorry, Vi. I couldn't find you so I—" I place the LP back on the shelf. "It's just his music collections is massive and the vinyl... God, he's got some rare stuff."
"It's fine, Alex." She doesn’t mind that I'm looking around or even touching the music, but the room itself is Grey. She doesn’t want me to ruin anything. I can see the sadness in her eyes as she approaches the bed and sits. She doesn't come in this room much, but when she does, she cries in the pillow in the center of the bed. She’s the reason for the unmade bed.
Her hands skim the sheets and she begins to cry.
"Vi," I sit beside her, I don't hesitate to place my arm around her. I don't care what the rules are. I know I shouldn't because she's triggered or something. I touch her. My skin feels like it wants to connect with her. I would if I had more hands. She doesn't seem to notice because she's thinking about Grey. I don't like seeing girls cry. The first thing I usually do is take advantage. Touching is consoling and consoling makes them feel they can trust me with their pain. Of course, I know the right things to say and the right way to touch. But Violet is different; for some reason I can't go all the way.
All I know about her is from what Dash told me from Red's journal. Even when I had first seen her in my dream, the image Red had forced into my mind, I instantly felt something for her. I have a feeling she's more to me than just a hybrid girl I'm helping. The music box without the prongs to make music I recall from my dream, I have to fix it for her. What does it mean? That part of the dream doesn't make sense. The part where Red said to trust Violet is all that makes sense to me.
I rub her shoulder as I listen to her sniffle. The last time I rubbed a girl’s shoulder like this was so she would be coaxed into having sex with me after her mom died. I let my arm fall away from her. I won't do that. Not to her.
I listen to Violet's mind as she recalls moments I had only saw in the journal. Grey is her boyfriend and she misses him so much. The new vision the repeat of pulling off of her necklace is something that torments her. I'd try to sympathize with her pain, but I don't know how I should feel. Part of me is happy she doesn’t have that guy in her life. I'm hoping we'll never get around to finding Red.
How selfish.
"Thanks for sticking around to help." She wipes her tears away.
Great, now I feel bad.
She places her hand on mine. A slight haze falls over me like when I've smoked weed, but I try not to react. I like that she is touching me. She must have forgotten she shouldn't touch.
"Yeah no problem" No problem? What the fuck did I just say? The Alex thing to say is 'sure baby, you know I'm here for you' touch her cheek, give the sparkling smile they all swoon for. I can't do that to her. She’s different. Great, now I actually care?
I avert my eyes from Violet and her hand slips away.
Shit.
"You're welcome to listen to his music. I do."
She's so sweet. It's hard when that’s the thing she did the most with Grey. That wasn’t what I thought they might’ve done the most. What I'm thinking is what Alex the Great does the most. Has she slept with Grey? I search her mind, but I see them doing everything else except for that one thing. It brings some relief to me for some reason. She's still a virgin. It's nice to sit and chill with her, but she'll only be thinking of that guy.
"I have an idea." I get up and grab a forty-five record off the wall. I set the record player up and place the needle on the vinyl. Grey never danced with her. This is my thing. I walk over and offer my hand when the sixties slow groove starts.
"Oh Alex, I don't know." She hesitates and places her hand in mine. I swiftly pull her up and swing her around. Violet smiles unknowingly giving off her subtle energy which it hard to ignore. The energy that she gave off is like a w
arm breeze. I'm not about to point it out to her. I want to touch her. She’s mild compared to what I've seen with Gabriel.
The sound of music clears the air of every thought including mine. Making her smile is enough. It’s what she needs. It's what I need. I lead with easy steps and she follows. Her foot step on mine and her giggling warms my heart.
"Who's this?"
"Solomon Burke, the King of Rock N' Soul."
I gaze down at her, singing the lyrics about loneliness and crying on someone's shoulder. I hold her closer when she gets the steps down. She giggles as I continue to imitate Solomon and his soulful voice. I twirl her around to make her laugh. For the first time I wish I could drown out the music just to hear her thoughts. Not because she turns me on, but because she makes my heart skip a beat, letting me know that something different is happening. She gazes up at me in a way that makes me so nervous I have to pull my eyes away. Her body is giving off that vibe—the subtle sensation that pulls my body closer.
Am I doing this to her? What is she doing to me?
Girls don't do this to me—I do this to girls. Her head rest on my chest. Our steps slow and the song changes. Solomon sings about beautiful brown eyes. We rock slowly to the song, until the only sound is the static from the needle. The energy field I'm immersed in is more noticeable. As I pull away I feel lighter, like she’s left me entirely empty. Has she taken something from me? She had a grasp on me. What does that mean?
I listen to Violet's mind as I place the vinyl back into its sleeve and carefully back on the shelf. Her thoughts confirm that she noticed she was using her aura, but decides not to say anything since it’s too mild for me to feel. That was mild? She's embarrassed she liked dancing with me. She's embarrassed because she liked it too much.
I felt that.
I don't mention it so that I can continue to be as close as I like.
"That was nice, Alex." I've never dance with any one like that before. "You like dancing?"
"I love dancing and singing."
"Is there anything else your good at?"
Kissing. "I can play a few instruments." I've kissed tons of girls. "My favorite is the piano." I'd love to kiss you.
"I wish I had a keyboard or something. I'd like to hear you play." There's an awkward silence that has her nervous for a topic to talk about.
She's nervous... because of me? "You have any talents, Vi?" Bet you're a good kisser.
"No. Maybe you could teach me a few things." Piano sounds romantic.
I smile at her thought. I want to follow that thought, but I don't want it to lead to Grey or to Red. I want it to lead to me. I could teach you so much. "I'll teach you the piano. I've got a keyboard at home." I walk over to her, with my suddenly sweaty hands in my pockets.
Violet tilts her head to look up at me. "I'd love that."
I'm surprised as her thoughts describe the light catching yellow flecks in my amber eyes. She thought they make my face look kinder and more down-to-earth. She wonders how much more of me will surprise her. I try not to smile at the fact that she must've forgotten I read minds. She’s forgets a lot. "The piano is probably the easiest." I clear my throat.
"Good because I have a feeling I would suck as a student." She takes notice of the light hitting my hair making strands look gold. Looking over my face, she thinks I'm attractive.
"I'm sure you'll be fine." My heart flutters for the first time. Again, she makes me do things girls never have done to me before. I don't want her to stop her thoughts on me. I'm staring and I know it. I want to kiss her so badly. She pushes her silly thoughts on how interesting I am aside because she doesn't want to spoil anything. She's not like other girls.
She looks at the clock on the nightstand. I'm disappointed that it’s time to leave. I just want to keep staring into her beautiful brown eyes. Dance with her all night. Sing to her. Kiss her all over.
"Thanks Alex." It felt really nice. She heads for the door.
“Wait.” For a moment I question myself but she makes my nerves crazy. “If you ever need to just get away; stop thinking for a while; or if you just need to talk, I’m here. I know what’s it’s like to want to escape.”
“I don’t want to escape. I don’t want to...” Hurt anyone again. She averts her eyes away. “Thank you, Alex.”
“I mean it. Any time." Anytime you need me, I repeat in her mind. I know she heard me by the smile she has leaving the room. My words worry her. The connection to Violet slowly pulls away. I think I got to her ...or maybe she got to me.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Gabriel
It's getting harder for me to see what I'm writing when I'm drawn to the sun's blaze brightening into red to end the day. The heat that suddenly rides my back moves slowly from my spine and spreads across my shoulder blades. My pen slips from my hand as the source of the erotic sensation backs away reluctantly; the presence that can only be Dash ignoring the personal space rule. I swear he's doing it on purpose.
“Hey!" I turn to find him backing away, stopping mid-way. He licks his lips and stands with his hands in his pockets like he had been caught with a hand in the cookie jar.
"Hey." Dash's eyes peek from behind the flop of hair guarding his excessive staring. Their accessing me again, debating something. I'm not sure I want to know. I stand to complete the correct distance.
“Distance. Remember?”
“Ah, yeah.” He rubs his shoulder. “Right.”
Liar.
"I have something to show you." He looks down at his sneakers. “If you’re not busy.”
"No, not really. What is it?"
"Red's room.” He finally brush's his hair from his eyes making intense contact with mine. “I fixed it."
I'm puzzled at what he means.
"Come. I'll show you."
I'm not sure what makes me more uneasy, Dash's crooked smile or him wanting me to go to Red’s room with him. I follow him and quietly sneak past Alex and Violet in a conversation in the living room. Dash opens the door and invites me inside. My skin prickles recalling the horrible feeling of being skinned alive.
"You won't feel anything, I promise."
I brace myself and step through the threshold. I feel nothing except Dash's eyes on my backside.
"How did you do this?"
"I found a way to remove Red's residual energy."
"You didn't have to do that. There's no reason I should be in this room anyway."
Dash closes the door behind me. "Well, I had something in mind."
I swallow hard. I should leave.
“I mean it is Red’s room and he is missing so…” Dash pushes his glasses up and folds his arms. “I mean you are here to help. You should have access.”
“Right.” He has a point. I can't help in any way. I have a condition, not an ability.
I try to ignore his gaze and take in Red's room. Red is the guy I met in my dream. The guy Violet loves. The guy that I look like; the one she compares me to.
"Violet's going to be pissed. He's all she talks about. You took away something she loved about this room."
"I think it would be better for her to lay off the Red high for a while. His residual is strong and she needs a clear head.”
High? “What gives you the right to do that?”
“I left the bed untouched. She'll sense him there. I'm not insensitive." Dash walks to the wall of journals. His finger skims the lower shelf as if he’s looking for a specific one. He looks comfortable in this room walking to the book case as if it were his. His eyes squint reading the spines even with his glasses on. He grabs a book from a shelf. Is he allowed to do that? "There is another reason I brought you here. This would be a perfect place for it. We wouldn't be found for a while, especially if Alex keeps Violet busy."
I'm afraid of what he might say. Dash is curious enough about me. I don't need another obsession. Not here in a place where I'm supposed to feel safe. Not in the Sanctuary.
"You up for an experiment?" He brushes the hair o
ut of his eyes. They're a deep pine needle color. The way they're affixed on me like I'm dinner creeps me out.
I swallow hard. "Experiment?"
***
Gabriel
"Are you sure about this?" I handcuff myself to the iron railing. If I'm to change my mind, now would be the right time. The sun is setting behind me. It'll be too dark to tell what Dash and I are doing on Red's terrace.
"Trust me. This will work." His eyes flash up from measuring the chain length that will hold me at the correct distance. I look down at my handcuff to avoid his lingering eyes. They always looks at me in a way that makes me feel exposed.
"Why are you doing this for me anyway?"
Dash takes a moment to answer. He making sure his chain is long enough to move forward to my personal space and short enough so our bodies won't physically touch.
"You want to be able to get closer to people, right?"
"Yeah but—"
"It's just the beginning. It'll get easier. Red can manipulate his energy; pulling it within himself. You're both similar. If he can control it, so can you. I think with practice you'll be able to do that without... you know, turning people on."
My cheeks burn. How does he know that much?
"Gabriel, your key." Dash holds out his palm to receive the cuff keys. He’s asking 'Do you trust me?'
I look down at the hand hovering close to my personal space like a gun pointing to my face. I'm not falling for that trick. Josh already tried that. I don't trust anyone except Violet. Once the keys to the chain and cuffs are in Dash's hands, he'll have the final word on what happens next.
“You didn’t answer my question. Why are you doing this for me?” I clutch the keys.
“Because I can.”
"That's not good enough?"
"We're Hybrids. We should help each other."
He doesn't have to help me, but I'm grateful for it if it's for a selfless reason. I have a feeling it's not. I don't want to assume, but I've seen the signs a million times. I've lost too many friends. I don't know Dash very well. He’s been nice to me to say the least. Even the first day we met, he didn't seem scared or weirded-out by me as people usually are. Instead, he seems fascinated. Even walking too close to me the first night we all met. What's in it for him?
