Indwell (Chasing Natalie's Ghosts)

by Nicole Smith

  18. A FAIRYTALE

  As I stepped off of the boat holding Hayden’s hand I smiled. I heard them gasp. They seemed to know I had changed. I could hear them whispering to each other.

  “Do you think we should wait?” one of them asked.

  “Yeah, I think we should report back that she is here and she doesn’t seem as naïve as they said she would be.” I felt their energy vanish. I was thrilled that I had unnerved them. They would report to Adam, but he wouldn’t be surprised.

  I felt a rush of relief as Hayden unlocked the apartment door and I entered the familiar room. I flopped down on the couch and sighed.

  “Welcome home baby,” Hayden said as he put down the suitcases. He sat down beside me and cradled me as he kissed my neck.

  “I am so happy to be back here with you,” he whispered in my ear. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. I remembered then that I had to call my mother, but I would do that later. Right now I had my beautiful Hayden all to myself. There were no supersonic ears around. Now he was all mine. I was in heaven. No afterlife could ever compare to this. I reached my arm around and pulled his face towards me. I kissed him deeply, like I needed his breath to live. He was all I needed.

  In the morning Hayden was already up and dressed by the time I lazily wrapped his robe around myself and walked out to the kitchen.

  “Good morning love,” he said from the couch.

  “Good morning lover,” I said as I sat down beside him. He was reading the morning newspaper. I noticed for the first time that he circled stories that may have included phantoms. I was surprised that I hadn’t noticed this before. A number of unsolved crimes in town could easily have been done by phantoms. I understood clearly how the news would be helpful. I read over his shoulder. He didn’t seem to mind. After a while he folded the paper and set it down.

  “How did you sleep?” he asked, looking into my eyes.

  “I slept without a single disturbance,” I smiled at his concern. I was so thrilled to be home. This was my home now too.

  I called my mother that afternoon. It was strange that after all I had just been through that I could still feel so wounded after talking to her. For all the light in the world, nothing could keep me from feeling her pain. All the pain I felt as a damaged little girl came rushing back to me. I curled up into a fetal position on the bed as I hung up the phone. I laid there crying silent tears. I didn’t even hear Hayden walk into the room. He picked me up and held me in his arms, the way he knew I loved to be held. I was having trouble dealing with the pain I could hear in my mother’s voice. I could tell by the way she slurred her words that her lips were swollen. Of course she told me she was fine, like she always does. She informed me that Luke was seeing a counselor. The school he was enrolled in felt that something was wrong with him. He was smart but couldn’t sit still or focus. They told her he was aggressive to other students. He was troubled. Why wouldn’t he be?

  She told me she had talked to John, he was living with friends. He was content. I knew he would be. I told her I was happy here with Hayden. I confessed to her that he was the most amazing man I had ever met. When I told her that he spoils me, she laughed. I didn’t want her to worry about me, but she doesn’t trust Hayden.

  “They all start out adoring you, don’t let that fool you. If he ever starts to hurt you, leave while you can.” She seemed convinced that I would eventually be hurt by him. She had no idea that it was possible for a man to be beautiful, inside as well as out. I cried for her. She would never know true love. A love that was untainted, pure and pleasurable. An element of pain didn’t have to be present. I wished she would be free of him. Why did she continually have to bear such agony? It wasn’t fair.

  Why didn’t my father stop hurting her? Why didn’t he know that what he was doing was wrong? I was strong enough to kill him now. I admit I thought about it. I wanted too. He didn’t deserve her. He didn’t deserve us. We were such agreeable children, we studied, we worked hard and we never talked back. That is until he pushed us too far. Why were we never good enough? I realize now that nothing would ever make him happy. We could have had angels’ wings and he still would have beaten us. It wasn’t our fault, it wasn’t my mother’s fault, it was always him and his messed up mind. I knew it really wasn’t even him, it was something out of his control, just like these demons I had to capture. Their actions were out of their control. It wasn’t the person that was born into this world. It was this new one that took over, craving power and pain, living in a constant torment.

  Hayden rubbed my back as I cried. I knew I had to be strong, I had to focus. Carlos and Elizabeth would be here soon. I had to be the Seeker they trained me to be. I couldn’t give up. I had to come up with a plan. I had to know what to do. I can do this. I wiped the tears from my eyes and hugged Hayden. He only wanted to support and console me. He wouldn’t question me. He has known for a long time the pain my father has inflicted on us. He kissed my forehead and helped me up. I walked out and sat on the sofa. Hayden gave me a cup of tea and sat beside me.

  “Can I get you anything else?” he asked nervously. I smiled weakly.

  “No thank you, I am going to be okay. It just always hurts, like a punch in the stomach. I’ll be alright soon. I just need some time,” I sighed. He nodded, I knew he understood.

  “I will always be here for you Natalie. You don’t have to suffer alone anymore. I hope you realize that. I am always going to be here for you.”

  I have been broken for so many years. I have lost myself many times over my short eighteen years. Hayden is my life support, just like I thought Adam was once. I had to hold on to him as tight as I could. I wanted to scream, I wanted to shout. I wanted to claw my way out of this darkness. I wanted everything to be alright. I wanted my mother to be married to a nice man. I wanted Luke to be the sensitive, creative boy he could be. I wanted John to have been the star of the college football team. I wanted John to have stayed home. I wanted to be the girl that wore the black cap and gown to her high school graduation and celebrated with her childhood friends. I wanted to be thinking about what courses I was going to take in the fall and who my roommate was going to be. Instead I was planning on capturing my undead lover and extinguishing his Light.

  The dreams returned to me again that night. In Argentina I was given a reprieve, but now they were back with a vengeance. This time the path had changed slightly. It wasn’t as dense and I could see houses in the distance as I walked alone. Hayden and Adam were nowhere to be seen. I was alone and I knew what was coming. I couldn’t see them but I could hear the air move around them. I would be able to see them soon. They were moving fast. They were on a mission and nothing would distract them. They were after me. I sensed that they were not trying to kill me. They were going to bring me somewhere. I looked around wondering if there was anywhere I could hide but I knew they would be able to find me. I tried to stay strong. I breathed deeply and listened. All I had to do was stare them down, I told myself. The Light was my power now I just had to harness it. I started to run towards them. I saw them now. They were slightly surprised and amused by my bold response. I could hardly breathe as I clenched my fists and screamed. It wasn’t a scream of fright it was a scream of aggression.

  I bolted up and saw Hayden standing at the side of the bed staring at me in shock. I was sweating and shaking. Hayden held his arms out for me as he crawled onto the bed beside me. He was moving slowly like he was afraid of me. He wasn’t sure if I was completely awake or not.

  “I’m sorry,” I said as I reached for him. He held me so tight and so close. I had scared him.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Your dream has changed. I know something is coming too but I don’t like the thought of you putting yourself in such danger. I wasn’t with you in this dream was I?” he asked as he looked down at me. I shook my head. I didn’t want to talk to Hayden about this. I don’t want to lie to him but I couldn’t let him know I was planning on hunting Adam. He used a cloth to
wash my face and wipe the sweat from the nape of my neck.

  “I will not let you tempt fate alone Natalie. Remember that,” he warned as he walked out of the room. He sensed I had something planned. He probably knew Carlos and Elizabeth were coming. Hayden came back into the room with a glass of water for me. He was so nice even when he was upset.

  “Thank you,” I moaned.

  “We will talk more about this later but I have to prepare for tonight’s capture today. I have to go out for a few hours this evening. Clive has called me with a small nuisance he wants taken care of quickly before it becomes messy,” he informed me.

  “Can I go with you?” I begged. I really wanted to see him in action.

  “No. I don’t think so,” he said a little too quickly. I pouted. He grinned and sat on the edge of the bed. I kneeled behind him and put my warm hands on his cool back. I slowly moved them to his chest resting my body against his back. I kissed his shoulders and the back of his neck. He caved. He swung around and rested on top of me.

  “I guess just once wouldn’t hurt. You have every right to know what you are capable of. I suppose I am just torn. I wanted you to be able to work with me, but I love you so much, I don’t feel right leading you into danger,” he looked so tormented. I had no idea he was so troubled by me becoming a Seeker. I always thought it was what he wanted.

  “I’m sorry Hayden. I promise if I ever feel unsafe I will back out. I love you so much too.” I kissed him again. He had no more words. I smiled as he kissed my neck.

  “My beautiful Hayden,” I whispered as I stroked his head as it lay on my chest.

  When Hayden called me late that afternoon to tell me he’d be back soon to pick me up I showered and dressed quickly, not wanting him to change his mind about taking me. I threw on my black tights and a long grey sweater. I put my hair in a ponytail and just applied some lip gloss. “Ready.” I said to my reflection in the mirror. I was so excited. I took a deep breath, I had to be calm or Hayden would get nervous again.

  He was quiet as we drove downtown. The sun was just beginning to set. I was so excited I could hardly sit still. Hayden was like a stone statue, barely moving. I didn’t want to disturb his concentration I just wished he would share the plan with me. I didn’t even know who he was going after. He stopped close to Ava and Mark’s house. I wanted to see them but I knew tonight was probably not a good time. Hayden turned the car off and still didn’t move. I listened. I needed something to do. I could hear so many of them here. I looked down the street and in doorways. I was able to spot at least six of them on this block. Had they always been around me like this before? I used to see them and think that they were real, alive. That everyone could see them. I must have talked to them, smiled or stared. They must have been just as surprised as I was now. I must have looked crazy to my parents or other living people. Hayden followed my gaze.

  “You can differentiate between them now can’t you?” he asked.

  “Yes. It seems so easy now,” I answered, still in shock. I looked at Hayden and smiled. I was so relieved when he placed his hand on my knee and kissed me sweetly.

  “Let’s go. Just stay close to me. Don’t look at anyone, living or not. Do not let them see your eyes, keep them averted. Cloud your mind with other thoughts if you have trouble with this. I’ll let you know when the target is in sight,” he explained.

  “Where is your GTV?” I was concerned by how far we were going.

  “My trunk is my GTV now. I will be delivering him to the boat immediately, where I will transfer him. Don’t worry. We are not going too far, it’s good this street is fairly deserted. We don’t want to attract any attention,” he explained as he glanced down the block.

  We began to walk down the street when Hayden stopped abruptly. He looked at me and nodded. We were close. I was right beside him as we turned the corner. I saw them immediately. They were surprised by our presence. Hayden was so focused he didn’t take his eyes off them as he walked faster than humanly possible towards them. I knew they wanted to run but both our gazes were set on them. I could see the pain and fascination in their eyes. I noticed there were two others hiding in a doorway. Hayden wasn’t interested in them. It was these two pretty young boys he was after. They couldn’t have been more than eighteen. One of them had bouncy blond curls, almost ringlets around his face. He reminded me of Justin. The other one was a red head and his hair was very short. They were both wearing faded blue jeans and graphic tees. They appeared to be strong and fit.

  I remembered Hayden telling me that once you left this world your phantom would always look like you, only perfected in a way. Of course their skin was blemish free and a perfect golden glow emanated from their skin. I didn’t take my eyes off them as the two others tried to distract us. Luckily, they didn’t know that I would be able to feel pain if they struck me. The pain would only be temporary but I still didn’t want to falter. They threw rocks at us and shouted unintelligible slurs. I wanted to laugh but remained serious.

  Hayden was directly in front of them. They were both staring at him now. Their eyes were blazing, trying to look away but unable too. I smirked, `where’s the danger?’ I thought. Hayden focused on the blond boy.

  “What do want with me Hayden? I’m not a danger to anyone, honest,” he sneered at him. To my surprise he broke away from Hayden’s stare and glared at me.

  “Is this your girlfriend Hayden?” He thought he was being smart, but then he realized he was trapped in my gaze, he seemed to falter under it. His hands went up and he waved to the two boys that were hiding. Before I realized what was happening they were on me. Hayden’s hand moved swiftly as his Kris punched into the blond boy’s side than the stunned red haired boy. I had been able to hold off the other two. They were astounded that I grimaced every time they hit me. Hayden was on them before they could hit me again.

  As soon as I stood Hayden passed me the first globule but before I could catch it another boy appeared. He was in midair about to land on me. I turned to run just as Hayden landed on him and sunk his Kris in his side all in one motion. I was impressed. Hayden picked up three globules and passed me the other two. We ran as fast as we could to the car. I was thrilled that I was able to keep pace with Hayden. He had the trunk opened and within seconds we had them securely captured. I glanced at Hayden but he had tensed and was looking back down the street. I froze. There had to have been about twenty of them coming towards us.

  “Quick, Nat, in the car. They’re not happy to see us,” Hayden shouted. He sped towards the dock. As we came to a stop, Emanuel was waiting at the end of the dock with a large GTV. He waved to us as we stopped the car. Hayden had backed in as close to the dock as possible.

  I jumped out just as Hayden was opening the trunk. They put each one into the GTV and carried it quickly to the boat. I followed closely not wanting to be caught alone. Hayden told Emanuel in Spanish that he had to hurry, company was coming. He nodded and was off. Once we were back in the car, Hayden drove with frightening speed through the city.

  “Natalie, are you hurt?” Hayden asked as he continued speeding through the city.

  “I’m just a little bruised, but they are healing quickly, don’t worry,” I smiled, hoping to calm him. I glanced out the window and noticed we were heading towards the freeway.

  “Where are we going?” I asked. Hayden grinned and touched my knee. He seemed so calm all of a sudden.

  “I have a present for you,” he said smiling. I couldn’t help but smile back at him. I loved it when he spoiled me.

  “What are you talking about? It’s not my birthday.” I put my hand over his.

  “I know but you have graduated into the world of the Seekers and you were great tonight my love. I couldn’t have done it alone. I wouldn’t have had enough time. Did you see the gang that wanted to stop us?”

  “I did. About that, will they be coming after us?” I was worried now about our freedom.

  “They cannot come after us. I can protect us, remember. Do not be f
rightened Natalie. I should say we have defenses, remember? You can defend yourself now. What concerns me is that there may have been witnesses to tonight’s capture. If there were then they will be able to fill in the others about you and how you are a Seeker that can still feel them. This could be valuable information to some of them. I’m hoping the witnesses didn’t catch that part,” he said seriously. I didn’t want to think about what Adam would do with this information. I had to change the subject.

  “So about this present, is it about six two, tall, dark and unnaturally handsome?” I teased as I touched his thigh.

  “That will be a part of it my love,” he grinned.

  “Oh, I’m interested now.”

  “You’re a veracious one. Whatever am I going to do with you?” he smiled as he glanced over at me.

  “Anything but leave me,” I said seriously, expressing my deepest fear.

  “That would be impossible and you know it. Don’t say such things,” he leaned over and kissed me. We were driving close to the coast now, I could smell the ocean.

  “Are we having an evening at the beach?” I asked, confused now.

  “Something like that?”

  “Perfect. I love it already.”

  “You are so easy to please.”

  “You please me every day.”

  The car started to slow as we pulled down a narrow lane. At the end was a beautiful white ranch bungalow. It was so cute.

  “Who lives here?” I asked nervously, I really didn’t want to visit anyone. Hayden smiled as he turned off the car.