Her Demons His Savior

Only for a moment, holding on to our last hope of happiness, to just be left hollow and alone, fate was never ours to rewrite, like a puppet on the strings. To broken to live, but to afraid to die. As children, they never taught us how to deal with lose, it was the one thing they couldn’t possibly begin to comprehend themselves. Leaving behind a hole where my heart should be the day you left, unlike anything I could have prepared myself for. I knew it would hurt but never this way, like the air had been sucked from my lungs as the weight of the world bared down on my chest. The sun didn’t shine as brightly, the wind only leaving chills instead of whisking away our worries. Heat blasted through the car as rain beat down on the windshield, making it impossible to get a glimpse of the scenery of my new home; Reagan Cove, a small, nearly non-existent town off the East Coast. If you blinked you would most likely miss it, but after what had happened, living in this tiny town with my aunt Cara in her shack she called home, wasn’t the worst option. We pulled up to the old house; just barely still standing, and parked, “Come on kiddo', lets go get you unpacked and settled.” Cara said squeezing my shoulder with a sympathetic smile. She had been expecting a defiant, rebel looking for guidance, her brother hadn’t warned her about the lost and broken soul she would find. Sort of a sucker move if she did day so herself, but no matter, she would still take care of things and keep her out of trouble. With a nod we got out grabbing the bags and rushing for the cover of the porch as rain continued its downpour. Inside, it was just as small as the outside, somewhat cluttered, but none the less cozy. The living room with its retro furniture and intricate bead curtains hanging on the door ways, made it all the more intriguing, perfectly suiting the beautiful gypsy my aunt was. The smell of incense and something else filled my nose as I dropped the heavy duffle bag on the old blue couch, I glancing around, “I take it you’re a firm believer in the herbal remedies as well?” I asked with a small smirk., gesturing to the ashtray on the coffee table with a half smoked joint in it. Cara seemed unsure on how to answer that, knowing exactly what I meant, “Um, I have a prescription, it’s for-,” I waved her off with a laugh, “Dad and I smoked all the time, it helped with the nausea when he did chemo.” “Ah,” She smiled, “I also forget you ain’t a kid anymore.” She nodded for me to follow pushing through the curtains and heading down the hallway. “Its been years since I last saw you, so it may have slipped my mind, good thing I decorated with all my old stuff from high school, Hope you enjoy purple and all of its different varieties.” Walking to the end of the hall we were met with a staircase leading to the attic that seemed to have been turned into a loft. To the left just as we walked in, sat a queen sized bed with a fancy metal frame covered in little lights, pretty purple silk sheets and a matching rose patterned comforter. On the far end was a bay window with grey, blue and lavender colored throw pillows, white sheer curtains pulled to the side, showing little figurines and small plants. On the right was a desk and little grey couch, the desk had a laptop already there, as well as a few supplies I'd need for my school work. Sitting my backpack down, I sank into the seat looking out into the backyard and the vast forest beyond. To the right was a decent sized river and a few patio chairs, such a peaceful view, I definitely wouldn’t mind spending my days daydreaming to this, even through the dreary weather. “So, I couldn’t afford a new uniform for school, those prices are bullshit, but I did manage to find my old one for you. It’s in the closet, I’ll leave you to unpack, dinner will be ready in about an hour.” Cara quickly retreated, leaving me to settle in. I watched as the rain continued outside, wind whipping the trees in a frenzy, the storm picking up in tempo as thunder shook the whole house. At least the storms would drown out my night terrors. Ever since the accident with my mom, I had been burdened by them, only to have them intensify after what happened to Michael. A sharp pang in my chest nearly took my breath away at the memories. This was supposed to be a new start, I promised dad things would be different this time. That night, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling as his voice whispered to me softly, Forever, You promise me, don’t forget me, I’m your forever. Repeatedly , overlapping, and constant, clouding my mind and weighing heavily on my heart, they were true. I had promised forever, that I would find him even in death, but I was to much of a coward. No matter how much I missed him, I still couldn’t bring myself to end it. He would always be my everything but fear stopped me from keeping those promises made as silly love struck children, who had never imagined it would actually happen. Tears soaked the pillow as flashes of those sweet blue eyes invaded my mind, bring on agonizing tremors and mournful sobs, drowned out only by the relentless storm outside. With the morning light peeking through to curtains, an entire night had passed without me getting any sleep. Cara wanted to go shopping before my first day and make sure I had everything, she figured we could also do a little job hunting so I’d have money for things I wanted. “Ready kiddo'?” Cara called from the bottom of the stairs. Starring in the mirror, I came to the conclusion no amount of makeup could hide the horrendous bags beneath my blue and brown eyes, only drawing more attention to the fact they were both a different color. My oversized sweater swallowed me, nearly hanging at the back of my knees, making my old warn skinny's somewhat pointless as it could have passed for a dress. With a long sigh I ran a brush through my wavy waist length, chestnut brown hair and plopped on the bed. Sliding into my old sneakers, I hopped back up and met her at the bottom of the steps, “Ready,” I gave a half hearted smile, not truly ready for anything except a peaceful nights sleep. Strangely enough, the roads looked to be freshly paved, yet it felt as if the rusty old blue pickup truck were driving down a dirt road, all the way to the mall. “I see you don’t have the same gift with cars as dad does,” I said jokingly, a wining attempt to break the silence and drown the roaring noise of the broken muffler. “Ah, nah, I never really got into it, mom taught me fortune telling instead. It suited my ‘untamed mind' so she put it,” She laughed at the memories as we pulled into Reagan Hills Mall parking lot. “Now that you’re here, maybe I could teach you the old family trade. Hell if you’re a natural I’m sure mom would’ve approved of me sharing a few family secrets too. Only when your ready though. ” Climbing out of the car and heading to the entrance I couldn’t help but be intrigued, “Family secrets like what? You can’t just leave it at that.” Cara waved me off as she opened the door, “I sure can, it makes it all the more motivation for you to work your ass off, that’s what I had to do and so did everyone else.” “Awe, come on, its not fair, what if I can’t do it?” “Then you can’t know kiddo,” “You don’t see how that’s not fair?” “Hey, your dad still doesn’t know, he couldn’t do it so he never got to know.” With an exasperated groan, I yielded, turning my attention to the massive water fountain set dead center, surrounded by couples and groups of teens with a few stragglers here and there. Astounding detail in the sky light and the abstract chandelier, each store front unique and overly decorated, as dozens of kiosks were scattered all about. “Welcome to the best part of Reagan’s Cove, kids call it ‘The Hills’ now I think.” Cara explained as we climbed onto the escalator heading for our first store, when a strange feeling crept over me, as if someone were watching me. Scanning our surroundings, no one stood out, maybe it had just been in my head? Uncertain, I decided to ignore it, fallowing the fiery red head into an office supply store. “You’ll need all the basics,” She handed me a basket, before she began filling it with binders, folders, notebooks, pens, pencils, anything she could possibly think of, scanning each isle to make sure we didn’t miss a thing. “Okay, now I know your dad was never all that great with girl stuff, so I set a little aside for you to grab some things, starting with some clothes. We also have a founders day festival coming up in a little over a month, you’re coming with me and you need a nice dress, your dads paying for that one though.” “Wait you actually go to those things? I thought they were for uptight rich families who needed an excuse to throw a party.” “It’s for founding families, Marshal St. Clair, our ancestor, was Zebadiah Reagan’s navigator and right hand man, therefore we are a founding family and these people make me go every year.” She rolled her eyes as she pulled me towards a fancy store with over priced clothes. “, and for the record we aren’t poor, well you aren’t, when your 21 you get your trust from both your parents. I didn’t want the money, instead I got our land, your dad helps with the bills, but all 30 acres is ours. One day ill take you to see the original family house.” “ Why don’t you live in the original?” “It was burned down in 1932, scorned lover of a relative or something like that, I can’t keep up with all the different theories.” “So no one knows what actually happened?” “No, but for the most part its always someone that our family wronged.” Looking through the racks Cara’s eyes widened as she pulled out a strapless, floor-length, navy blue dress, “Try it on or I won't cook for you ever again, and you haven’t even had my pot roast yet.” With a threat like that how could I have possibly said no, taking it, I was just relived this wouldn’t be a long endeavor. Cara seemed to know exactly what she wanted and knew how to find it. Quickly sliding it on I couldn’t help but admire how it hugged by body, completing every curve and accentuating my chest and bottom. The high slit traveling nearly all the way up my thigh, showed off the huge dreamcatcher tattoo I usually kept hidden. Cara couldn't wait any longer; impatiently snatching open the curtain of my dressing room. Tears pricked at her eyes as she took in the sight, “You look just like Salinia, back in high school, she was your dads date senior year for the festival. They were the crowned couple of Reagan Cove and without a doubt the happiest people I had ever seen.” “I think I’ll take this one,” “You don’t have a choice, go ahead and change I’m going to buy this and run a few errands.” She placed a small bank envelope on the bench with my clothes, “Go look around for a few more things you want then meet me at the food court in thirty minutes.” I did as she said, leaving the dress in her hands as I made my way to the third floor to see what they were hiding up there. Finally finding a not so overly priced store I made my way in looking through the racks picking out things here and there that caught my interest. Out of nowhere, that feeling crept back over me, like someone was watching, at first I tried to ignore it, hoping it would go away, but it only seemed to bare down harder, until I couldn’t deny it any longer. Looking up towards the exit, I locked eyes with intensely breath taking silver eyes, hooded by long dark eyelashes, even though I’d never seen them, they seemed so safe and familiar. Freezing in place I couldn’t help but feel entranced, looking over his perfectly chiseled face and body, he looked like a god, every inch was perfection. He ran a veiny long fingered hand through his silky jet black hair as he bit his full, lushes blush colored bottom lip. My heart hammered in my chest, he was just as beautiful as…. Liar…. You’re betraying me… You promised me… Stumbling back I barely caught myself as his voice cried out in my head over and over, jumbling together, overlapping, making any coherent thought I had dissipate as I tried to get a grip on reality. Michael was gone! He died! I kept reminding myself over and over until the voices subsided and I had regained control. “Hey,” Like hearing the song of an angel, I was awe struck as the beautiful stranger stood before me, a look of concern distorting that perfect face. “W-what?” I stammered out confused by his worry. “You looked like you saw a ghost, do you need me to call someone?” “No,” suddenly I felt the need to close off and move away, “I’m fine thanks,” quickly turning away, I left him standing there confused as I checked out and exited the store without so much as a second glance. My last stop had been an auto shop to buy a few parts to fix the truck before meeting Cara for a quick lunch then a noisy ride home. “I’ll get dinner started go get yourself ready for tomorrow and call your dad.” With a nod a totted my things to the room and pulled out my phone, my dad answering on the second ring, “How’s my little cricket?” he asked. “Question is how are you old man? Those doctors taking care of you?” I asked sprawling out on the bed. “As good as they can baby, but its terminal there is only so much they can do for a dead man.” He laughed but I couldn’t see the humor, I was loosing my dad and best friend and he may have already accepted his fate, but I couldn’t. “Cara treating you okay?” “No!” I lied, “She’s dragging me to some town festival because you never told me we were founders.” “Now in my defense I never really talked about that part of my life, so it wouldn’t have ever just randomly come up, sorry cricket if it makes you feel better they forced me too.” I knew why he didn’t, when my mother died Cara told me it had crippled him, he was never the same. If it hadn’t been for me he would have given up a long time ago, he lost his soul the day she died. “I miss you dad…” “I miss you too baby girl, just promise me you won’t let what happens destroy you, I know Michael was hard on you but when you lost him, we lost you, I need you to be you again. Live your life for you, you were always so much more them just him, your more then the pain and everything life has thrown at you.” “I promise dad,” another tear slipped down my face as my voice cracked, “I love you.” “,and I love you my little ol’ cricket bug, get some rest I’ll call you when I get back from the doctor tomorrow.” With that we ended that call, my heart sank as I thought about everything he had said as I wept into my pillow knowing it wouldn’t be much longer for him. How could I loose him too, my promises seemed hollow lately. Michael had been the morning sun rise, the rain during a draught, the beat to my heart, but my dad… He was the only person in this world who never judged and always loved me unconditionally, supported me through life. He was my superhero, how was a girl supposed to live a good life without her daddy to protect her? Faking it through life was already brutal, there was no way I would be able to continue much longer.