Just Like Magic

Chapter 9 Get Back In

Cassius' POV

Once lying down, I pass out pretty quickly on the floor right beside the couch, just in case I'm needed. The exhaustion of my long day hit so much harder than I ever expected. So I pass out without missing a beat, which is probably a good thing.

After who knows how long, I am woke up by whimpering. I have to pry my eyes open because I'm too exhausted to fully wake up within an instant. But I can see that Randy's hand is hanging off the bed, but shaking.

I sit up slowly seeing she is whimpering while shaking under the blanket. "Randy, you're safe.. everything is ok." I softly say before shushing her whimpers as I caress my hand over her forearm. Not trying to cross boundaries, but wanting to make her feel better.

The shaking is calming as she hums in response but not waking up. I keep caressing my hand over hers until she grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers as my thumb rubs over hers lightly. I see she isn't in a fit of fear anymore, so I lay back down on the ground, letting her just hold onto my hand if she wants. Whatever helps ease her tormented mind.

I stare up at our latched hands as I find myself smirking about just that. I like this... I know I shouldn't, but I do... I have been feeling lonely for so long that being needed and wanted is something that makes my heart feel so whole. I smile to myself before I close my eyes and fall back asleep.

------ Hours Later ------

I can hear and feel continuous thumping on the floor, waking me up. My eyes open up as I look around for a moment, before seeing my sister standing at the end of the couch staring down at me. I smile at her as I watch her eyebrows raise, still staring at me curiously. She wiggles those same eyebrows at me as she puts on a smirk to match the playful look she is sending me.

I'm confused so I look at Randy, noticing she not only still has hold of my hand but holding it between her two hands. It's sandwiched between her palms as her face lays on top of them. But she looks peaceful and I can't object to that.

"What happened out here?" She whispers, pointing to our interlocked hands as I shake my head and whisper back. "She started to shake and I was worried she would start screaming again, so I rubbed her hand, which caused her to grab mine... and I just let her have it because it made her feel better... obviously," I state as if it should be obvious and by the smirk on her face as she leaves the room I think she agrees that my explaination makes sense.

I lay back down on the ground not knowing if I should get up or try to get more sleep. I don't want to wake her up because she is exhausted. But I don't think I can sleep anymore. I stare up at the ceiling smelling the tea brew as the sound of my sister starting to cook breakfast in the kitchen can be heard only slightly.

Whimpering is heard again as I feel the shaking starting up like clockwork. I instantly sit up to face her. I can see that her beautiful features are scrunched up as I notice a tear coming from her still-closed eyes. I reach with my open hand to gently push the hair out of her face as I say softly to her. "Randy.." That's as far as I got into my comforting words as she belts out. "Daddy please stop... I'll be good just swear.. I'll be good." She cries out as her eyes shoot open at that same moment.

I hear my sister run into the room with her eyes looking bigger than ever, not expecting that, but I bet I look the same since I didn't either. I look back down at Randy trembling as she lets out some deep breaths, I think trying to calm herself down. The tears are pouring down as she realizes where she is at and that I'm here. We stare at each other for a longer moment than I anticipated. I want to make sure she is ok, but I don't want to make her feel bad about this either. "Hey... you ok?"

Her eyes are bouncing from me to my sister, then the floor as she wipes away her tears that are still dripping down her cheeks even though it doesn't look like she is crying anymore. "I'm sorry... I... I need to go... I'm sorry for being such a burden and bothering you, especially after you both have been so nice to me." She says sounding so embarrassed as she quickly sits up. That's when she realizes she is holding my hand very tight in her grip. She pries open her hand looking confused as she gently sets my hand down on the couch.

She stands up slowly but has no issues, which is good. She takes her jacket and then the backpack and throws both back on as she kneels down to slip her boots on that are by the door. I can't stand up fast enough because, by the time I get on my feet, she is out the front door. I look back at my sister as her mouth is still wide open but nothing of any help is coming out. So I groan as I run out the front door after her. "Randy?" I say but that doesn't stop her.

I chase her down the walkway right out front of the house, grabbing her arm to stop her. "Please Randy, just stay... You can't go out here on your own." I say to her trying to be quiet about this before we alert anyone around who isn't as understanding as my sister and I... but she is already crying and I don't know why. Her hand goes to my chest as she stares up into my eyes, grabbing all my attention in that one swift movement.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me... you won't ever know how much your selflessness means to me.. but I won't burden you or your sister any more than I already have... I won't let you both get involved with me... It's not worth it... I'm not worth it." she says to me and this hurts me knowing she thinks that of herself. I watch her start to turn away, to keep walking, but I need to say something to keep her here.

"It's not a problem... I promise... You're not a burden and you shouldn't say these kinds of things about yourself... you should just... please just come back with me inside... it's not safe out here for someone like you." I say to her as she flips back around looking furious with my words.

"For someone like me?! What do you mean by that?" She pokes her pointer finger into my chest as her eyes light up with a fire I never expected to see from that comment. I'm properly intimidated so I take one step back but she doesn't miss a beat and takes two forward so she isn't far from me at all. I get to see the pure anger up close and personal... Not gonna lie, the heat in her eyes is intoxicating.

"So what? You think I'm just so helpless and completely incapable of doing anything for myself without help?" She spats at me as if she is asking a question, I'm not stupid enough to agree with that... I do not know her or what she is capable of... but if I have noticed anything from the hours of being around her, it's that she doesn't know our world as well as she thinks she does. But my head is shaking like a bobble head trying to not offend her or make a scene.

"I just mean for someone in your particular circumstances," I say looking around, trying to make sure no one is nearby and listening to us.. I can see some of the neighbors staring at our little scene. I just hope they can't hear what we're saying. She looks confused, so I put my hand over her hand that's still connected with my chest. I soften my voice, hoping she gets what I'm trying to imply, but I need her to willingly come with me, because if I make her come in, then that will definitely get everyone's attention, "I can tell.. that things have been rough for you... there is no judgment here... but whether you want to admit it or not... I know you're not from here.. are you?" I ask her as she stares down at our hands together, not removing them before looking back up at me.

"No, I'm not... from here.. That doesn't mean I can't find my way around." She squeaks out as I nod from getting the confirmation I had assumed. "I know that.. you don't have to convince me. But... Please come with me... This place is dangerous for someone who doesn't know what they're getting into." I calmly say to her... squeezing her hand under mine as she stares at me, then looking around to see that a couple of neighbors have noticed her presence. Once she sees the prying eyes on us, she quickly nods as I continue to hold her hand in mine, to help pull her behind me and bring her back into the house.

Once I shut the door behind us, I can see a very concerned-looking Winnie. She opens her mouth then shuts it, not knowing what to say to us, and I'm right there with her... But I have to get some of this figured out for everyone's sake, no matter how hard it is. I put my hand up as she nods and walks back into the kitchen to give us a moment alone.

I bring Randy back to the couch to sit down. She looks suspicious as her gaze bounces all over the room until they land back on me. I keep my hand wrapped around hers before putting my other hand on top of it. "Randy... I need you to be honest with me please." She reluctantly nods at me as I ask. "Do you know of magic?" I ask her as she scoffs and rolls her eyes. "Of course, I have read plenty of books about magical stories and watched a plethora of movies that involve it as well.. those are my favorites." She states as I nod at that explanation. Not what I was expecting but still sweetly innocent.

"Ok, that's good.. very good... but, have you ever seen it used like I did last night to protect you or how my sister did to heal you?" I ask her as she stares at me for a long moment before she shakes her head. "No.. nothing like that before... I used to have dreams like that.. but I haven't seen it used in person before I met you. I always said magic was real when I was younger but was always told it wasn't... But it's nice to know I'm not crazy and it is real... It's almost inspiring knowing there is so much out there I don't know... but you also don't have to worry. I swear on my life that I won't say anything to anyone, even if I had anyone to tell... I swear." She says sounding scared, as if she is worried she saw something she wasn't supposed to and in a way she did.

But I don't want her to fear me nor magic, so I shake my head and quietly say to her. "I know you won't... it's ok... I just have to figure things out to help you properly. I just needed to confirm my suspicions that you're not from this area... and that's ok, so now that we have that figured out, we can move on from here." I say to her as we stare for a moment.

"Ok.. so what's the next step from here?" She asks me as I shake my head. "I'm not sure, I will discuss things with my sister to see if she has any ideas." I declare as we both stand up from the couch together while nodding our heads in unison.

"How about you get all cleaned up... I'm sure my sister would have a change of clothes for you.. and we can eat before we figure out what the next steps are." I suggest to her as she nods. "I do have some clothes of my own.. thanks.. but yes a shower would be nice." She says to me so I stand up and pull her hand behind me and to the room that I stay in.

"Um.. this is my room... you can take a shower, get changed and everything in here. It's not a problem at all, so don't trouble yourself with those thoughts... My sister and I share a shower so you can use her products in there.. Just take your time and most importantly relax. The hot water should help with that.. but if you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask." I say to her as she nods and takes off her backpack, laying it on my bed.

She wanders around my room before touching the floating candles and looking at the pictures and items I have up around the room. "Who's this?" She asks pointing at a picture as I smile and reply, "That's my mother... I don't get to see her as often as I would like because of her job, she is a magizoologist. It requires her to live away from people and closer to the creatures to understand them more for her research. But she helps people understand creatures and that ends up saving them from people." She nods and sends me a small smile as she continues to inspect my room, which makes me nervous for some odd reason.

I watch as she takes off her jacket and tosses it on the bed. With the daylight and being so close, I can see bruises on her arms left by a hand and tiny glimpses of the bruises on her stomach and back. But the amazing thing about beauty is that no matter what happens to the surface, the beauty within always shines through.

I internally smile to myself about how beautiful she really is, with her long flowy hair that bounces with every move she makes. To her olive-colored skin tone that makes the black of the shirt really pop from the drastic color difference... but also with her curvy hourglass body type, the shirt somehow emphasizes her curves perfectly. It's intimidating to have a wonder as stunning as her in here, but I won't let my insecurities get the best of me... It's not like she is sticking around anyways.. no need to get attached I guess.

I get lost in the moment by just taking in the masterpiece that is Randy, before I notice that she starts reaching for her shirt to take that off.. as much as I would probably love to see what's under that little shirt, while helping her out to get cleaned up.. she is still a stranger and also a guest in my house... I can't allow myself to violate her boundaries and break any trust I have started to build with her. So I shake my head to cut out the temptation that is my curiosity as I clear my throat, "Just let me know if you need anything and I'll be out there with my sister in the kitchen.. Come out whenever you're done and we can eat." I say to her as she smiles then says softly to get my attention. "Cassius?" I nod at her and wait for what she has to say in anticipation, as she kindly adds. "Thank you... for everything." I send a small smile her way. "Of course." I reply making her smile as I leave the room and shut the door behind me. I find myself outside the door, leaning against it and just wanting to find any excuse to go back in and help her... But I know she doesn't need my help and if she wanted it she would have asked for it.. so I need to just leave it at that before I do something I will regret.