Frail Tears

Chapter Three : Relief from the Shadows

Sebastian approached Vince without hesitation . Compared to Vince , he looked bigger and stronger despite being well muscled himself . Sebastian shot me a smile , and nodded . He was in front of Vince within seconds , stopping him dead in his tracks . He started speaking to him in hushed conversation . I couldn't make out what he was telling Vince . I could hear my name within a mix of words , and I could hear the agony in his voice , but that was all I could muster. Sebastian's eyes are laser focused on Vince's .

Vince's posture was tense , and I knew he could snap at any moment . Vince happened to be the questions later type of person . He didn't put up with anything . The next moment surprised me though . Sebastian motioned for me to come closer . Olivia evaporated , and formed right beside Sebastian , who had a smirk on his face .

"She's here . Don't you have something to say ?" Sebastian purred . Vince looked like he was out of it . Sebastian turned his head to me , and winked .

"I'm so sorry , Della ." Vince said in an eerie monotone . What did Sebastian do to him ? "I'm going back to bed now ." With that he turned right back around , and strolled back down the street .

I was dumbfounded . I looked to Olivia and Sebastian for answers . Sebastian straightened his coat , looking a little proud .

"I stopped him like you wanted . I could hear you a couple blocks over , and was curious . He'll be okay ; he'll forget about it , and me by tomorrow morning ." He answered the questions that were obviously all over my face .

"Sebastian , what did you do ? Thank you .." I can't tell you if what he did kept me uneasy , or helped me to feel better . I think it was a little of both . He looked hypnotized, and void of emotion. My first night as a ghost has turned out to be more eventful than I'd wanted . Sebastian nodded , and turned to leave . He stopped a moment to look back at me .

"Your guy will be okay , Della . He just needs some time , " and he left , disappearing into the shadows he came from .

Olivia stood by in support . She was biting her lip , unsure of what to do with this exchange .

"Why did he help me ?" I whispered . I placed my palm on my temple grasping what just happened .

Olivia perked up , "Della , he's been around for a very long time . He's one of the sweetest people I've come across . Sebastian's aura is pitch black , because that is all of his pain , not the pain he's inflicted on others . His wife was considered a witch in the infamous trials of the 1600s . He lost her , and I don't know the full story , but he makes a point to help any woman that needs it ."

I placed a finger on my cheek , taking in her words carefully . I couldn't imagine what happened to his wife , but from the documentaries I've watched , and the history I've studied , they didn't treat her fairly . I wonder what his wife had been like . She could have looked like anybody . What woman wouldn't love Sebastian's looks ? He's got tall cheekbones and dark hair . He was handsome, like Antonio Banderas , with the same sultry type of voice .

"Della ?" Olivia snapped me out of my thoughts . " Della , I think you should go with the boy . Check on him tonight. I'll catch up with you in the morning ." Before I could say anything , she sprinted off in the direction Sebastian went . I nodded , reluctant .

...

Back at the house with Vince , I sat on the edge of his desk . I spent a good twenty minutes trying to slap his pencil cup onto the floor . I had no luck moving it no matter how hard I tried . My hand flew through it every time . While I was focused on that , Vince was focused on the floor . He sat at the end of his bed , with his feet planted firmly on the hardwood . His elbows rested on his knees , and he was lost in thought . Maybe he was lost in the abyss . Who knows ? I knew he wasn't thinking of me , otherwise I'd hear it .

I hopped up from my perch , and made the 3 steps in front of Vince . I tried waving and poking at him . It didn't work . My corporeal form wouldn't solidify no matter what I tried . I was getting frustrated . I turned , and took a look around . Vince made such a mess , and it's only been a week . There were clothes all over the floor . Trash was starting to pile up . This is a classic depression room , and now I guess I don't blame him for leaving it earlier . This room had so many memories for us .

I couldn't help but think of my favorite time spent in this bedroom . It was the first time I realized I was in love with him . He had been watching a show that he was really into . Vince made an effort to watch it over , so he could share it with me . We sat on the floor at the end of the bed , and binged the hell out of it . His enthusiasm was written all over his face , and I loved the way his eyes lit up as the story went on .

That was definitely a lifetime ago . Right now , he was staring into oblivion , mechanically pulling his shirt off , and climbing into bed . He was facing the wall , and I could hear him start to sob . My face was found in his thoughts , and my own tears began to fall . All I could do was watch Vince break into a billion pieces .

I got so angry at myself . I huffed , and threw my hands up , exasperated . How am I supposed to get his attention if I'm a complete Casper over here ? The anger built in the pit of my stomach , and I threw my hands down . It suddenly went dark as I hit the light switch on the far wall . My eyes widened in surprise . I glanced at the switch , and back to Vince on the bed .

I sighed with disappointment harboring itself in my chest . He hadn't noticed at all . He was asleep already , his shoulders rising and falling with every breath . He looked so peaceful there , and I hated the thought of trying to wake him. I desperately wanted him to know that I hadn't left his side . I turned back to the wall , focusing all of my energy on moving this damn switch .

I don't know what I did the first time to make it happen . I know I was upset . It's been a couple of hours , and I've still drummed up a huge platter of nothing . I glanced back at Vince . He's turned over now , sleeping silently on his other side . His handsome face was contorted in what looked like pain . I sat down on the floor with my back against the wall . I hated my situation..

There was no way I was going to be able to comfort him. I wanted to touch his cheek , and see his bright smile . I wanted to be in bed with him , and wrap my arms around his shoulders . I wanted to hold him like I always do . Like I did ..

My memories flood in , and I bask in the feelings , still fresh in my heart . We sat outside in the warm sunlight. Both of us were stretched out on the concrete enjoying the day . Everything was vibrant and beautiful . The trees swayed softly in the gentle breeze . Insects and bees dipped themselves into the garden flowers on each side of the driveway . The bright sun watched us sit there and talk while warming us down to our bones .

Vince's hazel eyes were energetic and vivid . I don't remember what we had been talking about that day , but the scenery was everything . He always showed up when I needed him most . He was always the one to cheer me up and make things so much better . I moved on my knees behind him to play with his hair . I grasped his hair tie , and took it down . I ran my fingers underneath and over his scalp , massaging the sore parts that were pulled too tight . He sighed , and his body started to relax . We talked while I braided small pieces of his hair , and it was a perfect moment . One that I'll never forget .

I heard Vince stir in the bed across from me . Sunrise was just beginning . A thought snapped me out of my daydream . Vince woke up , rubbing his head . Tears were on his face , and I could see him making a point to remember his dream . I could see it . The shock on my face was priceless even though there was no one who could see it . His mind mirrored my memory . I know it was mine , because it was from my point of view . Did I do that ? Did I give him my memory ?

He sniffled , and sat there a moment before making his way to the bathroom . Those thoughts were still fresh in his mind . He saw himself speaking , and felt his own hair in his hands . I could hear the shower going from down the hall . I rubbed my own eyes . Was I asleep , too ? I felt recharged , but in a weird way . I stood up , and made my way into the living room . I found one twin passed out on the couch with his hand in a cheese puff bag , and I'm sure the other one went to bed . Martha was drinking coffee , leaning against the kitchen counter . I'm sure Dean was already on his way to work like usual . Her face around her eyes were red like she didn't get the greatest sleep last night . Her long dark hair hung just past her waist .

Vince walked into the kitchen with us , already dressed for the day . He wore dark jeans , a tight black shirt , and his infamous leather jacket . He didn't go much of anywhere without it, even in the dead of summer . That jacket meant everything to him . I softly smiled . His hair was still damp . He ran a hand through his blonde locks , taking it out of his face . He said good morning to his mother , had a blunt for breakfast , and took off out the front door to face the day .

He seemed better today than he had last night . This was a good sign , so maybe I could find Olivia , and learn a thing or two . I took another look around the house . Martha was starting to wake her other son , Sammy . I turned , and went through the front door . It was sunny today . I sat on the porch swing for a moment . There was a soft breeze , but I didn't feel it . I couldn't feel anything I touched , nothing from leaning on the wall , and nothing from sitting on the swing . But at least I could enjoy the day . The clouds were white and puffy .

"See you've got some rest ." Olivia appeared , leaning on the windowsill . Her arms were crossed . Something happened to her. Her nightgown was torn , and red stains were on the bottom hems . She looked tattered and dirty . Come to think of it , she didn't look at all like herself . Her hair was messy and missing chunks . She looked worn with dirt on her cheek . My eyes widened . What the hell happened to her ?

Her eyes were puffed as if she'd been crying , and her lips were slightly swollen . The more I looked , the bigger the nightmare got . She watched the horror on my face with narrow eyes . Her demeanor was incredibly different than last night . She closed her eyes , and shook a thought from her mind gently .

"I .. I lost a baby . I was beaten , and .." I could hear her voice break while she explained .

"Shh . You do not have to go there . I don't need to know . It's okay ." I felt so ashamed for reacting the way I did . This must have been her cause of death .

She explained further ,"There are spirits that have slow , traumatic experiences with death . Sometimes , it's not quick like yours ." She hung her head . "These spirits end up reliving parts of their end ."

"You mean like .. PTSD for ghosts ?"

She nodded , a wry smile on her face . Olivia had tears brimming in her eyes. I could tell she had a hard night .

"What happened to Sebastian ?" I asked , trying to draw away from the subject , trying to save her some heartache .

"When I feel it coming , he helps me through it ." She whispered . I held the tops of my arms . I'm so sorry , Olivia .