The Creature

Chapter Sixteen: Guilty Or Not

The next few weeks passed by pretty quickly. And me and Jamie had been bonding in that time. We mainly talked about the books I had shown him. Occasionally I would play some music for him from my phone, usually some old classics from my childhood that I never grew out of but Jamie really seemed to appreciate it. He never liked to talk about his past though, despite how much I wanted to learn. I knew in my heart that somehow, that would help him feel even more comfortable. He had held everything in for so long and it would do him some good to release it finally, but I couldn't push him, despite how much I wanted too.

" Allie " Jamie's voice called through the walkie talkie attached to my belt loop. I had been doing some house chores considering it was my day off. Even though I tried my best to get out of it, my mom and dad refused to let me just laze around. " Be Productive" they would always say. It always annoyed me.

I detached the device from my belt loop and pressed the button" Hey Jamie! How are you today? " I was surprised a little that he had reached out to me today. I figured he would have gotten tired of me by now but then again, he didn't have a lot of other people to talk to.

" I'm okay. I was just thinking about you and wanted to see what you were doing? " he answered. He was thinking about me? Dammit I know I'm blushing again, I can't see it but I can feel it.

" I'm doing good. I'm just doing some house chores. Day off and parents wanted to make me work" I chuckled. I didn't want him thinking my parents were super uncaring people. Of course they cared about me, they just wanted to push me.

" Oh. That sounds like it sucks" Jamie answered. He seemed like he didn't know what the chores were per say but could tell by my tone that they weren't a good thing. " Yeah it is what it is. I'm gonna be fine. I'm almost done anyway. I can actually come see you today if you'd like. As a visitor and not an employee or anything " I didn't have much to do today after the chores so why not spend time with him? "That sounds great"

I could tell by his tone that he had perked up a bit at the possibility of having me come to see him. As much as I could say it's because of just the conversation, I think it's also because it is me. I don't think he understands how to really deal with his emotions when it comes to girls..but I think he likes me. Somewhat? I'm not sure. I just know that he shows interest. More interest than Dennis had ever even dreamed to show me.

I finished my chores and finally made my way to see Jamie. And of course I took the bike. Though, investing in a car wouldn't be the worst idea either. And after peddling to the points where my legs were aching, I arrived at the Institute and ran inside and to the front desk where the old Lady whom I have come to know as Dorris gave me a visitor pass and I made my way down to Jamie's room.

I knocked on the door, as per usual and was greeted with " Allie? You came? " I laughed at this, why he would disbelieve me I would never know. I always kept my promises. " Um yeah? I told you I was going to show up! " I sat down in my usual place with my back against his door. " I um..thank you" he muttered. " I wanted to thank you for the food. It has been helping alot". This made me happy. I was glad he was finally eating properly. And that they had actually worked with me on it. Even if I almost got fired.

" Its no problem. I'm glad I could help" I could hear him shuffling behind the door. And then, he said something that caught me by surprise.

" I know you heard about what happened to my parents..about the fire" I could tell by his tone that he was worried about how I was going to react to it. What I had been thinking about it. And I had to confess to him. " Yes. I did hear about it. I figured you would talk about it when you are ready. But I want you to know, I'm not judging. But my curiosity is there.." I didn't want to lure him into telling me but at the same time I kind of did. I knew the story I had heard wasn't completely true. I refused to believe that he would do something like that.

" I was so young when it happened. I remember I was asleep and I heard them screaming. I don't even know how I got out of the house...but I thought maybe it was something I had done. That's why I told people I did it. I didn't know. I still don't know how they died" he confessed to me.

" Well, you were so young. There could have been other factors that you weren't aware of. We don't know" I explained to him. He was a child at the time. How would he even have the capability or Ill intent to do something that horrific. Someone could have broke into the house and he would've never known.

" Yeah. Well, people seem to have no issues blaming me for it. And after a while, I did start believing I did it. I've always been different, my parents said so. So maybe there is something to it. I don't know. I loved my parents.." he seemed so sad when talking about this. I couldn't imagine the pain he had to be feeling.

" They were your parents, of course you loved them. But despite what others say, you can't blame yourself for this s**t. It's not your fault. You were young, you wouldn't have done anything intentionally even if you did have something to do with it. I know that doesn't make the guilt go away but I am just saying the guilt shouldn't be there. It isn't your fault. I refuse to believe it. And I'll defend you against the town myself if I have too" because of course I would fight for him. He was too scared to fight for himself, that much was obvious. I would never let anyone harm him or hurt him.

" But what if I did do it? What if I am what everyone says? " He questioned which made me turn to the door slot and open it. I peered into the room but could not see him. It was far too dark.

" You didn't do it! I know you didn't! And I'll find a way to prove that to everyone" I didn't know how I would even be able to keep that promise but I would look into it. Maybe I could find something, anything to show him that he didn't have anything to do with it. " Now no more beating yourself up dammit. You are my friend and I refuse to let you do that to yourself" I knew he was hearing me but he wasn't saying anything in response. I wondered if maybe I came off to strong.

" Thank you Allie"