Story - Ryan
1094 Words
A/N: Hey, I'm sorry all of Zach's chapters are super disjointed. I promise, there's a reason, and it will make sense soon. Love y'all lots!
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March 18th
I barely remembered the ride back to... whatever the town where Zach lived was called. I knew it wasn't too long, and that it was pretty bumpy, but I was too out of it for the majority of it. I remembered Zach talking to the people riding in the front seat, and I remembered when he pressed his lips to the top of my head.
Mostly because I was far too close to gone to control the wild blush that raced up my neck and cheeks, and hearing Zach's low chuckle. He'd ask me if I was awake, and I would nod, but he'd laugh, knowing I wasn't really there.
I was too caught up in the fractured memories I had from the past two hours before he'd gotten me out of Twilight Woods. It was a struggle to remember anything that has supposedly happened. All I had were scrambled puzzle pieces to a picture that didn't match any of the pieces. I shifted slightly, feeling the skin of Zach's shoulder against my cheek and the
Hey.
Go away.
I'm sorry.
My heart stuttered when he apologized. He'd never apologized before. Zach heard it or felt it or whatever he did that always made him know when I was feeling unsure, and looked at me. I didn't open my eyes, didn't move except to breathe, and I felt his muscles pull, as he smiled at me. He pressed his face into my hair and for a moment, I was certain that that- his touch, so gentle and accepting- would be what finally did me in.
I couldn't help the smallest of smiles from pulling at my lips, or the fresh rush of blood to my face at his single chuckle. It was like he was afraid to laugh at me, making it funnier, and more embarrassing than it already was.
What?
I'm sorry.
Why?
I don't know.
I... I couldn't control myself. I, I think it was those meds. They're not gone, but it's less. I can... resist them now. They made me mean.
And I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.
You did.
I know.
Do you... do you know what happened?
Not... really. Only a little.
Can you tell me?
I can try.
Blaire cut herself, with some scissors? I think? I know it was an accident because she...
I know, she didn't mean it.
Yeah, and was bleeding. Like, a lot. And, and it gets kinda blurry here but I think I sorta... took over.
I don't really know why, but I'm really hungry, and seeing her blood it made me... crazy. I just. I know I grabbed her, and I think I was trying to-to get her away from all the people. She was really scared- I could smell it.
Her fear?
Yeah. It was sharp and kinda painful. And normally, she smells nice- like flowers- but her blood was... different, it smelled different. But not, like, bloody smelling. It smelled kinda like Zach, a little. Like, a dog? Almost? Yeah, like a dog and... strawberries. And that sharpness, like glass. Broken glass. Dog, strawberries, and broken glass...
I'm sorry. This doesn't make much sense.
It's okay... I can kinda remember it, but it's like everything was happening above me, ya know?
Yeah, that's kinda how it is for me, normally. Like, I can see and hear everything, but I don't have any control. From the outside in, I guess.
...Yeah, that, that fits.
Anyway, I grabbed her, and I don't really know what happened next, because I knew we were in the rec room and then, we were in the orderlies' hallway? I think? And I had her against the wall, and she was really really scared, of me. Not of you, though.
It's like she knew we were different people. But she was still bleeding, and she... she hit me. She was pushing against me when I'd been running, and and then she smacked me. And that's when the... spell or whatever it was that had been holding me kinda broke? And I ran to the library.
And then... Zach was there. And, he brought you back.
Can I ask you one more question?
Yeah, I guess.
Do you have a name?
Salem.
Nice to meet you Salem. I'm Ryan.
... nice to meet you, too, Ryan.
I drifted to sleep, comfortable in my skin and head for the first time since I was 10.
It was hours later that I woke up, disoriented at the amount of color in the room. I sat up, and I was suddenly glad that the room was empty as I discovered that I was shirtless in a bed. I tried to swallow around the dust that had gathered in my throat and ended up coughing. More awake now, I heard a conversation stop from behind the closed door, and footsteps. Pressing myself against the wall and headboard, I waited with wide eyes.
There were three knocks, and Zach poked his head in, smiling. His hair was darker than normal, and he smelled like normal- with hints of fake ocean. "Hey, sleepyhead." He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. I furrowed my brows at him, not wanting to ask. "It's okay. I know you're probably confused. This is a cabin that I cleaned up for you to stay in while you were, ah, learning." He walked over to the drawers and pulled out a sweater and some jeans. "I guessed at your size. If those don't work, I've got a couple of others. Pull those on, and come on out. I've got a surprise for you in the main room."
He bounced over, kissed my head and ruffled my hair before leaving and closing the door again.
He's so happy that he's found you.
Why?
He's been alone for a long time now. It's been rough, and he was... worried that he might never find you.
How do you know this?
I, I did something I shouldn't have.
Salem, what did you do?
I can't really control it, and I'm sure he'll teach us to. But I kinda, slipped in his head, while you were asleep. And I talked to his wolf, Shay.
How, how?
Ryan, have you not guessed by now?
Guess what?
Oh, dear Lord... I forget how much Twilight Woods f****d you up...
Ryan, we- you- are a Vampire.
- Writer
