Branded

  I played the message one more time, this time listening for what time he had left the message. Just after I had run out the door. I debated for a moment whether or not to call him back but in the end chickened out, unsure of what to say to him and afraid I might say something I shouldn’t. And besides, he might be asleep already. I tried to convince myself of that, although it seemed quite unlikely.

  I walked down the stairs to the dark basement and into my apartment. I closed the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment, not caring about the blissful smile that was spread on my face. The moment was temporary as the back of my neck prickled, goose bumps flashing across my skin. I started shivering even when the brand flashed with heat. The sound of distant twisted laughter haunted me.

  Rubbing my arms, I walked to the kitchen and quickly downed a soda. I wasn’t sure if I could make it all the way through the night but I was sure going to try.

  It took only a moment for the water to steam as I turned the shower on. I shot a quick glance over my shoulder into the mirror before I stepped in. I looked every time even though I knew the marks were never going to disappear. They were always there. Permanent in the deepest sense of the word.

  The water burned my skin as I stepped in, turning it pink almost instantly but I didn’t care. Hopefully it would help me wake up.

  I shaved my legs, taking more time than was necessary but I had a full ten hours at least before the sun was going to come back up. It was a lot of time to kill. I did not admit to myself that I had shaved them almost every day since Alex had shown up. I didn’t want to admit that I was that

  pathetic.

  After being in the shower for at least thirty minutes, I realized that I was becoming too relaxed. Without a second’s hesitation, I switched the hot water completely off and gasped as the icy liquid drenched me. I closed my eyes and let it pour over my face.

  Another gasp escaped my lips when I opened my eyes again only to find my surroundings pitch black. At the same time I heard a few loud beeps and realized the power had gone out again.

  I had just shut the water off when I thought I heard whispering. I held my breath and listened for a moment, frozen in fear and unwilling to move.

  It sounded like a low buzz and my brain started to sort out the sound of hundreds of voices whispering excitedly. One rose just above the others and I was barely able to make out the individual words. They sounded far too real and all too close, as if the words had been whispered right into my ear.

  You shall be mine.

  The horrible vision or nightmare of when I passed out suddenly engulfed me and I could recall all too clearly the feeling of the dozens of cold clammy hands covering my body, the arms that had encircled me just before those words were whispered into my ear.

  The lights suddenly flashed back on, followed by a few more beeping sounds. I realized I had crumpled to the bottom of the tub and was lying on my side, my arms wrapped around my knees as tightly as I could manage.

  My knuckles were turning white as they grasped at my elbows.

  With violently shaking hands, I crawled out of the tub and wrapped myself in a towel. I climbed straight into my bed, wrapping my quilt around myself to try and stop the tremors that ripped through my body.

  I had never heard voices when I had been awake.

  Occasionally I heard the demented laughter of the condemned ones but never distinct voices.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Morning could not come soon enough; I had never spent a night so long. Though my eyes seemed to grow heavier by the moment, I had managed to keep them open. I had been terrified to leave the safety of my bed even though I knew this was ridiculous. Angels were people who were dead, they didn’t exist in the same way I did anymore. It wasn’t like I was going to find any of them hiding under my bed. The most reasonable explanation was that I had had a paranoid auditory hallucination. That was what I was trying to tell myself anyway.

  After a quick look in the mirror, I realized just how scary I looked. My eyes were blood shot and the bags under them looked as if they would never return to normal. I was going to have to sleep tonight. I tried futilely to cover it all up with makeup but the damage was too severe. I still looked frightening.

  I dressed comfortably, excitement building in my system despite the previous nights terrifying experience, whatever it was that happened. I was looking forward to going to yoga and hopefully it would help relax the nerves that had been eating at me since the shower incident.

  My spirits climbed further as I climbed into the truck and breathed deeply. I couldn’t help but start to associate its smell with Alex. I was ridiculously comforted by it. I closed my eyes for a moment, my hands rested on the steering wheel, fighting the urge to run inside and call him.

  It was too early in the morning for that.

  I was grateful for Alex’s logic in leaving the truck with me as I pulled out onto the road that led to the freeway entrance. The normal morning dew had turned to a thin sheet of ice as the temperature hovered just below freezing.

  A light on the dash indicated more than once that the automatic four-wheel drive kicked on. A sigh of relief escaped my chest as I finally reached the freeway and saw it was in better shape.

  Despite the white knuckle drive, I was the first of the students to arrive. As I walked into the blissfully heated building, I caught a glimpse of Emily as she walked into a small side room. She must have seen me as she whipped her head back for a moment and flashed a perfect smile.

  “Good morning, Jessica!” she said as she stepped back into the room. “Care to help me out for a second?”

  “Sure,” I answered as I set my purse on a chair against the wall and quickly walked over to join her in the other room.

  The room we entered was decent sized but seemed much smaller than it actually was due to the myriad of sporting equipment that lined the walls. I recalled that this building was used for karate, aerobics, gymnastics, and several other sports as well.

  “Can you carry this out for me?” she asked as she drug a green bin out.

  “Yep,” I said as I bent and picked it up, noting it was filled with the straps and blocks I had noticed most everyone using on Monday during our session.

  Just as we walked back into the main part of the building, four students filed in through the door. Two women and two men. I stopped in my tracks as I saw who the second male was.

  “Cole?” I choked.

  “Jessica!” he said as a broad smile washed over his perfect face and he walked over to me. “What a coincidence. I didn’t know you practiced yoga.”

  “I didn’t know you did either,” I said with a confused expression. Not so much over the coincidence but over the feelings that were going on inside me. Part of me couldn’t help but swoon over his absolute perfection and be delighted to have him near again but the other part was still remembering how he had seemed almost possessive before.

  I also briefly recalled the strange chills what worked their way up my spine when he had touched me and the odd sense of not exactly fear, but unease.

  “Yes,” he said as I saw a flash of confusion and almost frustration cross his face. In an instant it was replaced by a warm smile. “I was very glad to hear there was a class not far away.”

  I couldn’t help but let my eyes wander over his frame.

  He was wearing one of those tight, black workout shirts with long sleeves and a slight turtleneck. His bottom half was covered with a pair of light and breezy looking track pants.

  The effect shouldn’t have been so stunning.

  I realized I hadn’t moved from my spot since I had first seen Cole enter and that I was still holding the bin like a frozen idiot. Clearing my throat, I turned to look for Emily and ask her where she wanted it. I was surprised to find her standing just a few feet behind me, frozen as I had been, staring at Cole. Her expression was difficult to read. Was it anger, fear, interest, curiosity? I couldn’t tell. Perhaps it was a mix of all of the above but I couldn’t
understand it.

  My looking in her direction seemed to unfreeze her as she glanced at me for a second. “Just put those at the front,” she said as her eyes went back to Cole’s face.

  I didn’t hesitate as I put the bin where she told me and couldn’t help but listen as she addressed Cole finally.

  “Have you been to this class before?” she asked.

  “I can’t say I have,” he said, his accent smooth and even. “I just moved here.”

  Emily was silent for a moment as she seemed to be thinking of something. “Huh… you seem… really familiar.”

  “I guess I just have one of those faces.”

  I almost snorted out loud at this. Cole definitely did not have “one of those faces”. Anyone would be able to remember his face anywhere. I didn’t know how anyone could possibly forget that face.

  Emily simply nodded and walked to the front of the class, carrying the bin of mats with her. She instructed each of us to choose one and the class quickly got underway.

  I felt oddly self-conscious having Cole in the class.

  That was part of what made this transition back into society not quite so scary was the fact that I didn’t know anyone that would be there. I could start fresh. Even though I did not know Cole really at all, he was still my neighbor now and I couldn’t help but feel how intimate our one conversation had been.

  Throughout the class I thought I could feel his eyes on me, watching, but every time I checked he looked utterly focused on whatever position we were in.

  Emily walked slowly around the room, giving quiet personal instructions on how to adjust positions. She neared me as we came out of a downward facing dog into a standing position when I noticed the slightly wide-eyed expression she directed toward me. As her eyes met mine they narrowed slightly as if she were contemplating something. The moment passed just as quickly as it happened and she moved on, giving further instructions.

  As she walked away, I realized the position I had been in as she walked toward me would have drawn my hair away from my neck, quite possibly exposing my brand. Had she been looking at just the right spot, it was quite likely she would have seen it. It would look pretty frightening and gruesome to most people but it was nothing to panic about.

  It wasn’t like the truth behind it was written on my forehead.

  At worst she would just think I was into some extreme skin art.

  Class passed quickly despite not learning much of anything different from Monday. This was surprising considering how uncomfortable the entire thing had been.

  Everyone was still getting used to the breathing techniques and trying to get unwilling muscles to move in new ways.

  The general sense of well-being seemed to be widespread as class came to a close.

  Part of me wanted to leave class as soon as it was dismissed to avoid possible questions about what Emily might have seen. Another part of me was willing to take questions if only to have some more normal human contact.

  And I could not help but feel drawn to Emily. Something within me felt we would get along well if given the chance.

  The other students left the room quickly, leaving me alone with Emily again.

  “I’ll help you clean up,” I said and didn’t wait as I finished gathering the few straps that had been left out.

  “Thanks,” Emily huffed as she dropped the last mat into the other bin. “You really have some natural talent in yoga.”

  “I don’t feel like it sometimes,” I said with a little chuckle. “The flexibility isn’t a problem but I have a hard time relaxing sometimes.”

  “I can tell,” she laughed as we set the bins down. I followed her out and she locked the storage room behind her. “Try working on the breathing techniques at home. It will help. I think you’ll be surprised how energized and awake they can make you feel.”

  As we grabbed our purses I doubted she realized just how helpful that would come in my life.

  I was surprised to see that Cole was still in the parking lot, leaned against a very new and very expensive looking black sports car. He flashed that dazzling smile again as he saw us.

  “Emily,” he said as he nodded to her. “Jessica, I was wondering if you would care to join me for a play tonight. I have heard some really amazing reviews about it.” I was momentarily stunned as his eyes locked on mine and I tried to form any coherent thoughts to answer him.

  Without really thinking, the word yes was forming on my lips when I realized what day of the week it was.

  “I can’t” I sputtered. “I’ve got something I have to do.” I wasn’t sure if I was glad for the excuse of movie night with Sal or not.

  “Some other time then,” he said and before I could tell if a flash of irritation crossed his face or not, he slipped into his car. The engine roared to life and he peeled out of the parking lot.

  “Wow,” Emily exaggerated the word.

  “What?” I questioned as I turned to face her.

  “That guy is too perfect,” she said, her voice sounding like a swoon but her expression looking almost accusing.

  I gave a slight chuckle that came out as more of a snort. “Cole is my new neighbor. He just sort of showed up Monday. I didn’t even know the previous owner was selling.”

  That strange accusing look on her face deepened.

  “That’s weird.”

  “Ya,” I said as I walked to the giant truck and threw my stuff on the passenger seat.

  Emily walked to her tiny compact car and opened the door. She put the key in the ignition and went to start it.

  The only noise it made was a click.

  “Ah crap,” she said as she rested her forehead on the steering wheel. “I forgot to turn the headlights off again this morning. You wouldn’t happen to have any jumper cables on you?”

  “Um…” I fumbled. “I’m not sure. I’m kind of borrowing this car. Let’s take a look.”

  Emily jumped out and joined me in the search. It took us only a moment to find them tucked behind the back seat.

  “Thank goodness!” she said as she grabbed them and went to her car, throwing the hood up.

  Emily seemed to know what she was doing as she hooked the two cars up so I stayed out of her way. I had always been glad my GTO ran without any trouble, I wasn’t the most mechanically inclined.

  We both leaned against the glossy surface of the truck, our arms hugged tight to ourselves to keep warm.

  “I was wondering if you wanted to catch a movie tomorrow and maybe get some lunch if you’re not busy,” Emily suddenly blurted out. “I know it sounds kind of weird since we don’t exactly know each other but, well, I could kind of use a friend and you seem like the kind of person I’d get along with.”

  “Ya,” I said with a smile. “I’d really like that actually.” I was a little more than glad Emily had made the first move toward forming the friendship. Social normality’s were still feeling a little long gone to me.

  “I heard the new chick-flick was pretty good if you’re into that kind of thing.”

  “That sounds great actually. I can’t remember when I just went out and had a girl’s day,” I said with a little laugh.

  Actually, I couldn’t recall ever having one.

  “Me neither,” she laughed. “Here,” she said as she pulled her purse out and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen. She scribbled something down and handed it to me.

  “That’s my cell.”

  I quickly told her my number, feeling a little out of touch with modern technology that I still didn’t have a cell phone.

  “K, I’ll give you a call tonight when I check the show times,” she said as she pulled the cables off.

  “Sounds good.”

  I put the cables back where I had found them, waved a quick good-bye and we both pulled out of the parking lot.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The day seemed to be confused on what type of weather it wanted to have. One would never know there had been ice on the roads this morning through all the b
eautiful sunshine and rising temperatures. As I got on the freeway I actually turned the heater completely off. Strange weather for February.

  I gently eased the truck into the garage and walked back out to the road to check the mailbox. I softly hummed to myself as I sorted through the Wrights mail and walked back to the house, wondering what you were supposed to do with it all when the intended recipients were deceased.

  Well, that was up to Alex now I supposed.

  “Hey.”

  I jumped nearly a foot into the air, dropping several envelopes when I heard the voice just feet in front of me.

  Cole had seated himself on the bottom step leading up to the doorway. Had he not said anything, I would have walked right into him. He had his arms crossed over his knees, looking up at me with that too perfect smile.

  “I thought since you were busy tonight we could go for a little excursion,” he said with hopeful eyes that no one could have said no to.

  My mouth opened and closed more than once before I could make any sound come out. “Uh…ya. I guess.”

  “Great,” he said as he stood. I then noticed that he had already changed into a pair of jeans and a light sweater. He was also the only male I had ever seen wear a scarf and not look in the least bit gay.

  “I’ll, uh…just go in and change,” I said as I opened the door slightly.

  “Mind if I come in?”

  My vocal chords were still unwilling to work so I only shook my head and let him come in behind me. I set the mail on the dining room table before turning to the fridge. I did feel a little guilty for looking through Alex’s food but I didn’t want to be rude.

  “Would you like something to drink?” I called as I buried my head in the fridge. “There’s milk, orange juice, or water.”

  “I’m fine, thank you,” Cole said, making himself comfortable on one of the couches. “So this Alex guy isn’t going to storm in here any second and shoot me for entering his house is he?”