Afterlife (Afterlife Saga)

  Now, of course, I was back to my own unusual therapy, drawing the visions that had come to me in last night’s horror. Of course the difference now was that I had a knight in not so shiny jeans and t-shirt, but man what a knight he was! It was worth being so scared in the mists of hell to see the heaven there waiting to pull me out. It was just a pity that he too was just a fragmented version of the truth.

  Draven at the club and Draven my knight were miles apart. It was just a shame that the only one of those that was real hated me! I sat back staring at the pictures of faces made up of teeth and shuddered at the thought. But this time I didn't have a book I could add it to. This time I would have to start a new one, for new nightmares.

  And I had a feeling this was only the beginning of my recurring past.

  Chapter 15 - To VIP or not to VIP

  I went downstairs just before the morning light filled the kitchen. No one was up yet and I was thankful for it. I still felt strange from the night’s events and Libby would no doubt pick up on it. I was trying to time it right so when she got up, I could jump in the shower. Hopefully I could get away with not seeing her until tonight after work.

  The thought of work gave way to new worries. It would be even harder now knowing that everyone would soon find out I was about to turn down a once in a life time opportunity. For them maybe, but for me? More like a recipe for disaster!

  I sat and wondered as I played around with the breakfast before me that I couldn’t eat. I let my mind go over every detail of the dream. Had he woken me from a nightmare in a dream? How was that even possible? I searched my room before coming down here for any evidence of the possibility that it could have been real. But I was living in hopes for an impossible reality. What had me so fixated? He had completely seduced my mind.

  Was there anyway of going back?

  But did I want to even if I could? I knew the answer. There was no turning back now. He had ruined all chances for me feeling like this about anyone else. Jack had made it perfectly clear about his feelings last night but I had shied away from his attentions, yet before I would have loved it. I would have really gone for someone like Jack. He was funny, charming and above all a perfect gentleman. But Jack wasn't the problem...I was.

  It was as if ever since the “Incident” I had become sick. It was like I was addicted to pain. Attracted to the one guy that didn't care and never would. What kind of twisted side effect was that? I was now attracted to things I could never have. Was this so I would never get hurt again. Like, if I knew it could never happen then he would never get to know the truth about me. After all wasn't it just my mind’s way of protecting itself.

  I carried on fighting with my own thoughts like this until I got out of the shower and I had finally to concentrate on something else, getting ready. I realised I was running late when I heard RJ's little car beep it’s pathetic horn. It sounded more like Road Runner. I ran downstairs with half wet hair trying to put it up into its usual twist but it wasn't co-operating. The sides hung down wet and wavy. I got in the car after a quick goodbye to Libby and Frank and must have looked like I’d been dragged backwards through a car wash.

  “Hey, you ok, just woken up by any chance?” She laughed and started the engine into semi life. She rubbed the dash saying,

  “Come on old girl, you’re warm now.” I laughed and the car shot into motion.

  “Believe it or not I woke up at 4:30.” She shot me a look in disbelief.

  “Tell me you weren't getting ready this whole time?” She eyed me up and down already knowing that obviously I hadn't.

  I sat fiddling with my seat belt waiting for her to start back up the interrogation.

  “So, good night last night?” She smiled half biting her lip to contain herself. But now with that look on her face I wasn't sure what she meant. Was it about the VIP or Jack?

  “It was ok. Look I'm sorry I got all weird last night but you know I just hated all the attention that's all.” She nodded still smiling like I was missing the joke.

  “But you must have liked the attention from someone… right?” Ah ha, she was talking about Jack. I was now wondering what he had said. I would have to be careful.

  “I don't know what you mean?” Ok, she wasn't stupid and she shot me a look to prove it. God it was like having CSI Grisham on the case. I'm surprised she didn't have a lie detector strapped to my ass.

  “Oh come on, we all know Jack likes you and he drove you home and....”

  “And....and what?” I decided the best way to play this out was good old faithful “Playing dumb.”

  “And what happened next?” Well at least this was confirmation that Jack hadn't said anything which meant that I could get away with also not giving away anything.

  “Ok... so what did Jack say?” Another smirk, she had taken my asking the wrong way.

  “He didn't say anything, that's my point. This is how I know something happened! He's only secretive when something’s going on.” Now I was starting to feel really bad. I was going to have to make it clear to Jack I didn't want to hurt his feelings.

  “Nothing happened, Jeez you’re like a pit bull with a lamb chop!” She laughed and seemed pleased with the analogy. I carried on talking in a more serious tone.

  “Honestly nothing happened, he's a good friend, we chatted and he was the perfect gentleman but that's it.” I said making her sigh in defeat.

  “That's a shame. I really think he likes you and it been so long since his last girlfriend.” She went really sad but I couldn't understand why. I mean it's unusual for a sister to really care who her brother dates, unless she was a friend. Wasn't it?

  “Why, what happened?” Now it was me being nosy, RJ must be rubbing off on me.

  “I shouldn't have mentioned it, forget I said anything.” WHAT! This coming from RJ gossip queen, now how could I forget it?

  “Can I just ask is it anything to do with the Dravens?” She whipped her head round to stare at me in amazement but come on, it really wasn't that hard to put two and two together.

  “Who told you!?” She looked upset as she raised her voice and gripped the steering wheel as though she was going round a circuit.

  “Was it Lanie, that little…”

  “NO, no, sorry but I just guessed and after what you said at the club last night about some stories not being just gossip and something that Jack said in the car on the way home, I just kinda put it all together.” She relaxed her muscles a little and slowed her speed, not that the little car went much faster, if anything it just made more noise!

  “I shouldn't have said that last night, I hope he's forgiven me.” It was horrible seeing RJ sad, it looked wrong, in the same way as when Jack looked angry last night. It didn't suit either of them.

  “I'm sorry I said anything, let’s just forget it.” I said trying to be more helpful than anything as I still really wanted to know.

  “Ok, I would tell you but this really is the one thing that isn't my place but I'm sure he will tell you soon, he does really like you… you know that, right?” I did and I wished I could do something about it but I couldn't. I wasn't that girl any more. So I said the only thing I could think of, without giving away too much information.

  “I like Jack, I really do but I just don't date any more, I'm what you would call... broken.” She rolled her lips back into her mouth and nodded getting the idea.

  “Boy, somebody must have done a real number on you.” I just nodded holding back the tears.

  She really had no idea.

  The rest of the day flew by without any more talk from RJ about last night. I had spent lunch outside, as the sun was out for a change and most of the students were taking advantage of the freak weather. There was still a chill but nothing a hooded sweater couldn't handle. The rest of the gang met us as RJ had sent a mass text inviting everyone. There was the usual lot and four others I didn't know. They seemed like Jack’s friends, as they kept nudging him as soon as they saw me. Jack came over to sit by me and asked sweetly if
I was cold. I said I was fine and we continued to talk about our day’s classes.

  I wished at this moment I felt that tingle that you get when you’re sat next to someone you fancy. I mean what was wrong with me? He was gorgeous and today was no exception as he wore a faded Led Zeppelin T shirt with a leather jacket that looked warm, and his usual faded Jeans with rips at the knees. His hair was untamed and floppy but it could have been styled by Tony and Guy as he looked once more as if he had just come from a photo shoot for Men's Health magazine. His big shoulders leaned in towards mine as he sat with his body turned into me. He wanted to be close that much was clear.

  “Wow, now why won’t Mum and Dad buy me one of those?” RJ's head was on full alert with her eyes nearly bulging out as she stared at a huge shiny black Land Rover that had just pulled up not more than twenty feet away from where we were all sat.

  “Because Mum and Dad don't have a hundred grand to spend on anything, let alone a car!” Jack turned his head back around in disgust as if knowing who was in it.

  “Is that a Range Rover project Kahn?” One of Jack’s friends said as though he wanted to go up there and start licking the bodywork. Another answered his question with amazement himself.

  “I thought they were only available in Europe, man that's a sweet ride.” Every student was now staring at it as they went by. Some even took pictures with their mobile phones.

  Jack had leaned into me as if to try and draw my attention away from who was in it.

  “So I was kind of wondering if maybe you'd like to catch a movie one night?” Oh no, was he asking me out on a date? I was starting to think of how to form the words when RJ saved me.

  “Oh my God, Kaz there's a stunning looking girl waving to you.” I turned my head round and saw Sophia's perfect figure standing there in a designer dress waving one manicured hand at me. I got up and went bright red as everyone but Jack was staring at me with their mouths wide open.

  “I'd better go and see what she wants.” I walked over to her and the big black beast of a car that was still burbling behind her. I heard RJ say as I walked off,

  “Who's that?” And then a murmur of whispers continued about the mystery girl.

  “Hi Keira, I thought we could walk to History together.” She embraced me as if she hadn't seen me in years. The scent of her perfume nearly knocked me out. She smelt like a luxury flower garden and I imagined the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to have the same affect. She was about to link my arm but then stopped and turned back to the car. She knocked on the window and turned to me saying,

  “Silly me, forgot my bag.” The window went down with a gentle humming and it was as black inside the car as it was on the outside. A strong looking hand leaned out with a Gucci bag to match the dress and shoes and everything else about her.

  “Thank you Dominic, see you later.” My heart nearly stopped! It was her brother in the car. I wanted to run. Instead I just turned round to face the other direction and held my head down. I could have sworn I heard a noise made in response to my actions and it was too deep a noise to have been Sophia's. The window did the same noise and I knew it would soon be over. She came back to where I stood and linked my arm.

  “Come on then, let’s get the dreaded Reed over and done with.” I smiled and waved goodbye to my friends who were starting to disperse themselves. They stared in amazement but only Jack looked angry and hurt. Sophia noticed as he was now glaring at her full of hatred in his eyes.

  “Who's that, your boyfriend?” I choked back a nervous laugh that made me sound more mental than I already felt and she looked at me with a strange expression.

  “No, why would you think that?” She smiled and stared back in front as we walked towards the entrance of our building.

  “Well it was my brother who noticed, you... umm...seemed cosy sat there, deep in conversation. I guess he just assumed.” I couldn't speak. I just did that strange little grunting noise I had done earlier. Like trying to swallow a big pill that was stuck half way down. Why on earth would he even mention me? I'm surprised he even knew who I was. He must be cautious about his employees.

  “Nah, that's just Jack my friend RJ’s brother... I...umm... don't date.” I said as it felt like this was the theme of the day. I felt like a quiz show contestant where the presenter introduces you in a dramatic loud voice saying your name and something about your personal life only mine would read;

  “I’d like to introduce our next contestant Keira Johnson. Keira enjoys obsessing about her boss, who barely knows she’s alive. She's come over from England due to being cast out, likes drawing the Monsters she sees in her head and most importantly enjoys explaining on a daily basis how she never dates... COME ON DOWN!”

  I could have added a lot more but I did want to make it through the day without feeling like a complete loser. After all it was bad enough that I had Reed for my next lesson, not to mention the news I had yet to tell Sophia about me turning the job down. With her cute little doll like face it was going to be like telling an entire Kindergarten there was no Santa!

  We both found our seats that so happened to be the same as last time. I got the same old stares as we took our places but with one look from Sophia they stopped, along with the whispering. Everyone knew who she was now and from the looks of things they were all just as intimidated as I was. I decided to wait until the end of class to mention the job. It would at least give me another hour to think of what to say. It was amazing to think that last night I had thought this would be easy, now I wasn't so sure.

  “So tonight, you ok to start at seven instead of eight?” Worst luck in the world and trust this to be a day when Reed was late. She noticed me looking towards the door searching in vain.

  “Reed’s having car trouble, he will be late.” She giggled like a naughty child but I didn’t know why.

  “How do you know that?” I asked as she smiled an evil grin but it was still cute on her face.

  “I overheard one of the other tutor's... so tonight?” Well here goes, I was going to have to get it over and done with at any rate.

  “Well about that, I was thinking that maybe it wasn't such a good idea” I tried not to look at her but she turned fully facing me with her arms folded. I looked into her eyes and she looked confused and hurt. I felt like the child catcher out of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!

  “Why, I don't understand, is it me?” What! How had she come up with that reason?

  “No, no, of course not, it's just.... I think that it would be easier if I just stayed downstairs, your brother looked really hacked off about the idea of it and well....” she smiled and cut me off mid-sentence.

  “Don't worry about him, he's already warmed to the idea. Our family is very private and he doesn't trust new people. But it's no reason not to take the job, he just needs to get used to you being there.” She relaxed as though this had convinced me.

  It hadn't.

  “Still, I think that it would be best...” Again she jumped in.

  “It will be fine, look we really are desperate for some new staff and you haven't been tainted by all the lies and gossip of this small town, plus it's a lot more money.”

  “It is?” I didn't want to sound shallow but I really did need a car soon and if I could do it without dipping into my life savings that would be a plus.

  “Oh yes, it over thirty bucks an hour.” Wow now that was a lot more than I was expecting. I wondered why it was so much. Did you have to donate organs and bone marrow at the end of each month or something?

  “Ok, that is something to think about,” I said and she smiled at her near triumph.

  “You saving up for anything?” What, was she reading my mind!

  “Yeah I really need my own car. I'm relying on my sister and her husband at the minute and well they don't mind but I don't think it’s fair.”

  “And on friends?”

  “Yeah sometimes, I mean, me and RJ ride together here most days but it would be nice to be able to drive as well, so it isn’t always
her that does it.” I was kind of getting the feeling that she was digging for information but I couldn't for the life of me figure out why?

  “And from work, does Jack usually drive you home?” For a minute I was considering if she could be a spy for Libby. What was it with all the questions?

  “No, I wait for Frank my brother-in-law to pick me up.”

  “But not last night.” This wasn't a question. Had she been watching me? When I didn't answer she continued.

  “Sorry to be nosy but I saw you last night with your friends and noticed you walking out with that Jack. I just wanted to make sure you were getting home ok.... you can see a lot from up there.” She looked down as though guilty of being caught out watching me. I found it a little strange sure but otherwise it was kind of sweet.

  “It’s fine, yeah he drove me home but he wasn't drinking or anything. He's very responsible like that.” I felt as though I had to clear that up now so as not to give a bad image of him.

  Just then Reed came racing in all red faced and panting. He had what looked like oil down his shirt in little spots and his trousers had marks at the knees as if he had been changing a tyre. I smiled to myself as I thought of a little thing I like to call...

  KARMA.

  When the class finished, RJ was standing waiting for me, ready to walk me to my next class. It was so sweet the way she did this but whenever I thanked her she just waved it off as no trouble, she had a free period. When the truth was she was worried that I would still get lost. I knew this because whenever she walked me anywhere she would always point out ways to remember, like pointing to a water fountain, room numbers and posters on the wall. One day it was a broken tile on the floor. Saying,

  “See that tile, if you just remember to turn left there then you’ll be fine, otherwise you've gone too far.”

  Sophia was still behind me so I decided to introduce them.

  “Sophia this is my friend RJ, RJ this is Sophia Draven.” I didn't really have to say her last name as RJ's eyes looked as though they would pop out of their sockets.