It was a slow couple of weeks for the band, but I kept my mind preoccupied working at my new job, retail at a children’s clothing store. I had bonded fairly quickly with another girl around my age, Saturn, and we had planned to meet up at the movie theatre across the street from our job site after I finished my shift for the night. After locking the doors and wishing my supervisor a safe drive home, I began the short walk to the theatre. It was one I had done millions of times in the past with friends.
I felt my phone vibrate through my purse and pulled it out swiftly, swiping my usual password on the screen to unlock it. It was a text message from a number I didn’t recognize. So you switched over to contacts fully? I like it. I glanced at the number over and over again hoping to recognize it somehow. It was a local number, but I had never remembered seeing it before.
Who is this? I wrote back, still walking.
I was at the stop light between the mall I worked at and the movie theatre, waiting at the crosswalk, when my phone went off again. I pulled it out of my purse and opened the newest message from the mysterious number. Guess.
I sighed loudly to myself not wanting to play this game. Because of my popularity growth over the past few months, I had been receiving tons of texts from peers wanting a piece of my fame. It could be anyone for all I knew. I had just worked six hours; I wasn’t in the mood to play the guessing game. I put my phone back in my purse when the walk signal blinked.
It was the strangest feeling, but I couldn’t help turning around and looking back multiple times as I made it across, the feeling of eyes burning into the back of my skull brought goose bumps all over my arms. The theatre was unusually empty as it was a Tuesday night. I bought my ticket for The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and then waited for Saturn to arrive. After fifteen minutes of glancing around wondering where she was, I finally texted her. Girl, where are you? The movie starts in five minutes!
I looked around and decided maybe Saturn had already sat in the theatre. I walked into the theatre and besides a couple seated in the first row and a few others scattered around, it was bare. I squinted my eyes, attempting to see if any of them were my coworker, then I gave up and just sat down in one of the middle rows. The movie was just beginning; I pulled my phone out to make sure it was still on vibrate and see if Saturn had texted me back. Sure enough, there was a text from her when I lit up my screen. Oh my God girl! I am so, so, sorry! I totally forgot. Brad’s parents took us out to sushi and I just saw your text message. Can we reschedule? I’m a terrible friend!
Figures; I threw my iPhone back into my purse and focused my attention on the movie. The theatre went dark as the opening credits began to play. I was trying to watch the movie, but the constant vibration from my phone would not let up. I pulled it out irritated, before seeing multiple texts from the same unknown number. You should have told me you were going to the movies, we could have come together. Chills ran through my entire body. I glanced around through the darkness, looking for anyone else on their phone. The few people that were in the theatre, their faces were not illuminated enough for me to recognize them. I switched my focus back to the disturbing texts. The next one read, I never took you for a mall employee. Now I was extra freaked out, but frozen in place from fear.
Quickly I began typing a group text message to all of my close friends and acquaintances. Are you at the theatre messing with me? It didn’t take long for the texts to come pouring in asking what the hell I was talking about and if I needed help. Jace and Colton replied almost instantaneously.
I opened Colton’s first. No, I’m at home. Are you okay? I didn’t bother responding before moving onto Jace’s.
No, I’m not at the movies. What are you seeing?
City of Bones, I replied to Jace’s text. I got stood up.
I had lost all interest in the movie because of the constant influx of text messages coming through, but I had paid over ten dollars to see it and I damn well intended to make the most of my money!
Damn, I’m sorry. Anyone I know? I can beat them up for you. His text made me smile. I was sad Olivia got to experience all of him…and not me.
No, a new coworker…she stood me up for her bf, I can’t compete lol.
Jace had almost helped me forget the mystery number altogether when it buzzed through with a text message again. What’s the matter? You shy?
I shook off the jitters from the text message, quickly deciding I was willing to eat the ten dollars. I just wanted to get as far away from this mystery texter as possible. Before I stood up to head out of the theatre, I copied the unfamiliar phone number and pasted it into my conversation with Jace. Do you know whose number this is?
I stood up and began to exit the way I came in; glancing back at the filled seats, attempting to find the perpetrator. I had just exited the doors when I felt my phone go off again. How do you have that number?
I just started receiving texts from that number today. You know who it is?
I was waiting at the stoplight when another text from the mystery number came through to my phone. Where did you run off to so quick?
Now I was shaking. I almost didn’t wait for the crosswalk to change, I just wanted to get to my car and drive home immediately. I was half way across the street when I grabbed my phone out of my purse and dialed Jace’s number. “Hello?” He answered on the first ring.
“Look, I know I said some things the last time we talked that were unwarranted, but this isn’t funny anymore. If you know who is texting me, I need to know now. This person knows where I work, what I am wearing, what movie I was in, Jace…I’m scared,” I was speaking in such a rushed tone I had to gulp air at the end of my sentence.
“Peyton, where are you?” Jace’s voice had suddenly taken on a more serious tone.
Before I had a chance to respond, I felt the sensation of a warm breath on my neck. My hairs were standing on end. I turned around slowly, still muted by fear. I was looking up at my crush’s doppelganger, his twin. “Jax…” was all I could get out before I dropped the phone and took off in a sprint. I could faintly hear Jace’s voice from the receiver screaming my name as I ran the opposite way. I could hear his heavy footsteps behind me. I was smaller now, but definitely not faster.
I felt him reach for me, his arms grasping at my sides, but I wrestled free, still screaming. “Help! Help me!” But suddenly a sharp pain took over my nose and face when I realized he had elbowed me violently, sending me plummeting to the ground with a loud thud. It knocked the wind out of me. I was coughing and sputtering everywhere trying to find my breath again.
“Peyton, Peyton, Peyton…” He said, shaking his head from side to side. I was squirming on the ground, grasping at the pavement, attempting to crawl away. “You ruined my life—you know that?”
I was swallowing so loudly, it was difficult to hear anything. My mind was racing a mile a minute. Think Peyton, think.
“What? No rebuttal this time?” He egged me on. “So unlike you…”
I was almost able to stand again when I felt a blow to my side. I fell over instantly, crying out loudly in pain. Jax had kicked me with the most unbelievable strength. I would be surprised if he hadn’t managed to break a few of my ribs.
I was gasping for breath, still massaging the area he had kicked when his merciless blue eyes came into my vision. He used his leg to turn me over so I was now lying on my back. He’s going to kill me. The thought made my veins run cold.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this…” He wiped his nose with the back of his hand, a menacing smile taking over his face.
Jax was standing over me; his appearance so deceiving. A face I had grown to love over the years, but the devil inside him a terrifying monster. The last thing I saw was his foot coming down towards my face, and then darkness.
Chapter 12
She was Studying Me Like I was a Fragile
Toy About to Break any Second.
True Life-After Death
Come towards the light, my de
ar
No pain, no guilt, no fears
Everything you’ve believed
And now you finally see
No need to choose a side
Black-black or white-white
We’re all together
In the after-life
My eyes fluttered open, slowly. Everything was blurry, my ears were ringing, and I was in excruciating pain. I attempted to look around, but was unable to move my neck. I began recounting the last things I could remember. I was at the Children’s Place, my part time job, and then I was supposed to meet up with Saturn at the movies.
“Don’t try to move. You were in a car accident. Do you know your name?” Nurses with clipboards surrounded my bed.
I nodded lightly, opening my mouth to speak, my throat excruciatingly dry. “Peyton.”
“Okay good, your parents are on their way. Just sit tight and relax.” The nurse in the bright pink scrubs lightly touched my shoulder then turned on her heel and exited with the rest of them, leaving me alone, or so I thought. I hadn’t noticed before, but now I clearly saw the outline of a figure sitting in the chair alongside my hospital bed. I tried to adjust my eyes, but gave up quickly, as I had no energy.
“Hey,” the voice whispered, and I heard the chair scrape across the floor as he slid in closer.
“Jace?” I weakly asked.
“Shhh. Save your energy.” He stroked my hair gently.
Of course I was dying to know how Jace even knew I was in a car accident, before my parents, and here, but he was right. I was tired. I nestled my head into his hand and drifted back off to sleep.
***
“Shhh…she’s waking up.”
My eyes slowly opened, attempting to make out the blurry figures.
“Honey, can you hear me? We’re all here. You’re going to be okay.” It was my mother; her soothing voice always gave me comfort. I could feel her stroking my hair, and I looked up weakly at her.
“You don’t have to talk. We just wanted you to know we are here,” my father’s voice stated from behind her.
I nodded, faintly, attempting to sit up. “Ouch.” I winced after putting pressure on what was supposed to be my healed arm.
“Whoa, slow your roll there tiger, you were just in a car accident,” I heard my sister’s boyfriend remark smartly.
I couldn’t help but smile back at him. He could make me laugh even in the worst times. “Where’s Kayleigh?” I asked, when she was nowhere in sight.
“She went to get some coffee, we’ve been here for a while,” Bentley replied.
After a coughing spell took me over and my mother supplied me with water, I finally felt strong enough to continue talking. “How long have I been out?” I searched my parents’ faces for an answer.
“About twenty four hours,” my mother responded. “The police have been waiting to speak to you.”
“The police?” I asked, anxiety rising in my chest. “Why would they want to talk to me?”
My father took a step closer to my hospital bed. “They just have some questions to go over with you about the accident.”
“I don’t remember the accident.” It was true—I had no recollection of being in a car whatsoever; it was a powerless and terrifying feeling.
My mother grabbed my hand in hers then. “Everything is going to be alright sweetheart. Just answer their questions to the best of your ability.”
I nodded hesitantly back at her. My hospital door opened and in walked Kayleigh. “Oh my God, you’re awake!” She ran to my side instantly. “Why didn’t anyone call me?”
Bentley interjected, “It just happened babe.”
“How are you feeling?” She asked gently.
“My head hurts,” I whined.
“You got a concussion from the accident. You flew through the windshield. Don’t you remember?” Kayleigh asked, a concerned look spreading over her face.
I shook my head lightly. “I don’t remember anything.”
“We should let her get her rest,” my mother interjected suddenly. “The police will want to speak with her soon.”
“Yeah, I should head home anyways, my mother has been calling for status updates the past twelve hours.” Bentley sauntered over to my hospital bed taking my hand in his. “Take it easy kid, alright?”
I nodded without even bothering to speak.
“Yeah, we should be going too,” my father spoke finally.
Watching everyone leave me when I still had no clue to the events that led up to the hospital was more than a little daunting. I think Kayleigh sensed it in my facial expression because she didn’t move an inch. “I’m going to stay with Peyton.”
I smiled thankfully back at her. She looked exhausted, her brown eyes had dark circles underneath them and her blond hair needed a wash.
My parents and Bentley exited the room after their farewells, leaving Kayleigh and I alone. She pulled her chair closer to my hospital bed.
“You have to tell me what happened.” I attempted to sit up once again, but the pain shooting through my whole body told me to stay put. I was going to be sore for a while.
“Are you sure you are ready to hear it?” She asked, worriedly.
I wasn’t sure to be honest…but it was something I needed to know. “Yes.”
“Why don’t you tell me the last thing you remember?” Kayleigh bore her brown eyes into me.
“I was just getting off work and heading into the movies. I was supposed to meet Saturn,” I replied, nonchalantly.
“Peyton,” Kayleigh said softly. “You were in a car accident.”
“I know that part already…”
“In Jax’s car…” she trailed off conveniently after the mention of my former crush and perpetrator.
“Jax?” I basically yelped. My heart began racing and I was finding it hard to breathe.
Kayleigh instantly began rubbing my shoulder gently as a soothing mechanism. “The doctor’s think you’re alive because when the impact hit you were already passed out, therefore, your body was fully relaxed. Your body never tensed up, so when you were thrown from the car, you suffered minor cosmetic injuries, a few broken ribs, and only re-broke your arm.”
My mind instantly began obsessing over two separate things my sister had said—I had been passed out in Jax’s car and something about cosmetic injuries. “Do you have a mirror?” I asked.
“Peyton, don’t you want to wait until you’re healed?” The way she said it convinced me there was no waiting.
I swallowed loudly. “Show me a mirror Kayleigh.”
She finally gave in, reaching inside her massive purse and pulling out a compact mirror and handing it to me.
I hesitantly brought the mirror up so I could see my face; my heart sinking at the sight. I had a gash the size of a small fishhook below my chin on the right side of my face. It was gnarly looking.
“It’ll heal,” Kayleigh spoke up, in a comforting voice.
“Yeah,” I replied sarcastically. “Into a huge scar.” Tears began running down my face without much attempt. I thought I had finally figured out this game called life…but it just kept throwing curveballs at me, one by one. And some of those curveballs were massive; I felt like one girl against the world.
Kayleigh handed me a tissue. “I want to know the truth Kayleigh…no sugarcoating it. What happened to me?”
“You really don’t remember a thing…” Kayleigh paused, a sympathetic look spreading over her face. I would usually be irritated at the sight of it, but I knew my sister was only trying to help. She ran her fingers dramatically through her long blond hair before continuing. “Jax followed you to the movies, there was some kind of altercation that resulted in you being passed out when you were in the car together, and then the accident happened, you are a miracle.”
“Where is Jax?” I asked, not missing a beat.
“Peyton, I think that’s enough for today,” she said softly.
“What happened to him?” I asked with more urgency in my voice. r />
Kayleigh looked back at me, her face fallen. “Jax didn’t make it.”
My throat felt like it was closing. I was gasping for breath, trying to make sense of it all. Jax was dead. Jax was possibly dead because of me. I couldn’t remember any of it and my brain was running wild with endless thoughts. “How did it happen?”
“He was drunk Peyton. He drove into oncoming traffic; they aren’t sure if it was on purpose or not.” She was studying me like I was a fragile toy about to break any second.
I didn’t know how to respond. Then my mind switched to Jace. I knew I had seen him earlier. “Jace?” Was all I could muster up.