Afterlife (Afterlife Saga) (39 page)

“I just didn't want to cause any more problems for him, after all, he is my Boss and he has done more than enough already, he didn't need to do that as well.” I played with the material on my gloves and looked down feeling embarrassed at being the cause of all this fuss.

“Look, you really don't need to worry, he knows you’re my friend and well...I don't have many friends, so I guess he's going to be extra protective because of that.” Her eyes looked sad and didn't match the smile she put on.

“Well I don't understand how a lovely girl like you couldn't have many friends but I’m glad you're mine,” I said in reply and her face beamed at the words.

“That means a lot to me. I have moved around so much and everywhere I go people just want to be my friend because of who I am, not what I am, if that makes any sense?”

“Sure I get it, because of your name.” She nodded and I noticed a slight tinge of purple in her eye. I thought it must have run in the family, as it was the same colour I had seen in Draven's that night. We continued chatting about other stuff for about an hour before she had to leave and again she hugged me before she left. This time I hugged her back feeling my body go warm when I touched her skin. She smelled like her brother only the girly version replacing the woody earthy smell for ones of flowers and honey. But again the scent did strange things to my mind making me want to hold on to it as long as I could.

Wednesday was very much the same as Monday as in the weather had gone back to wet and stormy. I also had some more work to do for History but thanks to Sophia, her notes held all the answers I needed, so it didn't take me very long. I would have to thank her for that on Thursday. Only one more day of solitude and I would be a free girl again! I couldn't wait to get out of the house. But more than anything I couldn't wait to get back to the club. I didn't know why but I just felt so safe and warm there, as if nothing could ever penetrate those walls, not even my past.

Jack and RJ paid me a visit in the evening and I told them about my new job. RJ’s and Jack’s reaction to this were very different.

“Oh my God that is seriously the coolest news! Now tell me everything!” RJ said as Libby brought us some sodas into the Den where we all sat. On the other hand Jack looked like he was going to throw up, as if he had something foul in his mouth and had to get rid of it.

“Why, when, How?” RJ continued and I told them how it all started but she clearly showed her disappointment that I hadn’t told her sooner.

“I thought I was going to turn the job down,” I said in my defence.

“You should have!” Jack said with a cool manner but he was clearly upset.

“And why should she have, sounds like a dream job to me.” RJ said backing me up.

“Bec
ause
Keira is too nice to be a slave to the king of sacrifices.” He continued as if I wasn't even there and I felt a sudden urge to stick up for Draven. Jack didn't even know him so what was his big problem?

“What's that supposed to mean?” I said getting defensive. But he turned to me and his features softened as he replied.

“I don't mean to be rude when I say this but you don't know what we know...well what I know. There are strange things that happen up there, things that are ...just...just wrong.” This sent a shiver up my spine and he noticed my reaction feeling as though he had relayed a clear message to me. But all he had done was add questions to my mind not answers.

“Well why don't you fill me in if I'm obviously so clueless?” I was getting frustrated now and was losing my patience.

“Look I don't want to go into it but just trust me on this, if you stay up there you're gonna get hurt.” He said this as he placed his hand on my shoulder as though trying to will me to understand his secret meaning but I was coming up empty. Then they left shortly after that, leaving me more confused than ever before. I mean this was getting ridiculous, I was going to have find out from RJ what happened to make Jack hate them so much because from the way he was acting, it was like I had crossed over and join a fluffy bunny killing cult! 

I went to bed still frustrated about what he had said and how I couldn't make sense out of any of it. I was just hoping for the one thing that I really needed right now. My drug. My obsession.

A dream of Draven.

Chapter 21 - Hello again.

The next day I woke up after yet another dreamless night but I was more positive when I realised that today I was finally allowed back to work. I got up earlier than necessary so it was still dark and misty outside. I pulled on a big thick sweater and went over to the sit at the window seat. The fog filled the air, covering the forest like another entity. It looked thick enough to hold in your hands. I could just make out the silhouettes of the trees only with the fallen clouds that hung around them. It made them look alive.

I sat there thinking about seeing Draven again and I wondered what would happen. Would he talk to me? Or would he just act the same as he had done before that shift, as if I was just some ordinary plain waitress that was in his way. The way he had been that night was just so out of character, it would be hard to see him go back to treating me like I didn't exist.

The thought gave me an ache in my chest and I circled my arms around myself, as if trying to protect my body from what was yet to come. I was in a no win situation but I had come too far to turn back now. If only I could just walk away from it then maybe I would have a chance at a semi normal life. But my heart had fallen and fallen hard for not just a man but something more. I didn't know how to describe it but when I was with him I felt as though I was under some spell. It was like a Master calling me and I could do nothing but obey.

I remembered back to that night and more often than not I could see it all so clearly but then sometimes it would fade and I would have to concentrate on bringing it back again. Like something was trying to take the memory away from me and I was fighting to keep it. Two Dravens in my mind were duelling it out. There was the dark against light. The Draven that I first met who couldn’t even bear to look at me and then the Draven who helped me home and looked at me as though I meant everything to him. I just couldn't put my finger on it but there was something that connected us or connected me anyway. Like a moth to the flame and it was burning me inside.

When RJ beeped her car's comical little horn I had been ready for over an hour. I already had my denim jacket on with a zipped hooded sweater underneath. I had my usual long sleeved top underneath that. Layers were definitely needed today as the temperature had dropped dramatically and it was so cold that when I walked out to the car it took my breath away.

“Hey Kaz
...
umm that looks better today.” RJ looked happy to see me and she couldn't have given me a better compliment.

“Thanks, I'm just glad the bump's nearly gone so people can stop making a fuss about it.” I said as we pulled away onto the main road.

“Oh and I wanted to apologise for my brother the other night, he's just going through some things at the minute and he's just worried about you.” She ruffled her
own hair as she spoke and I wondered if this was a nervous thing.

“It's ok, but I don't understand the big deal, it's only a job.” As soon as I said the words I knew them to be lies. It was never just a job and nor would it ever be.

“Yeah but man what a job! Ok, so now Jack's not here you have to tell me everything, what's it like? Have you met the GOD himself yet?”

It carried on like this all the way to my first class. There was a constant stream of questions and I had to be very careful how I answered them. I didn't want to give too much away and there was no way I was telling her about what really happened that night. She was freaking out as it was, acting as though I was her new idol. She had even told me that her phone had not stopped ringing since the word got out that the new girl in town had landed the job. She told me about how she was being asked, or better begged, to be introduced to me. When I asked why? She had simply replied,

“Because the club is the hottest thing to hit this town for decades and people travel for miles around to go there. And every year people try everything to get a glimpse of the man himself and every year they only get two chances. When he first arrives and when he leaves. This is the first year that they have stayed longer than a couple of weeks.”

“How long do you think they'll stay for this time?” I asked as a new fear shot through me. I hadn't realised that this wasn't a permanent thing and wondered how my obsession would carry on without the source. 

“How the hell should I know, you work there remember, but his sister has started college so who knows, anyway here's your chance to ask her.”

I looked through the door to my next class and saw Sophia already at our usual seats looking as perfect as ever. It always amazed me whenever I saw her as her beauty was always
breath-taking
and as always I felt self-conscious. Thankfully Reed had not yet turned up, as we still had five minutes until the lesson started.

As soon as I entered the classroom all eyes were on me like a swarm of bees to the hive. It was only Sophia that looked kindly at me and I took a deep breath as I walked up to my seat.

“Hello Keira, how are you?” She said softly.

“Hi, I'm fine thanks how about you?”

“Can't complain. The bruising has gone down a lot, that's good.” Again these were the right type of compliments, as the last thing I wanted was for Draven to see me that way again. My cheeks flushed at the thought.

“Yeah, its looks better now and the rest I can hide with my hair at least.” I pulled my hair to cover my cheek as evidence and she nodded. I noticed the boy behind her was staring at me and taking in every word I was saying. It looked as though he wasn't himself. I remembered the boy from last time and he was one of those types who kept his head down looking bored, with his hood pulled way over his head to hide the headphones in his ears. But now he was fully alert and had a strange tint to his eyes. Was he on drugs? What was his problem?

Sophia noticed me looking and turned to see my line of sight. When she saw the guy she pulled a face I didn't understand but whatever it meant, it had taken effect, as the boy turned back to stare at the front. Only every now and again I would notice his eyes looking back at me. Did he know me from the club? Maybe it was due to the
gossip about me that RJ had mentioned earlier.

Reed walked in, followed by a lackey student pushing a projector. I sighed in relief at the prospect of an afternoon off from Reed's droning voice.

“Today's class is about the understanding of observation. You are going to watch this documentary on World War 2 and write a paper on your interpretation of the events. I want constructive views on what you think about the issues surrounding the lead up to the breakout of the war.”

Everyone in the class relaxed as they thought of the same thing. An afternoon off from Dictator Reed! I on the other hand had thought of peace way too soon as Reed called my name.

“Miss Johnson, a moment if you please.” The rest of the class turned and stared at me once more like I was a freak show. The only one who didn't seem surprised was Sophia. This had been the class that I had been dreading and for good reason...for this reason. I got up out of my seat and a hundred eyes followed. I even felt as if I should do a little dance down the steps for all their effort. The film had started and thankfully our conversation would be drowned out by the sounds of fighter pilots and
gunships
.

“I understand you had an accident?” He said looking unusually uncomfortable.

“Yes and I'm sorry I had to miss any lectures but the
doct
...” He cut me off waving his hand saying

“Yes, yes, I know I heard all about it and I wanted to say that just because you have been fortunate enough to be in the good graces of the University’s headmaster and that he asked me to treat you differently...” This time it was me that was to interrupt.

“I'm sorry but I don't know what you’re talking about, I haven't even met the Headmaster.”

“Don't play coy with me Miss Johnson, I know that your employer is the University's benefactor and that you are somewhat of a favourite of his but that does not mean that you will receive instant A's without putting in the work!!” I think my mouth actually fell open, as I was stunned!