Rebel Soul (21 page)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Wed 11th July

Billy woke up suddenly, shaking and sweating all over. The sweat pouring from his pores as if he had slept in an oven. His breathing was rapid and he gasped to catch his breath. This was the third time in a week he had the same dream. No not a dream a nightmare, the same nightmare always the same, him making sweet passionate love to Emily, then he’s driving down the road at high speeds running from someone, but he couldn’t see their face, he stops on the side of the road, he’s scared, scared of who, he don’t know, then he sees his grandpa motioning for him to come, he tries to run but can’t, then suddenly he’s in his car, exploding at the bottom of dead man’s curve. Then he wakes up.

He knew he was going to die soon, he felt it, like a lead pipe hitting him over and over in the chest.

     He looked at his phone, dam, he thought as he set up on the side of the bed and laid his head in his hands. He had slept most of the day again and wondered if Emily had also. He was worried for her, he loved her so much, his heart ached he didn’t want her to die with him. He knew his time was short, but there wasn’t any reason her time should be short also. He would help her get out of Chestnut. Help her to leave before things got too bad.

“Meet me at the cave” he sent her a text.

“Ok, in town with Mom, be back soon, I love you” she text him.

He smiled, as he felt the tears well up in his eye’s “I love you to Baby.” He whispered then pushed his self out of bed and walked into the kitchen. Ed was sitting at the kitchen table reading the weekly newspaper, “Good evening” he laughed and looked up at Billy.

“Evening” Billy half laughed, as he fixed a bowl of cereal for his self.

Billy could see out of the side of his eye that Ed was watching him. “What’s up with you Billy? You sound a little down.”

Billy walked slowly over to the table with the bowl of cereal in his hand and set down. He grabbed the paper and pulled the top of it down where he could see Ed’s eyes. “You and Emily are the only two people in the world I really trust.”

Ed shook his head, and straightened the newspaper back up “Ok Billy. What are you getting at?” His voice sounded unconcerned, but Billy was frantic.

“Promise me,” Billy raised his voice slightly, “Look at me Ed, I’m serious, if something happens to me. You will take care of Emily.” Billy pleaded with him, he felt desperate as he stared at Ed eye to eye.

“What the hell are you talking about Billy?” Ed laid the paper down, listen if you’re still upset about Grandpas will, don’t be Billy. I don’t think it’s a problem, but I do think Billy you should just let Emily go.

Billy harshly reached and grabbed Ed by the shirt, pulling him up and to his face, “Just promise me.” He hissed.

“Ok, Ok Bro, I promise Billy.” Ed answered him with his hands in the air.

Billy let him go, and watched as Ed stumbled and he set back down, “Don’t let her end up with some scuzz ball, get her the hell out of here and don’t let her die. I mean really take care of her, you hear me” Billy said his face in Ed’s face.

Billy and set quietly at the table with Ed and ate his cereal. He had a plan to get money for them to leave on and he ran the plan through his head as he ate. They needed to make their exit from Chestnut County soon but keeping the plan from Emily would be his biggest problem. She would sense, his anxiety and know he was in trouble. He didn’t want her to be a part of it, because she would be in as much danger as him. They were already in danger, he wasn’t sure exactly from who, but it could be any of the family members. He didn’t need to add more danger to her life then had to be done.

For now he had decided to let Emily think they were sticking with the plan of marring then leaving when she graduates and they would move the plans up if needed. He couldn’t carry out his plans for a few more weeks anyway, as for right now all he wanted to do was make love to her over and over again, and spend all the time in the world with her, for as long as he lived.

Ed got up and started to walk away, then stopped and suddenly turned to him, “What’s on your mind Billy?” He asked, Billy could see the worry in his face.

“Nothing Ed, I’m just thinking about the day ahead of me.” Billy realized hiding his plan from Ed would be a problem too. He was going to have to change his way of thinking, and forget he had a conscious, for just a little while, just long enough.

After Ed left, Billy laid his head on the table. He had to be strong, strong enough to get Emily safely away from Chestnut County. He didn’t know, why he had these danger signals in his dreams, but he knew they was real. “Oh God Emily” he whispered.

He needed to hear her voice, right now and, decide to call her this time, rather than text. He walked to his bedroom and grabbed a couple of quilts, some pillows and the boom box then headed to the cave area, calling her along the way. He had decided to spend as much time as possible with her, before he carried out his plan. The plan that could get him killed and set her free. Cause he couldn’t do it any other way. He heard Emily’s sweet voice answer the phone and he smiled, “I love you Baby.”

* * *

“He sounded distant” she thought to herself as she headed toward the cave. Emily couldn’t wait to see him, she had spent the morning with her mother, at the beauty shop and hoped Billy liked her hair cut. She felt a little nervous about it but actually liked the style herself and couldn’t believe how light it made her head feel. She hadn’t got it cut to short, just along her shoulders and they had thinned it out some, plus it seemed to shape her face.

Emily smiled as she walked up to Billy at the clearing, “You look so sexy babe, and your hair looks good, wow.” She watched his eyes light up.

“You like it” she turned around in a circle modeling for him, with one hand on her hip and the other on the side of her head. She seen his eyes roam up and down her body. Yes he likes it she thought.

“I like every inch of you, Baby.” He reached and pulled her into his arms, kissing her hard and passionately. “Let’s smoke a joint Babe” He lit the joint and set down on the blanket patting the spot beside him for her to set down. She set down beside him, but sensed something on his mind as she watched him.

“What’s wrong Billy” she ask as he held her tightly in his arms as if she might slip away, and sensed the tension strong in his body. She thought he might be shaking a little.

“Baby I just want to be with you, every minute for the rest of my life. Right here in this place, just me and you, making love over and over again, Baby. You are the only thing I care about right now.” He brushed his fingers through her hair. “I love you so much baby. Ed says were obsessed with each other, all I know Baby is I love you, and I will die loving you obsessed or not.”

Emily felt a chill rock through her body as if the words were prophecy, Oh my God, she thought, but she didn’t say the words she felt them. The words that sent goose bumps up her arms while wrapped in his warm ones. She felt the fear of losing him.

“I love you Billy” she said and pulled him to her then kissed him as if she would never kiss him again. (Baby Baby by Amy Grant) came on the radio and Emily smiled as she stood singing and dancing for Billy. She loved him and wanted to give him her all. The smile he gave her made her heart burst with happiness, right there in that minute with him.

“I think you should try out for American Idol someday Baby” he told her.

“What!” she exclaimed “I’ve never even thought about it Billy.” She laughed, like that was the funnies comment ever.

“Why Babe you’re awesome, come here. I want to make love to you.” He had a Cd of love music in the Boom Box, (I’ll make love to you) was the first song to come on. She thought he had to be the sweetest man ever, as she smiled at him, his sweetness flowed to her, but somehow he seemed different as if a change had happened to him over night.

“Billy I love you” she melted into his arms, as their souls came together in heated passion. They made love like never before, and Billy held her tighter than ever before. As they wrapped up in the blanket, Billy looked at her with longing in his eyes. “Baby I want to sleep here with you tonight, ok baby. I don’t want to be away from you, Ok Baby.” She felt as if he were pleading with her and couldn’t understand this strange mood he was in.

“Of course Billy” she smiled and pulled his arms closer around her. “Billy what’s wrong.” She thought she felt him tense up.

“Nothing Baby, I just need to rest. I’m tired baby. Oh there’s a party tomorrow night I want you to go with me. Ok baby.” Why hadn’t he mentioned it before she wondered?

“Sure Billy.”

“Let’s get some rest now Baby,” he kissed her on the head. She laid awake for hours as he slept, something was strange about his actions and his mood. He held her so tightly, she at times she found it hard to breathe and he was talking in his sleep, about death, his grandpa, pot. She listened sometimes she couldn’t understand him but heard the words no Emily several times. Then he would pull her tighter, she would lay still till he calmed down then she would scoot over to loosen his grip on her. Then she heard the words “Don’t hurt Emily” shouted from his mouth then he set up shaking his head before laying back down and pulling close again. This went on almost all night. She slept a little but set up and watched the sun rise through the trees. Billy was finally resting quietly and she ran her fingers down the side of his face. What’s inside that head of yours, that torments your dreams so badly, she wondered about him, then leaned over and kissed his lips tenderly?

“Morning Baby” he smiled with his eyes still closed. She laid down next to him, pulling him close into her arms.

“Did you sleep well? He ask her. She smiled at his words.

“Did you?” she ask.

“Of course Babe, I always sleep well when I’m with you.” He smiled. She felt good wrapped in his arms, laying on the ground, wrapped in that blanket, but something deep inside her, continued to scream danger, and she knew inside his dreams deep in his mind was the answer.

“Billy, I think we need to leave here soon.” She set up and told him. She watched as the smile on his face slipped away and his eyes grew distant.

“We will Babe,” He told her.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Thurs 12th July

      Emily was sitting on the porch swing dressed and ready to go. She was felt excited about the party one of their friends from the river was throwing at his house. She had always wanted to see inside this man’s house down by the river and had admired it from a distance. It was so big and beautiful. She wondered what this man did for a living, she had never heard him talk about work, but figured, it really wasn’t any of her business, but whatever he did. This man had to be one of the richest men in Chestnut. Curiosity killed the cat Emily, she told herself, and laughed.

Where is he, Emily wondered? Billy had told her he would pick her up by five. She looked at her phone and it was now five thirty. She was worried about him, something was terribly wrong, the look in his eyes that morning, after he had woke up, was one of distance, and when he walked her home, he wasn’t his normal chatty self. Then that kiss he had given her, when he told her bye, had lingered on her mind all day, it felt like a kiss of, good-bye forever. She couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling, of dread inside her, dread for what, she wasn’t sure, but knew something wasn’t quite right and she couldn’t put her finger on it.

Finally, she thought when she seen his mustang pull into the drive way and she ran out. Billy smiled at her as she opened the car door

       “Sorry, I’m late Baby” He pooched out his pouty lips.

    “That’s ok” she kissed him as he pulled out spinning dirt everywhere.

       Billy drove extra fast racing a few different cars along the way. He had always drove fast, but she felt like he was being reckless, and out of control. Not like Billy, she noted, he was always in control.

     She decided not to say anything and watched out the window. The day had been gloomy for this time of year even a little foggy and Emily wondered if they were going to have an early winter, and had felt a chill in the air that day. She had even carried a sweater with her just in case.

   “You cold Baby” Billy ask as he turned down the river road, fishtailing.

    “No I just haven’t felt well today is all, I thought I might need it later.” Billy leaned over and kissed her, then patted her leg.

“I love you Baby, I want you to know that.” He said as he pulled into the driveway of the mansion.

  “I love you to” She smiled, wondering why he had said it that way. He took her hand as they walked in the door, it was loud, but the house was amazing, the man even had two pool tables, a couple of bars, fully stocked, a pool out back, and one humongous stereo system. It took her breath away as she looked at the high ceiling with beautiful chandeliers hanging down. Emily had never seen anything like it and wondered again what this man did for a living. “Wow” she looked at Billy and mouthed, but Billy didn’t looked amused, he looked distant and serious.

   “You want a drink Baby,” He finally smiled at her and ask.

   “Sure Billy,” He led her over to one of the bars, and ask the girl behind the bar to fix two cherry vodkas with sprite.

He’s even got bartenders, Emily thought amazed. Billy handed her the drink and she followed him to the pool tables where someone had lit a joint and they passed it around as she watched a couple of older men shoot pool.

    “You want to shoot a game.” Billy yelled at her, where she could hear him over the music.

    “I’ve never played the game, but sure,” she told him as he raked the balls and helped her pick out a pool stick. They played a couple of games, and Billy laughed at her as he tried to teach her how to shot the balls correctly.

    “I’m not any good at this” she laughed at herself and squealed, but it was fun anyway, plus she was happy he seemed like his self again at the moment.

   Emily soon realized though at that party, that she didn’t like the host and had a very alarming uneasy feeling around him. This feeling was new, because she had always liked him before. But on this night, he was continually whispering with people and Billy most of all, eyeing her, not in the way some boys or men eyed her but in a suspicious way that sent chills down her spine and made the hairs on her arms stand up straight. Why she wondered, would he be whispering about her, and to Billy.

     “Billy, what is he whispering to you about, something’s wrong here I don’t like this place,” she pulled Billy aside and told him, she felt an urgency to leave. “I want to leave.”

“Its ok baby, don’t worry about it” he told her, but she didn’t like his tone, and felt like something was terribly wrong.

      As the night moved on Emily ignored the whispering, but was somewhat upset when Billy left her with a group of women while he went off with the host, who they called Low Dog, and was gone for about an hour.

      A whole hour, she felt furious and hurt. Billy had never went off and left her before, she couldn’t understand, his disregard for her at this party, or how he could leave her knowing she didn’t feel comfortable in the first place.

    She glanced around the room, as she listened to the ladies talk about their teenage daughters and the problems they were having with them. Emily rolled her eyes at their conversation as she continued to glance around the room searching for someone she might know and realized she didn’t really know anyone. Why are we even here, she ask herself? They were all older, she had seen a few of them at the river, before, but she and Billy were the youngest people at the party, no one was even close to their age. Everyone else had to be in their late twenties and older, some even in their fifties, maybe sixties. Why were we even invited she wondered. She felt so uncomfortable, she wanted to turn and run.

     As she seen Billy walking back towards her, she ran to him and flew into him, with a titrate of fury, shouting loudly,

“Why did you leave me alone with those people Billy, what’s going on, tell me, tell me now” she stomped her foot, with her hands on her hips. Billy put his finger to his lips and pushed her roughly out the door to the side of the house. “What Billy, what’s going on” she yelled as they got out the door.

“Baby, I can’t tell you,” he shook his head at her “but I can tell you, we will have enough money to leave soon, that’s all I can say, now please Baby, don’t ask any more questions, and don’t let on that I even told you what I just did.” His stare was serious, different, the alarms going off in her head again, screaming loudly hurting her head. She was still angry, but softened a bit.

“But you didn’t tell me anything Billy” she told him, wanting to know more.

“Exactly Babe, exactly” he had his hands on her face, the look in his eyes telling her to hush.

She didn’t like this, “are we in trouble here Billy?” Emily ask. “Baby, we have been in trouble since the beginning of our relationship. You know that.” He held her gaze steady “Now please, no more questions, trust me to handle this. I love you, ok.” Then he pulled her into his arms and held her tight. Like I might slip away, Emily thought as he squeezed her. She closed her eyes, she did trust Billy, but she didn’t trust this man call Low Dog. What a stupid fucking name, she thought, but it’s possible it suits him.

He took her by the hand and lead her back into the house, the music was blaring as Billy pulled her onto the large dance floor, with lights flashing in many colors all around them on. They soon become the hit of the dance floor. They were wasted, drunk out of their minds, Emily could feel herself weaving and stumbling as she walked.

“Let’s go Baby,” Billy stuttered as they walked out the door. Billy opened the car door and fell into the driver’s seat, then started the car.

They pulled off the driveway onto river road, the fog was so thick you couldn’t see a foot in front of the car. Emily soul was screaming danger, and she was scared.

“Billy this is bad, should we go back or head to the river.” She looked out the back window but couldn’t see anything, it was so dark.

“I can’t even see to turn around Emily, I can’t see anything. Hopefully we will drive out of this soon.” She thought she heard a shake in his voice. Billy drove slower then she had ever known him to drive. She knew he was too drunk to be driving anyway, and this fog made matters worse, she thought he was weaving, but the fog made it impossible to tell.

They soon saw the road sign leading to the main road, and Billy made the turn.

   That’s when she saw them, the big bright headlights, heading right at them, “Billy” she screamed although she didn’t know if she screamed his name in her soul or out loud. She saw her life flash in front of her as she felt the car turn away from the lights. Then the hard hit and she heard a bang as all slowly went dark.

“Emily, Emily” Billy was shaking her.

“What happened, oh Billy the bloods pouring from your head?” She was confused but the headlights she had seen was coming back to her.

“We have to get out of here now” Billy said, as he desperately tried to start the car, she heard the motor try to turn over several times before he finally got it started. She could see the hood of the car bent and partially up in front of the window, and smoke coming from the front of the car. Billy stuck his head out the window, to try and see around the hood and the car lunged forward. It was still foggy but not quite as bad as before, you could feel a tire was flat as the car putted and rocked along. How the car was driving was beyond her belief.

“Were not going to make it much further.” Billy said as he pulled onto a side road and stopped. “Oh Emily, I’m so sorry, look at you your bleeding.” Billy said alarm ringing in his voice. “Are you ok baby?”

She felt like she was. She put her hand to her head, it hurt, it was burning and she wondered what she looked like. Her whole body was starting to ache, and she wondered if she needed medical attention, but Billy was bleeding badly. She was afraid he was losing too much blood.

“I’m fine Billy, but you’re losing a lot of blood, what are we going to do?” she cried, “What did we hit?”

“We hit an eighteen wheeler Babe, I’m calling Ed for help ok.”

“Ok” she cried, an eighteen wheeler and we survived to drive away she thought, wondering if the guy in the eighteen wheeler was ok. “Did he survive,” she ask Billy, “Who Baby” he ask with his phone to his ear.

    “The guy driving the truck Billy” she didn’t think she could handle causing another death.

“He’s ok, he was running toward us as we drove away. Dam-it Ed answer.” Billy shouted into the phone.