The Misadventures of Daria Pigwidgeon (21 page)

After a while Chance brings us to a slower pace, and I risk a glance at him. His body is rigid, his hands are clenched around the steering wheel, and his grim eyes are searching mine. He can be such a dummy sometimes. Driving so fast and not even watching the road. It would mean more this time, if there were other people on the road with us, but there aren’t. Even in the car, moving away, I can still feel the tendrils of the shadows just outside. That’s when I realize I’m still under the cloak of my memory block.

My eyes widen at Chance. He can see me? This really shouldn’t be much of a surprise, given the last few minutes. But it’s like my mind can’t grasp things in the right way. This tells me that he really was watching me in school. It wasn’t just a fluke. Not when his eyes are clearly taking in every inch of me. He doesn’t just see me either. There is something hidden in his gaze, an explanation. He looks back to the road then, and it’s gone.

“Are you hurt?” He whispers.

My mind is numb and I don’t hear is words.

“Rabbit, are you hurt?” His pleading voice is much louder this time.

Taking one hand off of the wheel, he reaches for me. He snatches my hand that still clings to the seat, and I let him. He’s warm. The numbness fades. In my frazzled heart, I know I can trust him. It’s stupid, given everything, but what other choice do I have. Clinging to his hand, I shake my head. His hold tightens.

He looks back to me, his eyes even more grim than before.

“We need to talk rabbit.”

Yes, I think we do.

***

I never thought too much about the effects my gift has on humans, that is until one of them had none at all. Thinking back, I should have seen it from the beginning. I mean yes, I’m inexperienced when it comes to all things boy, but I still should have noticed the signs. But honestly, what girl is smart enough to turn away a boy that towers over her with the clearest blue eyes and the warmest smile? See? It’s not easy is it?

No, it’s not.

This is why, when I first met Chance Harris. It was easy as breathing. And it had everything to do with the fact that as the only freak among a family of demons and used to being treated as a leper, I latched onto the first ounce of kindness. I’m sure my soul had a little do with it too. Or you know the way Chance looked at me before his lips touched mine. I suppose it’s a lot of things really, but it’s the way he constantly ran from me, that should have made me wonder about him. I’m probably not the first girl to make a boy run from her as fast as he can, but I am the first demon with a soul that has fallen in love with a human boy.

Not that I’ve ever said it out loud, I’m only speculating here.

If I wasn’t so busy being the little scary cat that I am known for, I would have seen through his runaway act. I would have seen that when I accidently fried a cash register with my inner Taser, the weird look I got from him. And I would have thought harder about the fact that he saw through my memory block in a crowded hallway filled with other humans that couldn’t. None of this matters though. Not when the words,
we need to talk
, are ringing through my head. Let’s face it. They can only mean one thing. And I doubt he’s breaking up with me, since we’re you know, not together.

Rather than say any of this out loud, I simply turn my head away from him. Confessing something that I’ve kept under lock and key my whole life, under the scrutiny of protruding eyes? Some things just aren’t that easy. I only wish I was that brave, and for my hand in his to stop sweating. I’m not that lucky unfortunately, on either account.

His hand tightens around mine. I get the feeling that he is waiting for me to respond or just trying to urge me on. I know I can't just ignore the fact that he clearly wants me to respond. What good will that do me? Am I just being a completely paranoid weirdo in thinking that he knows what I am or that he's even implying that? There
are
a handful of other reasons for this talk we need to have. One of those being the little tiered we had the night before. Knowing I can't possibly make matters worse for myself, I force a smile on my face. Then I slowly turn to face him. Yep, see, everything is fine.
If only I believed that, but still I say, "What do you mean?"
The hand holding mine tightens. I cringe. Chance takes his eyes off the empty road to glance at me. Even in the dark of the car I can see the sparkle in his blue eyes. I can't ignore the way his gaze holds mine. Wanting nothing more than to look away, but not at the same time, I do the only thing I can. Give off the illusion of innocence. Nothing wrong here, is what I tell him with my eyes and smile.
He glares at me.
"Don't. Do not even try to act that way with me rabbit. You know damn well what I mean, I know you do."
His words pierce through me, and if it weren't for the foggy breeze of my memory block coursing through me currently, I might've had to jump out of the car. As it were, I'm barely trying to contain any ounce of surprise. He can't possibly mean what I hope beyond hope, what I think he means. It's just not possible. Deep down, I almost wish it were. Things would be easy if I weren't alone in it all. But could I really trust someone like Chance to hold such a secret? Could he really take it all in stride
without
calling an Exorcist on my tail?

Thankfully to my nerves, he faces the road again. I find a brief pause while I try to measure what I'll say, even though I just know my silence is already giving me away as a liar.
"Chance, I'm sorry but I don't know what you mean. Is this about last night? It's all right if you’re still bothered. In fact I'm kind of used to it by know, so no worries." I say in a way that I doubt passes for nonchalant.
His second glare in my direction tells me I failed.

Not at the best start am I? Was I ever? I know I'm only fooling myself, but I can't help it. Call it a defense mechanism if you will, one of many that I possess apparently. Our gazes lock again. It’s a good thing the road strangely empty. This would end badly if we kept this up under normal circumstances. Remembering the even stranger reason for the empty road, I clamp my eyes shut. An almost whimpering sigh escapes from my lips.

I would do anything to just be home in bed right now and all this behind me. I would even forget the boy that even though he glares at me and holds my hand a tad bit too forcefully, still makes me feel safer than I did less than twenty minutes ago.
The knowledge that he very well just quite possibly saved my life isn't lost on me. Or on him for that matter because his hold loosens slightly. Our fingers intertwine. The sweat lightly coating my palms makes it easy for him to do this, but I don't really care. I'm just glad that he's not being so intrusive. I need him to be the warm and safe Chance. Not the one that is always running away from me and glaring. Any other night I'd be almost fine with his hot and cold act. Not now though. I just can't take it.
Chance's soft whispering voice cuts the through space around me causing me to flinch.
"Rabbit. Please. I'm really trying here. I need you to return the favor. Something is off tonight, I know that and I'm sorry, but just be honest with me. Don't make me say it."
I feel my body begin to shake, but it's not from the cold. There are some things my ability can protect me from, but this isn't it. The truth hurts and this I know will be my undoing. Why can't I just be honest like he said? What am I afraid off? Well, that's a loaded question sure. But what is so terrible about coming clean about this one thing? Then, it hits me, the reason why I'm so bothered and terrified about what could happen. I've been trying so hard to be normal and fit in. This will without a doubt ruin that. Nothing can ever be same after this, but, in the face of honesty. Was it ever really normal to begin with?

I've only been lying to myself. It's what I'm good at.
No point stopping now I guess. I shake my head at Chance. If things will change after tonight, I won't be the one doing the changing. I'm not brave enough to take the leap with my secret, especially if that's not what he knows. My eyes open. He's staring at me again. I tell him with my eyes, that he'll have to be the one to do the talking. He's the one to sigh now, his shoulders hunch in on himself with the effort. Guilt radiates through me, but it gets overshadowed by fear and anticipation.
Tensing, he looks back to the road. I can see it in the way his jaw clenches and relaxes in a quick repetitive motion that he is struggling with the words. In a way, it’s kind of comforting that I’m not the only one afraid of taking the leap. It doesn’t help the war going inside me though. Nothing could help with that. I’m terrified at what he’ll say, but also expectant with relief at the same time. Human emotions suck. My life would be simpler if I didn’t have them. Or maybe it would be worse?

I notice the way his jaw finally relaxes completely before I hear his whisper. It takes half a moment for his soft words to reach me on the other side of the car. When they do, they slam into as if there wasn’t a wait at all.

“I know what you are.”

My breath comes in shallow pants. Sweat breaks out in a sheen across my skin. The hand still grasped in his shakes uncontrollably. And I’m more relieved than I have ever been. More than when I finally left California even. It’s a scary feeling, but oddly a safe one too, one that I have no problem latching onto like a life preserver. He finally looks to me then. His eyes are wide with anticipation and it takes me a moment to wonder why.

Then I know.

He never really said what I am. He’s was only speculating. My reaction just now proved what he was only guessing at. He’s better than I thought. Had me fooled. So the game is back then? Guessing what I am without really admitting. All right then. Let’s play.

Coyly I say, “And what am I Chance?”

Our eyes never leave each other’s gaze, but I still know he’s back to clenching his jaw. I should really try to remember to tell him to not do that so much. It could be bad for his teeth. But that’s not important. His eyes soften a bit, and I know he’s going to take my bait.

“It’s okay to trust me. I only want to keep you safe.” He smiles then. “What you are is special rabbit. I’ve known it since the first day we met. There is something that is different in you, and it’s a gift.”

I snort out a surprised laugh. There is something inside me, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call it special. And I’ve never really thought of it as a gift, more of a curse actually. Somehow I doubt the
different
thing he is referring to is my soul, but he’s not saying it’s my demon qualities either. So what does he mean?

His bright smile should be a giveaway, but it’s been a long night. I’m a little slow on the uptake. He can’t be implying that my
gift
is from the other end of the spectrum is he? That is way off the grid. So far off you’d never be able to find your way back. I’m a lot of things but
that
isn’t it. I must be more exhausted that I thought, because the next thing out of my mouth is a little too blunt, even for me.

“Clearly we’re not talking about the same thing Chance. I’m not what you think I am. Does the word demon mean anything to you?”

His breath catches. The smile slips away. “Demon?”

I nod.

“That’s what I am. And you should know it’s not a gift.” Panic rises in him, and I quickly reevaluate what I say next. “I mean I do have a soul though. So I’m not really like some of the others. In a way, I suppose I am special among my kind, but not in the way you think.”

He makes a point of not looking at me now. No matter how calm he might appear, I have the feeling he’s freaking out a little bit on the inside. For good reason too. I’m beginning to regret getting in the car with him tonight. If he looks at me differently for this, it’ll kill something inside me. I need him with me on this. I think I always have, even if I didn’t realize it. So much for him already knowing and making this simple. That’s my life for you.

My worst fears come true when Chance starts to talk to himself in a quiet little mumbling whisper.

“This makes no sense. Why would-”

I don’t get to find out what makes no sense to him. Because in the next instant something tickles at the very out reaches of the fog that surrounds me with my ability. I can feel the individual tendrils of the power as it leaks from me, keeping the
something
at bay. It hits me then that whatever was chasing me, never left. I wasn’t suddenly safe by getting inside the car with Chance. Whatever
it
was, simply waited in the distance, for what I don’t know. All I know is that Chance feels it too. It has to be the reason for his silence.

Before I can question anything or become overly terrified that I’m about to be attacked again, I feel it. There is a snap at the end the tendrils flowing out of me. My body jerks forward and then falls back into the seat as I’m released. A weight gone from my chest I didn’t even realize was there. I feel lighter now. Almost bone tired really. I don’t even feel it as the breezy fog coasting me slips away without having to be told too. Just one moment it’s there like a second skin and then it’s gone.

I thought I was tired before, but now, I can barely feel my body. It feels like I’ve just fought the battle of my life. And here I thought it was over. Goes to show you what I really know. Slowly I turn to face Chance. I open my eyes as I do, and oddly enough I don’t remember closing them. His are on me, wide as all get out. His face is so pale that I can see it in the darkness of the car. I want to ask him if he really felt any of that just now, but I can’t even make my lips move.

“Daria…..what was-” He starts, but cuts off as he whips his head towards something in the road before us.

He lets out a shout as he slams on the breaks. My body jerks forward again and I have to quickly reach out for the dashboard to avoid going through the windshield. I’m no longer tired. In fact, I am wide awake. And it’s all due to the fact that I’ve somehow been transplanted into the Twilight Zone. I’m officially freaked out, and this is coming from the demon girl.

As if this night couldn’t get any weirder, it’s gets a whole heck of a lot worse. The empty street springs to life right before our eyes. One moment we were alone on the dark street, not paying attention to the road. In the next instant, it was as if we were just placed in the middle of an active street. By active, I mean we’re right in the middle of an interception with cars on either side honking their horns at us.