The Quarter Moon (Afterlife saga) (17 page)

The black substance up close looked like it was made from thousands of tiny strands of black wired thread that all entwined together to become sticky like
the silicone gel I had once seen my dad using in the bathroom on tiles. This altogether folded over itself to travel back into the hand that mastered it and it soaked into his skin as if every pore was a gateway.

When the last drop found home
, he moved his hand away from the front of me and I felt him kick up the stand ready to lean his bike to one side. He got off and his whole hand circled the top of my arm, still with plenty of length still left on his large fingers. He pulled me up and I had nowhere else to go but up and off the saddle.

I found myself looking up at him and my neck strained
, it tipped that far back. He still had his hood hiding his face and his lips looked tight when he saw I was trying to discover who was under there.

“Who sent you?” I asked frowning and tilting my head to one side.

“That is not your concern.” He said and whenever I heard the deepest level of his voice, I would feel my heart kick up a notch. I listened and tried to detect an accent but the way he spoke he didn’t really have one. It was stern and it was precisely firm, only ever saying what he needed to, that was unless he was shooting back at a guy that had tried to put a hole in his… ‘Snake Eye’, whatever that was supposed to mean.

“Right
.” I muttered as I started to walk past him towards my door.

“So what, you’re just going to keep showing up and saving my ass?” I asked not hiding the sarcasm, despite the fact that he had in fact saved me, my sister and my niece. I decided to put it down to being shot at for the first time.

“Whatever it takes to get the job done.” His voice hummed in my ear and I jumped at how close a man his size was able to sneak up on me without making not one bloody sound!

“What does that mean?” I asked on a whisper. I felt the weight of his hand rest on my shoulder first
, before running gently up my neck and then brushing my new shorter hair off to one side. In doing so he exposed my neck for his next set of cryptic words.

“Of course
, it would be easier if you didn’t keep getting yourself into trouble, lille øjesten.” He called me that again and I still didn’t know what it meant, but whenever he said it was the only time his voice changed and a hint of an accent could be heard. It was just a shame I wasn’t the best at detecting where people came from, so I was still left in the dark as to where the biker dude was from.

“What did those men want with me anyway?” I asked
, still with him locked to my back and his hand still planted firmly at my neck.

“Gastian never forgives or forgets and from what I heard, you pissed him off big time
, øjesten.” He replied only to make my head spin even more.

“I don’t even know this Gastian! And why do you keep calling me o..
ost..een?” I said trying to say it like he did, only given his grunted laugh I didn’t quite get it right.

“Maybe one day I will tell you
, but right now is not the time, lille
øjesten
.” He said the name slower this time, ran a single finger down my neck and then…

He was gone.

After my mystery biker had disappeared yet again, I had walked back into the house and made myself some lunch consisting of two boiled eggs (runny) and toast soldiers, which I considered comfort food. It was the first thing my mum made me when I didn’t get picked for a team sport at school, when I fell over the handle bars on my new bike on New Year’s day, and when Bobby Carlson told me we would be better off just staying as friends. But the most meaningful time was when it was the first thing my mum made me when I got back from the hospital after the whole kidnapping incident.

So
here I was again, dipping make-believe soldiers into runny yolk and remembering the first time when my mum told me the soldiers were there for me and would turn the hurt and disappointment into yummy bites. Of course, I doubt she ever intended they would solve the issue of getting shot at, but I couldn’t say that it wasn’t working.

After I had finished eating and amazingly keeping it down, I rang the ‘Catch a Cab’ number and booked a taxi to take me to the airport
, after asking for my new friend Jax. It was then that I started packing and getting things ready for my flight to London. I had no idea what I was going to need, let alone how long I was going to be travelling, but the only thing I did know was that I was supposed to be in disguise.

So with this in mind
, and with how my hair had turned out, I decided to play little Goth chick. I was now thankful for the two shopping bags of the last of season’s line store clothes RJ had given me from the Goth store she worked at, ones she had bought for next to nothing and ones she said would have been a crime to leave, even on sale. What she hadn’t factored into it was that she had next to no bust and most of the stuff was far too baggy considering she liked her clothes tight…as in skin tight.

I never had the heart to say no and I was thankful she didn’t ever ask me if I wore any of it. The answer
would have been no, but now, they would be coming in handy. Although most of the clothes made me start biting my lip at the thought of wearing, I knew I needed to play the part, so I sucked it up and filled my big duffle bag with black, black and even more black.

I was lucky with my footwear at least
, seeing as my Doc Martins would suit most of the outfits, but just in case I packed the pair of Libby’s knee high black boots that I had worn at Halloween. I knew she wouldn’t mind as they were in the part of her wardrobe of things that she never wore but couldn’t yet give up.

After I had packed most
of my stuff I then went downstairs to ring Libby and have my last chat with her before I went ‘Travelling’. Once I had finished and received my early birthday wishes, I did the same with my mum and dad. After being told to be careful about fifty times and to make sure I wore one of those hidden pouches round my waist with my money in, I finally said goodbye.

Now
, I was stood in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil and looking out onto our driveway as the sun was going down over the national park. It cast beautiful shadows and stunning colours, causing me to take a moment to absorb the idea that this could be the last time I saw this. I didn’t mean I could die or anything equally as morbid, although I didn’t think it would be a walk in Central Park. No, I just had made the decision that if this didn’t work, I didn’t think I could live in this town anymore. Just the thought of spending the rest of my life living in the memory of what I once had, wasn’t ever going to be the right life for me to live.

So
, even though I didn’t know where I would end up, at least I knew the reminders weren’t going to be there to haunt me for the rest of my days. So this was why I stood there and watched the sunset over a place I both loved and unfortunately…feared.

I held onto my Homer mug and felt it
s warmth seep into my fingers as I sipped my personal nectar, when my eyes scanned the dark woods ahead. Once there I almost dropped my mug at what I saw. There were now two dark figures that looked close to the same size, that size being gargantuan and being obvious that at least one of the men was my mystery biker, but then that led to the most important question…

Who was the other guy?

Chapter 17

Flying with a Clueless Mind

I think I was still in shock and I was sure I would still be this way until I landed. From the
moment I walked up to the check-in desk in Chicago O'Hare International Airport after a short internal flight to get there, I was stunned speechless. It all started when a smart looking lady in a blue tailored suit took my ticket and sent me off to the first class lounge. At first I thought she had made a mistake and when I asked again, she simply looked back at her computer screen and said,

“No, no, it’
s right here, you were upgraded, Miss Williams.” This was when the surprises started. After entering a whole new world into a luxury dimension that made me feel like a fraud, mutton dressed as lamb, wolf in sheep’s clothing, a fish out of water…ok, now I was hungry and quickly losing my point. But lucky for me, being in this new dimension meant being surrounded by the most luscious and mouth-watering food. So there was no thinking about it when I chose the fish starter and the lamb main for dinner.

Of course
, after being sat in the private lounge, where you could get a pre-flight dinner, a facial and champagne handed to you by your own private concierge all before take-off, was enough to keep my mouth hanging open before even stepping on board. But once there and being shown to my own little flight hub that was complete with a chair I would have been happy to die in, it was that comfortable, I finally had a minute to process the magical whirlwind that was first class.

So
here I was, sipping another glass of champagne, above the clouds watching the sun set on another day feeling guilty that I was enjoying the experience, while the man I loved was literally living in Hell. After that thought I gulped back the golden liquid, refused any more and ate my exquisite meal like it was acid infused cardboard feeling that guilty for every bite I took.

I shouldn’t be here and I definitely should not being enjoying any part of this journey. I scolded myself repeatedly
, trying to ease the ache I felt in my heart when thinking about Draven. I knew right then that the only reason I wasn’t drowning in my misery and despair at being without him was that with each mile consumed by this plane, I was a mile closer to bringing him back to me. Failure in this plan was not an option. I just wouldn’t let myself think it and this was backed up with the idea that if the Oracle herself thought this was worth a shot, then there was a shot!

“Miss?” I shook myself out o
f my thoughts as a beautiful stewardess stood next to my little space.

“Sorry, I didn’t catch that
,” I said shrugging my shoulders as it was obvious she was waiting for an answer about something. She smiled sweetly down at me and motioned with her head at my half empty tray.

“Would you like me to take that for you?” I nodded and moved slightly back as she reached across to get it and before she left me back to my mindful turmoil, she asked if there was anything else I needed. I was tempted to ask if she was a demon a
nd could sneak me backstage in Hell, but refrained. After all, there was no need to freak out the people that provided the alcohol.

“Just a rum and coke please
,” I said doubting they did tequila shots! She smiled at me and turned with the tray in hand only to start scowling at the entrance to first class.

“Oh wow, look at this place… H
ey, are there any famous people in here?” I heard a lively voice ask and I arched my head round to see who was speaking.

“Excuse me miss, you can’t be back here, this is first class
.” The stewardess said in an authoritative tone which you could tell she used often.

“No shit, its first class, I mean look at this…you guys get actual plates and stuff…and look at this…real glass…fancy
.” The newcomer said waggling her eyebrows at me and I found I had to stifle a laugh. She was a big English woman with a cute face and massive brown eyes that sparkled as she took in the living myth that was the luxury of First Class. I couldn’t say I blamed her as I was exactly the same when I first saw it… minus the faded Mickey Mouse T-shirt, peach lipstick that was smeared and tight curly hair that was held back with a flowery scrunchy hair band.

“I am sorry Miss, but you really can’t be here
.” The flustered stewardess repeated.

“Miss? Ah
Hell, I ain’t been a Miss for over thirty years Lovey and I have had my share of hunks to prove that fact…” She said and then stepped closer making the poor stewardess wince before she continued with something that made me choke on a swallow.

“…t
hink, throwing a stick down an alley way, I swear I am lucky I don’t whistle as I walk!” She said nudging her and I couldn’t hold it back any longer, I burst out laughing, while the stewardess stepped back horrified and looked as though she would catch something if she got too close.

“See, she found it f
unny, didn’t ya Lovey?” She said nodding to me and I winked back at her when the stewardess wasn’t looking, feeling like a naughty child laughing at the school joker.

“You have to leave…NOW!”
She said more firmly to the newcomer, but the bigger lady just smiled.

“Alright, alright…don’
t twist your ironed panty hose and untwist those knick knackers while you’re at it, I am here to give someone a letter…Keira Johnson…anyone of you fine folks called Keira whatsit face?” This sobered my humoured smile and I raised my hand before saying,

“That would be me
.” She smiled down at me and then said,

“Of course it is, only one of you lot with any sense of humour
for this old fart…alright, I’m a’leaving, just wanted to give the little cutie pie a letter is all.” She said while pulling it out of her ‘fanny pack’ as the Americans called it. She passed me the letter with a wink and then let herself be escorted out of First Class by another stewardess who soon got in on the authority act.

“Peace out
, Richies!” She shouted before the manhandling could start. Meanwhile, I just turned my head from the commotion in dumb silence as I looked down at the newest letter on my lap.

“I am very sorry about that Miss
.” My head snapped up at the stewardess who was apologising for completely the wrong thing. If anything, I was very close to getting up and hugging the cuddly Brit who had brought me what I could only class as a gift from the Heavens! It did bring forth the question of how the Hell did she even get her hands on it, which was why I found myself getting up from my seat and waving off any apology before asking where it was the lady was sat.

“I…umm, did you know that lady?”

“No, but I do want to know how she knew me.” I said to the confused looking stewardess as I gripped my letter tighter to my side.

“She was… sat in Economy
,” she said pausing and whispering the words like they were dirty. I smirked at her and gave her a comical wink for no good reason other than finding the situation funny. I left a stunned looking stewardess in a navy suit in my wake as I made my way back through the plane.

I looked like a crazy person as I scanned each and every passenger I went past, looking for Mick
ey Mouse that had seen better and brighter days… pre a million spins in the washing machine. Of course I heard her before I saw her.

“I tell ya, these seats don’t half pinch my denim fillers, my cheeks will have arm rest marks in them for a week!” I stifled a giggle at her comment and smiled when her cute round face came into view. She was shifting this way and that, trying to get comfortable and the man sat next to her looked disgusted wi
th her blatant disregard for where her elbows jabbed at him. Again, I had to swallow my amusement.

“Umm…excuse me
,” I said clearing my throat getting her attention.

“Well
hello again. What are your little rich britches doing back here, slumming it?” She asked without malice. I smiled at her before answering,

“I am actually a waitress and
had this flight paid for me.” I shrugged my shoulders when she gave me a surprised look.

“Well
, I hope you’re gonna marry him, anyone that doesn’t want to put your shiny butt through this torture for eight hours is a keeper!” She said squirming.

“Here, please sit down, it is a comfy seat for some… but I need a drink and to…
escape
.” The man next to her said standing, whispering the last part as he passed me.

“Thanks
,” I said but this was over spoken by my new friend.

“I heard that!” She shouted at him and I cringed at the scowls she received from other passengers.

“I don’t know how anyone can be comfy with a parker pen shoved so far up their ass they must blow ink when they sneeze…do you?” I burst out laughing and failed trying to hide it.

“So, what can I do ya for skinny Minnie, what’s her face?” She asked cracking open her tiny Coke can before taking a large swig.

“I just wanted to know who gave you this letter.” I asked holding it up to her, which wasn’t needed but done out of impulse. This, however, created a response that I wasn’t expecting.

“Holy shit!” I said leaning back away from her when I saw her eyes start to glow. The toothy grin she gave me was sheer mischief and then she nodded which was contradicting my shaking head.

“You’re…you’re a… bloody demon?” I whispered the last part, looking round to make sure no one could hear my crazy statement.

“Of course, who else would you trust with something like that?!” She said minus the ‘Well Durr’.

“Of course, it still doesn’t help with me ending up with piles after a long flight.” She winked at me as I snorted a laugh.

“Who are you?” I asked feeling my eyebrows lower as the distrust seeped in.

“Merry Weather Jones at your service.” She said wiping a plump hand down her jeans leg a few times before offering it to me.

“Merry Weather?” I couldn’t help but ask as I took her hot and sticky hand that dwarfed my own.

“Yeah, the bitch that was my possession officer had a twisted sense of humour alright, plus she just loved the fat fairy from Sleeping Beauty and those, my dear skinny friend, are the reasons you will never get my awesome big booty in a blue dress…man what a bitch!” She said again before swigging the rest of her Coke back.

“So where were we?”

“You were about to tell me who gave you this letter?”

“Ah, well now I would gladly want to ruin the surprise being it’s in my nature and all, but I am afraid I don’t know
.” She said offering me a peach coloured smile.

“I doubt that…I mean how can you not know?” I said raising a sceptical eyebrow, one she ignored. She simply raised her empty Coke can at a passing stewardess and shook it until the poor girl got the hint.

“Easy, it’s above my pay grade and definitely my ranking, but I will tell ya one thing, the pay was worth every hour my ass is going to be numb for! So thank you for that part.” She said lifting her empty coke my way and this time showing a bit of fang with her coy grin.

“So you can’t tell me anything?” I said feeling deflated and pulling my letter closer to my chest as my own comfort.

“Only this…whoever gave me that letter put some bad ass voodoo on it as the only soul that can open it is you, and trust me when I say that shit right there is the real thing…power like that…well it makes my Merry Weather ass look like bird shit hitching a lift off a Ferrari! And I aint ‘bout to claim myself as being that Ferrari if you catch my wheels ‘a drifting!” I nodded even though her unique code had me suppressing the need to scrunch up my face and tell her she was crazy.

So instead of pointing out the obvious screw loose she had going on, I got up and nodded my thanks before letting the stewardess through with another shot of caffeine…that
, if you asked me, was the last thing that Demon needed.

I made my way back to First Class even more confused than
before and instead of tearing into the letter as I usually wanted to do, something about this one now felt different. Of course when I was back in my private pod chair, feeling like a Bond villain, I found out just how warranted my feelings were.

You think this is a wise decision, to trust in the fates when they abandoned you?

You think you are capable of playing with the
Gods and bring forth the Dead?

You think that by trave
lling this path will lead you to righteous arms in Hell?

You think wrong human!

Now it is time for what I think,

I think that the death of a King will not bring you peace but the death of a girl will bring peace to a King.

I think that the Dead will rise and with him revenge, redemption and retaliation will be found in your End.

I think the time is coming for those who have been chosen by the Gods and the mistakes found in those souls.

I think it is time for you to

Die
right along with your King!