North Water

Chapter 5

Fear: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

Fear is a strange emotion. It has been around since the beginning of time when cavemen were hunting large beasts and or when the stock market crashed in 1929 and The Great Depression looked like it was never going to end. Without it people would be able to face problems without taking a second look. 

Ashley had grown to be a friend with fear.

The feeling had always been with her from a young age. When she found out her boss was a terrifying monster, when she had to deal with her fathers sketchy business partners and right down to when she saw Valen standing in the dark street. She was accustomed to the feeling of being scared. She had always cursed herself for being such a scared person and hated that she was terrified of everything.

But the thing is, is when she was close to William that fear dissipated. The thunderous, lightning baring storm drifted down to a soft rainfall. The feeling of absolute dread was shredded down to a slim worry. She didn't understand why she felt this way with him. The feeling of being safe. 

******

"Thank you." He placed a warm coffee in front of her.

The splint that cradled her two fingers made her uncomfortable. She reached out with her left hand and took a sip of the liquid.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.

Sometimes things are better left unsaid. She thought.

"Uh... no." She tried to smile at him.

He slowly nodded and looked around her apartment. She took this moment to look at him. He always looked tired, bags under his beautiful eyes, his jaw clenched and had a 5 o'clock shadow lingering on his cheeks. She wanted to reach out and hold his face in her hands. She wanted to kiss his soft lips. He turned and caught her eye.

"I think it's best I go." He stated calmly.

She cleared her throat and shook her head. "Yes. Thank you for taking me home. And to the hospital." An awkward laugh escaped her.

"Of course. Have a nice day Ashley."

"You too William."

He picked up his black over coat and gently shut the door behind him. And now she was alone with her thoughts. Alone with her small apartment.

He must get so lonely. She thought.

She was beyond exhausted but sleep couldn't catch her so she spent most of her day reading and thinking. Around five pm she began to grow rattled and had thoughts of calling her father. Around six she finally gave in and reached for her phone. When she was about to dial his number a call came in.

"Oh thank god! James."

"Hey, Ashley. Can I come over?" His voice was rough, strained. 

"Of course! I'll see you in five." 

*******

The wine opener sunk into the cork. 

"And then he left me. He said I was too much work." Ashley's heart broke at what James was saying. 

"Oh god." She thought of something else to say. She was never good at handling other's emotions. In fact, she found it quite difficult. 

"Let's go out!" She blurted catching them both by surprise. 

"Huh?" 

"You Mr. Halifax, need to go get wasted! Let's go to our bar and get some drinks?" She said with great enthusiasm. 

"I don't know Ashley."

"Ill buy..." She said in a sweet voice. 

"Oh alright. One drink." he looked her in the eye to make her know she was serious.

"One drink."

They did not have one drink. They in fact, had two drinks and five shots of vodka. 

"You don't need him James. You can just marry me." Ashley said clearly tipsy. 

"You'd like that wouldn't ya!" He laughed. 

They continued on drinking in the run down bar. Ashley stood by the old fashioned juke box playing some Def Leopard song and singing off tune to the songs. James talked to the bartender and watched as Ashley danced. But like all good things, It came to an end and the bar closed for the night. 

"Thank you for taking me out tonight Ashley. I needed this." He said as they walked down the street. 

"Thats what I'm here for, babe. Are you ok? How are you holding up? I know it's only been like 3 hours but..." She asked.

"I'm doing okay. I think I'll be fine in a few days."

A man turned the corner and started walking towards them. He was in a fine pressed suit and had a fedora on top of his head. A feeling of uncertainty passed between the two. 

Ashley looped her arm through James' and continued walking. The man passes the two but then dropped something on the floor. 

"Oh hey man. You dropped something!" James called after the man. 

"Oh. I apologize. Thank you." The man's face lifted into a smile. 

"No problem." James smiled and handed the thing back to him. 

James and Ashley turned back and proceeded to walk but then something came up behind James. A hand covered his mouth and a head dipped down into James' neck. 

"Oh God! James!" Ashley screamed. "Help!" She screamed and ran back toward the bar. "Please someone help me! My friend! Help!" She was frantic, running down the streets. She looked insane. 

When she got to the bar the lights were off and the door was locked. "No! Please!" She pounded on the door. When no one answered she ran back to the direction she came. 

"Please!" 

She came up to James' limp body on the sidewalk, the man no where in sight. She bent down and pushed him over so he was facing up toward the dark sky.

A mark covered in blood was resting on his neck. Black veins came out of it and ran through his face. "James?" She cried. She shook him but he didn't wake up. Her hand reached for her phone in her pocket and she dialed the first person who came to mind. 

"William please! He was attacked and there's blood everywhere." her sob filled the line. She placed her hand over the mark and waited for her boss to come. "Your going to be okay. Your going to be okay." She whispered. 

*****

Hellooo sorry if this chapter is a bit short. I hope you liked it. Please don't forget to leave a comment and some feedback. Thanks!