Out of the Darkness

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When we finally found our room, Sam held the door for all of us to enter. The first thing I noticed was the balcony, and it seemed the same for Anna. "Oooo," she breathed out, before dropping my hand and heading straight for it. After she slid the door open and stepped out, I pulled it closed behind her. I don't even think she noticed. I watched her admiring the view for a second before turning back to the other two. "You doing okay?" I asked Christine. I knew this had to be hard on her, with Anna not remembering who she was. I didn't know if I would have been able to keep that brave face, if Sam didn't remember me. She let out a heavy sigh. "Yes, I'm okay. Feeling a little drained, but okay. I don't like keeping things from her." I nodded. "I know. It's hard for me too. Probably more so for you. I wouldn't ask you too, if I was sure that it wouldn't put you in more danger, or endanger her. But I'm not sure." She gave me a wry smile, and sat down at the built in desk that was in the room. "Too bad you weren't around in our day. Maybe she would've never left with Chad that night. Maybe she would still be alive. How is she solid? I still don't understand that." I shrugged. "Like I said before, we have no idea. At first, she could barely hold her ghost form, instead of being invisible. She helped us out on the Queen Mary, when an evil ghost and her minions tried to hurt us. When she came back from that, she was stronger and more in control of herself." I don't think she even knew how to respond to what I had told her. "An evil ghost and her minions? You two certainly lead an interesting life," she mused, tapping her nail against her chin. "Yeah, I guess we do," I laughed. "There's a problem though," she added. "She wants to know my full name. She knows me as Holly, which is what she remembered earlier. She wouldn't stop asking me. I dodged her but I know that I won't be able to, for much longer. Do you think it's okay to tell her?" I thought about it for a minute and looked at Sam for his input. "Go for it," he said, shrugging at me. "Thanks for the help," I replied, sarcastically. "Just tell her it's a coincidence, if you don't think she should know yet. I get why you aren't telling her, but honestly, I would just be honest with her. What's Lilith gonna do?" I stared at him, wide eyed. "Seriously?!" I asked. "She could come after Christine, or double down on hurting Anna. She could do literally anything!" "But why?" he asked, hanging his shirt up in the closet. "Why would she bother? What difference does it make if Anna remembers her best friend or not? Why would Lilith care about that? Hell, if it makes Anna's soul stronger, then that's more for Lilith to use, right? She might even be grateful." "Fuck you, Sam," I shot out, angered by his words. He whirled around, with shock on his face. "I didn't mean that the way it sounded, Colby. You know that. I just meant that, I really don't see how telling Anna the truth could hurt. If she remembers on her own, then we still get the same outcome. Her memory." I sighed, and plopped down at the foot of the bed, burying my hands in my hair. "I know. Sorry. I'm just so lost on how to handle this. I don't want to make a mistake, or make things worse." I lifted my head and looked towards the balcony, where Anna was standing. She had her arms crossed on the railing, looking out over the city. Her long dark hair rippled in the wind, letting the sun catch each shining lock. "She's beautiful, isn't she?" Christine murmured, watching her too. "Yeah," I answered. "She is...maybe you're right, Sam. Maybe we should tell her. I'll be right back." I jumped up and headed to the balcony door. Anna seemed to be so lost in thought when I slid it open, she didn't even hear me. I walked up behind her, and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her against me. She jumped slightly, then settled into me, placing her hands on top of my arms. "Hey," I murmured. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." She tilted her head back and smiled at me. "You didn't. I was just startled." "You seemed deep in thought. Wanna tell me about it?" I asked, leaning down and pressing a light kiss to her temple. "Nothing to tell. I was just thinking about Lilith. I don't want anyone getting hurt. Does Christine even know what she's in for? Did you warn her of what kind of danger she might be facing?" "Kind of," I answered. "She knows there is a big bad, and that there is danger involved. She just doesn't know all of the specifics, I guess." She turned in my arms, so that we were face to face, and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Don't let her get hurt, because of me, Colby. I don't think that I could bear it. I don't know her, but it sometimes feels like I do. I just- just don't let her get hurt. Don't let Sam get hurt." I saw the fear in her eyes, and wanted to do nothing more than to reassure her, comfort her. "I won't. I promise. I'll do whatever I can to keep them safe," I murmured. She gave me a small, sad smile, and pressed her face into my neck. My breath hitched, when I felt her lips graze the skin there. "Keep yourself safe too. I need you," she whispered. I nodded, and cleared my throat, forgetting that she couldn't see me. "Promise," I replied, hoping with everything in me that I would be able to keep these promise. I held her for a few more moments, then pulled back and met her gaze. "You're beautiful, you know that?" She blushed, and looked down. "Stop it. You're embarrassing me." "Why?" I asked, nuzzling her neck. "There's no one else out here. The truth shouldn't embarrass you, Anna. I wish you could see yourself the way that I see you." She didn't reply, but instead, leaned up and pressed her lips to mine. I brought my hand to the back of her head, deepening the kiss, before breaking away. "Come on," I said, taking her hand and pulling her with me, back into the room.