I've Been Waiting For You

Chapter 41

Mitchell turned on his side to stare at Markus who was already asleep.

He had managed to escape the bathroom earlier with Markus laughing at him but almost tripped over his own feet. 

Red-faced he had waited for him to exit the bathroom before going to use the shower himself.

He kept his head down as he entered the bathroom refusing to look at him.

Markus was already asleep when he finished his shower.

Frustrated, Mitchell sat up with a sigh. He pushed aside the cover and got out of bed. He was standing, staring out the window when he felt the chill first. Knowing it was Malachi, he glanced at the bed to make sure he hadn't disturbed Markus.

"You've been busy lately." Malachi greeted him.

"I do have a life, you know."

Malachi walked towards the bed to look at Markus. "He's very handsome. Too bad he wasn't alive back in my day. He'd probably fuck my brains out."

"Hey, don't talk about my boyfriend like that. Besides wasn't it a taboo for being gay then."

"With the way he looks, I bet a lot of those religious bigots would have quickly thrown that belief right out the door."

Mitchell didn't feel comfortable with Malachi watching his boyfriend like he had just discovered a precious relic. He couldn't believe that even a ghost couldn't resist his boyfriend's allure.

"Get away from him. Why are you here?"

Malachi sat down next to Markus and touched his face. "There's something about him that doesn't seem human. What do you know about him?"

"Stop touching him!" Mitchell gritted out between clenched teeth.

Malachi glanced at him, a small smile on his lips. "Jealousy is an ugly emotion Mitchell. And I bet you're going to experience it a lot."

"Why are you here Malachi?"

Malachi got up and walked towards him. "Don't let my uncle know about him."

"Why?"

"I need you to trust. Don't let him know about him."

Making sure Markus was still asleep, he put a finger to his mouth then pointed at the door. He quietly closed the door when they were in the hallway.

"My uncle wants to take your body."

"What do you mean? Why does he want my body?"

"He wants your body because you can bring him back from the dead."

"How can I bring someone back from the dead. This is not Supernatural."

"There's a reason your mom moved to Pine Crest."

"Because of her job."

"That's a part of it but not the full truth."

"What do you mean? Can you please stop talking in riddles?"

"When your birthday comes, you'll understand."

"Look, I'm going back to..."

He heard his the door to his mom's bedroom opened. "Is that you Mitchell?"

"Yeah, mom it's me."

"Why are you out here talking to yourself?"

"She can't see me."

"I was on my way up from the kitchen and I was just talking about a new movie I wanted to see."

She opened her door wider, looking around. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Good night mom."

"Good night."

He waited for her to close her door before turning to Malachi but he had disappeared while he was talking to his mom. Mitchell went back into his room, missing the shadow that watched from the darkness.

When morning came it was too early for Mitchell. His eyes felt gritty and he was tired.

"You looked liked you slept for a couple of minutes."

"My body feels the same way."

He rolled onto his back throwing his arm over his face. He was going to kill Malachi. But how can you kill someone that was dead already?

"Who's Malachi?"

Mitchell stilled at the question. He removed his hand from his face and sat up, leaning against the headboard.

"Where did you heard that name?"

"You were talking out loud."

"Malachi is my cousin. He visited me a while back but I haven't seen him since."

"I thought it might have been an old crush."

"Definitely not." Mitchell yawned. "What time is it?"

"It's almost eight."

Mitchell squinted at him, realizing he was dressed in his clothes from yesterday.

"Are you leaving?"

"I have to meet Kev for breakfast."

"I'm sorry I overslept. I wanted to make you breakfast."

"Don't worry about it. You can make it up to me next time."

"At least let me walk you out."

"Get some rest Mitchell. You can barely keep your eyes open."

Mitchell knew he was right but still it didn't feel right having him leave without breakfast.

"But I..." Lips pressed on his own to silence him.

"Go back to sleep." Markus kissed him again. "I left a present for you in the kitchen. Enjoy it."

Mitchell watched him leave, wanting to go after him but sleep invaded his consciousness.

When he awoke it was after eleven.

He took a quick shower then went downstairs. His mom wasn't in the house, probably outside in the garden. He went into the kitchen and saw his name on a piece of paper stuck to the microwave.

Enjoy your breakfast.

He pulled it opened and saw a pan covered plate. He took it out and removed the cover.

Markus must have gotten up early to make breakfast for him.

"He's a keeper."

His mom entered the kitchen just as he took his first bite.

The guy really knew his way around a kitchen. "How was your gardening?"

"It was good. I have some flowers I want to plant before Monday."

"I saw the garden earlier, it looks great."

"Thanks. Markus gave me some ideas."

"He did?" Mitchell was surprised at hearing that information.

"Yes, he did." She grabbed a bottled water from the refrigerator. "Enjoy your breakfast. I already had mine."

"I'll join you in a while."

"Okay sweetie."

"Mom, can I ask you a question?"

"Anytime."

"If you had all these people lusting after your boyfriend, what would you do?"

"I'd protect him. Make them know he's off limits."

Mitchell knew she was right. "Don't worry, I will."

"Good. Don't lose him."

"I won't lose him. Not now. Not ever."

His mom smiled at him then left the kitchen to go back outside. He had a feeling he would need a lot of strength for that.