*Ashtons POV*
I jogged faster as i neared the corner leading to the end of the asphalt, pushing the stroller along with me. I got a variety of glances, some sympathetic, some humored, others confused as I jogged along with the stroller, looking something like a white suburban mom, except.. well this is a city and im most definitely not a mom.
Luke whined from his seat, probably bored of the makeshift toy i managed out of a paper plate and some popsicle sticks. I jogged faster, getting to the gravel road and giving up on pushing the stroller and just picking it up, and hurrying towards the old house. The toddler in the stroller shrieked with joy and kicked his feet, whining when I put him down to catch my breath.
"What is it?" Janet asked, already two steps ahead of me... as always.
"Its been a while..." I started, regaining my poise "And he hasn't spoken yet. I don't know what I'm doing wrong?"
"Jesus, Ashton." She sighed. "That's why you're here?"
"I'm sorry!!!" I said, tugging at my hair nervously. "I'm just not used to.. boys. The only one i ever got was a girl and she spoke almost immediately. Maybe its the milk? Do you think its-"
"Ashton. Being what he is, Luke is going to grow rapidly. You know that. You've had him for what? A week?"
"Eight days.." I corrected.
"Exactly." She said, wiping her hands on her shirt. It just now occurred to me why she looked different. She wasn't dressed in her usual formal clothing, today she had her wild hair tied back into a tight pony tail, and was wearing a stained white shirt and loose fitting jeans. She was even barefoot. "Now, i was in the middle of something when i heard your panting. Don't run like that with Luke, you'd probably have a meltdown if he managed to fall."
"Yeah, sorry" I mumbled. "I'll go, see you." I grabbed Luke's stroller and pushed him back into town.
Later that day, after buying groceries and taking a well deserved rest stop at the play ground, i lay facedown on the carpet, watching Luke play with his toy Totoro. He already had a full head of hair and even a few teeth. I cringed at the thought of the few hours he was teething. Brutal.
"Come on, Lukey" I cooed. "Say: Bro-Co-Leeeeeee" I danced the green vegetable around his face whilst he just made grabby hands at it until I sighed, giving it to him and watched in defeat as he devoured the tiny tree.
I walked over to the calendar i set up when i got Luke. Everyday had a 'X' on it, and i circled the day he began babbling and it had already been 3 days since. Cracking my knuckles, I looked over at him. The little cutie got the broccoli all over his face and was now playing with them, making them fight one another i guessed. As useless as it was, i brought out the old camera i had in a kitchen drawer and took a picture, savoring every moment had him as a baby. I cleaned his face with his bib and put the plate of food on the counter, taking Luke into his room so he could listen to music.
Everyday at the end of the night, when he's ready to go to bed, I let him play with his toys while I play a variety of music (always appropriate of course). Music has done wonders for me and i wanted luke to grow up listening to all kinds so he wouldn't be limited to just one genre, the also gave me the chance to listen to new music and i could tell by the playful smile on his face that he enjoyed it too.
After putting Luke to bed, I showered and changed into just a pair of gym shorts, hopping into bed and praying that Luke would talk soon. I managed to clear my head and even start to dream about running down empty city streets, laughing and looking into someone's eyes and seeing the stars, every single one in just one glance. I wasn't aware of where we were running to but I ran freely, completely dismissing the stern calls behind me. Fireflies were around us suddenly but i didn't stop, fearing i'd fall behind. When the footsteps beside me finally slowed down and i looked past the darkness, what I saw stopped my heart. Standing in front of me, i saw a girl bawling her eyes out. She seemed frantic, and kept looking behind us. I noticed her hands were bloody and her short dark hair framed her swollen eyes and lips.
I couldn't hear her, her voice was empty though her lips were moving. Frozen in place, i couldn't do anything to comfort her as she tugged at my shirt and smacked my chest. Wincing, i actually felt her hands on my chest. The girl walked behind me and like tuning an old radio, i heard her. Her breathes were short and agonizingly pained. She sounded broken and defeated, all around me i heard crackling and what I thought were fireflies lighting up the path of my laughter was actually flames, the sparks flying as they caught onto the rest of the landscape. I turned on impulse as i felt a searing pain in my left shoulder blade and saw the girl holding a small knife as she threw it aside and urged us on. Her hands were drenched in blood and they stuck to mine like glue as we weaved our way through the burning block.
You cant run anymore. I heard a voice boom. Suddenly, the flames caught up to us and i herd her scream and fall to the ground, defeated. I could only manage to throw myself over her and cover whatever of her body i could with my own and say "Im sorry" before the flames engulfed us.
I woke covert in sweat and i heard Luke wailing in the other room. Not bothering to wash my face, i ran to his room to see him crying and hiding under his blanket. I turned the light on and took him into my arms, rocking him and looking around the room, searching for what it was that made him cry. He never woke up when he slept. I saw a shadow waver in the window and got paranoid. I opened Luke's closet and brought out the small salt shaker and spread some on the window sills. Salt is said to ward off bad spirits and i've been around enough of them to know that i didn't want them anywhere near my home.
I brought Luke to my room and locked the door for good measure as Luke fell asleep in my arms. I sighed and set him on the bed, putting pillows around him so he doesn't roll off the bed. I flopped down, letting my eyelids fall closed and sleep in hopes that Luke and i are safe here in my room.
