My Keeper

3 Burning truths

P.O.V Allyson

I had Police escort drive me home. My house was completely dark, not even from Lyle's room as he plays his video games, I guess everyone was asleep. Officer barks led me to my door. I fumbled with my keys a few times before I could actually unlock the door.

"Allyson?" Officer barks voice scared me; I almost forgot he was there. I glanced at him, "Call me if you need anything." He handed me a card with his name and number on it. I couldn't help but think that was appropriate. I slid it into my pocket and waved goodbye. Sneakily I slid upstairs to my room. I couldn't cry anymore, it was like my eyes had dried out. Walking up the stairs was the easy part it was to the right of the front door. Shakily I kept my arms stretched out along the wall and the railing. The hallway was darker than the rest of the house. So I blindly made my way down the hallway to my bedroom. I just can't believe Will is gone... He was so young... I was just with him at school, everything was so normal just hours before. We did everything together; He can't be dead... I just can't see my life without him in it. My eyes began to water again, so much for them being dried out. By the time I reached my door I was snotting up a storm.

Stumbling across my room to my bed, I was greeted with a warm embrace. Without much thought I threw my arms around him, taking in his scent, which only made me cry more. Silently he pulled me into his lap on the bed, my head resting on the curve of his neck. Tears continued to stain my face, this felt so real. Like Will was still here with me holding me, comforting me. I looked up to meet the face I knew wasn't really there; I know this is wrong, to imagine him here, but I can't help it. This dream felt so real, like Will was still here with me. When I looked up at him he gave me a soft smile, with his hand he whipped away a running tear on my cheek. "Ally?" He whispered, his face grew serious as he looked down at me. "What is it?" I answered back, ugh this was mad, and he's not really here. So why was I answering him?

"Allyson?" Would he just stop saying my name? I just want to pretend everything's okay. Leaning back, I held his gaze, this still feels too real. Gently I brought my hand up to his face; expecting him to disappear. Only he didn't, my hand touched warm flesh.

"But how? I held your head in my lap, you're dead" He ran his hand through his hair and smiled. "William Keeper! That was a horrible joke; don't ever do that to me again!"

He grabbed my hands, "Ally I really was dead." The seriousness in his tone scared me; swiftly I yanked my hands out of his grasp and crossed the room to turn on the light. Will shielded his eyes from the bright flash of light. He still wore the black shirt with the gash in it. Gliding over to my closet I grabbed one of his shirts for him to change into. We both kept clothes at each other's house. I'm not sure why, I guess it's just easier than having to go all the way home when you could just leave clothes at your best friend's house. Beside that he practically lived here anyway. Will watched me with steady eyes, "Allyson." He whined when I grabbed clean shorts for him too.

"Here Change, now." I dropped the clothes near him as I spoke. He held my gaze as he did what I asked. I gasped when he took off his shirt; there was a large pink scar along his abdomen. Gently I traced it with my finger, how could it have healed so fast. "Please, please tell me this is some kind of sick joke." Tears rose to my eyes again.

Will's own eyes softened as he shook his head no. "Ally, I don't know how else to tell you this, But I died and came back to life."

Taking a step back as I spoke, "You know that's impossible right!?" Tears spilled over, "How is this possible Will?" He tugged his shirt on and patted the spot next to him on the bed. I stood my ground, "Tell me how this is possible William." He flinched at the seriousness of my tone.

His eyes bore into mine, "It's a long story." He stood up and walked toward me. "And I'll tell you every word, I just need you to calm down first." As soon as he reached me I threw my arms around him, I still couldn't stop crying. It's like I keep expecting him to disappear and prove I'm just crazy. He led me back to my bed while embracing me. We sat in silence for what could have been forever.

"How are you here? I mean I saw them take you away in the ambulance." He chuckled, His chest rumbled against my cheek as he laughed.

"Okay, I know this is going to sound weird but I woke up here in your room."

"What about the paramedics, and all the police officers that were involved? Won't they notice a dead boy's missing body?"

He laughed again, "Well from what I understand they will forget instantly. Pretty much like it never happened." He concluded by running his fingers through his hair. This Just doesn't make sense; people don't just die and come back to life like it was nothing.

"Okay, how did you die?" I was still resting my head on his chest, "Was this the first time you died? And how is this even possible?"

He pulled me back to look into my eyes. I don't know what he was looking for, but he took forever to find it. "This is the first time I died." Will watched me as he spoke, like he was analyzing my every reaction. "I died fighting demons to protect you."

I jumped up. "ME?" I paced back and forth, "What do you mean demons? And why in the world would demons be after me?"

"Ally please sit down, you're going to wake your mother and brother." I ignored him, and paced in longer strides. "Please? I can't explain this if you're going to freak out."

I glared at him, "How can you be so calm? You just died, and I found you." My eyes softened, "Will I almost lost you." Slowly I walked over to him and cupped his face into my hands. "I don't know what I would have done if I had actually lost you." His eyes began to fill with water. William almost never cried, he looked away from me.

Ignoring what I said he continued. "I am what they call Keeper." I chuckled; the seriousness in his expression stopped me from saying anything. "Yeah I know dumb. But that's what I am. And ironically that's my last name." He paused "I am your protector, there are others like me. But they have other jobs."

I interrupted him, "Wait, what do you mean, Like who?" I took my seat next to Will.

He chuckled at my spiked interest, "I don't really know many, just one. Alaric He's- "

"Wait, our homeroom teacher?" I cut him off again.

"Well if you would let me speak I could answer." He laid back on my bed, "Yes our homeroom teacher, and my mentor. I was born into this life and so were you."

I laughed, "This is the part where you say it's all a joke right?"

He propped himself on his elbows to meet my gaze, "No Allyson none of this is a joke."

"Then what do you mean Will? I don't believe I've run into any demons that want to kill me." He didn't answer, he just watched me. "Will! Have I?"

"Yes."

I wanted to scream, this was ridiculous. "When, and how could I have not noticed this?"

"Um, the first time was at that beach party freshman year. It was a demon that looked human, a dark walker." He paused, "You remember Callie?"

I gasped, "That girl who asked me questions about everything?" He nodded, "But she was so sweet and nice."

"Well if you saw her in her true form you wouldn't think so." Will shivered at the thought of it.

"But why me, I'm just a normal girl trying to pass school."

He stood up to pace my room, glancing my way every once in a while before he finally spoke. "Ally are you sure you're ready for this? It's a lot to take in at once."