CHASING ASH (GXG MAFIA) BURN THE DEVIL SEQUEL

Chapter Eight

Jane P.O.V

The last therapy session was spent with me zoning out constantly, my stomach in circles, worrying about tonight's meet with Carmilla. "I'm sorry about today, I didn't get much sleep last night" I apologize to the woman blowing her nose. The 2 hour session felt so dreadfully slow yet as if it had started only 2 seconds ago. Her awkward response caused me to apologize once again before she left the room. "Fuck" I whisper to myself as I lean against the now closed door, trying to mentally prepare to see Carmilla for the last time.

Throwing my jacket on and grabbing my laptop satchel, I lock the door behind me. The walk to the entrance of the building felt too quick, like time is fighting against my will to drag this day out longer so I don't have to face her just yet. I don't have the time to mentally prepare myself for what is to come. Pulling the keys from my pocket, I switch the entrance light off since I am the last person left in the building. The dusty, cold evening air makes the hairs on my skin rise as I turn my body to the door to lock it.

The sound of a car locking makes me turn swiftly and the cold no longer seemed to be my priority as Carmilla is standing in front of her car, body leaned slightly against the hood of the black car. "Are you ready to go?" she calls out, a smug grin plastered to her face, and she's glowing. Her skin tells me that she sleeps well by night, that she has no worries, no anxieties about anything, she has all the time in the world. She's wearing a dark green suit, tailored to her body, accompanied with a white, collared shirt. The tie matches her eyes as they glisten under the evening lamp posts, her hair neatly tucked into her familiar low-bun.

Fuck, shit. Fuck, this is the day I die. "What are you doing here?" I manage to utter out as she lifts herself off the car to walk towards me. "We were meant to meet in 2 hours, at the restaurant" I explained. Play it cool, Jane, play it cool. I smile awkwardly as her tall build treads up the stairs to stand in front of me. Her scent makes my heart fluster, a warm smell of cologne and musky perfume, all blended with the odor of her cigarette. It takes my anxiety away slightly. The familiar smell calms me, and I don't know why.

"I thought I should come a little earlier, and I have a better place to go to. I think it'll fit your style a little more" she states, her low voice sending shivers down my spine. Her eyes don't leave my face for an instant as her body cowers over me.

"I- uhm, I'm not dressed yet" I ration, hoping she will leave and stick with the original plan. Suddenly, her forearms raise slightly, placing her fingers over my silk shirt, opening my first 2 buttons. In silence, she pulls my skirt up a little and then places her arms around my head, pulling my hair out of the hairband that is keeping my hair up.

"That will do, you look perfect" she compliments as she smiles down at me, our eyes connecting for a brief moment as I look at her in astonishment. Her body retreats as she turns to walk back to the car situated at the bottom of the stairs. "Let's go, our reservation is at 6" she orders, the keys in her hand lighting up the car.

"I'd rather go home and change first, Carmilla" I plead, aiming to be as nonchalant about it as I can.

"Get in the car, Jane" Carmilla states, her voice laced in a calm threat. I am reminded that she is still the same murderous, kidnapping Carmilla that I tried to blow up, and my anxiety returns, but even worse than before.

Swallowing the hard lump in my throat, I step down to the bottom of the stairs and her hand goes to open the passenger seat door for me to step in. Heart in my gut, I sit down and place the seatbelt over my chest, buckling it as she walks over to the driver's side, sitting down beside me. Her gold ring, engraved with the letters L.D clank against the steering wheel as she turns the car on. "Can I just send a message to my husband to let him know I will not be home yet?" I request as she pulls out of the parking space, lighting up the cigarette in the corner of her mouth as she uses her leg to keep the wheel stable.