Lured

Chapter 12 -Ceri

With the clean water Ghost had run over my body washing away most of the chlorine the burns hurt less and I knew I'd start to heal. It'd be slow, but didn't matter because I'd made a decision. I stood up carefully and began dressing slowly, hissing as my clothes snagged on my burns.

"Ceri, let me help you, please," Ghost asks again. I shake my head in response.

"I'm fine Ghost. You should leave though." I can feel him hovering at my back as if he's going to ignore my refusal for him to help. He does however refuse my request to leave. When I'm finally dressed again I turn around.

"I'm leaving. I've repaid Price a hundred times over by now, my contract is complete."

Without his mask in place I can see the shock ripple across his expression. I'd never been able to fully appreciate the chocolate brown eyes always hidden within the mask peeking out. 

"Why?" He frowns, reaching out as if to stop me from running away. I step just out of his reach.

"You're still covered in chlorine." I say simply without answering his question. His hands recoil like I'd burned him. Confident he wouldn't try to touch me again I make a command, infusing my voice with the power that had convinced sailors to throw themselves overboard for centuries.

"Don't follow me. Forget about me." Without turning back to look at him I leave. I couldn't have him follow me for what I'd planned on doing, he'd stop me. I didn't bother stopping by Prices office, I'd send him a text when I'd gotten to the beach to explain. I couldn't have Ghost fighting my powers again when I was out of range for them to no longer work. He had a habit of breaking through my powers in a way no other person had managed. I made my way to the car park. I grabbed the car I'd assigned to myself upon arrival and took off through the base as quickly as I could, not adhering to the regulations for speed. 

The gate guard gave me a polite nod before opening the gate and letting me through. If I'd looked back at any point, I'd have seen Ghost in the rear view mirror who had followed me out. Instead I looked steadily ahead and made my way by instinct towards the ocean that had been calling my name since I'd arrived on base. I get there quickly, despite being the middle of the day, it was empty being out in the middle of no where. One of the worlds hidden paradises. I figure Price will come out here after I'm gone and grab the car back so I leave the keys hidden in the glovebox and strip off my shoes so I can feel the sand between my toes.

I sit in the sand for a little while contemplating what to text to Price. In the end, I decide to keep it short and sweet. 

Thanks Price for everything you've done for me. I can't stay in good conscious knowing I hold Ghost deeply in thrall. It's best for everyone that I leave. When you find me, can you make sure I return to the ocean?

I press send, ignoring the texts that are coming through from Ghost. I throw my phone into the sand and stare longingly at the ocean knowing I will never experience it again while alive. I change my hands to my clawed sirens hands and drag them viciously across my throat. 

My knees give out from underneath me and I collapse to the sand and I swear I can hear Ghost calling my name. Then I can feel rough hands gathering me up into strong arms and cradling me across a broad chest. The familiar skull mask back into place as I stare up at the man I would do anything for. 

"Ceri! Fucks sake, what are you doing?" His face is panicked, his voice harsh as he brings his hand up to apply pressure to my neck. 

"I... Love... You..." I manage to gurgle, blood bubbling across my lips. The expression of pain on his face hurts my heart but I know he'll be free of my powers soon. 

"You'll be.. free... soon." I mumble with a sigh and close my eyes.

"Damnit you fool woman!" Ghost spits at me pulling his mask off and using the balaclava as a bandage against my throat. "I am not under you powers. I love you too. For fucks sake, live. Please. Live for me?"

I shake my head, the movement so slight I don't know if I even moved at all. "Promise me... when I'm gone, you'll return my body to the ocean?" I manage to ask, eyes opening in a last surge of strength to pin to him. 

"You're not dying," he growls. 

"Promise?" I whisper as my head lolls to the side, my body growing weaker by the seconds.

I don't hear whatever he says, but I suddenly feel as if we're moving fast. I'm cradled against his chest and I breath in his scent for the last time before my body goes limp.