ONLY YOU

seven - only love

In my cell, I sit on the uncomfortable bed and gaze up at the window. The room is narrow and a pale gray color. The door is thick metal and there's a slit in it which exposes a window from the other side. When the door opens, it reveals one officer and my aunt. Rainey rushes into the cell and collects me in her arms. I cry into her chest. Behind her I see Jared. He looks tense. For once he doesn't have his skateboard. He steps inside and hugs me, but the hug is weak and he seems unlike himself.

'I'm sorry,' I tell Rainey.

'Stop it,' she blurts out. 'I'm just so happy you're okay!'

I love her. I fall into her warm arms again.

'You're so cold now,' she says into my shoulder. 'You're so...different.'

These words only spring more tears to my eyes.

I glance at Jared. Despite everything, I'm glad to see him. But I hate how cold he's being toward me.

'Jared,' I say. 'What's the matter?'

'What do you think is the matter?' he snaps. 'You've been arrested for murder!'

'I had to do it!' I shout.

'You've changed so much!' he sobs.

I glare at him. I haven't changed so much as I've adapted.

We glare at each other. Then his face breaks into despair.

'Who is that guy outside waiting for you?' he demands.

I look at the doorway. Sebastian has appeared. Seeing him here sparks a sensation in my heart that I can't quite describe. It almost feels like it has been too long since I last saw him. Somehow he has grown to be a warm echo in my heart since he saved me from the vampires. In this light he is more handsome than ever. His wild green eyes and the shadow beneath his eyes create a devilish look to him. But with his smile, that is usually so teasing, is curved in a smile which holds all the light of heaven. His hair is a mess and looks so soft and glossy I can almost imagine the smell and feel of it. I remember our moment in the park where his body and mine were one. We had pressed our souls so closely together it seemed almost possible to merge and become a single entity. When his mouth found mine it was like two worlds met, and our kisses no longer held a societal barrier; our skin felt so familiar and new at the same it was like we were both being born at the same time.

All of this I feel in this single moment of looking at him.

And in a blink the moment is gone as Jared's body blocks my view of Sebastian.

'I want the truth from you,' he snarls.

Rainey and I look at each other.

'She owes you no explanation,' Sebastian says, stepping into the cell.

Jared spins around to him. 'Who are you?'

'I'm the only person right now who can save her,' Sebastian says.

Rainey sobs into her hands. 'I don't understand what is happening right now.'

'Save her from what?' Jared cries. 'The police?'

Sebastian steps right past him like he's nothing and he holds my hand. He puts his mouth to my ear making my entire being shudder and says that I need to make myself invisible. I know exactly what he means – but I don't know how.

'Focus,' he says, and his hand moves from my hand and his fingers find my back.

I take a deep breath in and do just that – I focus. I lock my thoughts away and allow my mind to be blank. I can only feel the air moving around me. It takes all my energy. And then crispiness laces itself across my skin. It's like my cells are hardening and turning. My skin seems to fold itself inside-out – except instead of exposing the insides of my body, I am suddenly transparent!