Help! I'm Arranged to Marry a Vampire? - 2008

Chapter 11

"If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you best teach it to dance." - Anonymous

Emmery Wilson

My insides shuttered as I slowly got to my feet. Jeremy had gone back to help Asher, leaving me in alone in the hallway - or so I thought. "Emmery?" I jumped at the voice even though it was soft and melodic.  

I turned to see a lady standing behind me, her hair was raven black and hung strait down her waist. "Yeah." She looked sad, as if she had never been happy a day in her life. "Are you Jeremy and Ashie's mom?" She smiled, her face lighting up. She was beautiful - no doubt about it. 

The door behind me opened and Jeremy emerged, his wrist tightly wrapped in a bloody cloth. "Jeremy?" 

He smiled as he approached us, trying to hide his wrist from my view. "Hey Em. Mother, I require some assistance - I'm afraid Asher is a bit sloppy." His tone was formal, the way he spoke when I first met him at the park. After hanging out with us, his demeanor had become more lenient and he began talking as any normal teenager.  

His mother took his hand in hers and gently peeled the stained cloth. A jagged rip was torn across his wrist - deep and gushing fresh blood. "You need more than just a bandage. Go to your room and I'll there in a minute." Jeremy shook his head and she made her way down the hall.  

I pulled on the edge of Jeremy's jacket, suddenly feeling like a small child. "Are you alright?" 

He pulled me into his arms, his blonde streaked hair falling carelessly over his emerald eyes. "I'm fine. As soon as I take care of this," He gestured toward his injured wrist, "I promise I'll take you home." 

"Is Asher okay? I didn't mean to scream." I couldn't help but apologize, whether I was at fault or not.  

"No, it's okay. He couldn't control himself, that really wasn't him." Jeremy seemed at loss of words. 

I shook my head. "I know." 

He smiled and it melted the fear that had over taken my heart. "I have to meet my mom. You want to come or wait here?"  

I took his good hand in my own. "Please don't leave me alone." He led me down the corridor until we came to a door that he obviously recognized.  

I waited patiently as Jeremy's mother tended to his wrist. A single light was focused on his wound, making it look worse than it really was. Jeremy slouched in his seat, biting on the hood of his jacket as she used a silver needle and antiseptic to close the fleshy wound. He didn't make a sound, probably trying to spare his mom any torment over his pain. I could tell he was struggling, his other hand clutching mine every time she slipped the thin needle under his skin. "Will he be okay? I mean, he doesn't have to worry about infection or anything?"  

His mother smiled and slightly laughed, causing Jeremy to jump at the rarity. "No. He'll be fine. He's strong." She placed the needle in a protective casing and smoothed his hair. "You should probably get her home." He agreed with a nod of his head, pushing himself out of the seat. 

"Watch your step." Jeremy warned as he cleared a path through the thick bushes that surrounded the park. "We're almost out." I held onto his hand, refusing to let go.  

My high-laced Converse shoe tangle in the roots, trying to pull me down and away from the exit. "Ow." I exclaimed as the point roots attempted to pierce my skin. 

"Are you okay?" Jeremy stopped and examined the thin scratches. 

"I'm fine." I insisted as he pulled my legs into his arms, lifting me off the ground. I wasn't allowed to walk again until we were safely out of the dense trees - away from anything that could hurt me.

Jeremy Jones

I wanted to hold her close and not let her go but I knew she had to go home. Undoubtedly, her mother was worried about her. "Your mother must really be worried." I noted as my eyes studied a semi-recent picture of Emmery hanging on a nearby tree under the headline, "Have you seen me?" 

"Yeah. I am all she really has anyway." Emmery off handedly commented as she walked down the street. "You know, Eli isn't her real son. He was my dad's from a previous relationship." She pulled my arm deeper in her grasp and rested her head on my shoulder. "This has been a real trip but it was worth it." She yawned. I watched as the sun rose in the distance - gladly welcoming morning. 

I gently kissed her cheek. "Morning Emmery." I smiled. She smiled as well, recognizing the street we had turned down. 

I watched in contentment as Emmery was reunited with her mother, brother, and Alyssa - whom she had come to despise. She constantly glanced around, as if she was looking for someone. I stayed out of view, down the street behind a bush. She was ushered inside and as the door closed, I pushed myself off the floor and made my way home.