Running the Line of Death

Chapter 6

Ashton spoke her name one last time before Mrs. Kacilee walked in.

"Ashton?"

Ashton jumped, and then froze. Had he been heard? He turned slowly, plastering a smile on for concealment. When Ashton noticed it was just his mum letting him know it was time to get up, he relaxed.

"Are you okay, honey?"

Ashton nodded; he could fake a smile, but he couldn't mask his voice at that moment. He rose and stretched to make the act more convincing and Mrs. Kacilee fell for it. She left the room and Ashton began to get dressed. He was antsy to reveal his findings and discoveries to Lucifer. Maybe Lucifer could make sense of everything. Ashton looked in the mirror after putting on a pair of black, loose-fitting skinny jeans. His face was tired; purple bags fell under his eyes, his skin, paler than usual. Ashton rubbed his eyes before reaching for a tee. It was a black, large tee, with a v-neck and a grim reaper image on the front. He took one final look in the mirror before shrugging, grabbing his bag, and going to the bathroom to brush his teeth. Once Ashton was finished, he had a few minutes to spare.

"Hey Ashton.", Mrs. Kacilee chimed with a smile.

She was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of coffee; Mr. Kacilee was in the shower. Ashton said Hi back before sitting at the table, throwing his bag down next to him. The thoughts of Willow kept racing through his mind, overlapping the thoughts of admiration towards Lucifer. Ashton started to smile, they both were very beautiful.

"Hey honey, who's name were you saying when I walked in?", Mrs. Kacilee's once cheerful voice had changed tones and held the sound of concern. She feared it was a name that held many old memories, and a large burden over her head.

Ashton froze, all thoughts froze. He had no choice but to respond with the truth; but that didn't mean he had to use extreme detail. Mrs. Kacilee's look of concern hadn't faded as she stared at Ashton, awaiting his response. However, what was Ashton to say that would still reserve the preposterous thoughts in his head. Ashton took a deep breath to speak before his mother pressed the question again.

"I was saying the name of a girl from school..." Ashton took another breath and found a loophole around the mess. He widened his smile and filled his voice with more confidence.

"She's beautiful Mum, absolutely stunning! I keep dreaming about her and I couldn't get her out of my head;" Ashton, while speaking, subtly glanced to a clock in hopes to stall time, "just so beautiful, Mum."

Ashton glanced over once more at the clock and noticed time ran out. With glee, he turned to his mother and said his goodbyes. Ashton had never been so happy to leave and go to school. He kissed his mother's cheek, grabbed his backpack, and walked out the door. The bus was just pulling up to the stop as Ashton closed the front door. Eagerly, Ashton ran to the bus and saw Lucifer smiling through the window. He waved hi and stepped up the steps, onto the bus. The bus was crowded; every seat was filled with two to a seat except for the last one where Lucifer was sitting patiently waiting for Ashton. Without hesitation, Ashton swiftly moved to the back seat and plopped down next to Lucifer with the brightest smile.

"Hey!", Lucifer said cheerfully.

"Hey Lucifer.", Ashton replied happily.

"How was your night?"

Ashton paused to take a breath before revealing his night to Lucifer.

"I dreamt of her again.", Ashton spoke more calmly, and quietly, as to make sure no one else heard him.

Lucifer waited in hopes Ashton would continue but soon, growing impatient, pressed for Ashton to continue. "What did you see?", he asked.