Illuminant Noctem (On Hold)

Illuminant Noctem Ch. 3

Amelia-

I woke up the next morning with the sun. I usually woke up early, and it drove Adam insane as I would make him get up with me. I rolled over and instantly fell onto the floor. I expected to hear chuckling from Jackson, but was only greeted with silence. Puzzled, I stood up and looked around the empty room. Huhm. I wonder where that boy went. Then it hit me, he was probably hungry now that he was human and all. Or at least I think he is...? Actually, what is he? I made a mental note to ask him about his...species..., although I knew he would just flash me a boyish grin and tell me to “read his journal.” For some reason I started to get really angry. How dare he drag me out with him yesterday, force me to go to those woods, and not even have the decency to stay the whole damn night! I swear, the next time I see that boy, I’ll- I’ll.... I sighed in defeat. I could feel the anger ebb away as I realized that I’d probably forgive him as soon as I looked into those hazel eyes.

I made my way downstairs, not even noticing that my hair was a mess and that I was still in yesterday’s dress.  But once again I was met by an unsettling silence and emptiness. Where was that boy? I tried to think about anything but the feelings of disappointment that were washing over me because he slipped away sometime during the night without even saying goodbye. I trudged back upstairs and quickly showered, put on a pair of jean shorts, a white lace top, and one of Adam’s long sleeved black and red plaid flannels. Back downstairs, I opened the refrigerator and grabbed the glass milk bottle. After pouring a glass, I grabbed an apple and went outside. To my surprise, my bike was leaning against the garage with a note.

“Amelia, I’m so sorry to have left you last night. I want nothing more than to wake up next to you again, but hopefully when you read my journal you’ll understand why I left and maybe hate me a little less? Much love, Jackson.”

How did he know I hated him right now? And much LOVE? Nooo. There is no way Jackson is in love with me, right? I mean, I’ve known him for like just a couple weeks, and he was only there because I needed him, right? And what does he mean by "wake up next to you AGAIN?" God, this was getting way to confusing for someone who shouldn't even exhist!

Jackson-

(last night)

I felt her breathing slow down, and I knew she was asleep. My arm was tingling from where she kissed me, but I couldn’t stay. No matter how much I wanted to. Why did she kiss my arm? She wasn’t supposed to remember anything that happened in the past, so she couldn’t remember what happened, could she? Her memory was supposed to be erased each time, that was one of the rules why I got to keep her.

I glanced at the clock and realised that several hours had passed. I shook my head and reminded myself to stop wasting time. There were still many things that needed to be done tonight, and I needed to hurry to avoid being caught. I gently tried to untangle myself from her, but froze when she just held on to me tighter. Sighing, I stayed still until she loosened her grip on me, and slid out of her bed. It was almost midnight, and this was going to be a long night.

***

Reaching the forest where her bicycle was left earlier, I filled my lungs with the familiar scent of earth. After standing quiet for a few moments, I looked around until I spotted Amelia’s bike. As much as I wanted to stay, I knew that I wouldn’t be safe here again for many years. I gave up the right to stroll under these once friendly trees to get where I was now, and I wasn’t about to throw my new found status in their faces. I knew how many of them wanted to be human again, if just for a moment, and that the only reason they weren’t giving into their jealousy and attacking me was because of Amelia. I picked up her bicycle and began wheeling it back in the direction of her house. I risked one last look into the trees, and saw the shadow of someone I hadn’t expected to see ever again, Lincoln, who saluted me before disappearing into the trees.