Angel of Light (A Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter 17: A Special Gift

Chapter 17: A Special Gift

Zak and I were sitting in silence again, but he was still holding my hand, stroking the top of it with his thumb.

I found it comforting, as I tried to wrap my head around the news.

Gracie must have sensed my anxiety, because she had rested her head on my leg again.

She was looking up at me and slowly wagging her tail, as if trying to say "it's okay", but was unsure if things really were okay.

After I had settled my nerves a bit, I gently started petting the scruff of her neck.

Her tail wagged more happily and I couldn't help but smile.

I didn't notice that Zak was watching us with a smile on his face.

"Are you okay?" Zak asked.

I nodded.

"I'll survive," I replied, giving him a reassuring smile.

He smiled in return.

"Would it be too weird or uncomfortable if I had something I wanted to give you?" Zak asked.

I looked at him in surprise.

"You got me something?" I asked.

"It's something I had lying around," he replied.

I jokingly narrowed my eyes.

"It's not a human skull is it?" I teased.

He laughed.

"No," he was still laughing. "Unless that's something you'd like...then yes," he added.

I laughed.

"Um, thanks, but I don't think it would match Cheryl's décor," I joked.

He laughed.

"Seriously, would it bother you?" He asked.

I felt unsure.

If it was something he already had, then it couldn't be something major. But somehow, I sensed how important it meant to him.

"No, it's okay," I replied.

He smiled brightly.

"I'll be right back," He said, standing up and walked back inside.

I smiled despite my slight nervousness.

"Your daddy is silly," I said, looking down at Gracie.

She wagged her tail, as if agreeing with me.

I laughed.

~*~*~*~*~

A few minutes later, Zak returned and sat back down in his chair.

He held out a long, thin, rectangular box.

Perfectly shaped to be holding a piece of jewellery.

My eyes widened as I looked up at him.

"You said you had it lying around..." I started.

"I did," Zak replied honestly. "Just trust me, please?" He added.

How could I resist that face?

I sighed slightly but took the box.

I held the box with one hand, and carefully lifted the lid off and set it on the table. I carefully pulled open the tissue paper and my eyes widened in shock at what was resting inside.

"Zak..." I said softly.

I recognized the piece of jewellery.

It was a cross necklace that Zak could be seen wearing on the cover of his latest book, "I Am Haunted".