Angel of Light (A Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter 36: Break Down

Chapter 36: Break Down

Three days later...

It had been a rough few days.

On Poveglia Island, after I had managed to convince Aaron that I would be fine alone with Zak, Aaron went off to find Billy and Jay at the bell tower on the island.

I knew Aaron would be gone for a while, so I had grabbed a blanket from one of the duffel bags, and then had gotten up and slowly walked down to Zak.

I knew he was hurting emotionally, and I wanted to try to comfort him, despite our lack of interaction outside of work.

~*~*~*~*~

I reached Zak, who was sitting near the water's edge.

I knew the brief lapping of the water against the rocks and the small dock was probably comforting to him, considering all the fountains he had in his backyard.

I hesitated, just a mere step or two behind him.

"I brought you a blanket..." I said softly, my voice still rough and raspy sounding.

I saw Zak's hands, which were hanging down over his crossed legs and just barely touching the grass, clench into fists.

Not out of anger, but out of pain.

"I'm fine...thank you..." Zak said quietly.

I frowned.

I could hear the pain in his voice.

I wrapped the blanket around my own back and shoulders, holding onto the ends of it with my hands, and knelt down behind Zak and gently put one of my hands on one of his shoulders.

I felt him flinch, but I gently tightened my grip on his shirt, so he couldn't shake my hand away.

"Talk to me..." I said softly, trying to ignore the sound of my voice as much as possible.

"The fear on Aaron's face...the fear on your face....your voice..." I heard Zak's voice crack, after which he cleared his throat. "There's nothing to say..." Zak finished.

I frowned.

"It wasn't your fault...Aaron and I both knew you were possessed. And we're fine now-" I started, but Zak suddenly turned, enough so that he could look at me.

"Fine? You're not fine! Your voice is screwed up! What if I did permanent damage?!" Zak asked, looking and sounding pained.

"I'll go to the hospital when we get back to the main land, but I'm sure it's just temporary," I said, trying to reassure him.

The truth was, I had no idea.

"I could of killed you..." Zak said, his voice and face so full of agony, that I could almost feel his pain.

Without thinking, I reached up with one hand and gently rested it against the side of his face.

"But you didn't..." I said softly.

I saw his expression soften, although I sensed it was against his better judgement.

"Did you mean what you said...? That you care about me...and that you need me..?" Zak asked.

I had never seen him so vulnerable.

It made my heart ache.

Without realizing it, I had started to gently stroke his jawline with my thumb.