Fly ∆way Girl

|15|

|S∆FE ∆ND SOUND|

The noise of a car door slamming cut through the silent house. Larson, who was still in the kids room, joined me on the bottom step of the staircase.

I studied his face carefully, mainly to get an idea of his emotional state. Below his eyes hung dark circles, and the tip of his nose was slightly pink.

He was upset I concluded. I took his hand from his lap, and covered it with both of mine.

He didn't move it or look in my direction, he only stared at the wooden front door. "He's home." Was all he said.

I didn't ask who, but I assumed he meant Mr. Jackson.

Suddenly the door swung open, revealing that the man that left the house early this morning had returned.

The keys that dangled from his left hand were tossed into a bowl on the side table, and his suitcase was carelessly thrown underneath.

He yelled something out, but as expected, all I heard was muffled sounds.

Mrs. Jackson (I assume) peaked from the kitchen, answering him in a calmer, muffled tone.

Mr. Jackson rolled his eyes in obvious frustration, and dug his hands into his thin dark hair.

What could she have said to upset him so?

Larson's grip on my hand tightened as Ronald took long strides in her direction.

My chest began to thump. What was I about to witness? What secret will I know, yet not be able to share?

Her eyes were wide, but she didn't move an inch. His hands were around her upper arms now. His knuckles were white.

The last thing I saw was her eyes squeeze shut. Larson took us out of that horrible place; he spared me of a terrible mental image.

His head was buried in my chest this time. I didn't immediately look around to figure out where he had taken me, I just held him close to me and let him cry.

"I hate him, I hate him, I hate him.." each time he said it, his volume increased. I could barely understand him through the sobs.

"Larson... Larson, look at me." I pleaded.

He shook his head though his movements were limited. "I can't." He finally said.

"Please, Larson, let's talk about it."

I brought him down to the ground, where he huddled up in my lap. He didn't respond, so I decided to give him a minute.

I brushed his hair from his wet face, which I could only see half of. I continued to run my fingers through it just to comfort him. I remember that I used to like it when people played with my hair.

After a while, his crying stopped, and his tears dried up. His eyes were closed, but he still took in the occasional deep 'after a major cry' breath.

He looked like he was asleep, but I don't think that's possible. I haven't slept since I've been here, and as far as I know, he hasn't either. I only know of the dark place, and I know I don't want to go there.

I took the opportunity to check out my surroundings. The dock stretched out before me just a few yards away. The lake was dark but calm.

I thought of what happened earlier, and decided that I wouldn't willingly go back on that dock ever again. I didn't want to know of the secret beneath those dark waves. If my body is down there, then it can stay for all I care. I don't want to see it; I can't see myself in that condition. I only want to know why, and who. Who did this to me, and for what reason?

"Harley?" Larson's small voice made me jump slightly. I was still picturing my waterlogged body amongst the fish.

"I'm here." I said, stroking his face. His eyes were still closed.

"Harley, I'm sorry." He turned onto his back, then opened his eyes to look at me.

"For what?" I brushed back the long strands of hair that kept tumbling over my shoulder.

"For having a complete meltdown." His lips smiled without parting.

A sigh of relief escaped from me. Larson's sadness breaks my heart, and I'm glad it's over for now. "No, Larson, it's okay."

His smile widened. "Lay down with me."

I remembered another fact about myself, this time a dislike. Grass, more importantly the creepy crawlies that inhabited it. I don't like the thought of them getting in my hair, or on my face.

His eyes begged me. I'm not very good at resisting Larson, so I gently scooted myself out from under him, and joined him in the grass. My head found a spot on his chest. His outstretched arm automatically curled around me.

I could hear his beating heart. I took comfort in it. The rhythm seemed to match up with that of my own heart.

"The stars are really bright tonight." He stated.

I was too busy enjoying being close to him to notice. My eyes soon headed in that direction though, and he was right, they were nice.

"I'm glad we're here Harley, together. I hated my life, it was terrible. I wouldn't want another second alive." His words came out easily, much different than before. They sounded well planned, like he had thought them a million times but never said them out loud.

I could understand his pain. I've seen his life, I've heard the excruciating details of it, but I couldn't relate to it. I don't want to be able to relate to it. I won't even try.

There was only one honest response I could give him. "I'm glad I'm with you too."

His heart sped up a bit. "I've never had someone say they were grateful for me."

I propped myself up onto my elbow to look at him. I needed to see his blue eyes.

We didn't speak. I don't think we needed words anymore. We both were feeling the same thing right now. Lust.

My lips were pressed hard to his fast. So fast, I didn't even think about it. I only knew that I wanted him, I've wanted him for a while now.

He wanted me too, I could sense his smile of victory on my lips. His hands held my waist now, but they were slowly gliding upward.

My body was tangled with his; his legs were constricting me. The desire to be closer to him strengthened as he kissed me more fiercely.

His hands had made it all the way to my rib cage when a howl broke out.

I pulled away. "Did you hear that?!" I asked him.

His eyes had darkened with the night. "It was nothing." He said before pulling my face back to his.

I almost went with it, but the screeching sound pierced the silence once more. Closer this time. It sounded more fierce than the last time we heard it.

I slid myself out from under him, and took off up the grassy hill. I didn't want to be trapped between the lake and the creature.

Larson was frozen in a daze behind me.

"Larson, hurry up!" I called over my shoulder.

My climb led me to woods.

"We can't go through there." Larson panted. "let's go back to the lake."

"No. We'll be trapped." I said, almost choking on my heart.

We didn't have time to argue the matter. The beast had already made the decision for us.