I'm Not Dead

Chapter Thirteen

I woke up sweaty with my heart beating out of my chest. What had I done? I never went to Heaven. I went straight to Hell.

I grabbed my jacket and my phone and left Theo's.

I walked home, despite how bitterly cold it was getting and the howling wind and the sinking feeling in my stomach. I went to my house, and I knocked on the door, and I waited for one of my parents to answer.

It was my dad.

He didn't say anything so I did: "May I come in?"

He simply nodded. I went to the living room where Mom was sitting in her chair, reading a magazine. "Who was at the door?" She looked up, blinked.

I didn't sit. I stood by the fire. They made a fire in the fireplace? It's almost like they knew I was coming.

"Did you get my letter?"

Mom nodded. I nodded.

"Okay, let me explain." I told them all about what I had just recently remembered about Hell, leaving out the fact that Theo was dating the bitch herself. I told them about how I forced myself out of the coffin, thanking them for not cremating me, and then about how I came here and found out they weren't home. I told them I was angry that they vacationed using my money and sold my car, but I forgive them. Then that I had been staying with Theo. I left out the healing weirdness and the fact I can't eat.

They were both silent.

"Please say something." Emilio came into the room, hissing at me.

Mom looked at Dad. "This isn't real," She said, doubt strong in her voice.

I knelt down beside her, taking her hand in mine, bringing it to my face. "Do I feel real? I'm here aren't I?"

Tears hung heavy in Mom's eyes. "Is it you, Elliot? Is it really you?"

I nodded. She leaned forward, engulfing me in the biggest hug. The back of my shirt started to get wet from her tears. "Elliot,"

"I know, Mom,"

She fed me, and I ate knowing damn well what would happen in half an hour. I didn't want her to worry. Although I missed her cooking, food didn't sound appetizing anymore, or even taste that great. Dad kept his distance, watching me constantly out of the corner of his eye.

(I also left out the second part of the demon deal. The then of the if/then statement.)

I excused myself after Mom's amazing meal and went to the bathroom upstairs. I turned on the water to the sink, leaned over the toilet, and threw up. Just like I knew I would. I flushed once, then twice, then grabbed the mouthwash and rinsed my mouth out from the smell—and taste—and came back downstairs.

"Can I borrow the truck to get my stuff from Theo's? I assume I can stay here now, right?"

Mom nodded, smiling.

I grabbed the keys off of the key hook and got in the truck. I felt relieved.

Walking into Theo's, there was a sock on the door. I sighed and started to gather my things from the living room. Genevieve opened the door, and oh-ed when she saw me.

I felt angry just looking at her.

"I didn't know you were here."

"I was just leaving."

It was awkward. She was standing there wearing nothing more than one of Theo's—or is that one of my—t-shirts, while I held all my shit in my hands. I swallowed.

"I remembered." I said.

She smiled. "Good. I knew you would eventually."

"Tell Theo I'm staying with my parents." I left. I meant to throw a bitch in there or something.

I drove home.

Once I got back, I felt like a kid again. I brushed my teeth as my mother watched, and I changed into my pajamas—my mom didn't watch that one—and although I didn't want her to, I let her tuck me into bed. She needed this. So I let her do her Mom thing, and I played along.

Once she shut off my light and shut the door and I pulled out my phone and texted Laura. Guess where I am?

She texted back shortly: are you not at Theo's??

I smiled. I'm at my house. My mom totally is down with me being alive, my dad still isn't so convinced. It's weird.

She didn't respond. I didn't sleep right away, I wasn't too tired.

I started to think instead. I thought about one question that kept popping up in my mind: who will I have to kill?

I woke up in the middle of the night, sensing something was watching me. I opened my eyes, a shadow towering over me. A blade glistened in the moonlight.

"What the hell?"

"You're awake?"

As quickly as I saw the knife it disappeared. My father stood there in my room. I sat up. "Were you going to kill me?"

"Don't tell your mother."

I had two obvious options. If I tell her, it'd break her heart and tear apart this newly restored family. But what do I do? "Why would you want to kill me?"

"I don't know what you've fooled Loraine into thinking you are but I don't buy it. You are not my son."

I swallowed hard. "So you were going to kill me?"

My father made a face. "Get some sleep." And just like that he left.

The fuck?

I told Theo in the morning. About my father. He said that that sucked. And asked if I thought Genny was a virgin.

I still hadn't decided whether I should tell Theo about Genevieve or not. Would he even believe me?

I got a couple texts throughout the day that all had me concerned. The first one freaked me out. It was from Derek, who I assumed took my place on the football team: dude my mom heard from yours that your alive? Da fuck?

I didn't respond.

Then another from Drake: My dad heard from Derek's mom that your were alive. I feel dumber than shit texting you but if you are text me back.

And one from Mackenzie: The whole football team is saying that ur and like half the cheerleaders. What? Is ur mom just trying to start shit again?

Again? What does she mean again?

More and more texts rolled in, and a couple calls but I let them go to voicemail. Then at noon I got a call from Theo and I answered quickly.

"Dude. We've got a problem."