Hopelessy Devoted

Chapter 18: The Making of Hope

Opening my eyes, I find myself looking at the blue sky morning over head. I don't know why I pretend to sleep any more. It is truly a waste of time. From behind me, I hear the bushes rustle and when I turn to look, I find Daryl standing t the edge of the over grown path, sadly looking at me.

"Hey..." His face harbors sadness and his body is slumped.

"Hi..." Guilt rushes over me, but at the same time, I can't blame him for already knowing the outcome of my child. "I...I'm sorry for freaking out on you the other day. I shouldn't have."

"Beth, if there was even a chance that your baby would have been alive and safe- I would have done everything in my power to save them. You have to know that. But the thing is, is even if I did save them- it never would have been brought into this world. You would just carry them around until the end of days. I didn't think it'd be fair to you, when you deserve so much." So was he just trying to spare me pain.

"Then I should apologize." I jump off the rock and walk to him slowly. "I'm sorry for the things to have said to you."

Leaning in, I pull his face down to mine and I kiss him tenderly. I feel that simile tingle that happened on Halloween. Wanting him, I fade into him and we make love right there in the middle of the rocky beach of the quarry. It's so unsatisfying doing this. If only we were alive to actually have sex. To actually feel Daryl and to make love to him would be beyond magical.

"Well, what have we here? A lil going away party?" Merle and more importantly his father come from the woods and I can feel the air chill around me. " Do you have what I want?"

"It's... it..."

"What is he talking about, Beth?" Daryl pulls away and looks between us.

"Deadlines up in ten minutes. Now where is it?"

"Where is what? Beth what's going on?" His voice is shrill and Merle seems utterly pleased with himself.

"You said I had three days!"

"I make the rules and I say that time is almost up. Now where is my soul you owe me!" This time Merle's Father is the own to speak. His voice is uncomfortably demonic and his eyes are black.

"It's coming!" I yell and Daryl looks at me confused.

"Beth...you're giving them a soul?"

"It's complicated..." Just as I'm about to explain, The Fleshgaits come out of the woods and Daryl goes defensive.

"Get behind me Beth."

"Blonde one- we have done the deed."

"What are you doing here Mobus?" Me. Dixon growls and Daryl just watches as the world seems to slow down.

"We got the soul this Spirit requested us to retrieve." Mobus- the large leader of the fleshgaits says and I can't help but remember the deal I made with them.

"Beth what are they saying? You're making deals with these demons?" Daryl scowls and jerks his. Lady around to me.

"What's wrong baby brother? Didn't know yer girlfriend was coming to our side?"

"That's not true Daryl!"

"Shut it sweetheart! You made a deal with the devil and now yer gonna honor it! I WANT MY SOUL!" Mr. Dixon rises up in anger and everyone backs away.

"Daryl you don't understand!"

Daryl just sinks in his stance and the fleshgaits step closer. Mobus hands Me Zach's soul and I just stare at it. I can see his whole life in this soul. The torture he's done, the terrible things he's said. Him taping me. Killing me. I see it all. It angers me. But then I see the remorse and guilt in his eyes as he stands at my casket. He says he's sorry for what he had done and he wishes for forgiveness. As much as I hated Zach for what he did to me- right now I can hardly condemn him for it. Father always said accept forgives and forget the terrible things.

"Give me my soul!" Mr. Dixon growls and  steps forward.

"You owe us your soul!" Mobus yells and the woods seem to shake. I look between them and Daryl. I messed up. I messed up so bad.

"Return this soul to its owner while there's still time!" I say and run up to Mobus. Mr. Dixon and Merle become angered.

"We want your soul now!"

"Give is the soul!" Both creatures step closer to me.

"I messed up okay! I want Zach to have his soul back and live and I want to keep my soul so I can be with Daryl!" I yell as tears stream down my face. Suddenly all hell breaks loose. The fleshgaits come after me and so do the evil Dixons. I start running through the woods- carrying Zach's soul and hoping I can find him before it expires. As I run faster and faster, I realize that they are inches off of my feet. Suddenly I veer left and head back to the quarry. When I get closer to where the drop off is, I jump, causing me to poof back into my bedroom just before they can get me. Once in there, I think with all my might like Daryl had done and it takes me to school. Running around the halls, I try hard to find Zach, but he isn't here. Then I remember the locker room. There in the shower laying on the floor is the body of Zach Grey. Going up to him, I shove the soul into his chest and wait.

"Why?" Jerking my head around, I find Daryl standing there slumped against the wall sitting in the cool tiled floor. His arms are on his knees and his head hangs towards his lap.

"Daryl I'm..."

"Do you know what's gonna happen? They're going to kill you." He says sadly.

"I already promised them my soul...so I know that my time has run out." Kneel in front of him and just look at him. "With the time I have left, I'd like to tell you something."

He looks up at me and partially smiles. Our time is almost up.