Black Temptation

Chapter 25

"Wait! Wait!"

The rain pounds on top of the night bus and amplifies the noise of its screeching haul. My weary hand comes down, I huff, and pull my black hoodie further over my brunettes, stopping in front of the transparent doors.

Walking up the steps, I put in my silver fare. Keeping my head down, I push through sickly coughs and vibrating snorers, avoiding curious gazes. The less than comfortable seat cushion keeps my body on edge, contrastingly to the large man who sleeps soundly-so very soundly-in front of me.

I roll my eyes and let out a deep breath. Hopefully, the dim lighting keeps my face hidden and the swelling of my eyes an abstract thought. Muffling sniffs, I lay my head on the window and watch as lighted trees and store signs pass by.

I told myself I would never go back there, it wasn't a place where my sanity was kept safe.

But nothing is safe.

Closure is what I need. I need closure. How I would get that from this? I have yet to figure out.

The cold wind that brushes on my face from the cracked window lets me die slowly. My thoughts are bullets to my soul. What if I had just taken Peters' offer? None of this would have ever happened. I wouldn't have to ride the bus, escape from alligators, Ms. Tote wouldn't leave me and I wouldn't be on this bus right now because life would've made sense, or was stable enough to not cause friction within itself.

An annoying thumping comes from the back of the bus, accompanied by that familiar screech which lets me know two more wondering eyes will be placed against me. But more of the screech that held me in a stage of 'i-knew-it-fright.' when a familiar thought lingers.

Darkness covers the few people on the silver night bus and burned once rejected memories into my mind.

I padded his wooden floors with my sandals. I kept silent the entire time, my focus drained on the road ahead or my nails below. Harry yearned to talk but I couldn't find the words to say. How could I tell him? It was even dangerous for me to cry about it? Quickly pacing, I reached the spiral staircase, just wanting to take a bath, lie down, or do something but my wrist is pulled away from the steel.

"What's wrong?" Harry asks in a neutral tone.

"I said I don't want to talk about it." I stare with eyes ablaze. That tenaciousness grip broke my inner demons and I huff, now, like I breathe fire for a living.

"Not talking is how we got here, I know it can't be that bad. Tell me, I want to know. " He says, tugging me closer. I relent my intended push and possible slap, realizing I wont get anywhere, literally, by doing that.

"Why is my 'No' never enough for you?!" I scream, irritable to the point of explosion.

"Because I know you don't mean-"

"You don't know anything!"

Boom.

"When will you get that? You never have and you never will! Your twisted mind prevents you from knowing and the sooner you realize that, the better off we will both be!"

My head slightly cocks to the side with the overwhelming pressure of his hand. I feel his grip tighten and his hand beginning to chill. His skin spikes with goosebumps as his once jades of grandeur fill of thick, black, smoke. Those plump pink lips shrivel and die colorless, almost matching the pale of his stone cold skin. The hairs on his arms stand up, full in fright of their master's disapproval.

I shutter, witnessing first-hand his sinister transformation. It frightens me to the point I look away with tears emerging and my knees crumbling. Pulled from the staircase, I'm abruptly pushed onto the nearest wall, body enclosed in his towering and overpowering one. His hand stabilizes himself on the wall while his other holds firmly on my wrist, shaking as his mouth does when he speaks.