Accidentally Tasha

Chapter 21

Two days later, my duffel bag is packed and I am ready to go to the city. My tormentor has taken a break, thank God. It is the perfect opportunity for escape. I don't leave notes or any of that sentimental bullshit. I'll call mom and dad from a payphone somewhere along the way. I tiptoe down the stairs. Mom is busy in the kitchen and dad, well, who knows where he is? I get out of the door and as I start to walk down the steps, I hear someone call my name from the driveway.

Oh, come on!

Jake shouts, "Tasha, where are you going?"

"To surprise you," I force a grin.

The boys come in behind him. They burst into laughter.

"Man, that's some sick shit!" Lars laughs as he hugs me.

"I know right? What a coincidence." Jake says "But I thought I told you not to come."

"You wouldn't expect me there after I told you I wouldn't." I laugh.

We all talk for some time. Lars and Dan then go to their respective homes. Jake leaves me alone with Ashton. It seems like he has gotten used to us.

"I missed you," I mumble as he kisses me.

"Missed you more," he says, nipping at my ear.

I never knew such a small gesture could be so erotic. He smirks as he sees my reaction.

"I gotta go to my folks now," he whispers softly into my ear "I'll come back for you later, Kay?"

"Mhm," I murmur.

He kisses my nose and leaves. Lord, the things running through my mind now...

"...Yes, I said I'd like a liter of Holy water, please. A stack of Bibles too," Jake speaks into his phone as though he is ordering on the phone.

"Get away from me fool," I laugh.

The evening is well spent with Jake. We even talk to Olivia through video call. My sabotaged escape is not far from my thoughts though, and I can't help but think of my tormentor. At six, Ashton knocks on the door. I race to the door.

"I like that sweater dress thingy," he says.

I'm wearing a baggy lavender sweater dress that goes up to my thighs, lacy stockings and Timberland boots. My hair is in a messy bun. (Nyanda taught me how to do that) I'm even wearing a little bit of makeup. I was working for the- I'm too cool to wear makeup and heels- look, which is a little boyish and sexy at the same time, and I think I perfected it.

"You do realize it's called a sweater dress, right?" I laugh.

"I don't like to brag but, I'm a genius. How else would I know that?" he grins.

He takes me to a Spookville, a place I've never been to but always wanted to go. I almost jump up and down in excitement. He sees my expression and smiles in relief. Spookville is a haunted mansion, or so the stories go, deserted in the twenties by its owners after they claimed to see ghosts. Some entrepreneur bought the place from the government at a throwaway price, renovated it and added some cool new scary effects. It's hard to get in there. One must have booked months prior because the place is always packed.

"Welcome to Spookville, a house of great horror. You ready to get scared to death?" a chaperone dressed as a wizard asks.

I think he's meant to be scary, but it really doesn't work for me. I actually think he looks really cute, but I can't say that in front of Ashton.

"Yes!" I giggle, rubbing my hands in anticipation which makes Ashton and the chaperone laugh.

.

.

.

"You were totally scared!" I laugh.

"No I wasn't. I just pretended to be," Ashton protests.

"Okay, if you say so."

I smile deviously to let him know that I don't believe him. He pouts like a little kid. I start laughing again when I remember the ghost at the 'garden of souls'.

"You thought we were being mugged!" I laugh.

"Okay, I admit I was a little bit scared there. That's my money, you know!"

We laugh the entire evening. After Spookville he took me to Sullivan's, a restaurant a bit on the pricey side but not too posh for my taste. I feel underdressed, but I'm laughing and I am in love while the other patrons are not so, who gives a damn?

"I have something for you," he says.

He pulls out a little velvet-black box. It looks so beautiful; I'd appreciate it even if he gave me the box only. I open the box and find a gold locket, similar to the one in Tasha's photos. It is absolutely breathtaking. There are little intricate designs that no one would notice from afar, and inscribed in italics is forever Naton.

"It's a replica of the one I'd given you before. I don't know if you'll like it..."

He stops as soon as he sees my expression

"So, you like it?"

I nod, smiling through my tears. He takes the necklace and comes behind me to put it on. I give him a thank you kiss and say,

"Selfie?"

"Sure."

You know that you're a good couple when the first of your selfies looks good enough to munch on. I smile at him in awe not knowing what to say. I then receive a text. This time it's another number. The person sent me a photo of Ashton and me taking the selfie just ten seconds ago. I whiten in shock.

"Is everything okay?" Ashton asks.

I show him the photo. He looks shocked. He looks around, but no one seems out of place.

"Don't worry," I try to calm him down "It's probably just your stalker or something. You're famous, you know?"

He doesn't look calm. In fact he looks shell shocked.

"Natasha," he uses my full name "before you disappeared you were receiving texts like this one. That's why we thought you'd been murdered."

Oh.

My.

Fucking.

Shit.