The Eyes

The Sight

-Julie-

I don't remember what state we were in anymore. I lost track. Taking buses and trains and cabs everywhere. It was too exhausting to keep track. We hadn't slept in the same room for more than two nights. I missed my old home, my family, even if it wasn't my real family. My thoughts and longing of going back kept me awake that night. I stared up at the white ceiling.

Vincent had kept to buying as small of hotel rooms as he could to save money. He was asleep on the reclining chair, always insisting I take the only bed. I sat up and looked at him. His face was calm and peaceful. He usually looked so unhappy when he was awake. He was as sad about leaving as I was.

His face changed suddenly, tearing me away from my thoughts. He looked troubled, then angry. His eyes flew open and he gazed directly ahead, wide-eyed and horrified. The blood drained from his face, making him ashen pale. My heart sank and I whipped my head around. There was nothing there. I turned back to him and he was slowly standing, ready to strike.

"Vincent, what is it? Are you okay?" I asked, getting more worried about him than anything.

He turned to me sharply, like he only just realized I was there. He turned back to where he was staring before and his face morphed into confusion. He looked back at me, fear running through his eyes. "Don't you see him?"

I looked back to the spot that still had nothing. "What are you taking about?"

He swallowed, making his Adam's apple bob. His eyes widened slightly, then he turned his head away from the place he was looking. He shook his head as if trying to clear his mind.

"What is there?" I sat at the edge of the bed and patted the sheets, gesturing for him to sit next to me. He took the spot on the bed gratefully. He pulled his legs up and cleared his throat.

"It was a man." His voice was shaky and I couldn't help but notice his hand trembled slightly as he raked his fingers through his hair. "He looked at me and smiled, like it was normal for him to be in the room. He said it was nice to meet me, someone who could see him. Someone special." The last word was forced out and sounded like it hurt him.

I turned to him, pulling my legs up to my chest. "I'm sure it was nothing too big, right? Aren't demons more in tune with things?" I gave a weak smile. I knew my attempt to calm him was pathetic.

He shook his head. "This is new, Julie. This isn't normal. Ever since you. . ." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in. "Ever since you brought me back, I've been seeing things, people who shouldn't be there. People who are supposed to be dead."

I snorted. "Ghosts? Are you serious?" I shouldn't have been so harsh to him. He flinched away as if in pain.

"That's not all I've been seeing," he mumbled. His eyes flickered above my head, but quickly looked back down as if he didn't want to see what was there.

I grabbed his hand. "What?" It startled me, the way he looked just now.

He said it slowly, as if trying to say it right. "I can see the date and time of death over people's heads. If I don't focus on death, it sort of fades, but it's hard knowing the fact that you can see it." He turned his face completely away from me. "I don't want to see yours or mine most of all."

My heart sank even more than before. He looked close to tears. I could understand why he would feel like this. I think it would be horrible to see the date of death. It was like a time limit. No one really wanted to know these things. And I did this to him, I made him like that. Grandmother had thought of resurrecting him, but I did it before she could even say anything. It was a split second decision. I did it for my own selfish reasons. I didn't think what might have happened afterwards.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered. I didn't realize I was crying until Vincent grabbed a tissue to hand to me.

"I don't blame you," he whispered back. He went back to his chair and I knew that's all he wanrts to talk about. I didn't try for more. He was soon back asleep.

I couldn't sheep again though. The awful reality kept me up all night. Vincent had this new curse, this new sight because of my rash choice. That couldn't even be all of what happened with him. There could be so many other things that he just hasn't found yet. I cringed. What other damage have I done to him?