Double Down Demons (A Ghost Adventures/Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter 28: Band aid Bagans

As the light of the morning sun begins to sparkle on the surface of the deep blue ocean outside the window the fatigue that hits the group is instantaneous, we all agree that its time for sleep. I turn to see Zak staring at me with eyes that reflect the ocean back at me as if I were still looking out the window. I try to reassure him with a squeeze of his hand but his face remains unreadable.

We all head up to our floor and peel off to our own rooms. Aaron gives me another hug before closing the door behind him. Zak leads me to his room and I'm too tired to argue, not that I wanted to anyway. I collapse face down on the bed and groan. Zak pulls off my boots and throws them into the corner out of the way. I feel him stroke the back of my head and I sigh grateful that he's there.

"Sweetie can you take your shirt off for me?" He asks me softly, I lift my head off the bed and raise an eyebrow.

"Umm I'm not exactly in the mood right now." I scold him, he sniggers under his breath.

"Hey you with the dirty mind, don't worry i'm not planning to pounce on you...just yet. I just wanted to check out those scratches."  He explains.

"Ooh!" I feel the heat rise to my cheeks. I hesitate but then pull my shirt off over my head, I draw in my breath at the sting as it peels away from the dried blood. That doesn't distract me from the realisation that I am now in just my bra in front of Zak Bagans. Hmph at least its a pretty bra I look down at the black and gold lace. As I throw my shirt on the chair I hear a sharp intake of breath from Zak.

"Holy shit Tracy! How does it feel?" He checks my face for any discomfort. I shrug.

"A little tender I guess, the alcohol helped to take the edge off." I admit.

"I've never seen anything like it, the scratches down your spine are prettydeep but even the ones across your shoulders drew blood. Jeez sweetie." He draws his hand down his exhausted face, I'm at a loss as to what to say. "Is it ok if I take some pictures?" I nod. He makes me jump as he swiftly unclips my bra and reaches over me for his camera. He shows me the pictures and the dried crimson blood is startling against my pail skin. I cringe and look away. He strokes my head again in a show of comfort.

"Stay there I'm going to clean those up for you ok." He fetches the first aid kit and I hear the sound of running water in the bathroom. He returns with a bowl of warm water and a clean wash cloth. He sits next to me on the bed and gently runs the soft wet cloth down my spine. I can't help flinching at the pain. "I'm so sorry." Zak cringes too leaning forward to brush a kiss across my shoulder. He cleans away the dried blood turning the water in the bowl a pale pink. He finds an antiseptic wipe in the kit and tears it open with his teeth. "This may sting, I'm sorry darlin'"He warns me. I suck my breath through my teeth as soon as the antiseptic hits the wound but I try to remain still under Zak's careful administrations. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He whispers under his breath the whole time he cleans me up. He carefully reclips my bra and gathers up the kit and rubbish and disposes of it. "All done now sweetie." He whispers and crawls onto the bed next to me and gathers me up into his arms being extra careful to avoid the freshly cleaned cuts. He squeezes me tightly to him and kisses my forehead as he rocks me. We lay together quietly for a few minutes drawing comfort from each other.

"My arm's gone numb," I mumble into Zak's chest sleepily, "And I need to pee." I add.

"Well you know how to kill a moment." He laughs and I look up at him sheepishly. He gives me a long slow kiss before letting me up.

"See takes more than that to put you off." I mutter as I go to the bathroom. I return to find him sat up on the bed fiddling with his phone, twittering or something no doubt.

I'm so exhausted by now that all thoughts of modesty are gone, I pull off my socks and jeans and crawl under the covers. Zak was watching me intensly and raises his eyebrows but doesn't comment, he heads to the bathroom himself and even though he is only gone for a few minutes I struggle to keep my eyes open. On his return i'm glad that I did when he takes all but his boxers off, pulls back the covers and scooches into bed next to me. I smile at him sleepily and he runs his hand down my body from shoulder to hip, I can't help shivering at his touch. I hope he thinks i'm just cold as the goosebumps raise on my skin but he gives me a knowing smile. He reaches up and strokes my cheek with his fingertips and raises my chin so I look up at him.

"Are you sure you're ok?" He asks me, searching my face for any signs of pain or fear. I nod.

'I'm a little sore, a lot tired but all things considered i'm doing ok." I try to put him at ease.

"Thank you Tracy." He says with such sincerity, his eyes the colour of storm clouds as they bore into me, I couldn't have looked away even if I wanted to.

"What for? I ask him in confusion.

'For saving me, I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there." His gaze gets distant as if he imagines the worst.

"Shhhh." I place my finger on his lips bringing his attention back to me. "Don't think about that now. I was there and I wouldn't ever have left you to face it alone. I don't want you to ever think you have to face this alone again ok?" I ignore the twist of pain in my chest at the fleeting thought of him soon being thousands of miles away across the other side of the planet. He kisses my finger playfully and pulls me close.

"Tracy,"He whispers seriously, "I really think I'm falling for you." My heart almost bursts out of my chest but I can't stifle the escaping yawn as I nestle into his chest.

"Good," I just manage to whisper, "That means that you're catching me up to me." I almost snore. Zak grins at me and kisses me once more, I smile to myself and fall asleep as soon as his lips leave mine.