The Dark Side of the Moon

Chapter 46: Kyle

-Kyle’s P.O.V-

“What did I miss?” Steve smiled sheepishly when he saw our compromising position. I slowly unwound my hands from Florence’s body while she untangled her fingers from my hair with a grin.

“You must be the owner of this lovely home. I can’t thank you enough for taking me in and helping me,” Florence stuck out an awkward hand to shake with Steven, trying to make light conversation. Steven smiled and cut through the pretense.

“That’s quite alright my dear, though I doubt that you spent much time admiring the interior by the look of it,” he pointedly looked at me with a disapproving look. “Kyle, you should know better, she has to be three years your junior at least!”

“I’ll turn eighteen after I graduate…” Florence offered, and Steven clicked his tongue in criticism.

“Not even out of high school too,” he mumbled, forcing a hand through his thick hair. Because our intimate moment had been recent, I had had no discussion with Steven about it. Apparently it was news that gave him a sour taste. He straightened up, covering his frustration with a smile. “Well my lunch break only lasts for half an hour, and if a checkup is in order then I believe that we should get to it straight away!”

Florence nodded and gingerly retired to the couch, while I watched on with a stony demeanor. It was a fresh blow every time to see the monstrous consequences of my cursed nature. Steven flicked Florence’s shirt up to bunch around her middle while he inspected the worst of her injuries. Surprisingly, the formerly red and raw wound had fully closed up, reduced to a tender looking pink scar with little blood at all.

Steven whistled. “Incredible healing, that has to be thrice the normal rate of a dog,” he glanced at Florence’s indignant expression and smiled nervously. “Sorry for the analogy, but this has to be some sort of medical breakthrough. I wonder what on earth caused your cells to mutate in such a way…” His voice trailed off to a low murmur while he prodded lightly at a few of her bruises, noting personal opinions of how painful they were. Her feet had nearly fully healed over too, her bruises paling to a dull yellow and all her cuts closed up.

“Your healing has been successfully rapid; you should be able to leave now. Just make sure that you treat the main slash very gently with no strenuous activity, as well as in future, stay away from this one,” he jabbed a finger in my direction, caution evident in his words. Despite his serious manner, Florence smiled.

“You’ll find a pair of fresh, spare clothes upstairs in the guest bedroom if you don’t mind wearing my baggy garb,” he indicated for Florence to change, and turned to me while she wandered off. “Kyle, a word?”

Once he had shut the living room door and we were alone, he sat down with a stern expression on his face. It reminded me of my father, and I grimaced at the thought. “Now I know that it’s hardly my place Kyle, but do you have any intelligence hiding away in that brain of yours? I told you that it would be in both of your interests to part ways as soon as possible, yet I return to find you two getting along more than necessary!”

I ground my teeth together and growled in frustration. “Forgive me for thinking that this might just be the first girl who knew about my personal background and didn’t run screaming.”

Steven raised a hairy eyebrow in surprise at my reply. “Don’t forget that one of the main reasons causing that is the fact that you turned animal and infected her yourself. Leave the poor girl alone Kyle! She’s been through enough drama from the little that I’ve heard, solely because of you! You’re too much trouble for her, and she hasn’t yet turned eighteen! Figure something out!’

I nodded grimly. “As soon as I know that she’s safe, I’ll go my own way.”

“Make sure you keep to that promise Kyle, you’ve done too much damage already,” Steven seemed satisfied when I agreed with his words. Not two seconds after we’d finished speaking, a slight knock sounded at the closed door and it opened to reveal Florence dressed in a loose fitting t-shirt and baggy track suit pants. She seemed to have noticed my lack of clothing, for she threw a shirt at me that must have been Steven’s.

Steven dug a worn wallet out of his coat and counted a small sum of money that he handed over to me. “That will get you both a bus fare back to Banff. It was a risk helping you Kyle, I can’t house fugitives in my house any longer.” He patted me on the back in farewell.

“Fugitives?” Florence chimed in, confused.

Steven laughed. “Mrs. Priskett next door has convinced herself that I’m hiding escapees. You know how that old lady is; she even confronted me about it this morning when I retrieved the paper! She warned to call the police!”

I shivered when I thought of the old woman. I’d only ever met her once on a previous visit about eight years ago, but the meeting was memorable. She has been incredibly nosy about every fine detail, bringing it upon herself to ask every question known to man.

Nodding, I got the message that Steven didn’t want to be caught up in the trouble of another world. He had done what he could, and know he was advising us to move on. It was endearing to know that he could even help me this far, to that I was grateful.

I accepted the money and said a short goodbye, marching out the door with Florence. It was early afternoon and the dazzling light spread like dry liquid over the suburban neighbourhood. We treaded the pavement for a few blocks until a bus timetable and bench came into view. The bus was due to arrive in three minutes. The weather was slowly slipping into the grooves of the colder months, but at the moment, the radiant sun was happily welcomed. We basked in the warmth until the grotesque smell of petrol whispered up my nostrils, and not too soon after a rickety old bus lumbered into view. It rattled to a stop and we climbed aboard, handing the money to the driver without a word.

We weren’t the only ones of the bus; low chatter was the background music for the trip. Everybody kept to themselves though, Florence included. My nose wrinkled with all of the different smells, I was definitely not a fan of public transport.

It was hard not to sneak glances at Florence as she gazed away from me, out the window to the greenery beyond. Her hair was messed and wild for various reasons, and dried blood was noticeable to the trained eye here and there. In her state of chaos though, she had an appealing air to her. Her light blue eyes shone as she watched the scenery fly by, and a small smile played on her lips. I wondered what she was thinking about. All of these things – our relationship, my interest in her, my tie to what she was now, they all made it that much more difficult to try and separate our lives and move on. I knew that it was for the better, but it seemed so unjust to leave now. After all we’d been through, when I finally thought that I could have a relationship since I’d been infected, it all had to go. I winced at the thought and turned away. Unfortunately, it was inevitable.

The bus took about twenty minutes to bumble out of Canmar and return to Banff, but even then the closest stop was in the middle of town. Exhaustion leaked through my every pore, but I insisted on walking Florence back to her house. It wasn’t too far, but I made sure to stay out of view when she arrived in case her brothers spotted me.

“So, I guess I’ll see you round again?” Florence asked uncomfortably. I considered her words, and then nodded. I wouldn’t leave yet, not until I knew that she would be alright without me. Perhaps a week tops would be all I needed, and then I’d disappear. “Look, thanks for helping me when-”

I cut off her thanks with a gruff voice. “Don’t thank me, it’s my fault you were hurt in the first place.” I didn’t deserve her, she was so kind hearted, thanking me for saving her life when it was the least I could do for her.

“But you could have ran,” she reminded me. “I thank you for not doing that.” She smiled shyly and turned around, walking up the front steps to her house. The door was unlocked as she slipped inside with a final wink in my direction, and I didn’t stay any longer.

I had some packing to do.

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Well hello there!I am so terribly sorry for not updating on time guys, I really had a lot going on. But... here is your reward. I'm guessing - rough estimate here - that the story may well be done in about ten chapters or less! Oh no! Thinking miserable thoughts? Well don't! I intend to drag the epilogue out for a while, and am considering a sequel if I get enough readers. Perhaps if i have the time too...

I guess the good news for you is that I was sick today. That's how I got this chapter finished and I am writing a few more today if possible so there are a few uploads coming. Sorry for my lengthy speech :)

Thanks so much for reading everyone! :) Vote if you like it and comment away!