His Guardian Demon

Chapter Sixteen

Winnie's POV

I must be going crazy. No way that was Ash. No way. I shook my head and pulled my curtains closed. You're only seeing him everywhere. He's not there.

I blew out a breath with a laugh. I sound crazy, even to myself. No, I knew the reason I was seeing him everywhere. It's because he's the first person to be nice to you ever since—

I didn't allow myself to finish that thought.

I finished putting everything in my backpack for school. I usually finish my homework on Friday, but I thought I would look at the aliens again. In the end, I decided not to do anything in case Ash wanted to do something else, or make a different change.

Mom knocked on the door and opened it slowly. "Winnie? Are you dressed?"

"Yes, I am fully clothed."

She opened the door to reveal Dad by her side. "We're going to bed; goodnight honey."

"Goodnight Mom, love you."

"See you tomorrow, son."

"Goodnight, Dad. Are we still—"

"Yes. We'll go after church, okay?"

"Okay. Goodnight," I called one last time as they closed the door. I got up and tidied my room a bit before turning off my light and going to sleep.

***

"Rise and shine sweetheart! It's time to get up! It's Sunday!" My mother yelled as she tore open the curtains. I rubbed my eyes and yawned. "You have enough time to take a shower if you want before we go," Mom said as she left my room. 

I decided to go ahead and take a shower. I believe that if someone, especially your parents, are saying you have enough time to take a shower, they're trying to tell you that you need to take one. 

I walked into my bathroom and turned on the water. I peeled off my shirt and looked at my chest. It doesn't look as bad as it did last night. The bruises are almost completely gone. I step into the warm water and relish the feeling it leaves behind as it caresses my skin.

When I finish, I dry off completely before wrapping the towel around my waist and going back to my room. I pull on my boxers before walking to my closet and scanning the shirts I have. I decide to wear my light pink button-up and beige pants. 

Just as I finished buttoning the top button of my shirt, a knock sounded from the door. "Come in," I said as I grabbed a pair of socks from my dresser. Dad walked in wearing a navy blue button-up and black pants. His blond hair was neatly combed to one side.

"Hey, are you almost ready to go? Your mom is waiting for you."

"Yeah, let me grab my shoes," I said as I pulled a sock over my foot. Dad nodded and left my room. I pulled on black shoes and picked up my other backpack. I would need it later.

Soon we arrived at the church. I walked to the entrance and found my favorite greeter. 

"Hi, Mrs. Druid! I'm glad to see you here today!"

She smiled at me and pulled me into a hug. She smelled like warm vanilla. "It's good to be here, Winston. I missed our little talks before mass."

"Me too. How was your trip back home?" Mrs. Druid went to visit her children two weeks ago. She doesn't get to see them often, so when she does, it's always a special occasion. 

"Oh, it was wonderful Winston! Madison is going to be giving me grandchildren in nine months!"

I beamed. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you, Winston. I'll see you next week, alright?"

"Okay. Bye Mrs. Druid!"

"Goodbye!"

I walked behind my parents until we got to the pews. I sat between them and whispered, "What a sweet old lady."

My parents chuckled but quieted down when the priest began the service.

***

"Okay, do you have everything now?" Mom asked me as Dad pulled to a stop on the curb. I grabbed my backpack and the bundles of flowers next to me. 

"Yeah, I have everything."

"Text us when you need to be picked up, alright?" Dad said, glancing in the rearview mirror. 

I nodded and got out of the car. I started my trek up the hill to the entrance gate. I opened the black iron gate and began to place flowers next to all the empty headstones. I slowly made my way up the worn path, waving at the ghosts of those who died. 

I stopped when I reached the headstone. I felt an all-too-familiar ache in my chest when I read the name.

                                                                         Archer  Bianchi
                                                          Loved son of Mary and John
                                                    November 2003—December 2010

I knelt down and placed the last few flowers in the vase located next to the year of death. 

"Hey, Archer. I'm sorry I didn't visit you last week. I couldn't really move because of Marcus and Tyler again. Um, anyway, there's a new kid at school. He came on Thursday. He's my science partner for a project. 

"He reminds me a lot of you, actually. He didn't care about my heterochromia. He's also very attentive, although he doesn't look like it. He looks mean and scary, but he's actually really nice. The day he came, Marcus and Tyler beat me up in the bathroom. He took me to his house and helped clean me up.

"He makes me nervous. I don't know why. I guess it's just because I haven't had a friend since...you know. I just hope I don't call him your name by mistake. Your names are very similar. His is Asher."

I sat in silence, out of things to say. I sighed and started to speak again.

"I wish they would stop. Marcus and Tyler, that is. I don't know what I did to upset them, but I wish I knew. They can't hate me just because of my eyes, could they?"

I fell silent again. I stood up and dusted off my pants. "I really miss you, Archie. I wish I had been the one to get hit."

***

So we learned a bit about Winnie in this chapter! I usually don't do POV switches like that, but I thought it was important this time. Next chapter will take place on Monday(the following day). 

Oh, and I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again. Hurricane Florence is supposed to hit tomorrow, and I'm not sure if the power's going to go out or what. We shall see though. Please stay safe, even if there's no hurricane coming your way :D