Awake in a fantasy (draft)

(Chapter 8)

*Ashton Ortiz*

Fogs of breath left my parted lips as I desperately searched for her. Then a thought hit me, why was I looking for her? It’s not like we had any relationship, or childhood together, we just met. Another thought came into my mind and I gradually stopped running, looking down at the glimmering with sand. It couldn’t be… love at first… I shook my head furiously. Ash put it together; you can’t love her, that violates…  Just as I turned my head to face home I saw them, sleeping by where we last were on nothing but ground. I steadily approached the two and sighed, they were safe.

Kai’s skin seemed almost translucent with the moon shining on her face. She was sleeping elegantly, almost making it seem impossible for me to touch her or else she’d desinigrate into rose petals taken away in an instant. My hand stopped before I could brush her arm, and pulled it back and instead wiped the dry tear marks on her warm, white cheeks.

I tugged the Aubelle’s ruffled old cape and covered in onto Raine and Kai. Memories of earlier this day flooded my mind. Kai, her weak fists slamming my chest. I put my palm over my jacket, I can still feel the warmth of her long delicate hands. Moments later I got up to my feet and made my way back to the house. Then out of the blue a moan came from behind me. I turned to see Kai getting up from her sleep waking Raine by accident. In an instant i spun around behind a triangular boulder.

"Oh sorry for waking you Raine- Oh and thanks for the blanket." Kai mumbled rubbing her eyes.

"Um, it's fine and, what?" Raine stared puzzled in Kai's wet dark eyes. They stretched before they could carry on the conversation.

"Oh i forgot why we came here, I don't think Ashton would let us in his house now."

"Oh yeah, shelter. So where can my jackal pack stay? I mean, we need a secretive den where it's dark and wide for the jackals to play around in. Not to mention for us..." I looked down at the glimmering sand beneath my feet trying not to make a sound. They needed shelter? Somewhere secretive with a wide setting and a place for the two? I held my breath trying to hear their further conversation.

"Let's just go for now." Kai's voice muffled under the cloak. That's when I turned around to face the girls with my jacket lightly blowing in the wind. They both wore surprised expressions.

"If you're looking for a shelter, I got one." What the hell was I saying. After what just happened,

"Um sorry Ash but, I don't think Raine's jackals would fit in your house." She was still sitting on the sand, her hair blowing against the soft, cool breeze.

"No, not here. Follow me." Now I did it. I made a complete mistake, I wanted to slap myself but then I'd just look like an idiot. I turned and headed home for the second time. It was silent behind me but then shuffling followed moments later. A smirk came across my face, jackpot.

* Kai *

I tried rubbing the tear tracks off my cheeks as Raine and I shuffled our feet behind Ashton. I just dazed at his wide shoulders and slim back. For some reason, it made me feel, protected. Raine nudged me out of my daze and whispered,

"Are you sure we can trust him? I mean," I cut her off with a sigh and a slight smile. We both shifted out heads to face Ash again. When we made it back to his house the jackals were already waiting along with Grey and Luna by the bushes around his front steps. Ash completely ignored their snarling and entered closing the door behind him leaving us waiting outside.

What was I thinking, he just wanted revenge again didn't he. Maybe he wanted to invite us to his other house and when we slept, murder Raine. That was probably it. Then I thought again about earlier that day. The tear that ran down his cheek, seemed honest, real, hopeless. I sat on his porch sighing the loudest sigh I could let out. Raine came to sit beside me.