Laconic » a.i

2.0

//ashton//

I figured it would be nice to give Michael a heads up that I'd be gone. I didn't want him thinking Mali-Koa erased me or something only for him to possibly kill her and then Calum would be pissed at both of us. The problem was sneaking in. Maybe if I could get Annie to open the door, but how?

You're still a ghost, dumbass.

Right. Fuck.

I transported into the house -- I could transport in, just not out -- and found Michael laying on his back on his bed. He looked up after he saw me materialize but just went back to doing nothing like before.

"Let me guess," he sighed, "you're here because Bitchina is trying to kill off Cooper for Cal's twisted sister."

"How'd you-"

"She was talking on the phone literally right outside my door," he cut me off with a chuckle. "Either she's dumb as fuck or she doesn't know her saint sister put me back here."

"Do you know who she's partnered with? Her and some guy showed up at the shack and were talking about seeing Cooper down Westfield Drive." I explained.

"Nope," he said sadly, "but I'll kill the fucker she sent after her. She starts yelling at him like, 'you said you were the best hunter so how the fuck did you let her slip away?' so let's hope Cooper's good at hide-and-seek."

I couldn't help but chuckle at his lame attempt at a joke. I let out a deep sigh before I walked to the one window in the room and looked down at the ground, "I'm leaving to find Cooper; I'll be back soon, though. I just have to warn them."

"They probably think we're dead anyway," Michael let out a sharp laugh. "Surprise!"

"You're not mad I'm leaving you behind, are you?" I quizzed, turning around.

His eyes met mine and he looked hopeful for some reason, "Annie's here in the same house as me. I don't care at all."

"But they won't let you see her, you know." I informed him.

"I'll find a way." he stated.

-

I woke up on the damp ground of the street. When I looked up, I could see both Luke's and the house the Coopers used to reside in. I couldn't remember how I'd gotten here, but I knew I was talking to Michael and needed a way to get out of the house. "Death" was the obvious answer because I'd be brought back to where I'd originally died. I must've jumped out the window.

I stood up, ignoring the wet spots on the back of my clothes, and made my way toward the Hemmings House. I wasn't sure if Calum would actually bring them back there but I also didn't know if they knew they were being hunted. After I opened the front door, my questions were answered.

They knew.

The house was dark and silent. No one was in the kitchen or watching TV in the living room. I had no idea where they could possibly be. I couldn't call anyone because they all thought I was dead and would probably think it was one of those damn witches. What if I never saw Cooper again?

The feeling started to come in waves and I didn't bother controlling it. So what if I happened to kill someone? It wouldn't matter anymore because I wouldn't see Cooper for the rest of my existence. She would continue to run and hide with Luke and Calum and her brother until they were caught or the hunters gave up.

I snapped. I walked out the door, slamming it behind me before I sprinted down the street toward my house -- where it was supposed to be. I walked in, not even caring about if I would get caught or what. I went straight to where my room was supposed to be and saw a girl laying in a room that was much bigger than my own.

My obnoxious entrance made her jolt up from her sleep. She held the covers around her as if that would somehow shield away any harm to come to her. Her blonde hair stuck straight down her head as she looked at me with wide, clear eyes. Her skin was bleached from the moonlight streaming in through the window. She was no Cooper, but the girl still looked beautiful. But still, she wasn't Cooper.

"What's your name?" I asked softly. Thinking of Cooper just made me feel sad. I needed someone; anyone to be with me right now.

"J-Jodie." she hardly whispered.

"Jodie," I repeated as I walked closer slowly. I sat down when I reached the end of the bed, my body twisted to face her. "Jodie, please don't leave me."

The blanket fell from where she held it by her neck and she looked blank of all feeling or expression. "I won't leave you."

"Be with me forever," I offered my hand to her. She took it and I stood to lead her to the kitchen. She followed without question. I went through the drawers until I found what I was looking for: a knife. I placed the handle in her hand, held her face gently between my hands, and looked her dead in the eyes. "I need you, Jodie."

She nodded slowly before I saw her plunge the knife into her stomach. Again. And again. And again. The knife clattered to the floor but no one came running; the sound was hardly loud enough to carry through the big house. I just watched, stroking her face with my thumbs, as the color drained from her pink cheeks, blood rushed from her mouth, and she dropped to the ground.

Without even thinking, I found myself at Cooper's old house.

She's not even here.

Shut the hell up, she has to come back!

But she-

Fuck off!

The war raging in my head made me want to kill myself too, but I already knew that wouldn't happen. I just continued up to Cooper's room as I looked for a new friend to replace the emptiness. But I didn't expect to make friends with this girl.

She was sitting on the edge of the quilted bed, her dark hair over one shoulder. Her eyes looked into mine and they glowed dimly in the light of the moon that streamed in. Her perfect pink lips parted in a silent gasp as she saw me enter. I knew my mouth mirrored her's.

"W-what's your name?" I asked in a broken whisper.

She shook her head and I could see the sadness in her eyes. "You're not Ashton." she said quietly.

I nodded, "But you're Cooper."