Scattered [A Mallory Winston Spin-Off]

[Chapter 10]

After a little while and a few random lighthearted conversations, we take a few moments to fully take in the dark room around us. I've moved and my head is now laying on Billie's stomach, his hand in mine, resting above my chest.

"It's fucking weird, isn't it?" He asks, and I see his eyes scanning the area around us. I nodd, absentmindedly playing with his fingers.

"It really is...it's like there's just nothing anywhere, but there's clearly walls and a floor, and probably a ceiling," I say, yawning.

"Yeah, I know. It's really weird...But kinda cool," he says, looking to me with a smile. I smile back, stifling another yawn.

"It is...it's like our own little world..." I mutter, more to myself then him, but he responds, brushing his thumb over my fingertips.

"It really is kiddo..."

I yawn loudly, and close my eyes for a moment. I hear him laugh, pulling his hand from mine.

"Getting tired babe?"

"Just a little," I mutter, cracking open an eye to look at him with a smile. However, both my eyes quickly fly open and I sit up, feeling a sudden wave of panic.

"Love, what's wrong?" He asks, concerned, as he sits up beside me.

"I can't fall asleep; I've gotta stay awake," I say in a mutter looking to him, which only causes more panic to bestill my heart.

"Why, kid?" He asks, completly ignorant.

"'Cause Beej, how did I get here?"

"You passed out, but-"

"So how do suppose I'm gonna go back?"

The realization dawns on him, and I see him nodd slowly. After a moment, his gaze flits back to mine.

"Y'know angel, maybe you shouldn't fight it anymore..."

This takes me by surprise, and I feel my eyes widen as I get a feeling close to betrayal.

"Why? Don't you want me here?" 

Now it's his turn to have big eyes, and he looks to me anxiously, taking a step closer, closing the gap between us.

"Of course I do, kid. But I know one way or another you're gonna have to go back, just like I've gotta go back to the afterlife or whatever the hell you wanna call it."

A whole new wave of fear courses through me, but this time I find myself reverting to almost clingy toddler behavior, and voice all my worries.

"But I don't wanna go back Beej... What if I forget you, or what if you forget me, or what if you find a dead girl who needs you to take care of her and then you don't need me anymore and-" 

My voice rises in pitch, getting more and more upset each word, and eventually Billie cuts me off by picking me up and sitting us down, me sitting in his lap facing him as I sniffle. Looking me in the eyes seriously, he quickly brushes a hair from my eyes.

"You don't have to worry about any of that, angel," he says in a low tone, eyes moving slightly as they search mine.

"You don't have to worry because I'm yours, love. And I'm not going to forget you, or replace you, or anything like that. I promise." He pulls his gaze away from mine and looks down at his hands, tightly gripping mine. I feel tears starting to fill my vision and he carefully pulls his left hand from mine.