Your Ghost

Chapter: 4

I dial my neighbors number before Ransom begins to speak.
She answers on the first ring. "Hello Evelyn!"
"Hi Lydia! Can you please do me a favor?" I ask.
"Anything!"
"Can you please feed Sheila for me? I need to come collect her because I won't be home for the night." I explain.

"Of cause I can, but why won't you be home?" She asks.

"I am by Harlan, and he asked for me to stay for dinner. So it'll be late and Harlan told me I cannot drive back in the dark."

"I see...but why doesn't Sheila stay by me for the night? I am sure Simba wouldn't mind a friend to play with." Lydia suggests.

"That...is actually a better option." Why didn't I think of that? "You have my spare keys?"

"Yes I do. I will feed Sheila shortly." Lydia beams.

"You don't mind? I know it is one night, but Sheila does not do so well when I am not there." I tell her.

"It is alright! What are friends for?"

I smile. "You smiling now aren't you?"

She giggles. "How can you tell?"

We both laugh and then say goodbye.

Lydia and I do go walking quite a lot, but I have been busy with my book and Sheila needs to get out of the house sometime.

I put my phone in my bag and take in a breath. I turn with my head down and walk toward the door, but Ransom's hand stops me from unlocking the door.

"Ransom not this again!" I sigh.

"I warned you to watch your tone with me." Ransom whispers in my ear.

He takes my bag and drops it on the floor. He takes my arm and spins me around so that I fall back onto the armchair.

"What the –"

Ransom towers over me with his knee pressed between my legs. He grabs hold of my neck, just underneath my jaw – and forces me to look at him.

"Do not provoke me like that in front of my family." He breathes on my face.

"Stop...it!" I manage to say.

"I told you that we are not done talking." His voice is cold.

I try to push his hand away from my neck, but he is too strong.

"There...is...nothing...to...talk about!" I breathlessly say.

Ransom scoffs. "Like hell there is. Who was that man?"

I roll my eyes. Not this again!

"Don't roll your eyes at me! You know what will happen if you keep doing that." He warns.

I know what he will do...and I miss it...but I shouldn't.

Ransom tightens his grip on my neck. "Who was that man?"

I start to choke. "You...are...hurting me!"

Ransom looks down and immediately lets go. He then starts to message each side of my jaw.

"I'm sorry..."

I smack his hand away. "No you are not! If you squeezed a little more tightly, you would have choked me." I place my fingers on my neck and cough a little.

I look into his eyes. Dammit!

His eyes have softened. "I am sor –"

"Don't say what you don't mean." I bitterly retort.

Ransom leans in closer and I automatically lean my head back.

"I. Am. Sorry." He cooes.

His eyes travel down to my lips and then he looks back into my eyes. My eyes are locked onto his. I feel his fingers brush on my lower lip.