“I don’t know. I think you found a way to save me. That’s the only way we could both still be here because I think I saw you drop too.”
“You think?”
“The shadow people. I told you already. I can’t see anyone other than myself.”
I swallowed the large lump in my throat. My breathing had become labored as I recalled the rest of my dream. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to ask. I was scared of the answer.
“Is that all you remember? Of your dream?” I asked finally. There was silence for a moment before she laughed dryly.
“You’re talking about the sex? Oh yeah, I remember that too. That was fun. I’d love to recreate the scene when you get home.”
I hung up quickly and threw my phone across the room as if she could come through it. I was going to be sick. I flew to the bathroom and started gagging. I made it to the toilet just in time to start throwing up all the blood and cinnamon in my stomach. The cinnamon stung coming up.
I closed my eyes and let my body react to the news that it really had been her. Aleida was the one I had been in love with. Not Scout. I was meant to be with Aleida.No, it couldn’t be.
23
It had been almost a month since Desi had left. Each day it felt more and more like he wasn’t coming back.
I had just gotten out of the shower after a long shift when there was a knock on my door. I was in the process of drying my hair, and I was in a red silk robe and nothing else. The knock came more pronounced and deep.
“I’m coming!” I called, huffing. I tied my robe tighter and went to the door. I unlocked it without bothering to stand on tiptoes for the peephole. I swung the door open and gasped.
“Desi, oh my God!” I threw myself into his arms and inhaled. He smelled like leather and dirt and maybe a hint of his cologne. He put his arms around me and squeezed. His body relaxed into mine as if he, too, had been needing this more than anything in the world. “You’re back.”
“I am. Can I come in?” he asked. I let him go quickly and urged him inside. I shut the door quickly, and as he stepped more into the room, I saw how tired he looked. His shoulders were slumped, his hair long and dirty. he bags under his eyes were large and dark.
“Oh, Desi.” I frowned. “Where have you been?”
“Around. You wanted me to whittle the number down. I did.”
“You broke your curse?” My eyes widened with hope. He couldn’t make eye contact with me as he shook his head.
“Not yet. I’m close. Probably closer than you are.”
“It’s hard. Letting go of— normalcy? It’s kind of scary to think of what’s on the other side.” I confessed.
“You said happiness. Don’t you want that?” He looked up then, cocking an eyebrow. I shrugged and smiled at him.
“Only if you’re a part of that.” I went to him and reached for his hands. Taking them, I squeezed tightly. He offered me a small, exhausted smile.
“You need a shower, a hot cup of blood, and a nap.”
“Yes, please. In that order.” He chuckled. Holding onto his hand, I pulled him into the bathroom, where I started the shower for him. We stood there awkwardly for a moment. Memories of the two times we were intimate flashed in my brain. They had been so brief. Almost a tease of what he could do.
“I’ll get your cup ready.” I brushed a lock of hair behind my ear and hurried out.
I heard the rustle of his clothes dropping to the floor. After putting the teakettle on the stove, I peeked out of the kitchen to see the bathroom door closed.
I took a deep breath, trying to process his arrival. He was back.
What did that mean for us?
His loud steps caused me to return to the present. The teapot was whistling. I turned to attend to it, quickly pouring a cup for him. He cleared his throat, and I glanced back.
My stomach clenched. A towel was wrapped low on his hips. I turned and smiled kindly, admiring his frame. Only when I saw him in full view did I let out a small scream and drop the hot cup of blood in my hand.
“What happened?” I cried as I stepped over the mess and hurried to him. I touched his chest and ran my hands down his abdomen. My fingers felt each muscle, but they hesitated when they reached the cuts right down the center. Almost like a tiger had mauled him.
