Page 10 of Women Love Wraiths

It was over six feet tall when you included the six inches or so off the ground it floated. Its robes were tattered gray and black, and from what I could tell, its form was human-like. I couldn’t make out specific features because of the robes, but I didn’t see any extra appendages or odd contortions.

We existed like that, studying each other, until I glanced down at my watch and saw it was about an hour from dawn. I sighed, not wanting to leave despite merely sitting in the woods with some creature all night.

“I should probably go,” I said, my voice coming out in a hushed tone.

The creature didn’t move so I stood up, stretching my stiff limbs. I’d sat in one position entirely too long. When I opened my eyes, the being was right in front of me, its hood inches from my face.

A gasp escaped my lips and a hand lifted to my cheek. The icy touch warmed me from the inside—a comfort despite the cold. I leaned into the creature’s soft hand and let my eyes drift closed, wishing we could stay in that position forever.

All too soon, the cold left me and I opened my eyes to an empty forest.

Chapter 8

Over the next week, I went to the woods five times. A few times before work for half an hour and a few times on my way home just before dawn. On my day off, I’d gotten to stay longer, but each time my creature appeared soon after I arrived. We sat in silence, and on the short visits we just watched each other.

On longer visits, I read while the creature hovered nearby. Before I left each time, its goodbye was a hand on my cheek. I wished it were more, but maybe in time it would be.

I jumped at the sound of a horn honking at me as I walked out of the grocery store. It was nearly dusk and I wanted to get my errands finished so I could get to the woods. I wanted to move things along a bit.

Deep in my thoughts, I loaded my purchases into the trunk of my car and got into the driver’s seat. As soon as I sat down, my phone rang. Jenna’s name flashed on the screen.

“Hey, Jen, what’s up?” I asked as I pulled onto the street from the parking lot.

“Where are you? We were supposed to meet fifteen minutes ago.” Her words were terse.

Shit. What had I forgotten? I racked my brain but came up with nothing.

‘Um, I’m not sure I know what you mean. I’m on my way home for a night with my painting.”

“Jade! Fucking seriously? You said you would be able to see that new movie with me tonight since you’re off.”

I definitely didn’t remember agreeing to that. “Jen, I don’t remember saying that.”

What I could only describe as a growl flooded the line. “Yes, you did. Four days ago, in fact. You texted ‘sure’ when I asked.”

Ah hell. I remembered now. Jenna had texted when I was in the middle of rushing to work after a visit to the woods. I’d stayed longer than I planned taking in my creature. Being in its presence was calming and comforting. In my rush, I’d just agreed to whatever Jenna said without paying attention.

“Jen, fuck, I’m so sorry. I must have forgotten. This week has kicked my ass and I’m exhausted.”

“I have no idea what’s gotten into you lately, but you blow me off constantly and we’ve hardly talked the past few weeks.” Her voice grew strained as if she were about to cry. “You clearly don’t have time for me anymore so, bye.”

Beep.

“Fucking passive aggressive much?” I said to the empty vehicle.

Jenna's need for extra attention during this particular relationship tiff was grating on me. Usually, I was happy to spend more time with her since I was almost always single and never had much else to do. But this time, other things held my focus, and since I wasn’t there to devote all my attention to Jenna, she wasn’t happy. I loved her, but she would get over it when things got better with Alex or if she found someone else to set her sights on.

After I got everything settled at home and changed into comfy sweats, I gathered my e-reader and headed to the graveyard. In the woods, I sat on a rock while I waited for it to come. Finally after thirty minutes, I felt the air grow colder and I glanced to my right to see it floating across the crunchy leaves.

“Hi.”

Wow, could I get any more awkward?

My creature stopped a few feet away, and my shoulders slumped as the air grew heavy. “Sorry, I…I had a run in with my best friend tonight,” I said, dropping my eyes to the ground. What the hell? Spewing the first thing that came to mind hadn’t been on the agenda.

I sank my head down in my hands. “I didn’t mean to say that. I don’t know why I said that.”

Heat flooded my eyes, and my face burned. With the creature there, everything I’d shoved off earlier in the night came rushing back. As I looked at the ground, it all threatened to spill onto my cheeks.