Tuesday, 17th July 2018
12:14 PM
Five days had passed since the accident. The school principle decided that there would be a two week break from classes in respect for those who had passed away that day. Ashley was sitting with her mother, Mary Winter, watching some romance TV series on Netflix. Ashley wasn't paying much attention as her phone sounded beside her. She didn't unlock the phone but she checked the lock screen to see the message.
Sam: Ash, can we talk?
Ashley wondered whether she even wanted to reply. Both him and Nathan were trying to get through to her. She was too caught up in shock to talk much to anyone. How did she see the future? If that's even what had happened.
Ash: Ok, lets meet at the skate park in town. Tell Nathan.
She replied.
'How are you Ash?' Sam asked eyeing Ashley carefully.
'I'm alive.' She said literally.
Mary had happily dropped her off at the skate park to meet up with her friends. Actually, she was happy to get Ashley out of the house. She hadn't left at all after the accident.
'How did you know about the accident?' Sam asked again.
'I told you at school.'
She didn't really know how she knew. All she knew was that she did die that day. It felt more real than any dream that she'd ever had before. Thankfully, it had saved her life.
'what you said at school, isn't possible.' Nathan said.
'Then how?' Ashley said defensively. 'How is it that I have that… Hallucination, vision, trip, whatever you want to call it? Then that exact same scenario actually happens in real life. Riddle me that.'
'I don't know, okay' Nathan said throwing his hands in the air with a shrug. 'It's mental.'
Mental. that what Cindy had called her on the bus, right before she exited. That word brought back a series of unfortunate flash backs.
'Like I said that day, I died. I felt every little moment of it. The feeling of acceptance that washed over me, it's indescribable. Like I was accepting the fact that I was about to die. Then snap! I was back, I could breathe again. You'll never know what that's like.'
'you're right Ash,' Sam's soft voice claimed her instantly. ' we dont know what it's like.'
The skate park was rather neglected, there was graffiti on the fences, rubbish was scattered in the park and some "sketchy" looking characters were loitering by a park bench seat under a large gum tree. On a more positive note, the sun was out warming the backs of Sam Nathan and Ashley as they walked along the concrete pathway.
Mary had happily dropped her off at the skate park to meet up with her friends. Actually, she was happy to get Ashley out of the house. She hadn't left at all after the accident.
'How did you know about the accident?' Sam asked in wonder.
'I told you at school.'
She didn't really know how she knew. All she knew was that she did die that day. It felt more real than any dream that she'd ever had before. Thankfully, it had saved her life. But she couldn't help but feel guilty, as she hadn't saved the others on the bus. She just saved herself. Selfish really. These thoughts had been racing through her head since waking up in hospital. Maybe she deserved to be burdened with them. She deserved it.
'what you said at school, isn't possible.' Nathan said.
'Then how?' Ashley said defensively. 'How is it that I have that… Hallucination, vision, trip, whatever you want to call it? Then that exact same scenario actually happens in real life. Riddle me that.'
'I don't know, okay' Nathan said throwing his hands in the air with a shrug. 'It's mental.'
Mental. that what Cindy had called her on the bus, right before she exited. That word brought back a series of unfortunate flash backs.
'Like I said that day, I died. I felt every little moment of it. The feeling of acceptance that washed over me, it's indescribable. Like I was accepting the fact that I was about to die. You'll never know what that's like.'
'you're right Ash,' Sam's soft voice claimed her instantly. ' we will never know what that's like.'
Ashley began describing how it felt to die but unfortunately the two boys were finding it difficult to comprehend. They were sincerely worried for her wellbeing and still felt it hard to believe her entirely despite her being able to predict the death of too many students. As the three of them were walking, Nathan and Sam lifted their gaze to notice an elderly man heading their way. He wore a thick brown jacket that appeared too warm for the temperature they were experiencing today. His faded black shoes were rather worn, hair was untidy and his beard needed some tending to. Both his gaze and Ashley's were directed to the ground. Just as Ashley looked up, his shoulder bumped into hers firmly. The moment they had touched, Ashley was snatched from the reality around her. She gasped when all the air in her lungs had gone. Every inch of Ashley's skin went cold and both Nathan and Sam were no longer by her side. Something hit her chest with such power that she could suddenly breathe again. At some point, Ashley's eyes had closed so she opened them as quick as she could manage. Her eyes were directed at the blue painted ceiling, as was the walls and floor. Where was she? She used the most strength she could conjure to bring herself to her feet. There was a man on a hospital bed before her. Both of his arms and ankles were shackled to it. His face was pale, eyes sunken in and dark. Was he dead? Ashley's eyes wondered around the room noticing a metal bench on wheels with numerous tools placed there. Scalpels, knives, plyers and other's Ashley hadn't seen before. Was this man being tortured by someone? That was the first thought that entered her mind. She'd seen enough to know he needed saving. She couldn't save the others on that bus, but maybe she could save him. Even though this situation was bizarre to say the least. Ashley grabbed his arm but couldn't budge it at all. Odd? She went for the shackles but was presented with the same issue. The sound of a door opening startled Ashley with fear she'd never experienced before. She reached for one of the scalpels to defend herself is need be. Again, she couldn't pick it up. It was as though she couldn't influence the world around her at all. A man entered the room. He wore an all-black suit with a black top hat. His eyes were black with almond eyes and a thick monobrow. Ashley backed herself into the corner of the room expecting "Suit guy" to make her the next victim.
'Hank, Hank, Hank…" Suit guy said casually in a deep voice as he approached the bed.
Hank opened his pale grey eyes to look up to him.
'There he is.' Suit guy flashed Hank an evil grin. 'Now, do I need to ask you that same question?'
He didn't answer, only clenched his fists.
'How did you develop them?' Suit guy said through gritted teeth.
Them? What did he mean by, them?
'Were you born this way? How many like you are there?'
When Hank said nothing Suit guy's grin began to form again.
'So be it, they all talk eventually.' He reached for the plyers. 'Now, sit still.'
Ashley turned away covering her ears but she could still hear his screams and Suit guys same question that Hank refused to answer.
'Ash?'
'Ash, open your eyes. Nathan, tip her head to the side.'
'Do we call an ambulance?'
Ashley's throat was on fire, just like the time she had drowned. It felt as though she was drowning again, even tasted that way too. She suddenly gasped for air again. The relief was instant but she still had to throw up what felt like water in her lungs.
'Yes!' Sam ordered.
'No.' Ashley said raspy while opening her eyes, yet again.
'Oh fuck, Ash.' Nathan sighed desperately.
'What happened?' Ashley Asked as she began to sit up.
'Take it easy.' Sam grabbed her arm to steady her. 'You like seized up or something, you fell over and started choking… your face went blue and honestly, we thought you were going to suffocate.'
'Where did Hank go?' Ashley asked, still dazed.
'Who's Hank?' Nathan Asked.
9:26 PM
Ashley was sitting in her mum's lounge room watching a show called Haunted on Netflix. The lounge room was small and it was located in the middle of the house meaning it didn't have a window. Ashley always found that rather odd. The sofa she was comfortably sitting in, had a soft grey blanket draped over the far right side. Mum always kept it there for Misty the grey 13 year old cat. The idea was that she would sleep there and she did so.
Suddenly Ashley's phone pinged from beside her. It was Drake.
Drake: Hey babe, what are you up to?
Drake was Ashley's "secret" boyfriend. Her friends knew but mum, as it appeared to be, was oblivious. He was seven years older which her mum wouldn't be happy with. Drake and Ashley had been together for 10 months. It had been an up and down relationship. He had gotten physical during an intense argument. Despite this, she loved him. He promised that it would never happen again. They still had arguments. Only small ones but nothing like that argument. She was afraid to push arguments too far in case he might hit her again.
She remembered when she went to school with a black eye. She pretended it happened at volleyball. Nathan and Sam didn't believe her lies but they never pushed it further. They had their suspicions.
Ashley opened her messages and wrote her reply.
Ash: Not much, just watching TV. You?
Within seconds he replied.
Drake: I'm coming to pick you up. See you in ten.
He always sprung things like this on her without warning. Something she used to admirer but soon it got frustrating. Another thing she never brought up. Ashley lied and said to her mum she was going out with her friends. Mary was fine with it of course, she never suspected her daughter to lie the way she did.
She waited outside for Drake's familiar red Ute. Minutes later she noticed another pair of headlights approaching her. This one was him. He pulled up alongside her with a grin ear to ear. His smile used to give her butterflies but that never happened anymore.
'Hey sexy. Jump in.' He leant over to open the door.
Without hesitation she took a seat and shut the door behind her. She faced him and flashed him a shy smile.
'Are you hungry?' He asked as he pulled out from the side of the road.
'No, it's okay, I already had dinner.' She admitted.
'Come on, I want to spoil my girl.' he Leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
His lips left a lingering warmth that she always enjoyed.
'A soft serve ice-cream from McDonalds would be awesome though.' She tried meeting him half way.
She didn't have an idea what he had in mind but she had her suspicions where this night was going. He did this sort of thing at least once a week.
1:36 AM
The night air had a cold chill that would bite at your skin. A small bricked house was positioned under a tall pine tree. It was out of town. If you were to scream, nobody would hear. Both Ashley and Drake laid under the black sheets of Drake's queen sized bed. Her clothes were scattered over the floor. His too. Ashley leaned into him resting her head on his chest. She could hear his heart booming. It was a steady beat. Soothing even. She smiled and looked up at him.
'What is it?' He asked looking back at her.
'Nothing, I just love you so much.'
'There's no way that you could love me more than I love you.' He chuckled locking eyes with her.
His eyes drowned her in a sea of warmth. She loved the way that he made her feel. She believed that he could be the one. Even though it hadn't been that long since they had been together, she had never felt this way toward anyone but him.
'I should probably be getting you home now.' He said.
This was their usual routine. He'd pick her up, take her to his home, the two would make love, then he'd take her back home before anyone would realize she was ever gone. This would happen at least once a week. Ashley sighed, not wanting this moment to end.
'Just one more minute.'
'Haha,' his smile reached his eyes 'okay. Just for my girl.'
He stopped smiling after a couple more beats from his heart.
'We wouldn't have to be sneaking around if you just told your mum.'
Ashley rolled her eyes. She hated it when he'd bring this up. He did it frequently.
'You know I can't do that.'
'Why?'
'You know why. There's no way that she'd be happy for us to be together. You're 7 years older than me. If mum found out, she'd kill me.'
'You're being dramatic.'
She sat up and began dressing herself, sick of hearing this all the time. That one more minute she wanted to spend with him was now ruined. He watched her as she pulled on her shirt. Her back was to him and he knew he had hit a nerve.
'Come on babe.' He reached out and grabbed her wrist. 'We have to tell her eventually.'
Ashley was going to wait until the two of them were ready to move in together. She hadn't mentioned it to him though. Not yet. It'd be too soon. Drake pulled her lightly toward him. She let him but didn't look him in the eye.
'Look at me.' He said softly.
She hesitated but did so. He could see the frustration on her face. He loved her piercing blue eyes. He loved everything about her. She was perfect in every way. Drake ran his thumb over her soft lips.
'We don't have to tell her today. We will work it out.' He smiled. 'Trust me.'
Drake leaned in closer. Ashley felt her stomach do summersaults. She could feel his breathe on her face. She froze. His lips were centimeters from hers. She and him were like magnets. They were drawn to each other. Drake cupped her cheek and sighed.
'I just can't get enough of you, we belong together.' He whispered as he glanced down at her parted pursed lips.
She smiled at this comment because she also believed this. When she didn't answer, he pulled away briefly.
'Don't you think?'
Ashley nodded.
'That's my girl.' His smile reached his ears.
He rewarded her by slowly closing the distance between them until his lips brushed hers. This sent a tingle throughout her body. He had this effect on her. He could play her with such ease. She knew it too but she didn't care. She was addicted. He pressed his lips against hers. She loved the taste of his poisonous lips. He slipped his hand under her shirt and firmly grabbed her waist. A small moan escaped her. Even though the two had already been intimate that night, she wanted more of him. She couldn't ever get enough.
'Do you want me?' He said even though he already knew the answer.
'Yes. I want you.' Ashley said as though there were no air left in her lungs.
He kissed her again. Deeply. He moved his fingers along every crevasse of her warm body. Ashley pulled him toward her, trying to get more of that poison she yearned. She gave in to him. Feeling his body against hers. The two of them were intertwined in pleasure.
Ashley remembered the first time she had a conversation with Drake. It was nearly a year ago. It was Bianca's birthday party. Her parents were very lenient and had even paid for all the alcohol. It was the first time Ashley had ever drunk alcohol and it didn't go down too well. Bianca and Ashley got into an argument that cost them their friendship. She didn't even remember what it was about but that was the last time the two of them ever spoke to each other. So Ashley left. She had no idea where she was supposed to go. Mum and dad didn't know about the alcohol. Her brother still lived at home. She was drunk and not thinking clearly, so she decided to leave and come up with somewhere to stay the night.
She found herself walking along a narrow pathway that seemed to stretch on forever. The night air bit at Ashley's cold skin. She tried her best to keep walking in a straight line. It was harder than usual. The alcohol was to blame. She wiped away tears with the back of her sleeve. Bianca and her had been friends since they were in primary school. To think it was all thrown away that night. An engine sounded behind her causing her to turn around. It was Drake in his white VX commodore but she didn't know that then. Ashley had wondered why it was driving so slowly. Soon Ashley noticed it was matching her pace, the window rolled down and a warm inviting voice spoke to her.
'Are you okay, Ash?' He asked.
Ashley was taken aback that he knew her name yet she didn't know his.
'Fine, how do you know my name?' She slurred hiding her annoyance that he had called her "Ash" because only her friends call her that.
'I'm a friend of Bianca's.'
She rolled her eyes with the mere mention of her name.
'Yeah? Some friend.' Ashley said sourly.
'Would you like a lift home?' Drake asked.
She contemplated this. A stranger offering a lift at the early hours of the morning. Sounded pretty sketchy.
'I'm fine.' Ashley said rubbing her cold arms.
'You sure? It's bloody cold.' He laughed.
His laugh melted her insides. A friendly go lucky kind of laugh. Someone who means well.
'Where you headed?' He asked.
Now this stranger wants to know where she lives? Things were getting sketchier by the second. Ashley didn't answer.
'I don't know you.' She said looking over his face.
He had ash blonde hair and deep set honey brown eyes. Once she had made eye contact, she couldn't look away. There was a magnetic pull that drew her to him. It were as though they had met before. Did he feel it too? How could he? It must be the alcohol. That's the logical explanation. Before he had an opportunity to respond, he watched her step on the edge of the curb. Her ankle bent in a way that it shouldn't bend. Shock was plastered to her face as she fell hard onto the foot path cursing as she did so. Drake immediately stopped the car, exited the car and rushed over to her.
'Are you okay?' He asked for the second time this night.
'Yeah, I think.'
Ashley attempted to get to her feet embarrassed that she had fallen over in front of someone like him. Someone she had been immediately attracted to.
Ashley put some pressure onto her right ankle and stopped suddenly, it was too painful. She fell backwards and expected to fall back onto the footpath but right at the last second Drake had caught her. His firm grasp on her waist was warm and compelling.
'Sit down for a second. Is it alright if I take a look?' He lifted his gaze and connected eyes with hers.
Her entire body relaxed. She relaxed so much, she almost forgot about the sharp pain shooting up her leg. She wanted to kiss him then and there but she fought the urge deciding that the alcohol was playing too much of a role right now.
'Is it alright?' He repeated.
'Yeah, sorry. It's fine.' She stuttered.
He pressed on multiple areas of her foot which hurt but not so much that it was anything to be alarmed about.
'It doesn't look like it's broken but there is one thing…' He made eye contact again.
'What's that?' She asked.
'I'm going to have to drive you home. You can't walk home like this.'
'I suppose.' She pretended to be bothered by this but shared him a small smile to say otherwise.
The rest was quite a blur but she won't forget that memory.