“It was just an idea,” she said, her delicate red lips pouting.
“I think it’s a great idea. The city part anyway. I think it would do us some good. I think we all need the fresh air. We’ve been cooped up in here for far too long,” I said with a look around at everyone.
“Amelia’s right. A night out in the city is just what we need,” Jonathon said and then turned to give Diana a stern look, “and leave the credit cards here.”
Diana smiled and laughed, “A little retail therapy never hurt anyone.”
“That’s what you think,” Jonathon smiled. It was so good to see him smile. It was good just to hear their voices. We had all been holed up for far too long. I felt like I was finally breathing again.
Patrick, Amelia, Joseph and Diana went in Amelia’s Mercedes GLK. Mason and Danny went in the BMW Z4 Roadster and Jonathon and I went in his mustang since no vehicle could carry us all. Once in the car, just the two of us, he took my hand and kissed it.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you.”
“It’s okay, really. We were all hurt by what happened,” I said sadly.
“True, but what you saw,” he winced, “is unimaginable.”
“We all saw what happened, Jonathon, not just me,” I commented. “It’s messed with all of our minds. I promised myself that I would go on with my life and live for all those people that sacrificed their lives for me but instead I just crawled back in my shell like a weakling,” I said.
“I know but-,” he said turning on the headlights as we followed the others down the winding streets. “You’re human.”
“You make it sound like you’re not,” I said with a sigh.
“Kylie, I’m not human,” he growled.
“You were human once, Jonathon, I think that makes you human no matter what-,” I struggled for the right word, “species you might be a part of now. Your soul is still human.”
“You’re the only human part of my soul,” he said.
“Can you stop being so cynical. We all saw what happened. We all were affected by it. Stop treating me like I’m weak simply because I’m human,” I snapped.
Jonathon glanced at me, “You think that I think your humanity makes you weak?” he spat. “It’s what makes you the strongest. You’re the strongest of us all. I just worry about you. I can’t help it. It’s ingrained in my brain to worry about you,” he said tapping his forehead for emphasis. “After it happened I didn’t know what to say to you and that day at the cemetery I felt like I was losing you. I can’t lose you Kylie. I just- you saw your dad die and then Isaac and then all those others. I didn’t know what to say to make it better and that was hard. Really hard. So, instead I chose to say nothing at all. All I want is to protect you and suddenly I felt like I had lost you,” he said choking on emotion.
“Jonathon,” I said rubbing his hand, “You never lost me. I’m right here. I’m just sad is all. I feel like I never really grieved after my dad died. I was to numb and I was still scared of Selena. But now that she’s dead I’m not afraid anymore so that just brings all the sadness and grief to the forefront of mind.”
He digested all of that and nodded his head as if he was having some kind of internal conversation. “Okay,” he said. “That makes sense. I just hate to see you hurt but I understand that you have to. It’s just really hard for me. I don’t like seeing you like this. I want to see you smile and laugh again. I miss seeing that sparkle in your eye. I just miss you.”
“I just need time, Jonathon, that’s it. I know that they’re dead and not coming back but that doesn’t make it any easier. At least it wasn’t you that died, as selfish as that sounds. I can handle losing my dad and my best friend but I can’t handle even the thought of losing you. I’m sorry I haven’t been myself but I’m going to be myself again. I promise,” I said with conviction.
“I love you so much it hurts,” he said.
“I love-,” suddenly a man stepped out into the road in front of our car. He was a pale ghostly white, with white hair, and white clothes. Everything about him was white, even his eyes. “Jonathon!” I screamed. He swerved the car and we plummeted over the side of the road down an embankment.
I screamed. I felt my body move around the car against my own violation and something hard slam into me holding me still. Suddenly we slammed into a stop on Jonathon’s side of the car. My head hit against the passenger side window and I felt blood gush out of my head. My vision began to blur. I felt the impact of something else hit us and it slammed me against the glass again. I coughed and blood came out. Far off I could hear sirens.
“Kylie, stay with me. Oh my God! Please stay awake! There’s so much blood! If you can hear me just keep listening to my voice! Don’t go to sleep! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I love you! Please, don’t leave me!” screamed Jonathon in a panic.
I tried to speak but I couldn’t. I was paralyzed. Somewhere in the back of my mind I hoped it wasn’t permanent. I tried to look at him but my body protested. I was suddenly very sleepy. I would just
rest my eyes for a moment. I heard the screeching of metal but it didn’t matter. I was too sleepy to care what happened now. I would just rest my eyes for five minutes. Five minutes never hurt anyone right? I knew I should stay awake but I couldn’t.
I drifted into unconsciousness as I heard the anguished cries of my soul mate scream out for me to stay awake and then finally I heard him cry, “Noooooo!” but it was too late. I was gone.
Epilogue: Heaven
I was four and I was running through a sprinkler in the backyard.
I was five and I lost my first tooth, two actually, because Adam hit me with a baseball by accident.