Icarians: Poisoned Dreams (8 page)

Jaxon arrived at Analeigh’s house just as the sun set. He walked to where he left Dean in the woods. Dean was there waiting for him.
"Anything to report?"
"No nothing. She arrived home about an hour ago."
"Good. Before you leave get close to the house and do a quick scan."
"No problem." Dean said. Before he walked out of the woods he went invisible. Jaxon waited for him to return.
"She’s on the downstairs sofa reading a book. Everything looks secure." Dean reported.
"Ok great. Thanks a lot. You can go on home now, I'll call you if I need you." Jaxon dismissed him.

Chapter 9

Mercedes arrived the next morning to pick Analeigh up. When Analeigh answered the door she looked very tired, nothing like the vibrant energetic girl Mercedes met almost a week ago. Guilt ran through Mercedes as she greeted her. She felt bad for Analeigh and what she was going through. She knew it was only going to get worse.
"Are you all ready to go?"
"Yes, is Jaxon at his shop? I was going to see if he could do something for my car."
"Yeah I think he is, you want to drop it off on our way?" She answered her and snuck a glance to were Jaxon was watching in the woods near by.
"That would be great. I will have to rent a car sometime today. I don't want to be out here without a car." Analeigh said on the way to her car. Mercedes knew Jaxon was already on his way to his shop.
"I don't blame you for that. I'm sure Jaxon will have one you can borrow until yours is fixed."
"Oh no I couldn't ask him to do that, he has helped me out so much he must be wearing thin."
"Not at all, I know for a fact that he doesn't mind. I will follow you to the shop."
As Analeigh drove to Jaxon's shop she felt like a bundle of nerves. She hadn't slept hardly at all the last two nights. Now she felt a little excitement knowing she was about to see Jaxon. When they arrived Jaxon stepped out of his shop. He must have just showered because his hair was damp and as she got closer she could smell his after shave.
"You guys fixing to head out?" Jaxon asked as his eyes locked on hers.
"Yeah, I was wondering if you could take a look at my car, see if you could fix the paint."
"Sure, leave it here and I will start on it first thing in the morning."
"Thank you that would be great." Analeigh told him feeling a little uncomfortable under his intense gaze.
"She will also need a loner car until hers is fixed." Analeigh was grateful that Sadie stepped in.
"I have an extra car you can use, its at the house. You can pick it up after you guys get back. Is Mason still going with you guys?"
"Oh shoot! Analeigh I forgot to ask you, Mason needs to pick up a few things and asked if he could tag along, do you mind?" She asked apologetically.
"No, I don't mind." Mason came out of the back somewhere.
"Jaxon's coming with us." He said.
"That’s great! Oh come on it will be fun." Mercedes jumped in before Jaxon could disagree.
"Sure." Then he gave her an evil look.
"We can take my car." Mason said cheerfully.
"That’s fine but I'm driving." Jaxon quickly stole the keys from Mason and made a run for it, Mason took off after him protesting. Mercedes rolled her eyes and smiled at them. "Boys."
Analeigh was shocked by Jaxon's playfulness. He kept finding new ways to surprise her. They all climbed into Mason's SUV, Analeigh was the last to get in behind Jaxon's seat. As they pulled on to the road she noticed the black car behind them. Analeigh was suddenly glad to have both Jaxon and Mason with them. Even with the car following them she new she was safe, she could see Jaxon watching the rear view mirror, he too could see the car. Analeigh wondered what he was thinking. His eyes were so blue they were astonishing. Those blue eyes shifted to hers and she quickly turned away. She hoped he couldn't see the hint of red that she knew was washing over her.

"So what are we going to do first?" Mercedes asked from the seat beside her.
"Breakfast." Mason said.
"That sounds good I'm starving." Analeigh said in agreement.
The trip took longer than she expected. They found a small country style restaurant called Big Boys. They all ate quietly, anxious to begin the day. They stopped at a home security office and Analeigh ordered a security system. That would, to her dismay, be installed tomorrow. Next they found a Sears and she ordered new appliances to replace her grandmothers old ones.

While there, she and Mercedes picked through paint samples for her bedroom, the guest room and the kitchen. Analeigh finally settled on a pale blue for the kitchen, an off white for the guest room and a deep ruby red for her bedroom. They let the men carry the paint to the car, all the while joking, that was the only reason they let them come was so they could carry the heavy stuff. By the end of the trip they each had new clothes, on Mercedes command. Analeigh hadn't seen the black car for about an hour. She decided that if she saw the car one more time then she would mention it to Jaxon. By the time they accomplished all they set out to do it was almost dark. Mercedes and Analeigh chatted the whole way home from the back seat.

When they finally reached Ravenwood it was long past dark and Analeigh was a bundle of nerves.
"Listen, there is no reason for you to go home tonight, Mason is staying in our guest bedroom but we have a couch in the den that folds into a nice bed. Your welcome to it." Mercedes said as she turned to Analeigh.
Analeigh was always touched by Sadie’s generosity. She stole a glance at Jaxon who also seemed to be waiting for her answer.
"Sure if you guys don't mind. I will feel a lot better about staying there when the security system is installed tomorrow."
"Great! We have everything you will need for tonight." Mercedes said obviously pleased.
When they arrived at their house Mercedes lead her to the den.
"I have an extra toothbrush I will bring you, then I will show you where you can get cleaned up for bed." She said as she got an extra pillow and blanket down from the closet in the den. Together she and Sadie turned the couch into a bed, then she followed her into the bathroom.
"If you wait here I'll go get you some night clothes and that toothbrush."

After she disappeared down the hall Analeigh started to remove her shoes, next she released her hair from the tight bun she had put it in this morning. With her curly hair loose down her back she began to scrub her face. By the time she had done that Mercedes returned with her borrowed night clothes.
"Sadie I really appreciate you guys letting me stay. I didn't want to go home tonight."
"I understand and I don't blame you, I wouldn't want to stay there by myself either after what happened. I'm just so glad you agreed. Maybe we can all get some sleep tonight." With that she left Analeigh to shower and change for bed.
By the time she walked back into the den she was utterly exhausted and she fell into a deep peaceful sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

Chapter 10

The next morning Analeigh felt completely rejuvenated. She walked out into the kitchen to find Mercedes at the stove and Jaxon at the table.
"Hi, how did you sleep?" Jaxon asked her.
"I slept great thank you. I'm going to get dressed real quick and I'll be right back down." Analeigh said excusing herself.

Why did it always seem to shock her every time he spoke? She thought shaking her head. By the time she came back down she was fully dressed and Jaxon was waiting for her with a set of keys.
"I'll show you the car you can borrow."
Analeigh followed him out the door and looked back at Mercedes who was grinning from ear to ear. She followed him outside to their garage. He opened the door and her jaw dropped as she saw the beautiful silver BMW.
"No. I can't borrow that!" She said stunned that he would allow her to take something so expensive.
"It's alright, you can drive a standard right?"
"Yes, but I can't drive that car!"
"Why not?"
"Because its a BMW!" She almost yelled at him and to her surprise he laughed.
It was a deep wonderful sound that seemed to warm her entire body.
"Why can't I borrow your truck?" Analeigh suggested.
"Because I need my truck in case someone needs a tow. This is the only other car I have. Its either this or your stranded." Very reluctantly she agreed but she wasn't happy about taking his car.
"Don’t worry its just a car." He assured her.
She could have killed him but instead she put her hand on his arm as he turned to leave. Just like before she felt the electricity spark between them.
"Thank you, Jaxon. For everything that you have done for me. I really owe you a lot."
Jaxon moved closer to her, she backed up against the car. He put his hands on either side of her.
"You don't owe me anything." His lips were so close to hers it was pure torture. Then it was over and he walked away leaving her breathless.

Analeigh and Mercedes arrived at Analeigh's house to find that it was still intact. They unloaded the paint from Mercedes car and Analeigh's other purchases. Once they were inside Mercedes turned to Analeigh.
"I have a surprise for you."
"No you don’t. Ok what?"
"I saw you looking at it yesterday." Mercedes giggled as she handed her the black silk night gown she saw yesterday.
"Oh Sadie that’s to much! I'm giving you your money back." Analeigh said gasping.
"That’s fine I just knew you would have never bought it on your own."
"It's beautiful isn't it? Not that I have any reason to wear it." Analeigh gently folded the silk gown and carefully placed it in her top dresser drawer.
They began in her room. She had all the windows open and a small radio going.
"I just love this color. Its the perfect choice for a bedroom." Mercedes commented.
"I know. The deep red just seemed right. I think my grandmother would have been pleased with my choice, after all this was her room. What time was Mason coming out?"
"He's supposed to be here around lunch time."
"Are you and Mason.....?"
"Oh no. We have both played around with the idea but it was never the right time. Maybe someday." She sighed.
Analeigh detected a little sadness from her, but chose not to say anymore. They were halfway done with her bedroom when Mason came in with good news.
"Your security system has arrived. They just pulled up right after I did."
"Oh thank goodness. Grab a brush or a roller, I'll be right back." Analeigh grinned and jumped from the step ladder she was standing on.
She was out of the room but she still caught what he said and it made her stop.
"She is perfect for Jaxon, maybe he was right all those years ago."
She shook her head and went down the stairs to let the security people in. They were there a total of three hours. They installed new locks and alarms on all the doors and windows. While they were working, Analeigh, Mercedes and Mason continued to work on her bedroom. The bedroom was almost finished when her appliances were delivered. All three laughed and joked as they worked. She was covered in splats of red paint, but so was Mason and Mercedes. When they had finished her bedroom she thanked them as they left.
The Security people gave her new keys and the alarm code. Analeigh ran upstairs to shower and scrub the paint off of herself. She finally felt completely safe in her new house. She wasn't completely done with her room, she still had to put her new bedding on her bed and she got some new curtains to match the bed spread. When she finally completely finished her room she stood back to admire their work. It was quite beautiful. She reached out and felt the silk and velvet bed spread. She loved it. Analeigh went downstairs to check on Jaxon's car.

Earlier she had moved it as close as she could to her house, God forbid something happen to it. She looked out the window and was satisfied that it was still intact. Night had finally fallen as she cooked herself a small dinner. Analeigh looked out the back kitchen window at the storm swelling outside.

As fierce lightening lit the sky she noticed a dark figure standing at the edge of the woods. Stunned she jerked away from the window. Breathing heavily she slowly moved back to the window. Maybe it was her imagination because when she looked again the dark figure had vanished. She quickly closed her blinds and the old curtains that her grandmother had left hanging. Disgusted with herself she ate her dinner and went upstairs and crawled into her bed. Soon after she fell asleep she began to dream.

'Analeigh was with Mercedes. Mercedes was crying with her face in her hands. She wouldn't look up at Analeigh. Analeigh frowned with confusion. She knelt down next to her, put her hand on her shoulder and asked "Sadie what happened? What’s wrong?"

Analeigh realized that she wasn't crying anymore but was making this strange gurgling sound. She stepped away from her and looked around for help. All she saw was darkness, they were in some kind of basement. There was no other sounds around them just the strange sound Mercedes was making. Analeigh started to panic a little.

"Sadie come on we have to find a way out of here." Analeigh pleaded with her to get up.

She knelt back down and tried to grasp her by the shoulders, but her body turned into a bloody mess in her hands. As Mercedes body started to fall apart piece by piece she looked at Analeigh and screamed "It's all your fault Analeigh, and you'll be next!" '
Analeigh woke gasping for air, panicked until she realized she was safe in her bed. She got up and went to the bathroom still shaking from her gruesome nightmare. Analeigh splashed cold water on her face. Why am I having these terrible nightmares she asked herself. Knowing she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep, she went downstairs turning on every light as she went.
Jaxon saw the lights come on in Analeigh's house and checked his watch. It was almost five in the morning. Wondering what she was doing up so early, he went closer to the house so he could check on her. She had closed the kitchen windows earlier when she had spotted him standing at the edge of her yard, a mistake he couldn't make again, but she had neglected to close the blinds in the dining room.

He inched to the window and could see her walking around her kitchen. She looked oddly pale, he would have to push Sadie into finding out what was going on with her. Seeing that she was fine he had to pry himself away from the window and her. Analeigh sat at her kitchen table still clad in her nightgown and opened her cell phone. Nickie will be surprised to hear from her this early, thankfully she was working the night shift at the hospital, she thought as she dialed the number.
"What’s wrong Analeigh?!" Nicole answered alarmed, on the second ring.
"Is it that big of a shock for me to be calling before nine in the morning?" Analeigh laughed into the phone.
"Considering that it has NEVER happened the whole time I have known you, yes it is."
Still snickering Analeigh asked "How are things Nickie?"
"Fine, I was going to call you later anyway. Todd got a hold of me yesterday and I kinda let it slip that I was coming to see you in a week, so now he wants to know if he can tag along to see you. He wanted to surprise you but of course I wouldn't do that to you."
"You know the odd thing is that I don’t care. Tell him he can come along too only if you don't mind. I could use some normalcy."
"No I wouldn't mind the company at all. It's such a long trip, as you well know, and really Todd is truly a nice guy. So why are you awake so early?"
"Nothing really, I just had a bad dream is all." Analeigh told her friend.
"You want to tell me about it?" she asked. Analeigh could hear the concern in Nickie's voice.
"No it's not worth reliving, I just wanted to hear from you, it always makes me feel better."
"I remember you had nightmares all the time when you where little." Nicole informed her.
"I did?" Analeigh said somewhat surprised.
"Yeah I remember because it was right after your grandmother died and they were always the same dream."
"Do you remember what they were about." Analeigh asked
"Um, just about wings and a black panther. That’s really all I can remember. Then suddenly the dreams stopped. You really don't remember them?"
"No I can't remember the dreams, in fact I don't think they were just dreams." Analeigh told her what had been going on since she had arrived.
She purposely left Jaxon out of most of it.
"I'm a little hurt that you didn't tell me right away." Nicole told her.
"I'm sorry Nickie, I didn't want you to worry about me."
"I'm coming early." She informed her.
"Now you don't have to do that. Everything is fine, really." Analeigh assured her.
"No I really want to. This was my last night at the hospital, I’m done with work, I have my credits for next semester. So there’s no reason why I can't come a little early."
"That’s great! when will you leave?" Analeigh said excitedly.
"I can leave first thing tomorrow morning. I'll talk to Todd tonight. Let him know I have decided to leave early."