Indwell (Chasing Natalie's Ghosts) (32 page)

“Can I go with you?” I begged. I really wanted to see him in action.

“No. I don’t think so,” he said a little too quickly. I pouted. He grinned and sat on the edge of the bed. I kneeled behind him and put my warm hands on his cool back. I slowly moved them to his chest resting my body against his back. I kissed his shoulders and the back of his neck. He caved. He swung around and rested on top of me.

“I guess just once wouldn’t hurt. You have every right to know what you are capable of. I suppose I am just torn. I wanted you to be able to work with me, but I love you so much, I don’t feel right leading you into danger,” he looked so tormented. I had no idea he was so troubled by me becoming a Seeker. I always thought it was what he wanted.

“I’m sorry Hayden. I promise if I ever feel unsafe I will back out. I love you so much too.” I kissed him again. He had no more words. I smiled as he kissed my neck.

“My beautiful Hayden,” I whispered as I stroked his head as it lay on my chest.

When Hayden called me late that afternoon to tell me he’d be back soon to pick me up I showered and dressed quickly, not wanting him to change his mind about taking me. I threw on my black tights and a long grey sweater. I put my hair in a ponytail and just applied some lip gloss. “Ready.” I said to my reflection in the mirror. I was so excited. I took a deep breath, I had to be calm or Hayden would get nervous again.

He was quiet as we drove downtown. The sun was just beginning to set. I was so excited I could hardly sit still. Hayden was like a stone statue, barely moving. I didn’t want to disturb his concentration I just wished he would share the plan with me. I didn’t even know who he was going after. He stopped close to Ava and Mark’s house. I wanted to see them but I knew tonight was probably not a good time. Hayden turned the car off and still didn’t move. I listened. I needed something to do. I could hear so many of them here. I looked down the street and in doorways. I was able to spot at least six of them on this block. Had they always been around me like this before? I used to see them and think that they were real, alive. That everyone could see them. I must have talked to them, smiled or stared. They must have been just as surprised as I was now. I must have looked crazy to my parents or other living people. Hayden followed my gaze.

“You can differentiate between them now can’t you?” he asked.

“Yes. It seems so easy now,” I answered, still in shock. I looked at Hayden and smiled. I was so relieved when he placed his hand on my knee and kissed me sweetly.

“Let’s go. Just stay close to me. Don’t look at anyone, living or not. Do not let them see your eyes, keep them averted. Cloud your mind with other thoughts if you have trouble with this. I’ll let you know when the target is in sight,” he explained.

“Where is your GTV?” I was concerned by how far we were going.

“My trunk is my GTV now. I will be delivering him to the boat immediately, where I will transfer him. Don’t worry. We are not going too far, it’s good this street is fairly deserted. We don’t want to attract any attention,” he explained as he glanced down the block.

We began to walk down the street when Hayden stopped abruptly. He looked at me and nodded. We were close. I was right beside him as we turned the corner. I saw them immediately. They were surprised by our presence. Hayden was so focused he didn’t take his eyes off them as he walked faster than humanly possible towards them. I knew they wanted to run but both our gazes were set on them. I could see the pain and fascination in their eyes. I noticed there were two others hiding in a doorway. Hayden wasn’t interested in them. It was these two pretty young boys he was after. They couldn’t have been more than eighteen. One of them had bouncy blond curls, almost ringlets around his face. He reminded me of Justin. The other one was a red head and his hair was very short. They were both wearing faded blue jeans and graphic tees. They appeared to be strong and fit.

I remembered Hayden telling me that once you left this world your phantom would always look like you, only perfected in a way. Of course their skin was blemish free and a perfect golden glow emanated from their skin. I didn’t take my eyes off them as the two others tried to distract us. Luckily, they didn’t know that I would be able to feel pain if they struck me. The pain would only be temporary but I still didn’t want to falter. They threw rocks at us and shouted unintelligible slurs. I wanted to laugh but remained serious.

Hayden was directly in front of them. They were both staring at him now. Their eyes were blazing, trying to look away but unable too. I smirked, `where’s the danger?’ I thought. Hayden focused on the blond boy.

“What do want with me Hayden? I’m not a danger to anyone, honest,” he sneered at him. To my surprise he broke away from Hayden’s stare and glared at me.

“Is this your girlfriend Hayden?” He thought he was being smart, but then he realized he was trapped in my gaze, he seemed to falter under it. His hands went up and he waved to the two boys that were hiding. Before I realized what was happening they were on me. Hayden’s hand moved swiftly as his Kris punched into the blond boy’s side than the stunned red haired boy. I had been able to hold off the other two. They were astounded that I grimaced every time they hit me. Hayden was on them before they could hit me again.

As soon as I stood Hayden passed me the first globule but before I could catch it another boy appeared. He was in midair about to land on me. I turned to run just as Hayden landed on him and sunk his Kris in his side all in one motion. I was impressed. Hayden picked up three globules and passed me the other two. We ran as fast as we could to the car. I was thrilled that I was able to keep pace with Hayden. He had the trunk opened and within seconds we had them securely captured. I glanced at Hayden but he had tensed and was looking back down the street. I froze. There had to have been about twenty of them coming towards us.

“Quick, Nat, in the car. They’re not happy to see us,” Hayden shouted. He sped towards the dock. As we came to a stop, Emanuel was waiting at the end of the dock with a large GTV. He waved to us as we stopped the car. Hayden had backed in as close to the dock as possible.

I jumped out just as Hayden was opening the trunk. They put each one into the GTV and carried it quickly to the boat. I followed closely not wanting to be caught alone. Hayden told Emanuel in Spanish that he had to hurry, company was coming. He nodded and was off. Once we were back in the car, Hayden drove with frightening speed through the city.

“Natalie, are you hurt?” Hayden asked as he continued speeding through the city.

“I’m just a little bruised, but they are healing quickly, don’t worry,” I smiled, hoping to calm him. I glanced out the window and noticed we were heading towards the freeway.

“Where are we going?” I asked. Hayden grinned and touched my knee. He seemed so calm all of a sudden.

“I have a present for you,” he said smiling. I couldn’t help but smile back at him. I loved it when he spoiled me.

“What are you talking about? It’s not my birthday.” I put my hand over his.

“I know but you have graduated into the world of the Seekers and you were great tonight my love. I couldn’t have done it alone. I wouldn’t have had enough time. Did you see the gang that wanted to stop us?”

“I did. About that, will they be coming after us?” I was worried now about our freedom.

“They cannot come after us. I can protect us, remember. Do not be frightened Natalie. I should say we have defenses, remember? You can defend yourself now. What concerns me is that there may have been witnesses to tonight’s capture. If there were then they will be able to fill in the others about you and how you are a Seeker that can still feel them. This could be valuable information to some of them. I’m hoping the witnesses didn’t catch that part,” he said seriously. I didn’t want to think about what Adam would do with this information. I had to change the subject.

“So about this present, is it about six two, tall, dark and unnaturally handsome?” I teased as I touched his thigh.

“That will be a part of it my love,” he grinned.

“Oh, I’m interested now.”

“You’re a veracious one. Whatever am I going to do with you?” he smiled as he glanced over at me.

“Anything but leave me,” I said seriously, expressing my deepest fear.

“That would be impossible and you know it. Don’t say such things,” he leaned over and kissed me. We were driving close to the coast now, I could smell the ocean.

“Are we having an evening at the beach?” I asked, confused now.

“Something like that?”

“Perfect. I love it already.”

“You are so easy to please.”

“You please me every day.”

The car started to slow as we pulled down a narrow lane. At the end was a beautiful white ranch bungalow. It was so cute.

“Who lives here?” I asked nervously, I really didn’t want to visit anyone. Hayden smiled as he turned off the car.

“Why, you do my darling,” he said this as he looked into my eyes. I gasped, I couldn’t move, I was frozen. Was he serious? He bought me a beach house?

“What?” It was all I could manage to say.

“Well I saw how much you enjoyed the beach in South America. I just wanted to give you a place like that here. I want you to be that happy here,” he spoke so calmly.

“I am happy wherever you are,” I told him. Hayden opened the door for me as I tried to stand, my knees were weak. He quickly grabbed my hands and pulled me close to him. I wrapped my arm around his waist as he walked me to the front door. He unlocked it and picked me up.

“I know we haven’t exactly made our relationship official, but in my heart I have already made a commitment to you.” He kissed me and entered the house. I was in shock as I looked at the beautiful view that was along the entire back wall. It was all windows. It was evening but the moon was bright and the sky was clear. I could see the waves.

“Oh my, Hayden,” I stammered. He set me down, still holding my waist he watched my reaction with a smile on his face.

“I hoped you would like it.”

“How could I not. This feels like a fairy-tale. I always knew you were my knight in
dark
shining armor, but this is too much.” I was feeling light headed. Hayden walked me to the comfy sofa by the back window. I felt exhilarated and exhausted at the same time. I wanted to jump, laugh and sleep. Is that possible? I could feel tears pouring from my eyes. I couldn’t stop them if I tried. Hayden gently wiped them from my cheeks.

“I want you to feel rested and relaxed here because this is your home. It is in your name. Not just from me but from Clive and Elizabeth as well. I don’t know how you did it but they really do love you. I correct myself. I know exactly how you did it. You have done it to me as well,” he smiled as he told me this was a gift.

“Oh Hayden, what have I done to deserve you. Please, show me around. I want to see all of it.” I grabbed his hands as we walked over to the kitchen. The windows again had an amazing view of the ocean. I couldn’t wait to see it in the morning. We walked back through the living room and he showed me the master bath. It was as big as some of the bedrooms I’ve had in the past. The tub was a whirlpool with another amazing view of the ocean. There was a shower and a double sink. The counters were marble. I had never seen such opulence. There was one spare bedroom, but he led me straight to the master bedroom. I stopped breathing for a few seconds I think.

“Oh Hayden, please don’t wake me if this is a dream,” I said as I gasped for air. He held me tighter, leading me to the middle of the room. The walls were white and the silk pillows and bedspread matched the ones in Argentina.

“That is so sweet Hayden. I absolutely love it,” I said trying to hold back my tears again.

“Will you come to bed my love?” he said as he stretched out on the white duvet and rested his head on the red silk pillows.

“Absolutely!” I answered, not hesitating for a second, I was right beside him. I would never let him go.

19. A NIGHTMARE

In the morning the sun was shining in through all of the windows in the bedroom. I was so delirious, I forgot for a moment where I was. Hayden wasn’t there beside me either. I bolted up and looked around the room. I jumped out of bed and realized I was naked. I grabbed the top blanket and wrapped it around me. I walked out of the room and into the main living room. The windows caught my breath again. I was so awed by the view I couldn’t look away. I called Hayden’s name. Where was he? I shook my head and walked out onto the deck. The sun was breaking through the clouds. I looked at the beach. There he was. I was certain it was him. I watched him run towards me. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He was so strong yet so graceful at the same time. I sighed as I watched him. I was so lucky. He ran right up to me and kissed my hands as he held them in his. He had beads of sweat on his forehead but he smelled like the woods I used to play in when I was a little girl. I breathed him in and sighed. I was so happy he was here with me.

“Good morning, my darling. How did you sleep in your new bed?” he asked so sweetly.

“I slept very well thank you. I didn’t have a single nightmare, if that’s what you’re wondering, only sweet dreams of you,” I said as I forced a smile. It hurt to lie to Hayden, but I couldn’t tell him about it.

“Are you hungry? I had the fridge filled with fruit and yogurt, even your favorite vanilla soy milk,” he quickly changed the subject. I had a feeling he knew more than he was saying.

“Thank you for being so thoughtful, I am hungry actually. Oh, um, I couldn’t find my clothes I’m afraid, so I threw on this blanket,” I said grinning.

“I went to the liberty of having a few suitcases sent here for us, they are still in the living room. Allow me to carry them to the bedroom. I want you to just relax. No worries about phantoms and hunting either, okay?” he ordered as he tilted my face to look at him. I had forgotten that Carlos and Elizabeth would be here in a few days. I couldn’t rest, I had to train and plan how I was going to defeat Adam if he planned on taking me. I knew my eyes deceived me but Hayden didn’t want to talk about it now. He kissed my forehead and lowered his eyes.