Just Checking Up! Part Seventeen: Wrong Place and the Wrong Time!

Silks:

Humming behind the counter, brown walls greeted me. Hoping that the Gothic guy would come back after the first cup of coffee, dismay dimmed my eyes at every other customer ringing that damn bell. The bell rang once more, Rip making his way to the counter with that cute smirk. Making his coffee for him, a sprinkle of cinnamon finished up his order. Spinning over to meet him, the hem of my lace pleated skirt floated up.

“All ready!” I sang cheerfully, his eyes twinkling away causing my breath to hitch. “Nice to see you coming back around. How are you doing, Rip?” Typing in his order, his lips parted several times before another customer looked rather irked behind him. Paying while fussing with his cool band t-shirt and jeans, a music store card stuck out of his left pocket.

“Cool it down, man.” His younger self grumbled impatiently, the stern glare shutting the customer down. “If you are running late that is your damn fault.” Motioning for one of my coworkers to start the next person’s order, a polite smile and nod began the long process for that bitch of an order. Clearing his throat, one sniff visibly relaxed his fraying nerves.

“Did you want to hang out after your shift? We can do whatever you want.” He suggested shyly, scarlet flushing my cheeks as my coworker placed a to-go coffee cup next to me. Passing it to the impatient troll of a woman behind her, exact change slamming onto the counter had me leaping ten feet into the air. Rude, she didn’t have to be so rude. Squeaking a quick yes, his smirk spread into the cutest grin known to mankind. Asking for the coffee cup back, a swift scribble granted him my number and when I was getting off of work.

“See you then!” I chirped with my genuine smile, forgetting what my supposed friend had stolen from me. Waving to me on the way out, time ticked by way too slow. A long sigh drew from my lips, a lull ending my shift early. Gathering my stuff from my locker, the music store wasn’t too far from here. Walking towards what could be my future husband, hesitation lingered in my eyes upon reaching the colorful store. Haunting the mat in front of the door, the worn leather of my bag’s strap groaned underneath the increasing pressure of my grip. A buzzing Rip invited me in, his blonde haired friend matching his vibe. Offering me a hot green tea, his friend offered to run the place for the rest of the day. Waiting with bated breath for his response, a husky okay had me smiling to myself as I accepted the green tea. Swinging a bag over his shoulder, Rip motioned for me to follow him. Coming upon a hearse, wonder brightened my features. Ruffling my hair, affection for him swelled within my heart.

“Most girls run from my ride. I don’t know what that friend of yours did but you didn’t smile yesterday. Can I be your friend?” He choked out awkwardly, tears welling up in my eyes. “How about I show you my favorite place to get lost in?” Nodding numbly, the friend zone placement wasn’t cool. Sinking into the passenger side, it took everything for me to hide my distraught agony behind a smile. How could anyone love me after what I did?

“Maybe one day we could date. I am not opposed to it in the slightest.” He assured me in sheer panic, his hands waving around. “Give me time to work up to that. Such things take bravery. You deserve better than me.” Chewing on the inside of my cheek, a spark of hope burned strong in my heart. Shutting his door with a series of expressions and curse words, a giggle bounced off the tip of my tongue. Zoning out to keep my sanity, a rough slumber stole me away.

Jerking awake, rattling chains and a familiar observatory had my mind racing away. How and when did I get here? Attempting to summon any sort of flames, searing cuffs scorched my wrists. Checking to see if I was awake, a fair bit of raw agony told me that I was indeed awake as one could be. Catching my reflection in a puddle on the cracked marble floor, bruises covered my exposed skin. A busted lip and a small red dot on the nape of my neck explained the lack of memory of the previous evening’s events. Seconds from screaming out of pure frustration, another whimper gave me pause. A gaunt child hovered in the shadows with a key, his shaggy hair hitting halfway down his back. Gauging his age to about seven, hungry hazel eyes met mine.

“Help me out and I will help you out!” I pleaded hoarsely, his head nodding in protest. “Please unlock these shackles. I can get you to your parents.” Turning his back to me, rags hung off of his frame. Violent sobs wracked his body, dried blood painting where his nails should have been. Trauma brought him here, some form of light having to drown out the obvious voices in his head.

“They’re dead, damn it!” He shot back brokenly, his sniffles shattering my heart. “Those cult jerks murdered them in front of me! How are you any different!” Dropping my hands to the floor, blood flowed endlessly from their palms, Working through what to say, his footfalls began to echo away. Work faster! Work faster, mind!

“I don’t think that you are worthless!” I shouted out of desperation, truth lacing every word. “I work with the government and we are fighting like Hell to take them down. My parents ran a section of the cult, my own mother trying to kill me trying to kill me for my blood. Can I have your help?” Pausing in the hallway, gears began to grind in his head. Truth would win him over, his personality matching mine. Sprinting up to me, his state was worse up close. Shit, was I already feeling attached to him? Unlocking my shackles, chains clattered to my knees. Collapsing into my arms, the dam broke open. Soaking my shoulder with pent up emotions, voices boomed on the floor above us. Lacking my powers, wits would have to get us out of this situation. Popping to my feet, cool marble nipped the bare soles. Hiding in the shadows, the boy snuggled deeper into my arms. Resting my chin on the top of his head, freedom would be his. Moving along the edge of the wall, a clammy sweat drenched my skin. Plucking a piece of wood off the floor, snores echoed in my ears. Kicking at the floor, a trapdoor caught my eyes. Sinking to my knees, a couple of yanks revealed a series of tunnels. Climbing down a couple of rungs, a pristine closing would buy me a few minutes. Scurrying down the best I could, welcome relief came from my cast being taken off early. Healing magic from Miss Liz truly was a blessing. Water splashed over the tops of my feet, the first signs of winter showing themselves in the temperature of the water. Pushing through the numbing sensation, his safety kept me going. No way in Hell was I going to let him give up. Following the water, it had to drain out somewhere. Time passed by rather slowly, a bright sunrise blinding me. Dismay dimmed my eyes at the inch of snow glittering away, the band t-shirt I was wearing not standing up to the bite in the air. Massaging my heavy bump, silent tears stained my cheeks. Town lights shone like beacons in the distance, a couple of long breaths bringing me back down to Earth. Spotting random circles of dirt, blessings did have a way of presenting themselves. Jumping from circle to circle, a wide pathway opened up into a cracked sidewalk. Thanking whoever was watching over me, something told me that I was meant to find the boy. Branches cracked behind me, hooded figures ordered for me to hand the boy over. Refusing to do such a thing, his fate rested in my hands.

“Back the fuck off!” I chattered through gritted teeth, my flames heating me up from my core. Hot air blew my hair up, flames crackling to life down to my palms. No nosebleed came, a new level having been reached. Knocking them out with a wave of flames, adrenaline carried me into the place I used to call home. Ignoring the stares of the same town folks, the brown walls of the coffee shop invited me in. Fainting before I could ask for assistance, yelling for someone to call for help being the last thing I heard.

Machines beeped around me, my first thought falling on that poor boy. A familiar hand forced me to lay back down before I hurt myself, Rip’s face clarifying into view. Sally Sue and his father hovered on the other side of him.

“You found our Avery! How the hell did you do that?” Rip sobbed uncontrollably, bewilderment mixing poorly with my approaching migraine. “Do you know how long he was missing? God, I love you!” Smothering me in feverish kisses, his father looked just as happy to see that boy in safety. His frets about me went in one ear and out the other, the puzzle pieces not going into the right places. Peeling Rip off of me, a grunt slipped off of my tongue as I sat up. Liz floated in next to a haggard looking Cal, an apologetic expression haunting my features.

“Can someone tell me the st-” I began, a cleaned up strawberry blonde boy running from several nurses leaping onto my bed. Clinging onto me, his fresh hair cut brought his hair around his chin. A wet set of familiar hazel eyes bore into my shocked ones, his embrace growing stronger upon my genuine smile. Burying him in a bear hug, a jovial silence sprinkled the air for once in my life. Lifting up his chin with my finger, his big smile met mine. Happy to be there for him, our bond would never be like any other.

“What is your story?” I asked softly, sorrow mixing with hope poorly. “What happened to you?” Sitting back on his haunches, the harsh lighting of the sterile hospital room made him look younger than he was. Casting shadows across his face, his hands crossed his space themed pajamas.

“Mean cloaked people came to my house when I was three and kidnapped me after they killed my parents rather violently. They toted me around to drain my blood to summon demons. I was about to quit until you told me that I wasn’t worthless.” He admitted sheepishly, his hands cupping my cheeks. “Heal what has been done.” Bruises reversed themselves, gasps passing around the room. What an intelligent boy with a wide vocabulary! Seconds from averting his gaze, there was no shame in his gift. Catching his cheek in my sweaty palm, a pin could have dropped in the room.

“Don’t be ashamed. I get to cleanse spaces of anything evil or dark. So it is kind of the same deal. The second wave is what we are called. We assure the first wave is successful.” I comforted him sweetly, his eyes swimming more by the second. “Alone, everyone is weak. United, nothing can stop us. Do you get it now?” Cuddling into my shoulder, Sally Sue offered to get him some of Rip’s old toys with his father. Cal mumbled something about getting my statement another day, a silent thank you sufficing for him. Rip pulled up the closest chair, something heavy weighing on his shoulders. Snores echoed in my ears, the nurses giving up on dragging him back to his own room.

“Would you hate me if I told you that I was his next guardian? They were quite a bit older when they had him and they figured that death would never knock on their door. Do you mind helping me out?” He queried with a nervous grin, happy tears soaking Avery’s hair. “Are those good tears or bad ones?” Smiling blissfully to myself, his future could be secured.

“How could I say no? From the second I rescued him, he had my heart. Even if I couldn’t raise him, I would have called him every day to see how he was doing.” I confessed freely, his loving gaze meeting mine. “Personally, I don’t think he will choose anyone else to raise him. The poor kid never let go of me. Count on me to do my best. Are you going to be okay?” Averting his eyes to the floor, depression and relief dotted his black jeans.

“My aunt and uncle would watch me when my father was deep in police shit. When that kid came, it felt like it was him and me against the world.” He gushed excitedly, his smile falling. “Then, poof he was gone. No matter how hard we looked, no one could find him. Searching for him was the sole reason for me to take on this case. Turns out I am a failure of a father already.” Weeping through the second half of his story, guilt and failure devoured him whole. Laying on my side to face him, Avery curled up against my body.

“The king doth have a valiant reason. Hopefully, he still wants to take these monsters down.” I chuckled quietly in an attempt to not wake my son up. “Sounds strange to say this but he fell into the right hands. Together we can help him see the light in life. I can’t bring his parents back but I can attempt to be the best mother in the world.” Did I just think of the word son and mother? How odd yet pleasing! Leather squealed as he rose to his feet, the hospital bed creaking as he climbed onto the bed facing me. Clutching him close to his chest, a fresh wave of tears cascaded off of his chin. Sobbing into his hair, necessary exhaustion kept Avery from waking up. Reuniting families proved the worth of my harrowing journey, my thumb wiping away his tears. Time for me to be the knight in this tale.

“Nobody is prepared for this.” I pointed out with a tired smirk, his arms pulling us together. Fighting the urge to run, the panic of someone depending upon sinking in for the first time. Pressing our foreheads together, Rip’s breath became one with mine. Soaking in the magic of my dream come true, a found family crumbled the thick walls around my cracked glass heart.

“You didn’t run.” Rip sniffled proudly, many emotions flashing in his eyes. “Silks, motherhood has already occurred to you. You carried him into town without questioning a darn thing. Instead of hunting down the bad guys, you chose him. The right move when it matters is always done by you without a second thought. Thank you for bringing him home.” Hovering his lips over mine, a tender kiss relaxing my fraying nerves. Time slowed down, our hearts beating to the same rhythm. Releasing me from his spell, a knock interrupted the moment. Rip shoved Avery into my arms, his clumsy tumble into the closest chair had me chuckling under my breath. Approaching me with hot ginger tea, wet eyes flitted between Avery and me. Holding onto me tighter in his sleep, Avery smiled in his sleep. Fighting another wave of tears, his shaky voice calling me mother threatened to break me. Picking up on it, Herb pressed the ginger tea into my trembling hand.

“Don’t worry about that boy not loving you. I think he is attached to your side.” He joked dejectedly, his fingers playing with his hair. “Talk about a miracle. Everyone but Rip and I thought he died. We owe you everything for bringing him back to us. How can I ever r-” Silencing him with a shake of my head, I had simply done what anyone else would have done. Clearing my throat, hesitation lingered in my eyes.

“Don’t worry about it. I saw someone that needed help and I helped them out. Nothing wrong with that.” I laughed with an equally broken expression, pride melting the initial dejection. A couple of sips killed a dull nausea, the bed squeaked as he plopped down next to me in a simple red plaid shirt and jeans.

“You would have been an amazing police officer. How about I watch him when he isn’t in school?” He whispered soft enough to not wake up Avery. “What movie did you want to watch?” Shrugging my shoulders, a couple of clicks had a Christmas movie playing. Zoning out, Rip climbing onto the other side of me whipping me back into the precious moment. Mavis and Sally Sue skidded in with boxes of treats, a new level of warmth heating up my soul. Liz settled down on my feet, childlike wonder brightening her eyes at the magic of a Christmas movie. Snow danced outside the window, a sad smile haunting my lips. Loneliness didn’t plague me nor did I want it too. Kissing the top of Avery’s head, a new level of determination woke up the flames of hope. Lord, please don't take this dream life away.