Page 16 of Guarded By Death

"Why do you care who likes me?" I question.

Pierce casually leans back on the soft, black patio cushion with his arms crossed. "Umm, I... Look Scarlett just stay away from him, he's bad news.”

"Are you jealous or something?" I laugh at the thought and he stiffens.

"What? No, of course not. I could never... we could never-" I lift my hand to cut him off before he can create any more damage. He stands up swiftly, pacing in front of me.

I tilt my head, watching him intently. "So what was this ‘date’ then?" I use finger quotes, "showing up at my job, winning me a bear, being so kind to me? We could never, apparently, so why waste your time?"

He bites his lip, looking away from me. I hate myself for admiring the way his jaw accentuates when he’s trying to figure out what to say. "Scarlett, I'm no good. I-"

"You saved me again tonight and I'm going to assume you're just paranoid, so I'm going to go to sleep, and you do whatever it is you do." I gesture around him and turn on my heels.

He grabs me at my waist, tugging me toward him, against him. "I wasn't asking Scarlett, you can't go to that party." His voice is deep and I gulp, trying to collect my confidence.

I pull myself from him and walk in the house with an attitude. He calls my name, but I keep walking and simply say, "Goodnight, Pierce."

"If you need me, just say my name Scar.”

I crawl in Liv's bed gently as not to wake her and my thoughts go towards Pierce. If I wasn't scared, I would sleep in the guest room, but I would rather be with Liv tonight. How dare he question Zack's motives.

I know Zack likes me, but he would never put me in any sort of harm. Not to mention the fact that Pierce said we could never... whatever that means, I'm assuming he isn't into me. Which is fine, he is the Angel of Death for crying out loud.

I'm sure it's just the rush of the past couple days but I feel so connected to Pierce. I laugh to myself. My anger is quickly taken away as I think of the way he saved me, again. I drift off to sleep with a smile. I'm really beginning to go through some major mood swings.

Ten

Fix me up?

My eyes shoot open, and I’m met with a blinding darkness that seems to creep around every crevice of the room. I attempt to adjust my vision to the lack of light while I lay on the bed, but terror takes over when a source of pressure lays on my neck and I begin gasping desperately for air. I reach my hands out to claw in front of me, but I catch nothing.

The clouds take a break outside the window, allowing the moon to cast a white shadow on the large silhouette in front of me. It's impossible to breathe. As my vision adjust to the faint moonlight and lack of oxygen, I see my attacker with his large hands wrapped tightly around my throat. It’s Pierce.

I scratch and claw at him, but he won't stop. I can't seem to hit him hard enough. I look towards the doorway hoping someone, anyone will come in to save me. Through my fluttering eyes, relief floods through me as my hero comes through the door. Then, confusion fogs my sleepy daze as the moon casts light on another Pierce quickly walking towards me. Dressed in all black and looking at me with frantic eyes, he grabs himself off of me in one quick motion.

I gasp as I shoot up from the bed. Warm light fills the room. I'm soaked in sweat, breathing heavily as I take in my surroundings. I'm in Liv's room still, and I'm completely alone. I reach my hand up to my neck, afraid that it's sore from the violent contact, but I feel nothing.

It was just a dream, I say to comfort myself. I feel like my subconscious is telling me that Pierce is both pulling me under while simultaneously saving me. The irony of him coming in to rescue me from himself, makes me dizzy. I throw myself back on the soft bed and stare at the ceiling fan as it spins around.

From the corner of my vision, a tall figure emerges. My frightened eyes dart over and see a scared-looking Pierce. Standing in the doorway and running his fingers through his thick hair with a haunted expression set on his face. The dream isn't over.

He makes his way towards me and I flinch when he extends his hand to me. "No!" I scream, trying to kick him away when he sits on the edge of the bed.

"Scar? It's okay. It was a dream. I heard you screaming, and I thought something was wrong," he breathes out a long breath of relief. I take in his rough edges and soft eyes as I realize I am in fact, awake.

A sound between a laugh and a cry escapes my lips, "Somethingiswrong Pierce! Look at me, look at what this is doing to me." Tears soak my face as I try to remember when they started flowing.

His jade eyes dart around my body in a frantic pattern and worry lines form between his black brows when he speaks. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Why did you flinch when I tried to touch you?" He reaches for me again, this time I don't move, and he gently holds my arm.

"I... I had a dream, you... you tried to kill me." My voice is at a whisper, but I know he hears me as he jumps back, taking his warm hand off of my arm. The loss of contact makes me grow cold.

"I.. Scar," he looks down, "I would never... all I want is your-" The piercing ring from my phone cuts him off. Liv must have plugged it in when she got up since she isn't in here with me. I reach over and see who's calling.

I sigh. "It's my mom, I'll see you downstairs," I say dryly as I look at his worried expression. I soften my voice as much as I can, "Really, I'm just shaken up from the dream. I'll be fine in a few minutes." I muster up a smile to hide my lie. He reluctantly heads for the door, sneaking a few quick glances back at me as he leaves.

I let the call go to voicemail so I can take a few minutes to collect myself, but no matter of time will calm my mind. I scroll down to her contact in my phone. She picks up on the second ring, "Hey, Mom," I say, my voice brittle.

"Hey Honey, how did your first day go?" she asks, and I laugh involuntarily.

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