Page 63 of Unbinding the Demon
“Well, that wasn’t too bad of a guess. I would have much rather stayed in bed,” Ashton said with a laugh.
“Yeah, me too... but Happy Halloween, bitches!” William said sarcastically, while laughing and gesturing toward the broken, bloody window with his container. Shards of glass were still scattered on the surrounding ground, and the caution tape was wrestling against the wind to stay on. “I still can’t believe this shit.”
“I know, me neither. It feels like it was all a crazy fucked-up nightmare.” I shook my head and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Hey Ashton, I just want to say thank you for letting Lacey stay at your place last night. I really appreciate you watching out for her,” Darrell said as he smiled at us. His class ring glinted on his finger as he caressed Lacey’s arm.
“Of course. It was no problem at all. I would never turn any of you away during a time of need.” Ashton kindly smiled back at him. Lacey and I both shared sneaky smiles of our own, with unspoken happiness about how our boyfriends were developing a friendship.
“How are you doing, Gwendolyn? I heard that whatever that girlor thingwas, she had gone after you specifically.” Oliver looked at me with concern in his electric-blue eyes.
“I don’t know. I’m just really shocked and freaked out by it all.” Ashton gently put an arm around me as I spoke. “There’s also something that I need to tell you guys.” I took a deep breath through my nose. “I’ve decided to move in with Ashton. I just don’t think I can stay here after what happened.” I glanced up at Ashton, who gave me an encouraging smile.
“Literally, same. We were actually just talking about our new living situations,” Lacey said while pointing around the group. “I’ll be moving in with Darrell. It’s about time we lived together anyway,” she added and leaned into Darrell’s side. He smiled down at her like she was the most beloved thing in his life.
“And William is moving in with me,” Oliver chimed in.
“Yeah, there’s no way I’m not ditching this gruesome horror scene, too.” William pointed at the house as though it were some terrible anathema. “Like how would we ever sit in that living room again and not think about the way her head literally fucking exploded? Like, remember all that disgusting blood and brain goop!?Ugh, seriously, fuck this place! Also, do you guys want any chimichangas?”
“I’ll take one,” Ashton accepted his offer and grabbed one with excitement. He took a bite, and his eyes widened at the delicious flavor. “Good gods of Hell, this is divine! I’m especially impressed with how the outside has maintained its crispiness even after being refrigerated. Well done, William. Truly, well done.”
“Have as many as you’d like,” William laughed and held them out toward me. “Did you want any, Gwenny-love?”
“No, thank you. I’ll pass. I don’t have much of an appetite right now.” My stomach churned at the memory of the brutal scene. Plus, the stench of rot still lingered in the air.
“Ugh... I still can’t believe what happened last night was even real,” Lacey said while gripping her head. Her expression was both frazzled and frustrated.
“Yeah, ya know, I’m not sure what to make of the story, but I’m just really glad that everyone’s all right,” Darrell kindly stated while his eyes scanned the broken window. “It sounds super outlandish, but the evidence is there.”
“You know, what’s also creepy is that the detectives didn’t even seem that shocked about it. I think they might have seen something like this before,” William added in a somewhat spooked tone with widened eyes. He and Ashton continued to gobble down the chimichangas.
“I think they have too,” I softly said, earning everyone’s full attention. “She looked like Cassandra from my art class. Remember that day back in September when that accident happened at the school? And when Amelia and I described to you guys what she looked like? Her eyes and mouth were all black and oozy like that, too. Even the noises she made were the same.” I felt sick to my stomach as I spoke.
The wind rustled a few dead leaves around us, while a moment of eerie silence laced with uncertainty and dread hung heavily in the air. The crows cawed in the background as everyone’s eyes shifted around to one another. Well, everyone except Ashton, who was staring at the ground.
“I’m sure the detectives will figure it out,” Darrell said with an undertone of trepidation, breaking the awkward tension in the air. “I was actually going to ask them a few questions myself. I’ve been thinking about getting into the field, you know what I mean?”
“Well, um, if you guys don’t mind, I’d like to speak with Gwendolyn alone for a minute. You know, just girl talk,” Lacey said while grabbing my hand.
“That’s fine,” Ashton said as he lightly grabbed my upper arm and looked into my eyes. “Just don’t go too far.” He hesitantly released his grip.
“Don’t worry, we’ll stay in sight,” she said as she led me away. We strolled through the dying grass and fallen leaves until we stood beneath one of the large maple trees. We were still within sight of the guys, but far enough so that they couldn’t hear us. “Hey, I just wanted to let you know I think it’s great you’re moving in with Ashton and all. However, you guys have only been together for a month and a half now. So, if you change your mind, or if anything ever comes up and you need a new place to stay, you’re always welcome to come live with Darrell and me. We were actually going to offer for you to come live with us, anyway.” She lovingly gazed into my eyes while holding my hands.
I glanced over at Ashton, who was chatting with the guys as they ravenously devoured William’s chimichangas. But I could still tell that he was keeping a close eye on me. He seemed to get more and more possessive and protective by the day, especially after that night at the club. I could only imagine what he’d be like after this whole creepy zombie incident. Yet I still felt like I was making the right decision.
I looked back at Lacey, my smile full of genuine love and warmth. “Thank you. I really appreciate the offer, but I have a feeling that living with Ashton is going to work out just fine. I’m actually quite excited about it. It’s comforting to know I have a backup place with you, though.”
“No problem. I just don’t want you to feel trapped if things don’t work out.” She gave me a big, loving hug. “You know I love you and that you mean the world to me. And God, I was terrified that freaky girl was going to kill you last night.” She squeezed her eyes shut as though she couldn’t bear the thought of losing me.
“I love you too,” I said as I hugged her back. “You know, I can’t believe how brave you were! Like throwing a lamp at her? Really?” I laughed as we pulled away from the hug.
“Yeah, well, she should’ve known better than to mess with my best friend,” she courageously stated with a laugh. “Come on, let’s head back before they eat the last of those chimichangas.”
We giggled as we walked back over to the chipmunk-cheeked guys. The group speculated about what the detectives might come up with for a little while longer until the sun was directly overhead. Ashton and I decided it was time to leave, said our goodbyes, and then headed back to the car.
The wind blew through my hair as I took a long, wistful look back at the little blue house and sighed. The sky was clear, with just a few fluffy clouds drifting by, while the shedding tree branches merrily danced all around the property line. I did like the place, but it was time to part ways with it. I got in the car and smiled over at Ashton. He grabbed my hand and smiled back.
“Let’s go home, Buttercup.” He gave my hand a loving kiss and began to drive.
