Blood & Juniper

I slip through the door and see her bolting in the direction of her old apartment. Damn it!That's a supernatural sprint. That really upset her, she's not in her right mind.

I grumble and take off after her. Hopefully, I can catch up, I don't know which of us is faster. I call out, "Ash, slow down!"

Her family is here? It's going from bad to worse! When are we going to catch a break tonight?

I keep calling her name as I sprint, swallowing up each block. I think I may be gaining on her, but she's really quick.

She's running way too fast! No human can match that pace by a long shot. I really hope we're not seen racing the night.

I hug the shadows. It's better to spook a witness than have them rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

We shred the distance in less than ten minutes. I've stopped calling out, she's not going to stop. I simply cannot catch her, she's too agile for her own good.

There's the turn for her old place. She can't go back to her old life. She needs to let it all go. It never ends well. I know first hand.

Is she going to plunge straight into a crime scene? I push myself to speeds I didn't think I was capable of. I have to talk some sense into her!

I see the flashing cop lights. Why would they investigate this late? How many people are we dealing with? It's difficult enough attempting to persuade more than one at a time, I don't think I can handle a large group.

She ducks down noticing the warning lights and begins to creep. Discretion, that's something at the very least, but it's not enough to completely eradicate the festering anxiety. We need to get out of here!

I sneak over to Ashlen who's peeking at the scene behind a parked car.

There are too many witnesses. It's not just officials, we have some nosy onlookers on top of it. It's late, go home and get to bed you vexing bystanders!

I whisper shout, "We can't be here! If anyone sees you it's going to cause hysteria."

She doesn't look at me, she appears to be in shock, "They're really here… That's them."

I examine the scene and notice the authorities talking to an upset couple against the cafe wall. The red and blue flashes illuminate a puffy eyed woman. Her tear stained cheeks reflect the siren lights. Even swollen with anguish I see the resemblance, she has big eyes just like Ashlen. The middle aged woman sobs quietly and a man, who I assume to be Ashlen's father, attempts to console her.

The man is clean cut, a tad heavier set with salt and pepper hair. He looks exhausted and bitterly solemn, features straining from the effort to remain composed. In some ways he appears to be suffering more than Ashlen's mother. Regardless of the distance I can make out their grief stricken expressions perfectly. It's heart wrenching.

I stare back at Ashlen, she's definitely suffering from a shock, absolutely distraught. This isn't right, it isn't fair for her to go through this.

"Ash," I touch her gently, my gut is twisting from that horrible face she's making, "I'm really sorry, but we need to go."

I slowly begin to lead her away, her movements are unnatural and distant. It's like she's not here at all. Her large eyes are glossy and watery, they haven't moved from her parents.

"No!" she abruptly jerks her hands away from me going back to her spot, "I can't. I can't leave."

"We *cannot* stay here," I emphasize, my eyes flick around in paranoia, "Do not go over there."

"I won't go to them yet, but I'm not leaving. I'll find a way to get to only them."

"Don't go to them. I know it's a lot to ask… But please do not go to them at all."

Now she's staring at me like I'm insane, the pressure builds like she's about to spontaneously combust. Her head sways mechanically, "I don't think I'm able to do that."

How can I expect her to not go to them? How do I expect myself to let her go? Too much could go wrong, it's not happening, "You can't pretend things can go on the same like when you were alive. You could put them in danger, *yourself* in danger! This situation is complicated and could get out of hand in seconds."

"Yes, it is very complicated and there's no way I'm leaving."

I want to pull my hair out! She's being irrational. There's a bunch of Thorn crawling around and it might get her killed if she does something even moderately questionable.

"Please, listen to me-"

"I cannot just walk away from them like this! It will kill them thinking I'm dead or kidnapped or worse."

"Let's just walk way for now and…"

"I can't, Sam! Look at them, *look* at them!" her face twists in anguish, "I need to figure something out immediately."

She's not listening! I can't let her throw herself in danger.

"Ash, I heard there are Thorn nearby and that could get you all killed! Do you understand?"

"Stop it, Sam. I won't do anything to draw attention! I'll be careful but I need to clear this up."

Won't draw attention, hmm? This little spat is taunting for prying eyes. She's not calm, *I'm* not calm! This isn't well advised. She's not telling me the plan, how can I protect her when she's not filling me in. She *doesn't* have a plan! I can't allow it.

Damn it, Ashlen. I'm sorry.

"Ash," I get her attention.

She turns back as visibly stressed as I feel and exasperates, "What, Sa…"

I focus deep into her beautiful eyes as they stare back into mine. Her pupils dilate and her lips part as she waits. Sweet relief, it seems she'll be convinced without too much effort.

"The pain will pass, they will be alright. We don't need to worry about this now," I suggest this with calmness and conviction. I envision serenity as I speak, feeling it flow to the back of my eyes and throat.

"Yeah… yeah, I think you're right. I need to sit on this and worry about it later. They're tough, they'll be ok until I can figure something out."

Good, good. She's being persuaded, she just needed a little convincing. Now I need to get us away from here.

"Let's go somewhere a bit safer so we can think this through, ok?"

"Yeah, ok… Wait no. I need to find out where they'll head off to. I need to stay here!"

Argh! She's fighting the idea of leaving. She's so headstrong sometimes!

I make her look in my eyes again. She plainly relaxes as they meet mine, "It's alright, there are other ways to track them. Come with me."

She nods and begins to follow but then stops suddenly and furrows her brows.

"What's wrong, Ash?"

"What's wrong… You..," her bottom lip drops in a gaped scowl as she yells, "You just tried to persuade me! You're using your mojo to manipulate me!"

Shit.

I motion my hand for her to keep the volume down with my teeth clenched. I really pissed her off with that little stunt, "Ash, listen. I didn't want to do it but-"

"No! Leave Sam! I don't want your help with this one."

She begins to storm off and I panic at the thought of her exposing herself. Parents, police, reporters, public eye. The Thorn *executing* her. No, no, no, no, no.

I grab her by the arm. She flips around angrily and snaps, "Sam!"

"Stop," I command, I can feel it burning and pulsing through me as she stops dead in her tracks.

I'm sorry. I don't expect your forgiveness.

Her mouth is working but no words are coming out. Her whole face crinkles in fury, "You-"

"No yelling. Don't speak for now."

I hate doing this. I hate doing this to her.

I couldn't protect my mother, failed my father, couldn't save Derek and couldn't help the countless others I'm responsible for. I will not lose anyone else.

My words thrust out like javelins piercing her. I can feel her healthy will power as I slither around it and asphyxiate it like a snake. Tighter, tighter, smothering it.

She doesn't know what side to push from. I'm sneaking in from every unprotected angle, taking advantage of her doubts, her fears.

She's struggling against it but doesn't understand how to defend correctly. I coil and straggulate, swimming in the pools of her eyes. Twin sun irises scorch and my ghostly green reflects off her whites, surrounding as an infiltrating army might.

Sinking deeper, ropes tightening, trapped, mine.

Being in control feels good and I hate that.

Her mouth snaps shut. She has too much conviction to her cause so she won't be dazed. Her eyes start to descend into a mixture of apprehension and rage. It hurts seeing that expression aimed at me. She's going to loath me, if she doesn't already.

The way she's looking at me makes me feel irrevocably monstrous.

"It's time to leave. Follow me."

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry but I have to keep you safe. I can't let anything bad happen to you.