From the dark I feel your lips.
007.
Asher woke in a daze. The silk sheets silhouetted her body and golden rays of the morning sun cast like a kaleidoscope throughout the room. She rolled over, hungry for a gentle good morning from her childhood friend. To her surprised and subtle disappointment, the bed was empty. Asher wormed her way onto the previously occupied side and let her face fall against the pillow. It still smelt as though he was right next to her. His brooding cologne that lured her in kept a perpetual smile on her face as she laid there. She wished so much for him to feel her longing and march right through that door. She pleaded in her head for him to come back, hoping their half hearted bond would spark the ability. Asher groaned in dismay and rolled her body so her feet felt the cold concrete floor. She grabbed a robe and shuffled her way out the door and into the kitchen.
"Good morning sleepy head," Jimmy smiled up from his bowl of cereal. "Need something to wake you up?" He chirped and slid a cup of coffee over to her. Asher took a seat across the massive oak table and sighed heavily.
"I mean that could have been Zacky but he wasn't there when I woke up."
Jimmy smiled landed a spoonful of fruit loops in his mouth. "He went to feed, a mans gotta eat when he isn't getting any from his mate." He chuckled. Asher gulped. She felt this incessant nervousness. Her heartbeat quickened and she almost drew her self into a panic. "Don't work yourself up," Jim noticed and raised an eyebrow curiously, "You have so much to learn young grasshoppa." With that he stood to his feet and left with a smile. Asher once again was left alone. This huge house sounded almost empty, only the faint footsteps of Jimmy descending to the basement. Asher took it upon her self to wander, "If Zacky is gone, the others must be too." She took note mentally and found herself in Zackys room.
It was cleaned to perfection. The large king sized bed was draped in black and green sheets. The walls were painted the same green as Asher's room but a huge bay acted as a headboard to the bed. Out the window lay rows and rows of trees set against the back drop of a crystalline ocean. She admired the beauty, soaking in the orange tinted skyline. For a moment, she forgot where she was. She became so caught up in this lure to Zack that she barely remembered her life before.
"It smells absolutely amazing Ash!" Her best friend Kim shouted while her red wine dangerously sloshed in the glass. Asher smiled to her self as she inhaled the tempting aroma of the Italian lasagne she had so beautifully made. It was her 23rd birthday and she had decided to have a dinner with her friends. This decision was only final after a while of begging and pleading to Eric for permission and lets not forget the favors she had to present in return. So her best friends from high school, all six of them had gathered in her tiny apartment. Of course, Asher would have loved for Eric to make the dinner for her and treat her like a princess just one day out of the year but that was only wishful thinking.
"Ash, you need to come down more often. My wife misses you," Jared grinned and gave her a small hug. "We all miss you," His implication of something other than the true meaning was well heard for Asher. She knew what he meant and that only reminded her that as soon when the clock struck seven, her nightmare would soon be a reality.
6:50
Asher's hands began to shake as she pulled out the huge pan of lasagne. The whole crowd ohh'ed and ahh'ed as she set it down on the table.
6:58
She knew he would be home any minute. Her heart was racing as she saw his headlights pull into the drive way. "Enjoy!" She croaked out. The creaking of the rustic front door startled everyone who was stuffing their faces with food.
"So you decided to eat without me," He bellowed. A tension filled silence crept across the room. "what are we having tonight?" He took the seat that was supposed to be Asher's, grabbed a plate and began to eat. "Smells good, that's it." He groaned. "Tastes like shit." Kim opened her mouth to argue but Asher shook her head violently at her. "No, please." She mouthed and hung her head low. Her straight across bangs shielded her from embarrassment. "Did you not hear me?" A think scent of gin and cigarette smoke fumed from Eric. "Bitch, I thought I told you to make me something good!" Asher's high school friend Ben slammed his firsts onto the table and demanded Eric to shut up. "You bring your fucking friends in here and have them act up and tell me what to do in my own home? You have them disrespect me like that?" Eric grabbed the dish of lasagne and slammed it onto the floor. Layers of cheese, noodles, and meat splattered against the plastic tile. "Get the fuck out of my house!" Eric shouted as Asher ushered them to the front door.
"I'm sorry," She whispered, "I'm so sorry, he's just drunk, this happens sometimes." She was not only reassuring her friends but her self as well. She slammed the door behind them and turned to come face to face with Eric. The back of his hand landed directly across her face. Asher cried out as he grabbed a fistful of hair in his hands and dragged her into the bedroom.
A loud thump of the basement door startled Asher back into reality. Anything would be better than back home, she thought. She took her sweet time examining Zacks room once again. Her hands feeling the hand carved wooden dresser, staring at the photos that were taped against the mirror. Suddenly, she realized the woman in the photos were her. Every single photo taped meticulously in line was a snapshot of her old life.
A photo of her blossoming relationship with Eric, hands held smiles on their faces that showed no prediction to their gloomy future.
A shot of her asleep, a black shadow covering her eye as drool crept down the side of her mouth.
A shot of her at work.
The list went on and as she followed this time line with her eyes she grew more nervous. Jimmy was right, she had so much to learn yet Zacky had told her nothing. She touched the last one with her fingers, inhaling deeply and letting her eyes fall shut.
A photo of her at the young age of 6 years old, her mother stoking her hair as they laid in bed reading.
Asher choked back tears and stepped back against zacks desk. She took a seat in the cushioned black chair and wiped her eyes. She settled down a bit, breathing in deeply as her gaze landed on the desk drawers. She opened up each one slowly. The first one holding only a pistol. She slammed it shut and moved to the next one. A big file drawer tempted her as she pulled out the first few papers. A hand written letter covered in plastic, the ink smudged.
"Zack,
If you don't leave her alone then ill be forced to take her life. She isn't worth the effort you're putting in. You need to stay out of this deal with Blaine or else he will hunt you down and do more than just kill everyone you love.
Sincerely,
Jeff."
Asher set the letter aside but it's haunting familiarness forced her to read it once more. "Jeff." She breathed, "Jeff." Suddenly, a heavy breath blew across her ear.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She jumped back, slamming into the rock hard body that stood behind her.
"I-I, I wasn't doing anything!" She cried and coward back against the bed.
"Never just snoop around my room Asher. Never fucking do that!" He screamed and slammed both drawers shut. Asher regained some of her confidence and stood to face Zacky.
"Who is Jeff? Who is that letter about?"
"You know I can't tell you that Asher." Zacky made his way to the window, gazing intensely. "You're not ready yet."
"I will not be left in the dark."
"Only a little while longer, I promise." Zacky softened and moved his arms to wrap around her petite body. "I'm sorry for yelling at you," He whispered breathlessly against her neck.
Asher began to cry, her emotions getting the best of her, as she felt his warm embrace. "How about this,” Zacky began, “Will you let me show you around my town, I’ll give you the grand tour and show you exactly what I do.” Zack knew this would anger the guys but he had to let Asher in some way other than the truth he would soon bare upon her.
“Isn’t it dangerous?” Asher spoke softly and lifted her head from his shoulder.
“Do you think I would ever put you in a situation I couldn’t handle?” His tone drastically falling serious, “I am here and I’ll have Brian and Jimmy trailing us everywhere we go. You’re safe with me, I promise you that.”
“Zack?” She mumbled. “I don’t have anything nice to wear.”
“I’ll have Val lay something nice out for you as for now, I want you to take a shower so you can feel a little better. I’ll go turn on the water for you.”
A warm towel was wrapped around her body as she stepped out of the shower onto the cold marble flooring. The mirrors fogged all around her and the faint smell of pine crept in from the small window just above her. She chugged her way out the door into the familiar scent of Zacky’s room. On the bed lay a simple black dress. The top had a sweetheart neckline that cascaded into a short sleeve. The dress remained skin tight till just above her belly button then flared into a skater skirt ruffle. The back opened into a small “just enough” opening and closed with a sewed on black bow. Asher scrunched her hair a bit and let it air dry before slipping on the black and gold polka dot flats that lay on the floor next to her.
“You look beautiful,” Asher jumped subtly and rounded the bed to meet Zacky.
“Not too bad yourself,” She chirped and let her hand brush up against his black dress shirt.
“You have to look nice when you go out,” He spoke, “But you’ll figure that out later.”
Zack took Asher’s hand in his and opened the huge oak door to the outside world. He walked her down a cobble path to a black SUV. From her peripheral vision she could see Brian and Jimmy snaking behind them and entering a similar vehicle. “Just pretend they’re not here.” He whispered and opened the car door for her. Soon enough the engine roared to life and Zack was driving a familiar path that Val and her had taken just days ago. “I’m a business man,” Zack said cautiously. “I run this town with Brian, Jim, Matt, and Johnny. We control most clubs and restaurants and people here respect us.” Asher nodded in his direction, keeping her eyes on the road. The pine trees soon started to disappear and civilization came into close proximity. “I do what I need to do to make things run smoothly for everyone and that’s all I can tell you.” Zack made a quick turn and the city was in full force. Creatures roamed the streets searching hungrily for destruction. “This is a slum,” He breathed, “Vile creatures inhabit here-“ Zacky stopped his sentence short as they reached a red light. “Shit,” He mumbled to himself. Soon enough a man stepped forward, his eyes a pale white and his skin oily and scabbed. He pressed his face against the passenger side window causing Asher to gasp. She closed her eyes tightly and gripped onto Zacks hand till her knuckles flashed white. His tongue hung from his mouth as he sensually licked his lips. “Stay calm okay? He can smell that you’re a human.” The man tilted his head to the side and raised his wrinkled hand to the window and knocked very slowly. As fast as the whole situation began, it was over as Zack sped off at the green light. He could feel the emotions that ran through Asher as the car moved to a nicer area of the city.
Fear, curiosity.
“We’re going to one of my restaurants first, is that okay?” Asher didn’t even breathe a word as they pulled into the first parking spot.
Reserved.
A beautiful blonde hostess met them at the door.
“Hello Zacky,” She smirked and grabbed two menus. Zack shook his head and made her put them back, the chef knows, he said and laced his fingers with Asher’s.
This was only the start of a night he knew would open so many doors and answer so many questions for Asher. Zacky was just as nervous as Asher as they silently waited for their food to arrive.
"Good morning sleepy head," Jimmy smiled up from his bowl of cereal. "Need something to wake you up?" He chirped and slid a cup of coffee over to her. Asher took a seat across the massive oak table and sighed heavily.
"I mean that could have been Zacky but he wasn't there when I woke up."
Jimmy smiled landed a spoonful of fruit loops in his mouth. "He went to feed, a mans gotta eat when he isn't getting any from his mate." He chuckled. Asher gulped. She felt this incessant nervousness. Her heartbeat quickened and she almost drew her self into a panic. "Don't work yourself up," Jim noticed and raised an eyebrow curiously, "You have so much to learn young grasshoppa." With that he stood to his feet and left with a smile. Asher once again was left alone. This huge house sounded almost empty, only the faint footsteps of Jimmy descending to the basement. Asher took it upon her self to wander, "If Zacky is gone, the others must be too." She took note mentally and found herself in Zackys room.
It was cleaned to perfection. The large king sized bed was draped in black and green sheets. The walls were painted the same green as Asher's room but a huge bay acted as a headboard to the bed. Out the window lay rows and rows of trees set against the back drop of a crystalline ocean. She admired the beauty, soaking in the orange tinted skyline. For a moment, she forgot where she was. She became so caught up in this lure to Zack that she barely remembered her life before.
"It smells absolutely amazing Ash!" Her best friend Kim shouted while her red wine dangerously sloshed in the glass. Asher smiled to her self as she inhaled the tempting aroma of the Italian lasagne she had so beautifully made. It was her 23rd birthday and she had decided to have a dinner with her friends. This decision was only final after a while of begging and pleading to Eric for permission and lets not forget the favors she had to present in return. So her best friends from high school, all six of them had gathered in her tiny apartment. Of course, Asher would have loved for Eric to make the dinner for her and treat her like a princess just one day out of the year but that was only wishful thinking.
"Ash, you need to come down more often. My wife misses you," Jared grinned and gave her a small hug. "We all miss you," His implication of something other than the true meaning was well heard for Asher. She knew what he meant and that only reminded her that as soon when the clock struck seven, her nightmare would soon be a reality.
6:50
Asher's hands began to shake as she pulled out the huge pan of lasagne. The whole crowd ohh'ed and ahh'ed as she set it down on the table.
6:58
She knew he would be home any minute. Her heart was racing as she saw his headlights pull into the drive way. "Enjoy!" She croaked out. The creaking of the rustic front door startled everyone who was stuffing their faces with food.
"So you decided to eat without me," He bellowed. A tension filled silence crept across the room. "what are we having tonight?" He took the seat that was supposed to be Asher's, grabbed a plate and began to eat. "Smells good, that's it." He groaned. "Tastes like shit." Kim opened her mouth to argue but Asher shook her head violently at her. "No, please." She mouthed and hung her head low. Her straight across bangs shielded her from embarrassment. "Did you not hear me?" A think scent of gin and cigarette smoke fumed from Eric. "Bitch, I thought I told you to make me something good!" Asher's high school friend Ben slammed his firsts onto the table and demanded Eric to shut up. "You bring your fucking friends in here and have them act up and tell me what to do in my own home? You have them disrespect me like that?" Eric grabbed the dish of lasagne and slammed it onto the floor. Layers of cheese, noodles, and meat splattered against the plastic tile. "Get the fuck out of my house!" Eric shouted as Asher ushered them to the front door.
"I'm sorry," She whispered, "I'm so sorry, he's just drunk, this happens sometimes." She was not only reassuring her friends but her self as well. She slammed the door behind them and turned to come face to face with Eric. The back of his hand landed directly across her face. Asher cried out as he grabbed a fistful of hair in his hands and dragged her into the bedroom.
A loud thump of the basement door startled Asher back into reality. Anything would be better than back home, she thought. She took her sweet time examining Zacks room once again. Her hands feeling the hand carved wooden dresser, staring at the photos that were taped against the mirror. Suddenly, she realized the woman in the photos were her. Every single photo taped meticulously in line was a snapshot of her old life.
A photo of her blossoming relationship with Eric, hands held smiles on their faces that showed no prediction to their gloomy future.
A shot of her asleep, a black shadow covering her eye as drool crept down the side of her mouth.
A shot of her at work.
The list went on and as she followed this time line with her eyes she grew more nervous. Jimmy was right, she had so much to learn yet Zacky had told her nothing. She touched the last one with her fingers, inhaling deeply and letting her eyes fall shut.
A photo of her at the young age of 6 years old, her mother stoking her hair as they laid in bed reading.
Asher choked back tears and stepped back against zacks desk. She took a seat in the cushioned black chair and wiped her eyes. She settled down a bit, breathing in deeply as her gaze landed on the desk drawers. She opened up each one slowly. The first one holding only a pistol. She slammed it shut and moved to the next one. A big file drawer tempted her as she pulled out the first few papers. A hand written letter covered in plastic, the ink smudged.
"Zack,
If you don't leave her alone then ill be forced to take her life. She isn't worth the effort you're putting in. You need to stay out of this deal with Blaine or else he will hunt you down and do more than just kill everyone you love.
Sincerely,
Jeff."
Asher set the letter aside but it's haunting familiarness forced her to read it once more. "Jeff." She breathed, "Jeff." Suddenly, a heavy breath blew across her ear.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" She jumped back, slamming into the rock hard body that stood behind her.
"I-I, I wasn't doing anything!" She cried and coward back against the bed.
"Never just snoop around my room Asher. Never fucking do that!" He screamed and slammed both drawers shut. Asher regained some of her confidence and stood to face Zacky.
"Who is Jeff? Who is that letter about?"
"You know I can't tell you that Asher." Zacky made his way to the window, gazing intensely. "You're not ready yet."
"I will not be left in the dark."
"Only a little while longer, I promise." Zacky softened and moved his arms to wrap around her petite body. "I'm sorry for yelling at you," He whispered breathlessly against her neck.
Asher began to cry, her emotions getting the best of her, as she felt his warm embrace. "How about this,” Zacky began, “Will you let me show you around my town, I’ll give you the grand tour and show you exactly what I do.” Zack knew this would anger the guys but he had to let Asher in some way other than the truth he would soon bare upon her.
“Isn’t it dangerous?” Asher spoke softly and lifted her head from his shoulder.
“Do you think I would ever put you in a situation I couldn’t handle?” His tone drastically falling serious, “I am here and I’ll have Brian and Jimmy trailing us everywhere we go. You’re safe with me, I promise you that.”
“Zack?” She mumbled. “I don’t have anything nice to wear.”
“I’ll have Val lay something nice out for you as for now, I want you to take a shower so you can feel a little better. I’ll go turn on the water for you.”
A warm towel was wrapped around her body as she stepped out of the shower onto the cold marble flooring. The mirrors fogged all around her and the faint smell of pine crept in from the small window just above her. She chugged her way out the door into the familiar scent of Zacky’s room. On the bed lay a simple black dress. The top had a sweetheart neckline that cascaded into a short sleeve. The dress remained skin tight till just above her belly button then flared into a skater skirt ruffle. The back opened into a small “just enough” opening and closed with a sewed on black bow. Asher scrunched her hair a bit and let it air dry before slipping on the black and gold polka dot flats that lay on the floor next to her.
“You look beautiful,” Asher jumped subtly and rounded the bed to meet Zacky.
“Not too bad yourself,” She chirped and let her hand brush up against his black dress shirt.
“You have to look nice when you go out,” He spoke, “But you’ll figure that out later.”
Zack took Asher’s hand in his and opened the huge oak door to the outside world. He walked her down a cobble path to a black SUV. From her peripheral vision she could see Brian and Jimmy snaking behind them and entering a similar vehicle. “Just pretend they’re not here.” He whispered and opened the car door for her. Soon enough the engine roared to life and Zack was driving a familiar path that Val and her had taken just days ago. “I’m a business man,” Zack said cautiously. “I run this town with Brian, Jim, Matt, and Johnny. We control most clubs and restaurants and people here respect us.” Asher nodded in his direction, keeping her eyes on the road. The pine trees soon started to disappear and civilization came into close proximity. “I do what I need to do to make things run smoothly for everyone and that’s all I can tell you.” Zack made a quick turn and the city was in full force. Creatures roamed the streets searching hungrily for destruction. “This is a slum,” He breathed, “Vile creatures inhabit here-“ Zacky stopped his sentence short as they reached a red light. “Shit,” He mumbled to himself. Soon enough a man stepped forward, his eyes a pale white and his skin oily and scabbed. He pressed his face against the passenger side window causing Asher to gasp. She closed her eyes tightly and gripped onto Zacks hand till her knuckles flashed white. His tongue hung from his mouth as he sensually licked his lips. “Stay calm okay? He can smell that you’re a human.” The man tilted his head to the side and raised his wrinkled hand to the window and knocked very slowly. As fast as the whole situation began, it was over as Zack sped off at the green light. He could feel the emotions that ran through Asher as the car moved to a nicer area of the city.
Fear, curiosity.
“We’re going to one of my restaurants first, is that okay?” Asher didn’t even breathe a word as they pulled into the first parking spot.
Reserved.
A beautiful blonde hostess met them at the door.
“Hello Zacky,” She smirked and grabbed two menus. Zack shook his head and made her put them back, the chef knows, he said and laced his fingers with Asher’s.
This was only the start of a night he knew would open so many doors and answer so many questions for Asher. Zacky was just as nervous as Asher as they silently waited for their food to arrive.
2/24/13