Divinity: The Gathering: Book One (21 page)

“Well based on your reaction when you stood on it; unless you’re willing to take an ambulance to the hospital and get x-rays for proof, I’m gonna have to assume it’s broken. You’ll have to prove it otherwise to me…like maybe a quick jog down the hallway,” Officer Cam then said as he rose to his full height of  somewhere well over six foot five without a doubt and I had to tilt my head all the way back just to look up at him.                                                                             Though I knew he had a point, being forced to do something other than what I could do myself, ticked me off. I didn’t like having to rely on other people. Someone called for some assistance and Erin quickly hopped to attention, “Excuse me. I’m gonna go hunt you down a crutch before you leave Star.” She said to me and then smiled like a school girl at Officer Cam as she left the office.                                        Lenell finally shifted her gaze from officer Cam and stood with a big smile as she glanced at her watch, “Baby, it’s getting late, let me ice and wrap your ankle first cause you don’t need to be walking on it for a while. I think it’s a good idea then if you don’t wanna stay that you have Officer Black drive you back. Don’t worry about your car; it’ll be fine here until tomorrow. I’ll leave a note for the morning crew and explain what happened and we can fill out the accident report either tomorrow or when you come in next week.” She told me then.                                    Officer Cam sat on the arm of the sofa next to me and I still had to crane my neck up to look at him. He then leaned down closer, examining my bruised faced with scrutiny and I marveled again at just how beautiful and flawless his tanned skin was. A small hint of a dark five o’clock shadow in the form of a perfect goatee surrounded his sexy full mouth and chin.

I blushed and turned away quickly having caught myself staring at him again.

“What exactly happened by the way?” He then asked me.

He was studying my face and I was embarrassed, r
emembering that I looked like crap right now too and how much worse it was close up for him to see as I shrugged a shoulder.

             
“I panicked, I guess. I don’t like the dark, so I ran towards the front desk to either find someone or get a flashlight, and I apparently ran into the door or something and tripped and fell.” I said.

He looked as if he didn’t believe that at all. It was almost as if he knew what really happened. My heart pounded having him this close to me, and I blushed again.

He squinted and raised a dark brow, which made me sigh internally with infatuation.

“Really?” He said in a questioning manner.

I nodded still having the strange feeling that he just knew I wasn’t telling the truth.

He shifted and looked at me thoughtfully b
efore he spoke again, “The direction of the blood smears you left behind weren’t consistent with your story though. Which door did you say you ran into?” He then asked.

I swallowed. Why was he making me feel as if I had done something wrong by hurting myself or leading everyone to believe I had?

I shrugged a shoulder again and looked away for a moment to think of another lie. It was something I hated having to do but there was no way I was going to tell anyone what really happened. “I don’t know; it as near Mrs. Hawthorne’s room, which was where I was coming out of when the power went out for the second time.” I explained.                                              He nodded as if humoring me and then he paused for a moment, still looking at my bruised and swollen lip.                                           “You know in my professional opinion; it looks like—you were actually hit.” He then said softly as if he only intended for me to hear it “I’m gonna go make some rounds. Listen to the officer Star, leaving your car is no problem. I want you back safe if you insist on leaving tonight, and I mean that. Rodney, I need you to do a sweep of the back too.” Lenell said as she waved Rodney to follow as she headed to the door. I almost felt a sense of dread with them leaving me with Officer Cam, but it was too late to protest once the office door closed softly, and we were alone.               I couldn’t place why he made me feel on my guard, but it wasn’t necessarily a bad feeling.                           I shifted again and cleared my throat, “Well; I appreciate the offer but I’ve been able to get around on worse injuries and breaks before. I can make it back it isn’t that far.” I assured him. He smirked. God he was sexy when he did that!              “I mean I’m not clumsy or anything like that. I’m a gymnast,” I said wanting to clarify any thoughts he may have developed in my saying that.                “Can gymnasts see in the dark too?” He joked. I wanted to laugh at his humor with the, ‘what does that have to do with anything?’ meaning behind it but my mouth and head hurt too much.                                                        “Not always. I’m gonna change my shirt and get my stuff. Thanks again for the offer of assistance, but I think I can manage,” I smiled painfully as I quickly got up, wobbling a bit as he shifted with a hand out to catch and steady me.

I instantly got a small electric vibration when he touched me, and it warmed my skin. His hand was strong, and it sent tickling quivers to the pit of my stomach.

“Careful.” He said.

“I got it.”  I said as I pulled my arm away, grabbed the shirt Lenell had brought me and headed towards the door trying my best not to limp, because I knew he was watching. I didn’t even loo
k back as I opened it and quickly hobbled to the employee lounge area where the employee storage lockers were. I took a quick washcloth bath and brushed my teeth, adding an extra rinse with mouth wash and changed. I gathered up all of my things and took my time in hopes that Officer Cam would be gone by the time I was done and came out.

             
The swelling, cut and bruise did look bad. It almost resembled the shape of a fist along the outer corner of my mouth, like a dark violet carnation with a line of swollen red for its center where my lip had been split. The bruise ran like purplish red burn, in a tear drop shape and smeared downward towards my chin from the point of impact. I felt a small wave of dizziness remembering the burst of pain I felt at that moment. I was still unable to grasp and believe what had happened, let alone that I did indeed have all my teeth intact.

The wounds were real.

My ankle had been sprained.

I had been physically attacked by demons who had been trying to kidnap me…not nece
ssarily to kill me but take me somewhere. There had been three of them, and they spoke…English not that I knew what language they would communicate with if they didn’t, Latin maybe? What did they mean by ‘no blood’ and not to strike me? That didn’t stop them from hurting me, and I don’t know what happened to the one that hit me in the first place let alone the next two. My guardian angel intervened once again I supposed.

Well, I challenged them to bring it on and that’s exactly what they were doing now so it was my fault. I wondered how many more would come and attempt to do the same.

I don’t even think terrifying was a good enough adjective to describe the experience, it was beyond that extreme. I’d never seen a demon in its true form before, and none had ever attacked me physically either. In fact, I had certainly not seen a demon manifest itself like that at all or at least had been aware of it. It had disguised itself as someone I knew, so I thought nothing of it and that in itself was both creepy and cunning, which also meant that any demon could do it at any time again with me.

I could truly understand now why Ms. Ha
wthorne had gone mute with terror and ceased to speak anymore altogether when it had happened to her. I always thought that they were afraid of me.

I guess I was wrong.

I had been helpless and I apparently had no kind of defense against them either, or none that I knew of. No one was around to see anything or help me. Then suddenly Officer Cam Black shows up in all his gorgeous glory and giving me sensations of lustful, thrumming energy— this was all like a dream or some B-rated fantasy or paranormal movie to me because there was something both alluring yet unnatural about him.

I tossed the bloodied shirt into the trash not wanting to keep it as a reminder. How in the world was I going to explain this to anyone let alone China and Joel was beyond me. I’d never hear the end of it…they were worse than my pa
rents had been when it came to protective mode, but I loved them for it because I knew it meant they cared enough. Car keys and bags in hand I stopped short when the front-desk area came into view.

Officer Cam was still there, and he smirked at me when our eyes met.

Lenell had been talking to him, and she turned to face me with a hand on her hip.

“I oughta whip you for being so hard-headed. Come on back into the office. Erin got you a crutch, and I’m gonna wrap your ankle real quick,” She came over to help me.

I sighed purposefully not meeting Officer Blacks gaze as I surrendered and let Lenell assist me back into the office area.

Officer Black stood watch behind Lenell quietly as she worked on my ankle. I tensed and shrieked internally to keep from crying out in pain when she pulled the dressing around it fir
mly. I admit; I liked him watching me though it still gave me a weird feeling of unease. I felt like he was checking me out in more ways than just my injuries too, but I didn’t really mind it.

“There. Keep it elevated and you make sure you go in and see a doctor. I may have them mail you the paperwork ‘cause I think you may be out for a while. You let me know what they say, and you better call me as soon as you get back to the co
llege tonight, I mean that,” She pointed and said in a scolding tone as she moved away and began gathering all the first aid supplies she had been using.

I smiled, “Yes ma’am; I will.” I said as I stood, and she hugged me.

“Here, see if we may need to adjust it for your height.” She then said handing me the metal crutch. It looked new I noticed as I reluctantly took it and fitted it under my arm where it did rested perfectly. I felt relief shifting my weight onto it momentarily.

Truthfully, I wasn’t sure I would be able to drive like this, but I was sure as hell gonna try.

“Thanks Ms. Lenell.” I said.

“You’re welcome baby and be safe,” She said hitching my purse and messenger tote around my arm for me.

“I’ll take those for you,” Officer Cam offered after putting his cap back on just then as if he were about to leave too.

“I’ve got it; they’re not heavy,” I told him clutc
hing my bags closer to me.

I moved as fast as I could with the cumbersome crutch towards the front doors; pausing to glance down the dim corridor to the left, and I thought of Ms. Hawthorne upon seeing her door, which remained closed. I was sure Officer Black
wasn’t far behind me either.

I didn’t want to disturb her, but I had to make sure she was okay for myself. I turned and headed towards her room, taking a moment to listen before easing it open and pee
ring inside. The bedside lamp was still on, and she lay sleeping with her head slightly turned. She must have sensed someone opening the door because she stirred and then her small head turned to face me, and she opened her eyes, blinking to focus them on me.

“It’s just me, I wanted to say goodnight,” I whi
spered not wanting to come all the way into the room, so she could see my face.

She reached an arm out to me— wanting me to come to her, and I sighed. I didn’t want to leave her hanging.

I entered her room and moved to the side of the bed, taking her frail, cool hand, which felt like rubbery latex in mine as she gripped it tight. She was smiling in relief until she saw my face.

Her brow furrowed in confusion and concern.

“Yo face…” She whispered as she reached out a shaky hand up to touch my chin.

I gently stopped her and smiled, as painful as the simple act was to do at the mo
ment. Her mouth fell open, and she looked as if she were about to cry when her eyes traveled to the crutch under my arm.

“It’s okay. I’m down but not out. It’ll take a lot more than this.” I joked with a smirk knowing she knew what I meant.

Her eyes widened as she paused for a moment, and tears began to well up.

“You are s-special. I knew it. Thank you star
chil’…he gon’ now, I know he gon’. I can rest now— I know you were an angel when I first saw you,” She said as she began to cry silently and smile at the same time.

Angel? Far from it but I knew what she meant.

Her voice and speech had become clearer, and she didn’t struggle with pronunciation as much anymore. A miracle?

“Yeah, he’s gone…I think,” I smiled, but I doub
ted it was anything I did.

“He is. He couldn’t take you…none of ‘em gon’ be able to,” She smiled motherly like and took my hand again to help herself up to a sitting pos
ition.

I helped her and adjusted her pillow behind her.

              “This world is passin’ soon. I have been seein’ them demons since I was a chil’…they took most of my family, friends; a few of my own chil’ren to try an’ get to me, but I wouldn’t let ‘em. You have the same spirit, the same fire I saw ‘fore in an angel. They comin’… a lot more now, so be careful,” She began in a whisper.

I opened my mouth slightly but didn’t know what to say to that.

She smiled and patted my cheek gently. Her hand was dry, the flesh thin but soft.

“I can see it, believe me; it’s there an’ it’s strong. Yo’ aura is like white fire. It’s a weapon,” She said.

White fire and flames? Where had I seen that before? In my dream last night, that fire had consumed that dark angel, and he was afraid of it.

I could only nod as I swallowed hard thinking it strange that Ms. Ha
wthorne, a woman I just met and who could also see the shadow beings that I could, would make that comparison.

“Neva give in or give up no matta what anyone says or what they do…you already blessed,” She smiled displaying a few missing teeth.

I returned the genuine smile seeing my grandmother in her face, and I felt my own oncoming tears begin to well-up and take me by surprise.

She pulled me to her and hugged me, and I hugged her back.

“I see you soon… whateva happens to come…for you is just the beginnin’. You got to stay strong ‘cause you got a dark one followin’ you now too,” She then said as we broke from the hug, and she stroked my hair with a warm smile.

I wrinkled my brow in confusion and alarm, “A dark one? Following me too? What do you mean, like a demon?” I asked softly though I could believe that. I guess she could see the sha
dows that were after me then too obviously.

I hoped she hadn’t meant like the one that I had been beaten up by though.

That thought terrified me.

“You find out soon ‘nough, but I know you be a
lright…someone is comin’.” She then said as she lay back again and pulled the covers up to her chin.

I studied her for a moment with curiosity at her and her words. She couldn’t leave me hanging like that. I needed to know more, but I didn’t push her; she was frail and dealing with her own physical pains, and I didn’t want to stress her out after all that just now happened.

I sighed softly, “Why don’t you want anyone to know you’re speaking?” I asked her then.

She chuckled, her voice barely a whisper.

“I don’t speak, not with demons ‘round cause that’s what they do…listen and watch all the time. That’s how come they know…how and when to hurt you. No one believes me anyway, they all think I’m crazy…sickness in the head, but I seen things. Things should nobody see…just like you— so why say anythin’? I’m just waitin’ to go back home, now there I be safe and strong. This ol’ body ain’t doin’ me no good in this worl’ anyway.” She whispered and smiled.

I nodded in complete understan
ding and feeling strangely close and connected to Ms. Hawthorne right at this moment.

Just then the door opened, and Terrie was rolling in new towels with a chart.

Ms. Hawthorne winked at me as I eyed Terrie to make sure she was a real person.

“Hey sweetie I thought you had left. Are you gonna be okay?” She asked me, looking down at my ankle.

“Yeah, I’m on my way out. I was just saying good night to Ms. Hawthorne,” I smiled feeling Ms. Hawthorne give my hand a firm squeeze.

I smiled again at her as I tucked the blanket over her more securely before I turned to head back towards the door.

“Well that’s sweet. Hello Ms. Hawthorne, how are we feeling now?  Honey, that Officer Black is …wow.” She whispered to me and grinned with raised brows.

“He’s still out there?” I asked, with the door ha
ndle in my grip feeling butterflies dancing in the pit of my stomach at the mere mention of his name again.

“Yeah, I think he may be waiting for you.” She hinted at me jokingly with a wink.

I blanched. He wasn’t gonna let me drive myself home, I thought to myself.

Great.

“Well, you be careful going home hon,” Terrie smiled as she fussed with clearing off the dying flower petals from the buffet table.

“I will. Good night.”
I replied; relieved as I turned to go, with one last look at Ms. Hawthorne who watched me as I left.

             
I didn’t even bother checking to see where officer Cam was; bound for the front doors myself. Once outside the rain slowed to a barely drizzle, and the cold wet air hit me with a faint moldy smell that was probably coming from the lake in the back.

I hobbled towards my Honda as fast as I could with the crutch and hating the damned thing already. The rain had left behind large pu
ddles of water and mud that formed dark pools along the parking lot and lawn, and I cursed to myself trying to maneuver around possible potholes in disguise. A few cars swished by on the drenched main road in front of the Hospice with headlights cutting through the dark. I hadn’t even checked the time or my phone before I left. It was getting late, and I had early classes. I was sure China had tried to call or text me since I had forgotten to call her.