Page 8 of Written In Flesh

“I don’t know...I was just making sure you’re feeling good. Not just your mind but spirit and things.” She nods along with her words, and I hold back a small laugh. For as long as I can remember, Loreli has been worried about my inner spirit. She lovingly, through the years, has taught me herbalism, astronomy, the power of words, and the acceptance of good and evil in the world. When I was a child, the other children would call her a witch, while some of the people in our town called her a doctor.

“I’m fine,” I tell her, shrugging off the little voice in the back of my mind calling me a liar. She doesn’t need to worry about my dreams, though.

“Okay, well, let’s get going.” Loreli ushers me out the front door and to her car.

Once we start driving, I pull out my note cards and study the entire way there. I refuse to fall further behind. This was supposed to be my senior year of high school. After this, the future is open to me. I’m not letting my memory loss stop me from living my life.

By the time I get out of night school, the sky is black, and the city lights illuminate everything around me. My head tilts back, and my eyes search the sky. Why, I don’t know. I haven’t been able to see the stars since I moved here. But I keep hoping one day there will be one shining brighter than the rest. The need to make a wish on that star ignites a sudden longing in my chest. It’s painful, sharp, and momentary. It stops me in my tracks, and my hand rushes to my chest to soothe it. “What the hell?” I can’t breathe.

My mind buzzes, my vision fades and comes back, drowning out the noise of the traffic, the honking of horns, and the constant distant chatter of city life. A hand lands on my shoulder suddenly, and just as quickly, I feel like I can breathe again. I slap the hand away, jumping out of the way.

“Whoa.” The guy holds his hands up and backs away from me. “Sorry, girl, I was just checking to make sure you were okay. You kept saying you couldn’t breathe and were clutching your…your…well, your chest area.”

I manage to straighten my back, my eyes darting all around us. The lights of the last city bus that comes this way are disappearing down the block. The school lights are out, and it is just him and me on the sidewalk now.

“Are you okay?”

He speaks again, and this time I give him my full attention. I would guess he’s a couple years older than me, wearing navy Vans, torn jeans, and a red tank top. His arms are folded across his chest while he faces me, the muscles in his forearms twitch under my gaze. I’m shocked by his pale skin, considering the sunny state we live in; he’s as pale as I am. Leather bracelets adorn both of his wrists. My eyes roam up until they collide with violet ones. Eyes that are heavily lashed, creating shadows on that pale skin. I can read the mirth in his gaze, despite the very angelic look of his features. Sharp, pronounced, beautiful, flawless. He looks like a fallen angel with hair as dark as mine swept back in a high bun on his head, the street light glowing off the dark color that looks like a halo.

“What?” I ask, still hoping my head will clear.

“Are you okay?” His voice is velvet and smooth. There’s an accent I can’t place, but I hear it.

“Yeah.” I nod my head, silently praying for my body to cooperate with me. “I just, there was a pain, but I’m fine now.”

Am I though? I haven’t felt anything like that before. It was so sudden, the feeling of wanting to see the stars, then the blinding pain. déjà vu? It didn’t sound like my own voice in my head telling me to look up.

“Okay.” The guy shrugs. “Well, the bus left while you were having your…moment. Do you have another way home?”

The bus left. My gaze swings back to where I had seen the taillights disappear. I glance down at my watch. Aunt Loreli doesn’t get off work for another few hours. She can’t come get me. I only know the one bus route to the apartment complex.

“Ahh, by any chance, do you know how to get to Founders Hospital?”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He takes a step toward me.

I shake my head, smiling. “I’m fine. My aunt works there, and I can get a ride from her.”

“Oh.” He smiles and jerks his chin. “It’s about five blocks from here. You could walk, but it might be easier to take a taxi.”

“I’m fine walking,” I tell him and start heading off in the direction he pointed.

“I’m actually going there too. Mind if I walk with you?”

His words stop me in my tracks. I turn, glancing at the man, a total stranger, taking in his relaxed posture. He doesn’t look like a serial killer, I guess. His head tilts almost as if he knows what I’m thinking.

“I promise, I was really going there. I have an uncle to visit.”

“What’s your name?” I ask. At least if I end up being killed, I’ll know what to call him when I haunt his ass.

He smiles wider but takes the remaining steps between us to hold his hand out to me. “I’m Azriel. My friends call me Az.”

“We aren’t friends yet,” I remind him, and this time my words earn a full-blown laugh.

“Not yet, girl, not yet.”

He shakes his head and starts walking toward the hospital. Without giving it another thought, I manage to catch up to his long strides.

“I’m Skully,” I tell him, breaking the small silence between us.