Page 121 of Savior
“Bro, what’s going on?” Viking asks again.
“That guy that was out front of Stogies, the one we followed to the hotel, he’s here. I’m gonna grab him. Have someone drive the murder van over.”
“I heard murder van.” Viking says.
“Fuck. It’s not a murder van. And damnit, just… fucking hang on! I’m on my way. Don’t do anything stupid. That’s an order! Don’t do a fucking thing until we get there.”
“Ten four, prez. Standing by.” Axel jovially replies.
“Come on.” I say to Viking, shoving my phone in one pocket and yanking my keys from another. We head for the door.
“Are you going to tell me what the fuck is going on?” he asks, following me out to our bikes.
“Our young Road Captain is taking a little too much initiative.”
‘I’ll be late tonight, sorry. Don’t wait up. I love you.’
Lately, if Dean isn’t texting to ask how I’m feeling, he’s telling me he won’t be home. Tonight, that suits me just fine. I’m not ready to go home yet, either.
Shoving my cellphone back in my purse, I come to stand at the end of the pier Dean brought me to, that first night I rode with him on Serene. Staring out across the intercoastal waters as the sun sinks lower, already behind the dark tree line across the river, I try to find some peace in the beautiful view.
It’s calm this evening. The surface smooth enough to distinguish the line where salt water meets fresh. But it is a river, and I wonder how strong the currents flow beneath the surface. Just how deep these black waters go.
For a long while, I watch as little fish leap from the water now and again, to snatch the insects skirting the surface. The soft, constant sound, of what must be a million frogs in the distance, rings out from the black tree line across the way, and the first bright stars of twilight begin to peak through the darkening, purple sky.
Tires crunching on gravel in the parking lot a few yards behind me, announce the departure of the only other people that had been here tonight. A happy couple, strolling the boardwalk. I’m alone now. For such a calm, warm evening, I’m surprised. Though I am grateful for the quiet privacy.
Letting out another remorseful sigh, I remind myself that Dean forgave me. He forgave me instantly. And though part of me still feels like he deserved it, a much bigger part of me regrets what transpired.
I’m disturbed by how easy it was to hit him in that moment… The person I love most in this world… The man who would lay his life down for me in a heartbeat, and has already proven that fact.
My mind and conscience cling to his offered words, replaying them again as my heart clenches in my chest with regret… ‘You were defending yourself, and Ace…You’re nothing like Him…’
A board creaking behind me pulls my immediate attention from the mental lashing I’ve been relentlessly punishing myself with all day. I quickly whirl around to face a tall, hooded figure. The burning cherry of a cigarette, glowing in the darkness beneath the hood. The faint, orange glow barely lights up his features for a brief moment, as he pulls in a long drag.
“You shouldn’t be out here, alone.” His words drift on the smoke escaping from his lips as he speaks. “This little town isn’t what it used to be, Vanna.”
“You scared me.” I say, yet let out a sigh of relief. As I do, I wonder if I’m crazy. And if so, have I always been, to some degree? Or did something snap in my mind, that night in the cabin? I know a part of me hasn’t been the same, since. I can say the same about Dean, as well.
“I scared you? Or, I scare you?” Legion asks, as if he can sense the conflict I feel inside. Maybe even read my mind.
“Dean has been looking for you.”
Legion simply nods, though he doesn’t comment.
“You really are following me.” I say, resenting him for the tension he’s causing between Dean and I. Resenting him for the possible role he may have played in what happened to us with Jack. What is wrong with me? I should be afraid of him for that very reason alone! Yet since that night we first met, I’ve found Legion to be an oddly alluring individual.
“I’m enjoying the view.” Both the sneer and the double speak in his words, clear as this starry night.
“Dean doesn’t want me anywhere near you.”
“I can’t imagine why.” He doesn’t bother attempting to disguise the sarcasm in his tone, taking a few more steps towards the end of the peer to stand beside me. I notice he follows the trail of the smoke on the barely-there breeze, standing so that it doesn’t drift past me.
Everything I know about him, that I’ve been told about him, contradicts his actions whenever he’s in my presence. Perhaps that plays into my lack of fear, when it comes to Legion?
Turning back around to face the intercoastal, I stare out across the smooth waters once more, trying to gather my nerves and sort my insane thoughts. The purple sky has turned a dark navy blue, and the waters look black now. “It’s eerie when the water is this still at night.” I say, trying to buy myself another moment to think.
“Like an obsidian scrying mirror...” Legion replies. “Have you ever used one?”
