Pitch Black Heaven

“Stop avoiding it Rhi… just talk to him.” Tiarne rose from her seat and walked back to the counter.

Zach entered the café doors and strode right to me and sat. He didn’t speak, he just stared.

“So let’s talk…” I muttered.

“I thought you were dead.” He whispered softly. I breathed in deeply through my nose but made no response. His eyes were smoldering as his spoke. “What’s going on?” He said it so casually, I was unsure of how to respond.

“Between us?” I downed the rest of my coffee.

He nodded wordlessly. There was a long silence, just our eyes locked in a battle of bright blue and stunning hazel. “Do you know how much to mean to me?” He blushed ever so slightly.

“No I don’t for that matter…”

“Come on Rhiannon. Don’t pretend nothing ever happened…” His voice returned to a whisper.

I felt compelled to open up. I’d closed myself off from him, but his presence reminded me of the missing spark. My chest began tingling. “And so where does that leave us now…?” I muttered, just as softly. Again he said nothing. His eyes were ablaze, fixed to my puzzled face.

“Scarlett mentioned something to me… she said something along the lines of ‘You mean almost as much to Zach as his dead mother does.” Zach froze. Regaining composure he snatched my spoon from beside my coffee mug and began fiddling with it. “If you wanted to speak to me, talk!” I half growled.

“She’s wrong?! Is that what you want to hear, lies? Because the truth is that everything she said is most likely and most entirely true!” Zach fumed, anger taking over his features. “When you gave yourself into Liam, I was beyond shocked. I thought that kinda crap only happened in action movies… but you did it, you made a deal with the closest thing to Satan, you wanted to die…?”

It was more of a question that a statement so I decided to answer. “I had to… Scarlett’s my good friend.”

Zach shook his head on and on as he leaned forward and took both my hands. “No. Tell me exactly why you did it, the truth.”

I was lost for words, why had I done it? I focused on our hands, locked together. It felt right. “Because I didn’t have you.” I whispered. I hadn’t even thought to say that, my mind was playing tricks on me. Or was it my heart that was the trickster in this case?

He leaned further forward and kissed my forehead to my surprise. “I was an idiot to bring you into this life of mine…” He smiled crookedly. “But I’d be a fool to have pushed you away.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Was everything back to normal again? Was my life really ever normal, I think that was an impossible feat I would never conquer. Normality was a fading memory, or maybe just an on and off switch to which I’d run to when my own little world of mischief became too god damn hard.

“Nothing ever happened between Carmen and me in that hotel room.” Zach clarified, squeezing my hands as he waited for my reaction.

“Dale’s gay.” I replied, not sure how to react to his comment.

“Ah…” Zach looked down and chuckled. “I probably should apologize to him…” He muttered.

I stifled a laugh. “Yeah, you probably should.” We both laughed quietly.

“I heard prom’s coming up for you?”

I giggled when he quirked a brown. “Yes it is. Would you go with me?” I bit my lip and tipped my head to the side.

“I’d love to, but I’m pretty sure school proms are for the schools children not evil misfits like me.” He joked, shifting his chair closer.

“Damn… I don’t want to go to prom now.”

Zach laughed loudly. “It’s prom, as if you’d want to miss one of the biggest occasions of high school?” His expression was skeptical.

“If I can’t take you then what’s the point.” I could see how hard Zach was trying to hide his instant pleasure at this.

“I have to go Rhi.” He murmured suddenly. I wanted to claw at his arm and restrain him from leaving my side. “Can I see you tonight?”

I nodded, trying to hide my pleasure. “Okay, climb the Cypress.” I instructed him, remembering the last time he’d climbed to my window. I struggled to contain my excitement.

~

I was being tolerant. I was in a much better mood with Zach back in my picture of perfection so I agreed to go dress shopping with Tiarne Saturday afternoon.

Zach had been with me nearly every second of the week. The word on the street was that Ailee had gone to see her parents and Liam had stayed behind, he wouldn’t stage anything until she returned. So the whole gang had taken it easy for a couple of days.

There was always a timidity to the casual, laid back group. No one completely relaxed, except for me.

“God there’s too many to choose from.” Tiarne swooned, skipping around in her state of exhilaration.

“Calm down, there just dresses…” I muttered, running my hand down a blue number.

“This is prom we’re talking about!” She stressed as she shuffled through a rack of dressed viciously. I scampered to Tiarne and pried her away.

“Here, try these.” I took a few items from the rack and threw them at her.

She gasped. “Thanks, I’m so glad I brought you along.” Hugging me she took another handful of random dressed and skipped to the dressing rooms.

I sighed heavily. It was my turn. I walked sluggishly towards a rack of vibrant colored dresses and groaned at the very sight of them. Crimson red, vibrant blue, lime green, one word, hideous! I would look horrid in those colors.

I regretted coming. I crawled under the rack of dresses and hoped Tiarne wouldn’t find me. I noticed something that stood out among the vibrancy of the wild colors. A deep violet dress was the only thing that could hold my eyes.

I grabbed it of the coat hanger and jumped out from under the rack. “That’s beautiful, where’d you get it from?” Tiarne appeared, twirling in the mossy green dress.

“In this rack...” I gestured towards it. “That dress looks great on you. I think you should buy that one.”

Tiarne cracked a smile, spinning around like a ballerina. “I think I will.” She replied. “You should try that one.” She nodded to the purple number I held. It was almost an indigo color with a set of loose ruffles near the neck line. I cut quite low in the chest area and was relatively short.

“I think I will.” I strode to the dressing rooms and once I was finally concealed in my own little cubical I stripped down and slipped into the little purple dress. Apart from the fact my hair was messy and my make up was far from perfect, I was in love with the dress. It was elegant and simply stunning.

Caching!

- ZACH'S POV -

We were chilling in Marcus’s apartment, having a boy’s afternoon.

“So anyway, she won’t go to prom if she can’t go to prom with me.” I explained to Luke and Marcus.

“I never went to prom.” Marcus muttered, stuffing his face with chips.

“Neither did I.” Luke put in.

“Same…” I added. “So what should I do, I don’t want her to miss out on prom like I did.”

Luke took a moment before replying. “Why don’t we just hold our own prom party or some shit like that?” He suggested nonchalantly. I stared ahead seriously considering that. “Nah, your right… It’s a stupid idea…” Luke went on, seeing my dazed off stare.

“No, no. That’s a great idea.” I exclaimed, rising from my seat.

“Zach dude, you can’t be serious?! Where would we hold it, how would three guys set something like that up?”

“Marcus can we use your apartment?” Luke and I both glued our eyes to Marcus.

“Yeah, knock yourselves out.” Marcus enthused.

“Yes!” Luke and I hissed.

“No seriously knock yourselves out with a frying pan. You can defiantly not use it! Scarlett would fucking shoot me if she found out.” Marcus went on, shaking his head endlessly.

“Aw c’mon, just a little party!” Luke begged.

“You’d better ask Scar, not me.”

I grinned. If I told Scarlett it was for Rhi she would defiantly let us. “Crap, I’ve got to go see Rhi at her place. Bye boys!” I waved. "We'll organize this later!"

- RHIANNON'S POV -

We headed home after a quick stop at McDonalds. The bus smelt worse than most days, a fat man sat a little too close to me giving me a weird smile. I literally ran out of the bus, pulling Tiarne along by the arm.

“Thanks for coming dress shopping with me.” Tiarne smiled, pulling me into a friendly hug.

“That’s okay.” Tiarne pulled away and with a wave she walked off with the sun setting in front of her.

Mum was in the kitchen when I got inside. “Zach’s coming over again tonight isn’t he?” She asked as I dumped my shopping beside the couch.

“Yes he is.” I tried to say it sweetly as I fell onto the couch. Mum loved Zach, she often said how ‘polite and kind’ he was. But like every mother she worried I was getting distracted.

“Will he be joining us for dinner?”

I reached over and took a banana from the fruit bowl and peeled it. “Probably…” My mind was already filled up with Zach. I wished he was here already. “I’m going up stairs.” I muttered, heaving myself up from the couch.

As I proceeded up the stairs another something came to mind, the Parkers ball. Carmen.
I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to her. Was her body still out in the middle of the forest, lifeless, blank eyed, dead?

I shuddered at the thought of her blood soaked hair, and bleeding mouth. Though I hated her more than Liam, I knew she shouldn’t have died like that.

“Hello Mi-Mi dear.” I looked up to acknowledge Liam’s presence. He was leaning casually on the frame of his old bedroom door.

“Why the fuck are you here again.” I took an involuntary step back.

“Mum,” The way he spoke suggested he didn’t think much of her. “Said I could stay here while my girlfriends out of town.”

“Ailee…” I sneered at that name, the reason for my father’s death. I felt eager for revenge.

“Don’t worry about her… I don’t even love her. She’s more of a... convenience you could call it.” He brushed her off like a stranger in a crowd. God he was heartless.

“H-how could you do that… lead her along like that?” I was completely dumb founded. Maybe this was the reason for Ailee’s aggression towards the subject? Like when I’d talked about her relationship with Liam she’d been very snappy. She loved him, but there was one problem, he didn’t love her back.

Liam chuckled. “Wow you are pathetic. You’re going to get squashed like an ant in this war Mi-Mi.

I hated people underestimating me. A low growl escaped my lips. I stormed into my room and slammed the door behind me.

Was mum crazy, allowing that murdering maniac into the house?! Forgiveness was not a word I could use with Liam. I lay on my back sprawled across the floor when there was a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it.” I heard Liam shout.

“No I’ll get it!” I called back. I knew exactly who it would be.

I almost tripped down the stairs as I tried to reach the door first. But Liam was standing in the open door way right in front of Zach’s frozen figure. “I said I would get it.” I pushed Liam out of the way and stood in between them. Zach’s body was shaking with anger. Liam’s face looked disgusted as he leaned forward in anticipation for the attack. I placed one restraining hand on Zach’s chest and left the other one balled into a fist in front of Liam’s face.

“What’s he doing here?” Zach barked through his teeth.

“They’re my family, and this is my house.” Liam spat, his fists rising slightly.

“Don’t start your shit here, mums in the other room. Behave.” I interjected pushing them both further away. Liam bowed forward as if he was about to lunge at Zach. “Don’t.” I growled.

Liam exhaled through his teeth before raging off back up the stairs and into his temporary room.

Once Liam was out of sight I stepped outside and closed the door behind me. “Hi.” I mumbled.

“Hello yourself…” Zach muttered as he squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. “You couldn’t have told me, could you?” He looked to me, eyes piercing.

“I’m sorry.” I forced his arms open and hugged him tightly. “Are you still going to come in?” I ogled up at him, my eyes entreating.

“I don’t think I have a choice.”

I laughed. “Don’t think it was my choice that he be here… mum’s forgiven him, not me.”

“Is she crazy?” Zach scoffed, taking my waist.

“Who knows?” I joked. We went inside and crept up stairs to my room.

“Will Mr. Murder be joining us for dinner?” I don’t think Zach was conscious of the fact his tone wasn’t joking. More irritated than joking really…

“Yeah, I hope you don’t mind.” It was a stupid question.

“Ha! No, it’s just fine. I’d love to dine beside my parent’s murderer…” He shrugged, sarcasm thickly coxing his tone.

“Hey! I can’t do anything about it.” I said defensively.

Zach’s face became solemn. “Maybe I should go, I’m not sure I can control my temper around him.”

“No please don’t go! Dinner will be ready soon, and over in no time at all. Just stay for me!” I grabbed his hand and tucked it under my arm. I was sure that wouldn’t stop him if he really wanted to leave, but it was worth a try.

There was silence as I tried to plead with him using my eyes. I grinned when he sighed in defeat. “Fine… for you.” He simpered.

“Let’s go.” I didn’t release his hand. Liam could make what he wanted out of that, stuff him! We walked down the stairs and sat at the set table. Mum was fluttering around setting them table and placing down amazing dishes. Cooking had been her way of grieving – something I’d only realized recently.

“Wow.” Zach breathed, taking in the setting before him. “I haven’t had a homemade meal since…” His sentence finished there. There was no need to complete it. We both knew exactly how it’d end.

“Liam Dinner!” Mum crooned.

Both Zach and I stiffened at his entrance. His eyes narrowed at Zach, I grabbed Zach’s hand quickly and tightly. “Relax.” I murmured.

Mum served us all while the air was heavy with unsaid accusations and threats. It was one of the most awkward silences I’d ever been in.

“So Liam, tell us about this girlfriend of yours.” Mum proposed, breaking the silence.

“Oh she’s great.” The way Liam empathized the word ‘great’ made my body turn ridged.

“Have you got a photo with you?” Mum wondered.

Liam swallowed, shaking his head. “No, sorry…”

Another uncomfortable silence followed. Liam poured himself a glass of red wine, swirling it in the glass as his eyes watched animatedly. Without warning his eyes darted to Zach.

“So Zach... How’s the family?” Liam sneered as Zach tautened.

“Oh, I haven’t met them…” Mum added.

All eyes were fixed on Zach. I could feel how tense he was beside me. “Oh. Well my parent’s passed away some time ago.” Zach said through his teeth, glaring fiercely back at Liam.

“That’s horrible Zach, you poor thing.” Mum sympathized, reaching over and patting his hand.

Zach looked up and smiled at her then at me.

“Yes, how terrible.” Liam taunted from the side lines.

Mum’s eyes were sincerely curious when she asked. “What happened to them?”

Zach turned to Liam. “Some idiot in a car knocked our car of a bridge. My parents drowned…” His expression was cold towards Liam who was smirking away at the head of the table.

A shiver ran up my spine, the irony was slowly choking me.

Mum gasped. “And you survived?!” This was like some sort of drama show for mum.

“Yes, thankfully.” Zach gave my hand a light squeeze and smiled up at me.

“Hey Zach, are you and my sister dating to something? What’s going on between you two?” I could see by the look on Zach’s face that his patience was running thin.

“Liam.” Mum scolded, hitting him softly on the shoulder.

“C’mon mum, don’t you want to know too?” He shot back.

Mum pursed her lips. “Hunny, stop it.”

“No, I want to know.” Liam pushed.

“Liam, drop it!” I ordered.

Zach wasn’t the only one whose patience was fading fast. Mum leered at Liam and he raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, sorry if I want to make sure my sister isn’t getting knocked up by some freak.”

“Ugh! That’s it!” Zach roared, jumping at Liam. I screamed as they wrestled to the floor.

“Boys, boys!” Mum took a step back from the brutal fight.

Liam pulled Zach up by the collar and slammed him into the dining table, the food and plates scattered and smashed on the floor. Casserole splattered at my feet while red wine sprayed out of the bottle onto the cream carpet, staining it like blood.

“Zach, Liam stop!” I howled. I tried to pry them off each other but Zach just punched Liam repeatedly in the face. Liam responded to this by throwing Zach off the table and into the wall. He groaned in pain as Liam approached and kicked him in the stomach.

“Stop, stop! Stop please!” My screams were ignored. Zach got to his feet and grabbed an umbrella from beside the nearby bookcase.

He ran at Liam and beat him with the stick, grunting with the effort. I didn’t know what else to do. I took a book from the side table and threw it at Liam. To my disappointment this only infuriated him more.

Before Zach’s swing could hit him once again he grabbed the umbrella and threw it through the window, Liam threw a punch at his face making Zach stumbling dizzily, his nose and lip bleeding. “This isn’t how I wanted to kill you, but oh well...” Liam muttered, grabbing the broken lid of the casserole dish and jumped onto Zach causing him to collapse on the ground underneath him.

“No!” My shriek was loud enough to break the windows, shame they already were.

Liam held the shard above his head and prepared to drive it into Zach. I grabbed the nearest plate and diving at Liam I slammed it over his head. He was knocked out instantly and fell limp to the ground.

“What is going on?!” Mum screamed violently. “Rhiannon Mia Balker, escort Zach to the hospital now!” I could see how she was straining to speak calmly. I grabbed Zach and helped him to his feet.

“And you Liam! Pack your things and get out of my house this instant!” She stabbed her finger furiously at him as he tried to hurl himself up from the ground. Blood oozed from the cut on his head. “Out, out, all of you!” She shouted again.

I quickly helped Zach out the door and into his car. I got into the driver’s seat teary eyed.

“Let’s get you to a hospital.” I whispered as the engine thrummed to a start.

Pitch Black Heaven - © MemoriesdonoJustice / Rose Tonis 2009