His Venomous Lips

Unwillingly my eyes fluttered open, the pale blue wall a painful reminder that I wasn't tucked up in my own bed. Keeping my mind empty, I slid out of bed and shuffled my way downstairs towards the glorious smell of bacon. It was unusual to not get changed into clean clothes while staying at someone else's house, but since my keys were still stationed back at the garage it had been impossible to get into my house. Of course, it wasn't until Sean had driven away that I had noticed this.

“I'm making you a full English, now sit.” Just the mention of breakfast had my stomach growling loudly. I hadn't really eaten much the day before, I'd been too preoccupied with everything going on, it's not everyday that you get shot at. The smell emitting from the cooker was enticing and I couldn't help but think there was an ulterior motive towards cooking me food.

“Thank you. Is there a reason why?” I questioned politely, my tone ever so slightly amused.

“Because you're a guest!” Jason exclaimed, mock offended before he continued: “Also, I'm trying to soften you up. Once you have a belly full of food and you're all comfortable, you're more likely to open up. Which you will do if you want to ring that guy to pick you up. Phone's off limits until you explain.”

It may have been selfish of me, but I really didn't want to explain what had happened the previous day. Even after a good sleep I was overwhelmed with a tonne of emotions, all pulling me in different directions. But Jason had taken me in, and I owed him for that, so despite my reluctance to share, I ate my breakfast and poured my heart out.

It didn't surprise me that he just sat and listened, occasionally throwing a question my way. He wasn't Jasmine, the world didn't have to revolve around him. Every now and then I would see his copper eyes fill with such concern that it made me wonder why I had never confided in him before. As a friend he was perfect, his unspoken worry saying so much more to me than words ever could, and at that moment I couldn't help but be in awe of him. I hoped that to other people I was as good a friend as Jason was.

“Wow. It's like something straight from a film. It seems unreal that something like that should happen to someone so close to me.” He said, stunned. I nodded my head in agreement knowing that I had thought something similar just after it happened.

“Do you wanna know the worst part?” I asked, a look of thoughtfulness plastered across my face. “The worst part was hearing Bobby scream and knowing that I could be next, that my last moment alive would be filled with fear and pain and that I was helpless to stop it. It kinda seems self-centered, you know? I mean, of all the things I could have thought about, my family, friends, I ended up thinking about myself and the pain I was about to endure. It's like everything else flies out the window, all you can focus on is the there and then.” Jason eyed me for a moment before pursing his lips, deliberating how he was going to phrase something.

“That's completely normal you know. Well, as normal as it can be in that situation anyway. Just because in films and books the person about to die thinks about their family, it doesn't mean it's true. Our natural instinct is to survive so people shy away from the things that will hurt them, which is why you thought about the pain rather than everything else.”

It made sense but at the same time I wished it wasn't true. Who wants to die knowing that the last emotion they'll ever feel is fear?

Sighing softly, I stood from my chair and gave Jason a hug.

“Thanks for listening, I love Jasmine to bits but it's very rare that I can talk about myself with her.” I explained as his smile faltered slightly.

“Ah, Jasmine.” He whispered.

“And that is a topic for another time.” I started, my eyes narrowing at his cryptic statement. “But now, I need to go visit Bobby.”

Bobby hadn't left my mind all night, I knew he would be okay, the doctors said he had been fine, but I had a feeling he knew more about what had happened than I did. Not only that, but he had saved my life, if it hadn't been for him then I would have still been standing on the wrong side of the desks, rooted with fear to the spot that would have left me in full view. If he hadn't have pulled me to his side then I would have been shot before I had even realised what was happening. And for that, as cliché as it sounds, I owed him my life.

So that was what had me picking up the phone and calling the last person on earth I wanted to see, even though, as much as I hated the thought, he had saved my life too.

“Hello?” His raspy voice asked, almost sounding as though he'd just woken up.

“Hi. It's Grace.” I mumbled, a little too aware with who I was actually speaking to.

“Good morning. I'm assuming you would like a lift to the hospital?”

“Well yeah. But you'll have to pick me up from my friends house. I'm locked out of mine at the moment.” I sighed, hoping this would explain before he arrived why I was still in the same clothes from the night before.

He told me that it was fine before I gave him Jason's address and hung up. For the rest of the time I sat anxiously awaiting his arrival, twiddling my thumbs and thinking of things we could converse about. I'd read all sorts of stories where the people sat in an awkward silence and I wasn't willing to be one of those people.

When his car pulled up, Jason gave me a hug goodbye and told me that his house was open to me if I still needed it. I nodded and wondered if I would need to go back later or if I would somehow be able to get into my house, I guess I would have to call Officer Fields and ask for the return of my belongings. I wonder how that'll go down. They could always say no.

Walking out into the frosty air I noted the smell of rain and the heavy clouds above. Although it wasn't raining at that point I knew that it would later in the day, not that I was surprised. It is England. But I had other things on my mind other than the weather, for one the looming black car parked at the side of the road. Swallowing my nerves, I walked forward and climbed in.

This time I risked a glance at the back. The car's pristine seats stared back at me, not a thing out of place, either he'd cleaned it or there was never a mark in the first place. Closing my eyes briefly in relief, I turned towards Sean, his eyes already focussed on me.

“Hi.” I greeted weakly.

Nodding slightly, he put the car in drive and headed off towards the hospital, drumming his fingers impatiently against the wheel.
“Why are you so agitated?” I asked before I could stop myself, my hand flying to my mouth as soon as the words were out.

“It doesn't matter.” He snapped, making me sink in my seat. Seeing this he expelled a gust of air before starting again. “I'm just agitated because you shouldn't have been dragged into this. That's all.”

“And you should have?”

“I was already involved.” He said without missing a beat.

I knew that there was more to it than I originally thought, but hearing him put it so bluntly sent sparks of surprise flying through me. Instantly I wondered if he would tell me more, tell me what it was that I had been dragged into, but I was to intimidated by him to speak my thoughts. Was there a good side and a bad side to whatever I had been dragged into? Was Bobby the nice guy I originally thought he was? I didn't have any answers but I knew that this could be a step towards explaining why there was such a dark air about Sean.

“Will... never-mind.” I started before losing my nerve.

He merely glanced in my direction before letting whatever it was drop. Either he knew that sooner or later I'd crack and ask whatever it was or I just wasn't interesting enough to pursue the conversation with. I hoped it was the latter. That way, when everything was over, we could both get on with out lives separately with him staying away from me. The thought brought a smile to mind.

The hospital floated into view sooner than I expected, it's white walls appearing dull under the grey clouds. But just as soon as I thought we were there, we turned down another road leading us away from the building. At first it didn't register and I just sat staring out the window as the building drifted further away from us, but when I did understand what was going on, I turned to Sean in panic.

“You're going the wrong way!” I whispered, my voice slightly fearful.

“Calm down.” He sighed, rolling his eyes. “I'm taking you to get a new outfit.”

“A new outfit? I haven't got my purse, if you remember I told you that I left it at the garage.” I explained slowly, feeling as though I was speaking to a five year old that couldn't grasp a simple concept.

“I'm well aware of that. That's why I'm buying.”

“Look. You don't have to do that. Let's just turn around and go see Bobby.” The idea of someone I barely know, let alone someone I don't even like, buying me something made me feel slightly uncomfortable. It meant that I owed them in some way and I didn't really want to owe this stranger more than I already did.

“No, I don't have to do it, but I'm sure you're not aware that you have blood on the cuffs of your sleeves and some on your jeans pocket.” I was aware. All of the night before I couldn't keep my mind away from the blood staining my clothes, I wanted desperately to change but Jasmine didn't have clothes in my size since she's so much shorter than me and Jason had no clothes that I could wear either. I contemplated breaking into my own house at one point but decided against it after realising that I would have to pay for a new lock with money that I didn't have. But even so, I would have preferred to have worn the offending fabric than to have Sean buy me new clothes.

“It really isn't necessary...” I tried before Sean cut me a sharp glare.

“No it isn't. But I'm still doing it. So either you choose some clothes or I do. And you will wear them otherwise I'll carry you into a toilet and won't let you out until you've changed. Understood?” Nodding, slightly alarmed at his forceful nature, I turned back to stare out the window. I tried to loose myself in the buildings that were passing by but the image of his face darkening dangerously would not leave my mind. Vaguely I was aware of the rush of air leaving his lips.

“Look, I'm sorry for snapping. I didn't mean to, I've just been so stressed lately. I realise that this is probably harder on you than it is for me, and I wish I could explain, but I can't. Well not right now. If I explain then you'll be more involved than before and I'm not entirely convinced that you're in danger any more, so I'd rather not subject you to any more than you've already experienced.” He recited as if he'd been practising what to say all day.

“It's fine.” I sighed, my head replaying the part about me not being in any danger. I wondered if he was right...

I didn't have to much time to contemplate it before we were pulling up to a nondescript clothes shop, one that I wouldn't normally have thought to stop at.

“A friend of mine owns this place, she'll be more than happy to help you out.” Sean explained before leaving the car, the door slamming shut behind him. Taking a deep breath, I followed him out of the car and into the shop.

The shop was nothing special inside. Shelves and rails were stacked with clothes, as expected, and some walls held pictures of models displaying various articles from within the store. A few customers bustled about, scanning the racks before either leaving or paying for something they liked. It was just an average, every day shop. The only thing that did stand out was the girl with outrageous hair behind the counter.

Her bright green hair flowed down to her shoulders, her choppy fringe dropping slightly into her eyes. A brown headband adorned her head, matching the chocolate coloured dress she wore that was littered with pretty images of yellow flowers. Quite honestly, she reminded me of a tree, or at least of something that belonged in the wild. But despite her out there looks, she really was very pretty. Soft but wide green eyes smiled back at us, her lips pulled back to show a perfect set of white teeth.

“Sean!” She cried, running from behind the desk and diving into his arms. A grin lit up the features of his face as he embraced her, looking more innocent than I had ever seen him. For a fleeting moment I wished I could view him like that all the time instead of this menacing person I'd come to expect him to be.

“Olive! It's so good to see you again.” He seemed so honest and open that I was curious to who the girl was to him.

“I know, it's been too long. But I see you've brought a friend, what can I do for you today?” She said smiling at the both of us.

“Well, Grace here was involved in something unfortunate yesterday and at the moment she can't get into her house to get a change of clothes. So I was wondering if you have anything to give her?”

“Oh my, well I have just the thing actually! I had a whole load of new stock come in yesterday. This way.” Olive enthused, grabbing my arm before I could say anything and dragging me to the back of the shop.

As we entered the store room she peeled open a box and started dumping pieces of material in my arms. Then, just as quickly as she started, she stopped and pushed me into the changing rooms.

“I'm sure that they're your size, there's some underwear there to. I'm almost certain it'll suit you!” She squeaked, excitement rising from her voice.

Slowly I changed into the clothes she had given me, taking time to look at each article I was about to wear. After changing into fresh underwear, I pulled on a knee length floral dress, a black cardigan over the top and barley black tights underneath. To finish the look I replaced my red converse, glad for the fact they didn't clash with what I was wearing. It wasn't my usual look, generally I was clad in some type of jeans and a t-shirt, but looking in the mirror I could see it suited me, even if did feel slightly awkward wearing it.

Picking up my discarded clothes at a loss of what to do with them, I stumbled out of the dressing room and straight into Sean. Nodding in approval, he reached for my old clothes and placed them into a bag before throwing that bag into the bin nearby unaware of my blushing face. He'd just handled my dirty washing, which contained my dirty knickers, and I didn't really know who he was. I was a little embarrassed, not that I would ever admit why.

“You look good.” He commented, his eyes shining in an indecipherable way. “Now let's go thank Olive and be on our way shall we?”

Swallowing away the uncomfortable feeling rising within me I nodded and followed his lead. Finally I would get to see Bobby.