Finally, Shea brought a hand to his jaw and rubbed the way he always did when he was nervous. “Talia, what’s going on? I don’t… I don’t feel like me.”
Worry washed over her because what if he didn’t like the body he was in? “You died, and I brought you back in another body by putting your brain inside.”
He stared at her, his eyes ticking side to side, still rubbing his jaw.
“I gave you a piece of my immortal heart, so if all goes as I think it will, you’re going to be immortal, too.” The next part was hard to say, but she would do anything he wanted, whatever would make him happy. Just as he’d always put her first. “But, if you don’t want it, I can take it out.” She removed her gaze from his and stared at the cement.
“Hold on a minute, you cut out a piece of your heart … And put it in here”—he tapped at his chest and then at his skull—“along with my brain?”
“Mmm hmm…” She still couldn’t meet his gaze.
“Okay, you’re going to have to give me a moment here… or several.” He propped his back against the car. “I feel like I can do things again if I want to. As if I can jump off the roof and not break a leg.”
“Oh, you would still break a leg, Shea.” Talia smiled. She’d been worried for no reason because even with the new body, it was absolutely Shea. He was here with her. “Are you mad at me?”
He shook his head as tears filled his eyes. “No, of course not. But how could you risk your life like that for me? I—I’m nothing compared to you. You’ve always been everything to me. Please promise me you won’t ever do anything like that again.”
“Could you promise me the same?” She already knew what his answer would be.
Shea bit his lip and stared down at his new hands. “Never.”
“Then we’re even.” Talia’s half-heart thumped hard against her ribcage because she couldn’t believe that he was really here. All she wanted to do was touch him, and never stop.
His gaze caught hers and an old and familiar feeling seemed to swell between the two of them. “I suppose all that matters is that I’m here alive and with you. There’s nothing better than that.”
“Is there anything you want to do in your new body?” she asked, arching a brow. “Go ride a bike?”
“Well, it’s been a while since we…” He leaned forward, the left side of his lips tilting up.
“Shea, you dirty rascal.” Talia gave a false huff and placed her hands on her hips.
Before Talia could gather her thoughts, Shea scooped her up from the ground. Laughter bubbled up from her, and she wrapped her arms around his warm neck. “Ednah’s inside.”
“Trust me, she’ll understand.”
She looked at the crimson by his hairline and the red on her hands and arms. “We have blood all over us.”
“Eh, a little dried blood never hurt anyone.”
“Seriously, shower first.”
“Fine.” He pulled her closer and she relaxed in his arms as he murmured in her ear, “I love you.”
“You have my heart forever, so I suppose I feel the same…” Talia grinned.
His chest pressed against hers and it was as if she could feel his heart, her old heart, beating for the two of them.
Dearest Clementine,
My beautiful, beautiful love. I was so incredibly close. I found the secluded house where Bogdi was keeping you. I’m here now, but you’re already gone. Your cinnamon scent mixed with lilies still lingers—an aroma that could entice me to no end. However, there is also the odor of rot coming from Bogdi that radiates from the floorboards. You and I are equals—a team—and I will stalk the countryside to get you back. I know he’s trying to find a way to drag you to the depths of the Underworld, but we have to stop him. I promise with everything in me, that the demon will be sorry. I have a tale for you now, one I know you would love.
Always Yours,
Dorin
Lured in for Death
2012
March Martinez sat cross-legged while thinking in front of the lake, surrounded by miles and miles of trees. If only this place held the answers to his questions about life. As the water’s ripples swished back and forth, he thought about the mysterious vanishings. This particular lake had been searched thoroughly over the years when claims surfaced about people disappearing. Some said that people had gone in but never came out. But the thing was, when police investigated the lake, no victims were ever found.
He stood from the pebbled dirt and peered down into the clear water—no sign of life, not even a single small fish or minnow wiggled about.
March felt alone, so alone it was hard for him to breathe anymore. His breath came out ragged, his heart accelerated, his thoughts progressed with intense fury and wouldn’t stop. Each morning he told himself over and over how much he wanted to live, but finding that drive was becoming more difficult day after day, after long day.
Closing his eyes for a moment before reopening them, March tore off his t-shirt and unbuttoned his pants to slide them down, until the only clothing covering him was his boxers.
With a leap of faith and a wish for something that wasn’t suffocating, he jumped into the water, letting his body sink to the bottom. Disappointment filled him when he opened his eyes—there was nothing magical or a chance at escape, only a pebbled bottom surface and the late afternoon sky glowing above.
March prayed for something hidden, something other than what was here. And even more, he wished—he yearned—for whatever was down there to take him away from all the hurt, the pain, and his thoughts. He continued to hold his breath until he couldn’t anymore, until his body surfaced back through the top layer of the lake.
A deep agonizing exhale escaped March’s throat as the water swished back and forth, crashing against his shoulders. In that moment, he knew there was nothing. In that moment, he knew he was the only one who could save himself. But could he even do that?
March pulled himself from the water and rolled to his back, staring up at the hovering sun that would be descending soon. His cell phone rang from the porch of the cabin, causing him to jerk forward. He hurried to scoop up his clothing, briskly jogging to the porch steps. As soon as he picked up the phone, the rings ended. Then it started again, and Joseph’s name appeared—his brother.
“Hello?” he answered, his voice coming out raspy from his dry throat.
“Marcin?” Joseph said, his tone filled with eagerness and a suppressed sound that resembled something akin to fear.
March didn’t want his brother to worry—he was tired of making him and his parents concerned about him. So he put on the best act he could while his insides still felt tender. “Who else would be answering my phone?”
“What’s going on, then? You didn’t text me back.”
“I rented a cabin for the weekend, remember?” March pressed his head to the wooden pole connecting the roof to the porch. “I’ll be home soon.”
“Oh, yeah, I totally forgot. I was checking to see if you wanted to come over for video games, but maybe next weekend?”