chapter 13: William

The next day it hit me with a burning force. I cried because it didn't feel right. I stayed in my apartment until I ran out of everything and I absolutely had to leave. I took a deep breath, taking a step out of my home for the first time in over three weeks.

Yes, three weeks. I was surprised I survived so long. Three weeks without seeing Kale. Without hearing his voice, without feeling him there. His face was still clear in my head, his voice and touch as well. But I was very slowly losing all of it. It had been three weeks since I said goodbye to my friends and three weeks since I last felt somewhat happy...

I was walking. My car long gone, my runners never coming back. The sun was just starting to set. It wasn't too long of a walk to the small store I was headed to. That's when I past him. His eyes gazing at me. Grey eyes, which looked like little marble stones. His light brown hair was spiked. But it was his skin that caught my attention.

His pale skin that almost looked translucent. Without noticing, the sun had actually gone down. It was a coincidence, it had to of been. Of course it was. I shook it off but I continued to stare at him. He stared back as we past eachother. I turned around and he was gone. No. There was noway. I shook my head. I got back home as fast as I could, locking the door behind me. I took a deep breath. I was just tired, seeing things. I put my things away slowly as I let it fade from my memory.

That night, for the first time in three weeks, I dreamt...

It was like he didn't even see me. Like he didn't know I was there. I tried so hard to get his attention. It didn't work. I tried everything. I finally gave up, feeling helpless.

"Will you marry me?" A distant voice asked.

I looked up. He hadn't moved. He was still turned away from me. Where did that come from? He suddenly looked at me, his blue eyes brighter then I've ever seen them.

"Marry me..."

My jaw dropped. It was definitely Kale's voice now. But before it had been distorted. My eyes widened as I stared at him.

"Marry me, Jamie." He spoke to me softly.

I nodded slowly. My jaw still dropped and eyes still wide. He smiled. It was him! He held out his hand. I reached out.

Everything turned black before our hands met. My eyes shot open. My heart drummed hard in my chest. I should have been sweating, I knew I should have been, but I wasn't. I was shivering. Why did I dream about him now? Why so suddenly? Was I ever going to forget about him?

I had that same dream every night for the next couple months. Yes, months! I would wake up the same way, cold and out of breath. It was supposed to be a happy dream but it was one of the most terrible dreams I've ever had.

Everyday I woke up, catching a glimpse in the mirror. I was a mess. I very rarely ever left my apartment. When I did, I would always rush back. It hurt how alone I was. Anya was wrong, this was a mistake.

I was sitting on the floor, staring at the black screen of my tv. I refused to sit on the couch anymore. But now I was debating on weither or not to turn on the tv. The fact that Kale bought all this stuff made me want to not use any of it now. But the sound might make this place feel less empty.

As I thought about it, there was a knock on my door. My heart thudded. I stared at my door. There was another knock. Who would visit me? I got up and looked out of the peek hole in the door. Pale skin caught my attention. That's all I had to see. I opened the door fast, regretting it right away.

"Hello." His voice was guarded. I took a step back. It was him. The one I passed on the street months ago. "May I come in?" He asked.

"S-sure?" I stammered. He was inside as soon as I agreed.

"I take it you know what I am?" He asked in a soft voice. I swallowed loudly and nodded. "That's good." He sighed. "I didn't realize you're human."

"Excuse me?" I could only breath out.

"When I caught your scent before, it wasn't human. There were a mix of other stronger scents that I picked up on."

"What scents?" I frowned, talking to him almost like I would if he were Jacob.

"Other vampires..." He crinkled his nose in a way that made it seem like he were teasing me. "And mut scent." He shook his head. "I've been trying to figure out what you are for months! But human never crossed my mind."

He stared at me. Then as if he knew me well, he reached out touching my neck. The scar. The only thing that really reminded me of Kale's existance. I shivered.

"Someone tried to turn you." He stated, frowning.

"No. It-it was an accident--" I stopped short. Why was I telling this stranger the details of my life? He raised his eyebrow, pulling his hand away.

"Who are you?" I frowned now. I took a step back. I was so used to men that looked just like him. Beautiful, captivating, that it didn't intimidate me anymore. And believe me, I didn't show it, but it used to intimidate me very much.

"Oh, forgive me. I am William the Stray."

"Stray?" I asked, curiousity getting the best of me.

"I travel alone. I don't belong to a clan and I never stay in one place for very long. Who would you be?"

"Jamie." I introduced myself.

He held out his hand. I took it, a little hesitantly and shook it.

"It's a pleasure."

I nodded. "Same to you."

I was just happy to talk to someone. Even if it was someone from a world I've been trying to escape. I was surprised how quickly we became friends. I was glad to see his appraising eyes were always only curious and friendly. There was no desire in them and that was refreshing to see. He came over every single night as I still hated leaving my apartment.

"I still haven't figured out why I caught all of those scents." He admitted and hinted to me one night as I made myself dinner. He sat at the counter, watching my every movement. I was used to this by now. Of course, I already had been used to it. I had been waiting for this conversation since day one. He just never seemed to bring it up til now.

"I used to live with a couple clans and a pack of shapeshifters." I informed him.

His eyes widened.

"Clans?" He gasped. "Who's?"

I thought a moment, wondering if it was possible for him to know them.

"First Dante's, then...Zero's..." I had a harder time saying his name then I thought I would.

"But those clans are rivals." He muttered. I shot a glance at him.

"You know of them?"

He shrugged. "I've heard of them. Clans know clans as most of us vamps know eachother as well. Dante can't stand Zero or the entirity of his clan because they're stronger then his own."

I nodded slowly.

"How did you manage to end up with both?" He asked.

"Long story." I sighed. There was a long silence before he spoke.

"Which one of them tried to turn you?" He seemed to breath. I stopped stirring the noodles, staring down into the pot.

"I told you it was an accident."

"Accident or not, which one tried to?"

"What are you going to do about it?" I glared into the water, at my dark distorted reflection.

"Nothing. Jamie, you should know by now I'm just curious is all."

By now. It had been two more months. How was I still living? Five months all together. I sighed.

"Zero." I whispered.

"Hmmm..." Was all I heard him say. I turned around.

"It wasn't as it seems, William. He didn't do it on purpose. As a matter of fact, he was the one that stopped it." I defended.

"Well then, it seems that you've made me all the more curious, my little human."

'My little human' was equivelent to him saying 'my friend.' I found it to be very funny actually.

"All the more reason for you to stick around?" I asked. He nodded.

"At least until you find better company." He smiled.

I was always terrified that my new friend would suddenly disappear. As if he wasn't even there to begin with. After I ate we proceeded into the living room.

"Again?" He groaned as I put the DVD into the player.

I only smiled at him, hit play and sat down in front of him on the floor. It was Tristan + Isolde. I had obsessively been watching it ever since the first night I had the dream which even now I still had. It was way better then Romeo & Juliet.

There was something about there hidden love that I couldn't resist. There was something about the desire between them both and the pain of not being able to openly be together because of the aweful situation they were both forced into. There was something sad and lost about there broken love, how in the end only one of them survived. But there was also something hopeful about the ending of their tragic love story, the way the planted trees entertwined with eachother, forever being able to be with eachother and never being torn apart again by anything or anyone.

I ignored William when he complained about it. He didn't have to stay. But he always did. Probably because he knew I wanted him to. Usually, when the movie finished, we talked for another couple hours and then he left. Tonight was different. He seemed to want to leave right away as he kept glancing at the door as we discussed the pros and cons of both our species.

"Jeez, Will. If you want to leave just say so." I told him, irritated. He looked at me now.

"No. I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

I glared at him. His eyes shifted to the door once again.

"It's not like it's locked, you can leave anytime you want. Not that locking it would make a difference." I spat, offended.

"That's the problem." He muttered. He met my gaze. "Do you mind if I stay here tonight?"

I stared at him then finally answered;

"No. Why?"

He shrugged.

"I have a natural instinct to protect my friends I guess."

I liked the way he said friends. Sadly, that was one thing I didn't miss about Shane and Jacob. William didn't protect me because he loved me. He did it because he liked me. My thoughts trailed off, leaving behind a tense silence in my head.

"Protect me from what?!" I whispered loudly. He gazed at the door once again.

"I'm not sure." Then he stood expectantly.

There was a loud knock on the door. He followed me closely to the door. I looked in the peek hole. I let out a shreek. I was seeing things! I must have been! William responded by pushing me out of the way, ripping open the door.

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The picture in this chapter is William