Page 25

Chapter Twenty-Four

MAVERICK

I lost her. She slipped right through my fingers just like the water she vanished into. The only thing left of her is her muddy pink boot that I have tied around my neck like some morbid necklace. I’ve been walking for hours, and I’m completely exhausted. My body feels like it has been yeeted off of the highest cliff, and I’m really feeling my age right now. I stumble over a branch and fall to my knees on the hard ground. I hurl curses at the inanimate object, screaming out into the darkness, “Fuck!” with all my might until my voice starts to crack. I shake my head, leaning back to look up at the stars, “God, I’m fucking pathetic.” Pushing myself to my feet, I set off walking again, breaking through the dense trees out onto an asphalt sea. I heave out a relieved breath just to be out of the uneven terrain. I start to trudge down the road, up the road, whichever way you want to call it, until I see a looming object in the distance. Quickening my pace, an RV comes into view, making me come to a stop and look at my surroundings.

The crickets chirping is the only noise that reaches my ears. Stealthily I move towards the RV, peering into the lowest window I can reach and seeing nothing but black space. I curse under my breath, “Fuck it,” and move towards the door. My hand wraps around the handle, pulling it open on soundless hinges, revealing the space within. The RV dips down a bit as I enter it, taking tentative steps up the stairs. The space is bigger than it looks, housing a whole kitchenette with a fold-out table. Turning to the left, I peer down the hall, spying another door and a large bed at the end, and my shoulders drop at the lovely sight. Before I can take another step forward, I’m grabbed from behind, a hand wrapping around my mouth and the other one pointing a gun at my temple. My body freezes, and I almost chuckle at my rookie mistake.

“You have five seconds to quietly convince me not to kill you. If you wake my girl up, I won’t even hesitate.” A laugh rumbles through my chest, his hand muffling the sound. “The fuck are you laughing for?” He taps the gun against my temple then lowers his hand from my mouth so I can speak.

“Long time no see, Ghost.” I chuckle, a smirk marring my face as I slowly turn towards him. Our eyes connect and understanding flashes through his. “Never thought I’d be relieved to see your ugly mug again.” We stare at each other, the awkward silence grows thick until he reaches out and hugs me, patting me on the back roughly before letting me go again. Usually I’d scoff at the gesture, but I’m so worn down that I don’t even flinch at his touch.

“Fuck, Mav, you look like hell. How did you get here? Where’s Aspen? Shit, let’s go outside and talk so we don’t wake up Rue.” His questions fire out at a rapid pace, and my brain is too exhausted to answer them that fast as he ushers me back down the stairs and out the door. I drop to my ass on the ground, back propped up by one of the RV wheels. “Where’s Aspen?” He asks again before plopping down a few feet away from me.

“She’s dead.” I say after clearing my throat, memories of that night flash rapidly through my mind, making me cringe.

“Did you kill her? After everything we did to get her out?” His scolding voice cuts through me like a knife.

“I killed her because I had to, Ghost. She was sick… I didn’t know until it was too late.” I say as I drop my head back against the RV. I never cared for Aspen as much as I do Mallory, but she was still a good chunk of my life.

“Fuck. You okay, man?” His concern would be laughable, but I tell he really means it.

“Not really. I mean, I’m over her death if that’s what you mean. It was about a month ago, I would say. Fuck, Ghost, I don’t even know where to start right now.” I say, scrubbing my hands over my face in exasperation as he waits patiently for me to keep talking. “The day after you and Rue left, I found Aspen in our room; she had already turned, so I uh… yeah, anyways, I burned the house down, and then I set off to wherever the fuck. While I was walking I found someone, but now she’s lost, and I’m a fucking mess.” My voice cracks at the end, and I punch the ground with my fist, berating myself for being a fucking pussy right now.

“You found someone? Who? Where is she now?” Ghost’s arms are now leaning over his knees as he looks at me with genuine interest. “Don’t give me that fucking look. Just take my kindness for what it is right now, yeah?” I heave out a sigh and nod my head.

“Her name is Mallory.” He gives me a funny look when I say her name, but doesn’t comment on it. “I found her tied between some trees about to be raped by some assholes. Fuck, man, she was beautiful hanging up there, her eyes shining with tears, and those goddamned pink heels still strapped to her feet. I killed those fuckers and took her with me. She’s… everything that I wanted Aspen to be. She’s my perfect little Pet.” He smirks at me, nodding as he fully understands what I’m saying and motions for me to continue. “We ended up in a boat going down the swamp the other night during the storm.”

“Shit, I remember that night! That storm about blew this fucking RV over.” He growls with an annoyed shake of his head.

“Yeah, wasn’t really a fun time. The boat tipped over, and we got separated.” I hold up her pink boot, waving it at him. “This is hers; I found it stuck in the mud down the bank. I have no idea where she is, but fuck man, I need to find her…” Ghost stares at me, examining my expression, and he must find what he’s looking for when he nods at me in acceptance.

“Okay, we’ll help you find her, but Rue won’t be happy. She has her mind set on us getting to Florida.”

“Oasis?” I say, and confusion zooms through both of us.

“How do you know about Oasis?” He questions, leaning forward more on his haunches.

“Mallory told me about it.” Ghost nods his head, his expression contemplative.

“Rue said she has a friend named Mallory… Do you think?” His thoughts are going in the same direction as mine are, our expressions identical as we contemplate this new revelation.

“Mallory has mentioned Rue and Noah, but I guess I never pieced that together. I… I don’t want to get Rue’s hopes up if it really is Mallory. Only one of us needs to be heartbroken if she’s truly gone.” Ghost nods in agreement.

“I’ll talk to Rue when she wakes up in the morning, just telling her that you’re looking for your Pet.” He says with a smirk. “But I’m going to warn you, I don’t think Rue will be very receptive to your appearance. She’s pissed at how you treated Aspen.” He ends his words with a chuckle.

“If it’s any consolation, I treat Mallory much better. She’s mine. ” The seriousness in my gaze conveys all the words that I don’t have the energy to say right now.

“Come on, you look like you’re about to drop dead. You can sleep on the floor.” Ghost rises to his feet, walks back to the door, and motions for me to follow after him. Once we enter the space, he leaves me standing in the kitchen area and walks towards the back of the RV. I watch him leave before sliding down to the floor and stretching out on my back with a groan. A few seconds later a pillow and a blanket are dropped on my face. “Here, get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.” I salute him, tuck the pillow under my head, and wrap the blanket around me. It doesn’t take me long before I drift off into a dreamless sleep.

* * *

“What the fuck is he doing here?” The screech penetrates my ears as I’m thumped on the head with something soft. “Get out!” The thump comes again, but harder, jostling my eyes open. Rue’s small form is looming over me with a pillow in her hands, ready to strike again. Her eyes narrow as she brings the pillow down hard against my face.

“Ghost, restrain your girl before I do it for you.” I growl out as my fists clench. Ghost’s hand snakes up and around to hold the collar on Rue’s neck with a smirk marring his face.

“What the hell? Let me go!” Rue grunts at Ghost, trying to push him away. Her small form to his large one is comical to watch as she struggles to get to me.

“Don’t worry, Death, Maverick will be on his best behavior. Won’t you?” His glare at me makes me chuckle as I sit up, leaning against the sink cabinet.

“I swear I’ll be on my best behavior.” I nod with a soft smile on my face, pulling my knees to my chest to rest my elbows on them.

The silence is thick and awkward in the space until Rue clears her throat before speaking, “Uh Ghost told me… About Aspen.” Gazing up at her, her eyes are full of sadness, shoulders hunched over as she wraps her arms around her middle. “I’m sorry.” She whispers, and her apology is sincere.

I nod at her, accepting her apology, “It’s okay. Couldn’t really be helped…” I drift off, not wanting to rehash that nightmare again.

“Ghost said you lost your Pet? I’m guessing it’s not a dog, right, like it’s a real human?” Her eyebrow hitches as she speaks with a hint of humor in her voice.

“Yes, she is a human.” I chuckle at the thought of being this heartbroken over a damn dog. “She’s… uh… I-I think I love her.” The words stumble from my mouth, and we are all silent at the shock of my statement. No one dares to say a word at my new revelation, that is until Rue pipes in.

“Damn, I didn’t think your mean ass could actually love anyone.” Her laugh echoes through the RV, and I can’t help but to laugh along with her, and Ghost joins in, kissing her cheek in a loving gesture.

“Yeah, me neither, but she’s different.” I try to convey my emotions with my eyes; Rue gazes at me and finally nods in understanding.

“Okay, well then, what are we waiting for? We better find this infamous Pet before he turns grumpy again.” Her eyes roll with sass as she strides over to the passenger seat of the RV, waving for Ghost to follow, which he does with no hesitation.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d wonder who was actually on the leash here.” Ghost turns around and glares at me from the driver's seat, making me chuckle.

“Shut the fuck up, Mav, or I’ll turn this fucking thing back around.” I hold up my hands in surrender, getting comfy on the floor as the RV starts to roll forward.

I must have fallen asleep again, because the next thing I know it’s pitch black outside. Ghost is still driving away, and Rue is snoring softly in the passenger seat. I stand up and stretch, making my way to the front to see if Ghost needs to switch.

“Hey, I can drive for a while, why don’t you go and rest?” I nod my head at the obvious bags under his eyes and wave my hand towards the back of the RV. His eyes sweep over Rue’s sleeping form as he nods his head slowly, applying the brake. I look out at the windshield and see something moving in the middle of the road. “STOP!” I yell, and Ghost slams on the brakes without hesitation. “What the fuck?” I say in confusion as a small figure limps into the center of the road, waving their arm frantically. Their clothes are dingy and covered in dirt. One foot is wearing some kind of makeshift shoe while the other one… Is wearing a pink combat boot. I don’t even hesitate before I bolt for the door with Ghost yelling after me. “Little one, is that you?” I ask in a shocked, cracking voice as I walk closer towards her. Her hair is dirty and stringy around her face; the arm in front of her face shielding her from the headlights slips enough that I get a peek of her beautiful eyes. Her knees buckle, and she falls to the pavement, and I rush to her to encase her in my arms, holding her tightly to my chest. “Mallory, baby…” I whisper as I clutch her to me in fear that she’s just a mirage. Her small hands tighten in the front of my shirt as sobs wrack her body. Her exquisite face peers up at me, and she’s just as beautiful as I remember even with the dirt and tears staining her cheeks.

“Ma-a-averick?” She says through her hiccuping sobs, her lower lip trembles as she stares up into my face. My hands grip her cheeks automatically and bring her face closer to mine so I can kiss her softly; her familiar taste invading my senses heaves a groan from my chest.

“I found you. I told you that I’d always find you, my sweet, Pet.” I say with adoration as I nuzzle my face into her neck, soaking up her familiar scent through all of the dirt and grime. Her body trembles in my hold as I scoop her up bridal style, carrying her back to the RV. She makes a contented sound as her fingers still clutch onto my shirt for dear life.

“M-mal? Is that you-u?” Rue’s voice pipes up from beside the RV as she stares at the exhausted woman wrapped in my arms. She takes a tentative step towards me as Mallory swings her face to stare at her friend. Both of their bottom lips wobble, and a painful sob is wrenched from Mallory’s chest, but the reaction from Rue is the complete opposite. Her eyes look up at me with fire in them, her stance shifting, tiny hands balled up into fists. Ghost is behind her and notices the change, grabbing her from behind and hauling her to his chest before she lunges at me. She struggles in Ghost’s grip, trying to get to me, spewing profanities at me, which makes me stop dead in my tracks and clutch Mallory closer to my chest. A giggle seeps out of my Pet’s lips through her crying as she takes in the debacle. “You fucker! She’s my friend! I swear to God if you hurt her, I’m going to KILL YOU !” Rue screams at me, making Mallory laugh harder. I stare down at the girl clutched in my arms and then back at the girl screaming at me, and I’m confused as fuck. Ghost is looking at me with the same confusion and shrugs his shoulders. Well, this is not exactly how I pictured this reunion going.