The Bloodied Phantom Chapter 11

Look for a cool liquid blue amulet suspended from a golden chain. That should give you your answer.

These words seem to play over and over in my mind as I peer up towards Phantom with frightened eyes.

I slowly edge closer to the wall, bringing the covers along with me. There’s a look of concern on his face.

“Are you alright?” he asks.

I don’t answer. I can’t. A lump has formed in my throat, making it hard for me to form words. It can’t be true. It just can’t be.

He reaches a hand out toward me and I flinch. I can see the hurt and confusion in his eyes.

I then remembered something had had been said in one of my dreams. Mortals are so narrow-minded. When something can’t be proven scientifically, you automatically jump to the conclusion that it does not exist. What he had said was false. Everything that existed was somehow linked to science; without science nothing would exist. There were no such things as spirits, magical realms, guardian angels or even different dimensions. It just doesn’t exist. I didn’t believe in what he had said, so why was I worrying myself half to death over a dream?

“Are you alright?” he asks again, standing to his feet.

“You just startled is all.” I manage to say. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. It was bad enough that I had flinched when all he was doing was being concerned about me. From now on, I don’t care what that ’mystery man’ says. I’m not going to let some dream control my life, and keep me from getting to know someone.

“I’m alright. I just had a weird dream is all.” I say. “I really want to thank you for everything you’ve done. I never wanted to get you involved…”

“No. There’s no need to thank me. I couldn’t stand idly be and watch him assault you like that.”

“Oh.” is all I can say, as I slowly edge off of the bed and stand to my feet.”

“Are you sure you’re well enough to walk?” he asks, concerned. I ignore the question, as my feet touch down onto the soft cream colored carpet. I instantly feel dizzy and disoriented. My legs feel weak and I fall. Phantom catches me in his arms, and I feel like I want to stay there forever. I pull away, but he holds me steady by my shoulders.

“Are you sure you’re well enough to walk?” he asks again.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” I reply, blushing all the while. He releases his grasp on my shoulders and I somehow manage to stand upright.

“Thank you.” I say, looking the other way, so that he can’t see my face. He takes hold of my hand, and turns me around to face him.

“You don’t have to keep thanking me. I want to help you and keep you safe.”

“Where is everyone?” I ask, trying to break the silence that has lingered between us.

“They’re downstairs speaking to the police about what happened at the mall. I must admit, the way we handled thing probably wasn’t the best way to handle the situation, but something had to be done. Since you’ve been asleep for approximately two hours, the police decided to wait. In the meantime, we have all been interviewed one by one so that they could collect information about what happened in each of our point of views. I was told by your mother that when you awoke that I bring you downstairs for questioning.”

“Questioning? What do they need to question me for? Don’t they have enough proof that Kyle attacked me?”

“It is like I stated before, they need to collect information from each one of our point of views. They need to know what happened from the exact moment you came into contact with him. Since none of us were there the exact moment, we weren’t much help. I’m sure you understand?’

“Of course.”

As we begin to make our descent downstairs he guides me by wrapping his arm around my waist. I really needed that guidance, because my legs still felt weak and my head still felt dizzy. If he wasn’t here to hold me up I’m sure I would have fallen. When we made into the living room, all conversation ceased. I noticed two police officers sitting side by side on the sofa opposite my mother, Ryan and Zia. A man and woman. The man I would estimate to be in his fifties, with slightly graying hair, crystal clear blue eyes, and a pleasantly round belly. The woman was probably in her early thirties or forties, with close-cropped wavy hair, dark brown eyes and compared to her companion, seemed so much smaller. They were both dressed in navy blue uniforms with an array of badges and insignia that they have earned over the years. They were both seated with notebooks and pens at the ready.

All eyes were on me. My mother, who sat next to Ryan on the sectional, Zia to her left, got up and hugged me. I could tell she had been crying; her face was stained with dried up tears, and now that she knew I was fine new ones began to fall.

“Mom. I’m alright.” I said, tears now beginning to fall from my eyes. Then came Zia and Ryan.

“If only I had been there with you Raiya, none of this would have happened.” Ryan said, hugging me tight. “I wasn’t there to prevent it from happening. I promise you, from now on I’m going to protect you.”

“Ryan.” I softly utter. So many emotions came over me. I had never been so happy to be with my family, even though one member was missing.

“I hate to interrupt, but I would like to question this young lady.” It was the male officer who had spoken. We all turned around toward him upon hearing his deep resonating voice. To me, if he had a head full of white hair and a beard he could easily pass for Santa Claus. My mother directed me to the sectional, where she, Ryan, Zia, Phantom and I all sat. Phantom sat on the far right, while the four of us huddled together. I looked towards him, and he just sat there, sitting erect with a calm and relaxed air; his undivided attention on the police officers.

“Well,” spoke the female officer, “let me be the first one to introduce myself. I’m Officer Desmond, and this here, is Officer Cornell. We came here because of what happened at the Riverview Mall earlier this evening. It seems that you and Kyle had some sort of altercation. We would like for you to explain everything that has happened from the moment you entered the mall, until now.”

For the next hour or so I went over everything that had happened, to the very moment I fell asleep on Phantom’s lap. I had blushed major time when I told the police this. I learned that mother had been the one who phoned the police. She had been hysterical when Phantom carried me into the house and saw my swollen face. I could understand her concern. My brother and I are all she has left. I also learned that she had blamed Ryan, but then had calmed down when they had all been interviewed by the police and gotten all the facts.

“Do you wish to press charges?” Officer Cornell asked me.

“Of course she wants to press charges!” screamed my mother.

“Yes, but I have to have her consent in order to file the charge.”

“Well?” my mother asked, looking at me, with worried eyes.

Once again all eyes were on me. I already knew what my answer would be. There was no way I was going to let Kyle get away with what he did. It was like that old saying. ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.’ I would certainly be a fool if I said no. I remembered being asked this exact same question a year ago. Back then, I was too blinded by love that I let him get away with what he did. I only told half of my story, because if I ever told the other half there would have been hell to pay, and he would have ended up in prison. At the time I didn’t want that. I was so sure that he would come back to me. Now I know that I had been stupid.

“Yes. I want to press charges.” I said, with my head held high.

“What will he be charged with and how much time will he serve? Asked my mother.

“He will be charged with aggravated assault and could possibly serve up to a maximum of three years behind bars. I assure you ma’am, he’ll get what he deserves.”

“Where is he now?” I ask.

“Right now, he’s at the station, held up in a cell. As soon as we charge him with aggravated assault he’ll be deported to the county jailhouse.”

Approximately twenty minutes later, the police said their goodbyes, and drove off in their squad car. My mother walked over to Phantom and said, “I really want to thank you for being there in my daughters’ time of need. There’s no telling what would have happened if you hadn’t stepped in.”

Phantom smiles at her, “It’s like I told Raiya. You don’t have to thank me. I saw that she was being assaulted, so of course I had to step in. Truthfully, I wouldn’t want to see that happen to anyone.”

“Don’t be so modest. As of today you are my hero for helping my daughter. Now come on and give me a hug before I start tearing up again.” She hugs him close to her and he returns the hug. Next up was Zia. Then Ryan shook his hand and thanked him, saying that they should hang out sometime. Phantom agreed. I felt so tired. Not sleepy, just tired. I needed to be somewhere alone, where I could clear my mind. I snuck out of the back door through the kitchen. I didn’t hear Phantom’s footsteps behind me.