The Bloodied Phantom {Chapter 16}

The pressure around my throat tightened. My vision steadily began fading into a darker gravity. Every breath was painful. I could not free myself from his grasp; I couldn’t even move my arms. I hung there, helpless, being strangled to death by that evil, soulless creature.

Suddenly the pressure ceased and I was dropped onto the cold hard ground. He disappeared. Then even the mist was gone, and I lay there shivering alone in the dark.

That’s when I woke up. Now that my heart was beating at an even rate, I tried to analyze what this dream meant. Considering if it did mean anything. This dream seemed different from all the others somehow. Like it was final.

I started brainstorming. I categorized the dreams into three main categories. The first consisted of the recurring dreams. The ones that kept repeating over and over, night after night. The second consisted of the telepathic dreams, in which this ‘mystery man’ made himself known-giving me information about where he resided, and about my guardian angel. A guardian angel in which I still secretly believed to be Phantom, though I had no proof. The last category would be the dream I just had. I couldn’t quite call it a warning or even a threat. More like a vow.

Part of me wanted to believe the dreams, to believe that Phantom was a guardian angel, but my rational, no nonsense side dismissed this idea. Without science nothing could exist. It was as simple as E=MC2. Newton’s Law of Relativity, or the entire theory of gravity. All can be proven scientifically. What goes up must come down, right? But, now I wasn’t so sure. How could anyone explain what id been dreaming? I’m sure they’d think I was nuts. I could see myself being transported to a mental hospital, strapped in a straightjacket, rocking back and forth in the corner of a padded room. I sighed. Right now, I could not worry about it. Fantasy world was over, and reality was just beginning. I raised my hand to wipe the cold sweat from my forehead, but found that my fingers were locked in place. For the first time since I’d woken up, I noticed a weight on my chest. I looked down to see a lustrous mane of red streaked black hair. I blushed when I noticed it was Phantom. I tried desperately to remember the events from the previous night. One moment I’m straddled on Phantom’s back, and the next I’m here with him lying in bed with me.

I smiled. He slept so soundly. Though this was an awkward moment, considering I hardly knew him, this somehow felt right. Like this was something I was accustomed to doing. Like taking a breath of air. Innate. He had entered my life, not even a month ago, and I felt as of I’d known him my entire life. Which made this moment even more awkward.

Things were moving far too fast for me to keep up with. I had to move. I slowly untwined my fingers from his, and shifted my body out of the bed, resting his head on a pillow. He was still sound asleep.

I looked at myself in the full-length mirror positioned against the wall, and noticed I was still wearing the clothes from the night before. I needed a shower. I tiptoed across the room, making sure not to wake him, and grabbed my robe from the back of the door. I entered the adjoined bathroom, turned on the shower head, and disrobed. I let the water run down my body, cascading my skin with moisture. I used a vanilla scented body wash, and lathered my skin in its divine richness. My mind, on its own accord, became distracted with thoughts of Phantom. No matter how hard I tried not to think about him, the more I did. It made no sense. How could I possibly be thinking about him in such erotic ways. Those of course weren’t my only thoughts of him. I’m not a pervert. I think about us being together. Holding hands, stealing kisses. Fountain at the park, making wishes. Holding one another in a romantic embrace. My heart yearned for these things, but I couldn’t let myself be pulled into their false illusions. There was no absolute way of knowing if he felt the same way. And if he didn’t, I would be left broken hearted once again. I sighed.

As I stepped out of the shower, I pulled on my robe and walked into my room. I froze in the doorway. I expected him to still be asleep, but he sat against the headboard, his gaze fixated on the ceiling. His long hair, hung romantically down his shoulders like fluent river currents. No matter how many times I looked at him, it always took my breath away. It never ceased to amaze me how shockingly handsome he was. He was almost too perfect-looking; his beauty being comparable to an angel.

I took a deep breath, letting my uncertainties and fears evaporate. In doing so, I caught the attention of Phantom. He looked at me with those ruby-red eyes that always seemed so full of excitement and love. But I noticed something different about them. They were filled with what seemed to be shame. I wanted desperately to run to him, to comfort him, but I didn’t, which, for some reason, seemed so hard for me to do. Restraining myself from touching him, kissing him, embracing him seemed to take so much restraint on my part. I was saved from restraining myself any longer when he patted the bed for me to come sit. I did so obediently. As I sat next to him, he grabbed a hold of my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine. He managed a smile, but his eyes still held shame. But what could he possibly be ashamed about?

We sat here in silence, with him gazing up at the ceiling, and me wondering what was wrong and feeling awkward. First, because the silence was deafening, and second because I had nothing on under my robe. After a few more minutes of silence I had to say something.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, quietly.

He looks down at me, those eyes of his seeming to cry out for me. He takes a deep breath and squeezes my hand.

“I would like to apologize.”

I looked at him more confused than ever. “Apologize? About what?”

“For having fallen asleep. My intentions were to get you home safely, and then leave, but I found that no one was home. I was debating whether or not I should stay. I couldn’t leave you here alone, but I couldn’t exactly stay either. I finally decided that I would stay, but only until someone came home. No one did. I became tired, and well, you know the rest.” He pauses, and then continues. “You must think poorly of me.”

“Of course not. I could never think poorly of you.”

“What I have done is shameful.”

“You have no reason to be ashamed. I cannot blame you for having fallen asleep,-the concert had me drained too. You were even kind enough to carry me home, and for that I am most grateful.”

“But…”

I put my fingers to his lips, quieting his next statement. “You are far too much of a gentleman. You know that right? Look, all that matters is that you got me home safely. I don‘t want to hear another word. End of discussion.”

The shame lifted from his eyes, replaced by shock at my words. A smile slowly began making its way across his face. I had to smile too. Who knew I could be assertive?

“Thank you. For being so forgiving.” He raised my hand to his lips, and kissed it. Then he gently took a strand of my damp hair in his hands, and to my surprise, brought it to his nose and inhaled.

“I love the scent of you. It’s so intoxicating.”

Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and my once-under-control heart began beating wildly in my chest as he burrowed his face in my neck. He freed his hands from mine and wound their way around my waist, tracing kisses along my neck, then slowly making his way to my ear, and then finding their way to my lips. His lips were soft and moved in synch with mine. It was just as magical as the first, perhaps even more, considering it was him kissing me this time. As I wound my fingers in his hair, he pulled away, breathing heavily.

“I’m sorry. It’s just that when I’m with you, I find it very hard to control myself.”

“That’s alright. I feel the same way around you.”

He took my hand in his and kissed it once more. “I must be leaving now. I have taken up too much of your time.”

“You don’t have to go.” I said, pleadingly.

“Oh, but I do. But how about this? Why don’t we do something tonight?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, we haven’t exactly been able to have any time to ourselves have we? I was thinking that we could spend some time along together. “

“Are you asking me out on a date?”

“Only if you’ll say yes.”

This was perfect. Phantom and I would finally have time to ourselves, which gave me an opportunity of learning more about him. But wait…

“What about Zia? Her summer classes start tomorrow.”

“I’m sure Zia will be alright. After all, I’m sure that with all of you tutoring she’s going to do fine. Please. I only ask for your time.”

I looked into his eyes. Eyes that pleaded for my company. How could I possibly say no?

“Of course. I’d love to.”

He smiled that boyish grin of his, which had me smiling from ear to ear.

Right before he left, he kissed me on the cheek, and whispered he’d pick me up around seven. As soon I closed the door, after making sure he was a good distance away from the house, I screamed with excitement. I was feeling so giddy, like a little kid around Christmas time. I ran up the stairs full speed, but halted mid-stride when there was a knock at the door. Did Phantom hear me?

When I opened the door it wasn’t Phantoms’ face whom I saw. It was Zia‘s.

“Where were you last night?” I asked, as they shuffled into the house.

“Oh my God, Raiya. You should have stayed. We went to this after party. It was so cool.” she was talking so fast I could barely understand the words coming out of her mouth.

“Where’s Ryan?” I asked, interrupting her.

Her cheery attitude turned sour. “Oh, he’s with his girlfriend. You know, the chic little Goth girl from their band. Her name’s Raven. Go figure. He just dropped me off. Anyways, what happened to you? Why didn’t you and Phantom stay? You would have had so much fun.”

“I don’t think so. You know I’m not into the whole, party scene. Anyways, I have bigger and better plans tonight.”

She instantly perked up. “Come on, spill. You know I’m gonna find out sooner or later.”

“Phantom asked me out.”

“On a date?”

“Well, duh Zia. What else?”

“Sorry. I’m just shocked is all. I mean, this’ll be your first date in over a year. Ever since, you know who.”

“Zia…”

“Sorry.”

We both got quiet for awhile, but I was determined not to let the mention of Kyle put a damper on my mood. “Hey, come on.” I said, nudging her. “Don’t you want to help me get ready? 'Cause i know you're itching to practice your skills on me. i know you've been wanting to give me a makeover for some time now.

She smiled, and then hugged me.

“You know me too well. When I’m done with you, Phantom is going to howl."

I'm just hoping it'll be in pleasure and not in pain.