Page 43 of Come Out, Come Out

“Okay,” I say out loud as I take out my phone and look up the next Friday the 13th, and then put a note in my calendar underMay 13th, 2022: Death Day.

I add a tombstone emoji for a little flourish.

No matter what happens, I’m going through with this. I know it’s the right thing for me, for us. I’ve had time to think about this and now I’m setting my plans in motion. Step one: make sure Binx is cared for. We’ll still be able to be together, but I won’t be able to go out and get him the things he needs, which is why I looked up Melissa Pierce and found her number. She’s sweet, she knows where I live, and I know she works hard for her money. It’s a perfect solution. I shoot off the text and hope she agrees.

It’s Skye. You’ve delivered a few things to my house.I add after a second.

Oh, trust me, I remember you.She responds immediately.Hello, beautiful. Kicked that asshole to the curb?

Ha ha, no. But I have a job for you, and it pays well.

I’m listening.She replies.

If I pay you $3,000, will you come to my house every few days and check on my cat, bring him food, and make sure he has what he needs?

Ummm, abso-fucking-lutly. Damn, I didn’t know you had money like that. For how long?A valid question.

Just a while. I’m going on a trip starting May 13th. I’ll text you the updated details and transfer the money before then.A little white lie, but I wrote a note for Melissa. When she reads it, I know she won’t abandon him. Besides, eventually, someone will move in, and they’ll take over; nobody can resist him, he’s too cute.

Cool, sounds good. Added it to my calendar.Her confirmation allows me to fully settle into the peace I’ve made with this decision.

While my mood notably lightens, Aiden’s presence is distinctly heavier.

Aiden

February 15th, 2022– One Week Later

An expiration date has been set on my little wraith’s life. I need every moment I have to convince her that this is a terrible idea. I’ll do everything I can to prevent losing her. I risk angering her as I take our conversation sideways; she needs to understand what a bad idea this is.You might not even end up here with me.

What are you talking about?She lets out a frustrated sigh, then continues writing,Yes, I will. If I die here, I’ll stay here, like you did. It’s just what makes sense.

Three other people died here in this house with me that night, except they’re nowhere to be seen.I scribble furiously. Panic makes the letters barely legible; she has to read it twice through squinting eyes.

They didn’t die here.She writes matter-of-factly.

What do you mean? I think I would know.I respond.

Skye rolls her eyes.Two of them died in the ambulance. The last one . . . Richard, I think? Died at the hospital.

How do you know that?I wonder if my mom told her. My chest tightens at the thought of her as guilt sours in my stomach. How little I’ve thought of my mother’s grief is shameful.

Skye pen-tapping her notebook steals my attention away from the shocking realization. I lean forward to read.I read it in the news articles.She stands, grabs her laptop, and types something lightning-fast before turning her screen to me. As I read, she slowly scrolls down the page.

There it is, in black and white. The “Spark Notes” version of the night that changed everything. I sit with the new information for several minutes, so many questions are now answered. It’s a small reassurance, that even if she does something rash, she’ll still be here. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’ve been fighting to keep her alive all this time, I can’t bear the thought of her ending her life to be with me. She deserves so much more than this existence has to offer.

April 15th, 2022 - Two Months Later

It’s been two months since Skye mentioned her death to me and I’ve been doing everything I can to make her see how much I can fulfill her like this if she just lets me.

We’ve even picked out sex toys together, like the one I’m using on her right now. While she can’t feel my touch, I can still pleasure her this way.

I stroke my cock as I drive the intricately ribbed pink and green monster dildo that’s inspired by one of her favorite romance books into her. We’ve been building up to this one with its thick shaft that’s enhanced with all kinds of fun for her pleasure and I’m enjoying putting it to good use almost as much as she is. Each time her pussy clenches around it, I imagine it’s my cock buried deep inside her.

“Right there. Mmm, fuck, yes.” Skye cries out as she rubs her clit. That’s my queue to pick up the pace. I match the strokes of my fist to the tempo. Her back arches and I recall the delicious taste of her skin on my tongue when I’ve sucked and licked on her pretty dusky pink nipples. I don’t realize I’ve stopped working the dildo in favor of thrusting into my hand until Skye speaks.

“Is it hard to focus when you hear me whining and begging for you and you can’t sink inside me?” She taunts cruelly. She’s been pushing me like this every chance she gets. Thinking she can change my mind with the temptation of getting my cock wet more often is short-sighted. I’ve grown to be a patient man.

But since she wants to be mouthy, I hold the dildo still inside her and return my attention to my throbbing dick.

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