Page 40 of Fatally Yours
I wasn’t sure how much time passed, as I didn’t lift my head from the couch once. Whenever I opened my eyes, he was flipping through the almost novel-sized amount of papers before him. The glow of the sun was fading, indicating the end of the day. I wondered if he would have us stay here for the night, while Officer Wilson decayed in the other room. The thought made me want to be sick, but I realized that I was already used to resting beside the dead.
Then I heard an engine outside growing louder and pulling into the driveway. My heart practically restarted in my chest. August glanced at me as I shot up, instinctively running to the front door to look out the peephole.
The roar died down, and I heard the sound of a strangely familiar set of beeps as I pressed my face to the door. The almost drowsy feeling I felt only a moment before rolled into confusion as two of our companions’ faces came into view. My jaw dropped as I turned to face August, who was watching me intently with his alluring eyes. A moment later, a set of knuckles rapped on the only thing separating us from the outside world.
“It’s Mandy and Wes,” I said.
“What the fuck? Why?”
“I don’t know. Probably because they feel guilty about burying me.”
“They should.”
My shoulders drooped. He was right, but I hated to think about the guilt they felt after, even if it was the most terrifying thing I had ever experienced. Watching August die was horrific, but being buried alive was another levelof hell I never thought I would have to go through, let alone so soon after the trauma of him being ripped away from me.
“You know they didn’t mean it…”
“I know they didn’t,” he said. “That’s why it hurts so much.” He looked back at the papers as another knock echoed through the room. The sound got stuck in my head and rattled around in my skull. It was like a siren call. Seeing our friends again would be nice, but I wasn’t sure he would permit that. My eyes fell to the side.
“Can I let them in?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Why?”
“I think you know why,” he said gruffly, giving me a stern expression. Low voices were coming from the outside, making me think they were discussing leaving. My eyes bored into his in a pleading manner, hoping to convince him to allow us to be reunited. Finally, he sighed and returned to the file.
“Fine. Let them in,” he said. “But let me do the talking.” For the first time in what felt like forever, I grinned.
“Thank you,” I breathed. In return, August flashed me a small smile with no teeth, but it faded faster than I would’ve liked. Before they could leave, I hastily flipped the lock and pried open the door, finally breaking the barrier between us.
Mandy was there in her signature dark attire, and Wes looked more tired than usual, but otherwise okay. Their eyes grew large as the color drained from Mandy’s face. Wes’ jaw dropped as he struggled to find the words amidst the shock.
“N-Natasha?!” he stuttered. Mandy began trembling until her legs fell out beneath her. Wes muttered something under his breath as he pulled her to her uncooperative feet.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” I said blankly, remembering how August greeted me when we reunited.
“Close the doornow,” August grumbled from the other room. I glanced over my shoulder and nodded to him, grabbing Wes by the shirt and pulling him inside. He struggled to keep Mandy upright as he hooked his arms aroundher waist. Her head hung limp between her shoulders as she muttered something in her half-conscious state. After they were in, I slammed the door shut and locked it.
“W-what the fuck, dude? W-we buried you…” Wes said with beads of sweat forming along his brow.
“Yeah, you did. I was there.”
“Oh shit, you heard everything, didn’t you?” I nodded and nibbled my lip, shooting a glance at August in the kitchen, who our friends neglected to notice through the panic and unconsciousness.
“If you’re shocked to see me, you’re going to be really shocked to see him.” I gestured to August. Wes’ jaw practically hit the floor as he released Mandy. She fell with a grunt as his hands went to his face.
“W-what the fuck is going on here?” he cried. August shot him his deathly glare, and I noticed his fists curl from across the room.
“You buried my girl.”
“It worked. It fucking worked…” he said in disbelief. I watched as his chest rose and fell as he was unable to comprehend the sight of two dead people reanimated. Mandy groaned from her place on the ground as Wes placed his palm on his forehead.
“Sit down,” August demanded. “I still haven’t decided how pissed I am at you.” Without protest, Wes nodded, grabbed Mandy beneath her arms, and hoisted her onto the couch. I could see a drop of sweat run down his face, and for a moment, a pang of jealousy struck me.
To be alive again…
It was dead silent as I stood there with my hands clasped in front of my chest, waiting for him to speak about our predicament. Wes was stroking Mandy’s jagged hair and muttering something under his breath. The only thing I could make out was vulgarities. August continued to scan the file as Mandy began to stir, lifting her head from Wes’ lap.
