Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Maeve watched him sing-along on the song played on the stereo. She laughed at him when he moved his mouth without saying a word. Or said nonsense in the following lines.

And he said it was his favorite song.

Favorite indeed!

“Your favorite song, and you can’t sing a line correctly.”

“I just did, sang everything. I could dance perfectly well, but I’m driving. You moved to the side, your hands..”

“Just drive.”

“Are you doubting me?”

“I can’t Right.”

“You’ve to believe me.”

“Sure I do, you could even do the hula dance.”

He hurled her a playful glare. And was interrupted when he was about to reply to her. A call came through his phone.

He stares at the caller ID.

Linda.

Why is she calling him?

He thought they talked already, what else does she want.

“Ain’t you answering it.”

“I don’t think I should.”

“You should, it could be important.”

“She does have anything important to say to me, except it’s her birthday next week. And I had to be there.”

“Who is she?”

“My mother.”

“Mother, What does that mean?”

“Same thing, Alien. Remember the dream you had and made mentioned of momma, it’s the same thing, the woman who gave birth to you.”

“You mean she’s my mother, she gave birth to me.”

“Exactly.”

“Where is she?”

He shrugged.

“I don’t know. She could be somewhere, looking for you or maybe get remarried and forget about you or maybe..”

she’s dead.

But he didn’t say it out loud.

“I want to find her. I want to see her..”

He looked at her.

Seeing the look in her eyes.

Love.

“Help me would you.” She held his shirt.

“Look for her.”

He couldn’t say no when she was staring at him with those eyes. Even if he wanted to reject the offer. What if she found her. She would leave him.

He wouldn’t have her attention as he used to. He would’ve to share her with her mother.

“You would help Won’t you?”

Where exactly he’s gonna start from.

“I will help, find her.”

She smiled, leaning forward, and pecked his cheek.

He did blush.

Something he couldn't avoid.

The call ended, another came through from the same caller.

He hesitated before sliding the answer icon.

“Hello.”

“Dixon, dear, how are you?”

“Why are you calling me, it hasn't been long we talked on the phone.”

“That was yesterday.”

“What do you want. I'm busy.”

“Can I call you when you're less busy?”

“Don’t call me again. I won't pick.”

“I’m still your mother, you treat me so unfair.”

“Is that what you want to say to me. I'm hanging up. And that thing you did, just take it back. I don't want to be so much indebted to you. I'll pay for everything, as soon as everything is settled...”

“Why are you acting like this.”

“You know why!” he snapped at her.

Maeve shuddered a little. She hadn't seen him this mad and annoyed. That he had to yell.

“I would never forgive you for that, I'll pay up to one cent. I promise. I'll give you back. But don't think I've forgiven you yet. I haven't.”

He pulled the phone away from his ears and tighten his hands on the wheel. His knuckles turned white. His hands harden on the wheel. He wasn't staring at Maeve but looked straight ahead in the dark.

She wanted to touch him but restrained herself, maybe it was better she left him alone.

She leaned back on the seat and exhale.

What could have happened between them?

He wasn't gonna talk about it, even if she asked and this wasn't the right time to.

The woman had been so intimidating the last time she saw her, her beauty and everything.

She was not an ordinary woman.

Not much of the ones she had been tho.

She stuffed her hands inside the hoodie, when she saw her fingers growing long, her hands getting dark, and the veins were prodding out.

She forced herself, to remain seated and tried to seal it in.

“You can't hate her forever.” she heard herself saying when she didn't intend to.

He didn't turn or react. When he heard her.

She brought out her hands and looked at them. Staring at the dark skin.

Soon, it would all be forever. And just a little while she was with him, she wanted him to be happy, he wasn’t the only one who knew how to commit.

The drive was quiet and speedy, he was driving beyond his limit. The stone look he had on was terrifying. He drove for a while and took a turn to the narrow lane. Driving down. Maeve held herself.

He was hurting and she doesn’t know what to do to help him. But he always knows what to do to help her cool off.

She regrets it now. That she doesn’t know a thing about him. She knew nothing about him, who he was, or he is now, she doesn’t know.

She was just too focused on herself. And he too took her in concern. He did take her in, without knowing her, not everybody could do that. But he did.

Halfway to their journey. The car stopped. The cupcake on her hands hew since she was pulled forward. She tucked her hands back in the hoodie. She hadn’t been eating it anyway.

“Are you okay?” Dixon asked.

“I’m fine. What's wrong? Are we there already?”

“The car stopped.”

“That’s because you’re angry, you caused this. You drove roughly. Lucky we didn’t get into an accident..”

He opened his mouth to argue but shut it, he couldn’t say anything. He unbuckle the seatbelt and did hers as well.

“Did you check the car? Before we left?”

“Yeah, I did I left with it this morning, it worked quite well.”

“That's mean, you didn't cross-check again.” the look on his face, said it all, he didn't.

He looked less angry. Trying to get back to himself.

“I shouldn’t let her ruin the moment. I got angry and ignored you, shouldn’t have let it get to me. I’m sorry. That’s why I didn’t want to pick the call in the first place. I’ve been trying you know. To forgive her. It isn’t easy.”

“She’s still your mother. You got to forgive one day.”

“But certainly not today.” He opened the car door and came out of it.

“What’re gonna do?”

“I’m just gonna check what's wrong with it. If I can fix them.”

“And what if you can't, we’re stuck here?”

“Let us be optimistic.”

“Not in a case as this.”

“In every case, we should be.”

“You’re now what, a motivational speaker. You’re always talking about them..”

he chuckled.

“Do you always have everything I say stuck in your head?”

She nodded.

“Everything.”

He laughed.

Just how she was able to change his mood.

Having her here was more than he could ask for. He shouldn’t let anything come between them.

“What’s this now, a disaster!” she whined. And whyne the glass down. Starting at Dixon, as he opened the bonnet like he knew what he was doing. She shook her head, the only thing he has was his looks nothing else, there’s no way he could fix the car. Or know what’s wrong with it.

“I need help!” he yelled.

“I need you to push the car!” She laughed quietly. He sure needs help.

“Do we have to come this far?”

“Just push the car!”

“Oh please.”

She opened the door and came out.

“Are you sure that's what the car needs?”

“I think so, let's give it a try”

She nodded, walking round to the back of the car, and settled down to push.

“Ready.”

“Always ready.”

“Sure you can push... This... Thing.” he clamps his lips shut. She was already pushing it.

“Why isn't it working.” she cried out.

“I don't know.”

She stopped pushing and lean on it.

“This is a disaster. We're lost. In the middle of nowhere. All for a so-called special dinner date. Huh!” she folded her hands. Completely pissed. It was late already, and they had to be stuck here. Where they could get no help.

“Try call, someone.”

“There isn't any service here.”

“I know there won’t. Who were you trying to call in the first place? Not like you had anyone except your mother, who's on your side. Not Green, cause he wouldn’t come, probably busy with work. And his phone might be far from him. Who are you gonna call, detective?”

“You seem to know everything.”

He ambled toward her, taking the spot beside her.

“I’m smart, you should know.”

“Well did you.”

He’s scoffed.

Truly there wasn’t anyone to call. Else he would have called Eamon but no.

If he admits he doesn’t have anyone, what of her.

She’d just him.

No one else.

“I’m sorry, it's ruined. I got us stuck here. A lonely road. I thought this was the quickest place, that's why I took a turn down here. I was mad and just end up ruining everything. I’m sorry.”

“Am not concerned about that what are your plans to get out of here.. It isn't safe.”

“Is something bad gonna happen.”

“If we don't get out of here soon.” She only said that to see the look on his face. His scared face was priceless, got her giggling. She bites her lips not to burst out laughing.

This wasn't any of his plans, he already made preparation, how is he gonna do all that since they were both stuck here.

“I’m sorry. It's all my fault.”

She didn't say anything. He was hurting more than her, he had been so jumpy about their date. Making calls and paying dues. And now this, he was probably disappointed. And now, there was no one to call for help.

She was more worried about herself, praying silently the pains of death didn't come tonight, so he doesn't get to see her transformed and all that. It was something she wouldn't prevent, else she would have done that.

He ruffled his hair. With the phone still in his hands trying to figure out who to call, there was someone, his crazy-ass brother, Bruce. He would call him, to come to get the car.

Though he’s so stupid, what can he do, he’s still the only brother he’s got.

His gaze was on hers, watching her blue eyes stare at the sky, she smiled softly. While staring at it.

He dropped the phone and just watched her for a while. Enjoying the sight of seeing her smile.

“Like the view?”

He asked.

Helping her seat on the back of the car.

“I don’t know, there’s something about the view, it’s like I’ve been here before, viewing the skies, I don't know, it felt safe. Like I'm somewhere safe.”

“It could be your memory, it's possible to feel that way. Maybe you've been out there with your parents. You spent the night out.”

He sat down, taking her hands in his. And froze when he saw the dark skin and prodding vein, she hadn’t expected him to take her hands. She knew she couldn’t hide it for long, she was gonna tell the sooner she can

She twisted to face him. He was still having the same shocked look on, what’s it the first time he was seeing it, probably is, it was all written on his face.

She withdrew her hands.

What was he thinking, the demon she was, he was never gonna like her for who she is, he was disgusted by the sight. Who wouldn’t be? She couldn’t blame him for that.

He took her hands back and placed them on his. Gently caressing her hands.

He wasn’t gonna talk about what he saw, he would forget about it. He didn’t see anything.

“I wanted to make this day more special but being here, together with you, is more than special. That I couldn’t ask for anything else.”

He smiled and side hugs her.

They disengaged after a while. She lay her head on his shoulders. Gazing up at the sky. His hands held her close to him.

“Does it hurt?”

He said He wasn’t talking about it.

“Not anymore. I hardly feel anything like pain.”

Except for the pain of death.

She wasn’t transformed yet, just her hands. And tonight she knew she was killing someone. The urge was already deep down her throat.

It won’t be long now until she was dominated by the desire to kill for a feast.

With her head still on his shoulders. She smiled and wrapped her hands around him. Snuggle into his chest.

This moment was for them.