This will be deleted soon - The Wrong Hope *Complete and Free*

13. Good Guy

Sally-Anne

Year: 1983

He said it would be loud but it couldn’t be louder than everything inside my head. I knew the clippers were being forcefully pushed against my skin, I knew they were catching and ripping at the knots in my filthy matted hair, I noted the chunks brushing my arm and face and neck as they fell but it was all distant like it was happening to someone else. On the inside it was like I was being crushed by a thousand oceans. There was no mercy. Not only did I have to wait two days for Guy to relieve me of this painful existence, I had to go back. I had to go home and face my sin. The thought of it haunted me, I feared such a reckoning but I was also ashamed of my cowardice. I deserved this, I reminded myself. No punishment would be enough, especially for what I did to my defenceless baby Brother, Peter. If I were to burn in hell, as surely as I would, it should be for that.

“All done, when we go, if we meet anyone and they say anything tell ‘em you’re sick. Cancer. Got it?” I heard what Guy was saying but it was all distant, distorted like he was talking through water. I nodded.

“Here” I looked at the flannel that had landed in my lap like it was alien. “I’m going to get the car ready, sunset is in an hour, get outta that dirty dress, wash and put on those clean clothes.”

I followed his finger to where he pointed at some jeans and black t-shirt next to a towel.

“Those are boys’ clothes.” I stated.

“Times have changed Sally-Anne, I assure you these are women’s clothes.” He mocked with a grin and a wink. “Now chop, chop.”

I didn’t get up from the chair so much as simply fall forward onto my knees, shuffling a little so I could reach the bucket of water. Taking the flannel in one hand I plunged it into the bucket and screamed.

“What the hell?” Guy shouted, alarmed. He ran back from the door and stood over me as I lay rocking on the floor clutching my arm.

“B-burns.” I stuttered.

“Let me see, Sally-Anne.” He cajoled tenderly. I held out my arm for him, shocked to see nothing wrong with it, the pain dissipated immediately. He eyed me thoughtfully before dipping his hand in the bucket and holding it there.

“It’s not hot.” Guy said pointedly. “It’s like with the sounds from before only kinda in reverse.” He explained. “There is so much sensory information from putting your arm in that your brain doesn’t understand because you have never experienced it like this before so it registered it as pain.” He let out a big sigh.

“Come here and put your hand on my arm.” He said whilst still keeping his hand in the water. Tentatively I placed my hand on his forearm. “Close your eyes, feel the heat of my skin, now remember from before, when you were human, what the temperature of skin felt like.” I took a deep calming breath and cast my mind back. I imagined my hand in Nancy’s, the warmth of my cousin’s skin barely different to my own.

“Feeling cooler?” He queried.

“Mmhum.” I replied, eyes still closed.

Guy placed his other hand on top of mine and simply held it there; I could feel the roughness of his palm, his pulse lightly reverberating and the heat of him surrounding my hand, no longer burning, instead warm and cosy.

“You’re doing really well Sally-Anne, now slide your hand down my arm slowly into the water, remember the water is only slightly warmer than my skin, let that knowledge help you define the temperature of the water.”

Slowly I moved my hand down his arm and he kept his hand moving with mine, I could feel the hairs on his arm, the softness of his flesh, the bone of his wrist and then my fingertips touched the water. I gasped and tried to move back, shocked at the sensation but Guy held me firm.

“Come on Sally-Anne.” He said a little tersely.

“I can feel so much.” I said apologetically, Guy was being really helpful and I was just being useless. “It surprised me.”

“That’s why I’m covering your skin with mine, to limit the sensation so it’s not so overwhelming” He said kindly.

I tried again feeling reassured by Guy. As my fingers touched the water I could feel the surface tension, feel its delicate pressure, feel it give as I broke through. As the water enveloped my hand I was amazed at how exquisite the sensations actually were, the contrast between Guy’s skin and the air and the water were breathtaking and I was lost for a moment in the delicate beauty of it. It was indescribable how much I could feel.

“I’m going to let go now.” Guy whispered. When he moved away I felt the water move to replace the space he had occupied, I could feel the swirling current and sense the water dripping on the surface from his wet hand.

“How’s that?” He asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

“It feels nice,” I looked up at him. “Thank you so much for helping me Guy.” He beamed, a huge grin splitting his face.

“Interesting fact, this,” He gestured at me and the bucket of water “is where the belief that Vampires can’t cross running water and the belief that holy water can harm Vampires comes from. Inability of young Vamps to deal with their heightened sensitivity levels makes them think they are in extreme pain when faced with sensory overload. Shouldn’t happen to you again for a body of water because your brain will understand the sensation now and register it on the correct scale.” I reached for the flannel at the bottom of the bucket, enjoying the sensation and having no trouble at all. Guy watched me wipe down my arm for a moment before turning and walking away. As he crossed the room to leave I heard him mutter under his breath “Not that it will matter in a few days”.

The comment was sobering. I finished washing and got dressed with depleted enthusiasm. I would be brave. I would help Guy get the vault so he could help people. I would die at his hand because I deserved it.

“Two days.” I whispered to the empty room.