"Ugh, see that's why I should have been with you." He kisses my lips again and helps me to the couch. "You need to take it easy today." He grabs his cell phone and unlocks it. "I'll call work and tell them I can't make it in."
No, he can't do that. He can't afford to miss work. "No, I'll be okay." I grab his hand and smile. "You need the money. The only thing I may do is go to the grocery store."
"Are you sure?" He looks down at me and grimaces. "I hate to leave you again after yesterday and how you're feeling now."
I lean down and press my lips against his. "No, it's fine. I promise." Him staying here with me isn't going to fix the issue any way.
"Fine, but you promise to call me if you begin feeling worse?" He raises an eyebrow and holds my gaze.
"Of course, I promise." I tap him on the nose and grin. It's hard acting more chipper than I'm feeling, but I don't want him to realize how bad I'm feeling.
"All right." He sighs and heads to the door. He opens it and looks back one last time. "Tonight, I'm bringing home lasagna and garlic bread. Does that sound good?"
That jerk knows it's more than okay with me. It's one of my favorite meals. "I think I can manage it." I stick my tongue out at him.
He laughs. "Call me if you need me. I love you."
"I love you, too." It's still surreal saying those words to him, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
After blowing me a kiss, he shuts the door.
I let out a breath and stumble over to the bed. I lay face first and close my eyes. I thought after I ate breakfast, I'd feel better. That I was just low on energy, but that's not it. It's my power, it's draining me.
Maybe if I use it, it'll get better. Maybe like a rejuvenation of sorts. I imagine Beth's grave and remove the barriers. I haven't been there in a while. I tug myself towards it, but nothing happens. My power just sputters. What the hell? What is going on here?
There has to be something that can help. I try pushing forward and my power sputters to life. I imagine Beth's grave again and tug myself there and I drop. The trip there is faster than before, and I'm jarred back and forth. When I get to graveyard, I drop to the ground landing hard on my ass.
Even after I get there, the power is raging inside me. It's like I set it off and now I can't slow it down. I glance around and there isn't anyone there at this early hour. It's around eight in the morning. Remembering what Luke said when my power last thrummed like this, I release some of the power, letting the excess out. The ground rumbles and a tornado bellows just a few feet away.
After just a few minutes, my power begins to drop fast. Shit, I'm not going to get to visit Beth. If I do, I won't be able to transport back to the apartment. I imagine my apartment and tug myself fast. The ground shakes underneath me, but it disappears. This time the air contracts around me the entire way there almost as if it's closing in on me. When I get back, I land on my bed and my power sucks back inside me to where it's nothing inside my core.
What the hell did I just do? Maybe that wasn’t the smartest idea I’ve ever had. I hope to God I didn’t mess up Beth’s grave. How could I have been so stupid?
My stomach growls again and a sharp hunger pain hits me. How could I be this hungry again so fast? I drag myself out of bed and head to the kitchen. I open the pantry. It’s still bare; it’s been weeks since I’ve been to the store, so of course there isn’t anything. I should go and get out of the house. If I stay here, I’ll just drive myself insane anyway.
Still exhausted, I grab some yoga pants and a plain green t-shirt. I never dress up, but I want to dress even more comfortable than my norm today.
I head into the bathroom and brush my teeth and hair. When I glance in the mirror before heading out the door, I stop in my tracks. I barely recognize myself. My face is pale, and I have dark circles under my eyes.
It’s crazy, because I’ve never been one for makeup unless mom was yelling at me to wear it, but there is no way I can leave like this. I prowl through my cabinet and find some concealer and foundation that I apply, just needing to appear healthy. I don’t need anyone thinking I’m on drugs.
After a few minutes, I’m somewhat satisfied with my appearance, so I head out.
It's not long before I'm pulling up in my old car at the grocery store. I could have driven Luke's, but I didn't want to. It's not mine, and this one feels more like me. I need to get the other one back to him soon. I just need some time and distance for a little while first. Things seem to spiral out of control when I'm around them.
Once I shut the door, I lock it, and head inside. I grab a cart and work my way into the produce area. My feet get heavy and fatigue hits me even harder. I don't understand what's going on with me. It's almost as if my insides are short circuiting and it almost brings me to my knees. I grab onto the handle bars and use it to help support me.
A hand wraps around my waist and the stench
