Sleep Death


Two weeks. Two very short weeks and the day of the gala was here. Nerves were eating me up inside and had been for a little while now. During the day it felt like I was being watched and when it came time for us to get the train I was definitely relived.

As we left London I finally felt that strange feeling lift and it felt like I’d be able to enjoy myself on this trip. I was, however, dreading my parent’s eventual meeting at the gala. Mum would be delighted to see Dad, but he would probably feel anger at being duped.

The guilt weighed heavy on my mind even as we got the bus to Rushton. I glanced at Jinxx and noted that he was calm, like always. It seemed to be an annoying character trait of his. His hand was gripping mine, firmly, but there was a softness there.

The journey had been fairly easy, but the hard part was coming up. It was Daniel waiting at the gate for us. Dad was nowhere in sight and I glanced around nervously.

“Where’s Dad?” I heard the panic in my voice.

“He’s upstairs having a shave. Calm down and don’t blab, Ellie.” Daniel replied, peeking over his shoulder as though Dad may appear at any given moment.

“Hey hun, have you seen my straighteners?” Jenny appeared in the doorway. She waved at us and I managed a tentative wave back.

Daniel rolled his eyes and made his way up the gravel pathway towards his girlfriend. I took a nervous breath.

“You seem kind of tense.” Jinxx grinned.

“Please don’t start making fun of me. I’m a terrible liar.” I groaned.

I looked up at him and noticed he had stopped grinning and was watching me with those beautiful eyes. I wanted to ask if he was all right, but I held my tongue and sighed when he hugged me.

“Hurry up you two. I want to do your make-up, Ellie.” Jenny appeared again in the doorway. She looked elated now.

I pulled away from the hug, rather reluctantly. The house was relatively quiet, despite the chaotic situation. I was practically dragged away from Jinxx. I glanced back at him and he waved. Jenny pulled me upstairs.

I discovered she had set up base in Mum’s old hobby room. A beautiful emerald dress was hanging up on the doorframe. It was perfect and would definitely compliment Jenny. She was watching me now, clearly waiting to see my dress.

I laid the suitcase down and unzipped it, removing the dress bag and slowly opening it to reveal my blue dress. Jenny’s eyes widened and her smile grew. She looked even more excited, if that were even possible.

“Has Jeremy seen this?” She breathed.

“No, I kept it a surprise.” I mumbled.

She pouted in annoyance and I giggled. Knowing my brother he would have found the dress. Daniel had the uncanny ability to find things when they were meant to be hidden. When we were kids he would always find where Mum and Dad hid our Christmas presents.

Jenny sighed and grabbed the dress, hanging it on the doorframe next to hers. She sat me down and began to do my make-up.

“Are you nervous?” She asked as she started applying foundation.

“Yeah, a little. I mean, I hope Dad talks to Mum.” I stammered. She shook her head.

“Not about that. If your parents want to speak they will. I meant, are you nervous about Jeremy seeing you in this dress? I can tell he really cares about you.” She rubbed my cheek gently with the applicator.

I thought about the question and realised that I was very nervous about my parents speaking, but I was more afraid of what Jeremy would think of me in my dress. I was suddenly a little worried.

“Wipe that look of your face,” Jenny snapped suddenly. “Don’t you ever doubt yourself. You are a beautiful girl with a lovely heart and it makes me sad to see you doubt yourself.”

“Thanks, Jenny.” I didn’t know what to say. She beamed and continued doing my make-up.

“Um, would you like my help to do your make-up?” I felt compelled to ask.

“No, I can do that. I may need help getting into the dress though.” She giggled.

True enough, Jenny did her own make-up and did need help getting into her dress. I helped her zip it up and she whirled around, looking every bit the princess.

“Pass me my shoes.” I grabbed the green heels and she put them on. “Your turn now.”

I dug around and pulled out the blue bra and she turned away, allowing me to get ready. I managed to get the dress over my head and just needed her help to zip up too.

I slipped on my small heeled shoes. If I wore high heels I knew I’d fall on my face. I was about to leave the room when Jenny grabbed me. I ended up getting sprayed with some perfume. She giggled and opened the door.

“I’ll go down first. Daniel’s seen my dress.” She grinned, and walked down the hallway.
I heard her go downstairs. I could hear Dad now and he sounded happy. I was frozen for a minute and I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. I heard Jenny call my name and I took a shaky breath.

I felt myself move and walk along the hallway. I got to the top of the stairs and I could see Jenny beaming. Daniel was too busy admiring her. Dad looked really proud like he wanted to cry. My eyes were focused on Jinxx though.

His blue eyes were wide and his lips were parted. I hoped it was a good kind of shocked. I got to the bottom step and stood in front of him. He looked amazing too. His suit was black with a matching black waistcoat. I was glad he had kept his hair down though. The back stood up still and it made me smile.

“I like your suit.” I mumbled, still really nervous.

“You look beautiful.” He leaned down and kissed me gently.

The kiss only lasted a few seconds and Jinxx pulled back. Dad motioned for us to follow. The road was fairly busy tonight.

“No limo, Dad?” Daniel joked as we got in Dad’s car.

Dad laughed and climbed in. He had made an effort and was wearing a new suit. Daniel looked great too. The drive wasn’t very long, but it wasn’t worth getting mud on our clothes.

The hall looked amazing. People were lining up and being ushered inside. The women all looked so beautiful in their dresses and the men equally as handsome in their suits.

We joined the queue and entered the hall as well. A chandelier hung over head and the hall was decorated with flowers. A guy in a blue suit saw Daniel and rushed over. They started talking. I vaguely recognised the guy as one of Daniel’s old school friends.

Dad had got himself a glass of wine and was standing across the way, looking around awkwardly. Then I saw Mum. She looked wonderful in a shimmering silver dress. She moved over to Dad and touched his arm.

He looked surprised and frowned when he saw her. Would they start arguing? I waited for the inevitable, but instead they moved away from the crowded room and to somewhere quiet.

Someone flicked my face and I turned to glare at my boyfriend. He was smiling innocently. I shook my head at him.

“Wanna dance?” He motioned to the people dancing.

Ballroom dancing had never been my thing so I was a little reluctant. I stared at him in uncertainty.

“I can’t really dance.” I whispered.

“That’s fine. I’ll teach you.” He took my hand.

We chose a spot where we were near the edge of the other dancers, probably so I wouldn’t injure anyone else. Jinxx gripped my waist and I draped my arms round his shoulders.

I think I stepped on his feet a few times and offered fumbled apologies, which he was quick to brush off. Our lips met a few times and I had to admit it was very sweet, but he seemed subdued. I wanted to know what was bothering him so much.

“You seem sad for some reason.” I asked, as we swayed to the music.

“I have quite a few regrets,” He replied. His blue eyes seemed lost for a minute.

They darkened suddenly and he was staring across the room. He vanished quickly and I was left wondering what had happened. I was about to walk over to Dad when someone pulled me closer.

I looked up and locked eyes with Sean. He grinned coldly at me. I squirmed to get away. His grip tightened.

“Sean? What are you doing here?” I struggled to pull back.

“I’m here and that’s what matters. I’m here to save you.” He replied, just as coldly a before.
Save me? I managed to push away from him. He glared at me then sighed.

“Ellie, Jinxx isn’t what you think he is. He may seem sweet and soft, but he’s a monster.” Sean spat.

I shook my head, barely believing this. How did he get here? Had he followed me here? It suddenly clicked that Sean had been the one watching me. I glared at him.

“Sean, leave me alone.” I hissed.

“No,” He snarled, stepping forward.

His hand encircled my wrist, pulling me forward and pressing his lips to mine. I whimpered and tried to pull back, but he was too strong. I was pulled back suddenly and I looked round.

Jinxx had reappeared and was staring at Sean with a look of venom. Sean regained his composure and stalked away. I glanced at my boyfriend. He motioned to the back of the room where there were two glass doors.

I followed him towards them and found they led outside into the gardens. The stars were just starting to appear in the sky and the air was warm. A slight breeze caressed my cheeks, whipping my hair around my shoulders.

“Sorry about that. He kissed me and I pushed away.” I blurted out. I was keen to make that fact known.

“Yeah, I know that,” Jinxx smiled, walking towards me. His fingers traced my face, brushing some stray hairs behind my ear.

“You still seem sad.” I wanted for him to at least open up to me.

“Maybe, a little. I have a deadline and time seems to be ticking away really quickly.” He, for once, wasn’t joking around.

“So how long have you got?” I asked, fear was starting to set in.

“A lot less time than I initially thought.” He smiled, leaning down and kissing the corner of my lips.

“Are you going to leave me after tonight?” I had to know. He looked away and I knew the answer to that.

“I’m putting you in so much danger. Baal wants to kill you.” He sounded worried.

Baal? The demon that owned him. I didn’t ever dislike anyone, but I suddenly disliked this Baal very much. Tonight was my last night with Jinxx and the thought stung so much.

“Can we spend time together? I know a place,” I smiled, trying not to cry. “We’ll go there if you promise to act the way you usually do.”

“Of course, babe.” He allowed me to lead him away from the main hall.

Having played in this area as a child I knew there was a small cottage at the bottom of the garden. It was covered in ivy and I could see it as we got closer.

I opened the door and we walked inside. The cottage was used by the staff sometimes so there was a small bed across the way and a cupboard. It was quite basic.

I shut the door and opened the window, allowing the soft breeze to enter the room. I could hear the sound of the party at the hall in the distance, but right now this was all that mattered.

Notes