The Bodyguard

Eight

After the letter, I fell into a deep depression. I cried myself to sleep that night and didn't come out of my room. Aunt Grace knocked on my door to tell me that dinner was ready but I wasn't hungry, I had lost my appetite. I didn't ask Jake to take me anywhere because I didn't want to go anywhere. I hadn't talked to anyone in two days, not even Ashli when she calls. The only thing I do is wake up, take a shower and eat twice a day. Maybe if I stay inside, they won't bother me, right?

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, I went over to open the door. Jake stood with his arms crossed and a disproving look on his face.

"What's wrong with you ?" he asked

"Nothing." I said softly

"You're lying."

"Maybe."

"Don't steal my lines."

"Whatever." I went to my window seat

I stared out of the window hoping he would leave me alone but instead he moved in closer.

"What do you want?" he asked

"Loneliness."

"What do you need?"

"Cigarettes. Joints. Anything to make me numb."

He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a packet of cigarettes. He took one out and handed to me but when I tried to grab it, but he pulled it away.

"If you tell me what's wrong, I'll give it to you." He offered

"Cramps." I lied

He looked at me for a while, trying to spot the lie that I hoped he wouldn't find. He eventually allowed me to grab the cigarette. I placed it in my mouth while Jake lit it with his lighter.

"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?" he asked

"Yea." I nodded

He turned around to walk out, but not before leaving the pack of cigarettes with his lighter on top of them. He closed the door behind him and I was left back to my thoughts while staring out the window.

Aunt Grace was out shopping and Jake went to go get the mail. I had 5 minutes alone, so I made a sandwich and hurried back downstairs. I made it to my room, right when the front door opened. I sat on my bed eating my sandwich in peace, when someone knocked on my door.

"Come in." I called out

Jake walked in with an envelope and dropped it on my bed. My heart stop beating and my appetite disappeared again.

"Another letter." He announced

"Yea." I nodded in a daze

"Who's it from?"

"No one important."

I put my sandwich back on the plate and put the plate on my dresser. Jake left out of the room and I reluctantly opened the letter. This time it was pictures of Ashli and my brothers. Beneath the pictures it read:

'You can't hide for too much longer.'

I threw the letter on the ground and fought the tears. Why is this happening to me? I left out of my room and knocked on Jake's door. He opened up right away.

"Do you have something?" I asked

"I already gave you cigarettes."

"Something stronger, much stronger."

"Come in." he sighed

I sat down on his bed as I watched him fumble through his things. His room was exactly like mines except his was dark and it seemed like he didn't let any light in. A few minutes later, he shook a pill bottle to test the amount. He handed it over to me.

"Here."

"What is it?"

"Doesn't matter. Take two every few hours, that should be enough."

I nodded my head and took the bottle.

"Thanks."

"Just don't tell your dad." He said

I left out of his room and went up to the kitchen to get a bottle of water. I took two pills just as he instructed and waited for them to take effect. I made my way back downstairs, but this time to the rec. room. I sat on the couch and watched some TV. After about 15 minutes, I couldn't keep my eyes open. I couldn't feel anything and felt myself slowly dozing off.

"Don't fight it, go to sleep." I heard Jake's voice faintly

I tried getting up to go to my room, but my legs felt like jelly. Jake came over and picked me up from my legs, so I was bridal style in his arms. I was fighting to keep my eyes open, but they just felt so heavy. He took me to my room and placed me on the bed. He untucked the covers and sheet and took off my shoes. He placed me under the cover and I fell into a quick sleep.

I woke up and it was dark outside. How long was I asleep? I got the feeling in my body back so I got up to close my curtains. I turned on my light. I slept the whole day away. Those pills were great, I didn't have time to think about anything because they put me to sleep. I grabbed the pill bottle that was on my dresser and I took two more. I had another 15-20 minutes to waste so I decided to eat something.

I went upstairs and Aunt Grace and Jake were talking at the table, as soon I became in earshot, they changed their conversation. How did they know I was coming? What were they talking about?

"Hey." I announced

"You're awake." Grace cheered

"Yea, just wanted to get something to eat."

"Steak on the stove." She said

I went into the kitchen and looked to see the stove had a few pots and pans with tops on them. I made me a plate of steak, rice, and carrots. I walked back into the dining room to eat. I sat down and dug in. I didn't know how hungry I was till now.

"Sweetie, are you okay?" Grace asked

"Yea, I just been feeling a little sick" I lied

I finished my plate in 10 minutes and I washed out my late then headed back downstairs. I went back into my room and saw the letter on the floor. All the feelings from before came back and I picked up the letter and stored it with the other one in my drawer. Sleep began taking over again so I laid down on my bed, begging for the numb feeling to hurry up.

Sloane's Mom -------->

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE