Angel of Light (A Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter 48: Stay

The paranormal activity didn't seem to be as bad while I lived at the shelter, maybe because I was in a good place.

As time went on and I had met Cheryl in school, eventually I had to fess up to how I was living, since she always wondered why she could never come over to "my house".

After telling her my story, at least parts of it, she talked to her parents and they gladly let me move in.

Now that I had a proper home, I forced myself to get a job - part time at a fast food joint - in order to start saving up money. I knew I couldn't live with Cheryl's family forever.

Time went by, and I continued to work at the fast food joint up until I graduated High School. After that, I took on a better paying job as a waitress at "Don Cherry's" restaurant, and worked there for a few years. The rest, Zak already knew.

And now, for the first time in my life, someone, finally, knew everything about me.

When I had finished my tale, my voice slightly hoarse from all the talking and crying, Zak was shocked and dumbfounded. He said that anyone who ever said I wasn't strong, was blind.

And just as I had been about to ask how he felt about it all – I was still afraid he was going to leave me – he took my hands, pulled me up from my chair, and pulled me over to sit – sideways - on his lap, and tightly wrapped his arms around me.

I had found myself with tears in my eyes again, but not tears of sadness, tears of joy.

This man now knew everything about me.

My early dealings with death, my years of not having a single person to count on, my encounters with paranormal activity, all the oddities that make me so different from most 32-year-old women.

And he was still here. He didn't blame me, he understood, he cared, and he still wanted me in his life.

I nestled in closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder and resting one hand on his chest, and closed my eyes.

For the first time in my life, I finally felt like I had found a place where I belonged.

And that was with Zak.

~*~*~*~*~

Half an hour later...

I stirred slightly when I felt myself being gently laid down on a bed.

I opened my eyes, a bit sleepily, and saw Zak leaning over me.

The clock on the nightstand read 6:30am.

He smiled slightly at me when he saw me looking at him.

"Go back to sleep doll, you need to rest," Zak said softly, leaning down and gently kissed my forehead. "I'll come ba-" Zak started, but I cut him off.

"Don't leave...stay with me..." I said softly.

Zak looked shocked.

"I'm still having nightmares about Poveglia...you probably won't get much sleep if I stay here..." Zak said softly.

I don't know how I knew it, but I felt that if he stayed with me, I would be as much of a comfort to him as he was to me.

"I want you to stay...please?" I asked softly.

Zak seemed to hesitate, glancing around the room.

I knew what he was thinking. Where would he sleep?

"We can share the bed," I said softly.

Zak looked at me in shock again.

"Are you sure...?" Zak asked.

I nodded.

It was getting harder to keep my eyes open.

"I trust you..." I said softly.

"I don't know if I trust myself...especially with you in short shorts," Zak said with a slight smile, clearly teasing me.

I felt my face flush despite my exhaustion.

Before I could say anything else, I felt Zak kiss my forehead again.

"Let me go change into something more comfortable, I'll be right back, okay?" Zak asked.

I smiled slightly and nodded.

"Thank you..." I said, letting my eyes close.

"No problem doll," Zak said softly.

~*~*~*~*~

The next thing I knew, I felt slow and careful movements on the bed behind me. I forced myself to open my eyes and looked back over my shoulder, and saw Zak lying down on his back.

He had changed his shirt and put on a pair of men's pyjama pants. He looked tense.

"Just me," he said softly.

I smiled a bit as I turned over and then proceeded to snuggle up along side him, resting my head on his chest and wrapping an arm around him, and absentmindedly, draped one of my legs over his.

Normally I would have died of embarrassment before I'd snuggle like this with a man, but I was so tired, and still felt emotional.

I needed the contact. I needed to know Zak was there.

His entire body went ridged.

"I trust you Zak...besides...unless you want to have your way with a passed out woman, I have nothing to worry about..." I said quietly, teasing him.

Zak laughed quietly.

I felt his body start to relax, and felt his arm wrap around me as he tilted his head toward mine, lightly kissing my forehead.

"Alright, you win. There's no fun in that," Zak said quietly.

I smiled to myself and closed my eyes as Zak pulled a blanket up over us.

"But doll...if you wake up to find...'Zak Jr.' at attention, you better not blame me," Zak said slyly.

I knew he was just teasing me. But I also knew it could be a possibility.

"Zak..." I mumbled shyly, turning my head toward his chest more to hide my face.

Zak laughed quietly and I felt him kiss my forehead again, his lips lingering for a bit against my skin.

"Sweet dreams sweetheart," Zak whispered.

I could sense he was exhausted too.

"Sweet dreams Zak," I whispered.