Define Normal

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Yeah.” She didn’t say anything for a bit until finally she said, “He…didn’t say nice things but he did tell me that you were a sort of experiment. That you were a born killer.”

“So you know everything,” I whispered, shocked.

“I do. I know everything including the fact that no matter how you were raised, you’re not meant to be a killer, Jade. I’m not entirely sure what you were meant to be but it’s not that. You feel guilty for killing Lemon and he was evil. I think you’re going to have to pick a new career path.”

“I don’t feel guilty for killing him,” I said but my voice lacked conviction as Jackson’s arms tightened around me, trying to give me comfort.

“Yes you do,” Abby said with certainty.

“No, I don─”

“You have nightmares. Every single night you have nightmares about that day and it’s eating you alive on the inside, thinking that you’re a killer.” She let out a deep breath and flopped onto her back. “It keeps me up at night so you’d better get over it and get to sleep so I can question you incessantly in the morning.”

“Okay,” I whispered after a while, feeling a slight smile tug at the corners of my mouth as I snuggled in closer to Jackson, letting his body heat seep into my bones, dismissing any shivers that were trying to make their way up my spine.

“How are you feeling?” he whispered in my ear, making a shiver run up and down my spine that had nothing to do with being cold.

“G-good,” I stuttered, wincing slightly at the breathless tone to my voice. “I’m good,” I said more firmly as Jackson’s hand slid down my arm, gripping my wrist loosely.

“You’re heart’s beating too fast again, Jade.”

“Well you keep touching me, Jackson.”

“Should I move away?” he asked, shifting slightly away from me and I automatically followed, pressing my back to his chest firmly once again.

“No,” I said sternly, taking a deep breath to try to calm my racing heart.

He chuckled lightly and tightened his hold around me. “Just go to sleep, Jade.”

“I’m not tired,” I mumbled, clenching my jaw together to keep from yawning.

“Yes you are,” he whispered in my ear, planting a kiss on my neck that made goose bumps spread across my skin even as I felt unconsciousness pulling me under.

“So much to think about,” I muttered, my lips barely opening far enough to form words.

“Think about it tomorrow.”

“But─”

“Would you just shut the hell up and go to sleep?” Abby said from the floor.

“Okay,” I mumbled. “Good night, Abby. I love you.”

“I love you too now shut up.”

“Stop holding back, Grant,” I hissed, widening my stance and relaxing my arms at my sides, loosening my fists as I grinned at my opponent.

“You’re barely healed, Jade,” he replied, frowning at me as we circled each other in the clearing.

“Enough excuses, Grant. You know I’m going to kick your ass,” I said, grinning as I lunged too fast for him to block and punched him in the jaw, making his head snap back and his eyes burn with anger.