Anchor

Chapter Twenty (Part 2)

I shook my head. "No, Kalla. I see people that aren't here anymore," I explained, running a hand through her hair motherly.

Her eyes widened and her mouth formed an adorable 'O'. "Like ghosts?"

I nodded.

She brought her face close to mine and her expression changed from surprised to conspiratorial, a big smile lightning her lips. "Do you see one now?"

I answered in the same low and conspiratorial tone. "No. But I see them all the time."

She shrieked, jumping in the couch, in excitement or something else entirely, I had no idea. "Is it too weird?"

I shrugged. "A little, sometimes," I looked at the TV, playing some stupid romantic movie about some girl falling in love with a vampire. "It's mostly okay. They don't talk to me so it doesn't bother me."

She scrounged up her nose adorably. "Well, I think it's weird," she then turned to me and her eyes widened in enthusiasm. "But it's so cool!" She shrieked a few seconds later.

I chuckled.

Only a child would think seeing dead people was awesome.

She spent the rest of the afternoon pestering me with questions about my gift, until she finally fell asleep with her head on my lap. I considered multiple times lifting her off me but I recognized how bad of an idea that was whenever I thought about the possibility of my skin touching hers. I didn't know if it'd kill her like it did with the leaves in the woods and the flower in my room but I wasn't willing to give it a try. The thought to run my hands through her hair came to mind a few times but I refrained to do it because I knew it was dangerous. Sleeping, Kalla was even more beautiful than awake. There was a quiet serenity to her face as she slept that made her features become more angelic – if that's even possible.

I was stuck in the couch for the time being.

Absently, I flipped through the channels, totally screwed. And I was tired, ready to go crawl into bed after such a bizarre day. There appeared no way I could get her off me. as time passed, I worked out strategic plans in my head. A blanket to pick her up would help, but none were close. Topple her off the couch, but that wouldn't be very nice. I glanced down at her. Thick curls identical to mine covered half of her face. She looked like a little cherub with her bow-shaped lips and hands folded under her cheek.

Hours later, when my own eyes were droopy with sleep, I heard footsteps. Twisting around, I spied behind me to whoever was coming and was relieved when Seth's mocking sapphire blue eyes came into view.

My savior.

"What are you still doing here? Avery's got dinner ready," he asked me, coming around the couch, his long strides eating up the distance.

"Watching the... uh," I turned back, frowning at the screen. "The... way tigers mate."

I sighed.

Damn you, Discovery Channel.

He chuckled deep in his throat and I shivered at the sound. "Didn't know that kind of thing interested you. Are you a fan?"

I slapped myself mentally. "Oh. Yeah, always wanted to know how they picked their boyfriends."

He sat on the arm of the couch and glanced down at Kalla. Understanding flashed across his face. "I see," Was all he said as a long minute went by. "She fell asleep in your lap?"

I nodded. "We were talking and the next thing I knew she was sleeping."

He chuckled deep in his throat and I felt this deep desire to throttle him. "She falls asleep everywhere," he told me like that was no big deal. "So... need a hand?"