Chapter 29: Good News, Bad News
Alicia's Point Of View
Later that night...
I was laying on my bed, playing a game on my iPad.
Cheryl had come home roughly an hour and a half after she had left.
She looked guilty as soon as she walked in the door, and I knew right away where she really had been.
She had gone to see Zak.
She had filled me in on the details, and I wasn't sure what to make of it.
Was Zak still going to consider me a friend? Or was he just going to act like a bodyguard?
Regardless, I assured Cheryl I wasn't angry with her. She had only tried to help.
Unfortunately, knowing she had had a fairly easygoing talk with Zak didn't make me feel any better.
How was I going to handle working with him?
Suddenly, my cell phone rang.
I reached over and picked it up off the nightstand, and saw that it was Aaron.
I was tempted not to answer it.
I didn't want to talk about Zak, but I figured I had better at least see what Aaron wanted.
"Hey Aaron," I replied.
"Hey sweetheart," Aaron started, sounding sympathetic. "How are you doing?" Aaron added.
"Could be better," I replied honestly.
"I'm sorry. I know you probably aren't up much for talking, but I have some news," Aaron said.
I tensed slightly.
"What type of news?" I asked.
"Well, part good, part bad," Aaron said.
"Wonderful..." I replied.
"The good news first. Our first investigation has been pushed back a week," Aaron said.
"Really? Why?" I asked.
"Well, it's based on the bad news...the producers and network have decided to use our 'Goldfield Hotel' investigation for the first episode of the season..." Aaron said.
I felt like I had been sucker punched.
"What?! Please tell me you're joking!" I replied, both shocked and upset.
Had the producers actually bothered to watch all the footage?
"I know Ali, we're not happy about it either. Zak was furious-" Aaron started, but then stopped, realizing he had said Zak's name.
I swallowed back a lump that formed in my throat.
"Anyway...we tried to fight it, but they think it'll make for a great first episode. But the really personal stuff will be edited out. So try not to worry," Aaron said.
I sighed quietly.
"I'll try not to," I said. "What does that decision have to do with pushing the next investigation back?" I added.
"Well, we usually have two or three weeks break between episodes, so they're giving us another week off. Although...some of us will probably go into the office to help with editing the footage," Aaron said.
He was talking about Zak.
"You don't have to come in though. Take the extra week to rest up and recover more from your concussion," Aaron said.
"Alright, thanks for letting me know," I replied.
"No problem. Take it easy. Goodnight," Aaron said.
"I will, you too. Goodnight," I replied.
We both hung up.
I rubbed my forehead as I stood up and started heading downstairs to talk to Cheryl.
"Hey Cheryl? You're not going to believe this!" I called as I walked down the stairs.
~*~*~*~*~
A week later...
"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Cheryl asked, as I brought my luggage out to the front door.
I was headed to my first official investigation - a house owned by a couple who believed they were being terrorized by the Zozo Demon - in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
I hadn't done much research about this demon, knowing Zak would inform the others and I of all the important details.
I was one of those people who believed you shouldn't even say the name of the demon out loud. The less I knew about it, the better.
"Ali? Are you okay?" Cheryl asked again, looking concerned.
I couldn't blame her for being worried about me, I was stressed out about a lot of things.
Firstly, I was still worried about the footage from the 'Goldfield Hotel' being aired, despite the fact I couldn't do much about it.
Second, I wasn't all that excited about investigating a potential demon haunting, but I also knew it was part of the job and I had to get used to it.
And thirdly - and lastly - Zak.
I hadn't seen or talked to him since our blowup, and now I was going to be stuck on a plane with him for a little over two hours.
Emotionally, I was not having a good morning.
"I'll be fine," I lied, motioning to a backpack that I was taking with me. "I have my phone loaded with music, and have my earbuds. I have my iPad, my journal, and I have my sketchbook. Plenty of loner material," I added, chuckling softly in the hopes it would calm Cheryl.
She frowned slightly, causing me to sigh.
"I know what you're thinking, 'don't go', but I have to. You know I have questions about the paranormal and the afterlife that I need to try to find answers for..." I said. "Besides...you told me about your meeting with Zak...it's on me to get the courage to tell him. If I'm around him enough...maybe that'll happen one day..." I added.
Suddenly, we heard a knock on the door.
It must be the guys, as they were picking me up to save Cheryl having to drive me to the airport.
Cheryl opened the door, and smiled when she saw Aaron.
"Morning Aaron," she greeted, stepping aside to let him in.
He smiled as he walked inside.
"Good morning ladies," Aaron replied, then looked at me. "You all set?" Aaron added.
I nodded and motioned to one suitcase, and one smaller bag on the floor.
"That's it? Aren't women supposed to travel with like, fifty bags?" Aaron teased.
Cheryl and I laughed.
"Not all women!" Cheryl retorted, playfully hitting Aaron's arm.
"She does," I pretended to whisper.
Aaron laughed, then grabbed the strap of my smaller bag and put it over his shoulder, and then picked up the suitcase.
"I can get those Aaron," I commented.
"Now what kind of man would I be if I let you do that?" Aaron asked, winking at me.
I smiled.
"Thanks," I said.
Aaron smiled and nodded.
"No problem, I'll be right back," Aaron said, more to Cheryl than to myself, before walking back outside.
Cheryl looked at me, worry on her face.
I stepped up to her and hugged her.
"I'll manage...try not to worry," I said softly.
Cheryl hugged me back.
"I'll try not to. And please be careful...and if you see anything on the way..." She started.
"I know CareBear, I'll tell Aaron," I said. "And I'll be careful," I added, pulling back to look at her.
She smiled weakly, still looking worried.
I rubbed her arms a bit and gave her the best reassuring smile I could muster.
I heard Aaron shut the trunk of the SUV, and saw him coming up to the house.
As much as I hated the thought of walking out to that SUV - where I knew Zak was sitting in the passengers seat - I didn't want to watch Aaron and Cheryl saying their "goodbyes" either.
I picked up the strap of my backpack and pulled it over my shoulder.
"Alright," I said, looking at Cheryl. "I'll see you in a few days," I added.
I could feel my eyes watering slightly.
Cheryl smiled at me, her eyes also watering a bit.
"Love you," Cheryl said.
"Love you too," I replied, then walked outside as Aaron walked back inside.
~*~*~*~*~
I walked down to the SUV, keeping my head down a bit.
I could feel Zak's eyes on me.
It literally caused an ache in my chest to have to play this part of ignoring him.
I slipped my backpack off as I reached the SUV.
I opened the back door, climbed up into the seat and pulled the door shut behind me. I set my backpack down on the floor near my feet.
"Morning Ali," Billy said from the driver's seat.
I looked up and saw him looking back at me.
I smiled weakly.
"Morning Billy," I replied.
He smiled and turned to face the front again.
Zak didn't say a word.
Fuck.
Suddenly, the door across from me opened.
"Let's get this party started!" Aaron exclaimed, as he climbed into his seat.
I heard Billy laughing from the driver's seat.
I buckled my seatbelt and then took out my phone and earbuds from my backpack. I put the earbuds in, put my sunglasses on, then leaned against the back of my seat, and turned slightly to face the window.
I was forever thankful for my sunglasses as I silently let a few tears roll down my cheeks.
This was going to be a long trip.
Authors Note: The end of another update. Please continue voting, and I'd love to see more comments! Seeing my first comment made me super happy! :)