TWENTIETH CHAPTER:

The rest of the ride, I sit quietly and wondered about that guy. He was huge, I think even bigger than Ericson, but I didn’t fear him. In fact, the look in his eyes scream happiness. Though was it happiness of me finally leaving the hospital or me noticing him. Now why those two options and only those two, I can’t say except that they felt right.

*Nadia, I know I’m supposed to wait but you can tell me if my thought process is wrong. Or if I should be weary of that guy we saw? And don’t even say you didn’t see him. I felt you surfaced when I locked eyes with him!*

*No girl, you are right.* Nadia says and then adds as I look up to see Crispin once again looking back at me. *He’s who we have been waiting for. He’s the person who will tell us everything!*

*Really!* I exclaim as I once again twist in the seat to look around us. We travelled a few miles from the hospital, but I just knew he was nearby. Where I can’t tell but I just know he can see me. *Ok I’m really going crazy now!*

*Your not crazy yet, just wait!*

*Don’t say that. Nadia please don’t tell me to wait.* I shrieked at her, only to see Crispin tremble as he held his head. *Sorry Crispin but I am so over everyone telling me to wait.*

*Don’t worry about Cry, for you’re going to be scrambling to understand everything later when you get your answers.* Nadia says then shrinks to the far creases of my mind. With this I understand that our conversation is done, I am just happy she didn’t tell me to wait again. *Your undies are showing!*

Damn, sometimes she can be such a pain, just as I feel someone touch me. Only to look up and around me and see no one near me. In fact, Sarah and Theresa are sitting to the side like they had been pushed aside and Ericson is slapping Crispin over the head as he buckles back in. *Wait buckle back in, did he move?*

“Crispin, don’t do that!” Ericson scolds as Sarah calls him a numskull. Ok I think Nadia is right about me not going crazy yet.

“Meri are you ok?” Theresa asks me. She must think I was startled since I haven’t said anything. But I was still reeling from Nadia’s prank and since Crispin could hear my thoughts, he most likely heard it. So, it was a prank on him.

“Crispin I’m sorry for Nadia’s prank. She does that now and then.” I say as I look to him, guiltily.

“Meri what did Nadia do?” Sarah asks, twisting in her seat to stare me down.

Shrinking in the seat I look away as I whispered the prank. First there is no sound in the car, I can’t even hear the traffic outside the jeep. I start to wonder when I hear Ericson’s howling and then Sarah’s snickering and Theresa’s cackles, that I even realize they all heard me. Looking up I see Crispin burying himself in his hands. I wasn’t sure but I could almost see the red tint on his ears. Yeah, Nadia really got us with this prank while also showing me that I’m no longer among humans.

I won’t admit or even say what I think they are. I mean I have seen all the signs and gotten the hints. Plus, there was Ms. Fitches reaction when she came to visit. I didn’t want to spoil the mood by asking questions, especially since Ericson very calmly talked with her and got her to be pleasant. Though to be honest, after an hour, she seemed to have warmed up to Sarah but found Crispin mildly annoying for some reason.

Then again, I was on the fence about Theresa but the way she keeps referring to Ericson as sir or how she obeys his every command. It was like he was a Lord, or his every wish was a demand she had to carry out. Or more like a servant and master… though I really can’t explain their dynamic.

*Nadia! Is Ericson someone of power or in command of the vampire culture?* at my question Crispin spins in his seat to stare at me. Sarah in response looks to me.

“Meri, I don’t know what you just thought but please don’t make Crispin move! We are almost to there for this stupid meeting.” She squawks as she hits Crispin to stay seated, like he can actually go somewhere. Oh, wait he did, earlier Nadia’s prank. At that I blush insanely and now I’m stretching out to take up as much of the seat as possible, like that would stop him from coming near me.

*NOPE it won’t! SIT BOY!* Nadia all but bellowed in my head. Looking over the seat I see Crispin glance back at me and nod. I know he was nodding to Nadia for he never ever did it to anyone else. Sarah humped out in annoyance in seeing him actually doing as he was told.

“I was talking with Nadia, and I can’t help wondering or putting things together. But I’ll try to hold back,” I answer as we pull up to the building. It has been a while since I was here, and I really hope this is the last time. “For now!”

“I understand but please remember that Lug-head is listening in.” Sarah relays as we parked.

*Girl I’m just going to say you already knew the truth. You just need to remember it.* Nadia explained and then nudged me. Looking up I see Crispin climbing in to get me. That’s when I noticed everyone was outside and waiting for me. Mean they are fast and no longer holding back in showing what they are capable of.

“Sorry Crispin, Nadia likes to push buttons!” I whisper to him as he lifts from the seat and climbs out.

“I know Meri, trust me I know how Nadia is!” Crispin whispers in my ear as he puts me in my seat. It tickled me but also, I felt heat run down my spine.  “I don’t mind you using my stuff. I just want you to feel comfortable!” he says as he stands up. That’s when I noticed once again, I was seating on his sweatshirt. Now I’m really confused as he steps back. Yes, he is gorgeous, and I do feel something whenever he is near but is it love or something else. I just don’t know anymore.