The Gate

Chapter 2
New Beginnings

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Chapter Description: I felt ridiculous, standing there like a indignant child. That’s when he picked me up. It seemed I had forgotten he was much stronger than me now. He sat me into the car with such gentle but strong hands. After a short struggle he buckled me into the infernal car seat. It was demeaning, as I tried to show my disdain I ended up pouting with an upset childish demeanour.

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New Beginnings

By: MrChristopher

As distraught as I was, Alec had to leave. His life was a busy one.

The nurses had insisted that I stay in bed as to get the rest I needed. My body was weak, so I did what they said for the first few days, sleeping when I could; only to wake up for testing. When I regained my strength I was more apt to get up and walk around. My body was awkward and I had trouble walking at first, but soon got the hang of it.

The days were long and moments less than fleeting, except when Alec came to see me, time was none existent when I was with him. His visits were usually short but sweet. It seemed that this Liam, this body had many friends as whenever Alec came he always brought with him more flowers, stuffed animals and cards.

Although my days were full, it seemed like my stay would never end. but on the last day of the week; in the early afternoon, Alec came to take me away.

I was out of bed and nestled in a chair looking out the window, Alec entered my room carrying a blue rain slicker and matching rubber boots. I had been alone in darkness so long; I took every chance I could to enjoy the pleasures of life. Even the usually poor hospital food tasted delectable on my long since barren tongue. I had tried to stay up to watch the sunset but this body seems to have trouble staying up past eight o’clock.

Alec made his way across the room to sit next to me and gently he placed his hand upon my shoulder.

“The nurses wouldn’t let me do anything” I told in an agitated tone as I turned to look at him.

“Liam you’re still very small,” he explained to me, “it’s a miracle you weren’t hurt worse when you came in; the nurses were just looking out for you,”

He still didn’t recognise me. I sighed before turning and sliding off the chair.

“Are you ready to go?”

“With you?” I asked hopefully.

“Of course with me,” he looked amused by my question, “it’s getting late so we’ll have to leave pretty soon,”

Alec bent down and motioned for me to come closer. I couldn’t help but stare at him. He had shaved and his hair was now perfectly coiffed. He wore grey suit pants with a perfectly ironed light blue button up and He smelled of green apple candy and aftershave.

I breathed in deeply catching his scent as he pulled me close and helped me into the rain slicker and boots.

“You ready?”

“Yes.” I nearly yelled in delight. I was so eager to leave I nearly ran out the door. If Alec hadn’t stopped me I would have left without hm.

“Stay close,” Alec told me, taking my hand in his as we left the room.

* * *

When we left the hospital, it was pouring rain. The dampness in the air made me shiver. It was funny something inside told me, don‘t go out in the rain, whatever you do, it isn‘t safe. It was some deep seeded insecurity from the night I died. It was then Alec clicked open a large black umbrella and we walked through the parking lot in search of his vehicle.

“Where are we going?”

“Home Liam,” he said before pointing his keyless entry remote at a large black SUV causing an inaudible click and the lights to flash.

“Let’s get you buckled in.” he said as he opened the back door and gestured towards a child’s car seat.

“I’m not sitting in that,” I stated in a pleading tone.

“Oh, Liam, It’s okay,” he bent down so he was eye level with me once more, “I’ll drive safely, there won’t be any accidents.”

It was apparent he was mistaking scorn for fear.

I felt ridiculous, standing there like a indignant child. That’s when he picked me up. It seemed I had forgotten he was much stronger than me now. He sat me into the car with such gentle but strong hands. After a short struggle he buckled me into the infernal car seat. It was demeaning, as I tried to show my disdain I ended up pouting with an upset childish demeanour.

“Don’t be like that,” he smirked softly,

After closing the door, he went around the other side of the car and got into the driver’s seat. He started up the car, “if you keep that pout, everyone’s going to think you don’t like them.”

“Everyone?” I said curiously.

“Yes, Everyone,” he replied as if he thought I knew what he was talking about.

As we drove further and further away from the hospital Alec and me didn’t talk much. He seemed so concentrated on the road and I was so deep in thought that we didn’t even notice the time fly by. Somewhere between the hospital and home, the clatter of rain on the car caused me to drift off into sleep.

* * *

Rain trickled down my cheeks as a chill crept gradually up my spine. I was back at that moment, the accident that killed me. Except, this time I was watching it. Metal folded sharply over itself and broken glass was lining the road.

Sirens wailed faintly in the distance.

The rain poured violently, showing no remorse for the tragedy set beneath it. Gathered around the horrific scene were the shadow figures and I felt drawn to join them, yet, before I could, a pale figure caught my attention. It was a young boy, his hair thin, blonde and reached just below his jawbone. He was mouthing the words; “Go back.” I could see the fear growing in his piercing blues eyes.

That’s when the wailing sirens grew intensely loud. An ambulance pulled quickly onto the scene and the paramedics dashed towards the vehicle. The flashing red lights added a sentiment of peril to the already haunting scene.

Then the crying started. I couldn’t figure out where it was coming from but it filled my head. I closed my eyes and when I opened them I was in the backseat of the car. I realised it was me crying. Or rather, it was him. My sister and her husband sat in the front of the car pinned to their seats. They were both dead.

I was reliving his memory.

* * *

The loud blast of a car horn woke me up. I was in Alec’s arms. It was such a warm; strong embrace that always made me feel safe. All around the obnoxious sounds rush hour traffic rang out through the air, the only plus side was It had stopped raining. I covered my ears to block out the sound. Alec then smiled at me as he carried me towards the side entrance of a large apartment building.

“It’s so loud!” I cried, my young ears seemed hypersensitive.

“Don’t worry; it’s quite in the apartment,”

He fumbled through his jacket pockets and pulled out a glossy black key card and ran it across a matching panel next to the door. It unlocked with a loud clack. Once inside I continued to rest my head on his shoulder, enjoying his soft touch against my body.

“Where are we?” I uncovered my ears. All I could make out, from the hallways was that the building was extremely high class.

“This is my home… Our home Liam,” he replied,

“Oh,” I tried to smile convincingly but ultimately failed. He gave me another concerned look but kept walking. After the long route to the top floor Alec swiped his key card once again over another panel and we entered the apartment. He set me down and took off my coat.

The apartment was massive. It was a loft to be exact, with a large set of bay windows overlooking the entire city. Light form the setting sun swept the living room, the furniture in the apartment was all made of white micro fibre and the tables were made of black stained oak. As I continued into the apartment I looked to the left to see a large open kitchen attached to the living room, and a bathroom door. To the right of me were two sets of door on the far wall, and a set of stairs leading up into the loft bedroom.

“This is amazing,” I told him,

Alec took off his own coat and hung it on the hook next to mine. He started to make his way into the apartment slowly, “Come with me there’s someone who wants to see you.”

He started to walk towards the set of doors on the far wall; I began to follow him, as he walked to the door closest to the stairs leading up to the loft and knocked on it. A young female voice answered.

“Come in,”

As we entered I hid behind Alec; staying close to the doorway. What I saw, was a older teenage girl lying on a bed reading a book. She was the spitting image of Alec. She was wearing a pale blue hoodie and torn grey denim skinny jeans, both her ears were pierced once with jewelled studs.

“Liam…” she sounded happy and relieved. She jumped off her bed and made her way hurriedly towards me; pulling me away from Alec and into a tight hug.

“Aislinn missed babysitting you,” Alec told me.

“Did I ever,” she exclaimed squeezing me tightly

I pulled away and tried to smile again but couldn’t muster even the slightest smirk. I stepped slowly back behind Alec.

“Is Ashe home yet?” Alec asked the girl while watching my every move.

“No, he’s still out with Jeff,” she told him, “But he’ll be back around dinner Dad, you know that kid won’t be far when there’s food around,”

“You’re married!” I accused Alec, the hurt in my voice was apparent.

“No Liam,” he replied looking confused at my tone, “Not anymore, you know that,”

“Oh yeah,” I looked to the ground, sad and embarrassed, “I…I forgot”

Alec had never been on one side or the other when it came to choosing partners. I knew that, but I never really pictured him with anyone besides me.

“Sorry,” I felt the need to apologise.

“It’s alright this time,” he said jokingly in an authoritative tone, “but next time I might get Dakota to gobble you up,”

That’s when I saw a pair of black ears appear from behind Aislinn’s bed. It stopped for a moment staring at me before it darted towards me, snarling and tackling me to the ground. It growled deeply.

My eyes widened in fear. In my current state this dog was massive. Its weight was immense on my small body. As soon as I saw it baring its fangs it happened; I began to tear up, my emotions getting the best of me.

“No!” Alec yelled, “Bad Dakota!”

As soon as Alec’s voice changed, the dog’s tail sunk in between its legs and it backed off whimpering.

Alec then stood me up and checked to see if I was hurt.

“Oh Liam,” he said with concerned voice he tugged a bit at my pants.

I looked down to see a large wet spot on my crotch. That’s when I burst in tears. I don’t really know why I was crying, but I had the idea it had to do with my current age.

“I d-didn’t mean too,” I sobbed.

“I know,” Alec said sweetly, “You’re probably very tired.”

Tears continued to fall as I was lead out of Aislinn’s room by my hand, with my head hung low. “Let’s get you changed into your pyjamas.”

I couldn’t see this getting any better.

 

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