Don't Touch by Elise VanCise Page B

last moments are on that tube of lipstick. Only I could
see what happened to her, see the monster. I don’t care what
Barbara says this isn’t a gift it’s a curse. That girl’s murder
will haunt me till I die.”
     
    Holding her tight letting her grieve, Jackson
felt heavy with guilt. “Ryan, I’m sorry. I should never have let
any of this happen. I promised you wouldn’t get hurt.”
     
    His guilt touched her in more ways than one.
“You didn’t do anything. I volunteered remember? I have to do this.
I have to get my life back, even if it hurts me to do it. I can’t
let it kill any more of me. I shouldn’t have called you; I’m the
one that’s sorry.”
     
    He scooped her up and carried her to the
hall. Luckily the doors were open and he could see the bedroom.
Ryan didn’t protest she was too afraid to be alone right now. No
matter that it was past history or that the dreams weren’t
real.
     
    Being alone let her mind wander back into the
place where those visions were stuffed away. No matter how deep she
shoved them into her subconscious her mind found them.
     
    Jackson kept one arm wrapped around her as he
pulled back the covers. She slid in and he tucked the blanket
around her, then sat next to her. Carefully brushing the hair from
her face. “I’m glad you called me. You call me anytime you need
something. Even if it’s just to tell me you burnt toast.”
     
    She smiled still too unnerved to laugh but
his calm voice and soothing hand rubbing her back chased away the
visions for now. Scooting over she patted the bed.
     
    Jackson kicked off his shoes and lay next to
her resting her head on his shoulder. She was so soft and smelled
like sweet flowers. Pressing a kiss on her hair he felt her relax.
“Your neighbors are going to talk.”
     
    She snuggled close. “At least they won’t be
talking about me being crazy.”
     
    He waited until her breathing became slow and
rhythmic before letting sleep claim him.
     
     
    Early in the morning Ryan was jarred from
slumber by a frantic pounding on the front door. “What on
earth?”
    Rolling to his feet Jackson rubbed his eyes
and answered the door. “What are you doing with my sister
Detective?”
     
    Amber stood her hands on her hips yelling at
him. Jackson grabbed her by the arm and jerked the woman inside
before closing the door. “Keep your voice down, Miss Reign.”
     
    The woman jerked away from him and continued
her rant. “Ryan! Sis, are you alright?” She pointed an accusing
finger at him. “I should report you to your superiors. Taking
advantage of a…..”
     
    Ryan walked into the living room her face
flushed with anger. “Of a what, Amber? A crazy person, nut case,
mentally handicapped maybe?”
     
    Amber backtracked waving her hands. “Ry, I
didn’t mean it like that. You’re vulnerable. You haven’t been
around in a while. He’s using your….. “
     
    “Disability, is that what you were going to
say? Jack is using my disability to get in my pants? How would you
even know if I have one? You haven’t been around in a long while
either. I am an adult. I have not been under any kind of mental
health care. As a matter of fact I think you may be the one in need
of the straight jacket. Coming into my house yelling at my guest.”
     
    Reaching out Amber rubbed Ryan’s arms.
“You’re my sister. I’m supposed to look out for you.”
     
    Knocking her arms away Ryan glared at her.
“Is that what you tell yourself? That you’re looking out for me by
calling and talking to my answering machine every Tuesday. Leaving
me scared and alone wondering if I am nuts. I was lost and you
could have helped me. Well don’t worry about it I’ve been found and
I’m not quite ready for that white coat.”
    Amber started to say something but Ryan
opened the door. The girl looked to Jackson for help but he offered
none. She walked out turning around to a slamming door. It was a
few minutes before the car backed out of the driveway and a