Chapter 8
She hovered just outside the window watching him. He lay sprawled across the bed on his stomach. She could feel his pain, his torment, his hunger. She rubbed at her eyes and opened the window, stepping in. Araida made her way over, standing just in front of the bed.
"Alex."
He moaned.
"Alex, wake up."
He moaned again, slowly turning over. "Aradia?"
"Yes, it's me."
He sat up, staring at her.
"Oh Alex, I'm sorry. I didn't think it would progress so soon but, last night wasn't supposed to happen and you must've taken a lot."
"I'm just confused on what the hell I'm supposed to do now! I'm starving and I don't want food damnit!"
She sighed. "I know, but you should try to eat something anyway. You're not a full fledge vampire, so it would still appeal to your human side."
"I guess. So what happens now?"
"Well tonight's the night."
"What do you mean?"
"We expect Jareth to strike tonight. There's a full moon, it makes it that much easier, something to do with planet alignment. Plus there's been more and more sightings of his crew around. They all seem to be gathering."
"What should I do?"
"You should do nothing. You're finished. I've put you in enough danger to last a lifetime. I just came to say goodbye and to thank you for everything including risking your life. I'm forever indebted."
"Whoa wait, you're just gonna leave?"
"Once this is taken care of, if I'm alive, then yes."
"Where will you go?"
She shrugged. "Wherever."
"And you think I'm gonna let you go after this guy all by yourself?"
"You don't have a choice."
"The hell I don't. I'm not just gonna let you go do anything."
"This isn't your fight Alex."
"Ok, so this guy is trying to wipe out the human race and it's not my fight?"
"Right."
He stared at her. "Whatever. So when do we do this?"
"We aren't doing anything. You're staying here and I'm leaving. Everything you're feeling should start to wear off tomorrow, and in time, it'll fade completely. At any rate, you should try to eat something. Thanks again for all your help. Take care Alex." With that she started back towards the window. She was stopped when she felt a hand on her arm and suddenly she was whirled around.
"You're not leaving, without me. I don't care if I have to follow you by foot all night if that's what it takes. You're not going out there alone. In case you haven't realized it, I can be pretty damn stubborn." AJ stated.
She stared at him. He was crazy, he wouldn't last five minutes against Jareth and she couldn't protect him and fight Jareth at the same time. She looked down at his hand on her arm and then back up at him.
"I'm not letting you go without me, I'm involved with this and I...care too much about you to just sit back and watch you do this alone."
"I'll have my society Alex, they'll be around."
"Will they be there when you're fighting him?"
"Not at that exact moment, but they'd come eventually."
"Eventually?"
"Yes Alex, eventually."
He shook his head. "Not good enough. I'm coming."
She studied him; he was serious, dead serious which bothered her. It could come to that, she didn't want to think of it, but it could. She had to get away, away from him so she could think. He'd be gone the next morning, he'd move on and so would she. Hopefully she'd never see him again, never be reminded of what she couldn't have.
"Alex, I have to go. Don't follow me. Now, let go of my arm."
"You don't scare me Aradia, you don't. And I will follow you. I know deep down inside you'd never hurt me, and you know deep down inside, I won't let you do this alone."
She did know, and that's what scared her. She had no choice. Better him go with her so she could keep an eye on him then for him to go off by himself and be more vulnerable. She looked into his eyes.
"Let's go."
