kersen

[kersenjr]

The drive back to Kersen’s house seemed to stretch on forever and also take no time at all. The cab driver had glanced at her in the rearview mirror but hadn’t asked any questions. She was glad he hadn’t. If he had she wasn’t sure she would have been able to keep from screaming at him. Maybe something in her body language had told him she didn’t want to talk. Maybe he just didn’t care. Either way, she managed to make it back to Kersen’s without devolving into a screaming, wailing mess.

She stood in the drive and watched the cab's taillights disappear into the distance. Part of her wanted to stay outside and gaze into the night forever. But she couldn't.

She took her key out. Her hands were still shaking, and she nearly dropped it. It took her a few tries to get the door open.

She looked like a wreck. She’d clearly been crying; her mascara was ruined and drying in streaks down her face. Her hair was a mess from struggling and being shoved against a wall. The wild-eyed terror wasn’t entirely gone from her face, and she’d been too horrified at the thought of touching the vampire dust to brush what was left of it from her clothes. Some of it had gotten into her shoes, and she felt it shift and rub against her feet as she stepped into the front hall.

Comments

[kersen]

Kersen had been upstairs at his sewing machine when he heard the front door open.

He tried to give Bonnie as much independence as possible, but right now he sensed that there was something wrong. So he set aside the dress-in-progress and went down the stairs. He was wearing a kimono-style silk robe.

When he saw her he stopped at the bottom of the stairs and stared. "Bonnie. What - are you okay?"

[kersenjr]

Bonnie froze and stared back at him. She knew she should answer, but it felt like her brain had short-circuited somehow and she couldn't.

Though her silence was likely as good an answer as anything she could have said. No, she was very much not okay.

[kersen]

"Okay, you're not okay," said Kersen, and moved closer to her. "First things first. Is anyone about to burst through that door after you, or is the danger over?"

[kersenjr]

Again she stayed frozen in place and didn't answer. Fresh tears were welling up in her eyes.

[kersen]

Kersen moved to her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Bonnie, you need to answer me," he said sternly. "Is anyone coming?"

[kersenjr]

Being touched sent her panic into overdrive. She wanted to back up or push Kersen's hands away, but she was frozen with fear and her body wouldn't obey her. Though she did, after a moment, manage to tearfully shake her head.

[kersen]

Okay, well that was a start.

"Okay, good," he said gently. "Come on then." And he steered her towards the table in the kitchen.

[kersenjr]

Bonnie finally found herself able to move, and the first thing she did was step away from Kersen. She didn't want to be touched, and with all the old memories being attacked by a vampire had dredged up, being touched by Kersen was especially triggering. She staggered away and put a hand against the wall to brace herself. Her tears were threatening to turn into sobs, and the effort it was taking to hold them in made it difficult to concentrate on walking. She managed a few steps in the direction Kersen had tried to lead her before she crumpled up and sank towards the floor.