Flash Fiction Friday (10)

Dottie over at Tink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate you post your story on Friday - 350 words, give or take.

I have to thank Blodeuedd at Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell for introducing me to this fun meme. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with every week, but I'll give it a try from time to time.

The Image this week:

If you missed the beginning of the story last week, you can CLICK HERE to go read it first.

By Melissa

John sat on Sheen's couch with his Barking Vampire drink from the bar, looking around the open livingroom waiting for Sheen to return from down the hall.  Sheen knew he was coming.  John silently thanked Sienna for baring the vision and telling Sheen after all they had been through, otherwise he'd have been raw meat in the street.  John took a long deep sigh to calm his nerves, then took a long drink from his glass.  Closing his eyes he thought, Gods and Goddesses a drink was what I needed.

Hearing the tap of Sheens's dress shoes on the hard wood floor strolling into the room from the hall John left his head hanging down in front of him.  Sheen spoke sounding short with him.  "So, you need to speak with Sinn.  huh?  She'll be out shortly.  She had a night of all nights last night.  She's worried about you."  Sheen glared at John and spoke further with a stronger voice and a little venom, "I don't know why.  You left her for that world you call home."

John looked up from his glass of dark blend to see Sheen shaking his head looking at the table.  John went to open his mouth to respond, but what would he say?  That he loved her but she would die because of him, hell even he was going to die here.  And she knew it... Then when he finally settled to just let it pass and ask how Sheen was Sinn emerged gracefully from the shadows of the hall.  

Her long dark brown hair flowing around her shoulders and crown.  The crown of wooden branches growing around her temple.  John knew the crown was a living tree, her bones are wood and the crown grew from the base of her skull out and around her head making her halo showing her status of her people.  She's the most beautiful wood elf he had ever seen.  Her large brown pools of eyes locked on his immediately and he was lost there, remembering their time together.  Sinn glided to the couch beside him and sat with the grace of flowing water in a gentle stream, her flowing dress feathering around her on the couch.  

The trance was broken by Sheen voice mumbling something, and stronger now. "JOHN."

John jumped and tore his eyes from Sinns turning to Sheen "What?" he whispered.

Sheen rolled his eyes, looking back at John, with annoyance in his voice as he started to speak, "Well, times don't change do they.  Cchhh, just be easy with Sinn she's been having a few... unpleasurable thoughts lately."  Seeing the worry in Johns face, he continues before John could ask, "Don't worry.  We know and we are dealing with it.  Nothing to bother you with."

John turns back to Sinn.  She smiles a soft smile, but it doesn't reach her eyes.  Now he sees the tiredness that lies behind them.  Reaching for her hand he says, "If I can help, please..."  and stops as Sinn suddenly pulls her hand back, away from him.  John slowly brings his hand back to his short glass in his other hand and leans forward with his elbows on his knees and breaths softly, "sorry."  Suddenly remembering the last time he touched her hurt her so, physically and broking her heart.

Looking up, John sees Sheen nod his head toward Sinn. "Are you ready?"

Sinn and John look to each other.  Sinn speaks with a voice like a cool summers breeze, "Yes. John, let me see the item."

Knowing Sinn needs to touch the item or person to get the reading.  Afraid of hurting her again he hesitated, but reluctantly he slowly pulls his hand away from the sweaty glass and took the thick gold chain from the left inside breast jacket pocket, the chain that belonged to the rich college kid he was looking for.  The kid that just ran off to defy his father, or so his father thought.  Sinn takes the glittering necklace from his hand careful not to touch him, closing her eyes, and dropping her head forward to let the moments pass into her to see what will come of the client.  

Suddenly Sinn jerks her head back, dropping the chain, gurgling on her own saliva.  Then John sees her crown is tightening, squeezing, burrowing into her forehead and side, like grasping something that is falling.  Then the red tears, no blood tears escape her eyes.  John jumps to look over her, Sheen is there as well.  John goes to touch her pale cheek and ask if she is okay, but Sheen yells at him, "NO!  Don't touch her.  Damn it.  Haven't you done enough!?"

John turns and walks to the edge of the room, looking out the window to the dreary world where the haze glows from the neon lights of the bar sign.  This is why he left.  He always hurt everyone, but most himself.  The only reason he came here was for help, a few minutes of help.  But things never do change.  He had to leave again, but didn't know how or what to do with them out there watching and waiting.  He was in way too deep with this dark magick twined in this case.  He has to know what he's tangled up in, or with.