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HER by Amanda (c) 2001
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"An angel?!"
AJ leaped out of his chair, spluttering in surprise. "You're kidding, right?"
Brian stared back solemnly and AJ gawked at him, stunned. An angel. An angel? Like, in wings and a halo and harp? What the fuck was Brian talking about? We both saw her! She's no angel!
AJ rolled his eyes upward. Oh, now I get it. Jeez, Brian and his stupid jokes! He patiently waited for Brian to crack a smile. Brian was not smiling. He decided to wait a few seconds more. Oh god! Ill at ease, AJ quickly turned away and ran a trembling hand through his hair. Shit! This was not good. Not good at all. Brian really thinks she's an angel! AJ spared a quick glance at Brian who was still sitting down, staring up at him with a curious expression. Man, I can't believe this! What am I gonna do? Brian's crazy. Really, really crazy. As in, completely nuts! AJ frowned, ignoring Brian as he tried to sort things out. He knew for a fact that he had seen her, had felt her power the very moment he touched Brian's shoulder. But… how? How did Brian manage to snag him into all this madness? Could Brian have some sort of mental disease that's contagious? Could that be it? AJ moaned inwardly. Great! Just fucking great! So now he's contaminated me! Man, I cannot handle this right now! Taking a step towards the door, then another, AJ wondered if it was too late to catch up with the other guys.
"Hey, where are you going?"
His gut twisting in dread, AJ reluctantly faced Brian. "Uh…it's getting late, Rok. Gotta go. You know, sleep and all." AJ gave him a weak smile, trying to sound casual. I gotta get out of here! He edged a little closer to the door, groping blindly for the handle. Damn! Brian sure is giving me a weird look. AJ stopped dead in his tracks, his heart hammering wildly as Brian's blue eyes flickered for just a second. Just a second, but in that moment AJ saw it. A small flare, a red glow that was unmistakable.
Oh my god.
Stunned, AJ felt himself begin to shake.
It's her.
A fine bead of sweat sprang to his forehead and AJ stumbled backwards, his mind numb with fear, his eyes transfixed on Brian's. Struggling, he finally managed to break eye contact and glanced at the door. Go! Now! Run for it!
AJ gave a small yelp of fright when Brian's fingers snaked around his arm, yanking him roughly back into the room.
"What's the matter with you?!" Brian looked angry, his mouth twisted into a thin line.
"Nothing, nothing!" AJ desperately tried to shake free. "Let go of me!" Terror gave him a powerful surge of adrenaline and he savagely ripped away from Brian's tight grip. "Don't touch me!"
"AJ…" Brian began, reaching out with one hand.
"No! Get back!" He held out a warning hand and glanced quickly around the room, hoping he could find something to defend himself with.
Watching AJ in amazement, Brian's hand dropped to his side. "What's going on? Why are you acting this way?"
"Me? Me? You're the one who's fucking crazy! Trying to convince me that she's an angel! Yeah, right!"
"But…" Brian took a step forward.
"Stop! Stop right there. Don't come any closer!"
" AJ…I don't think you understand …"
"Oh, I understand perfectly… Brian! Don't take another goddamn step! I'm warning you!"
Brian drew back, confused. "AJ, why won't you let me get near you? You're acting as if I'm going to attack you!"
"Because you are," AJ hissed back. "Aren't you?"
AJ watched as all the color drained from Brian's face. "Wha…what?" he asked weakly.
"Brian…or whoever the hell I'm talking to, don't touch me! Don't get near me! I don't know what's going on, but I swear, if you come one step closer…"
"AJ! What are you talking about?" Brian's exasperation suddenly turned into comprehension. "Wait! You…you think I'm her?"
AJ's eyes narrowed as he began once more to edge for the door. "I don't think, I know!"
"AJ! Please…please. I'm not her! How could I be?"
"Because I saw her! I saw her in your eyes!"
"My eyes?"
"When you looked at me, I saw her! In you! In your eyes. A look! It wasn't you, it was her! She's you. You're her!" AJ swipe the sweat from his brow with a nervous hand, realizing he was babbling. "Fuck! Whatever! Just don't get near me!" His back was now pressed up against the door, his hand gripped firmly on the door handle. Watching Brian like a hawk, AJ wondered how he was ever going to get out of the room without turning his back. And there was no way was he going to turned his back on Brian, even for a split second.
His question was answered for him when Brian hurried over to the dressing room mirror, examining his face with trembling fingers. "No…no…," Brian wailed in desperation.
Now was the time. AJ yanked the door open, ready to sprint. A soft thud stopped him and he turned to find Brian slumped on the floor, hands cradling his face as he rocked desolately back and forth.
AJ wasn't sure what to do.
Oh god, was Brian crying?
He hesitantly took a step closer then stopped, undecided.
The softest moan came from Brian, a cry so pitiful that AJ immediately forgot his own panic, his fear turning into concern as he tentatively placed a reassuring hand on Brian's shoulder.
AJ watched as Brian blindly reached up, his fingers shaking as he sought solace in AJ's comforting touch.
"Hey, it's okay. I'm here, Rok. I'll help you."
Brian gave a small nod, his fingers gently intertwined with AJ's. He sighed gratefully. "Thanks, Bone. And you're right… you will help me." Raising his head, a sly smirk began to form as Brian's red glowing eyes met with AJ's startled brown ones. AJ gasped as Brian's grip tightened around his wrist. With a powerful wrench, Brian yanked AJ off-balance. Stunned, AJ lay still on the hard ground, the blow having knocked the breath out of him. Brian leaped effortlessly to his feet and bent over AJ's prone form, studying him with empty, soulless eyes and a wide, dark mouth opened in a silent grin.
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