My Silver Mate

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[Samara]

It had taken a lot of convincing but eventually, I managed to get my parents to return home so that I could return home. Notwithstanding the fact that the hospital ran a few more tests and that I had an upcoming meeting with the Sheriff, overall, I was excited to be heading home. I glanced over at Heather and smiled. She was talking a mile a minute about everything I had missed out on while she was driving.

“But don’t worry, he is pretty cool,” she said, and I frowned. Clearly, I had missed something.

“Who?”

“Dylan,”

“Who is Dylan…?” I asked curiously. I scrunched up my nose as she told me – again – who Dylan was, and I nodded. “Right, Dylan. Our new roommate,”

“Yes, I was thinking that we could turn that little space into a room for him,” she went on and I started to shake my head. “No, I mean…all we use that space for is junk and…I know it’s not like big enough or whatever, but a single bed will fit in there and it’s only temporary. After all, he has been looking for a job…so…like he could be gone in a few days or a few months,”

“I don’t know Heather, what if I don’t like him?” I asked curiously. I turned back to watch the road and I felt a wave of happiness wash over me as I saw the Oakville sign up ahead.

“You’ll like him…trust me, you will. He is super funny and sarcastic…he is…he is nice, you’ll see,”

“Ahuh and what does Wesley think about him?” I questioned.

“They have become friends…honestly, Sam, you’ll see,” she said, and then she frowned. “Ben doesn’t like him,”

“Why not?”

“I’m not entirely sure. I mean, we all looked at him suspiciously since his arrival was just…you know…it was weird. He arrived the day you suddenly disappeared, and I guess…well, no, I mean we all looked at him like he had something to do with it,” she explained, and I scoffed. This Dylan guy definitely had nothing to do with it, but I didn’t say that. “He was ruled out pretty quickly, I mean, why would a guy kidnap or murder a girl in the woods and then stick around? Right?”

“Right…that would be…weird!” Heather laughed and I smiled as we finally crossed over into Oakville. “It is good to be home,”

“So…I have to ask…do you really not remember what happened?” the seriousness of her voice made me pause. I didn’t want to lie to her. I didn’t want to lie to anyone, but I had made a promise and I had no idea what Evan would do to me if he found out I had told someone his secret. I knew I could trust Heather, but she could let it slip and I simply couldn’t afford to take that chance.

“I don’t even remember going on that camping trip,” I lied and then I told her a bit of truth. “I don’t remember getting up to do anything. I don’t remember being in the woods,”

“And you don’t remember Ben?” she asked, and I sighed. “You do remember him, don’t you?”

“I do,” I admitted.

“Why did you lie about not remembering him?” she asked. “Although I do get it,” she then added, and I burst out laughing.

“I love Ben but…he is just so…”

“Controlling? Manipulating? Cold?” she offered.

“To some degree, yes, but I don’t know why I just…the last few days have been so confusing and…and I honestly don’t know what happened or how it happened…I just went along with it,”

“And to get some peace and quiet?” she teased.

“I guess,” I said, because the truth was, I did need some peace and quiet, but I also needed things to go back to the way they were.

“I have to tell you, Sam, Ben was on a manhunt to find you,”

“Yeah?”

“Oh, yeah…he got on a lot of people’s nerves…but…and I’ll be honest with you…he didn’t change or anything. He still went out with his friends to parties and stuff,”

“d**k,” I muttered.

“He looked for you during the day but at five o clock, he was off duty, and it was time to live his life the way he wanted,” she went on, and I sighed softly. I couldn’t take my eyes off the little town of Oakville as Heather drove us home. I didn’t want to think about Ben or about anyone else.

“Please tell me that you aren’t throwing me some sort of welcome home party,” I pleaded as she pulled into our driveway. I spotted a car I didn’t recognize, and I would run away if there was a party.

“No party, I promise. The only people inside are Wesley and Dylan…but…if you had ‘remembered’ Ben then this scenario would be different and you know that Sam,” she said as she switched off the car and got out. She was right. Ben would have thrown a big party. Then again, he may still do it. I sighed once again before I got out of the car. I was dying to get inside and to take a shower in my own bathroom. I was dying to put on my own clothing and to sit on my couch and watch TV. I followed Heather inside and the first thing I noticed was the smell. It was a distinctive smell. One that had my mouth watering and gave me goosebumps. It gave me this weird feeling that made me shiver. It made me feel warm, comfortable, oddly giddy. I breathed in deeply as I tried to place the scent. It smelt like the earth, deep, warm, and woody. It smelt like sandalwood.

“Did Wesley change his deodorant?” I asked curiously and Heather shot me a weird look.

“You truly are back!” Wesley exclaimed as he suddenly came charging toward me and I froze as he gathered me up in his arms. A low rumbling sound came from across the room and as Wesley embraced me, I came face to face with the most beautiful man I had ever seen in my entire life.