73: He's Cute And Charming And Dead

The cemetery isn’t too far from the shop. Nothing like a plot of dead bodies smack dab in the middle of the city. It’s surprising the humans don’t question that. They probably take it as having loved ones close by, not having the monsters that live among them have inventory nearby. Werewolves bury their victims there. Vampires bury their own there. Demons strike up deals there. Witches take leftovers for potions and spells from there.

After a chilly twenty minute walk facing the wind, I come to stand in front of the shotty backdoor to the graveyard. The demizen entrance. I poke at the rusted gate to get the crawling ivy to go away. I try not to touch it more than I have to, because it stings.

My feet stumble several times as I trek around disheveled headstones, over uprooted tree trunks and vines that have a mind of their own. My heart races for fear of running into a not-so-pleasant demizen. Humans have drug dealers while demizens have death dealers. Only those seeking something dark would be in the cemetery, especially the back entrance.

A wave of relief comes over me the second I see Georgio’s mausoleum. A nervousness replaces my freight. It’s odd to see a bright, glowing light seeping through the crack of the lid on the cement tomb. I give a heave ho as I push the lid aside enough for me to crawl inside.

I’m sure Georgio can feel my heart racing as I descend the stairs. Before I even put a toe on the bottom step, he calls my name from somewhere within the labyrinth maze of his home. His shrill yet hoarse voice gives me the creeps.

“I’m just in need of some toes.” I holler into the catacomb. That sounds awful. “For Gretchen.” I quickly add.

“Of course.” He says as he rounds a corner. He looks somewhat better this time. He’s less decayed and all the pieces of his body are working and attached. That has to be a win. “And your payment?”

I hand over the bag and he greedily looks inside. “It’s enough for something, right?”

“Three. Any request on which ones?” He asks as casually as asking someone about the weather.

“Surprise her.”

He scampers away and comes back several minutes later. Is he robbing graves back there? Is he searching for the perfect ones...or not so perfect ones? He comes back with a distorted smile on his face. “For you, my favorite witch. I give Gretchen the best. I hope she uses them well.”

“Thanks Georgio. Gretchen appreciates it.” I take the pouch back from him. Now instead of a blocky weightlessness inside, now three stones jiggle around.

A shiver vibrates through my entire body as I think about it. As I think about the bag of toes I hold in my hand. Eww.

“Anything else I can get for you or the others at the shop?” He asks, clearly curious.

“No and I only had payment for the toes, so…” And there was no way in hell I was going to be caught without payment. Soul is hard to come by and I’m not one to offer my own. Did that once and will never do it again.

I couldn’t leave faster. Only once the lid is slid back into place is when I feel like I can take a breath. I hate Georgio’s. And the cemetery it resides in. I debate about taking the long way back and leave through the more human part of the cemetery, but that would be another half an hour walk. At that rate I wouldn’t get back until my shift at Mystic is pretty much done and this little trek would become pointless...to me, because it wouldn’t really be getting out early.

So, I put on my big girl pants and take the demzin path back. Twigs snap in the distance and I swear I could see shadows huddled around crumbling headstones. Left foot, right foot. Left foot, right foot.

I jump at every sudden noise and nearly fall on my face as I race out of the cemetery. You always hear rumors about vampires seeking out their next meal in the cemetery or wolves stalking their soon to be slaves or demons looking for gothic wannabes to introduce to the devil.

The walk is long and stressful, but the city quickly comes into view. The shop is just around the corner. Once I walk through the door, bell chiming my arrival, it takes everything in me to not collapse on the counter in relief.

I drop the toes on the tabletop completely grossed out. “Here’s your toes, one big two small. I hope that’s fine, because I’m not going back. It was extremely unpleasant.” I back pedal to the door, awkwardly moon walking my way to freedom. “I’ll be seeing ya.”

They don’t stop me as I leave, which feels wrong, but so great at the same time. I dig out my phone ready to spew everything to Avery. I know she’s waiting to dish about her lunch date, but I have to tell her how evil Gretchen was when she sent me on a midnight stroll through the cemetery.

I tap feverishly at my phone, looking up every few steps. I stick close to the buildings giving other people enough room to walk past me and not get in my way.

Two blocks down, my plan is working wonders. Until it’s not. I smack head on into someone who steps out of an alleyway. The force of it knocks me right off my feet and I fall flat on my ass in the middle of the sidewalk.

“I’m so sorry for…”

“For being build like a brick wall?” I interrupt. My eyes on the ground as I try to pick myself up. I can feel strangers looking at me from the bar behind us. Yup, just another drunk girl who can’t walk, except I’m not drunk.

“Let me help you.” His hands grab a hold of me and lifts me to my feet in one flawless move. He pulls me up so fast that I’m lifted into the air and bounce into him.

Once I’m securely planted on the ground my eyes meet his and my heart stops. No wonder he’s so solid and strong. He isn’t human.

“Are you okay?” His hands rest on my arms and he pretends to look me over. I wonder if he can feel me cringe. “I didn’t mean to...” His words trail off as he looks at me. “I’m Gabriel by the way.” He introduces himself as if I were curious. Those golden eyes staring into me.

I feel obligated to tell him my name. Where the hell is that coming from. “Hazel.” I reply breathlessly.

“Nice to meet you Hazel.” His voice sends a shiver down my spine and not the same kind of shiver Georigo sends down my spine.

“Thanks. I’ll be more careful next time.” I peel away from his gaze and speed walk down the sidewalk of the final block to my apartment. My heart is heavy in my chest the entire way.

It takes several minutes for me to settle myself. There’s something about him, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I pace the apartment floor trying to place something, trying to put words to that feeling you get when the answer is on the tip of your tongue, but your brain is blank.

“Avery.” I frantically dig through my purse in search of my phone. “Shit shit shit.” Did I drop it? I must have. I don’t remember having it as I was lifted off my ass to my feet.
A knock on my door has me leaping into the air. I’m not sure which jumps higher, my body or heart which leaps into my throat. It painfully suffocates me before I swallow it back down.

I slowly open the door to reveal Gabriel. He waves my phone at me with a sheepish smile on his face. “You dropped this.”

“And you followed me home to return it.” I hear the scornfulness in my tone. “I’m sorry, it’s just not everyday a…”

“A vampire follows you home.” He holds out the phone.

I have a hard time meeting his eyes. “Thank you.” I quickly slide it out of his hand.

“Have a good night, Hazel.” His golden eyes meet mine for a fraction of a second and I break out into a feverish blush.

I give him a tight lipped smile before I shut the door, afraid to say something stupid or to say something that would imply that I’m interested.

Suddenly lethargic, I slide down the closed door, phone clenched in hand. Get a hold of yourself Hazel. He’s cute and charming and dead. That last one is important or it should be important.

Rule number one: don’t date vampires.