ACT 20
Edward drove off without looking back at the Connelys. He just kept his eyes on the road, causing Emily to wonder what really happened in Edward's past. Who is this Emmy Rose and why does it seem like the Connelys and Edward aren't friends? Their meeting was friendly, but the tension seems as though it could be cut with a knife. So many questions, but so little answers. Emily thought to herself and shook her head slightly. She looked onto Edward who was pretending to focus on the wet roads, but deep inside he had a strange feeling as if something wasn't right. Like the Connelys aren't just here to visit their daughter.
He did felt like such a jerk before that. He should have visited her every day, but he failed to do that. It was a miracle that Emmy's parents allowed their daughter to be buried in Salem thanks to the diary they found in her suitcase.
The drizzling rain soon turned into pouring rain. Cold mist surrounded the road, making it hard to see. The windows began to fog. Edward had no choice, but to slow down in order to avoid a slip off the road. Right when he slowed down, the car made a loud funny noise. It sounded like it was coming from the engine. As Edward kept driving, the car began to vibrate.
Shit, he mumbled to himself causing Emily turned to him worringly.
Emily - Is everything okay?
Edward - I don't know yet.
Edward stepped on the gas pedal to speed up to 40 miles an hours, but the gas needle wouldn't move past 10 MPH range. He stepped on the gas again, but only slowed down more. The rain pored down and hit hard on the windshield, making it hard for the wipers to keep up.
Emily - What's wrong? Are we going on Empty?
Edward looked at the gas meter.
Edward - No, the gas is full. I just filled up not too long ago.
Emily - You're not able to step on the gas?
Edward - It looks that way. The damn thing doesn't want to past 10 mile mark.
Emily - I can feel it vibrating.
Edward - Yeah, I know.
Emily - Oh no.. and it's raining so hard.
Edward - Well, it's going to be raining for the next 24 hours. There's a storm coming up from the south.
Emily wrapped her arms around her shoulders as she felt the cold mist seeping through the car. Edward noticed that she was cold, so he turned on the heat.
Edward - There, it should start getting warm in about 3 minutes.
Emily - I'm okay.. you should turn it off, in case the heating makes the car worst.
Edward - I need it to clear up the fogged up window anyway. But you know; It's funny, I just had this old thing tuned up last month. I paid $700 to get it fixed at the car garage. Those fuckers ripped me off!
Emily - Sorry about that.
It's not your fault, Edward said inaudibly.
Edward - The only thing to do right now is just drive at 10 MPH. Hopefully, it won't break down on us.
Emily gave him a weak smile and sank back into the seat and hugged herself. She then realized that she and Edward just had a normal conversation. She couldn't help, but smile to herself a bit. What she didn't realize was that Edward caught her smiling in the rearview mirror. That's when he just kept his gazed on the mirror. She looks so beautiful when she smiles, he thought. That lump in his throat emerged and he had to swollow hard. He quickly shook it off and turned his attention to the road. Silence surrounded them again, except for the rain drops beating on the windows and windshield.
Edward - Are you warm enough?
Emily - Yes, thank you.
Emily wanted to just scream and jump up for joy. Was Edward Knight concerned about her? She questioned it over and over in her mind. And then had to turn towards the window so that she could blush happily. This is like a dream come true. There is a nice bone in his body, she thought.
Edward - Okay. I think we should be okay, as long as I keep driving. We're just about 5 miles from your dorm.
Emily - What about Jameson's funeral home?
Edward - It's about 2 blocks from here.
Emily - Sorry for making you go out of your way.
Edward - Well.. it's not that far from you anyway... so it's fine.
Emily - But what if you break down at the dorm?
Edward - I guess I'll just walk.
Emily - But it's raining.
Edward - I've walked in the rain before. I'll be okay..
Emily - Maybe you should just stop at the funeral home and I'll walk to my dorm before your car acts up.
Edward - No.
Emily - But, I don't want to be a bother.
Edward - Look, I'd rather me walk than you okay? Besides, the car is still running.
Right when he said that, the car slowed down forcing Edward to swirve to the left.
Shit, I spoke too soon, Edward cursed.
When he got to the side of the road, the car came to a complete stop.
Ughh... those bastards. I'm going to have to pay them a visit, he mumbled under his breath.
Edward pounded the steering wheel and tried to turn the itgnition, but nothing. Emily bit her lips nervously. She knew that this isn't good.
Edward - Well.. what do you know, looks like we'll both have to walk. Be prepared to get wet.
He sighed.
Emily - Uhmm, couldn't we just wait out the rain?
Edward - I guess we could, but you'll be waiting for the next 24 hours. I told you, there's a storm blowing up here.
Emily - Ohh... I forgot about that. How about if we just wait for a passerby?
Edward - At this hour, we'll be waiting forever. The population here is 657 people. I think right now, they're all asleep.
Emily - Oh..
Emily sighed.
Edward - So.. this is what we'll do. I'll walk you to your dorm, then I'll walk home.
Emily's eyes widened with surprise.
Emily - No, you don't have to do that.
Edward - Well.. I want to.
Emily - But that's a long walk for you.
Edward - Look... Right now, I'm responsible for you okay?
Emily - Uhmm...
Edward - Here, take this.
Edward handed her a big plastic bag from the back seat.
Edward - It's a little thin, but that's all I've got for now.
Emily - Thank you.. what about you?
Edward - I'll be okay. Put it on.
Emily - Okay.
Emily poked a hole at the bottom and threw it over herself while Edward quickly opened the door and walked onto her side of the car and opened the door for her. He reached his hand out to her and she took it. Right away, the frigid air stroked her back. She began to shiver, but at least she stayed a bit dry, thanks to Edward's plastic bag.
Edward - Come'on, this way.
Edward led her across the steeet to the other side of the road.
The rain was pouring at a steady rate, but luckily it wasn't pouring as hard as when they were in the car.
Edward - We should be there in about 20 minutes if we keep a steady pace.
Emily - Okay.
Edward - Sorry about the car.
Did Emily heard it right?? Edward Knight just apologized. Even though he apologized about something he was capable of controlling, Emily's heart just warmed up. That word, "sorry" sounded really nice coming from his lips.
Emily - It's okay, I'm the one who should be sorry. I made you take me to find food.
Edward - You can't help being hungry.
Emily smiled happily inside. Eventhough it was damn cold out here, her inside especially her heart weas warm. It felt good to not be hated by him, at least for now.
Ten minutes went by, Emily could see lights coming from the funeral home up ahead. She couldn't help, but feel bad that they are going to pass it and walk further to her dorm. And then suddenly, the rain picked up again. The drops felt heavier and stronger beating up against their backs.
Edward - Damn... looks like the outer bands of the storm is coming in. The rain is starting to get stronger.
Emily could feel her legs wobble from the fatigue of walking and from the frigid air and moisture. But she should be thankful cause she was a bit dry while Edward was soaking wet. As Emily walked forward, she didn't see the puddle that was up ahead.
Emily - Ahhh!!!
Edward - I've got you.
She slipped, but luckily Edward caught her. His arms were around her tight as her back was against his chest. She looked up and caught his eyes. She immediately moved out of his arms, embarrassed that she was so clumsy.
Emily - Sorry.
When she stepped forward, a sharp pain ran up her leg, causing her to yelp in pain.
Emily - Owwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!
Edward - What's wrong?
Emily - Ughh... my ankle hurts.
Edward kneeled down to her ankle to examine it.
Edward - You're bleeding. Looks like you scraped your ankle in that pot hole.
Emily - Oh noo!!!!
Emily whined painfully. She tried to walk forward, but the pain felt made her yelped again.
Emily - I don't know if I could walk anymore.
She began to shiver harder.
Before she could say anything else, Edward swooped her up into her arms. She was speechless, but she obliged to his strong arms. It did feel better than being on her feet.
Edward - We'll go to my apartment first. Your wound needs to be cleaned or it'll be infected.
Okay, Emily answered softly.
Her heart was beating so fast and so loudly; she joped that Edward didn't hear her beating heart. She didn't expect to be in his arms again. As he carried her away, her head seems to be having a mind of its own, cause it was now laying against his chest. It was cold and wet, but it still felt cozy. For a minute there, Emily thought he was going to drop her like a hot potato when she laid her head on him, but he just kept walking as if he didn't mind. Thats when Emily relaxed and enjoyed the ride even at his expense.
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Finally, they reached his apartment. He opened the door and walked in, still with Emily in his arms. Instead of letting her down on her feet at the door, he continued to carry her. They entered the bedroom. He grabbed a towel, and layed it on the chair that was next to his bed. That's when he sat her down.
Emily - Thank you, Edward.
Instead of answering, he kept quiet as he walked to the bathroom and grabbed another towel. He handed it to her and walked back into the bathroom and closed the door. Emily couldn't help, but wonder if he was now mad at her again. She threw the towel over her head and began drying her hair. She stood up and took the soaked bag off and tossed it into the trash. The bag didn't do any justice, cause she too was soaking wet. Edward's apartment was nice and warm, but Emily kept on shivering from her wet clothes. She wrapped the towel around herself and looked down at her ankle. There was a lot of blood dripping down, making a puddle on Edward's hardwood floor. Emily tried to bend down and wipe the floor, but stopped half way when Edward called out.
Edward - Don't worry about it. I'll take care of it.
Emily looked up from a bending position and saw Edward standing there with nothing, but a towel around his waist. His hair was still wet, but his body was dried off. For a tall and skinny guy, he sure had a nice chest. It looked as if he worked out, but knowing that he is anti-social, Emily knew that he probably never went to a gym before. His arms are long and strong looking with veins running along them. And his tummy was flat with a hint of abs.
Connie was right, he does need to eat more, Emily thought.
After checking him out for a few seconds, Emily realized that she was staring, so she looked away and covered her eyes.
Emily - Sorry. I..I... uhh...
Edward walked over to his closet to grab some clothes. He pulled out a pair of pants and a long sleaved shirt for himself. And then he pulled out another long sleaved shirt and a pair of pajama pants. He walked over to Emily and handed her the shirt and pajama pants.
Edward - Here, you should change before you catch a cold. When you're done, I'll clean your wound.
He walked out of the room to give her some privacy and to put some clothes on himself.
Edward - Call me when you're done.
When he shut the door behind him, Emily's heart pounded against her chest. His new found kindness was somehow sweet and frightening at the same time; she really didn't know what to expect next. But whatever it is that's happening, she liked this side of him. Emily stood up and unbuttoned Edward's shirt that she wore earlier. She pulled off the dress over her head and then her wet under garments. She grabbed the towel that was on the chair and wrapped it over her body. When she tried to tuck the ends of the towel together, so that it'll stay around her body, she found it dificult because on the other hand, she was holding her wet clothes. She was afraid to mess up Edward's room, so she didn't toss it down to the floor. Not knowing that her ankle would hurt that bad, Emily tried to walk into the bathroom to put her wet clothes in the sink. Right when she stepped on her wounded side of the leg, a sharp pain shot up her thigh causing her to collaspe to the floor yelping in pain.
Immediately the bedroom door swung open and in ran Edward. Right away, he swooped her up from the floor and into his arms again. Their eyes met and locked there for a minute, not realizing that she was naked.
ACT 21 COMING SOON!