Graveyard Watchman

I'm not sure how long ago it was when I first saw him, staring down at the oldest, crumbling gravestone in his black hooded cloak. He has completely captured my attention; I want to know more about the mysterious man behind all that darkness. Is he grieving like me? Maybe. It's the reason I've been coming to this God-forsaken cemetery over the last five months since Zack died.He was my best friend and he died saving someone else's life. A firefighter's duty, I'm supposed to believe. Everyone still tries to comfort me by saying he died doing what he loved but they don't understand. I no longer have my big brother to protect me, especially from myself.After our parents died three years ago, only blocks from our house, I became a different person. The drunk driver kept going after he plowed into them during their nightly walk. The fourteen-year-old who killed them had found his parents' whiskey stash before taking his dad's truck for a joyride. He only got two years of probation. Back

We're within twenty feet of each other when he slowly stands, turning his face toward me. His eyes meet mine and I have to stop and catch my breath. The intense combination of brown and an almost orangey-red mix is incredible. I'm not sure if it's the cloud cover or the tiny wedge of sun somehow managing to cast light on them, but I'm mesmerized before I say a word. We stand in silence for a few more seconds while the rapid thud of my heart pounds in my ears. Then suddenly he turns and walks away. Shit.Did I piss him off? Does he want privacy? I watch him head toward the woods, his heavy coat swaying in the wind, giving him an almost otherworldly look, and for a moment I wonder if he's real. Maybe he's been in my imagination all along. But then he glances back at me and I see that same rusty-red glow in his eyes, even from where I'm standing. I think he's looking back to see if I'm following him. Wait...should I? Follow him?I don't give myself enough time to think about it be

"Here you go," the older lady behind the motel front desk says, holding out two key cards. I take them and smile. I'm happy to finally have a decent bed to sleep in after two nights on a hard sofa in Uncle John's hospital room."You're paid up for the rest of the month. If you need your rooms for longer, just let us know." I nod and walk back out to my car. Aunt Kelly is waiting in her Explorer with Uncle John, who looks asleep and is most likely high on pain meds. She's wiping her eyes. "Are you okay?" I ask, hoping the concern on my face doesn't reveal how frightened I really am. She doesn't need that extra burden right now."Oh, yeah, honey." She quickly hides the Kleenex I already saw. "I just hate that you're having to use your inheritance money." She looks over at Uncle John, then back to me, and whispers, "He doesn't know this, but I managed to put a little money away for emergencies... It's not-"I interrupt her guilt trip. "Aunt Kelly, this was my choice and I want to

This time I'm fully conscious, flat on my stomach under his cloak, but I can't see even a speck of light. I flinch when violent, animalistic growls take over the silent night air. The Watchman's body huddles closer to me as more guttural snarls come from every possible direction. I'm too frightened to move, the pounding of my heart a deafening boom in my head.Out of nowhere, the sounds of shooting flames and large flapping wings crash through the air. I question my own sanity as my eyes dart from side to side, trying to follow the shrieks above us, mentally picturing mythical creatures I've only read about in books. What the hell? "You cannot have her!" a familiar voice shouts.Wait, was that Zack?I want to call out for him but know I shouldn't. I'm trapped and pretty sure he and the Watchman are protecting me from someone or more likely some thing. Seconds go by like hours; I can only imagine the terror going on above me. The Watchman's body is practically lying against min

After throwing on a pair of skinny jeans and my favorite gray sweater, I brush my teeth and apply a few swipes of mascara and lip gloss. I run a quick brush through my wavy hair because I let it dry against a pillow. I'm about as presentable as I'm going be today. Unfortunately, even after several hours of sleep I'm still mentally exhausted. I should probably talk my stomach into eating. I know that's part of my problem.I grab my phone, shoving it in my back pocket as three quick knocks come from the other side of Aunt Kelly's door."Kate? I have your food," she says in a loud whisper.I unlock the deadbolt and pull open the door. The smile on her face is the first thing I see, but I can tell there's worry behind her eyes. Uncle John, the house burning down, and what the hell to do next-it's got to be weighing on her. Hell, if she knew that I have an otherworldly bodyguard watching my every move, it might actually help her stress level. Wherever he is right now. The thought of him