A Blight on the Map.

Chapter Four

~Justin~

We ended up staying in the bunker that night, sleeping near Aria sent chills down my spine. She was the only girl who didn't think I was a freak or to make fun of me for anything, I don't know why but I cared about her. I could tell she's been through a lot, though she doesn't like to talk about herself that much. She seems so cut off from everyone, to think I went to school with this girl for the longest time and I never once gave her a second glance. I felt horrible because there had been times she had tried to become friends with me, tried to talk with me; but all I did was brush her off.

When morning came I realized I hadn't slept a wink and was extremely tired. A local witch of their own had offered to teach Aria to control her powers, and so I didn't see much of her that day. Bailey had been the one to keep me busy most of the day, giving me tasks to carry out, I could tell he didn't like me very much. I guess I give off a serial killer vibe which, I mean, isn't wrong.

We had spent three weeks here, helping bring back all of the leftover rations from our old town which would hold everyone over for a while. Aria had been meeting up with the woman every day doing her thing, while I helped around with chores. Aria had talked with me before about staying here, she told me I didn't have to stay if I didn't want to. But wherever she was, I wanted to be. It was weird, I never thought I'd like a girl like this, especially one that went to my old school.

It was a Thursday, I hadn't been sleeping well lately, plagued by the thoughts of losing Aria to an alien like how I'd lost Mrs. Johnson. I was carrying firewood that was just brought back as the bunker needed to be ready for when winter came, I was carrying it to the storage room and passed Aria and her teacher. I had nearly dropped the firewood when I saw Aria, dressed in short shorts and a tank top. Sure I could see the old scars and marks that lined her skin, but she was drop-dead gorgeous. How was she not the most hit on girl in our school?

I thought back to how guys looked at her in school, none of it made sense. They used to brush her off, most never even glanced her way. My guess was because she never dressed like Alexandra, you know the crop tops in winter that showed the under half of her very fake tits, and the shorts that allowed her ass cheeks to hang out. Yeah, that was the most popular girl in my school, well the slutty one. Then there was Dawn, the really smart, really pretty girl that was extremely popular with the guys. She was my first crush, and the last person I killed.

Bailey waved a hand in front of my face and I quickly closed my mouth and wiped off the drool. He just smirked and I glared, knowing they have become good friends.

"Never speak a word of this to anyone." I laced my voice with venom and he laughed

"Whatever stalker, just take the would to the storage room." I rolled my eyes and hurried off to the storage room and threw down the wood before walking back to find Aria already changed back into black skinny jeans and hoodie and sitting with Christine and Bailey. As I got closer they looked up, Aria smiled at me and I nearly turned into a puddle on the floor.

"Hey, Justin."

"Hey, Ari." I had started calling her that a week ago and she seemed to get flustered every time. I found it cute when that light pink tint crossed her cheeks, and couldn't but smirk as it appeared on her face once more. We all talked and I glared at Bailey when he almost ratted me out but instead only laughed and got up to go check on his baby sister.

"What happened when you guys were collecting wood?" Aria asked and I felt my face and ears heat up as I quickly squeaked

"Nothing." Christine chuckled as she caught on to what Bailey was hinting and Aria just looked confused. When everyone was settling into bed I just sat up near a wall, tired but sleepless. I felt a person sit down beside me, their arm brushing against mine and I turned to see Aria who only smiled at me.

"Did I startle you?" her voice was soft and silky

"No I'm fine, you didn't freeze so I guess you're getting better with your power?" She smirked and nodded

"Yeah, I am. Can I talk with you?" I nodded "Well, my father always got mad after he found out I was a witch, and always told me I shouldn't be using my powers. No one seems to know much about Empaths except maybe you, so I was wondering..."

"If empaths have more powers you don't know of? No, I'm sorry. Did you try asking your mother about it?" She looked down and shook her head

"My mother died when I was three. She was a witch that could do a lot, so I guess maybe my dad assumed that I could too... " I intertwined our fingers, her head snapping up to meet my eyes.

"You'll never know if you can unless you try. And I'm sorry about your mother." She smiled

"Thank you." She looked at me a little more closely and frowned a little "You haven't been sleeping well have you?" I let out a breath of a laugh as I let go of her hand and swiped my hand through my hair.

~Aria~

His hand left mine and I had to frown a little more as I watched it run through his hair, I was actually falling for this guy...

"I guess not, It's just been hard falling asleep." he answered my question

"I could help with that." he looked over at me.

"Like what you did to their brother? I kind of want to wake up tomorrow and not in a week but thanks anyway." I smiled and shook my head

"No not like that, just trust me okay?" He nodded and did as I said. I laid his head in my lap and closed my eyes, concentrating as I waved a hand over his face towards his hair and then back down.

When I opened my eyes he was fast asleep and I gently lifted his head and laid a pillow in my place. I went to sleep shortly after...

~In Justin's Dream~

I woke up in a house, Aria sleeping peacefully next to me as a red glow burned outside the window. Yells and screams from outside emitted and when I looked down, I found people burning the house with torches. The door swung open and a man ripped Aria out of the bed, I heard her scream as I lurched for them. You'd think a serial killer like me would be able to fight off a small teenager, but I couldn't. I was shoved to the ground as she was ripped away from me, the door slamming shut and as I ran for the door everything went black.

The door no longer there, just empty space no matter how far I ran, or how much I yelled.

I bolted awake.

~Aria~

I felt Justin bolt awake, as the night was cold and he had subconsciously scooted closer, I didn't mind. I got up to see him hyperventilating as tears rolled down his cheeks, I jumped into action as I wrapped my small arms around him and pulled him into me. His body shook with silent sobs as his large arms wrapped around my waist and he buried his face into my shoulder, quickly soaking it with his tears.

"Sh I've got you, you're alright." I ran a hand through his hair looking into the dream quickly before tightening my grip on him. "I'm not going anywhere."

He fell asleep in my arms and slept peacefully the rest of the night, as long as I was in his grip. I didn't mind it, and was a bit timid at first but with everyone else asleep I snuggled into Justin's chest and allowed myself to fall asleep.