Chapter Twenty Seven- A Different New Years

“Hey, Taya! Glad you could come to the office New Years party!” a co worker called. I smiled, nodding towards them in my rib-high skirt and blouse combo, my hair tied back into a tight ponytail for an added measure.
“Well, It’s not like I have anything better to do. You know, this’ll be my twenty fifth New Years alone?” I asked, looking glum before my mouth twisted into a smile, “I guess that makes me sound a little pathetic, doesn’t it?” 
The co-worker laughed as they went off to mingle. I sighed, picking up a glass of champagne and sipping it. Katie walked up to me. We had gotten a job together since we had graduated, and she of course came with her boyfriend, Ryan. I smiled at her as she eyed my alcoholic beverage.
“So much for straight edge.” She teased. I rolled my eyes.
“You know what? I’m single, and you’re not. And it’s New Years. Leave me in my pit of self esteem issues.” I stated. Katie laughed, hugging me tightly.
“Don’t worry. You’ll find someone that… shares your specialty.” She said. I knew what she was referring to. Immortality. It was kind of necessary for a boyfriend… You know, I didn’t want them dying on me. Especially when I hadn‘t aged since my previous birthday one bit. Now that would look weird when my boyfriend was eighty and I was still twenty five. I glanced at the clock. Just one more hour of this stupid little party and I was free. I sighed, staring out at the familiar dome. That might have been why I picked this office to work at. I would often meet Brendon, John and Spencer for dinner. Of course, I couldn’t have dinner with Ryan. I had killed him when I was sixteen. I felt pretty lucky that I hadn’t been hunted since then. But something told me that there was more to come soon. After all, I had seen myself fighting Patrick again in a vision. And there was still snow out when it happened. I sat in my desk quietly, sipping my alcoholic beverage quietly. I began pushing myself around in the small office chair, trying to entertain myself while I watched everyone mingle. I never understood that word. Mingle. It sounded stupid, like it’s cousin was jingle. I sighed as that thought crossed my mind. Perhaps I was getting drunk. It had been my fifth drink that evening. I sighed, placing the glass back down. 
“Stupid holidays.” I muttered, leaning back. My eyes began to close as I felt sleepy. I slowly began to drift off. I saw Josh running towards me in my dream. I could hear pain and anguish coming and I felt sorrow as I heard the tortured cries of my friends. Was that what was next to come? I tried to figure out what was going on, but my thoughts were suddenly ceased by a voice calling out “One minute till midnight!”
“I don’t give a shit…” I muttered to myself. I felt someone touch my shoulder. I looked up quickly.
“What do you want- Josh?” I asked, unbelieving of who I was seeing before me. Josh stared down at me, panting heavily. He had slicked back his hair and was wearing a dress shirt and pants. He definitely looked like he belonged.
“I told you I’d hunt you down.” He said softly. I stood up, staring at him.
“Josh, I told you. I don’t want to see you anymore…” I said softly. Josh nodded.
“I know you did. But I didn‘t listen. Look. I snuck in here in this outfit and everything. Do you know how uncomfortable I am? Very!” He stated. I shook my head.
“Thirty seconds to midnight!” Someone called out again.
“Josh. I meant it. I had a vision. Our result is pain anguish and sorrow.” I said sadly. Josh shook his head.
“We’ll change it.” He stated.
“Ten seconds”
“Josh, I can’t.” I protested.
“Nine”
“Yes you can.” He said, stubbornly.
“Eight”
“No I can’t… I don’t want you.” I lied. 
“Six”
“Yes you do. Stop lying.” Josh said, seeing through the lie.
“Five.”
“Josh… Please… you’re making this harder on me” I whimpered.
“Four”
“I don’t care.” Josh stated.
“Three”
“J-Josh I-” I stammered, trying to protest. Josh sighed, pulling me forward.
“Two”
“Just… Shut up and kiss me.” He ordered.
“One”
I felt him press his lips against mine as the streamers burst out and people began blowing on their horns. I smiled. I felt complete again. Josh lifted me up onto my desk, deepening the kiss. I paused for a moment.
“You realize that we’re probably going to be brutally murdered for this…” I whispered. He nodded.
“I know.” He breathed, then leaned forward for another kiss. I placed a finger on his lips.
“Wait.” I ordered. He smirked, knowing that I couldn’t control him, but he did as I said. I reached up, placing my fingers in his bangs and messing them up so that they were back to their normal emo style. Josh smiled, pulling out my hair scrunchy and played with my hair so that it too was back to normal. He stared at my now much longer hair in awe.
“Holy crap its long!” He stated. I nodded.
“I know.” I said. Josh nodded.
“No seriously! How long did it take you? Like twenty million years?” He asked. I sighed, staring straight into his eyes.
“Hey. Shut up and kiss me.” I teased. Josh grinned.
“As you command.” He said, leaning forward again


“Josh! Where do you want me to put this?” I called out. Josh shrugged, looking at the box of my stuff I had brought in from the couch he was sitting on. He looked back up at me.
“How about you put it down so that we can sex?” He asked. I rolled my eyes.
“You’re almost as bad as a werewolf” I stated. Josh smirked.
“No, I can be worse. I’ve had nine years to think lusty thoughts about you” He stated. I cringed, looking over at him.
“You know, that’s probably the worst thing you could say to me right now.” I said. Josh sighed, stepping towards me.
“Yeah I know. But that’s okay if I say ‘hey babe, wanna use my credit card to go shopping?’” He said. I raised an eyebrow, stepping towards him.
“Can I?” I asked. Josh let out a deep sigh as he looked at the ceiling, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“I don’t know. Can you pick up some sexy lingerie while you’re there?” He asked. I smirked, leaning in towards him.
“I might be able to pick up something. But you won’t be able to see it until we get married.” I said calmly, turning away as I walked towards the door. Josh moaned.
“Oh come on. I knew there was a catch. I knew it!” He growled as I continued walking. I raised an eyebrow.
“Sorry babe. I’m a good girl” I said, opening the door “Oh and I’m going shopping with my credit card.”
I exited the house happily, feeling happy. I was with Josh again, and for now things were pretty peaceful. I placed my hands in my pockets, whistling as I walked down the hallway of the apartment building. I made my way to the mall, ready to shop for… what ever it was I wanted. I walked down the street until I reached the large shopping center. I entered it calmly, walking through. I had always loved the mall. It was so large, and there were so many stores there. I continued walking down the way quietly, making my way to the food court. I had recently acquired a bad addiction to Chinese food, and now I was killing my craving. I ordered a two item plate with chow mien, then sat down calmly and began eating. I heard someone sit down next to me as I took a sip of my root beer.
“Don’t try to run.” a voice ordered. I felt my blood run cold as I recognized it as Pete’s. I looked up at him, leaning back into my chair. I let out a deep sigh slowly.
“Petey! How’s life, hmm? It really has been too long. Now do tell, how’s Patrick been since Josh crushed his plans and turned them into yucky bad plan dust?” I asked, taunting Pete. Pete glared at me, leaning forward.
“Shut your mouth. You don’t have your boyfriend with you right now, and by what I’ve heard, you still haven’t gotten to rank A since you killed Ryan.” Pete stated. I shrugged.
“I try not to use my powers.” I explained simply. Pete shook his head.
“Are you sure that’s the reason? Or is it simply that you just don’t have the ability to?” He asked. I rolled my eyes, my eyes turning into their talking form.
“Pete, I’m the 100th. I’m the finale. See my eyes? These are the abilities that I can unlock, when I want to. Note how many colours there are? Now. Go home and play with your master” I teased. Pete stared at my eyes, then shook his head.
“You’ve become a smart ass, hmm? Interesting. Patrick will have fun with you now that you’re no longer that innocent, annoying little girl.” He stated. I raised an eyebrow at Pete.
“So you’re going to kidnap me, by yourself, in a public place? Ha. Good luck.” I stated. Pete sighed, standing up as a grin spread across his face as he stared past me.
“Oh, he’s not by himself. And this time we’ve got… leverage.” an all to familiar voice hissed in my ear. I turned around to face Patrick.
“If you touch him I swear I’ll-” I started, but was interrupted by him.
“You’ll what? Kill me? You’ve said that too many times. Stay true to your word. Now, if you want your boyfriend back, come to the mansion at sunset. If you don’t come by sunrise, you’ll never see him again.” Patrick snarled. I stared at him, shocked at what was going on. They had actually captured Josh… I gritted my teeth. They were going to pay for that. I glared as I dashed out of the mall, trying to think up a plan to murder the shits that were ruining my life.