The Angel Inside (A Zak Bagans Fan Fiction) (First Book of The Angel Series)

Chapter 9

We flew back to Vegas 3 days later. But before we left, a lot of people were asking for my autograph and a picture with me. I had become an overnight sensation in Italy. When we finally did get back to Vegas, we grabbed our bags and headed to Zak's house. Nick and Aaron left shortly after. Zak and I just sat around, not knowing what to do or say. I finally spoke.

“When will my flight back to Seattle leave?”

“6. I'm going to drive you to the airport.”

“Thanks. You know, you don't have to adopt me.”

“I know. But I feel like it's the only way I can help you.”

“You've already helped me more than you know.”

“How?”

“For one thing, you helped me escape that hell for more than a day. Second, this is the first time I've had someone care about me since my parents died. It's nice.”

“Why hasn't anyone adopted you yet?”

“Because, in Shoreline, I have a bad rep. And I haven't even done anything wrong. Everyone thinks I'm an easily angered, self righteous, evil person. They think I beat the kids. When I go out to buy groceries for Ms. Jefferies, people avoid me at all costs. The look at me with disgusted looks on their faces. They see me as a criminal, not the person who I really am.”

“Why do they think that?”

“That's what Ms. Jefferies tells all her friends. And her friends tell their friends, and so on and so forth. So the whole town thinks of me as what Ms. Jefferies really is.”

“That really sucks. Well, you better pack.”

“Yeah, if I'm not back by noon tomorrow, Ms. Jefferies promised a special punishment for me.”

I walked upstairs to the guest bedroom. I put my bag of toiletries in my suitcase along with all my clothes. I really didn't want to leave. I grabbed my suitcase and walked back downstairs. Zak was waiting by the front door.

“You ready?” he asked, sounding a little sad.

“Yeah.”

We drove to the airport in silence. I would miss him. His voice. His kindness. He was the first person who made me feel like I belonged somewhere.

When we got to the airport, he helped me get my boarding pass, went through security with me, then sat at the gate with me until they started to board. I was about to go and board, but he grabbed my arm before I could walk over to the entrance to the skywalk.

“Crimson, I need to tell you something before you go.”

“What?”I asked, not sure what he was going to say next.

“I love you, and I want to adopt you, but first, I have to get rid of whatever is following me.”

“Why?”

“I don't want to risk you being harmed by one of them again. I can't loose you know. It will make me feel like it's my fault.”

“Alright. Just promise me one thing. Don't forget me.” I stepped forward and gave him a hug, tears beginning to run down my face.

“I won't. I'll come and adopt you as soon as I get rid of the evil bastard that is following me.”

I let go of him. I walked over to the stewardess who was scanning the passes and she scanned mine. I turned around one last time to see his face. But he was gone.

I hated letting her get on that plane. I knew she would be driven to the ground with work when she got home. But I couldn't let one of those things hurt her again. I needed to get it out of my house before I could let her live there. I hoped it wouldn't take too long, or I may not have anyone to adopt.