The Kiss Of Death

Chapter 13

Frank laid on his bed, the moonlight shining through the window. He had heard Emma creep into the place, giggling as she said her final goodbye to Cody. She had barely made it back in time, the clock had ticked to eleven pm just as the door opened. He sighed as he thought back on the night, after hearing Lola's request he didn't know what to do. She had leapt on him, planting her lips on his, not caring if it could end in her death. But it didn't. He rolled over on his bed, feeling the warmth of her body against his. This was what he wanted, a life with her. But the closer the days got to Halloween, the greater the risk. He didn't want to go around kissing other people just to test that it was safe for Lola, he wanted to kiss her without fear.

This was new to them, they'd laid on the bed and talked about many things while avoiding the darkness of the past. For now, they were not lovers, but time would change that. Frank feared so much about what he could or could not do, despite already kissing Lola. It pained him to think of their future, but one day he hoped that his child would grow in her body. He wanted lots of children, but the fear was always there. The kiss of death. It would be a pained life to fear kissing his children, to worry about every raspberry blown on their tender feet, every kiss for a sore finger.

The events of tonight had changed their world. Emma was happy. For the first time in her life, she was smiling, and it wasn't forced. If he were to do things in his life to make hers good, then it would be to relieve her of her duty to the agreement. Jacqueline wouldn't be impressed, but she wouldn't care. So long as Frank did his part, then she would keep her side of the deal. Longevity in life for Frank and Emma because they should have died that night. They should be dead, but Jacqueline stopped the marauders, masking their door from their sight. She stopped them from finding their mother and doing dastardly things like they had done to the other residents. In return, their mother would have a death that was filled with dignity rather than having her virtue stolen as her life was slowly taken from her. Emma was saved from a realm of possibilities, terrible things could have happened to his innocent sister. Jacqueline had stopped all of it. But the price that he would pay would be dear; in saving his sister and her innocence, he had to take his mother's life. And every year after, he would pay his dues and keep them alive for another year.

"You are so tense," Lola whispered as she kissed his sternum. "What's going on in there?"

"Just thinking about the past and the future."

Lola sat up on the bed, Frank couldn't get over how stunning she was.

"Have you ever tried to break the agreement?"

"It results in our death. When she offered the agreement to me, I was moments away from dying. I could hear the drunken louts making their way up the street, picking off the units one by one. It was only a matter of time before they got to our building."

She laid back down, facing him on the pillow.

"It just doesn't make sense to me, why you? Why did she pick you over the next man, woman or kid? Sorry, I don't mean to be harsh, but what made you so special?"

Frank chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her, dragging her to his chest.

"I thought I was special."

"You are." She mumbled against his soft skin. "But I think there is more to it."

Sinking into a deep sleep, Lola dreamt of loving Frank well into their golden years, and there was not a single ounce of fear when he kissed her. Frank stared at the ceiling for a long time, happy that he could finally fall asleep with Lola in his arms. He didn't know what the future held, but he hoped that she was always in it.

The next morning, Emma raised an eyebrow as she watched the door to Frank's room open. Lola strolled out in nothing more than an oversized shirt.

"Morning." She grinned sheepishly.

"Morning."

Emma returned to the television that wasn't working, which was frustrating. She knew she was missing out on her favourite cartoon.

"Milk has gone off, so it's plain cereal if you want something. The toaster isn't working, neither is the kettle."

Frank wandered out in a pair of jeans, his hair a write off as usual.

"Mind explaining what happened to all the electrical stuff?"

"The bitch."

"Oh." She said dryly and noted that Lola didn't even bat an eyelid.

"So, I guess that, you know."

Emma nodded at the back of the woman who was searching the cupboards.

"Yep. She knows."

Lola turned around, and being her usual bright self, she smiled at Emma.

"We are going to do some research today, what are you up to?"

"Working."

Frank narrowed his eyes at her. They were doing this for her as well, he didn't need her nonsense at this hour of the morning.

"Tell me about the guy from last night."

Lola slid up onto the barstool as Emma turned to face her.

"We work together. He's nice, I like him a lot."

"Was the date good?"

"Yeah, it went well. Nothing silly or embarrassing happened. The movie was okay, I guess."

"You actually watched it? Crazy girl, you're supposed to make out in the movies on a first date."

Emma blushed with a grin, not wanting to highlight that she might have been in the theatre but didn't watch the movie.