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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 19, 2011 16:33:14 GMT -8
Who: Emily, and Ashlin When: Day 4, Late Afternoon Weather: Cloudy Warnings: Girl Talk
"Thank you again for the ride." Ashlin told her shyly as she buckled herself into Emily's SUV. She wasn't unused to asking for rides, had hitched one on the back of more than one truck on her travels, but somehow it was different when you were asking someone you knew. When you were asking a friend. And wasn't that a strange thought, she had friends, as in plural. She had multiple friends which was strange and new and kind of nice.
Yawning just a bit Ash thought about the strange dream she'd had last night. It had felt so real, more real than any dream she'd had before in her life, or at least the first part did. It seemed to get hazier as it went on, and it almost made Ash wonder how much of it had been real. But no she, it couldn't have been real, those things couldn't have been real. That man didn't kiss her, he didn't take her first kiss. "I really appreciate it." she told Emily trying to get her mind of the dream. Thinking about it left a queazy feeling in the pit of her stomach.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 19, 2011 21:07:36 GMT -8
Emily smiled at Ashlin, "Hey like I said it's no problem! Besides we didn't get to talk all that much due to all the newcomers last night."
Emily placed her keys in her ignition and turned the engine over. With a small frown she pulled her Tough Chap away from the curb of the Sun Drops store front. Truth be told she was a little confused at the moment. Ash said she lived above her shop but Sun Drops was all the way downtown and Swery's was at least a 15 min drive from here. This was in no way a safe walking distance from the bar. If Emily knew she lived this far she would have insisted on giving Ash a ride home last night.
"Um Ashlin-" Emily hesitated. "You live on top of your bookshop correct?" Ash nodded an assent. "Why on earth didn't you allow me to drive you home last night!" In a slightly admonishing tone Emily continued. "There's a killer still on the loose! If something had happened to you...you could have been hurt, it was so late and dark! PROMISE ME next time you need a ride ANYWHERE that late at night again you will give me a call. I don't want you wandering the streets alone right now!"
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 19, 2011 21:40:25 GMT -8
Blushing slightly as Emily admonished her Ash looked down and fiddled with the edge of her skirt. "I'm sorry, I thought it was closer than it actually was. And I'm just so used to walking everywhere I didn't really think about it . . . " Ashlin hadn't expected Emily to show her so much honest concern. Emily really did care didn't she? "I promise I won't walk alone at night anymore." Ash told her sincerely.
"I wasn't planning on it anyway, not after the nightmare I had last night. . . " she added quietly with a shiver. Even if it was just a dream it still left her feeling incredibly nervous about walking around at night. It had felt so real, and what if . . . No, no, no. It wasn't real. She hadn't seen anything last night. It was just a dream, she wasn't crazy.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 19, 2011 22:03:21 GMT -8
Emily frowned, nightmare? Looks like she wasn't the only one in Greenvale having problems sleeping lately.
She slowed for a yellow light, she definitely felt Ashlin's pain. "Rough night too? I'm with you! I've been having trouble sleeping myself these past couple days due to nightmares. I think it's a side effect of the investigation. Agent York said something about dreams being a good investigation tool but I always thought dreams were nonsense though. I find that sometimes talking about what scared you helps sometimes..was yours a reoccurring dream too?"
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 19, 2011 22:30:19 GMT -8
Shaking her head Ash explained "No, it wasn't like any dream I've ever had before." Ash wondered if she should tell Emily about her dream. She supposed it might help, and after all hadn't she given Micahel similar advice just the day before. "in the dream I'm walking home, when a man stops me. He-he pushed me against a fence and" frowning and blushing as she thought about the dream she continued. "and he kissed me. I didn't like it." She didn't add that even though she'd been terrified and confused it had felt a little good too. Ash didn't like thinking about that part. Waving her hands around a bit as she drew more animated explaining the next part. "And then these things that looked sorta like people but with no eyes showed up, and he was ripping them apart, and when I tried to tell someone they thought I was crazy and locked me in white room!" She didn't mention that, that part of the dream was a little more reoccurring. "And then the room filled up with cigarette smoke." she finished with a nod and a frown.
"I didn't sleep much after that." It made her feel bad for Michael. How many nights was he being kept up by nightmares? He must be so tired by now she, thought sadly. Well maybe once he had his new lotion he'd be able to sleep better, because his scars would hurt less. Hopefully he'd respond to her email soon, and wouldn't be allergic to anything she was planning on putting in it. "What was your dream about?" She asked Emily in concern.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 19, 2011 23:23:52 GMT -8
Emily's eyes widened. "This man hurt you? Forced himself on you?" She shook it was similar to hers in a way. was the wolf hunting others too? She did say the man torn a person apart just like the wolf ripped her mother to shreds. However, those the eyeless monsters sounded like something from one of those late night zombie movies...
"So after smoke filled the room you just woke up? Were you able to see the man's face?"
Ash shook her head. It was too dark and there was too much smoke.
At least she had the guts to look, you never open your eyes when you have the chance. Coward.
"You could say my reoccurring dream is somewhat similar..." Emily paused, "It's a little embarrassing actually. I hope it won't make you think less of me as an officer of the law..."
She sighed and gripped the steering wheel, "Ever since we found Anna in the woods a couple days ago I've been having this nightmare. It gets worse every night, more vivid you could say. It's getting to the point where I'm afraid to close my eyes to sleep...and after this morning it's-it's apparent it's also starting to effect my waking hours as well. You see this morning- I, I- wait...I'm getting ahead of myself."
"In my dream I'm in a pitch black forest and I'm afraid to move. You see forests at night scare the crap out of me. It's one of my shameful secrets if anyone from work found out I think I would just die of embarrassment! I know Todd wouldn't let me live it down. I've lived here ten years surrounded by trees and still the thought of being out in those woods after dark makes my adrenaline go into over drive." Emily shot a nervous glance at Ashlin, a small blush was spreading on her face.
Well you said that much might as well tell her the rest!
Well see Mama-my mother she's there too and calling to me. Believe me I want to go to her but there's more then just my fear of the dark forest holding me back. I also fear the wolf who's circling the perimeter and doesn't want me going anywhere. I'm his prisoner.
Whenever I find the courage take a step forward red vines bind my arms and legs and I'm quickly strung to a large tree behind me. I can only watch in horror as the wolf tears my mother apart and after...after." Emily began to shake a bit, it was coming to the part she was afraid to face even in the safety of the day.
"I'm released from my binds and fall the the ground. That's when the wolf comes for me, to punish me for my disobedience. But it isn't a wolf anymore it's a man. I never have the courage to look but I know it's a man. I can feel his strong hands on me he strokes my neck and even undresses me. I'm yanked off the ground and I'm in his embrace. I can't move and I'm too scared to look. I always wake before anything happens but each night he gets closer and closer to..." Emily trailed off. She hope Ashlin understood she didn't want to have say it.
"Well this morning we had to go into the forest and I couldn't stop shaking. I was convinced, convinced that wolf was there waiting to snatch me."
Emily shook her head, "It was so unprofessional I couldn't stop shaking...I'm so ashamed."
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 20, 2011 12:29:37 GMT -8
Gasping slightly as Emily explained her dream Ash felt a great deal of empathy for her. What terrible thing to have to dream about, and to have it be a reoccurring one too. Ashlin was rather naive in many ways, but she wasn't completely unaware, and she knew what Emily was trying to imply. It had been bad enough just having that man kissing her, pressing himself against her, she couldn't imagine how terrifying it would have been if the dream went farther. Emily was stronger than she was for being able to even go near those woods after such a dream.
Ash wanted to give Emily a hug, but being buckled in like this she couldn't. Instead Ashlin reached over and lay her hand on Emily's shoulder, giving it a small squeeze. She wanted to say something, but wasn't sure what. It always seemed to her that her words never came out quite right. It was like the more she said the less her meaning got across, like something was always getting lost in translation. "I don't think any less of you." she finally promised simply with a small, sympathetic smile. She hoped Emily understood what she meant.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 20, 2011 12:44:38 GMT -8
Emily smiled, "Thanks Ashlin, really that means a lot. I haven't really been able to tell anyone since it was rather embarrassing...but feels good to finally get it off my chest. There must be something I'm not picking up on! I can't figure it out though, is my subconscious is trying to tell me something about this murder investigation?"
With an annoyed sigh Emily continued, "I was thinking of looking into what Agent York said this morning. You have a bookshop, do you by chance have any of those dream meaning books?"
She laughed, "It might very well be hogwash but at this point I'm desperate to try anything. Maybe if I can decode this dream I'll finally get a decent night's rest!"
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 20, 2011 14:12:41 GMT -8
"That's what friends are for right?" Ash said with a small, shy smile. This was nice, having friends to talk to and trust, to be trusted in return. But it was strange, Ash had felt a bit shy saying that to Emily but she didn't have that flippy feeling in her stomach she had when she said something similar to Michael. Why was Emily different than Michael? Was it because Michael was her first friend? That had to be it didn't it, why else would she feel differently around Michael.
Running through her mental inventory Ash nodded with a smile. "Yes I should have a few books like that. And I think trying to figure out what it means is worth a shot a least." She could think of a few good ones for Emily to try, and if she wanted to buy any Ash would give her a discount, after all what were friends for?
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 20, 2011 16:06:33 GMT -8
"So enough about scary things...how are you liking Greenvale so far? It's a shame you had to move here in the middle of a murder investigation. I promise stuff like this a a rarity around here!" Emily smiled and gestured out the window, "it's usually a very peaceful place! The most excitement we have here is Greenvale High homecoming games...and that's not saying much considering the football team is rather pathetic!"
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 20, 2011 16:47:23 GMT -8
"I like it here a lot." she told her honestly. Scary dreams aside this was one of the most welcoming places she'd ever been in. Ashlin felt genuinely wanted here, and it was a feeling she didn't want to let go of. She knew her parents had thought she was crazy (crazier, they'd already thought she was a little crazy she knew) when she'd decided to move across the country to a town her parents had never even heard of, after just getting back from four years of travels, but she didn't regret her decision. Ash was starting to feel like maybe this place could become home.
"Huh, I've never been to a homecoming game before." Ash hadn't been big on 'school spirit' much to her mother's disappointment. Ashlin disappointed her mother a lot. "If that's the most interesting thing though, and it isn't terribly exciting then what do you do for fun?" she asked Emily curiously.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 20, 2011 19:37:38 GMT -8
"Fun?" Emily thought a moment. "Tell you the truth my life is rather dull, dull, dull. I go to work, go to Swery's or just go home. Glamorous right?" With a wink in Ash's direction Emily added, "I had more of a social life when I lived in Seattle!" She laughed, "I used to go dancing, shopping with my friends I even had a chance to act a bit!"
She smiled at the memories, "But alas not anymore! It's the slow country life for me now. I've been able to go back to the city every once and awhile but I've found it doesn't hold the same glamor like it used to. I guess it's because I'm older now!"
"So now the most exciting thing is curling up on my couch to catch on City Lights or watch a movie with some popcorn. What about you? You mentioned last night you traveled a bit! Where have you been?"
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 20, 2011 20:42:09 GMT -8
Ash smiled as Emily described her life before Greenvale, it sounded nice. Playing with her necklace as she spoke Ash told her "I've been lots of places, been traveling since I got out of high school." Looking out the window now, she still fiddled with the necklace unconsciously. "I spent a lot of time in Europe, some in Asia, I was backpacking mostly, its why I didn't think much of walking home last night. After that I was in South America for a time." Ash smiled as she thought of her travels, they hadn't been great for making friends, but it had been nice. She'd learned a lot of things she'd never have had the chance to otherwise. It had been right for her, no matter what her parents thought, or how many times they left those college brochures lying around.
"I didn't really visit too many cities, I liked going off the beaten path I guess. I did go to a few though, mostly in Italy. It was beautiful there." There was a dreamy quality to her voice as she spoke about the places she'd been. Italy had been one of her favorite places she'd visited. There was so much history, and life, and magic in everything there. Turkey had been high on her list as well. "I worked a lot of odd jobs to earn money; I was a juggler for awhile" That had been when she'd caught a ride with a circus in eastern Europe, they'd been nice enough, but she hadn't felt particularly close to any of the group. They had taught her how to walk on hands though, which was rather fun. "and spent sometime as a fisher. I wasn't very good at that one." she added with a laugh.
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Post by Emily Wyatt on Jan 21, 2011 0:23:19 GMT -8
"Wow, a juggler??"
Emily glanced Ashlin's way with a big smile on her face. "That must of been quiet an interesting gig! I unfortunately lack the skill to juggle anything. I would love to see what you can do though some time!"
"I wish I thought to travel and see the world when I was younger. I'm so jealous you went to Italy. It always looked lovely in the pictures I've seen!"
Emily hesitated and gave a little sigh,"But looking back now it was probably a good thing I didn't go and travel. I wasn't in a very good mindset after my mother died. Actually I was a complete wreck and angry at the world and at everyone. I probably would have done some reckless things if I left Greenvale."
"I was extremely lucky to even land a job at the Sheriff Department that year. I have a feeling my father talked George into letting me work there. God knows I needed someone to straighten me out! Who better then the Sheriff! Also, he was pretty terrifying back then," Emily laughed again, "Who am I kidding he can be terrifying even now! Just ask Todd!"
Ashlin's eyes widened. Oh no she probably thinks I'm serious! "I'm joking Ash! Really! Working with him I've learned George's bark is worse than his bite. He may look all grumpy and serious all the time but deep down he's a big ol' teddy bear! If you ever need help he would be there in a heartbeat. Even if it's just your pet kitty stuck in a tree!"
Emily smiled, just last month she and George stopped to help her size year old neighbor Suzy Kerner get her new kitten out of a tree. Within minutes George had coaxed the cat down and the little girl was so very thankful! Since then all Suzy can talk about was how cool and amazing George was. It was like she was talking to a mini Todd. Her crush was so adorable though! Every week or so Suzy would give Emily a picture she drew in George's honor and asked her to give it to him. Her drawing range from cute animals wearing Stetson's to detailed scene from Suzy and George's future wedding. Emily's favorite was Suzy's latest masterpiece: George flying through space in a big red cape and wearing his Stetson, with Suzy and Tina, her kitty,on his back for the ride.
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Post by Ashlin Thomas on Jan 21, 2011 9:06:29 GMT -8
"It was only for a little while, but it was fun. I'd be happy to show sometime." Tilting her head as she look at Emily she admitted. "I can't imagine you as irresponsible, but loss can do such terrible things to people. . ." It sounded like Emily had, had the opposite problem she'd had. Ashlin had needed to escape that place and everyone's expectations, and preconceptions. She didn't know who she'd be or where she'd be if she'd never left that little town in Vermont. She'd never be able to convince anyone there she wasn't crazy. At least Emily had been given a second here, had been able to turn herself around, because Ashlin never would have guessed Emily had ever been anything but a sweet, and kind person.
She began to feel a bit nervous when Emily described her boss, he was scary? Ash didn't like the idea of a scary sheriff, but oh-oh she was just joking, that was alright then. Smiling brightly Ash nodded in understanding. "Wow, he sounds like he must be a wonderful sheriff, to be willing to help with even something that small." Oh course he would have to act serious when he had such an important job as protecting the town, people needed to be able to respect him.
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