Chapter 6

It was Friday again. It’d been two weeks since Ian brought me here and a week since I died. Ian let me call my parents. We made something up about a school trip that got them off my back for a little bit. Ian had been training me in the backyard for almost a week. The backyard was huge. It was probably about the size of half of a football field. It was enclosed by a 10-foot tall fence that you couldn’t see through and trees surrounded the fence on the outside. There was a pool off to the right side. On the far left side, was a stack of random things that I practiced lifting and throwing. The goal was to make it look like a normal human would. It was absolutely frustrating.

“Walk to me,” Ian instructed for the millionth time from the other side of the backyard. I groaned and trudged over to him. Cadence had made himself scarce since I arrived. Damon and Kylie always came and hung out with me afterschool.

“Good,” Ian said, snapping me out of my thoughts. I pouted and crossed my arms.

“I’ve been practicing walking and lifting things for days. Am I done yet?” I asked. He smirked at me.

“Walk back,” he instructed. I groaned again and walked back.

“Moving on,” he said to me. Suddenly, a chair started floating towards me. My eyes widened in shock.

“What the hell?” I whispered.

“I’m training you for a reason, Ellie. You could do this too with more training. Now pick up the chair,” he instructed. I muttered under my breath as I glared at the chair and lifted it before bringing it back down. That was also something I’d been doing for the last week.

“Ian, I’m bored and tired of this. Am I ready yet?” I asked as I walked over to him.

“Not yet,” he said.

“The longer I’m gone, the harder it’s going to explain disappearing after practically having a heart attack on my birthday!!” I found myself saying as my voice raised in volume.

“Elliot, you have to understand-”

“Ian knows what he’s doing, you don’t… so stop bitching and just trust him,” Cadence’s voice snapped, bringing our attention to him. I glared at Cadence. This didn’t concern him.

“No one asked you!” I snapped back at him.

“Well I can hear your bitching from my room. I’m just trying to save my ears,” he retorted.

“Why are you such a dick?!” I yelled at him. He smirked at me.

“Only to you sweetheart,” he winked. I could feel my face grow red with anger.

“Don’t call me that!” I yelled, stomping my foot childishly as my hands balled into fists.

“I think I will… sweetheart,” he smirked as he crossed his arms. That was it. I lunged for him, only to be held back by Ian.

“Enough!” he yelled at us. I puffed out a breath and just glared at Cadence. “Ellie, you can go back to school on Monday on one condition,” Ian said. I felt my whole attitude change. I stopped struggling and looked at Ian curiously.

“Anything. What is it?” I asked eagerly.

“Cade will look after you… day and night. He will watch over you in your classes and watch over you while you sleep. You two need to learn how to get along, so you’ll be spending 24/7 together from now on,” I an said. My smile dropped as I looked at Ian in shock.