Soul Wipe by Tahira Iqbal

The jet touched down in New York close to 2am GMT. Despite having slept soundly for the last 2 hours in a first class seat, Cassidy was tired. And it wasn’t just the flight. Shaking herself into waking, she exited the jet and went to collect her bag.

She was back at work now, her boss had called to see how she was getting on after her “tumble” and crucially when she would be back at work. A deal needed Cassidy’s touch.

Astounded, she had sat and listened to the man. This was the man that she herself had handed her resignation in to after Jaxon had died. Forgoing the six figure salary and generous benefits. It just simply had lost its meaning.

Feelings unfurled inside her chest as she walked through the long terminal, she had loved her job, missed it terribly. After Jaxon’s death she ended up settling for something that wasn’t financially or career satisfying… She had wanted nothing to do with her old life… But this was her new life now wasn’t it?

Joining the queue to clear immigration, her small case by her side, she remembered the conversation. With a long lost positive tone, Cassidy had told her boss that she would be back in the office the very next day.

And here she was, in New York. And she couldn’t suppress the smile from her face. She had called into the office back home, met her colleagues, who were happy to see her back, safe and well, familiar faces that she remembered so well. Fresh flowers had been placed in her office, along with a card filled with welcome back wishes.

Cassidy had stood at her office window, looking out across the city, from the high vantage point that the building commanded. And with a sense of purpose and hope, she accepted this new life. This new gift. And silent thanks to the star were automatic.

She left the airport 45 minutes later. The limo awaiting her. And pulling all her confidence back, she got in. Her back melting against the soft leather seat, she closed her eyes as the driver set off. She was home in more ways than one.

She thought about the star however. Coming home after her encounter with the star at the supermarket, and facing a life without Jaxon had caused her to accept the blind challenge it had laid out for her. Do you want to play? It had said. What challenge or game did it have in store for her?

She hadn’t seen the star since that day, but she recalled every bit of the terror she had felt as she had experienced that night without Jaxon all over again.

She had sobbed herself to the point of exhaustion, and upon waking, she had felt the familiar weight of Jaxon’s arm slung over her hip. The star had kept his side of the deal.

* * *

It was a new day. And it had turned out to be a chilly morning, and luckily she had bought her warmest clothes. Sweeping the curtains back in her apartment, the view made her smile. Her company owned several flats in this building, ensuring that staff had a “home” to go to, rather than a bland hotel room.

Central Park was still evergreen, the city bustling below her encouraged her to get ready. She pulled out her mobile phone, and sent a text to Jaxon. Wishing he was here, seeing this view with her.

Padding around the apartment, she had about an hour before she was due in the office. Switching the TV on, she grabbed something to eat (the fridge and cupboards had been stocked for her arrival).

Her heart dipped as she watched the news feed, the Americans were all still talking about the star, and their utter determination to seek the truth. They had already funnelled tens of millions of dollars into their mission.

She switched the channel, settling on a music station. Getting ready didn’t take long. She settled for heavy black trousers, her sensible sized heels and a plum coloured twin set that hugged her curves. Power suits weren’t her thing.

Fighting a prickling tiredness lingering from the flight, she packed her work bag, including some files that had been couriered over to her, she was ready. Slipping the phone into her handbag, she picked up her coat and headed out.

Today would involve a morning meeting, followed by a lunch gathering with her colleagues (and receiving a lovely text from Jaxon), then a short break, then another meeting that would last well into the early evening.

By the time she got to the apartment, she was exhausted, but the feeling of exhilaration was coursing through her. She had stepped back into her old job, her old life with minimal effort.

She dialled Jaxon after working out the time difference. He picked up on the third ring.

She told him about her day, her love for New York, and how much she was missing him. It had been a tough decision to leave him, but if she was to embrace this new life, then she had to act normal.

“So, when do you think you might be coming home?” He said.
“Possibly in about 4 or 5 days,” Cassidy tugged off her shoes.
“Too long!” He grumbled playfully.
She laughed,
“I’ll bring you back something nice,”
“Please don’t go shopping, we’ve still not recovered after your last trip!”
She smiled.
“I wish you were here,” She missed him terribly, and was fearful that the star might try and take him away again.
“Me too. Good night sweetie, I’ll see you soon,”

They hung up, and feeling tired, but happy, Cassidy fell into bed. Needing her sleep for another busy day.

It was 2 days later at 3am when a persistent knocking at the apartment door woke her. It wasn’t unusual for her company to send out files and work from the UK, maybe the courier was here again. Switching small lamps on as she went to the door, she opened it.

The star stood before her.

“Can I come in?”
His voice was calm, sincere, and put her on edge. And unwilling to make a scene at her door, she let him in.

Cassidy followed him back into the apartment. He stood at the floor to ceiling windows. Staring out.

“How the hell did you find me?” She said, reaching for her gown that she had left on the sofa. Throwing it on, she tied the belt tight.

He turned round, and smirked.
“God,” Cassidy ran shaky hands through her sleep tangled hair.

“How does it feel to be back?” He said, returning his gaze to the window. The city was glistening with lights, and still busy, “It fits doesn’t it?”

Her breath caught. Was he here to take Jaxon away again?

“Do you remember I asked you if you wanted to play?”
She nodded, but he never turned round.
“And that was your answer, yes?”

He turned, and came towards her, the gap between them closing fast.

“Lets go get something to eat,” He said suddenly.
Cassidy stepped back from him.
“I want to see this city, you must know of place where we can go and talk?”
“I’m not going anywhere with you!”

That smile crept across his lips,
“Oh yes you are, now go get changed,”

Twenty minutes later, they were sitting a small semi deserted diner a few blocks from her apartment. She sipped a weak tea, the star had chosen the same.

His fingers curled around the cup, and Cassidy realised he was nervous. And despite herself she found herself asking,

“What’s wrong?”
He smiled, then quietly said,
“You humans… You can spot emotions a mile off can’t you?”
“Some are better than others at doing it, namely women,”
He smiled, nodding his head, those cold blues eyes warming.
“Who are you?” She said.

His gaze stayed down, watching the lazy swirls of heat coming from the tea. And silence settled between them. He didn’t want to answer that just yet.

He took a sip from his tea. And seemed to enjoy it.
“Do you… Stars… Eat and drink?”
“I guess we do,” And he took another sip, “Are you enjoying your old life?”
She took a steadying breath,
“You are aren’t you? I’m glad that I could make you happy,”
“Having Jaxon back...” Her emotion caught her off guard, and she fought tears, “I guess I should say thank you,” And without realising it she let her guard down.

“Where’s home?” Cassidy continued.
Another sip,
“Further than you could ever imagine,”
“Are you an angel?” She drank her own tea, realising that her insides were shaking at the questions she was asking, and the answers she was receiving.

He shook his head.
“Nothing like that, nothing good like that,”
She gulped.
“Are you…?”
“The devil?” He laughed, flashing perfect white teeth. Suddenly he was very human, and suddenly handsome, “No, I’m not, but I am something,” Locking his gaze with hers, “You know exactly what I am,”

Cassidy realised that she needed sugar to cope with the shock that was hitting her. Her hands reached for the tumbler, but the star beat her to it.
“Let me,”

She stirred the tea,
“Why am I so important?”
“You’ll find out later,”
A lump gathered in her throat.
“Does this have something to do with my past?”
And he smiled that perfect smile.
“Clever girl,”
She swallowed nervously,
“And Jaxon needed to come back didn’t he?”

* * *

The star walked her back to the apartment, and exiting the lift in silence, they found themselves at her front door.
“I always knew,” Cassidy said, “I always knew that there would be a time for atonement,” She exhaled sharply, “But I never imagined this,”

The star touched the side of her face,
“Don’t be scared,” He whispered, “All this terror that you feel... Learn from it,” He focussed his gaze on hers, “I need something from you and the time is coming,”

She found that she couldn’t tear herself away. She had accepted the star and all that it was going to show her. And all that she had to give in return.

Her hand reached for the star’s hand.
“I’m ready for whatever I have to face,”

And they shared a moment that Cassidy knew was changing her life even more.

Taking a steadying breath, she suddenly realised that they weren’t alone.

“Oh God...” Cassidy put a distance between herself and the star as she realised who was here. Jaxon.

Wide eyed at his presence she saw that he was holding a large bunch of flowers.

“Jaxon... What are you doing here?!”

And the look of hurt and anguish on her husband’s face was more than she could bear as he jumped to all the wrong conclusions.

But the cogs were turning for Jaxon.
“You were at our house...” The flowers were lowered, “You’d broken down...”
“Jaxon, please... This isn’t...”
“Don’t you dare...” Jaxon’s voice was an eerie calm, “I flew all this way to be with you...” He choked up.

“Jaxon,” Said the star, “Calm down,”

Cassidy whipped her gaze to the star’s.
“Shut up!” She yelled, not caring anymore about where she was.

Jaxon turned on his heel,
“Please wait!” Cassidy’s tears were running down her face as she looked to the star.
“Jaxon, I need to tell you something...”
“I think you already have,” He said over his shoulder.

Jaxon barged into the stairwell.

Cassidy turned her gaze to the star.
“This just can't be happening...” She managed shakily.
And he smiled.
“Learn from this,”

Cassidy tore herself away and ran as fast as she could after her husband.

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COPYRIGHT - TAHIRA IQBAL - 2006