Until the Stars Burn Cold Read online

  “But do you really think that it’s necessary to send him there?”

  “What else can we do with him? He needs to be somewhere safe until he can recall who he is and from whence he came.”

  “I don’t know. The psych ward seems so extreme.”

  “Well if you have another suggestion I’m willing to hear it.”

  “Yes, I do have a solution to the whole problem, Jinn can stay with me.”

  “My darling girl, I don’t think that is the answer. We don’t know anything about him, and he doesn’t know anything about himself.”

  “I just can’t bear to think of him there alone.”

  “Good God Mia, you make it sound like the Bedlam Asylum of the 1800’s.”

  “That wasn’t my intent. It’s just they can’t make him remember, can they?”

  “No, but –”

  Cutting him off before he could finish, Mia quickly added. “Then wouldn’t he be better off with me than in a place where no one knows him?”

  “Perhaps, but as far as I know you have only been acquainted with him for a few hours.”

  “That’s true, but even so I’m the only person he knows in Ghost Gum Creek.”

  “I’m still not convinced that this is the right course of action. What if he’s a -”

  “He’s not!” Mia said quickly. “My mind is made up, Uncle. He’s coming home with me until he remembers who he is.”

  “But even so, Mia, I still don’t think –”

  “I do!”

  “Very well, I can see that you are determined, but I’m not happy about it. And I’ll be keeping a close eye on our patient. Lord only knows what your grandfather is going to say about the whole situation!”

  “I am an adult, Uncle Albert, I can make my own decisions.”

  “That may be, but I still don’t like it. No, not one little bit.”

  ~* * *~

  Mia had brought Jinn back to her place after the trip to the clinic. She had left him to his own devices, exploring his new home while she planned their next move. It would have been easier to follow her uncle’s suggestion and leave Jinn at the psych ward. He wasn’t her problem, and he would have been safe and out of her life. But something stopped her, and she couldn’t fathom what. She had watched the last hour creep by with infuriating slowness. Trying to keep herself busy she searched the house looking for her ring. It must have slipped off her finger, but damn if she could find it. Checking her watch again for the hundredth time, she saw that it had finally reached 3:26 pm. Swiftly she took out her mobile and punched in a familiar number. She tapped her fingers on the table as the phone rang once, twice, three times.

  “Hey, it’s me. Are you doing anything after school? There’s something I need your help with. No… no, everything is fine. Great, I’ll meet you at the mall in fifteen minutes. Bye.”

  Hanging up, Mia walked over to the table and grabbed her bag. “Hey Jinn, we have to go out again.”

  He walked into the room and leaned against the doorframe. “Where?”

  “We’re meeting a friend at the mall and going shopping,” she said as she swept up the car keys and walked to the front door, calling over her shoulder. “Come on.”

  Shutting the door behind him, Jinn followed her to the car and paused as he reached the passenger’s side.

  “We have to go, Abbey will be waiting,” she said as she slid into the driver’s seat and waited for Jinn to get in. Taking off as soon as he sat down, Mia headed towards the Mall on the opposite of town.

  Soon they pulled into a busy car park and after a few minutes, Mia glided into an empty space.

  Jinn studied Mia and mirrored her actions. Pushing the little orange button he watched the seatbelt release. They were parked outside a large building which Mia kept referring to as a mall. All he knew was that he was glad to get out of the car. Opening the door he stepped out and took a long breath. There was a tight feeling in his chest, like something was pressing down on him. He felt jumpy and on edge.

  “Are you okay?” Mia said as she locked the door.

  “Yes,” Jinn answered without looking at her. His attention was on the large building before him.

  “Well if you’re sure. Oh, look… there’s Abbey.” Mia raised her hand and waved, she started to walk towards her. “Come on, Jinn.”

  Jinn followed her gaze and saw a woman with short blond hair standing near the doors of the building. Trailing Mia, he made his way through a sea of parked cars. The afternoon sun glinted off the colourful metal bodies of the cars and the glass windows of the building. He knew that he had lost his memory, Amnesia, Mia had called it. But everything about this place seemed wrong. It was bright, fast, brittle and sharp and Jinn felt he was out of step with it. There was nothing in Ghost Gum Creek that felt familiar or jogged any memories except… except once or twice he had looked at Mia and felt like he could almost remember something. It was small and niggled his mind and stayed just out of his comprehension and reach.

  He quickened his pace to catch up with her. A loud horn beeped next to him and Jinn jumped back as a car drove by narrowly missing him.

  “Are you all right?” Mia called out as she swiveled around.

  Jinn’s heart hammered as he nodded his head and tried for the second time to catch up to her. The tension within him refused to settle down, somehow he knew that he didn’t belong in Ghost Gum Creek… maybe he didn’t belong anywhere?

  Mia waited for him and then together they walked towards Abbey.

  “Hey Abs,” Mia said with a widening smile. “Abbey, this is Jinn. Jinn this is my best friend Abbey.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Abbey said.

  Jinn nodded “Abbey.”

  “We’ve got to get Jinn some clothes and I thought you would be up for a little retail therapy,” Mia said as she walked through the automatic doors and into the air conditioned shopping centre. Later in the week they would drive to Bendigo and pick up more supplies, but if he was going to stay with her, and stay in Ghost Gum Creek, then he needed new clothes. She couldn’t have him wandering around the town looking as if he had just stepped out of the ‘Prince of Persia’ movie. Or worse, wearing a pair of Gary Steven’s jeans, which he had left behind when he bolted with Pamela ‘secretary’ Marsh.

  “Always, you know that I love to shop,” Abbey said as she linked her arm through Mia’s. “Where first?”

  “I thought maybe Carter’s and then Tin Shed Clothing.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Come on Jinn, let’s get you kitted out,” Abbey said.

  The ushered him into the first shop and after grabbing several pieces from the racks, the bundled him into the changing rooms. With strict instructions to come out once he had changed. Some minutes passed Jinn emerged with a slightly dubious look on his face.

  “I don’t know Mia, they seem a little tight?” he said as his hands ran over the new jeans.

  “Nah, trust me they look great,” Abbey chorused. “We should get those ones, right?” she asked and gave Mia a nudge with her elbow.

  “Ow.” Mia rubbed her arm and gave her friend a frown before turning her attention back to Jinn. “No, Abbey is right. They fit you well.”

  He didn’t look convinced but slowly nodded his head. “If you think so.”

  They were in one of the chain stores in their local mall. It was small by most standards, but Mia figured she could pick up a few things for Jinn to go on with here. Later in the week they would drive to Bendigo and pick up more supplies, but if he was going to stay with her, and stay in Ghost Gum Creek, then he needed new clothes. She couldn’t have him wandering around the town looking as if he had just stepped out of the ‘Prince of Persia’ movie. Or worse, wearing a pair of Gary Steven’s jeans, which he had left behind when he bolted with Pamela ‘secretary’ Marsh.

  Mia and Abbey stood side by side watching Jinn walk back into the changing room his butt now encased in dark denim. Mia let out an involuntary sigh.

  “I couldn’t have said it better mys
elf,” Abbey said as a broad smile spread over her mouth. “Now, come on, give me the details. Where the hell did you manage to find that in Ghost Gum Creek?”

  “In my bed.”

  “Oh my God! Seriously?” Abbey’s eyes rounded in surprise. “No, you’re telling fibs and winding me up.”

  Mia crossed her heart. It was a childhood habit that neither of them had been able to break. “I swear that’s where I found him.”

  “Explain. Because how is that even possible?”

  “I woke up and he was next to me. He’s lost his memory and doesn’t know how he got into the house.”

  “You believe him?”

  Mia paused for a moment and thought on Abbey’s words. “Yes. Yes, I believe him. He’s lost his memory and doesn’t know how he got here. I took him to Uncle Albert to get checked out and he wanted to take him to the psych ward but I just couldn’t do it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Oh I don’t know… I looked into his big dark eyes and I…”

  “Fell in lust.” Abbey cut in and finished her sentence.

  “No, that’s not what I meant.”

  “Come on Mia are you blind? That guy is hot, and I mean burning in a middle of a forest fire hot. But besides that, you don’t know anything about him. I just want you to be careful. He’s not a discarded puppy.”

  Mia smiled at her friend. “Yes, he is hot. But what I meant was that I just got a feeling that I couldn’t abandon him. It’s a weird feeling, it’s almost like I know him, that I should recognize him. Which is crazy, because until today I have never seen him before. Oh I don’t know, maybe it’s just that whole deserted puppy thing.”

  “Or maybe it has something to do with his gorgeous face, wide shoulders and what appears to be rock hard abs. I mean how long has it been since that shit Gary left town?”

  “Point taken.”

  “Damn right,” Abbey said before a wicked smile spread over her face. “So, you say Jinn magically appeared in your bed?”

  “I didn’t say ‘magically’, although I still haven’t worked out how he got in. But yes, he was in my bed.”

  “So can I ask a favor?”

  “What?”

  “Can I borrow your bed tonight?”

  Mia was still laughing when Jinn emerged from the changing rooms. “Why don’t we pay for these and then grab a coffee and something to eat?”

  “I’m up for it,” Abbey said as she headed towards the front of the store.

  “Thank you Mia, for the clothes,” Jinn said. “But I don’t know how I will repay you.”

  “It doesn’t matter, we’ll work it out later,” she said as she put the clothes on the counter. Turning her attention to the sales assistant, Mia said, “Hi, listen would it be okay if he could wear some of these?”

  The young guy looked up from his cash register. “Sure, I just have to scan them first.”

  Mia and Abbey stood by the entrance of the store. “I thought maybe we could get coffee at…” Mia trailed off when she saw Jinn strolling towards her.

  “At where?” Abbey asked. She followed Mia’s gaze. “Wow Jinn, you look great. See, a new outfit can make you feel like a new man.”

  “Thank you Abbey. But I am still the same man, I just have to find out who he really is.”

  “Let’s get some coffee,” Mia said as she led them deeper into the mall.

  They were sitting at a round table in the middle of the food court sipping coffee. Mia was having a little bit of difficulty keeping her eyes off Jinn. He was wearing his new clothes, a dark green shirt and the jeans. Mia’s eyes were drawn to his throat; he had left the first few buttons of the shirt open and she could see a peep of his chest. She glanced up at Abbey who was giving her a silly grin.

  Mia chose to ignore her friend and played with her cup. “Anyone want a refill?” She asked in the attempt of diverting Abbey’s attention.

  “It’s good,” Jinn said as he gave her a smile.

  Her heart beat a little faster as Jinn’s eyes warmed.“Um… I’m glad you like it. Want another one?”

  “Please.”

  Mia started to rise from her seat when Abbey reached across the table and grabbed her arm. Mia was about to ask what the matter was; because there was something definitely the matter. The color from Abbey’s cheeks had drained from a pink blush to a white pallor.

  “Abbey… Mia,” a deep voiced said from behind her.

  Mia turned, her eyes narrowed as she came face to face with Jason McCreedy. He was tall and handsome, in a rugged way, with his squared off jaw and slightly shaggy dark blonde hair. He possessed the ability to make most of the local women sigh with his good looks and easy charm. All but Mia, and she was so furious with him she could almost spit.

  “Just keep walking McCreedy, we’ve got nothing to say to you.”

  “Aw, come on Mia. Don’t be like that, we’ve known each other since we were kids.”

  “Obviously it’s been way too long. Shouldn’t you be at your bookstore?”

  “Just back off, Mia… I need to speak to Abs.”

  “Yeah, well she doesn’t want to speak to you,” Mia lowered her voice and gave him a steely glare.

  “The woman has a voice of her own.”

  “And she’s choosing not to use it. That speaks volumes don’t you think?” Mia snapped. But before she could add what she really thought of him, Jinn stepped in front of her. She went to step to one side, but he put his hands on her hips and she found herself caught between his arms and the table.

  “Do not speak to Mia in such a way,” Jinn said.

  “Listen mate. I don’t know who the hell you are, but this has nothing to do with you.”

  “Yes it does. You accost helpless women in a bazaar. I will not allow you to hurt them,” he said as he stepped in front of Mia.

  “Jeez mate, who talks like that? And if you think Mia and Abbey are helpless then you don’t know them at all. I just need a couple of minutes.”

  Jinn glanced at Abbey. “She is distressed and does not want to talk.”

  Mia looked over Jinn’s shoulder and around the food court, they were drawing stares from the other tables. “For God’s sake Jason, you’re making a scene. Just go,” Mia said.

  “Abbey I really need to speak to you. Please Abs. I was drunk, it was a mistake. I want to apologize and make you understand that she didn’t mean anything.” He ran his hand through his hair in exasperation. His blue eyes implored but Abbey shook her cropped blonde hair and turned her head away, her eyes now over bright with unshed tears.

  “It’s not about what you want or need, it’s about Abs. Just go away McCreedy. Don’t you think you’ve already hurt her enough?”

  Mia watched as Jason gave Abbey on more longing look before turning away. She caught Jinn’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thanks,” she said as she pulled out her chair and sat down. “Hey are you okay, Abs?”

  Abbey wiped her eyes and gave her a watery smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry about that.”

  “Why are you sorry? You did nothing,” Jinn said.

  “Thanks, but I should explain. Jason and I have been going out for ages, years in fact. Four months ago he asked me to marry him. I was so happy because I thought he was the love of my life. Three weeks into our engagement… three measly little weeks everything changed. He slept with Vicky Sterling. I was a fool to love him.”

  “No Abbey, he was a fool to lose you and he knows it,” Jinn said with a smile.

  ~* * *~

  His heart pounded as he ran towards the small wooden gate embedded in the high stone wall. But the faster he ran the further away the gate became. The hairs on the back of his neck quivered and sweat ran down his spine. The night air was warm with the pungent scent of jasmine. Something was hunting him. He could hear a guttural growl as something stalked through the undergrowth. Spinning around he readied himself to face his foe but the path was empty and silent. The full moon had drenched the garden into deep shadow. Shadows that see
med to move and stretch. Sending their tendrils across the path as if they were trying to catch him.

  “Jinn run!”

  A voice called out but as Jinn scanned the garden he saw nothing. Straining his eyes he saw a movement, darkness on shadow beyond the bushes and the trees. The growl rumbled closer.

  “Run!”

  He turned and started to run down the never ending path towards the gate.

  Jinn dragged in a breath as he sat upright. For an instant he thought he was in a garden and there was a faint scent of jasmine in the air. But the moonlight shone through his window and he saw that he was in Mia’s spare bedroom. He rubbed his face with his hand and sighed. It was only a dream; but as he dropped back onto the pillow he still couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being hunted.

  ~* * *~

  “Damn!”

  Jinn walked into the lounge room to be confronted by Mia’s jean covered butt. She was leaning over the couch with her hand jammed between the cushions. He allowed himself a few precious moments to fully appreciate the picture before him. Desire slammed through as if he had just walked into a wall, and he felt himself harden in response.

  “Do you need some assistance?”

  Mia turned her head and gave him a grin. “Oh hi, I didn’t hear you come in. I’m looking for my ring, I thought that maybe I had lost it down the back of the couch.”

  Jinn walked forward. “I’ll help,” he said as he knelt on the couch and struck his hand down its back.

  “It’s crazy, I can’t find it anywhere. I remember I was wearing it but it’s just gone.”

  “So you were wearing it here?”

  “Yes, no… oh I don’t know,” she said as she pushed her hand deeper. “You know, I was thinking about what Jason said yesterday. About the way you talk, and then I started thinking about how you act.”

  “And how did I act?”

  “Like a storybook hero. You stood in front of me, and you protected me. I wasn’t in any danger.”

  “I did not know that.” Something circular and cool touched his fingers, moving his arm he bumped into Mia’s shoulder. “Sorry, but I think I’ve got something.”

  “Really?”