REMAINS

Chapter 1: Victoria
May 22nd 2010 7:30 am

She wasn't always an only child but it was easier to pretend she was, or e!eryone
e"cept her# Me$ories o her older brother were bubble wrapped and sho!ed into
un$ar%ed bo"es in a corner o the attic# &er parent's way o copin( was to a!oid
spea%in( o hi$ and she had tried or years to ollow in their e"a$ple# She still thou(ht
about hi$ in the $ornin(s#
)a!id had *uite the i$a(ination and was ascinated with astrono$y# &is side o
the roo$ was co!ered with pictures o nebulas, aliens, and collidin( stars# She was a bit
$ore typical with her $usic posters, ripped +eans, and $a(a,ine cut outs# )espite their
dierent interests they were inseparable#
At ni(ht they would push their beds to(ether and he would tell her stories# Stories
o sil!er (ods who li!ed in the s%y, a (irl who could ly, and a $an who li!ed alone in the
center o the Mil%y -ay in desperate need o a riend#
You see the man and his wife ruled the stars together. They made sure the
planets remained in orbit and the moons ept their glow. !ne day there was a great
storm" remnants of some distant star #ame #rashing through the sies. $n her haste to
prote#t her home and her husband" the man%s wife was su#ed into the whirlwind ne&er to
be seen again'
(ell that%s depressing.) *i#toria mumbled sleepily.
That%s life. +ow he%s up there all alone.'
),o what was his name- The man on the Mily (ay'
).e has no name" he is too important and therefore it%s impossible to name him.
.e is e&erything and he is nothing.)
,he would laugh ) !h /a&ie that story is what%s impossible.)
0nd he would smile in return )nothing is impossible sis.' They would fall asleep
lie that" laughing softly and staring up at the plasti# stars.
.yin( in her bed with the sunli(ht strea$in( throu(h her window she wonders i
he's up there with that na$eless $an# /robably lau(hin( at her ailed atte$pts to be
nor$al# &e always did say ittin( in was o!errated# She (uesses it was an easy thin( or
hi$ to assu$e since he was always in control#
0Victoria10 &er $o$ screa$s ro$ the %itchen interruptin( her thou(hts#
2Victoria you better be up1 I swear to 3od i you $iss that bus45
3roanin(, she rolls out o bed and wal%s to her door# 26es I'$ up $o$# I'll be
down in a $inute15 She rubs her eyes and si(hs beore headin( towards the bathroo$#

77

Mr# -esley enters the %itchen and %isses his wie on the chee%# 3ood $ornin(,
he says puttin( on a pot o coee#
1
Mrs# -esley hands hi$ the newspaper beore turnin( bac% to the sin% Mornin(#
So I $eant to tal% to you last ni(ht, but did you hear the news8 &e be(ins
casually#
2No, I didn't# 3ood news85
2No news is (ood news#5
2-hat happened now85 She si(hs#
29here was another attac%# So$e poor wo$an was wal%in( to her car in a
par%in( (ara(e# 9he police are sayin( that $aybe so$eone put a do( on her and it ripped
out her throat#5 &e rubs his hand o!er his ace and loo%s up at her#
2Is that the best they could co$e up with85
29hey don't %now what we %now#5
26eah I (uess so# 9hey don't see$ all that interested in indin( out who is
responsible# &ow $any $ore people need to die beore the cops reali,e it's not a
coincidence#5
2Maybe it's best they aren't in!ol!ed# 9his isn't a hu$an proble$#5
2-e're hu$an#5
26ou %now what I $ean# Anyway I'$ $ore certain than e!er that we'!e $ade the
ri(ht choice#5
Mrs# -esley who had yet to step away ro$ the %itchen counter turns ace hi$
wrin(in( her hands ner!ously# She %new they were ta%in( a hu(e ris% and what the worst:
case scenario would be# 9hin(s were ne!er (oin( to be the sa$e# 2I'$ (oin( to see
-endy today# She's (oin( to help $e do the spell#5
2I'$ surprised she a(reed# )oes she %now why you're doin( it85
2No# I +ust told her it's so$ethin( that's !ery i$portant to $e and that no one can
%now about it but $e and her#5
Mr# -esley nods# 2I can do it instead i you need $e to# I %now how drainin( this
spell can be###5
2I'll be ine I'$ stron(er than you re$e$ber# ;esides she doesn't li%e you#
9here's no way she would a(ree to help you#5
2She tells $e e!ery ti$e I see her, how could I or(et85 Mrs# -esley (rins at hi$
and he continues# 29heresa, +ust pro$ise $e that you will be careul#5
2I pro$ise#5
Rushin( into the %itchen Victoria inds her dad sittin( at the table and her $o$
leanin( a(ainst the counter with her ar$s crossed o!er her chest# 9hey were loo%in( at
each other so intensely that she can tell she's interrupted so$ethin(# 9hey had been
stic%in( to corners and tal%in( in hushed !oices lately# She had cau(ht the$ on three
dierent occasions in +ust the last $onth# She would de$and answers but %new there was
no point# I her $o$ decided she didn't want her in!ol!ed in so$ethin( then that was the
end o it# She was stubborn, but her $o$ had her beat hands down#
&er $o$ turns bac% to the counter# &er dad (oes bac% to *uietly readin( the
paper or at least he's pretendin( to# She sha%es her head and plops down in her seat# &e
says nothin( so she tosses a (rape at hi$# &e (raceully catches it and pops it in his
$outh# <oldin( the paper down he s$iles# 03ood $ornin( honey#0
0)ad15 she (apes at hi$ 2&ow did you do that80
2
0I see e!erythin(# /lus I ha!e lawless rele"es, it co$es with a(e#0 he win%s and
ta%es a bite o his burnt toast# 9hey both s$ile at the ace he $a%es chewin( on the burnt
bread#
Apparently her $o$ still hasn't i(ured out how to wor% the new toaster# 2-ell
I'$ an adult# -hen will $y superhero rele"es %ic% in85
&er $o$ strai(htens out her slac%s beore ta%in( a seat# 06ou are only thirteen#
6ou're hardly an adult#5 9a%in( a sip o her coee she $a%es a ace at her husband 2And
you suc% at $a%in( coee =ohn#0
&e (rins at her puttin( down the newspaper 0well you suc% at $a%in( toast#0
She scos 0I ne!er clai$ed to be a che#0
0-ell let's co$pro$ise then# -e can always +ust (rab brea%ast at that little cae
on the corner in the $ornin(s0
2&$$$$ that's an idea5
0E"cuse $e1 And what a$ I supposed to eat80 Victoria whines sho!in( !arious
ruits in her poc%ets and %eepin( an eye on the window#
0Maybe you can eat your sarcas$#0 &er dad says throu(h a lau(h as he leans o!er
%issin( her $o$#
06ou (uys are nauseatin( to be honest0
06ou lo!e us,5 her $o$ teases as Victoria %isses the$ both on the chee% and runs
out the house# 2And this is why you should stop hittin( the snoo,e button15
She i(nores her $o$'s shouts and runs ater the bus# <inally she $ana(es to wa!e
it down# 2-ait1###hey wait or $e15 9he bus dri!er slows to a stop earnin( an(ry hon%in(
ro$ the cars behind hi$# &e scowls at Victoria as she cli$bs on pantin(# 2Awww than%s
buddy, always reliable#0
0Ne"t ti$e you'll be wal%in( to school0
She s$ir%s at hi$ 0>h stop you %now I'$ the best part o your day Mr# <ish0 She
pats down her hair and wal%s down the aisle o the bus#
0<or the last ti$e that isn't $y na$e# Its Mr# <leet you little brat10 &e pulls o the
curb aster than necessary and they all ha!e to hold onto the seats to %eep ro$ lyin(
orward#
She slides in ne"t to her riend =ane who is already lau(hin(# 0-ell he sure s$ells
li%e one0 9hey lau(h e!en louder as the bus heads towards her $iddle school#
2-hy are you always late85 =ane as%s applyin( lip:(loss#
2I li%e to sleep# Sue $e#5 =ane's dressed li%e she's +ust stepped o the runway as
usual# &er obsession with her own relection had (otten worse e!er since =oe said she
rese$bled .isa ;onet# It was true but there was no reason or hi$ to eed into her e(o#
Now they'll ne!er hear the end o it# Victoria (racelessly stus her toast in her $outh and
=ane rowns at her#
26eah, sure4 anyway did you study85
2Study or what85
2Apparently we ha!e a *ui, in (eo(raphy#5
2-onderul#5
2>h yeah beore I or(et, you %now that stupid loo%in( horror $o!ie with that
one (uy ro$ that one show85
3
Victoria yawns loudly# She's already bracin( hersel or a day that she's sure will
be entirely too lon(# An e"cited =ane ne!er leads to anythin( (ood# ;ut she's (onna (o
alon( with it anyway# 26ou want to narrow that down85
2-hate!er that's not i$portant# 9he point is =oe is (oin( there with his older
brother toni(ht and I need you to co$e with $e#5 She (rips her shoulders, sha%in( her
sli(htly# 2/lease# /lease# /lease45
She pries her in(ers o o her 2>%ay ine#5 Victoria sha%es her head and (lances
sideways at her riend# 26ou are oicially a ull on stal%er by the way#5
2>h shut up# 6ou're an a$ateur when it co$es to lo!e#5
Maybe that's =ane's idea o lo!e, a ascination with cute (uys who %now nothin(
about her# And they %now nothin( because she put all her ener(y into appearin( lawless#
She $ana(es, and it's ad$irable, but you shouldn't ha!e to try that hard# 9hen a(ain it's a
bit hypocritical o her# She's been doin( her share o pretendin( althou(h the $as% she
wears is or an entirely dierent reason# 9he way she $isses her brother but $ana(es to
appear stron(, the way she $ana(es to not brea% down at any (i!en $o$ent# All the bad
thou(hts she pushes to the bac% o her $ind or hi$ tells her that she %nows a whole lot
about lo!e# She $i(ht e!en %now too $uch# 2I you say so#5 Victoria responds *uietly#

77

9he dusty blue colored house still (a!e o that war$ welco$in( eelin( e!en i it
was in poor shape# 9he (rass on the ront lawn al$ost reached the top o her %nee hi(h
boots# 9o her let she could see the ridin( $ower was in the sa$e spot he let it# 9he short
pathway had tall weeds shootin( up throu(h the crac%s relentless in spite o the
unbrea%able# She stares strai(ht ahead reusin( to thin% about all the ways they'!e ailed
in the past# She rin(s the bell once and waits# 2-endy &arris5 Mrs# -esley says in
(reetin( as the elder wo$an swin(s open the ront door#
29heresa, I'!e $issed you#5
2I'!e $issed you too5# She hadn't seen -endy since the uneral si" $onths a(o#
She loo%ed tired and her lon( brown hair was $ostly (ray now# She had ba(s under her
eyes that stretched o to the side when she s$iled# She only had twel!e years on 9heresa
but loo%in( at her now it was li%e ti$e was eatin( her ali!e#
2Co$e on, I'!e already set e!erythin( up#5
9heresa steps into the house closin( the door behind her# <ollowin( -endy down
the hallway she notices the walls are co$pletely bare# 26ou'!e ta%en down your
pictures#5 She re$ar%s sadly#
26ou and I $ourn the sa$e way it see$s#5 9heresa says nothin(, predictably# She
(oes throu(h (reat len(ths to a!oid the sub+ect and -endy is sure it's the closest 9heresa
has e!er co$e to bein( a coward# No one e!er %new the dierence based on the way she
carried hersel# &er wrin%le ree clothes and her +et:blac% curly hair pulled bac% into a
ti(ht bun# &er bron,e s%in was always clear and (lowin(# 9hen there was +ust this air o
conidence li%e she had all the answers# -endy had always en!ied that#
9hey enter the li!in( roo$ and 9heresa notes the circle o candles# 2)o you ha!e
any salt85
2Salt8 -hy would we need salt85
2=ust brin( the salt please#0
4
-endy's usual cal$ de$eanor alters# She loo%s to the youn(er wo$an in ront
o her noticin( the ar o loo% in her eyes# 9he way she is wrin(in( her hands and ta%in(
lon( steady breathes# She decides to +ust do as she as%s, 9heresa is the $ore s%illed o the
two o the$ ater all#
-hen she returns 9heresa is already sittin( cross:le((ed inside the circle o
candles# 9heresa ta%es the bottle o salt, pours a (enerous a$ount in the pal$ o her hand,
and then tosses it in the air# It alls in a perect circle around the$# She lic%s her wrist
and the candles li(ht instantly#
29heresa85 -endy calls to her sotly 2Are you sure you want to do this85
2/ositi!e#5
2And you %now the conse*uences85
26es I'$ ully aware#5
She's sure she does# 9heresa had always been or(ani,ed, and i she elt the need
to do so$ethin( li%e this, she $ust o thou(ht lon( and hard about it# Still she thin%s that
$aybe she can $a%e her see reason# 26ou'll be co$pletely drained when this is done#
-ho %nows when your powers will co$e bac%45
2;ut they will e!entually co$e bac%# I can handle it#5
2-hy are you doin( this8
9here are a nu$ber o reasons# 9he sun curse alone wasn't $a%in( enou(h o a
dierence, co!ens were splittin( up and $a%in( the$sel!es easy tar(ets, and the attac%s
were beco$in( $ore re*uent# ;ut $ost i$portantly, she didn't want her dau(hter to
(row up in the $iddle o a war# A war they wouldn't be able to win i they didn't start
$a%in( $o!es now# Sadly it see$ed that she was the only one who wasn't (oin( to hide
under a roc% and hope or the best# 2;ecause I ha!e to#5
2;ut why8 9hat's the part I need help with#5
2.oo% are you (oin( to help $e or not85
9here's a stretch o silence itchin( to be replaced with ani$osity# She supposes
she'll ne!er understand people li%e her# /eople who reuse to accept the status *uo e!en
when it doesn't personally aect the$# -endy sha%es her head in rustration# 2<ine, don't
say I didn't warn you#5
2I won't# .ets do this#5
9heresa pulls a s$all bo" out o her purse# She ta%es the top o and pulls out a
s$all crystal and places it in the center o the circle between the two o the$# 9hen pulls
out a leather bound boo%#
-endy watches her cautiously# She ne!er $entioned any boo% +ust that da$n
crystal# &e eyes widen as reali,ation hits her# 2-here did you (et that boo%85
2)oes it $atter85
29his is not so$ethin( we should be $essin( around with#5
2And I don't plan to $ess around# I %now e"actly what I'$ doin(5
2I we are (oin( to do this we should as% or the Spirits' blessin(45
2No# I don't want the elders to %now either5 She says with a sense o inality that
lea!es no roo$ or ar(uin(# 9he last thin( she needs is any spirits present whilst she reads
ro$ the boo%# She's sure there could be conse*uences that she'd rather not deal with#
And the elders would only shun her and try to chan(e her $ind# 9hey belie!e they ha!e
authority in this real$ but that ti$e has passed# Especially since they are the ones
responsible or throwin( the world into chaos in the irst place# As ar as she sees it, they
5
ha!e no say in this or anythin( she does to protect her a$ily# ;ut she won't be !oicin(
those opinions out loud, not with e!eryone so wrapped up in the idea that upholdin(
tradition is $ore i$portant than usin( lo(ic#
2>%ay now you're scarin( $e#5
2I %now but I can't tell you e!erythin(, o%ay85 She loo%s at her eyes pleadin(, 2I
+ust need your help#0
-endy notices the desperation in her !oice and rowns# 26ou %now that you can
trust $e# 6ou can tell $e anythin(#5
26es, I %now, but this has to re$ain a secret# Can you pro$ise $e that85
2<ine# I'$ +ust concerned about you#5
2I %now# I'$ sorry -endy, I +ust can't endan(er you any $ore than I already
ha!e#5 She opens the boo% to a pa(e she boo%$ar%ed, then places it bac% on the (round
between the$# 29o answer your earlier *uestion this is only a copy o the boo%# 9he
actual boo% is priceless and I wouldn't dare touch it# It's the spells that really $atter
anyway# 9his has been passed down in $y a$ily or (enerations# 9he E(yptians
belie!ed that lie is circular and it doesn't really end when we die# >ur bodies are only
!essels or our eternal souls# So i I wanted to, I can lea!e a piece o $ysel here ore!er#
A piece o $e that can ne!er be destroyed#5
2-hy would you want to do that85
29o ensure $y dau(hter's uture, and to $a%e sure that when I do lea!e,
e!erythin( I'!e done won't be in !ain# I can only %eep up the sun curse while I'$ ali!e# I
I die the !a$pires would be ree a(ain#5
26ou are sayin( this li%e you plan on dyin(#5
29o$orrow is ne!er pro$ised# 9hat's one thin( I'!e learned#5
26ou won't be able to deend yoursel or 3od %nows how lon(#5
2I I'$ luc%y I won't need to# -e'!e been o!er this, (i!e $e your hands#5 She
holds her hands out to the older witch and waits patiently# -endy e!entually co$plies
and to(ether they read ro$ the passa(e

1aise yourself. You ha&e not died. Your life for#e will dwell with you fore&er.
1aise yourself. You ha&e not died. Your life for#e will dwell with you fore&er...

9he crystal (lows and le!itates between the$# -endy watches in awe as the li(ht
relectin( ro$ its an(les# -hen they inish the spell it alls and 9heresa catches it beore
it hits the (round# Slowly it returns to its ori(inal clear color and the candles blow out on
their own accord# 2It's done# 6ou said you can hide it there ri(ht85
26eah# I'll ha!e to ta%e a trip out there, but I can do it#5
2>%ay#5 9heresa (ets up and puts the boo% bac% into her purse and -endy ollows
her to the door *uietly# 29han% you -endy#5 She says turnin( to her# 29han% you or
helpin( $e do this, I %now I couldn't as% or trust anyone else# 6ou ha!e no idea how
$uch this $eans to $e#5
2It's no proble$# I +ust need you to be sae#5
2I %now, but lie ne!er really wor%s out the way we e"pect it to# 6ou ta%e care o
yoursel#5
2-hat are you (oin( to do with the boo%, you %now i so$ethin( were to happen
to you85
2I ha!en't decided +ust yet#5
6
2=ust $a%e sure Victoria doesn't (et to it### and $a%e sure you call $e when you
(et ho$e#5
2>%ay#5 She holds the other witch's hand and s*uee,es (ently# 9hey stare at each
other or a $o$ent and then she lets (o# 2See you soon#5
-endy watches as the car pulls out o her dri!eway# She can't help but eel that
she wouldn't be seein( her e!er a(ain#

77

In her haste that $ornin( she had or(otten to ill up her tan%# =onathan would
ne!er let her li!e it down i he ound out# She pulls into the irst (as station she inds#
-hen she enters the store the cler% is reclined in his chair with his eet propped
up on the counter ully en(rossed in the 9V# &e sho!es his hand underneath his baseball
cap and scratches at his nape# She loo%s up when the news anchor $entions another do(
attac%# 2Not a(ain#5 She $u$bles under her breath#
9he cler% +er%s to the side and clears his throat when he notices her#2&eh# Sorry
about that# /eople sic%in( do(s on each other in the dead o the ni(ht# Man this place (ets
stran(er e!ery day doesn't it8 2She nods 2-hat can I do you or85
She briely considers buyin( a snac% until she (ets a (ood loo% at the dust
co!erin( the counter# No doubt e!ery ood ite$ in the place was e"pired#2?@A on pu$p
our please#5
9he cler% nods s$iles croo%edly and she has to stop hersel ro$ crin(in( at his
blac%ened teeth# 2$t%s the fifth atta# this month and authorities ha&e found nothing that
lins the &i#tims to ea#h other5 the news anchor clai$s# -hen they $ention the head had
been co$pletely se!ered ro$ the body she loo%s away ro$ the screen#
2&ere's your chan(e#5
29han%s#5 She answers sho!in( the cash in her wallet and rushin( out the store#
26ou're welco$e, be sae out there15
She wa!es at hi$ as the hea!y door closes behind her# No sooner than when she
steps outside does she (et an eerie eelin(# She shudders when the wind brushes past as i
it's be((in( her to ollow# She is about to step o the curb but +er%s bac% when she hears
an(ry whispers# She pushes hersel a(ainst the wall and pee%s around the corner# 9here
she sees two $en standin( ne"t to the ice $achine#
29he ull $oon is only a ew ni(hts ro$ now, don't worry about it#5 9he taller o
the two $en says# That pea%s her interest and she stays put#
2)on't worry about it8 &ow can I not worry when they're only attac%in( us85 the
other says leanin( a(ainst the $achine# She can al$ost eel his stress ro$ her sae
distance#
29hey aren't stupid enou(h to try it a(ain5
2Are you sure about that8 9hen they're $oc%in( us by $a%in( it loo% li%e ani$al
attac%s# It see$s li%e they are tryin( to start so$ethin( to $e#5
29here aren't enou(h o the$#5
29hat's not what I heard# I heard they ound a way to $a%e $ore#5
9he taller one pauses# &e steps closer the other one lowerin( his !oice# 29hat's
not possible#5
29hen e"plain the rise in attac%s15
7
2Beep it down#5 &e loo%s o!er his shoulder beore turnin( his attention bac% to
hi$# 2-e need to ind Ro$an# It's our only chance#0 9he second $an nods and they wal%
to their cars#
9heresa duc%s down as they pull around the ront# 9here's only one *uestion on
her $ind# -ho the hell is Ro$an8

77

She and her riends always too% up the last row o seats# 9hey had been separated
a ew ti$es but Mrs# Clar% reali,ed the$ passin( notes was $uch $ore distractin( than
the$ whisperin( to each other#
9he lunch bell rin(s, startlin( Victoria out o her sleep# She loo%s up and s*uints,
her eyes ad+ustin( to the li(hts# She s*uints at the blac%board and (ri$aces at all the
notes she $issed ta%in(# She doubts =ane had done anythin( but write lo!e letters to =oe
so she would ha!e to as% so$eone else#
26ou (ot a little bit o drool there (irl#0 =ane (i((les po%in( her chee%#
2>h shut up beore I tell =oe about your shrine 5 she stands up and (rabs her boo%
ba( all the while (rinnin( at her riend#
2It's hardly a shrine5 =ane spits out in a harsh whisper as =oe and a ew o their
other riends wal% ahead o the$#
;eore Victoria can (et out the door an ar$ shoots out bloc%in( her e"it# 2Ms#
-esley $ay I spea% to you85 &er $ath teacher as%s in a stern !oice# She loo%s at =ane
who shru(s and heads to lunch#
2I'll sa!e you a seat,5 =ane yells o!er her shoulder#
Si(hin( Vitoria ollows her teacher bracin( hersel or whate!er $ind nu$bin(
lecture she has planned# Mrs# Clar% was a petite wo$an who o!erco$pensated or her
hei(ht by bein( insanely irritatin(# !r maybe it2s 3ust a side effe#t of her #ondition
Victoria $uses#
2Sit down#5 Mrs# Clar% bar%s, pointin( to a des% beore sittin( on the ed(e o
hers# Victoria slides in the chair and drops her boo% ba( on the loor by her eet# 26our
(rades are wonderul, but I'!e noticed you're either sleepin( or te"tin( the entire class
period#5 She pauses ta%in( a breath 2 and I'$ tired o it# &ow $any ti$es do I ha!e to tell
you45
,he ind of resembles 4ermit the frog. .er mouth is ridi#ulously wide. $ wonder
how many golf balls $ #an fit in there- Victoria tilts her head to the side s$ir%in(#
2Ms# -esley1 Are you payin( attention to $e85
2Ne!er5 Victoria replies dryly#
2-ell1###you1##alri(ht then1 6ou thin% you can use the e"cuse o what happened to
your little riend ore!er but that's not (oin( to ly in $y classroo$#5 9he wo$an bristles
standin( up strai(ht#
2&e was $y brother# And $aybe I would pay attention i your class wasn't so
borin(# I don't see what the bi( deal is i $y (rades are ine#5
2Maybe you're cheatin(#5
2Cheatin( o o who8 I ha!e the hi(hest (rades in the class, you aren't e!en
$a%in( sense#5
2)etention1 See how you li%e that you chee%y little45
8
29his see$s li%e it's !eerin( into dan(erous territory# &a!e you been ta%in( your
pills Mrs# Clar%85
0-hat80 9he older wo$an stops her tirade starin( at her in conusion#
05 saw the$ in your ba( yesterday# See you were (oin( on and on about
so$ethin( I couldn't care less about# .i%e always# I (ot tired o countin( the tiles on the
ceilin( so I (oo(led it durin( co$puter lab since I inished all $y wor% early# 9hey're
typically prescribed or people with an(er $ana(e$ent issues ri(ht85 She holds bac% a
lau(h as her teacher (apes at her clutchin( her pen so ti(htly her %nuc%les whiten# 2-ell
anyway ###I don't thin% they are wor%in( Nancy# 6ou should see i your doctor and (et you
so$ethin( else#5
23et out o $y classroo$1 3et out15
2;ut I was en+oyin( our little chat5
2>ut15 she yells as Victoria slips throu(h the door#

77

9he lunchroo$ always s$elled li%e old cheese and paint# >n sunny days
e!eryone would rush to (et the booths near the window# =ust so they could crac% it open
and pretend to be anywhere else# =ane always (ot the$ the one in the corner whether
there was so$eone sittin( there or not# No one dared to challen(e her either# -hen
Victoria inally (ets to the lunchroo$ =ane is sittin( on the table applyin( lip:(loss#
26ou %now $ost people actually eat at lunch#5 She slides in the booth pushin(
=ane's boo% ba( and purse aside#
2)o I loo% li%e $ost people to you85 she s$iles hopin( o the table and sittin(
across ro$ her riend# 2-hat did Mrs# Clar% say85
2She's tired o $y attitude, I need to pay attention, I'$ a brat, blah blah blah#5
2And you tal%ed bac% and (ot detention didn't you85
26ep5
2Victoria seriously8 6ou're so annoyin(1 I wanted you to co$e to the $all with
$e beore the $o!ies#5 She tosses a cold ry at her but Victoria duc%s#
2>h darn I'$ so bu$$ed I ha!e to $iss that#5
2-hate!er, you're rude#5 Victoria i(nores her, pullin( =ane's lunch tray in ront o
her# 2Soooo did you see Scott today85 =ane announces loudly#
26eah# And85
2&e loo%ed (ood that's what1 6ou said you li%ed hi$ re$e$ber85
29hin(s chan(e I (uess# &e's a bit too upbeat or $e at the $o$ent#5
2;y upbeat do you $ean nor$al8 Co$e on V, you'!e been actin( weird all wee%#0
0Sorry I (uess I'!e +ust been thin%in(# It's li%e nothin( holds $y interest any$ore#
I eel 2weird5 li%e so$ethin( bi( is co$in(0 she says and continues starin( at the table#
2V, you're a teena(er# 0#t li%e a teena(er# 6ou shouldn't be worryin( about
anythin( but your hair### and cute boys5 she points none too discreetly in Scott's direction#
2.i%e law ree, tall dar% and handso$e, uture N<. star Scott Abra$s o!er there#5
Victoria catches his eyes and he loo%s away pretendin( he hadn't been starin(#
2&e doesn't e!en li%e ootball, his dad +ust $a%es hi$ play# Anyway not all
teena(e (irls need to be boy cra,y# I still li%e hi$ but### I don't %now#5 She loo%s down at
the hal eaten pi,,a on her plate suddenly losin( her appetite#
9
2I thin% you're losin( it#5 =ane says starin( lon(in(ly at =oe who is too busy
lin(in( peas at the band (ee%s to notice#
2-ouldn't be the irst ti$e5 she $u$bles %nowin( that will put an end to the
con!ersation# 9hey eat silently or the rest o the lunch period# =ane, li%e e!eryone in the
town, a!oided tal%in( about Victoria's brie $eltdown ater )a!id died# 5ust as well
Victoria thou(ht to hersel# They wouldn%t understand anyway.

77

She (ets ho$e ater detention and (roans when she notices both her parents' cars
par%ed in the dri!eway# It's (ood to inally to be ho$e despite the una!oidable ar(u$ent#
She pushes her way throu(h the (ate and stands there or a $o$ent starin( up her house#
Sittin( in the library with all the other %ids who didn't %now how to pic% their battles or
three hours elt li%e slow torture# And e!ery ti$e she (ot out she would pro$ise hersel
not to $ess up a(ain# All she had to do was stay in line and %eep her head down li%e
e!eryone else# ;ut then so$ethin( always ur(ed her spea% up when she shouldn't# &er
house was her sae ha!en and she would stay here ore!er i she could# 9he (ate swin(s
closed behind her clan(in( loudly# May as well get it o&er with. She +o(s up the steps and
throu(h her ront door# 9hey loo% at her e"pectantly when she enters the li!in( roo$ and
she %nows it won't be an easy con!ersation 2&ey (uys# -hat's up85
26ou %now what this is about#5 &er $o$ crosses her ar$s beore continuin(
26ou can't %eep doin( this#5
2I'$ +ust ha!in( un $o$# It's not $y ault that people can't ta%e a +o%e#5
29here isn't anythin( unny about your education5 &e ather interrupts#
29ell $e about it# I'$ bored out o $y $ind in that prison#5
2-hy do you insist on pro!in( the$ ri(ht8 )o you %now what your teacher said
to $e the last ti$e we spo%e8 She said she could tell you would be trouble as soon as she
saw you# She was +ust waitin( or you to screw up# So why do it8 -hy e$barrass $e li%e
this85 &er $o$ pleads standin( up and wal%in( in ront o her#
2;ecause I don't care any$ore# I $ean what is the point o all o this8 I eel li%e
I'$ (oin( insane#5
2.isten I understand that you are an(ry# I used to be !ery an(ry as a child because
I didn't understand what I was# It's hard but once you practice you learn to balance both
worlds45
2I $ay loo% li%e you $o$ but we couldn't be $ore dierent# I %now you are
happy but I can't###it's a curse $o$# I don't want it o%ay8 I +ust want to be nor$al# 9hese
powers are the reason he's (one#5 She turns to her ather who is tryin( to reel in his own
an(er# 2It's (oin( to (et $e hurt too# Is that what you want85
09hat's enou(h10 &er dad says standin( up# 23o to your roo$ until you cal$
down# -e will discuss this later# And don't e!en thin% about lea!in( this house#0
26ou can't e!en tal% about hi$ but you want $e to e$brace this crap85
2I said enou(h15
06ou can +ust (round $e and ta%e away all $y thin(s i you want# I don't want to
tal%#0
0-ell that's too bad# 6ou ha!e to tal% about this Victoria10 her $o$ adds#
10
0 Not li%e I ha!e a choice ri(ht8 I ne!er do#0 she says *uietly beore wal%in( out
o the roo$#
A $o$ent passes beore =onathan turns to his wie# 0 -e need to tal% to her you
%now# She has to learn about her powers#5
0I %now and we will#0 Si(hin( 9heresa wal%s past hi$ and heads to the %itchen#
She pours hersel a (lass o water as she continues as he ollows# 0I don't e!en %now
where to be(in# It's not li%e she's seen the positi!e side o the supernatural world so how
can we con!ince her it e"ists8 I'$ not e!en sure it e"ists any$ore#5 She sits down at the
table rubbin( her te$ples# 2)id you tal% to )ante80
26es#5
2-ell any news85
2 &e says the Va$pires still don't %now it was us# Ri(ht now they're re(roupin(
and tryin( to i(ure out ways around the spell# ;ut honestly I don't trust hi$#5
26ou are +ust bein( paranoid =ohn# &e's your oldest riend and he understands
why we'!e (one throu(h such len(ths#5
2No there's so$ethin( wron( I can eel it# -hy would they trust hi$8 9hey %now
he's a witch yet they still allowed hi$ into their inner circle# 9hin% about it 9heresa, what
could he be oerin( the$ in return85
2I don't %now, but he was the only one who would listen to us#5 She sha%es her
head# 29his isn't (oin( to end well is it8 It's escalatin(# 9hey're (ettin( $ore and $ore
hostile and I'$ honestly araid# E!ery ti$e I turn around there are $ore werewol!es#5
26ou saw werewol!es85
26eah# -hen I went to !isit -endy I stopped at the (as station# 9here were two o
the$ tal%in( about so$e attac% they are plannin( or the ne"t ull $oon#5 She stares into
the (lass o water li%e it will pro!ide her with answers# /redictably it doesn't# 2>h1 And
there was so$ethin( about a (uy na$ed Ro$an#5
2Ro$an8 9hat na$e sounds a$iliar#5
2 I %now but I can't place it# -hen the !a$pires and wol!es stop i(htin( each
other they'll co$e or us ne"t#5
0-hich is why we need to teach Victoria how to protect hersel#0
0-e could tell her to$orrow then8 -hen she's cal$ and willin( to listen#0
09o$orrow0 he nods#

77

Victoria is lyin( down on her bed listenin( to =ane co$plain about her bad
choices# It's not li%e she planned to (et in trouble, she ne!er did# She twirls the li(hts
han(in( o her canopy bed around her in(er# &er dad had (one the e"tra $ile to
redecorate her roo$ to the point where it loo%ed li%e it belon(ed in a teen $a(a,ine# &e
said it was or +ust or the$ to (et in so$e bondin( ti$e but she's sure he was +ust tired o
loo%in( at )a!ie's bed# She couldn't co$plain thou(h# 9he two o the$ i(urin( out how
to properly apply wallpaper was one o her a!orite $e$ories# 2>%ay enou(h1 I %now I
said I would (o with you but I'$ (rounded# 9here's nothin( I can do about it#5
2Ne!er stopped you beore5 =ane insists# 2I %now but $y parents are
really pissed this ti$e# I'$ %ind o tired anyway#5
11
2>%ay ine# So what should I say to hi$ when I see hi$8 Should I +ust wal% up to
hi$ and start tal%in(85
2I thou(ht you were playin( hard to (et#5
26eah but I'$ startin( to thin% it's bac%irin(# &e was tal%in( to .isa in history
and I couldn't hear but I doubt they were chattin( about Christopher Colu$bus# She was
s$ilin( way to hard or $y li%in(#5
2;ut he win%ed at you in $ath ri(ht8 Clearly you (uys are soul $ates#5
26ou %now what, you suc%#5
26eah yeah, I'll see you to$orrow# 9ell =oe I said hi#5 She han(s up the phone
and puts on $usic to drown out her parents $uled !oices# It wor%s but she can still eel
the tension ro$ the ar(u$ent sittin( on her chest# Maybe some fresh air would help.
Victoria +u$ps down ro$ her bed, $o!es her ru( aside, and pulls up a loose loorboard#
Inside there's an old shoebo" with so$e o )a!ie's thin(s# -ell the thin(s she $ana(ed
to hide ro$ her parents# She searches throu(h it until she inds a plastic ra$ed
photo(raph o the two o the$# She re$e$bers the day they too% it# 9hey had chased the
ice crea$ truc% hal way down the street or popsicles which $ostly ended up $eltin( all
o!er their new school unior$s# &er $o$ was urious but her dad thou(ht the $o$ent
was too (ood not to capture# 9urns out he was ri(ht# She tuc%s it in the waistband o her
pa+a$as, turns up the !olu$e on her 9V and cli$bs throu(h her window# A careul slide
down the slanted roo and a short cli$b down the colu$n then she's on her way#
Ater wal%in( throu(h the woods or a ew $inutes she inally inds the la%e#
9heir initials are still car!ed into the pine tree# It's nice to %now he let his $ar% on
so$ethin( other than her# Sittin( in ront o the water she pulls the photo out and places it
ne"t to her# 09here you (o )a!ie, +ust li%e old ti$es#0 Stretchin( her ar$s abo!e her head
she lies bac% on the (rass (a,in( up at the stars# 0-ell al$ost# I ha!en't accidentally lit
anythin( on ire and you ha!en't drenched us in water# I don't care what you say I %now it
was on purpose0 she lau(hs# 2I ha!en't tried to use $y powers a(ain you %now# Not since
you40 She stops hersel breathin( deeply 0Ne!er $ind#0
She can't be the person was beore or the person e!eryone wants her to be# She
lac%s the stren(th and $ore i$portantly she lac%s the $oti!ation# 2I wish you were here
)a!ie# Mo$ and dad act li%e nothin( happened# It's li%e I'$ the only one who
re$e$bers you# 9hey (ot rid o all your pictures, all your thin(s4 I +ust wish I could be
as happy as I was when you were here# I wish you could tell $e another one o your
stories#5 She stops wipin( tears o her chee% with her slee!e# 2)o you re$e$ber that,
how you used to tell $e all those cra,y stories when we couldn't sleep8 And how we used
to snea% out the house and co$e down here8 >r that ti$e you $ade that hu(e wa!e and
we had to wal% ho$e soa%in( wet# I $iss that, I $iss you#5
She waits or hi$ to co$ort her or tell her one o his ina$ous bad +o%es that she
secretly ound unny# It's i$possible but she listens anyway# And all she e!er hears is the
wind# Soon enou(h she tires ro$ cryin( and inally drits into a itul sleep#

77

9he s$o%e doesn't ta%e lon( to reach her# She cou(hs in her sleep but it ta%es her
a ew $o$ents to reali,e what it is beore she opens her eyes# Sittin( up she sees the
12
blac% cloud swi$$in( throu(h the air# She ollows it with her eyes until she inds the
point o ori(in# 2>h 3od5 she cho%es out co!erin( her $outh with her slee!e#
9hen she's scra$blin( to her eet and runnin( as ast as her eet can carry her# 9he
trees ly by her and she narrowly dod(es the low han(in( branches# &er pa+a$a botto$s
sna( on a roc% but she yan%s at it tearin( the abric, ne!er slowin( her pace# Soon enou(h
she reaches her property line# She slows to a wal% loo%in( at the la$es o!erta%in( her
house with wide eyes# 2/lease tell $e I didn't do this# 9his can't be happenin(,5 she
whispers to hersel as she (ets closer# She slides around the side o the house hopin(
she'll be able to (et in throu(h the ront# It's then that she reali,es no one is out there but
her# She loo%s around wildly wonderin( why her nei(hbors aren't outside, where the ire
truc%s are, and $ore i$portantly, her parents#
As soon as she reaches the ront (ate the ront door o her house crea%s open# 9he
hairs on the bac% o her nec% stand on end and beore anyone e$er(es she runs bac%
around the (ate# &idden by the bars and the dar%ness o the ni(ht she sees three $en
saunter out onto the lawn# 9hree deathly pale $en co$pletely co!ered in###2blood85 she
whispers sha%ily# She duc%s down when one o the$ stops and tilts his head to the side as
i he can hear her# She (asps when he turns ully and stares ri(ht at her# &er heart speeds
in anticipation but he +ust win%s and wal%s to the waitin( car# As soon as it dri!es away
she's sprintin( around the ence and crashin( throu(h her ront door#
2Mo$14 )ad15 She's throu(h the oyer and searchin( the e"tended a$ily roo$
in seconds# &er dad isn't in his recliner and her $o$ isn't laid across the soa ho((in(
the 9V re$ote, there's +ust $ore s$o%e# She crosses the roo$ $o!in( around the soa
and pushes open the door leadin( to the %itchen# 9hey aren't there either# She wants to
screa$ and the $ore she panics the hi(her the la$es see$ to (row# At this point the
wallpaper is $eltin( o in clu$ps, the aces ro$ the paintin(s are warped and distorted,
and she can barely breathe# It $a%es no dierence she reuses to lea!e without the$#
She ta%es the stairs two at a ti$e# It's possible that they are upstairs loo%in( or
her# -hen she reaches the top she nearly slips and has to (rab the railin( to a!oid
tu$blin( bac% down# &orror paints her eatures when she reali,es what she stepped in#
It's a trail o blood leadin( to her parent's roo$#
She wal%s down the hall holdin( her slee!e o!er her nose and $outh and then
pauses in ront o the door# 9a%in( a deep breath she pushes it open# She inds the$ both
on the bed laid ne"t to each other# &er $o$'s ace is turned to the side and there is a
chun% o lesh $issin( ro$ her throat# &er ather's shirt is soa%ed in blood and his eyes
are wide open, and lieless#
She stares at the$ in silence beore crawlin( into the bed and lyin( between the$#
9he house cree%s loudly, its oundation protestin( as it succu$bed to the la$es# She
doesn't care# &er eyes burn and the s$o%e (ets e!en thic%er $a%in( it harder or her to
breathe# 9he la$es all into their roo$ and cli$b the walls# 9hey ea(erly lic% at the
ceilin( and she can eel hersel losin( consciousness and she loo%s up# She $a%es no
atte$pt to escape# She +ust lies there and waits#

77

She wa%es up the ne"t $ornin( to silence# 9he ire apparently stopped while she
slept# She reali,es her powers $ust ha!e protected her# 2/ity5 she $u$bles beore (ently
13
rubbin( her eyes# Sittin( up she catches her relection in the crac%ed $irror across the
roo$ but loo%s away *uic%ly#
Standin( she turns towards the bed and ho!ers o!er her parents# 29his is the
*uietest you (uys ha!e e!er been5 she s$ir%s but there's no one let to care about her
little *uips# +o one. She releases a steady breath beore leanin( o!er to %iss her $other on
her orehead# She then slides her hand down her athers ace closin( his eyes# She
intertwines their hands and wal%s away closin( the door behind her#
Cli$bin( down the stairs she wal%s into the %itchen out o habit# 9he coee pot is
still sittin( on the counter# 9hey are all there lau(hin( about bad coee and burnt toast#
She's sho!in( as $uch ood in her $outh as she possibly can and %eepin( an eye out or
the bus# She blin%s and they're (one# 9urnin( on her heels she runs strai(ht out her ront
door# She has to put as $uch space between hersel and that %itchen as possible# 9urnin(
rando$ corners, cuttin( throu(h yards, and runnin(# Runnin( until she's out o breath,
runnin( until her le(s co$pletely (i!e out# ;reathin( ra((edly she sits down on the side
o the road# Cars speed past her, so$e hon% and so$e slow down curiously but she
doesn't notice the$#
She's not sure how $uch ti$e has passed when the red sports car turns down the
street# It's shadow bloc%s out the sun, which had been beatin( down on her $ercilessly#
Victoria doesn't bother loo%in( up when it slows to a stop# An old lady rolls down her
window as%in( her i she's o%ay but she says nothin(#
2.ittle (irl85 She par%s the car and wal%s until she is standin( abo!e her 2.ittle
(irl are you o%ay85 ;endin( down she (ently touches her chee% 2oh you're co$pletely
co!ered in dirt and 4is that blood85 She pulls her hand away#
Victoria loo%s down at hersel and notices the state o her clothin( or the irst
ti$e# Slowly she pulls o her stained hoodie and places it on the (round beside her# It
instantly catches ire#
9he wo$an bac%s away terriied beore she inally inds her !oice 2-h:what are
you85
Victoria stares down at her bloodied hands, 2I a$ e!erythin(5 she says *uietly
2and I a$ nothin(#5
Copyright 2014 Belle Antoinette
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