by J. B. Garcia
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
The Blood Moon
J. B. Garcia
the Blood Moon
A romance fantasy revenge story
Chapter 1
Summer is finally here. Everything is green and alive. The summer breeze is warm and comforting to my skin. My senior year of High School is over and I am so thrilled to be out of that place. Every day I felt suffocated by its walls that seemed to tower over me. Unfortunately, now that school is over and summer has begun, my parents will be dragging me to the Lake House once again. When I was younger I enjoyed the Lake House, playing for hours in the sun running along the sandy shore. I didn’t have a care in the world. But being 17 now, I would rather stay at home and spend my summer with my friends. Being alone for two months with just my parents is not something that I look forward to.
My mother and I have become distant, so being along with her for 2 months at the Lake House is going to be hard. I actually noticed the distance growing more and more which each passing year. I don’t understand what I have done to push her so far from me. I used to be able to tell her anything and everything. Now it seems that she is always too busy to even speak with me. It has made me distance myself from having any emotion towards the matter. I don’t want to feel the pain anymore of being rejected by my own mother. I have closed off my heart and I don’t plan on letting anyone else in. I have become especially cold after my break up with Derek. I will never be the same. The hole that he has burned into my heart will never be filled. I won’t allow it. The case that has formed over my heart is never to be broken. I keep the memory of the pain to remind myself that there is no such thing as love. It isn’t real. I have felt the cold stab of betrayal from Derek and being pushed away by my own Mother. I keep the pain in my memory so my heart doesn’t forget.
The cherry on top is no cable, phone or internet. The only way to use my cell phone is by getting in our boat and paddling to the island in the middle of the lake. For some strange reason there is service there. If you go anywhere else around the lake your cell phone will be useless, but on this tiny island there is hope for communication to the outside world. My parents never allow me to bring any friends to ease my boredom. According to my Mother, Michelle, family time is the only thing that keeps our "bond" strong; allowing my friends to come would be a distraction.I have no idea how would she know, she doesn’t have any friends. She has pushed me so far from her so I don’t understand what “bond” she could be referring to. I sometimes feel like she is jealous at the fact that I have friends and she doesn't. She is constantly on my ass when I go out with them. Telling me that I don’t spend enough time with my family and friends are not as important. She barley speaks 5-6 words when I am home with her. I am a 17 year old girl, it’s impossible for me not to have friends. I may not have many but I do have a few that I would like to spend my summers with. My father, James, stays out of the arguments when they arise. I guess it’s easier not to fight with mom, then to endure the tongue lashing he would get for disagreeing.
***
Three days until we leave for the Lake House and mom is running around the house packing. I have already packed by bags and I refuse to help pack for a trip I don’t want to go on. As I am sitting in the kitchen eating a steaming hot bowl of chicken soup and I get the strong smell of dust and dirt. Oh no...The camping gear. When the camping gear is brought out it means she is almost done packing and the trip is right around the corner. Nausea hits my stomach as I think of the two months I have ahead of me. I turn my head and peek over my shoulder watching her pull out the oil lamps and outdoor cooking gear. Then she pulls out the two air mattresses that we use when my Grandparents come to visit. She throws them on our white couches and continues to dig in the closet under the stairs. Why would she want to take those? Were we going to be dragged on another "Outdoor Adventure", as if going to the Lake House wasn't enough.
"Mom" glaring with concern "Why are you bringing those?" dropping what she is doing, she put her hands on her hips and takes a deep breath.
"Because, Niki, this year we are going to have company". I can feel my eyes growing larger. I can’t believe what I am hearing. We are going to be bringing someone else to the Lake House. Our precious “bonding” time is going to be interrupted by company. This has never happened before. Maybe she is letting me invite my friends...finally. I turn my body to face my mother and raise my eyebrows "Really and who would you allow to come?" sarcasm dripping from each word. I knew the moment the words left my lips that I was in for one of moms famous ass chewing’s. "Well Niki, it just so happens that an old friend of mine will be joining us with her Son, is that ok with you?" she snaps back at me. "No it isn't, mom, it’s not ok!" anger filling my chest "Every damn year I am drug on this stupid trip and every time I ask if I can bring a friend and you say no, but now you get to bring someone we don't even know! How is that fair?!" yelling every word with frustration. I can feel my nails digging into my palms and stinging pain trailing up my wrist. I can’t believe that this is happening right now. She has been ignoring me for so long and now she is going to bring some random woman and her son to the Lake House. Is she trying to find a way to have no contact with me at all? Her face grows bright red "For one thing, don't raise your voice at me Niki, I am your mother and I won’t be spoken to that way! And another thing, I don’t have to ask your permission to bring one of my friends on a trip." she almost screams the words "I just so happens that I haven't seen this woman in almost 18 years and she is going through a rough time, so I am helping her get away for a few months." I throw my arms in the air and storm out of the kitchen and race outside. There is no point arguing with her right now. It's not like she is going to change her mind, it's already been done.
I step out the front door and slam it shut behind me. I close my eyes and let the sun warm my face. I can’t help but absorb every inch of it. I walk over to the freshly mowed lawn and lay down under the willow tree. As I stare up into the hanging branches I begin to relax and forget the pain of fighting with my mother. The limps are swinging back and forth. Its leaves fall all around me. I can’t help but feel like there is something watching me. I don’t know why but all of a sudden I feel hot eyes on me. I sit up and look around. All I can see is the limp limbs of the willow tree shifting from side to side as the breeze blows, making circle around me, blinding me from seeing past it. I feel the breeze push through the willows protective barrier and my name is whispered on the wind “Niki”. Fear runs up and down the spine. “Hello, Is there someone there?” Silence is the only answer I receive. I close my eyes and try to focus on all the noise around me. I can hear the willow limbs leaves’ shaking in the wind, birds chirping in the trees but the whispering voice is nowhere to be found. I still have the uncomfortable feeling of eyes on my back. I place my hands on my side and feel the prickling of the grass on my palms. I open my eyes and turn around quickly to see if I can someone but there is nothing there. The breeze stops; the limbs are no longer swaying, the leaves are still and the birds song has become silent. Fear is swelling up and panic sets in. There is something near me I can feel it. I move up to my knees but fear is slowing me. CRACK. The sound of a twig breaking seems to echo in the dome of the willow tree. I jump to my feet and plant my back against the willow trees trunk. My breathing quickens and I feel hot breath on the side of my neck and then the soft whisper I heard before floating in the breeze “Niki come
to me.” I break the restraint that fear has bound me in and run out of the willows dome of weeping limbs. I stop abruptly and turn to see who is around the tree. There is no one. Not even cars passing on the road. I am completely alone. Who was calling to me? All I know is that it was a woman’s voice. There was something about the voice that pulsed fear and warning through me but at the same time I felt curious to find out who is calling me and where they want me to go. My heart beat begins to slow as I collect myself. I don’t feel safe staying outside, in the open. I start to walk up the cobble stone walk way back to the house still harboring the feeling of curiosity. I want to know who that was. I can’t shake the feeling that there is something out there that is waiting for me. Maybe I am losing my mind.
I open the door and take a step onto the hardwood. The cold shock on my feet of the floor reminds me of the argument that prompted me to storm outside. Fights with my mother normally went this way. We would scream at each other and I would run away from the issue, retreating to my favorite spot under the willow tree. I don’t know if I can return to that spot after the terrifying whisper.
My father is always waiting for me in the foyer when I return back inside from an argument. It was always the same. I take two more steps into the foyer with my eyes to the ground and I could feel the regret climbing into my throat. I shouldn't have yelled at her and now I am going to pay for it. I slowly raise my eyes waiting to see my father, but he isn't there. There is no way that I am getting away with this. Maybe he is too busy packing to even realize that we had a fight.
I walk to the living room and sink into the large white couch that is facing the large Bay window. The window looks across the bright green lawn with the willow right in the middle of it. I rest my head against the back of the couch and close my eyes. I can feel myself drifting into sleep.
“Niki…Niki…come with me” the whispering voice is luring me. I open my eyes and I find myself in a dark forest. Everything is a grey and the trees are towering over me so tall I cannot see the where they end. “Niki come with me” the whisper continues to call for me. For some reason I am not afraid. I take a step forward and the dead leaves crack and crunch. The cool breeze is kissing my cheeks blowing around the fresh smell of flowers and dirt. I call out “Hello? Is there someone there?” I get no response. I walk deeper into the forest trying to find the woman who calls for me. The forest is getting darker the further I walk. Fear starts to well up in my throat and I begin to feel danger all around me. The warm feeling and comfort I felt is long gone and panic is controlling my actions. I begin to run as fast as I can and I get the feeling that someone is following me. I turn my head and see two sets of glowing green eyes and they are gaining on me. I push my legs as fast as they will carry me and I feel them begin to burn. If I stop now whatever is chasing me will have me. My knees begin to buckle and down I fall. I hit the hard cold soil, leaves sticking to the sweat on my face. I roll over to my back and look for the green eyes. They are nowhere to be found. There is something in this forest and it’s toying with me. I frantically get to my knees trying to force my eyes to acclimate to the dark. I rub them fiercely and open them again only to find the bright green eyes inches from my face. I scream and fall back onto my butt scooting fiercely trying to put space between us. The eyes match my moves and continue to stay inches from my face. “What do you want from me? Who are you?” I scream towards the eyes but I get no answer. The eyes begin move back and fade into the darkness. I am alone in the dark depths of this unfamiliar forest. I rise to me feet slowly. I am so confused. Why am I being taunted? I catch a glittering white light from the corner of my eye. It looks to be far in the distance. “Niki come to me” The whisper returns right as I see the light. I finally regain the strength to walk towards the light. It’s sparkling and alluring. There is something that is reassuring me that this light has the answers. The cool breeze has stopped and I can no longer smell the freshness of nature. The sparkling light is getting closer and closer with every step I take. My foot steps are loud in the silent forest. The crunch of dead leaves seem to echo. The terrain suddenly changes. I look to my feet and I don’t see the forest floor. I bend down and touch the new surface I have walked on and realize it’s…sand. I look out into the distant and the sparkling light is still gleaming under a full moon. The moon begins to shine like never before and all around me becomes bathed in light. I’m at a lake. I know this place. I am at the Lake we visit every summer. I look to my left and there is the Lake house. It’s standing silently in the dark. The moss on the roof is over grown and covers it completely. Its log cabin siding is covered in over grown grass and bushes as it looks every year before we arrive in the summer. I look out for the gleaming white light and it’s gone. “Niki” a screaming voice shocks me out of my skin and I jolt awake.
It was a dream? But it felt so real. The voice in my dream is the same voice I heard under the willow. Something is going on but I don’t know what it is. I sit up from the couch and the room is dark. Night has fallen. How long was I sleeping for? The dream felt like minutes and yet I have been out for hours. I am left with only wonder and confusion. What was the white light and why do I feel the need to get to it? It wasn’t like a normal dream. It felt so real.
I still feel so drained even after sleeping for so long on the couch. I stand up and walk into the Foyer and down the hall to the kitchen. The hardwood is squeaking with every step. This house is impossible to sneak around in. I try to step as lightly as I can as not to make too much noise. A light flicks on in the kitchen illuminating the room in a soft yellow light. I hear voices whispering and I stop moving and slow my breathing. I try to listen as closely as I can. It’s my mother and father. I try to shift my weight from my left to right foot and the floor lets out a loud creek. “Niki, are you in the hall” Dam it “Yes I just woke up.” I walk into the kitchen with guilt written all over my face. My mother crosses her arms “Were you eavesdropping young lady?” I hate when she calls me that. I put my hands on my hips and shake my head at her”No mother I was not. I was coming to get something to eat. Is that ok with you?” My father snaps “Niki, don’t talk to your mother like that and another thing what is this I hear about you yelling at your mother this afternoon. I don’t understand why you feel it’s ok to make your mother feel that way. You really hurt her feelings when you yell at her.!” Anger fills my face and my hands ball up into fists. “I make HER feel bad? Really dad!? All she does is yell at me we never have normal conversations anymore. I can’t help but yell she frustrates me and she never listens. Don’t you think that it hurts me also? Does anyone care how I feel anymore?!” He throws his hands in the air “Jeez Niki you’re being so dramatic.” My mother folds her arms and turns away from me. “Ok well I am going to bed now.” I turn on my heels and I can hear my father yelling for me as I walk down the hall and head for the stairs. I tune him out as I walk up the stairs.
I walk into my room and don’t even bother turning on the lights. I jump on my white feather comforter and lay back on the pillow. I close my eyes and try to relax. For some reason I feel drained. I don’t know why because I just slept on the couch for a few hours. The whisper replays in my mind over and over. What could I possibly want with me? I am not special in anyway, at least I don’t think I am. My eyes begin to get heavy and I can tell that sleep isn’t far off. It takes no time at all for me to fall back into a deep sleep.
Almost instantly I am on the edge of the Lake again. The water looks as black as the night sky and still as glass. I search around for the glimmering light. It’s not where to be found. I walk through the deep cold sand towards the clearing in front of the lake house. A flashing light catches my right eye over the water. I squint my eyes, trying to see where it is coming from. The moon begins to shine as brightly as it was before and I can see it’s on the island. The glimmering light is over a woman in a white long dress. She has long hair but at this distance I can’t tell what color or what her face looks like. There is something about her. Why
do I feel like I know her or I have seen her before? She raises one hand and with her index finger she points to the sky. I look in the direction she is pointing and it seems that she is pointing to the moon. Green mist begins to come from her finger and floats up to the moon. It’s beautiful and I can’t take my eyes away as it floats higher and higher. As it meets it destination, the moon begins to turn red. I hear a whisper in my ear again and hot breath on my neck “The Blood Moon is your Time Niki, you are the chosen one.” I am frozen where I stand. Not wanting to move. “What is the Blood Moon?” there is a long silence. There are no birds or rustling of branches and leaves. “The Blood Moon is the birth of your true self.” I turn around to see who it is that I am talking to. I jump back in fear; it’s the woman in the white dress. She has long black hair and fair features. Her skin is perfectly tanned. Her dress is covered is clear jewels and there is a crown that rests upon her head made of sliver and covered is diamonds. This must have been the glimmering that I saw, the moon reflecting off her crown. I take a step forward and she steps back disappearing into the darkness. “Please come back!” I run forward, frantically trying to find her in the forest. “Please don’t leave! Who are you?” The brush scratches my legs as I speed through the forest frantically moving branches out of my path. I don’t know how far I ran before I gave up my search. My legs burn and I collapse to my knees. Sitting back on my heels, frustration begins to take me over. All I can do is let out a horrifying scream filled with anger and confusion. Why am I being taunted by this woman? What does she want from me? I don’t want to keep entering this dream with the disappointment of no resolution or answers to explain what is happening to me.
I wake up the loud buzzing of my alarm. Slapping the snooze, I stare up into the dark not wanting to leave the safety and warmth of my bed. Today is the day...the dreaded Lake trip. I roll to my side pulling my covers over my head wishing to disappear. Maybe if I am really quiet they will forget me. Wishful thinking I guess. The warmth of my quilt covers my body and slowly I begin to drift back to sleep. I hear my door slide across my carpet and the light flick on. I rip the covers down and my eyes meet with my father. With a serious look on his face he sits on the edge of my bed. I knew I wasn't going to get away with yelling at my mom. Here it comes.
