Naomi Grim (The Silver Scythe Chronicles) Part 1
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One day left. Everyone was present for our last and final lesson—Father and Dunningham included.
Doyle placed five black velvet boxes on the coffee table.
"What are those?" Josh asked.
Doyle stood in front of us and picked up one of the boxes. "You can't walk around a school with your scythes, but you can't collect lives without them." He opened the box and held the contents out for us to see. It was a silver chain with a tiny silver scythe charm on it. "So we had these made for you. When you're wearing them, they will possess the same powers as your scythe. You must never take them off. They are just as sacred as your scythes."
Dunningham's assistant handed us each a box. I removed my necklace, letting my fingers run over the cold metal. I loved jewelry. I wished we could wear these all the time instead of walking around with the heavy scythe that could sometimes be a nuisance.
Dunningham stood and took mine from me. "Here, let me." I turned a little so he could fasten it around my neck. My body shivered from his ice-cold touch, and I wanted him to move away. "There," he said and thankfully went back to sit in Father's chair.
Doyle sat also. "Now this is the most important part. You must return to the residence each night. None of the humans can know where you live. You cannot bring them there."
The residence. It was going to be weird with just us kids living together. I was used to being away from home for long periods of time when on assignment, but I was always alone—just me and the human I was following. A smile spread across Bram's face. I knew he was already thinking it was party time.
"Now, Bram," Doyle continued, "I will be dropping in from time to time, but when I'm not there, you're in charge."
Had Doyle never met my brother? What kind of idiot would leave him in charge?
"You will be in charge of making sure everyone is home by their curfew each night. Make sure they are following the Covenant. Keep the humans out of the home. Get as close to the humans as you can without blowing your cover. Is that understood?"
Bram nodded. "Yes, sir. Don't worry. I'll keep these kids out of trouble."
I tried really hard not to roll my eyes. Who was going to keep him out of trouble?
Mr. Dunningham stood, hopefully to leave. "Young Grims, I have entrusted you with a prestigious task—a task I would only offer to the best of the best. Govern yourselves accordingly."
That night, Father gave us a long lecture before we went to bed about how our future in Nowhere was riding on this. How this assignment was going to open so many doors for us. In other words, we couldn’t mess up. We turned in early to get a good night's sleep, although I never fell asleep. I was anxious about being a high school student among the humans, and I wasn't sure if I could pull it off. What if everyone hated me? What if I fell prey to a bully? Then I reminded myself that I wouldn't be alone. My brothers and best friend would be there. Everything would be fine.
The following morning, Father made us a hearty breakfast. This was unusual because he hardly ever cooked. We munched on scrambled eggs, sausages, potato cakes, toast, and melon. I was stuffed, but my plate was still half- full. Father told me I needed to eat it all so I could start the day off on the right foot. I didn't think vomiting would be the way to do that.
I dressed in my usual attire—black boots, black jeans, a black tank top, and my black hoodie. Keira and I had decided that we would see how the other kids were dressed first and then we'd adjust our wardrobes . I slid my new backpack on my shoulders. I'd never had use for one before. I grabbed the duffel bag filled with things I had packed and went downstairs.
We stood at the pantry/transporting chamber. Father handed us each an envelope filled with money for various expenses. It was American money, a different currency from the silver coins we used in Nowhere. Bram's wad was twice as large as Dorian's and mine. He would be in charge of keeping the house stocked with food and other necessities.
We loaded our things into the chamber before giving Father a final hug. He gave me an extra kiss on the top of my head. "Take care of them," he said to Bram as the door of the chamber slid shut.
We began to move up like in an elevator. Doyle had said there would be a vehicle waiting for us. I'd told him that none of us knew how to operate a vehicle, but Bram had insisted that he did.
The chamber opened up to a forest clearing. There was nothing but trees and a black SUV, a nice one with black-tinted windows. It was big enough to carry us and all of our things. The trees formed a nice shaded canopy over us. I was happy for that. The human world was much too bright for a Grim's eyes.
"Nice!" Bram said as we carried our bags toward it. The doors were unlocked. We threw our duffle bags in the back compartment. I climbed into the passenger seat. Bram slid in front of the steering wheel, where the keys sat in the ignition.
Dorian got in the middle row. "Bram, don't wreck this thing, okay?"
"Relax. I know what I'm doing."
But he didn't. It took him a while to start the car and get it out of park. We lurched forward. Bram slammed on the brakes and I almost hit my head on the dashboard, prompting me to pull the seatbelt around my waist. I wasn't so much worried about us, but I didn't want Bram wrecking our only source of transportation.
We rode like this for what seemed like a long time. I felt sick. Bram made sharp turns and slammed on the brakes the entire time. A little box connected to the dashboard told us how to get to Kennedy High.
Finally, we pulled in front of a huge red-bricked building that had several other buildings behind it. There were kids walking toward the school in all directions. Someone honked a horn behind us.
"All right, all right," Bram muttered. He pulled into the place where the other cars were parked. He turned into an empty space, put the car in park, and turned off the ignition. The finality of that made my stomach drop.
Bram smiled at me and Dorian. "All right, Grims. Let’s get this show on the road."
The three of us left the SUV and moaned as we reached for our shades. The brightness burned my eyes terribly. I looked at Dorian. He looked terrified. I patted him on the back as we followed Bram toward the building.
Bram walked ahead of us with confidence, as if this were something he did every day. He turned to us, walking backward. "Just think. Any day now, this place is going to be the sight of an epic massacre."
Stay tuned for Part 2 of Naomi Grim: The Silver Scythe Chronicles