by Vernon Scott
“I turned the page to the dates around my sister death and read. Apparently she was expecting someone to come to her house. I read the next page and it was more detailed. I still remember those words that she had written.
“‘Dear Diary,
‘August 15, 2003.
‘Today I’m going to meet with a stranger from my past. He and my father might have had there differences, but I can see the goodness in everyone. Ever since he had contacted me I thought of him as being quite considerate of others. I don’t know why father never talked about him as much. Every time I mention him to my father, he’ll get completely defensive, as if he was the spawn of Satan. I believe if my father actually talked to him now, he might have some appreciation for him. They practically grew up together.
‘After today I’m going to try my best to rekindle their relationship. I pray that father doesn’t continue to disown him. We’re all family and you cannot pick and choose who can stay in your family and who has to go. Maybe one day father may come to an understanding. But I guess I might just have to try my best to encourage them to relinquish there petty argumentative ties and convince them to strive to better themselves.
‘There goes the door bell. Part 1 of my plan commences today.
‘Signed, Julia Rivera.’
“I placed her diary back into her drawer and began contemplating. I tried my best to compare the facts. The killer could have been the guy she was going to see that day but who could it have been. I thought of all the possibilities. That person was someone that my father disowned and the person was a relative of some sort. Who could it have been?
“I left the room and walked into the kitchen. I visualized the way my sister was murdered. She bled from behind; therefore the killer had to have been in her house. Since the front door and back door were in clear view of the kitchen that made my earlier evaluation correct. The killer had to have been her guest.
“I looked under the kitchen cabinet and found nothing that could help me with this case. I then ventured outside to see if I could find anymore clues. I looked in the trash and found nothing there. I looked on the ground near the trash can and found an empty bottle. I examined it and it had some prints on them.
“I enter the kitchen again and noticed something that many of the officers missed. It was as plain as day. Julia was washing dishes before she died. That could have easily been dismissed as any sign of evidence.
“I thought back to the day we found the body. I remembered that all her prints were burned off by hydrochloric acid. I decided to test a new theory that I had. I found a glass cup in one of her cabinets and scooped up some of the water. I poured some on the ground. Some of the liquid splashed on my legs and I was sure that my hypothesis was correct.
“I called my father and asked him about what I found in Julia’s diary. He gave me a list of names. There was at least five. Two of the names I was sure were not the criminal because I’ve seen my father talk to them at times. But the other three were of people I have not heard of for some time. The three were: my aunt Rebecca and her husband Jacob; and my uncle Pearson.
“I went to Julia’s room and searched her computer to see if I could find any information. I looked through her history and saw that she did a search on our family. Each page talked about my father. It listed all relatives of my father. And then I found my answer. There was a link at the bottom of the page that was a different color than the rest which meant she had to have clicked on it. The link was entitled ‘Complete family tree’. I clicked on it and a window came up. I looked at the names, row to row, column to column. I found a name that was on my list that was in black which meant they had no information about that person.
“I went back to her history and saw that she also searched for a private detective. I found the number that she called to see if they could be of service. To my luck, it was the right number. The good thing is that the detective knew the number and answer by saying, ‘Detective Roberts speaking, how may I help you Ms. Rivera?’ I told him about the situation and he gave me the name of the person that Julia asked him to find. He had then given me the person’s location.
“I drove as fast as I could to the address. I knew exactly how the murder occurred and I now had the suspect. I called for back up and to my surprise we both got there at the same time. We kick down the door and busted him.
“Two days later I had to show up in court to prove to the jury how I came to my conclusion. It was a tough trial but thankfully the jury made the right decision and sent him packing”
…
“Wow that was quite interesting,” stated Gwen. “But if you don’t mind me asking, who was the murderer?”
I sighed and waited to reply, “It was someone that I least expected. I thought it was my uncle Pearson but it seems that he and my father got over there differences a long time ago. His name was the one that was black but that was because no one actually knew who he was. But the killer turned out to be my aunt’s husband Jacob.”
“How did he do it,” asked Gwen.
“Please tell. I must know,” said the nurse. I would have never known she was in the room if she had never said anything. Apparently I must have went off to my own world while I was telling my story. I looked at my surroundings and saw that the nurse wasn’t the only extra person that was in the room. My physician, his assistant and two interns were all in the room.
“When did you guys get into the room? Never mind. Back to the story…Jacob had planned everything out. He put the hydrochloric acid inside the sink knowing that she was about to wash the dishes. She invited him over for lunch to be friendly. About three years before his conviction, Jacob was said to have killed Rebecca for her money, not knowing that she had made him sign a prenuptial agreement. It turns out that he really did kill her but somehow he convinced the jury that he hadn’t. After that day mostly all of my family turned there back on him. On the day of Julia’s death when Julia began washing the dishes, the water burned off all traces of her finger prints. She screamed in pain and her neighbor saw through her window and just thought the water was too hot or something. While she was screaming, Jacob came behind her and literally stabbed her in the back. She started to call for help and he stabbed her in her trachea to shut her up. He had then left the house out the back door not knowing that he accidentally dropped the bottle that had the hydrochloric acid in it.”
“Oh my,” said Gwen, “that was some story, Marcus.”
“I know. But ever since that day I had never let a case go unsolved,” I replied.
After everyone left, Gwen decided that she had to go home and let me get so sleep. The only thing that is troubling me is what will happen to me if I’m left alone for way too long.
Chapter 9
Party Until You Die
I decided to move the date of the party up. I thought it’ll be better to have the party the day before my birthday. Gwen provided the flowers and I provided the musical entertainment. This year Gwen said she was going to have a flower show. She had many plants that were still budding. She said that at exactly 12 o’clock, the buds were going to open revealing the most extravagant arrangement of flowers ever.
I decided to dress up like Tuxedo Mask, from the Japanese comic ‘Sailor moon’. And she decided to dress up as one of the sailor scouts. I believe she said Sailor Mercury. Even though we came up with our costume choices at the last minute, somehow we always managed to steal the spotlight. To me many other people’s costumes surpassed mine yet I don’t believe they were appreciated.
Somehow I hadn’t had to experience the common ‘party-wait’, when you’re waiting for about an hour or two for your guest to arrive. I’m going to open the doors at 8 o’clock to let people in. But this year I’m going to have a huge surprise for everyone. Gwen might get mad at me because I hadn’t told her about it but she’ll get over it.
After Gwen’s flower show, I plan on having
one of the scariest haunted houses ever. Blood flowing down the stairs, nonpoisonous snakes and spiders will be let out across the floor, and my favorite, trained bats will be let loose. That will be one heck of a way to clear everyone from the house, but the only down fall will be the clean up.
“Two more hours until the party,” I thought. I needed to make some finishing touches for my plan. Gwen would be here any minute so I must hurry.
When Gwen arrived, I helped her carry her flowers into the house. She asked me to place them somewhere cold. I put them inside a walk in freezer that I rarely used. Gwen was so exited it seemed. She told me at an earlier time that I was going to finally meet her fiancé. She also told me that he is going to surprise us both when he arrives. I truly don’t understand why he would want to surprise me but who cares.
After Gwen and I finished putting on our costumes it was time for the party to begin. I opened the door and all of the party goers entered. In a short period of time the room was full of friends of both Gwen and I. We partied and partied. Around 9:30, Gwen’s fiancé Marcus showed up. He had on a great costume I must say. It looked as if he was actually shining.
He reached me and Gwen and said, “Surprise! The thing that I wanted to surprise you guys with is outside right now.”
All three of us left for the door. To my surprise, Marcus had bought Gwen and me matching motorcycles. Gwen’s motorcycle was a pure glassy white color and mine was a very dark blue. I was really shocked at the gifts. It was as if he really knew me.
“Thanks a lot Marcus,” Gwen and I said as if in harmony.
“No problem,” he replied.
“Well, let me be the first to say, welcome to the family,” I said proudly. “I will be proud to call you my brother-in-law.”
Gwen giggled, “Well, shall we go back inside?”
We retreated back into the house where the party was. We dance for a little while and then the clock struck signaling that it was 11:30. Gwen and I calmed everyone down so we can present the flower show. As Gwen had planned, when the clock struck twelve the orchids began to sprout.
It truly was an amazing thing to see. But after the flower show I decided to end the party. “Hello everyone,” I started, “I’m standing up here to wish all of you a happy Halloween and a safe journey home. If I may, Gwen and Marcus, can you please come up here and stand right next to me.” They walked forward and did as I suggested. “Friends, I’m happy that you all were able to make it. But with all means of respect I must inform you that the party has yet begun.” Everyone began to applaud. “With further adieu, I wish for you all to have a graceful night now let’s get this party started!” As soon as I said that I pressed a button to set my plan into action. As I planned, everyone ran away in terror. I couldn’t help but laugh. To my surprise, neither Gwen nor Marcus exited the room.
“I should have known you were going to pull something like that,” said Gwen. “That’s why we always have the best Halloween parties ever!” We both slapped five and went on our way.
She had a point; we do have the best Halloween parties. But I wonder what I’m going to do for next year.
Chapter 10
A Disappearing Act
Giovanni has one funny since of humor, I thought to myself. I was surprised that he would end the party like that. It was hilarious watching all our friends run in fear. He’s going to have one heck of a mess to clean up.
I was driving home on my new motorcycle that Marcus had bought me. If I would’ve known he was going to get me this. I wouldn’t have driven over to Gigi’s house. I was quite surprised at how well I was driving. I’d only had two experiences in which I’ve driven a motorcycle.
I was to meet Marcus a little later but I think he will be okay for now. I might drive for an hour or so to break the motorcycle in.
…
I arrived at Marcus’s house at two o’clock, as planned. He was on his couch waiting for me. He had popped some popcorn for the two of us. He had rented some horror movies for us to watch. I told him that I rarely get scared when I watch these things because they’re so predictable.
I walked toward the couch and sat right beside him. The popcorn was fresh. I grabbed a few and fed it to him. And he did the same to me. He pressed play on his DVD player and I heard a scream. That was somewhat unexpected.
Halfway threw the movie Marcus began to yawn. Either he was sleepy or he didn’t enjoy the movie. He yawned once more so I asked, “Marcus, are you tired? Or is this movie that boring?”
“To be honest,” he started, “it’s a little bit of both.”
I got the remote out of his hands and turned the movie and the television off. I walked him to his room afterwards. “Can you stay with me tonight,” he asked.
“Are you scared,” I asked jokingly. He chuckled. “I guess I can. Just so I can make sure you’re safe from monsters.”
I got into the bed next to him. He wrapped his arms around my waste and kissed me. Marcus was truly different from any other man that I’ve dated. Instead of sex he gave me something that seemed more important. He gave me complete and total intimacy. Most guys would have jumped off a bridge to get with me. I’d known since the day I had first saw him that he would be different.
…
Daylight glared through the window and had awakened me from my peaceful dream. I rose out of Marcus’s bed to see that it was 9:25. Marcus was still resting in bed. He looked so handsome while sleeping. My mother once told me that if you cannot appreciate what and whom you awake with, then you better have had a mental problem or some strong alcohol in your system to have had them in your presents to begin with.
I decided to take a walk around the house to think about life. I got out of bed and began walking towards the door. I opened the door and turned around to close it so that it didn’t make a loud enough noise to wake Marcus. Once I closed the door I turned around to see my mother staring at me.
I was once again in that realm. I turned around and saw Gigi looking at me as well. The door was no longer there. It was as if I was never at Marcus’s house to begin with.
They continued to stare at me so I asked, “What are you guys looking at?” In unison Giovanni and my mother both pointed downward. I looked down to see that I wasn’t wearing any pants, just a top and underwear. “I’m so embarrassed. Please tell me you have some clothes mother.”
“As a matter of fact, I do,” she replied. “I have some for you too Giovanni.”
She reached out her hands and two outfits appeared. She handed one of them to both of us and said, “These uniforms represent your abilities.” I looked at my suit and it was a very dark red with a bright red strip going down both sides. Gigi’s was the same except his was a very dark blue with a very bright sky bluish color going down its sides. “For Gwen,” she continued, “red. It represents strength and the never surrendering light. And Giovanni, you have blue, which is flamboyant and lucid. It flows smoothly just as wind and water does.”
“Mother why are we here,” asked Giovanni.
“I was getting to that,” she replied. “Your five year training starts today—”
“Five years,” I questioned with astonishment. “What about our lives in the human world mother! What about the facts that I’m suppose to get married?”
She cleared her throat, “Maybe if you stop interrupting, I might be able to tell you.” My mother had then repositioned herself. “The flow of time is altered in this realm. Time goes past much faster here then it does on Earth. During the five year period you two will learn how to master your abilities. You’ll learn how to control your energy flow and you’ll learn how to defeat the savage monsters that come to this world. Your training will begin now.”
Chapter 11
Training for Destiny
The first twenty months, Gigi and I both worked on our main powers. Mother told us that our powers will unlock themselves gradually a
s we prosper in our training. At the end of our first twenty months, I mastered my power over fire and Giovanni mastered his power over wind. Our training was vigorous. We had to search high and low for a thing that goes by the name of “Elementum Vox” and from my knowledge of Latin; I believe it means “Elemental Power”. Mother said that we wouldn’t be able to find it unless we’re truly connected with our powers.
During my second twenty months my brother and I finally unlocked our next level to our powers. Giovanni’s new ability was to manipulate water and mine was the power over earth. We had to once again search for yet another Elementum Vox. I found mine in a cave in which I had created to escape the outside world. As for Gigi, he found his in a pond that he had created for relaxation. Mother appeared before us both simultaneously to inform us that our final twenty months will be coming to an end. She also told us that we had one more ability to master. It was said to be a mixture between the powers that we possess. The last thing she’d told us is that we’ll have to figure that power out on our own and all ways of communicating will be halted until the end of our third twenty month time period.
Today was the last day for me to find my final Elementum Vox. I discovered that when I mix my two abilities together and time the reaction right, I can produce metal. But that wasn’t all that I needed to find out because if it was, I would have been able to master my powers by now.
I decided to think about all possible things that I could do with my powers. Out of anger I punched the grounds. The task of conquering my abilities was finally pressing down on me because I had a certain amount of time to master my abilities.
I looked down at the sand that was in my hands. I screamed at the top of my longs. “Why must this be so aggravating? I made steel for goodness sake, what more can I do?” As I continued to yell the ground below me began to shake. “As if I hadn’t tried my best,” I continued to yell. “What good is it to have these abilities if you can’t truly master them? If I had some way to contact Giovanni, I bet he would have mastered all of his abilities.” I felt steam rise up behind me. I looked at the dirt that was once in my hand and found that it was no longer there. Instead of dirt I found a diamond. I turned around to see where the steam was coming from and saw that I’d created my very own volcano.
