The Strange Existence of Krissy Nichole (The Memory Eater Chronicles Book 1)

by Rose Alexander

  "I'm starving. How about Red Robin?" Noah suggests.

  "Yummmm," Noah and Chance say at the same time.

  "Unlimited fries is never a bad thing," my dad agrees. "Let's go."

  We hop into the van with the boys and head to the restaurant. When they said unlimited fries, they weren't kidding. As soon as we arrive, they load the table with baskets of fries, and keep them coming the entire time we are there. Those boys eat more than I thought possible. When we finish, they drop us off at the new house and say goodbye, reminding me that Catherine invited me over for dinner soon.

  We get to work, unpacking boxes and finding places to put everything. When I make it to my room, I realize I can't use my bed. I put away my clothes, and place my books and laptop on the desk then go back to the living room.

  "Um dad," I say, getting his attention.

  "What's up, Nikki?" He looks up at me.

  "I kinda need sheets, blankets, and a pillow," I wring my hands together.

  "Crap, I didn't think of that. Let's go to the store.” He smacks his forehead as he stands up.

  We get in the car and go to the store and stock up on bedding, toiletries and extra towels for both bathrooms. I'm exhausted by the time we get home.

  "Make sure you wash the bedding before you use it," he says.

  I take the bedding out of it's packages, go to the laundry room off the kitchen and start a load. When that's finished I plop on the couch to take a break.

  "Lets not move again," I yawn. "At least we didn't have a ton of stuff."

  "I'll second that," Dad grins as he turns the TV on. "I had the cable hooked up before we moved. Do you want to watch something?"

  "Watch whatever you want." I close my eyes for a minute to rest them.

  I feel a gentle shaking on my shoulder and open my eyes. Blinking a few times to focus I see my dad standing next to where I'm sitting. "Do you want dinner before you crash for the night?"

  I smell something yummy, but I can't put my finger on what it is.

  "What did you cook?" I ask. "And what time is it?"

  "It's almost eight and I made balsamic chicken," he replies.

  "It smells good, whatever that is," I stand up and stretch.

  "I moved your laundry into the dryer," he says as I follow him into the kitchen.

  I take a plate and cover it with rice, then add chicken, mushrooms, and carrots on top, making sure plenty of sauce covers the rice. We sit at the new table and eat. The food is lovely with a tangy vinegar taste to it. When I'm done eating, I put the leftovers away, load the dishwasher, then get my bedding out of the dryer.

  I spread the teal and purple comforter over my bed before I take a quick shower, dry my hair, and crash for the night.

  The next morning I wake up and it takes me a minute to remember where I am. The sun is streaming through the window because I forgot to close the blinds last night. I look out into the backyard and see the six foot wood fence surrounding it. There are no trees and the grass has turned brown. I wonder if Dad is still ok with the idea of getting a dog?

  The house is quiet when I go to the kitchen. I look through the food we have and decide to make egg in a basket for breakfast. I take the eggs out and beat two of them with milk, then take the bread and use a small cup to cut round circles out of the middle, setting the circle from the middle to the side for yolk dippers.

  I dip the bread in the egg mixture and then throw it in the heated frying pan. Next, I crack an egg in the exposed hole and let it cook along with the french toast portion. When I've cooked enough for Dad and me, I knock on his door, waking him up.

  "You didn't have to cook me breakfast," he says when he emerges from his room.

  "I wanted to," I shrug as I grab my plate and sit down.

  We lounge around the house for the rest of the day. After dinner I check off my school work to make sure I haven't missed anything, then play on my laptop until bed.

  The next morning I wake up early and get ready for school. The weekend flew by entirely too fast for my liking. I grab breakfast as Dad gets ready to go then we head to school. Morning classes drag on until it's finally lunch time. I sit with the guys and Tori joins us again. We chat while we eat and get to know each other better. It turns out we have the same taste in music and television shows.

  "Krissy Hoalt please report to the principal's office," the intercom comes to life.

  "Why are they calling me there?" I ask. "I haven't done anything wrong, have I?"

  "No clue," Tanner replies. "I haven't seen you do anything."

  I get up slowly and make my way to the office, my stomach churning. When I open the door, Arlene smiles sweetly at me.

  "Don't look so scared, sweetheart. You're not in trouble," she reassures me. "Go on in, they're waiting for you."

  "Thank you." I walk past her into the open office door.

  "Close the door behind you please," an older gentleman says from behind his desk.

  I do as he says and see my dad is sitting in the office as well. My stomach sinks further. Do they have news about something? Why didn't my dad just talk to me on his own?

  "My name is Gerald Fritz," the gentleman says. I look him over. His head is completely bald, but he can't be more than forty. His green eyes are kind and wrinkle on the edges as he smiles.

  "Nice to meet you, Mr. Fritz. What's going on?" I take a seat next to my dad.

  "We've received news from one of our CODA contacts." He glances over at my dad.

  My heart starts pounding in my chest. I've been waiting for this, but I'm scared of what they will say.

  "Your mother has been located..." my dad trails off, tears welling in his eyes. "She's being held in a facility in Wichita, Kansas."

  "Why are they keeping her if she isn't gifted?" I ask, tears burning my eyes. "Is she ok? Are they hurting her?"

  "We don't know how she is, only where she is at. Vinco is most likely using her to try and get to you and your father," Mr. Fritz explains.

  "We need to save her." I turn and look at my dad. "She would be safe if it wasn't for us."

  "I agree, Nikki, but we can't just rush in there and risk more people. They are stronger than you understand," he explains. "We'll find a way to save her, I promise."

  "That's not good enough. I can't sit back and do nothing," I purse my lips together.

  "That's what we have to do for now. I can't lose you too," my dad says, his eyes pleading with me to listen.

  "Then tell me what I can do to help," I say through gritted teeth.

  "Focus on studying. When we know more, you'll be the first to know," Mr. Fritz dismisses me. "Class is about to start you should get going."

  "Fine, but I won't wait around forever," I warn them as I stand up and leave.

  I can't believe they know where she is but won't let me do anything about it. I grab my cell phone out of my locker and step outside and try to call Uncle Tony. Dad said he is safe, so maybe he can help me. I dial the phone, my hands shaking. I'm growing more angry by the second. If CODA is so great, why are people still succumbing to this Vinco, and what are they really up to? No one has told me enough to know.

  "Krissy?" Uncle Tony answers after the first ring.

  "Tony... They know where my mom is but they aren't doing anything about it," I sob, tears running down my face as soon as the words leave my mouth.

  "Sweetie, Vinco is dangerous. Tell me everything," he says patiently.

  I explain everything that has happened since I last spoke to him, ending with the conversation I just had.

  "I can't just sit here and pretend that everything is ok," My lip trembles as tears threaten to pour again.

  "You're going to have to trust CODA this time kiddo. I think I've lost my tail. Sit tight and I'll head out there and see if I can help," he replies.

  "You'll really come out here for me?" My eyes widen.

  "Kiddo, you're family. I would have let you move in with me if it was safe at the time. You need to trust your Dad. I know him
leaving was hard on you, but he really does care," he explains. "I'll see you in a couple of days."

  "See you then," I reply then hang up.

  I rush into the bathroom and splash cold water on my face, trying to get rid of my puffy eyes. That's the biggest issue with being a sloppy crier, everyone can tell it afterwards. I dry my face off then head to class, slipping in my desk right before the bell rings.

  "What happened?" Noah eyes me up and down.

  "I don't want to talk about it yet," I snap, flinching at how angry my voice sounds. "Sorry."

  Noah nods, a look of understanding crossing his face. He reaches out and grabs my hand and squeezes it once then drops it.

  "When you're ready, I'm here," he says gently.

  "Thank you," I reply, trying to hold back the fresh wave of tears burning my eyes at his kindness.

  Understanding Auras starts and I allow myself to focus and push my worries to the back of my head. When class ends I wish it was the end of the day, but Memory Eating is next. I follow the guys to class and listen as we explore each color a bit deeper.

  Chapter 10

  The week flies by and it’s finally Friday. Tori agrees to come over for a sleepover. It’s the first one I’ve ever had and as the school day wraps up I get nervous. What is someone supposed to do at a sleepover? Is it really like the movies make them out to be?

  When the final bell rings after control class, Tori skips up to me.

  “I’m so excited!” she squeals. “I have to admit, I’ve never been to a sleepover before.”

  “Oh thank God,” I let out a sigh of relief. “Me either.”

  We both fall into a fit of laughter and tears are streaming down my face by the time we stop.

  “My sides hurt,” she says between heavy breaths. “We need to stop.”

  “What’s so funny?” Tanner asks as he approaches us.

  “Nothing,” I try to hold back my laughter.

  “Girls are strange.” Chance rolls his eyes. “Your dad asked us to give you ladies a ride home.”

  “I need to get my stuff.” Tori takes off.

  “Me too,” I reply.

  We head to our lockers and collect our things then follow the guys out to their minivan. On the way home, Noah cranks the music up loud and we sing along as Halsey blares through the radio.

  “Thanks for the ride,” I say when we pull up in front of my house.

  “Anytime,” Noah grins.

  Tori and I get out then head inside my house. I show her to my bedroom so she can leave her things then we hit the kitchen.

  “What do you want to snack on?” I ask as I open the cabinets to survey what we have.

  “Anything is fine with me,” she replies.

  I pull out a bag of microwave popcorn and pop it in. When it finishes popping, we sit on the couch and snack while we find something to watch on Netflix.

  “The Vampire Diaries!” Tori exclaims when I pass it. “Have you seen it?”

  “No, but I read the books,” I reply.

  “The books are great, but I love the show. Damon is so hot.” She fans herself.

  “Let’s watch it.” I grin and start the show.

  We watch the first episode then my dad comes through the door.

  “What are you girls planning on doing this weekend?” he asks.

  “No clue,” I shrug. “Probably just hang out.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Tori smiles.

  My dad’s phone rings and he steps outside to answer it. I wonder if it’s about my mom? I haven’t told Tori anything about her yet. I think I can trust her. I pause the TV then turn and look at her.

  “I need to tell you about something. It’s weighing heavily on me,” I play with my hair.

  “What’s up, Krissy,” she asks, a concerned look on her face.

  I tell her everything. How my mom kept me secluded then disappeared, then Uncle Tony was being followed, and finally how they found my mom, but we can’t get her back yet.

  “That’s a lot,” she says when I finish. “I always knew what we were. I can’t imagine growing up in the dark. I live with my dad. He’s nongifted like your mom. My mom was captured by Vinco when I was really little.”

  “Is that why you say you don’t fit in?” I ask, remembering her comment at lunch one day.

  “It is. People like Becca use it as an excuse to look down on me,” she admits, giving me a sad smile. “My dad’s parents were gifted, but it skipped him somehow. He was still able to help me understand what was happening to me when I started seeing auras.”

  That sounds strange. Dad said two gifted parents make a gifted child. Does that mean her dad is adopted… or did his mom cheat on his dad? That’s a can of worms I’m not going to open.

  “Screw people like Becca. They are insecure so they try to tear other people down,” I reply. “Thanks for listening to me.”

  We turn the TV back on and return to The Vampire Diaries. Tori is right, Damon is hot, but a total asshole. Stephan is much more likable.

  Dad comes back in with a grin on his face.

  “What’s up?” I ask, wondering why he looks so happy.

  “Tony is in town. I’m going to go pick him up. You girls want to come?” he asks.

  “He is?” I ask excitedly. I forgot to talk to Dad about the conversation I had with him earlier this week. “I want to, but only if Tori is ok with it.”

  “I’m game,” she shrugs and stands up.

  I turn the TV off and hop up excitedly. I miss my uncle, and maybe I can talk him into a new tattoo. We pile into the car and drive across town to the Greyhound station. I’m shocked he rode a bus instead of driving himself. We pull up to the curb and Uncle Tony hops into the front seat. He turns back and grins at me.

  “Told you I would get here.” He grins.

  “Yes you did,” I smile back. “This is my friend Tori.”

  “Nice to meet you,” He turns and waves at her.

  “You too,” she replies, giving him a small wave.

  “We should go eat to celebrate,” My dad suggests. “How about Huhot?”

  “I love Chinese!” Tori squeals.

  “Good,” my dad chuckles.

  We head to the restaurant and stuff ourselves with the all you can eat buffet then head back to the house. When we arrive, my dad and Tony head back to the spare bedroom and shut the door. I guess they don’t want to share whatever they are talking about. I’m put out because I want to know more about this Vinco stuff, but they seem to think I can’t handle it.

  I’m distracted from this line of thought when my text alert goes off.

  Chance: Hey! We are going to Elitch Gardens tomorrow. Do you guys want to come?

  Me: What’s that?

  Chance: Only the best amusement park ever! How have you not heard of it?

  Me: I’m not from here… Let me ask Tori.

  Chance: K

  Ugh, I hate it when people text me ‘k’. I turn to Tori.

  “Do you want to go to Elitch Gardens with the guys tomorrow?” I ask her.

  “Really? They invited both of us?” Her eyes opening wide. “I know you’re new, but they don’t really hang out with anyone but themselves.”

  “He asked if we both wanted to go,” I assure her. “It’s up to you.”

  “Uh, yeah. I love roller coasters and they have this new art ride I bet you would love,” she replies.

  “Ok, I’ll tell him we are coming.” I giggle.

  Me: Tori is game. What time do we need to be ready?

  Chance: Awesome! We will pick you up at eleven.

  Me: See you then.

  “Oh my god! I can’t believe we are going to an amusement park!” Tori squeals.

  My dad pokes his head out of the hallway.

  “What are you doing?” he asks, a confused look on his face.

  “Chance invited us to go to Elitch Gardens tomorrow with them,” I explain.

  “Oh, that will be fun.” A dark look crossing his eyes.


  He turns to go back down the hallway. What the hell was that about?

  “Wait! What’s going on? What are you guys hiding?” I ask.

  “Not now,” he answers then looks at Tori.

  “I told her about Mom already so just spill,” I push.

  He sighs and walks over and sits on the couch next to me.

  “It’s not about your mom. Nothing has changed on that front yet. This is other stuff. I promise I will tell you when I’m ready.” He runs a hand through his brown hair. “Can you just trust me for now?”

  “I guess…” I trail off.

  “Thanks, Nikki.” He smiles before standing up.

  I watch as he goes back down the hallway, taking any answers I thought I was going to get with him.

  “It sucks when adults think we are too young to hear the truth. We’re not little kids anymore even though they try to treat us like we are,” Tori says. “My dad does the same thing.”

  “I’ll get it out of him eventually,” I sigh. “Let’s go back to our show.”

  “I’m always up for more Damon time,” she fans herself and giggles.

  We watch a few more episodes and I have to admit, even though they change a lot from the books, I’m really into the show. It’s getting late so we head to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a fun day.

  “Thanks for hanging out,” I tell Tori as I settle into bed.

  “No, thank you for inviting me. It’s nice to have a friend,” she replies.

  “Yes it is,” I smile as I drift off to sleep.

  The next morning I wake up to Tori pouncing on me.

  “Get up!” she says. “We need to get ready to go!”

  I glance at my phone. “It’s only eight. We have plenty of time,” I groan.

  “But we are going with boys! We need to do our makeup and pick out cute outfits. Not to mention our hair,” she rattles off the list.

  “Um, Tori… Have you ever looked at me?” I raise my eyebrows. “I wear jeans and tshirts, and when have you seen me wear makeup?”

  “Oh, that’s true. There’s a first time for everything.” She grins.

  “Nope, not happening. Keep that stuff to yourself,” I reply.

  “That’s no fun.” She pouts. “I figured you’d be really good at it since you’re an artist.”