Sunny Eve

by Shayla Hyde

  The park was nothing special by any means. There were a couple of slides, swings, and a crawl tunnel. That was about it. What I enjoyed most about Hollow Point was the peace and quiet. It reminded me of Langley. It was like a small piece of my hometown had found its way back to me.

  I sat there for probably half an hour longer before I started to hear rustling in the woods next to me. I quickly sprung to my feet, dizzily stumbling forward, but catching myself before I could fall. My heart was hammering in my chest. It was getting dark out, so I decided I should probably head back. I started toward the parking lot when I felt a secure hand grip my shoulder, stopping me in place. My heart hammered against my chest, and I nervously peeked over my shoulder. Kaden stared back at me.

  I exhaled in relief, “You scared me! Why are you following me?” I jerked my arm away from his grasp.

  "Eve," he frowned at me, "You don't listen very well, do you? I thought you were going to stay inside."

  "I've been inside. I needed a break," I defended myself. "I actually need to talk to you. I think I've found a way to fix all of this." He tilted his head to the side and attractively squinted his dark blue eyes at me. "And what's that?"

  "I talked to my dad. He told me a witch named Mary Wilson was the

  one who gave me this mark,” I explained, “I found out my mom and all the other females on her side of the family have the same mark as me.

  Mom’s mark killed a vampire in front of my dad, and after that, she became convinced there was a clan coming for her. She said they wanted revenge, and she was right. They came for her. They killed her on her birthday. Halloween," I quickly stammered. “It wasn’t a car accident.”

  "She killed Malcolm," Kaden realized. “That’s what happened to him. They were very secretive about his disappearance.” “Malcolm?” I curiously peered at him.

  “Malcolm was the brother of Calvin and Owen. He went missing many years ago, and no one knew why. I assumed they executed him themselves, but now I know." He took a step closer to me, "I am sorry about your mother."

  I shook my head, “Me too. She didn’t deserve what they did to her.”

  "Did you tell your father everything?"

  "No," I quickly answered, "I don't want him getting involved." “I understand," he bobbed his head, his dark hair bouncing on his forehead. "So, what is this solution you said you have?"

  "Oh, yeah. Mary Wilson has a daughter named Ida Wilson. She should be around seventy-eight years old and she lives in Langley,

  Washington, where I’m from."

  I noticed a smirk growing on his face, "I see. Ida may know how to undo your mark before the Primevals arrive."

  "Exactly," I agreed. "Iris and I are leaving Saturday morning to go see her."

  "Just the two of you? Not a chance," he shook his head. "I'm coming with you."

  "What about Jake? Aren't you supposed to be helping him?" I scoffed. "Leaving him unsupervised doesn’t seem very wise." "I’m not leaving him unsupervised. He can come with us," Kaden insisted." He's already made considerable progress."

  "Whoa, I don't know about that," I raised my eyebrows. "I'll have to talk to Iris. And how is he supposed to go anywhere in the daylight? He doesn't have a protection brand."

  He chuckled, running his fingers through his medium length hair.

  "What's funny?" I scowled at him.

  "Iris will be okay with it, trust me," he explained with a smirk. "Jake will not hurt her, and I think he learned his lesson with you. It’s going to be raining here and it’s always raining in Washington. The sun can't hurt him if it's not out."

  “It’s not always raining in Washington” I disagreed, “but I guess I’ll run it by Iris”

  He shook his head, and his lips stretched into a broad smile. He turned away and started hiking back toward the tree line he'd come from. "Jake and I will see you Saturday morning," he called over his shoulder, "now, go home, Eve."

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN:

  I woke up early again the next morning. I wanted to get some things packed while my dad slept off the hangover. I wondered if he would even remember our small altercation from the previous day. When I'd got home, he was already sleeping again. It was as if he didn’t even care.

  I threw some comfy clothes in an oversized pastel pink duffle bag. It was only supposed to be a day trip, but I grabbed all of my personal necessities just in case. Anything could happen, and I tried to expect the unexpected. When I heard stumbling coming from the bedroom across the hall, I zipped up my duffel bag and shoved it underneath my bed.

  "Eve!" Dad shouted suddenly, making me flinch.

  I rolled my eyes. "What?" I exclaimed, not budging.

  "Can you come here, please?"

  I huffed and rose to my feet. As much as I didn't want to, I made myself walk to his bedroom. He was sitting at the foot of his bed, still wearing the same outfit from the day before. He looked terrible, and his room reeked with a mixture of vomit and alcohol.

  "What?" I asked from the doorway, my arms folded tightly against my chest.

  "I'm sorry, Eve, for yesterday," he said it just above a whisper.

  "It's fine," I shrugged, dropping my arms to my sides.

  "Is everything okay with you?" Dad suddenly whispered.

  "Um, yeah,” I lied, “Why?”

  “Just curious,” he shook his head, “After everything I told you.”

  “Yeah, it’s cool. I’m fine.” I tried to sound convincing. He stared at the hardwood floor beneath his socks, silently contemplating. “I don’t know why or how to explain it. Something just feels… off.”

  “That’s silly,” I laughed nervously. “Everything is fine.”

  He smiled softly. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  “Always am,” I winked, “Oh, hey, is it okay if Iris comes over?”

  “Sure,” he agreed, “What do you girls have planned?”

  “Oh, uh,” I stuttered anxiously, “nothing really. Just the usual.” Dad studied me suspiciously and opened his mouth to respond. Right on cue, my cell phone started ringing. It was an incoming call from "Iris Simmons." I accepted it.

  "Hey," I said softly. I glanced at my dad, but he was staring at the floor.

  "Hey," she exclaimed into my eardrum, "is it cool if I come over right now?"

  "Yeah, absolutely," I stated, "I'll meet you in the driveway." "Okay! I'll be there in like five," she shouted again. "See you then," I said, then ended the call.

  “Is she on her way over?” Dad asked.

  “Yeah,” I slid my phone in my back pocket. “You sure it’s okay?” “Mm, yeah,” he nonchalantly said, keeping his eyes on the floor.

  Four minutes later, I met Iris in my driveway. Before she had a chance to get out of her truck, I ran to her window. She rolled it down, a huge smile on her face.

  "I need to tell you some things before we go inside," I said sternly, glancing at the front door to make sure my dad hadn't come outside. She shut off her engine. Her joyful smile faded to stone. "Climb in, we'll talk."

  I rounded the truck and climbed into the passenger's seat after wrestling with her suitcase of clothes. "Are you bringing your entire wardrobe?" I smiled, shoving it in the middle seat.

  She shrugged guiltily, cracking a soft smile.

  I went ahead and spilled everything that had unfolded since we'd last seen each other. I told her about the Primevals, the true story about my mother, the witch, and the actual reason we were going to Langley. When she had all the info, I finally looked at her again. "Oh, my gosh," she whispered, her eyes wide. "They're coming after you?"

  I nodded, "Yes, but I'm hoping we can fix everything tomorrow." She dropped her eyes to the steering wheel, "And here I thought we were going on a mini-vacation."

  I frowned at her, "I'm sorry."

  "Don't be sorry," she stared back at me, "I'd much rather save your life. We can go on future vacations together, like, when we are both old and retired. Because you will still be alive then."

  I chu
ckled, "I hope you're right."

  "I'm definitely right. This Ida lady will fix you right up. I guarantee it," Iris said, biting her fingernails. She didn't seem so sure. “It's crazy how you never knew this stuff about your mark. Like how your mom had it, too."

  "I know," I sighed, "but she passed away when I was a baby, and Dad hid the only photo of her where her mark was visible. He kept it all from me to keep me safe.”

  She shook her head, an uncomfortable expression on her face.

  I felt my lips twitch. "There’s something else."

  She raised her brows at me. "There’s more?"

  "I ran into Kaden yesterday. I told him everything, and he wants to come with us to meet Ida," I explained anxiously. "Which means he would have to bring Jake with him." She gaped at me.

  "If you don't want him to go, it's fine, Iris," I told her sincerely, "and I wouldn't blame you after everything. I told him I’d ask you first."

  "As long as Jake doesn't try to… I don’t know, eat anyone. Yeah, I mean, a-as long as he doesn't try to eat anyone, I'm cool with it," Iris stuttered.

  "Kaden bragged on his progress, so I think you're safe. He won't come, though, if you're uncomfortable with it. I'll tell them both to stay here," I reassured her.

  "No, it’s cool,” she smirked. “You know, despite Kaden being what he is, I’m still kind of shipping you two.”

  I chuckled softly, "you’re kidding, right?”

  She shrugged, smiling brightly. “You know I can’t resist a good romance.”

  I relaxed my head on the headrest, smiling over at her. “I know you can’t.”

  She giggled, and the smile slowly faded from her lips. "You know, I saw Jake attack that lady that night. I saw his face, how scary and demonic he looked, but not once did I feel like he was going to hurt me," Iris admitted to me, staring straight ahead.

  The corners of my lips tugged. Kaden had even said Jake wouldn’t hurt Iris.

  "I honestly think Jake coming with us with be fine," she confirmed. "As long as my parents don't find out." I nodded, my lips pursed together.

  “Oh, I forgot to tell you something," Iris exclaimed.

  I perked up in my seat, "Tell me what?"

  "The autopsy report on Bradley came back. Dad wouldn't tell me much about it, just that his parents fled as soon as they heard the news, as you already know. The police think they're somehow involved with his death," she informed me, a look of disgust on her heart-shaped face. Once again, I was visited by that guilty ache in my stomach. We

  frowned at each other briefly. I would’ve quickly turned Elizabeth into the police with a smile on my face, but after what she'd done to Bradley, I knew what she was capable of. I couldn't risk the lives of our police officers, especially not with Iris's dad being one of them.

  We hopped out of Iris's truck, and I directed her to leave her suitcase hidden in her vehicle until the next morning. We went inside my house and straight down the hallway toward my bedroom. Dad was nowhere in sight, so I assumed he was still hiding out in his bedroom. Just as we were about to step into my room, my dad exited his. Iris got a first-hand inspection of how rough he was looking.

  "Hi, Mr. Stanton," she said politely.

  "Oh, hey there, Iris. How are you doing?" He ran his fingers through his messy hair. He was probably attempting to groom it, but to no avail. "Good," she nodded, "just got back from visiting my mom at work and thought I'd stop by."

  "That's fine," he smiled at her, "I was just about to get a shower and cook some breakfast. Any suggestions?"

  “Oh, I actually already ate this morning, so I’m okay,” Iris told him with a smile.

  “Anything is fine,” I told him, awkwardly directing Iris inside of my room.

  Dad nodded, a weird expression on his face, and continued to the restroom. “Alright.”

  Iris and I went to my room. I plopped on the edge of the bed and stressfully rubbed the back of my neck.

  "Hey, stop worrying," she comforted me, "we will figure everything out tomorrow. We will fix it." She hopped on the bed beside me and interlaced her fingers with mine, "I've got your back. No matter what." I glanced at my best friend and nodded, “Thanks, Iris.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:

  The next morning, the sun was tucked away behind the clouds as Dad loaded up for his trip. He left around nine o'clock but not before hounding me to death about staying safe and following his rules. "Yes, sir," I saluted him.

  "Here's some extra cash,” he pulled some money of his wallet. “Oh, and the investigation at Westview is almost over which means school will be back in session soon. Keep an ear out for that," he ordered, handing me a wad of twenty-dollar bills.

  "Okay," I said, unfolding and straightening out the cash.

  "Be careful, Dad," I told him as he climbed into his truck.

  "You, Evelyn, are the one that needs to be careful," he told me with a straight face.

  I was taken aback, but I nodded, anyway. “When will you be back?"

  "As soon as I can," he told me. "Hopefully by next Saturday."

  "Alright," I backed away from his truck, "I love you, Dad." "You, too," he told me. He grabbed his door handle, slamming the door shut. The sound of his truck cranking up made every dog in the neighborhood howl.

  After his truck pulled out into the street, I faced Iris. She was fumbling with some papers in her truck’s glove compartment. "How did I do?" I scratched the back of my neck.

  "I think he bought it," she shrugged. "Your acting skills could use some brushing up, but still, I think he bought it."

  I scowled at her, "wow, thanks."

  She giggled, "No problem. Let's load up! When will Jake and Kaden be here?"

  "I actually don't know. Kaden said he’d see me Saturday morning," I shrugged.

  "And I do see you," a voice called out from behind us.

  I spun around and found his face inches from mine. He was standing so close to me that I could feel his icy breath on my hair. He smelled earthy, like he'd just come from the forest. I took a single step back, examining his perfect facial features, from his midnight blue eyes and softly arched eyebrows, to his perfectly pointed nose and defined jawline. His medium-length dark hair was softly fringed up.

  "Good morning," he smirked at me.

  My eyes traveled down his chest to his abdomen. He was wearing a well-suited black t-shirt that his biceps were trying to pop out of and slim-fitting dark jeans.

  "Good morning," I smiled, chewing on my bottom lip.

  I glanced over at Iris. She was now staring at her sneakers. I lightly nudged her with my elbow and she side-eyed me. "You okay?" I mouthed silently, examining her.

  She nodded two quick times and refocused on her shoes. Jake was strolling toward us from the street with his hands in the pockets of his black sweatpants. He was wearing a navy-blue Westview baseball t-shirt and some silver athletic shoes. Some things don't change.

  I rested my hand on Iris’s back while he approached as a precautionary measure. He stopped in front of her but wisely kept his distance.

  "Hey," he said quietly, seizing her attention.

  She slowly lifted her eyes from the ground and found his. A soft smile tugged at the corners of Jake's lips, then Iris's lips did the same. I shared a glance with Kaden. I knew they would be okay on this trip. "My bag is inside. I'll go grab it, and then we'll head out," I told the group, then rushed toward my house.

  I hadn't realized how chilly it was outside until I stepped inside of my

  toasty home and my cheeks began to thaw. I grabbed everything I’d be needing and slipped into a thin jacket on my way out.

  "Cold?" Kaden asked as I approached them again. His eyes were on my jacket.

  "Just a little," I shrugged, tossing my duffle bag in the truck.

  Iris cleared her throat, "So, how far is the drive?"

  "Four hours," I grinned at her. "So, get comfortable."

  I tugged the driver's side door open and maneuvered into the seat. As I sat
there waiting for everyone else to get in, I awkwardly wondered what the seating arrangements would be. Thankfully, Iris took the passenger’s seat. Jake sat behind her and Kaden sat behind me. I was glad.

  When everybody was settled in, I started the car. I was feeling a little nervous about the long drive, but I told myself I would do fine. I had to. Good driving is in my blood. I had Iris set up the GPS on my cell phone because I wasn't sure I could remember the route well enough to guide us there myself.

  The drive to Langley was the longest, most awkward drive I’d ever made. I had to stop and gas up a couple of times on the way, and I bought Iris and myself something to eat once, but those were the only stops I made. For the most part, we were all silent. Most of the ride was spent listening to staticky radio music and the rain bouncing off the roof of the vehicle. I was anxious, and the closer we neared Langley, the sicker I felt. I prayed Ida was still living there. I hoped she would be able to help me.

  When I saw the Langley, Washington City Limit sign, it felt like my heart exploded in my chest. I was having extreme nostalgia and anxiety. I could feel all the eyes in the car on me, but I ignored them and pressed the gas pedal harder. I turned down Raven Road, the road my grandmother lived on before she passed away.

  I'd lived in Langley for my entire life and for ten years after she'd passed, but this was the first time I'd gone down her road since her passing. It used to be the route Dad would take when dropping me off at school, but after her death, he started going the long way around. She was his mother-in-law, but they had a remarkably close relationship. She was the mother he never had.

  The grass, weeds, and trees were so overgrown around her tiny farmhouse that the house wasn't visible from the road anymore. I could only faintly see her brick chimney poking up through the weeds. "What is it? Did you know someone who lived there?" Iris questioned me.

  That's when I realized I'd come to a complete stop in the middle of the street. I cleared my throat and nodded.