Eden's Children

by Sandy Johnson

  Eden’s Children

  Chapter one

  This is it….

  This is the day I die.

  I could tell by the way mom slammed the door that I was in deep shit. I shouted out as sweet as I could. “Hi mom, have a good day?”

  She stormed into the front room. “How many times do I have to get a phone call from your Principal? Telling me you’ve hit another boy in the face? Huh?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Well I guess until boys learn to keep their hands to themselves.” I muttered.

  She hit me on the head with her scarf.

  “Ow!” I shouted, pretending it hurt.

  “I know you shouldn’t have to put up with that, but did you have to use a weapon?” She shrieked.

  “I wouldn’t class a selfie stick as a weapon…” She tried to hold in a laugh, but I heard it.

  “Okay, that was kind of funny, but you need to be more careful. You’re lucky the teacher saw him put his hands on you. I wish you would let me home-school you. The school said they may have to report it depending on whether his parents want to press charges. Who was it anyway?” She asked while putting away the shopping.

  “It was Mathew.”

  She popped her head around the door. “Mathew? You’re Mathew?”

  “He’s not my Mathew, but yes it’s who you’re thinking of.” I told her.

  “He has never done anything like that before has he?” She was concerned now.

  “No, he hasn’t. I wasn’t expecting it and just sort of reacted. He knows what I’m like, so he was asking for it.”

  “I told you boys are no good and it’ll keep happening. Just make sure you’re not alone with him ok.”

  I ran and gave her a massive hug. I loved my mom so much. She was more than just my mom, she was my best friend. We did everything together. I wanted to be just like her. She was always kind and so beautiful. She had a wide smile that made you want to smile as well, she had deep dark eyes as black as onyx with long dark brown hair that cascaded over her shoulders and down to her waist, she was always slim and hadn’t even seemed to age. She would always get male attention wherever we went, but she never seemed interested in anyone. I wanted her to be happy. She always told me she had only been in love once and it would never happen again. She still loved my dad very much. I would ask her a lot as I got older about him. At first, she told me it was too hard for her to talk about, but she started to open up a bit more the older I got. I knew his name was Theo, and when she spoke of him the love, joy and sadness I saw in her eyes made me feel dejected. She said he was the most handsome man in the world. He was strong and would always lay his life on the line for her. She talked as if they’d been together for an eternity, but mom was so young. She had me at 16 and I have no memory of him. When I asked she told me they had a very hard decision to make and to protect all of us he had to leave. She said that he loved me with all his heart, but then why did he leave us? A man who was supposed to love us just left and never came back. Is all loved like that I wondered?

  Growing up I always felt half empty, like there was a part of me missing. Mom said my dad was her other half, but when I tried to get close to anyone I didn’t feel anything except repulsed. I was going to spend the rest of my life alone, and as much as that hurt to think about it’s better than being with someone I couldn’t love. My other half was probably living in a cave somewhere knowing my luck. We have moved around a lot, so I’ve known a lot of boys; Thin, smart, fat, stupid, muscly, kind, ugly, gorgeous, average, pretty. The list was endless, but it always ended the same way. As soon as they got close I felt an icy shiver up my spine and it felt wrong. I would have to end all my friendships because of it. Boys were always trying it on. Mom started doing defence training when I was 14, which probably got me in more trouble than out of it. Mom discouraged any dating saying she’d rather I beat the shit out of them than kiss them.

  “What are u smirking about?” She asked.

  “Oh, sorry mom I must have been day dreaming.” I muttered.

  “Right enough of that, you’ve got to get ready for the trip tomorrow.” She said pulling out the suitcase from the cupboard.

  “I know I’m so excited! It’s so beautiful there, New Orleans here I come.” I squealed with delight as Mom laughed at me.

  “You’re going there to learn about Creole culture not Mardi Gras.” She said. I turned to look out the window.

  “Yes, but I’ve never been anywhere before. I’m surprised you’re even letting me go.” When I looked at her she was staring at the floor.

  After a moment she looked me up and down uneasily. “I just worry about you, and this trip is only for two days. How much trouble could you get into in that time.”

  I smirked. “Better bring my selfie stick.”

  As I entered my room I felt like I was being watched. I tried to shake it off, but the hair on the back of my neck stood up and my heart started racing. I looked out my bedroom window down onto the street. No one was outside except for a black car sitting outside the house across the street. I had never seen it here before, and I knew it couldn’t belong to the elderly couple that lived at that house. Suddenly the car pulled away and drove off. I just put it down too being anxious about the trip tomorrow. I undressed and got into my pyjamas. They were my favourite fluffy pair with a bunny on the front. Honestly, I still felt like a little kid.

  I picked up my phone and saw a message from Caitlin.

  ‘Evee u packed yet? I don’t know what to bring or wear? Is it cold there?’

  I smiled. Caitlin was the closest thing to a sister I could have, but she was my opposite. She was stunning and very popular, loved being centre of attention and partying. She was slim even though she ate like a pig, but she had always been there for me. She’s the only one I could let get close to me, and she never pressured me to enter her social circle. My mom knew her mom, and when I was having trouble with making friends she’d invite Caitlin to stay with us. 9 Years ago, we moved to LA to be closer to her.

  ‘Not packed yet I’m my PJs in bed lol I’m gonna start now. Erm normal clothes? When I looked at the weather it said its going to be warm, so you’ll probably be wearing miniskirts and crop tops ??’

  Although it was a joke, it wasn’t far from the truth. She was always wearing revealing clothes. As she says, ‘if you’ve got it flaunt it.’ I on the other hand, liked to be covered up. Jeans and t shirts for me. I got enough unwanted attention from boys fully clothed never mind half naked. I always tried to pretend the attention I got was really for Caitlin but as I got older I started to notice the attention I got was different. Then my phone beeped again.

  ‘LMAO you’re in your PJs??? Its only 7! Fancy getting dressed and coming to a party?? I have a gorgeous dress you could wear we could look like slags together?’

  I laughed so much. God, I love that girl, I replied.

  ‘thanx but you know my mom would never let me out especially after today and I do have lots of packing to do and I think u should stay home as well or u won’t be up early tomorrow for the plane’

  Right it was time to pack I decided. I got my rucksack and started putting clothes in it. I was only going to be away for two days, so I wouldn’t need too much. My phone beeped, and it was Caitlin again.

  ‘Yeah you’re probably right OK tomorrow night, New Orleans! we are going out and you’re not getting out of it this time no mom around’

  She was right; This is the first time I’ll be away from home. My stomach felt like it was filled with butterflies. I was excited and nervous.

  After packing my bag, I went down to see my mom who was painting in the kitchen. She was just a wonderful artist. She mainly painted landscapes and flowers that almost looked real. She brought life out in her work a
nd sold them for a high price, but she never signed them. She sold them through an art gallery anonymously. I’d often see them in restaurants and people would ask who the artist was, but they never knew. I wanted to shout my mom! She painted these! Though she told me I must never tell, and I promised.

  “Hi mom.” I said waving as she looked at me with pride.

  “Hi sweetie you get all your packing done? Do you need anything else to bring with you?” She asked.

  “Can I bring you?” I pleaded, but she laughed.

  “No, I’m afraid I can’t come with you honey, but you’ll be fine. You’ll have Caitlin with you, so make sure you always stay with her and the teachers. I don’t want anything happening to you.”

  I gave her a hug. “I promise mom I’ll be very good.”

  She squeezed me back. “You’re very special you know that? You have no idea how special you are, but you will one day when you ready.”

  I rolled my eyes. “You’ve been saying that to me since before I can remember, will I ever be ready in your eyes because I’m not getting any younger?”

  She kissed my forehead. “Yes, you will and very soon. Now go up to bed, you have to be up early tomorrow.”

  “Ok night mom, love you.” I said, as I walked up the stairs.

  “Love you to honey.” She called out.

  I walked into my room and had a look around trying to see if I had forgotten anything. I went to the window and opened it letting the cool breeze wash over me. I looked down at the flower on my window. It was a ghost orchid that looked like a flower with two skinny legs in my opinion. My mom had got it for me for my 16th birthday. She said it’s one of the rarest flowers in the whole world, and that as long as we were together it could live forever. Honestly, I didn’t believe her, but the flower never wilted or died in all weathers. It was as beautiful and white as it had ever been. I stroked one of the petals and got a static shock. Thinking “what the heck.” It was more of a pleasant tingle than a shock though. Staring at my hand perplexed I moved back to bed to lie down and pulled my duvet up to my face. For years now, I’d been having the same dream night after night. I never dreamed of anything else although it starts off as a nightmare. As I close my eyes I think of him, the man in my dream that I loved with all my heart.

  When I open my eyes, I’m standing in a sort of garden surround by funny looking plants. Flowers of all colours of the rainbow and trees that reach up to the sky. I watch as the squirrels run along the long branches, and I can see rabbits bouncing around my feet as the birds sing. Then I see him, walking towards me from far away and getting closer. I can’t see him properly, but as he gets closer everything around me start to burn. All the animals, all the trees, all nature is burning to ash. Flames are engulfing me as I try to run to him, but fire blocks my path. I try to stop the flames, but it doesn’t stop. It’s not natural. This fire is different. Everything is dying. I close my eyes and scream as the smoke fills my lungs and I can’t breathe, then suddenly someone’s behind me. I feel hands around my waist pulling me back. I don’t need to see him, I can feel him. As I melt into him I feel safe and happy. The flames start receding and I feel a strong force shielding us. I try to turn around to see his face….

  Then I wake up. As I look at the ceiling I feel my whole-body buzzing, like id been struck by lightning. Then the dream fades and I’m back in bed covered in sweat and panting like I’d run a marathon. I got up, had a quick shower and changed my sheets. I went downstairs to the washing machine. I was getting worried my mom might start to notice that the night sweats were getting worse. I never told her about the dream. I just said I’d wake up sweating and she didn’t seem concerned but told me I had to say if it’s getting worse. I went back upstairs and got into bed and close my eyes to go back to sleep knowing I’ll be back in the burning garden, unable to stop it.

  I could hear a ringing noise, but I was too tired to care. I turned around and put the pillow over my head trying to block it out, and then I heard my door opening.

  “Evelyn! Time to get up come on we’re going to be late.” Mom said shaking me. I tried ignoring her hoping she’d leave but she just pulled the duvet off me instead.

  “Maybe I should just stay home. My bed is so comfy.” I muttered sleepily pulling the duvet back up over my face.

  “Get your butt out of bed now.” I could feel her staring at me, so I peeked out from under my duvet.

  “Ok I’m up. I’ll be down in ten.”

  “Make it five.” She shouted walking down the stairs.

  I picked up my bag and slung it over my shoulder as I walked towards the door. Mom was already in the car waiting. I walked over and got into her Nissan leaf. She adored her car. It was like her other child and you know, you must do your bit for the environment as my mom always said. She sold the greatest work of art she’d ever done to buy this electric car. Frankly I would have preferred to keep the painting. It was the most incredible piece of art I had ever seen. It showed a garden that was blossoming around a man and a woman as they kissed. It was breath taking. I started to think maybe that’s where my weird dream was coming from, but my dreams started way before she even started it.

  “You OK honey, you seem rather quiet?” She asked.

  “Yeah I think I’m just feeling a little homesick.”

  “Homesick? You’ve only been away from the house for 5 minutes.”

  I smiled to hide my unease and looked out the window. It was pitch black and dead on the streets. Only crazy people like me were out this early. It didn’t take us long to reach LAX from downtown Los Angeles. It would normally take 30 minutes, but with no traffic and a mom who doesn’t abide by the speed limit, we made it in 15.

  Walking through the airport doors I heard a massive scream and the next thing I knew I was being tackled.

  “New Orleans!!!!” She screamed. Oh of course it’s Caitlin.

  “Oh my god! Are you trying to give me a HEART ATTACK?” I shrieked at her.

  She started bouncing around. “No of course not. Come on we can get on the plane now. Bye Mrs Terra I’ll look after her don’t worry.”

  She waved to my mom while skipping to the check in desk. I looked at my mom and could see tears in her eyes. She held me tight like she’d never see me again.

  “It’s OK mom, I’ll be home soon. I love you.” I said.

  “Please be careful. Don’t talk to strangers and stay with the group. I love you.” She kissed my head and walked away.

  I knew she was crying and she didn’t want me to see, but I knew I’d see her in two days. Maybe this will be good for me I thought as I turned around and headed to the check in desk.

  “Can I have your passport?” The check in woman asked. I handed it to her. When she looked at it she looked confused.

  “The picture was taken 5 years ago so I look a bit different.” I explained and offered her my student card with an updated photo.

  “Ok you’ll need to update your passport as soon as you can.” She said. “Here is your boarding pass. Have a nice flight.”

  I jogged to catch up with Caitlin.

  “What happened? You took ages.” She asked.

  “Yeah well my photo is a bit old.” I said showing her my passport.

  She laughed as soon as she saw 12-year-old me. “Wow I don’t even remember you looking like that.”

  Then I looked up and saw Matthew standing by the gate. I figured he wouldn’t still be coming seeing as he got a selfie stick across his ear, which now sported a bandage. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “Oh my god! Evelyn is that what you did to Matthew?” She said before roaring with laughter.

  “Well he won’t be tapping my ass again or I’ll do the same to the other ear.” We both started laughing.

  “Girls!” Oops Mr Jeffrey’s was looking at us. “Something you’d like to share?”.

  “No sir just excited.” Caitlin replied.

  Matthew was now looking at me with shame on his face. He started walking towards me. O
h god I thought, please don’t talk to me.

  “Evelyn can I talk to you in private please.” He asked looking ashamed at himself.

  “No, you can’t.” Caitlin snapped shooing him away.

  “It’s OK I’ll talk to him and catch up to you on the plane.” I told her, but she didn’t look impressed.

  “Ok but keep your hands to yourself Mattie.” She pointed at him and then walked away.

  He had gone bright red in the face. He looked down at the floor.

  “Evelyn I’m so sorry about yesterday. I don’t know what came over me, and I deserved everything you gave me and more. I really like you and something just came over me, but I promise it won’t happen again. Can you forgive me? I’d hate to have ruined a friendship like this. Give me a second chance.”

  I could see the guilt on his face and I felt bad for him. He’s always been very nice to me and stuck up for me when other boys tried to pressure me. My shields went up as soon as I felt his hand on me. He stepped back immediately looking fairly sheepish. That was when the teacher separated us, and I hadn’t seen him again until now.

  “Ok I’ll forgive you this time, but if it happens again I’ll put u on your arse in front of the whole school.” And I was serious.

  His smile broadened. “OK deal. Let’s shake on it.”

  “How about a high five?” I suggested holding up my hand, and he knew that was as much as I could give him.

  “Miss Terra and Mr Harrison hurry up or they’ll leave without us.” Mr Jeffrey’s shouted looking impatient.

  I turned and headed to the gate and gave my boarding pass. I was so excited and so nervous, but then I felt a deep stirring in my stomach that made me feel uneasy. I tried to ignore it, but it only grew.

  Chapter 2

  Evelyn

  I boarded the plane trying to ignore the feeling in my stomach. I could see that Caitlin was bouncing up and down in her seat. “Evee over here! I saved you a seat.”

  I made my way towards her and took the window seat. I’ve always wanted to see earth from the sky and this was my chance. I put my seatbelt on when Caitlin turned to me with the biggest smirk on her face.