Eden's Children

by Sandy Johnson

  “Guess what?”

  “What?” I asked intrigued.

  “I saw Mr Jeffrey’s passport. His name is fucking Bob!” She squealed.

  “Oh my god Bobby Jeffrey’s.” I giggled; I don’t think we laughed so much in our lives. Mr Jeffrey’s turned and stared at us as we put on our ‘nothings funny’ poker faces.

  “Sorry bob.” Caitlin whispered. I tried so had to hold in the laugh, but it exploded louder this time.

  “Miss Terra is something funny?” Mr Jeffrey’s asked.

  “No sorry sir” I replied with a straight face.

  “Teacher’s pet.” Caitlin said sneering at me.

  “Oh yeah what about Mr Davis?” I snapped back. Now she was the one smirking.

  “What about him?” She said innocently.

  “You’re always flirting with him and pushing your boobs up to get his attention.”

  “Ha! I wouldn’t need to push them up to get his attention. I’m surprised he hasn’t been sacked yet with the amount of times he’s looked down student’s tops.” She said pulling a yuck face.

  “I think it’s a look but can’t touch kind of rule, I’ve had four teachers dismissed since I started. I’m only allowed in female teacher’s classes. Well except for Mr Jeffrey’s.” I said smiling at the back of his balding head.

  I really appreciated him. He was the only male teacher who wasn’t affected by me. He was such a nice teacher as well. I knew he was married with three grown children, and that he liked to play golf, but what I liked the most was that when he looked at me he saw a student not an object he wanted to put his hands on.

  “Yeah you have had some shitty luck with teachers. It’s no wonder you like to hit them, I probably would too.” She said looking behind us.

  I turned to look as well and then I saw it was Daniel. “Here we go again.”

  “Actually, it’s not again, I haven’t been there yet.” She said laughing.

  When the safety procedure started, I knew we were getting close to take off and I started getting butterflies again. I loved the outdoors especially in forests, walking through the trees was heaven to me. I felt free and now the thought of seeing all of it from the clouds was a dream come true. I couldn’t help looking out the window at the ground below us. Luckily Caitlin was busy chatting up the boy behind us to even notice me. I looked down at the forests and lakes spread out below us. I thought of my mom and how she would love this view. She was a real green thumb who was always growing and planting. Our entire house was covered in plants and flowers or pictures of them. She told me that she was brought up surrounded by flowers. She wanted it to be the same for me, to understand how important it was for the earth. Otherwise it would be a barren planet with no life. I laid my head back and thought of home. Then I fell asleep and fell back into my Garden of Eden.

  When I open my eyes and looked around I saw the world was burning down to ashes. The sky was black with a storm raging. Then I felt him. I felt his love, but it was different this time. I am walking towards him through the fire. It couldn’t hurt me, not when he was here. As I get closer I start to see him. His dark wavy hair falling on his face. He was wearing black but was the light of my life. He was mine and I needed to get to him. I start running. I get closer and I can see him smiling at me….

  “EVELYN WAKE THE FUCK UP!” I look up at Caitlin’s terrified face. She had an air mask on… that’s when I start to realise the plane is moving erratically. “Put this on.” She said shoving the mask over my face.

  I look out the window and the sky was black. The clouds were roaring with fury. “Where did this storm come from?”

  There shouldn’t be a storm here; it was forecast for all clear skies.

  “I have no idea, it came out of nowhere. We’ve been told to keep the masks and seatbelts on. It’s massive, I’m so scared.” She started to sob as she looked out the window.

  I recognised this sky. It’s the same as my dream. I turned to hug Caitlin. She was terrified, but I wasn’t. I don’t know why but it seemed surreal as though I was still in the dream. The plane was suddenly still. I looked out the window and the storm had cleared. It dispersed as quickly as it started. A voice came over the speaker

  “Ladies and gentlemen this is your pilot speaking. I’m pleased to announce the storm has moved on and it should be clear skies for the rest of the trip. If you need any assistance, please press your help button and our lovely air stewards will be with you shortly. We will be arriving at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in roughly 30 minutes.” I looked at my watch and saw that it was 7.47am. My tummy rumbled loudly.

  “How can you be hungry after that?” Caitlin asked.

  “It’s over now so I’m hungry.” I grinned.

  She stuck her middle finger up at me.

  “Ooooh classy” I said smirking at her.

  Suddenly there she was; The stewardess, right on time bringing the breakfast cart.

  “Anything for you ladies?” She asked.

  “No thank you not after that.” Caitlin said.

  “I’m starving what cereals do you have?” I asked.

  “I’ll go check and bring it over in a minute. I’ve run out of boxes. I’ll be right back.”

  When she left, I laid my head on Caitlin’s shoulder. I don’t usually like being this close to someone, but I always felt safe with Caitlin, I needed the comfort after that dream and so did she. The sooner we got on the ground the better.

  When we landed I could swear Caitlin was about to kiss the ground when she stepped off the plane.

  “Thank you, god!!!” She shouted at the sky.

  “Oh, come on it wasn’t that bad.” I teased her.

  She turned to me. “Maybe because you were snoring the whole way through it.”

  I put my hand to my chest and opened my mouth wide in fake shock.

  “I do not snore, thank you very much.” I said in a posh voice.

  She burst out laughing. “Yeah and you snort too.”

  “You’re such a bitch.” I said nudging her.

  I still had an uneasy feeling in my stomach, but I was finding it easier to ignore now. I just hoped I wasn’t getting sick. Mathew jogged to catch up with us then.

  “And what do you want handsy Harrison.” Caitlin said to him.

  “Oh, wow did you come up with that all by yourself? Let me try… Catty Caitlin did you know your arse is hanging out and distracting all the old pervs?” He snapped back at her.

  I couldn’t breathe I was laughing too hard. They were always like this. I’d swear they fancied each other.

  “Well at least I’ve got something to show unlike your little prick.” She said blowing a kiss at him.

  “Why don’t you have a look and see how little it is?” I could see he was desperately trying to hold a laugh in.

  Caitlin stuck her fingers down her throat.

  “That’s disgusting. OK I think this has gone a little too far.” She said punching Mathew on the arm.

  “No but really your skirt is riding up and your butt cheeks are on show or is that the intent?” He asked. We all turned around and Daniel was behind us.

  “Yeah I think it’s on purpose.” I answered.

  “Look I’m your friend so I’ll let you know he actually does have a little prick.” Mathew smirked then walked off to baggage claim to get his bag.

  I could see Caitlin pulling her skirt down a little. “Well that whole journey was pointless.”

  “Why do you even listen to him?” I asked.

  “Well, you see, they all get changed together after sports. You know shower together and stuff, so he lets me know who’s worth it.” She said winking at me then walked over to get her bag.

  I followed to get my bag and we headed outside to the coach. As I boarded I saw that Caitlin saved me a seat, but unfortunately for her, Daniel had sat in front of her and was trying to talk to her. I could see Mathew in the opposite seat laughing into his hand. I had to keep myself from laughing as
I sat next to her. Mathew and I looked at each other so the laughing got a little louder and she was sending us daggers.

  “Daniel, I have to be honest with you. I’ve been trying so hard to keep this a secret but I’m a lesbian.” Caitlin looked dead serious when she said it. Mathew and I looked at her in shock “and I’m sleeping with Evelyn.” She smiled and kissed my cheek.

  What the hell? I looked at her with a massive albeit confused grin. Daniel was now looking at me and looking back at her.

  “You can turn around now Daniel. We have some loving to take care of.” She said then lifted her leg over mine. Daniel moved to the back of the coach as soon as she did it and we just cried laughing, it was never a dull day with them.

  The coach pulled up outside the hotel and we all got out. It was amazing here. I couldn’t believe I was standing in the French Quarter. The buildings were stunning. I couldn’t wait to look around, but the teacher was calling us inside. He told us to buddy up as we had to share. I laughed when Mathew tried buddying up with Caitlin.

  “Mr Harrison only same sex sharing.” Mr Jeffrey’s announced to the whole lobby.

  “Mr Jeffrey’s I would never share my sex with Caitlin.” Mathew said back to him.

  He wasn’t impressed, but he got a laugh out of everyone else. We were told to go unpack, freshen up and meet in the lobby. We were going to walk through the French quarter and learn about the architecture. We had to be there at 1pm sharp to have lunch in the hotel then go meet the tour guide for 2pm.

  I plonked down on my bed. “I can’t believe were actually here, we made it!”

  Caitlin scowled at me. “Yeah we barely made it. I’m not looking forward to the trip home.” Then she threw a dress at me. “Here you go, that’s for tonight. We gonna party.”

  “What?”

  She laughed at my horrified face. “I already told you we are going out dressed like slags.” She started dancing around the room.

  I thought back to my promise to mom. I didn’t know if I could betray her like that, though she wouldn’t know or find out, but when I lifted up the dress I looked at her. “I am not wearing that.”

  “Yes, you are. You said you would so tough.”

  “Where’s the rest of it?”

  “Rest of what?”

  “The rest of the dress? It looks like it’s got less material than a mankini!”

  At this Caitlin fell on the bed laughing. “Ok I’ll let you off, I’ll wear that one.”

  I threw it back at her and started unpacking my stuff.

  When I finished I had a quick shower to freshen up and threw on jeans and a light cotton sweater. Caitlin was dressed in a black mini skirt, white lace top and high heels. She looked stunning. I did envy that she could dress how she wanted without having to worry. That’s when I felt it. A massive pulse through my body. My skin felt like it was on fire. I felt tingling everywhere, but this can’t be right I only felt this while dreaming, was I asleep? I looked at Caitlin, but she hadn’t noticed anything. My heart was racing, and my legs turned to jelly.

  “You OK Evee you look pale.” She asked.

  “I’m fine. I’ll be down to lunch soon. I’m just feeling a little faint.” I needed time to calm down.

  “Ok are you sure? I can wait?”

  “No seriously go I’ll be 5 minutes” I insisted.

  After she left the room I laid down on the bed. OK I must be half dreaming I thought. I needed to wake up as this can’t be real. I got up again to look in the mirror, but I didn’t look pale anymore. My whole face and chest was flushed. I went to the bathroom to splash cold water on my face. When I looked again in the mirror my skin had calmed down, but my eyes looked brighter somehow and glossier. I paced for a little longer and knew I needed to leave. I couldn’t stay in the room all day, but as I got closer to the lobby I felt my stomach dropping like on a rollercoaster and it was getting out of control. I told myself to just ignore it and keep walking.

  They were already heading into the restaurant part of the hotel, so I followed in and sat down next to Caitlin with Mathew on my other side. I felt my heart beating faster and a knot was forming in my stomach. I tried to ignore it and talk to Mathew, but I could feel someone staring at me. I waited, hoping he would find something else more interesting but he didn’t. I wanted to look up at him, but my body wouldn’t let me, he had me fixed. I was starting to panic, Mathew got up and went up out into the lobby to talk to the clerk. Now he could see me better and I started shaking.

  “Evelyn what’s wrong?” Caitlin asked, “You’re shaking… and you’ve turned into a tomato.” She said looking even more concerned.

  “Is there someone looking at me?” I whispered to her.

  She looked around the room, and I knew she spotted him. She stopped dead facing him. I knew where he was even though I hadn’t seen him. It felt like he was looking into my soul, touching me all over my body. I tried to get up, but my legs wouldn’t move.

  “Do you want me to talk to him?”

  “No.” I said, that would only make it more noticeable.

  I forced myself to get up and walked quickly to the lobby and ran up the stairs. I just needed to get away. I sat in a hall way as I couldn’t get into our room. I had given the key to Caitlin and I wasn’t going back to get it. After I left the dining room I felt a lot better. I sat on the floor trying to pull myself together.

  After a few minutes Caitlin appeared at the end of the hall. “Evee what’s wrong? Did he do something to you? Do you know him?”

  I shook my head. “He kept staring at me. I just felt a little uncomfortable.”

  “With a face like that he could stare at me all he likes” She shrugged.

  “I didn’t see his face.”

  “Then how did you know he was looking at you?” She asked.

  I was about to tell her when I felt it again. Was this attraction I wondered? I didn’t even see him, but I knew he was getting closer. I stood up quickly and pushed Caitlin to our room.

  “Open the door now.” I insisted. She got the key out and unlocked the door. I ran inside and dragged her with me.

  “Whoa what the hell is going on?” She demanded.

  “Sshhh he’s outside.” I whispered. Now she was looking at me like a crazy person. Suddenly there was a bang at the door and I jumped.

  “Well I’ve had enough of this.” She went to the door and shouted, “Piss off pervert she isn’t interested.” As she opened it we both looked in horror, as Mr Jeffrey’s came through the door, but he wasn’t angry. The way he was looking at me was alarming.

  “Caitlin would you mind waiting outside? I need to speak to Evelyn alone.” He said looking at me with pain in his eyes.

  “Of course, I’ll be outside Evee if you need me.” She said. I couldn’t talk. I knew that this couldn’t be good, but I wasn’t prepared for what was coming.

  “Evelyn I’m so sorry to tell you we had a call from the police. Your mother went missing this morning. The house was broken into and trashed and they believe she has been abducted.”

  “Abducted?” I asked.

  “Yes, they haven’t been able to locate her.”

  The room started spinning. I could hear myself screaming but I couldn’t feel anything. My world just collapsed, and I could see my tears falling to the floor. I just felt hollow. I tried to look up at him, but suddenly the room went black.

  Chapter 3

  Aiden

  “Ugh Jake just piss off!” I yelled.

  “Language Aiden I heard that!” Sarah shouted from downstairs.

  Jake was grinning at me from across the room. “Aw come on man I want to go into town. There’s nothing else to do. We can go to that place you like to eat.”

  He beamed at me whilst doing a little dance.

  “The hotel?” I asked. He gave me a really corny thumbs up. “Ok fine, but you’re paying and driving.”

  “Awesome! How about we try and pick up some girls?” He said wiggling his eyebrows at me.

&
nbsp; “You know girls don’t interest me and stop that thing with your eyebrows, it’s weird.” I replied throwing a ball at his face.

  He managed to move out of the balls way, but then he had that stupid look on his face again. “Pick up guys...?”

  I laughed “I’m not gay ok? I just haven’t met anyone I’m interested in. They all seem the same to me.”

  “You aint got to marry them or anything. Just let loose and have some fun. You’re getting all bottled up and frustrated. Just let it go.” He said

  “Ok why don’t you go sleep with that girl that keeps following you around? I don’t know her name.” I said.

  He grimaced. “Rosy? Nah, she aint my type. I just couldn’t.” He was shaking his head now.

  “Well that’s how I feel about all the girls I meet.” And that ended that conversation for now.

  “Fuck this. Let’s go eat!” He said.

  “JAKE STOP SWEARING OR YOU”RE GROUNDED!” Sarah bellowed.

  He looked at me and whispered, “Aren’t I a little old to be grounded.”

  “Keep swearing and you’ll find out. It looks like I might be going to eat alone.” I got up and walked out of the room. Jake trailed behind me.

  “Yeah, your right better safe than sorry.” He said while creeping down the stairs.

  But Sarah was waiting for us. “And where are you two going?”

  “We’re going to the French quarter to get lunch. Is that OK Sarah?” I smiled at her. She couldn’t help but smile back at me.

  “Ok boys be back in time for dinner and behave yourselves, especially you Jake.” She poked him in the chest.

  “Ow mom that hurt.” He said putting his hand over where she poked him.

  “Yeah sure it did. I’ve got things to do, get going, out of my way.” As she walked into the kitchen.

  Jake calls her mom, but she isn’t his real mom. He had been in their care since he was three and knew nothing of his real parents. Only that they couldn’t look after him properly. I was five and remembered my dad well. I also remembered the night when the men came and took him away from me. It was the worst night of my life. My dad was a great dad. He looked after me well and always said he loved me. It was hard adjusting to life in the Andrews house as having a mother was alien to me, but at least I had Jake. He knew how I felt and was always talking to me even when I didn’t talk back. As we got older we started behaving more like brothers and getting into arguments all the time especially when he would hit or poke me. Sarah told me that I was always like this. I hated being touched so it was made a rule in the house that I have my own space, and if Jake overstepped the boundaries he got in a lot of trouble for it. Nobody in the house touched me without consent. She took me to a psychologist who came up with the conclusion I had been previously abused and further contact would cause more trauma, but I knew that wasn’t true. My dad never hurt me. He was always hugging me, and I felt safe with him. Even the nanny would only handle me if it was necessary. The condition just seemed to grow with me and it was normal for me now. I could handle it to a point.