A Night of Flame and Blood

by Elisabeth Huerta

“Let’s go.” He huffed. I followed. The streets were empty, the wind whistled in my ear, light pattering of animals scouring around as they did their nighttime activities. His presence was comforting.

  We got to Robert’s house quickly, Daston took long strides, and I found myself rushing to keep up. Daston did not talk—probably still mad at me—but he did place his hand on the small of my back. I took that as a sign that he was getting over his anger.

  “You did not answer my question.” I said breaking the silence. “What were you doing here?” I asked.

  Daston’s face was hard. “What do you think I was doing? I was obviously waiting for your stubborn ass to do exactly what you told me you wouldn’t do.” He huffed

  My head bowed down in shame. “I’m sorry.” I whispered.

  Daston’s face softened. “Sorry, I didn’t mean for that to come out so rude.”

  “It’s ok.” I stated. “I should have told you the truth, then you would not have been waiting who knows how long.” I turned towards him his mouth was pressed into a frown.

  “Long.” He whispered.

  We arrived in front of Robert’s cream colored house. Daston looked like he was observing the perimeter. He was studying the landscape, the house. Trying to find the best way to execute the plan.

  My plan was to climb up the tree that was next to Robert’s window and get in, but Daston thought it was too risky. Especially since I admitted that the window does make a certain grinding noise when opened.

  He finally seemed to settle on a plan. “We should just walk in through the front door.”

  “What? You want us to walk in like a pair of house guests?” Was he crazy.

  “Exactly,” he grinned. “Judging by the house and the little patio set I see peeking out the back yard, they most likely hide the key in one of those fake rocks beside the porch.”

  I glanced towards them, the rocks had always stood there, placed for decoration since the first time I came to his house. I gave him a questioning look.

  “Trust me, at least one of those rocks are holding a key. No one buys decorative rocks unless they use it to hide something in.” I did not know whether to argue or keep my trap shut. I chose the latter and let him saunter up to the porch and pick up one of the rocks.

  He shot me a mocking smile when he pulled out a key. “Told you there was a key in here.” He said as I walked towards him.

  “Yeah, yeah. So, you found a key, big deal. That still doesn’t save us from the fact that we have to go into someone’s house.” I was never nervous about breaking into Robert’s room. If he caught me all I would get was a stern questioning. If his parents heard someone breaking in, they would not come downstairs to check it out. They would call the cops in a flash.

  “Don’t tell me you’re nervous. What happened to fearless Brianna?”

  I ignored his question. “Daston, what’ll happen if we get caught?”

  “We won’t.” There was no doubt in his words, it made me think he had done this many times before. “Plus, as long as we’re both quiet they’ll have no reason to know anyone’s in there.”

  “Ok.” Quiet, I can be. I had been sneaking out of my room for years without my parents knowing. I was stealth when I wanted to be.

  Daston opened the door slowly and poked his head inside. He went in first and signaled me to follow behind him.

  Robert’s house was dark, I had trouble seeing. It took me a while to get used to the poor lighting. I barely made out the couches in the living room before Daston gestured me to go upstairs.

  We crept up the staircase, our footsteps barely registering on the floor. Daston was not making any noise behind me. Even his breaths were muted. I was right, he had done this before. He was too quiet, too calm, for this to have been his first time. I struggled to keep my breath even. Just a couple more steps, I thought.

  Traveling through the house was the easy part. Going inside Robert’s room to search was not going to be easy. Robert was a heavy sleeper, still we would have to be quick to not get caught.

  As soon as we opened the door, I noticed something different. Robert’s entire room was littered with books. They were thrown vicariously around the ground. I didn’t even know he owned this many books, and that wasn’t even counting the comics he had stashed under his bed.

  I was not sure where to begin. Any one of these books could be it. But something told me that fate was going to screw me over. It was confirmed when Daston nudged me on the shoulder.

  “What?” I mouthed.

  He pointed toward Robert who was sprawled half way off the bed. His mouth wide open, he was snoring loudly.

  I was going to ask Daston what his point was when I saw what he was really pointing at. Robert was cradling a book in his arms. I had a bad feeling about this. I took a step closer and managed to see the faint lettering of the title.

  Robert was holding The Seer’s Handbook.

  Apparently, Robert was keeping his own secrets. What happened with never having heard of it? He looked so damn sincere when he told me. And now I find him, red handed, with the book. He lied to me.

  I almost tore the book from his grasps, but Daston stopped me. He glared at me hard as he held me in his arms. I was fuming. He pinned me against his chest with one arm while the other snaked to my face and pulled my head closer to his lips. “What do you think you’re doing?” He whispered venomously.

  I shook my head. I did not even know. In that split second, I was mad enough to get us both discovered, but rationality returned to me.

  “I’ll get the book.” I whispered. He looked at me questioningly. “I promise I won’t do anything.” Even though I really wanted to smack Robert over the head with the book.

  He released me slowly, gauging my reaction. I approached Robert with Daston on my heels and very carefully removed the book from his hand. I looked at his face to make sure that he was not waking. My heart went completely still when he stirred. His breathing cut off before it went back to normal and I relaxed.

  I signaled to Daston that I had it and quickly got out of the room. I didn’t want to be in there one more minute. Daston followed me out.

  Once we were a safe distance from the house, I began the rant that had bubbled up in Robert’s room. I released all of my frustrations about Robert lying to me about the book. How we were supposed to be best friends until the end, yet he was keeping secrets from me. By the end I was huffing for air, trying to regain my calm. Daston did not say anything. He only listened to me yell.

  “Are you done now?” Daston asked when I stayed quiet.

  Was I done? “I think I am.”

  “Good.” My face hardened, he noticed. “Don’t look at me like that. It’s good that you took that off your chest, that’s all I meant. As for Robert lying to you, he might have a reason for it, whether good or bad who knows. But you got secrets of your own that you are not telling him.”

  I winced. Daston was right, I could not judge Robert, not when I was doing the same thing. Hell, I even snuck into his room and stole one of his books. Who cares if he lied to me about it, what I was doing was far worse. Why couldn’t I just barge into Robert’s room and demand he give me the book, I would have torn through his room to find it and called him a liar to his face. I would have done that before. Now, I felt the need to sneak around. We were drifting and I did not know why.

  “What are you thinking of?” He asked.

  “I realized I didn’t see Robert all day—if you don’t count his sleeping form, which I don’t. It’s just weird.”

  “On the plus side, you got to spend your day with me. That’s like an added bonus.” He winked. Why couldn’t he stay serious for one second? He was always reverting back to his cocky self-assured nature. It was his way of hiding himself, keeping his emotions in check.

  “So does this mean Rico Suave is back?” I asked.

  “Hardly, Rico whatever has nothing on me.” He scoffed. “He’s the imitation, I’m the original.”

  “Yes
, I bet Daston Warwick is what every girl wants to scream out.” I replied sarcastically. “It’s a bit of a mouthful though, don’t you think? Not as easy to roll out of your tongue.”

  “Oh your tongue will be rolling, don’t worry about that.” He looked at me meaningfully and I gave a harsh laugh. He was doing it again. Looking at me with those eyes that muddied my brain.

  “We should really get you home. Talking in the middle of an empty block at two in the morning isn’t exactly smart.” He scanned the streets, reminding me that he was always alert, something I should be as well.

  “You’re right.” I clutched the book tightly to my chest—guarding it with my life. I chanced a glance at him. He was so tall compared to me. His body posture was menacing, he looked ready to take down anything that came at us. He looked like a body guard.

  My face softened. This man came out in the early hours of the morning on a hunch that I would disobey. He sneaked out of his house and came to find me so I would not be unprotected. He helped me break into a house to find a book that might not have even been there to begin with.

  It might have been creepy, but I appreciated the effort Daston was putting. I had not done anything but bicker with him, and all he has been trying to do was help me.

  “Thank you.” I murmured. He looked towards me, surprised.

  “For what?”

  “For everything. I know I have not acted very grateful for your help, but I am. Sometimes your asshole ways make me forget that you’re helping me. So, in case I forget, at least I said thank you.”

  “Heart felt speech, Brianna. I think I almost cried a little. But the asshole comment lost you some cool points.”

  He walked me to my house. His face became angry when I told him I would have to climb up the vines to get to my room.

  “And risk falling to your death.” He said incredulously. He crossed his arms and gave me a hard look. “I’ll cut you a deal. I won’t make you go through your front door, if I am absolutely sure you’ll be able to go in safely through your window.”

  “Deal.” I did not know how he was going to make sure it was safe. Maybe test the vines and stand under in case I fell. Unfortunately, neither guess was right.

  “Daston put me down!” I whisper shouted. I still had my parents catching me outside to worry about.

  “No.” He grinned.

  Daston had, in his opinion, come up with the perfect solution. He decided that for me to go up safely he would have to carry me up there.

  He had picked me up and slung me on his shoulder without letting me know the plan. And while I thrashed and beat on his back, he climbed up the vines with the ease and precision of an expert climber. Even having me on his back did not deter his form.

  “This is completely unnecessary. I’ve climbed up these vines a million times before.”

  He paused in his climbing. “Why, Brianna, I didn’t know what a rebel you are. Am I going to have to make a stake out outside your house a regular occurrence?”

  “Absolutely not!” He had resumed his climbing and made it to my window. Sliding it open, I was aghast when he pushed himself inside.

  Daston was in my room, he entered my sanctuary. His big hands reached behind him and gently pulled me off of him, he set me down lightly on my feet.

  He also did not have manners because he started looking around my room, going through my stuff. I pulled him back by his sleeve. “What do you think you’re doing?” A little bit of panic slipped through my tone.

  “Just wanted to see your inner sanctum.” He made a grand jester of waving his hand around my room.

  “You don’t think that maybe you should have asked me.”

  “No need, I know you would have said yes.” He grinned. His eyebrows raised. “Unless I’m wrong, tell me Brianna, do you want me to leave.” He had stepped closer to me, too close. His eyes challenging, but there was something in them. I could not quite figure it out, but it was something like longing.

  “Why do you even want to see my room?” I challenged. “Don’t have any good things in yours, you’ve got to grub off of mine.”

  He got a lazy grin on his face. “Darling, I don’t need to grub off of you. I have my very own personal house. If you ever want to visit, give me a call. I won’t mind if you grub off of me.” He took another step closer to me and a hot flush settled all over my body when I felt his hand reach into my pants pocket. He was so close I could smell his fresh scent, his body heat was consuming. And all the while he looked at me, his eyes teasing. I could have slapped his hand away, but I didn’t. I had no idea what he was doing until he pulled out my cellphone from my front pocket.

  He dialed something into it, while I tried to unsuccessfully snatch it out of his hands, and gave it back to me. “There, now you’ll have more than three people on your contact list.”

  “I…. what?” Did Daston give me his phone number?”

  “Oh and Brianna, sweet dreams.” He whispered as he walked over to my window and climbed out. I was left in shock. It took me a second to re-cooperate but by then he was gone. There was no sign of him when I looked out my window. The streets were empty again.

  Daston was becoming a constant in my life. His name was there, officially on my contacts list. I had gotten a boy’s—a cute boy’s—number today. Somehow the thought made me giddy. I wasn’t one to get digits.

  The next morning came too soon. I felt like my head had barely touched the pillow when the alarm rang. It was hard to open my eyes, they seemed permanently glued shut.

  With a groan I finally managed to coax them to open. But when I opened my eyes, I noticed I wasn’t alone. Sitting down by desk, with the chair angled towards my direction was Daston.

  Chapter 14

  Daston was in my room, again. Did he have no shame? And more importantly, had he been watching me sleep? Because if he had I would die of mortification. I was not a peaceful sleeper. Robert once told me that I snored loudly. Worst of all I would drool. My cheek surely has dried drool crust, my hair was a messy tangle, and the pajamas I was wearing were not exactly Daston appropriate.

  “What are you doing in my room?” I shrieked.

  “Keep your voice down. You don’t want your parents to discover a boy in your room.” He seemed to think about that for a second. “Unless, of course, you want us to meet that way”

  He had a shit eating grin on his face. He was enjoying this a little too much. “Nice doll by the way. Totally not weird that a girl your age still sleeps with a unicorn doll.” He laughed. “But if I can make a suggestion, you should probably burn it.” Daston glanced down at me, “And those pajamas while you’re at it.”

  My face grew bright red. “What is wrong with my pajamas?” I huffed. It was my usual gray cotton pajama bottoms and a white t-shirt. The ensemble seemed passable it wasn’t like I was wearing footy pajamas.

  “What’s wrong with it? Well for starters they’re not lacy and they cover way too much skin.” He leaned in closer towards me and whispered secretively. “It’s not exactly what I want to see on a girl when I sneak into her house.”

  I grabbed my pillow and chucked it at him. He dodged, chuckling quietly at my temper.

  “If you want, I’ll help you burn those retched pajamas. You can just take them off and hand them over.” He looked me over. “Unless you need help taking them off. I’m all for that too.”

  I was ready to chuck my other pillow at him. He grinned, his eyes following my hand as they reached for the second pillow. But I did not grab it. I was still lying in a half sitting position, but something stirred inside me, I suddenly wanted to one up the bastard. “Sure.” I told him as seductively as I could. “I need extra help with my cloths. Mind taking them off for me.” I tried to imitate the way Rebecca bites her lips when she wants a guy’s attention. Daston stared at me in shocked. I wanted to give myself a high five for finally rendering him speechless.

  “I knew your ass was all talk.” I said, my voice back to normal as I gave him a self-satisfie
d grin. “Can you at least tell me why you’re here?”

  He seemed to shake his head clear of the confusion. “I… yeah. For the book. I was going to ask you to come with me to the forest. We could ditch school today and I could help you with the book.” His voice came out ruff. He seemed to be struggling with something. He could not even meet my eye, he kept looking everywhere except me.

  “What’s wrong? Is Daston feeling awkward because a girl got the best of him.” I teased. Daston always flustered me; it was an interesting change to see the tables turned.

  “I am not awkward.” He bit out. “Just thinking of how you’ll look better, on the table or on your bed.” His voice seemed to regain that flirty charm of his.

  “Better how?”

  “When I finally give it to you. I want to know what the better place will be. With the desk I could just knock off all the things and lay you on it. Seems more wild.” He grinned. “But the bed, that’s more comfortable.”

  I could not believe it. Was he actually talking about sex? My face must have shown my indignation because his face softened.

  “Just go change out of that horrible excuse of a pajama and meet me outside. Tell your sister, you got another ride to school, or something.” He paused. “Better yet, I’ll come to your house and tell her myself.” He made his way back to the window and started climbing out.

  “But you’re already in the house.” I told him confused.

  He looked back at me. “Yes, but I have to make my formal entrance through the front door.” And then he was gone.

  I changed quickly into my standard jeans and t-shirt, opting for a red one rather than my usual black. I had been told that red is my color; it brightened my tan skin tone transforming it to a beautiful golden brown.

  I quickly combed my hair and pulled it up in a ponytail. My hair looked nicer than usual. I almost had the impulse of leaving it down but figured it would be weird showing up like that. I did not leave my hair down, I always pulled it up. If I went downstairs with it cascading down my shoulders it would only fuel my parent’s belief that I was dating Daston. Not to mention what Daston might make of it. He would probably think I was doing it to impress him.