“Everything okay?” he asked after I finally let go, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“Everything’s fine. I just miss you when you leave,” I said fighting back my tears, feeling completely overwhelmed with emotion.
“I’ll miss you too.” He kissed my forehead but still looked concerned. “I will only be gone for a week this time. I’ve been to the store and stocked up the fridge so you and your brother will have plenty of food. And I left some cash on the counter in case you need anything.”
“Okay,” I said and sighed.
“I have to go though. I don’t want to miss my flight. Call me if you need me.”
And before I knew it, he was gone.
I slumped down on the couch and pouted. The sun had just set, trapping me until morning. And even though I’d put up a good front to Nicholas, I was scared to leave the house now.
My phone remained quiet in my hand.
More than anything, I wanted him to call. I needed to know he’d always be there even when I acted like a stubborn mule. But I knew he wouldn’t. And I couldn’t swallow my pride and call him – even if I regretted my actions.
I went upstairs and took out my math book. Algebra would have to preoccupy my evening. But after solving one problem I found myself lost in thought, the harsh tones of our fight bouncing around in my head. I let out a sigh of exasperation. I needed chocolate.
The double fudge ice cream was still in the freezer, untouched and hard as a rock. I managed to scoop up enough to drown my sorrows when I caught sight of the morning paper.
The headline read “Teen death in alley. Authorities asking for help.” I flipped to the story with uneasiness. Apparently a student from Soquel High was found dead downtown. Authorities were asking for eye witnesses. A wave of nausea hit me as I read the gory details.
I wondered if I should report something, but knew that was impossible. Vampires were doing the killings. But I worried if Phil was involved. The whole situation confirmed the danger everyone was in and the validity of Nicholas’ concerns. Apprehensively, I looked out the kitchen window, peering into the black night. No one was there, but it still seemed eerie. They were out there somewhere, ready to take anyone who crossed their path. Would I always be afraid of the dark now?
I heard the soft sounds of the TV in the next room and decided to keep Luke company– being with him felt safer than being alone in the kitchen.
“Hey,” I said, as I slid into the La-Z-boy.
Luke sat mesmerized with his face glued to the TV. The program he watched showed continuous clips of wild animals in their habitat. I had to turn away when a lion brutally snapped the neck of the gazelle before ripping into its flesh.
“What are you watching?” I asked, while putting down my bowl. I suddenly lost my appetite.
“When Animals Attack.”
I peeked through my fingers to see if it was safe, but re-shielded my eyes when the tiger separated the baby elephant from the pack. I couldn’t watch anymore.
“Crazy, isn’t it?” he asked with a sick smile on his face.
I started to imagine the same scenario but with the boy from the newspaper article. I could see him minding his own business walking down the street, maybe coming from the local drugstore with cold medicine for his sick grandma when he hears a noise. Maybe it’s an animal whimpering or a baby’s cry that lures him into the alley. When he finds nothing he turns back towards the street but is greeted by three dark figures blocking his way. One cackles an ominous laugh and they jeer and tease him, getting excited as they watch their victim grow anxious in fear. Then one crouches down like a tiger and before the boy knows it, he’s thrown against the wall and the vampire sinks his teeth into his neck. I gasped.
“What’s wrong with you?” Luke asked with a puzzled look.
I snapped out of my trance and realized my gasp was misplaced. At the moment a commercial played with cuddly koalas promoting Fluffy Soft toilet paper.
“Oh, I remembered I’d forgotten something,” I said with a straight face.
He gave me a funny look, shook his head then noticed my ice cream.
“Is there any left?” he asked, pointing at my bowl.
Luke popped up off the couch headed toward the kitchen before I finished nodding my head yes.
During the commercial, I was tempted to change the channel, feeling anxiety from the graphic images in my head. But I couldn’t completely blame the show for my state. The events from my real life caused the distress. I wondered how it could be so enjoyable to become basically a cannibal. Then to my horror, I realized, if I were in the same room during a feeding frenzy, I would be able to know. The thought made me shiver.
I decided Nicholas was right. I could never defend myself in an attack. And I wasn’t positive what Phil’s intentions were, but I didn’t want to take any chances. I’d eat crow and beg for Nicholas’ forgiveness tomorrow before my shift started then quit my job. But just in case, I decided to be prepared.
While Luke was still in the kitchen, I snuck down the hallway towards the garage. The cold rush of damp dusky air wafted across my face when I quietly opened the door, the darkness a little creepy for my liking. Was this considered part of the house? I figured it had to be.
I felt the wall for the light switch and flicked it just when Aladdin darted between my legs. I yelped as she disappeared into the house.
The light penetrated the room and I felt foolish for being afraid to be in my own garage. Everything looked just like it always had, floor to ceiling cabinets on one side and a work counter on the other. Luke’s tools lay on the floor, along with other unknown devices. The space where Dad normally parked was empty; around it was all kinds of junk we’d collected over time, most of it in boxes.
I looked around for something I could use to make into a stake. In the corner was a broken old broom. I ran over and picked it up.
Perfect.
I removed the hacksaw from the wall and after much elbow grease, managed to cut the bristly end off.
“What are you doing?” Luke asked, holding a huge bowl of ice cream.
With a squeal, I dropped the stick. I felt he was close by but didn’t realize he was in the room.
“You scared me! Geez!” I barked, embarrassed I was so jumpy. I nonchalantly retrieved the stick from the floor. “I’m just sharpening this stick.”
“What for?”
“Because,” I said defensively, struggling for a reason. “It’s – it’s to garden with.”
He paused mid bite and blinked. I remained composed.
“You aren’t going to be able to sharpen it with a hack saw. The sandpaper is in the drawer over there.”
He pointed to the workbench.
“Thank you,” I said, marched over, found the roughest sheet and went back to the workbench stool. Luke sighed, leaving me alone in the garage.
After a few minutes, I transformed the broom into a vicious weapon and practiced a few jabs in the air against an invisible assailant. An old song my dad listened to came to mind.
I am woman, hear me roar.
There was something very rewarding in being proactive in my protection efforts. I figured since I’d be home a lot, I’d just workout to a Taebo DVD with it. That way, if I ever got into trouble, I’d already have practiced and could just stake the monster in one smooth motion.
I managed to sneak by Luke, while he watched the end of his sickening TV show and headed upstairs. Nicholas’ need for a trench coat suddenly made sense. I didn’t own one or anything remotely useful to conceal the stake, so for now, I’d have to store it in my backpack. I just hoped it wouldn’t accidentally fall out during school or I’d have some serious explaining to do.
. . .
18 - FEAR
I arrived at school Monday morning feeling numb and annoyed. I hadn’t slept soundly because of the reoccurring nightmares. And sometime during the night, I’d changed my mind about needing Nicholas’ help. His behavior still angered me and I wasn’t ready t
o forgive him yet.
“You didn’t call back,” Sam said a little perturbed when she caught up with me as I walked alone to first period P.E. class.
Instantly I remembered listening to her voicemail message and felt bad. She called late Saturday night, but I hadn’t listened to her request for me to call until early Sunday morning, just before Nicholas came to pick me up to go to the beach. I’d completely forgotten to call back.
“Sorry, how was the dance?” I asked, trying to sound interested.
“It was magical,” she said, her anger melting and face suddenly all aglow.
I looked at her happy expression as she continued to fill me in and softened. I was thrilled she had a good time and decided not to let my Nicholas woes interfere. Fight or no fight, my weekend was magical for me as well, but I wasn’t allowed to say a word. Yet another unbearable secret to keep. I never felt more alone.
My classmates were also semi-excited and a little depressed, maybe because it was Monday, but I also sensed a general fearfulness. As I half listened to Sam, I scanned the faces around me to see if I could figure out why. Was this vampire thing affecting more people than just me?
“What’s wrong with everyone?” I finally asked Sam.
“Huh? I don’t know,” she said, suddenly paying attention the people around us. “Everyone seems fine to me.”
We changed our clothes and headed towards the basketball court, where I overheard two classmates ahead of us.
“That’s so sad about Justin,” Mia said to Erika.
“Yeah, isn’t it awful?”
I touched Mia’s shoulder to stop them.
“What about Justin?” I asked.
“You haven’t heard?” Mia gave me a look like I was a complete idiot. “He’s missing too.”
Her words sent ice down my spine. My last interaction with Justin played through my mind as I continued listlessly into the gym, grieved. He quite possibly could be another victim and I felt responsible.
Why is this happening?
The epidemic was spreading like a disease and I couldn’t allow it to continue. Desperate times called for desperate measures. I needed to do something, but what?
The fortune teller’s words came to mind, but I pushed away the thought. I didn’t care what she predicted. I wouldn’t go see her. I couldn’t go. Darkening her doorstep meant I’d have to accept everything. The true fate Nicholas and I had – his demise and my valiant rescue of an oblivious world who wouldn’t know my sacrifice. I didn’t know how I’d ever live without him. There had to be another way.
I put my face in my hands and searched for a solution.
“Julia, are you okay?” I heard Sam ask, pulling me back towards reality.
I lifted my head and stared into five pairs of inquisitive eyes. Somehow in my concern and denial of what I needed to do, I’d auto-piloted myself all the way to lunch.
“I’m okay,” I murmured as I looked down at the table at my uneaten food that I didn’t remember getting. “I’m a little tired today.”
“Do you know Justin?” Cameron asked me, his eyes moving slowly to focus on my face.
“Not really,” I said, feeling the weight of the responsibility hitting me heavily. “Did you?”
“He’s in my Calculus class. He came to the tournament Saturday night,” he replied, sort of in a trance. “But never made it home.”
My stomach churned at the news. Maybe if I was his date Saturday night, he’d still be here.
“What happened?” Dena asked.
Cameron shifted. All the geeky spunk of his normal demeanor was absent. He looked despondent under his red mop of curls. The heaviness of his heart almost made me well up with tears.
“The chess club met at Clark’s house for our tournament. We played until about three in the morning. I decided to just spend the night, but Justin had to be home for Boy Scouts in the morning,” he said with a sigh. “We got a frantic call from his mother in the morning because he didn’t come home and wasn’t answering his phone. So the cops came and interviewed us. He’s vanished into thin air.”
He looked down at the table and picked at his food. I felt sick thinking about what his parents must be going through when another wave of conviction hit me.
“That’s horrible, Cam,” Sam said.
“Well, there’s a new curfew now. If you’re under eighteen, you’re supposed to be home by nine p.m. and rumor has it they might even make it eight,” he said without any emotion in his voice.
“Yeah, we know about the curfew,” Katie said, her voice laced with annoyance. “They squelched the bonfire with it, but eight? Seriously, that’s just lame.”
“It’s not lame,” I piped up, overwrought with new found terror. “And, actually, I wanted to ask all of you not to go out after dusk until this is over.”
“What?” Katie exclaimed. “Are you kidding me?”
I shot her a look. More than anything in the world, I wanted to share what I knew, scare them into submission. This was very serious and I couldn’t bear losing any of them to those vicious murderers. I would make them listen.
“Just trust me, okay? I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think it was that serious, but my Dad has some friends who are cops and whoever’s doing this is looking for certain kids to prey upon. All I can say is we fit the type.”
Katie let out a groan, contorting her face while she rolled her eyes. “Yeah right,” she snipped.
I restrained from reaching across the table, grabbing the collar of her shirt and shaking some sense into her. But something in my disposition elevated the general fear level from nothing to DEFCON 1 in a matter of seconds. Everyone knew I meant business and couldn’t deny the facts.
“I’ll do it,” Dena said quickly, watching me with a new found fearfulness.
I glanced at Sam.
“Me too,” she said under the weight of my stare.
“My mom isn’t letting me go anywhere, so I’m already grounded,” Cam said, still playing with his food. He didn’t need any intimidation to agree.
“You will too, won’t you Morgan?” Dena asked.
“Yeah,” he said, watching me suspiciously.
Everyone’s honest commitment eased my conscience. Only Katie remained. One by one, the group’s glances rested on her sour expression. She tried to keep a cold front, but eventually caved. Our effort managed to penetrate her childish reasoning.
“Fine,” she said with reluctance while crossing her arms.
I let out a quick exhale.
“You’re such a big kill joy sometimes, Julia,” she with a sneer and left the table.
Receiving the brunt of Katie’s anger didn’t bother me when I knew it might possibly save her life. Now, the first part of my plan was in motion – the most important, keeping my friends from harm. My next step was figuring out how to get into my house without needing Nicholas’ help after dark.
I bit my pencil and conspired while in Algebra when I got a brilliant idea. If there was a way to get Phil to follow me home and I drove into my garage, I could talk to him from the safety of my house. It would take some preparation, but I knew it would work.
With that decision, I just wanted school to be out, so I could put everything into motion. The faster I got through my visit with the dreaded fortune teller, the better.
. . .
All the little houses that lined the road next to the theater looked identical until I settled on the one that looked vaguely familiar. The only problem was the curtains were drawn hiding the fortune teller sign.
I got out of the car and studied the front. The memorable tiny walkway to the porch brought it all back. My senses told me no one was home, but I decided to knock anyway. While waiting, I noticed the pile of newspapers next to the rickety screen door. The mailbox overflowed with mail as well.
Has no one been home since I was here last?
Something rubbed up against my leg and I looked down. A black cat with icy blue eyes sat at my feet – the same one from bef
ore. I squatted down and scratched her head, wondering why she was so friendly to me now.
“Where’s your mommy?” I whispered, hoping the old woman was just out of town and didn’t leave her pet behind.
‘She’s not here.’
The words I heard weren’t spoken out loud, but said inside my head – a woman’s voice, ethereal in tone with a slight echo. Afraid, I stood up and looked around. I knew for sure no one was there but someone had spoken to me all the same. Was I losing my mind?
“Who’s there?” I asked quietly, thinking that whoever it was hid their feelings from me as well. I didn’t like being caught off guard.
‘You’re special, aren’t you, Julia?’ the woman’s voice said in my head, like it was a new revelation.
“Show yourself right now,” I demanded a little louder, stumbling off the steps, walking backwards down the path so I could scan the bushes alongside me.
‘I’m right here.’
The voice came from the porch area. I glanced around to see who was there, but only the cat sat perched on the edge of the porch, looking directly at me. I could’ve sworn the cat smiled at me. I blinked.
I’m officially losing it. I’m talking in my mind to a cat!
I spun around and prepared to sprint to the safety of my car.
“Wait please.”
The voice was spoken out-loud, followed by her tender caring feelings of peace and warmth. I turned around to find the source and gaped. On the porch stood a beautiful, angelic, raven haired woman with fair skin and radiant, crystal blue eyes.
“Where did you come from?” I asked in bewilderment.
“I think you know,” she said sweetly, a simple smile playing on her lips.
‘I am an Enigma’ she spoke in my mind.
I was speechless for a second.
“You’re the cat?” I choked out.
She didn’t say yes or no. She just continued to smile at me and her eyes washed me with such happiness I’ve not felt in a long time.
“You’re looking for Madame,” she stated plainly. “She is not here.”
“She’s not?”
Talisman 1 - The Emerald Talisman Page 19
