by Rue Volley
“Who?” I asked, and she crossed her arms over her chest.
“Eyota Vega. He and his sister, Persephone, think they run everything.” She paused and leaned in toward me, “Did you know that Persephone means bringer of death? What kind of bullshit is that?”
She tucked a thick strand of my hair behind my ear. “I meant bull crap, of course.”
“Of course.” I choked out, trying to hold back the laughter.
“Let’s get you settled in before I ruin you any further. Next thing you know you’ll be swearing as badly as I do.”
“I’ve heard worse.”
Her eyebrow shot up. “Oh, yeah? From who?”
“Not dad,” I said, and she let out a sigh followed by a snap of her fingers. “Damn it.”
“Sorry, I didn’t come bearing any information that you could use against him.”
“Someday.” She waved a hand and dismissed it.
I followed her out of the living room and only paused for a moment to glance back at the fireplace. The ghostly vision of two young girls appeared in front of it, playing patty cake. I blinked, and they were gone.
I stood at the edge of the doorway and peered into the room. The bed took up the middle of the space and jetted out from the wall at least six feet. It had a dark black wood canopy over it, the tips of the wood had been painted in deep red and had faded over time, but you could see it even in the dull light of the room. The window along the wall was also large, matching everything else in the house. It had two oversized window panes, squared off in black wrought iron. I quickly counted the squares. It was a habit I had had since I was a child.
One, two, three four. Four across the top of one window and four rows down.
“Sixteen on one side, thirty-two in total,” I spoke without thinking about it. My aunt turned and smiled. “Oh, you still count things, you did that as a child.”
“I don’t remember much about this house or when we visited you,” I admitted.
I let my eyes skirt along the wall and over the large black dresser. I could make out picture frames on top of it, so I set my suitcase down and made my way over to them as my aunt chatted away.
“This is where you and your sister slept when you came to stay with me that summer. Oh, the giggling, you two kept me up almost every night.”
I remained silent. I’m not very good at talking about my sister; even Molly had trouble getting me to say much of anything at all that was specific to her.
She interjected. “You should visit her.”
I swallowed hard. “At the cemetery? Why? It’s empty, isn’t it?”
My aunt took a step toward me. “The coffin may be empty, but it’s meant to serve as a place to say what’s in your heart.”
“Who says there’s anything there?” I spoke quietly.
I could hear her sigh behind me. I know I’m not easy to be around, especially when I feel pressured to talk about anything to do with her.
“Well, if you ever want to go, you know, visit the mausoleum, I’ll be happy to take you.”
“I doubt I will, but I appreciate it.”
My fingers gently ran along the glass as I stared at a picture of Midnight and me, right here in this room, sitting on the ledge of the window. I looked over, and I could see the ghostly memory of the two of us leaning into each other, matching braids, matching shoes, matching dresses. We always looked the same right up until our thirteenth birthdays. That was the year we drifted apart and started doing our own thing.
I flinched when I heard a loud ringing. I turned to see a phone sitting on the night table, and it amused me. Of course, my aunt would still have one of these archaic things.
Luna touched my arm, and I turned to face her as the phone continued to ring. She walked by me and picked it up, placing it to her ear and gripping it firmly in her hand.
“Oh, Peter. Yes, she’s here. I’m so sorry; we started talking and…” she closed her mouth, my dad must have interrupted her. She nodded. “Of course.” She said, staring down at the floor. I fingered at the cell phone in my pocket. I should have called my dad when I landed at the airport, but I was met almost immediately by the cab driver and then my mind had wandered. Luna handed me the phone with a sorrowful look in her eyes. I took it from her and held it to my shoulder. She half smiled and walked to the door, grabbing the knob and slowly closing it behind her.
I cupped the phone in my hand. “Aunt Luna?”
She paused, turning back to face me. “Yes, honey?”
“Thank you, for everything. I was, well…I won’t lie; I was nervous about coming here, but you made everything better.”
“Of course, love. Anything for you.”
I felt a slight tinge of guilt for being so dismissive of her when she offered to go to the cemetery with me, but visiting an empty grave wasn’t exactly my idea of closure. All it would do is remind me of everything I’d rather forget.
She closed the door, and I lifted the phone, placing it to my ear.
“Dad?”
I closed my eyes when he spoke. “Why didn’t you call when you landed?”
I opened my eyes and peeked out the window. The raindrops continued to hit the glass. At least the lightning and thunder had passed for now.
“I had no bars on my phone.” I lied, but it was easier than saying I got lost in the memory of that horrible night.
He exhaled. “Storms as usual.”
“Yeah.” I tapped the tip of my finger against my bottom lip. “So when are you and mom coming here?”
“Oh, well…” he paused, and my mood shifted. I spoke up, breaking the news for him. “You guys won’t be here for my birthday, will you?”
The silence said everything his words didn’t have to say.
“Hey, we’ll be there for Christmas, I promise, and we’re going to make this up to you, I swear. I…you…mom just…”
I narrowed my eyes. “Dad? Dad?”
The line went dead, and my shoulders slumped. He must be on site, and his phone had lost its connection, or maybe it’s the storm here in town, who knows, either way, he was gone; they wouldn’t be here for my birthday in October, and from what it sounded like; I wouldn’t see them until Christmas.
My heart sank.
What seemed to be a welcomed call had turned into a terrible realization. I was truly on my own here. I would have to navigate this town and the people in it, along with a building full of teenagers for at least four months before my parents would come to visit me. My breath hitched. “Great,” I whispered.
I placed the phone back on the cradle and walked to my suitcase. I lifted it up onto the wooden chest that sat at the end of my bed and opened it up. I shuffled the contents around until I located the only picture I had. It was of me, Midnight, mom, and dad, all crowded in together on the back of a rickety old truck in Africa. It had been taken only a few days before we landed in Brazil. I touched the smiling faces and then placed it on the bed. I picked up my jacket and reached into the pocket, rummaging around for my phone. I had missed two calls from my dad, but it hadn’t even rang.
Hearing his voice meant more than I expected it to and now that strange feeling of being homesick was starting to settle into my bones. Funny how you can miss the organized chaos that your life once was. This should be comforting, but it wasn’t. The truth was, I hadn’t felt settled since I watched Midnight fall away from me into the mist. I never told anyone this, but for a few seconds, I had to fight the urge to jump in after her. I doubt it was as much bravery as it was surrender.
I scrolled through my messages and landed on the one I was looking for. It was from Midnight, the last one she ever sent me.
13 Ways to Midnight.
I had responded with a few question marks.
She had text back almost immediately with…LOL! That was my phone, sorry, Echo.
; I thought you were sending me some encrypted message, Midnight.
No, but it would make one heck of a title for a book, don’t you think? You should write it someday, make me the star, okay? Make me immortal.
I remembered that it made me laugh. The thought of writing a book was overwhelming, but she was always like that…dreaming big for the both of us. I ran my fingers across the screen.
I had texted her back without wanting to argue.
Hey, listen, I have to go to bed. Tired.
Hey, Echo.
Hey, what?
I love you.
Love you, Midnight.
I clutched the phone to my chest and closed my eyes as one tear escaped and rolled down my cheek meeting up with the last thousand I had shed.
I sat up and grabbed my jacket again. I pulled out the small bottle and twisted the cap, dumping two white pills into the palm of my hand. I cupped the opening and let one slide back in but kept the other. I popped it into my mouth without a second thought, ignoring the idea of water to wash it down. All I wanted was peace.
No dreams.
No tears.
No anxiety or regrets.
I quickly tilted the bottle and took the second one, swallowing it and closing my eyes.
“I miss you,” I whispered into the darkness.
3
I woke with a large black furry face in mine with one bright green eye and one blue. I screamed, and the loud hiss followed. The beast scurried away, and I heard the thud on the wood floor. I rolled to the side of my bed and stared down at the tall black cat, with a thin tail that bent to the left just at the tip.
The cat meowed at me in disgust. I guess I would have too if I stumbled across a stranger in my house.
“Hey, kitty,” I spoke through a yawn. “Are you here to help me start my crazy feline army?” I extended my hand, trying to coax it back. It stepped just out of reach and then turned, finally allowing my hand to run the length of it. The purring vibration hummed against my fingertips. I grinned, blinking a few times and trying to shake off the jet lag.
My hand gently stroked the cat’s soft black fur. “I’m Echo, who are you?”
My aunt’s voice chimed in. “This is Bela Lugosi, and yes, he is named after my favorite actor who played Dracula, in fact, he is the only Dracula for me.” She strolled in with a wooden tray in hand. The sweet smell of cinnamon filled the room. I sat up and pushed my back against the headboard. She set the tray down on my lap, and my eyes widened when I spotted the feast before me. I’m not one of those girls who shirks the opportunity to chow down.
I picked up the small glass of orange juice and took a gulp of it, quickly followed by a huge bite of the fresh cinnamon roll on the plate. The gooey icing clung to my lips, and I had to lick it off. I swallowed, and my aunt stood there gawking at me. I set the roll down and picked up my fork. She waved a hand. “By all means, devour it like a heathen.”
I laughed, I knew she was joking. My aunt wasn’t stuffy in the least, but she had mastered the art of sarcasm. I only knew this from the countless phone conversations with her that I had received over the past few months. It didn’t occur to me that I was being set up, but I can’t blame my parents for getting us acquainted before they suggested that I stay with her. It would have been a thousand times more awkward with no introduction.
Bela jumped up on the bed, and my aunt quickly snatched him up. He let out a defiant meow. She kissed the side of his head while he stared at my plate and waved a paw at me but it was no use, she had him in a loving death grip. I grinned and took another bite, and he wiggled in her arms. She cradled him like a baby. He started to purr, and she hummed behind closed lips. I chewed and swallowed, taking the last two bites and then washed it all down with the remainder of my orange juice. The small burp followed, and she stopped singing when I covered my mouth.
“Sorry,” I muttered. I wasn’t used to practicing my manners. I guess I should now that I would be around other people on a daily basis.
“Honestly, Echo. I really don’t care how you act here, but you’ll need to be more civilized at school.”
The glimmer in my eyes dulled.
School. Crap.
“Hey…how would you feel about tutoring me? I’m easy; I absorb everything just like that.” I snapped my fingers. Bela hissed and jumped out of her arms, racing toward the door. I watched his crooked tail disappear around the corner. My eyes returned to a newly armed crossed, foot tapping Aunt Luna as she let her glare engulf me.
I sighed and moved the tray off my lap. I slid out of bed and placed one slipper on, then the other. I stood up straight, and she was fighting a smile. I shrugged my shoulders. “It was worth a shot, right?”
“You take a shower; you do know what those are, correct?” I laughed and so did she. “Yes, I bathe.”
“Your bathroom is right through those doors. After that, we’ll go into town and pick up your uniform.” She pointed behind her. I perked up. My own private bathroom? Sweet.
I watched her leave the room then I walked toward the two doors and gripped the polished silver handles firmly in both hands. I twisted them and opened them up as a rush of sweet vanilla wafted over me. I could see the white candles burning in the window to the left, right above a large ivory tub with clawed feet. I looked down and stepped on one black tile, then one white, trying to avoid counting them, but I did. There were fourteen to the sink and another ten to the tub to my left. I turned my head and counted another ten to my right and eyed the large walk in shower.
“Excellent.” I cooed under my breath. I glanced up and caught my reflection in the mirror. I bit my lip and then grabbed the new toothbrush from the holder and ran it under the sensor activated spout. I pulled it back, and the water stopped, shoved it forward, and it started up again. This went on until I finally bored myself and began to brush my teeth.
I turned with the toothbrush sticking out of the corner of my mouth and made my way to the black wood cabinet. I opened it up and grabbed a fluffy white towel and rubbed it against my right cheek. I closed my eyes and then spun around when I heard a boy’s voice behind me.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I had no idea anyone was in here!” he spoke with genuine panic.
I pulled the toothbrush out of my mouth, and a small amount of toothpaste dribbled on my chin. Very attractive. I clutched the toothbrush and my fresh towel to my chest as I looked at the cute boy who was standing not five feet away from me. Yes, cute. I usually don’t notice, but with him, I did. I think most girls would have.
He was tall, maybe five foot nine. I’m only five foot three, so I guess most people seem tall to me. He had chestnut brown hair with flecks of red in it, and his eyes were bright green and complimented his pale skin. His shoulders were not too wide to be intimidating, and the black framed glasses on his nose made it even worse. Glasses, I just like them, especially on boys.
He spoke again. “Are you okay?”
I rushed to the sink and spat the toothpaste out and turned to face him.
I detected a slight Irish accent, and I waved the toothbrush between us. “Gaelic?” I asked with a raised brow.
He gave up the information with no fight at all. “My mother is from Ireland; my dad’s from right here in Port Royal. So I guess I’m half Irish.”
I nodded and extended my hand as I approached him. I usually wouldn’t shake someone’s hand, and I felt awkward doing it, but I was already in motion so I might as well see it through. He narrowed his eyes and slid his hand into mine. I gave it a firm shake, and he had to tap his glasses up his nose while they fought to slide down his face.
I kept my eyes locked onto his. “I’m Echo, Echo Navarri. Luna is my aunt, my dad’s sister. I’ve come to stay for a while.” I could hear myself rambling as my nerves kicked in.
“Hi.” He said with a smirk.
I pulled my hand back an
d gripped the towel close to my chest. I wasn’t so much attracted to him as I was intrigued.
He parted his lips but was swiftly interrupted before he could introduce himself.
“Daniel Aiden Fitzpatrick, what are ya doin’ in this girls room!” The shrill voice went up an octave toward the end, punctuating a thick Irish accent. We both flinched.
He turned, and I could see a woman, about my height, with long red hair cascading over her shoulders. She placed a hand on her hip and scowled at him. I had to intervene.
“I asked him in here.” I scanned the room and spotted the shower. I pointed. “The shower isn’t working; I thought maybe he could fix it.”
“Daniel, is this true?”
He nodded in agreeance. She eyed the shower, then me. I expected her to rush over and prove me wrong by simply turning the water on, but she didn’t, and I let out a small sigh when her aggressive stance softened.
“Polly, there you are.” My aunt came in and gave her a big hug. The petite woman hugged her back with enthusiasm. “I take it this is the wee one.” She stated, giving me a once-over.
I grimaced in horror. I wasn’t wee anything; I’m nearly seventeen.
My aunt countered the embarrassing statement. “Oh, we have a birthday coming. Echo will be seventeen in October, can you believe it?” She looked me over and cupped her face. “Time is brutal.”
“Well, she is just a child. They both are.” Polly added with a dominant tone. I wasn’t sure why she felt so compelled to point it out. My cheeks reddened, which they often do when I’m flustered about anything.
My aunt Luna wound her arm into Polly’s and laughed. “Now, Daniel will be seventeen soon, won’t he?”
Polly let out a sigh. “Don’t remind me. Although it feels just like yesterday that I had to push that massive head out…” My aunt laughed over Polly’s words and drug her toward the door. “Okay then!” she paused, then snapped her fingers. “Hey, how about some chamomile tea with a touch of vanilla bean? That’s your favorite, right?” she asked her, giving me a small nod. I was grateful that she had intervened.
