by C. A. Kunz
Someone was ahead in the distance walking in her direction. Under the dim lighting Cat couldn’t make out who it was. For a second she panicked. Thinking it was the cloaked figure from before approaching her caused her to have a quick flashback to the House of Mirrors. The person came into view and she breathed a sigh of relief. It was Ryan.
“Sorry I’m late, Cat.”
“Ryan, the library’s closed, but I heard strange noises. They seemed like they were coming from inside. I think someone’s in there!” He took her arm and felt her shaking. She gazed into his eyes and her nerves began to settle.
“Okay, you stay here and I’ll go look,” he said in a calming tone.
“No, we should just go!” She said, tugging at his arm.
“It’s okay, Cat. It’s probably the shaky pipes or something. This side of the school’s really old. Just stay here and I’ll be right back.” Cat watched apprehensively as he walked down the hall. Ryan pulled on the library door and to his surprise it was open.
“Hello? Is anybody in here?” His voice echoed through the vast room. He felt for a light switch and shielded his eyes as the bright fluorescents came on. After seeing no one, he turned off the lights, closed the door, and walked back toward Cat. “Nobody’s there. Must be the old pipes. I saw a ladder in the middle of the room. They’re probably working on them or something.”
“I feel like such an idiot,” she said, looking relieved, as her fingers rubbed at her temple.
“You’re not an idiot. But we do have a problem, though. Where are we going to study now?” he asked.
“Umm…we could go to my house. I bet you’re hungry. My mom wouldn’t mind you coming over, she always makes plenty of food,” Cat replied.
“I don’t know if that’s-”
“Well, do you have a better suggestion?” she interrupted him. “No? Then, we’re going to my house. Feeding you is the least I can do considering you’re helping me,” she said as she walked down the hall. “Coming, Ryan?”
The library door creaked open as Ryan and Cat disappeared down the hall. “Damn! I thought she’d come in,” Isaac growled in frustration.
“I guess your plan didn’t work,” Amelia stated. As she examined the damage that was caused from banging on the library door just moments ago, she whined, “Damn it, I broke a nail!”
“Quit complaining,” Isaac snapped at her. “What’s Ryan doing with that girl anyway? Flirting with the enemy, huh, Ryan? We’ll see about that,” he murmured, walking angrily down the hall as Amelia struggled to keep up with him.
Cat sat down in Ryan’s sporty-looking car, and sank into the plush leather seats. She watched as Ryan moved around to the driver’s side. She was surprised when he had followed her to the passenger door, opened it, and waited until she arranged herself, and then closed it. Who says chivalry is dead? Cat thought, delighted he had performed the simple act.
Ryan felt uncomfortable the whole ride to Cat’s house. If she only knew why I was late to the library, he thought. Earlier that day, after practice, Taylor had cornered him and said that he heard Ryan was his sister’s assigned tutor. Taylor was unhappy with the arrangement. Ryan had assured him that he wasn’t happy either and the decision had been made for him. Taylor had made it quite clear that other than tutoring, his sister was off-limits.
Cat kept glancing at Ryan. He looked worried. “My parents don’t bite,” she joked.
“What?” he asked nervously, turning to look at her.
“I said my parents don’t bite. You look worried,” she said with a grin.
“Oh, I was just thinking about Friday’s game.”
Cat knew he was lying. If she had learned anything from watching her mom, it was that when people fidget while they’re talking, they’re most likely not telling the truth.
Pulling into her driveway, Cat threw open the car door and ran through the light rain to the front porch. Ryan followed after, coming up close behind her to stand under the lip of the roof. The rain intensified and Cat tensed as Ryan moved closer to her to avoid getting wet. She felt her heartbeat quicken and became flustered as she fumbled with the house key. Her hand shook as she tried to turn the key. Ryan reached out and placed his hand on hers, steadying it. She turned to face him and noticed a slight smile on his face. What is he smiling about? He has such a gorgeous smile. Stop It, Cat! This is not the time or place! Quickly gaining her composure, Cat turned, pushed opened the front door, and was greeted with by a blast of warm air as she crossed the threshold.
“Mom, Dad, I’m home!” she called out. Looking behind her and seeing Ryan still standing outside, “Ryan, get in here, you’re going to get soaked!” she said, waiting as he walked into the foyer and then closed the door behind him.
“Honey, you’re home early. I thought-” Rachel stopped short, her eyes focused on Ryan.
“Library was closed, so I invited Ryan to dinner. It’s the least I could do since he’s going to make me a math aficionado,” she laughed while taking off her shoes. As Cat hung her bag and coat on the hall coat tree, she missed the silent exchange between her mom and Ryan.
As if snapping out of a trance, Rachel came forward, plastering an overly bright smile on her face. “Hello, Ryan. Of course it’s alright, I always make plenty!” Ryan glanced at Cat who was staring with a puzzled look at her mom.
“You okay, Mom? You look a little pale.”
“It must be all this cooking, it takes a lot out of you, ya know.” Rachel laughed, hoping it sounded genuine. “Don’t just stand there, Cat. Take Ryan’s coat and show him where to wash up. Dinner’s almost ready! Your father should be home soon. And I can’t remember if Taylor is coming home, or if he’s made plans with Trish. Oh well, at least you two will eat,” she rambled on as she made her way back into the kitchen. Cat showed Ryan the small bathroom off to the right under the stairs and then followed her mom into the kitchen.
“You don’t mind that I invited Ryan home, do you, Mom?” she inquired.
“Of course not, honey!” Rachel replied and then turned as the sound of the front door opening drew her gaze. “There’s your dad. Here, stir this.” Rachel thrust the spoon into Cat’s hand and then scurried out of the room. Relieved the stairwell bathroom door was still closed, Rachel ran up to Sam and dragged him into the study, then shut the door behind them.
“Rachel, what’s this? You didn’t even let me take my coat or shoes off, what’s wrong?” he asked, grabbing her shoulders and realizing his wife was upset.
“Cat brought her tutor home for dinner, something about the library being closed,” she whispered.
“Why are you whispering and why are you upset that she brought her tutor home?” he asked, studying the worried look in her eyes.
“It’s Ryan Beckford,” she murmured.
“Oh. Okay, well this is a little bit of a problem. But, don’t panic. Everything will be fine.”
“But-” Rachel began.
“It’ll be alright, dear. Now calm down, and go back in the kitchen. I don’t want Cat to notice you’re upset.” Both of them turned to the closed study door as they heard the front door open and close.
“It’s Taylor! I’ll go talk to him. You go to the kitchen,” Sam said, pushing Rachel to the door. To their dismay, they watched the kitchen door swing shut, just catching a glimpse of Taylor walking through it.
“What the hell are you doing here, Beckford?” Taylor’s harsh voice could be heard clearly. Rachel and Sam rushed up the hall and entered the kitchen. They saw Cat’s eyes fill with anger.
“Well, hello to you, too, Taylor. You know Ryan, right? He’s my tutor and I’ve invited him over for dinner,” she said, glaring at her brother.
“Hi Ryan, so glad you could join us and that you’re going to be helping Cat with math.” Sam reached down to extend his hand to Ryan, interrupting the staring match between Ryan and Taylor. “Rachel’s such a good cook, it’s a wonder I don’t weigh a million pounds already,” he chuckled.
“Taylor, h
oney, go wash up,” Rachel said, looking at her son. Her eyes pleaded with him to comply. Taylor turned stiffly and stalked out of the room.
“Good idea, I need to wash up as well. Be back in a jiff,” Sam said. Voices could be heard in the hallway and then faded as they moved into another room.
“Dad, why is he here? And why are you letting him tutor Cat?” Taylor exploded, facing his father.
“Calm down son, do you want Cat to hear you? I want you to go into the bathroom, splash some cold water on your face, and come eat dinner. Oh, and could you please act civilized? Ryan’s a guest in our house and you’ll treat him as such. Do I make myself clear?” He eyed his son sternly. Taylor reluctantly nodded. “We’ll talk about this later. Now go wash up.” Sam turned and went back into the kitchen.
As Taylor entered the dining room, his father was in the middle of telling them about one of his students. Everyone was laughing as he sat down next to his mom, avoiding eye contact.
“Well, Ryan, I think the team has a real good shot at winning state this year.”
“I hope you’re right, Mr. Colvin. Taylor’s arm is on the mark this season. He’s making us all look good.” Ryan grinned as he watched Taylor’s head jerk up at the compliment.
“Thanks, but it’s a team effort. And I hope we win state too.” Cat breathed a silent sigh of relief. The meal had taken a pleasant turn and everyone seemed to relax and enjoy themselves.
“Now you two go and study. I think your bedroom would be ideal, Cat. You have the couch and that easel Aldon gave you for Christmas last year. It would be perfect for Ryan to write the problems on and explain them at the same time.”
Cat swallowed hard. How could Mom suggest my room? At least if we were in the living room or in the study there would be someone nearby. My room is in the attic! We’ll really be alone, she thought, her stomach full of butterflies.
Rachel gently nudged her daughter toward the foyer and Cat grabbed her bag and started up the stairs. She was hyperaware of Ryan’s soft footsteps behind her. The winding stairs that spiraled up to her room seemed claustrophobic as she sensed Ryan was just inches away. Throwing open the door, she flipped the switch to turn on the overhead light. Cat noticed she had left her red-striped underwear and bra on the floor. Blushing, she rushed over to where they were. After scooping them up, she hid the evidence as quickly as she could, hoping he hadn’t seen them.
“Wow, Cat! This is your room? It’s awesome!” Ryan stood in the doorway surveying her space.
Cat smiled wobbly, “Thanks. It was hard for me to convince my parents to let me have the attic converted. But for my birthday a few years ago, they had it done.” She looked away nervously as their eyes met. “Is it hot in here? It’s hot in here, right?” she rambled on as she opened the bay window. Ryan smiled, amused by her evident nervousness. Oh my gosh, we’re so alone up here. I’m burning up. Why am I feeling like this? Cat thought as she took a couple deep breaths of fresh air by the window.
“So, do you want to get started?” Ryan asked, interrupting her thoughts.
“Huh?” Cat replied.
“Studying…you know, what we came here for,” he said, smiling at her flustered state.
“Oh yeah, of course, what we came here for.” She laughed again nervously, feeling mortified. Cat pulled the large wooden easel out from behind her vanity mirror. Ryan sat on the orange polka-dotted couch, the only modern piece of furniture in the room, and watched her move gracefully across the floor.
“Here’s a marker so you can write the problems down. I just know we’re going to have another pop quiz soon.”
“Yeah, Mr. Crawley loves his quizzes,” he said, taking the marker and his fingers grazed hers. He felt a static shock run up his hand. Meeting Cat’s eyes, he noticed her surprise and wondered if she felt it too. Shaking his head quickly and breaking eye contact, he stood up and moved toward the easel. He took a deep breath. “Alright. Let’s get started.” As he began writing the first problem, he heard Cat sigh as she opened her math book.
“I can’t believe you just did that!” Sam said, looking at Rachel’s serene face as she cleared the table.
“Did what?” Rachel replied innocently.
“You know what! You told our young, innocent, impressionable daughter to take Ryan up to her room to study. When, just an hour ago, you were freaking out that he was in our home.”
“Well, I came to the realization that he wouldn’t dare try anything in our house, now would he? It’d be three against one and I like those odds. Anyway, I get a good feeling from him. He seems different from the others. And you never know, we might need an ally like him soon. Yes, I think we can trust him,” she said with a smug smile on her face.
Sam grabbed his wife by the waist and pulled her close. “Woman, you amaze me. Always keeping me on my toes,” he said and kissed her neck.
“Someone has to,” she replied, hugging him.
Later that night Cat lay in bed reading the journal under her covers with a flashlight.
It has been several days since my last entry. We almost had a run in with THEM. It seems like our safe havens are dwindling fast. Mother is trying to arrange transport to the Americas. She thinks we will be safer in foreign territory. I have a feeling though, that no matter where we run, things will never be safe or the same as before. I miss my father. He used to read me to sleep, I really miss that.
We traveled through a small village yesterday, Mother reminded me to hide my eyes. To not look anyone directly in the face, or they would know. They say it is the mark of my kind to have discolored eyes. Eyes, such a hard thing to hide from the world.
The rain is falling harder and it seems endless. I overheard my mother talking to Huber, the owner of the cottage we are currently hiding in. He believes we only have two more days here until they track us down. I heard my mother crying quietly in the next room after he left.
Why do they hate me? Half of my blood runs like theirs. Why do they want me and all who are like me dead? I don’t quite understand how I am to bring ruin to all, but the paranoia this is causing will most likely lead to my end.
My mother has finally fallen asleep. I crept into her room to make sure she was alright. She looks so tired. All the running we have been doing lately has taken a toll on her mortal body.
The fires have all gone out in the cottage, so I have hurried back to my bed to get warm under the covers. I have been having this awful recurring nightmare. I dream that I am running away from something through a forest with John, and my mother is gone. I wake up with tears streaming down my face. I am getting restless now. I miss finding solace in sleep. Maybe the sun will come out tomorrow and things will be better.
H.B. October 12, 1848
Cat put the book on her side table. She felt a sense of sadness come over her. I can’t even imagine how I’d be if I was in this situation. Why did that old lady Mildred give me such a sad book? And why did she think I needed it? Cat wondered.
9
Masquerade
“Cat, hurry up and pick your costume already! We need to go,” Taylor barked from the checkout counter at Ye Olde Costume Shoppe.
“Take your time, Cat. I’ll go and keep him occupied,” Trish whispered.
“Thanks Trish, I just can’t make my mind up.” She heard Trish talking to Taylor and then the door chimed as they exited the store. While roaming the aisles, Cat was suddenly drawn to a shimmer above her head. A mannequin hung from the ceiling clothed in a beautiful gown. “Excuse me, where can I find that costume in the store?” Cat asked the young clerk who was dressed as a gothic fairy.
“That’s our only one. The owner brought it in the other day. She said she found it in a trunk that she bought at an auction. She had it cleaned and put it on display. She told me if anyone wanted to rent it, I could make them a deal.”
“Could I try it on?” Cat asked.
The young girl took a long pole and carefully unhooked the mannequin from the ceiling, slowly bringing it down to th
e floor. The gown was jet black and made of a fabric that looked sheer, but looking closer Cat saw it was an illusion. The store tag read: VAMPIRE PRINCESS. The clerk led Cat to the dressing rooms in the back of the store. “I’ll stand out here until you get it on. I’ll fasten it for you. It’s impossible to do it yourself.”
“Thanks,” Cat said, closing the dressing room door. She got undressed and then carefully stepped into the delicate garment. Pulling it up, she slid her arms into the satiny sleeves. “I’m ready to be fastened up,” she announced as the clerk opened the door.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d think that dress was made for you. You look amazing in it! Oh, and there’s a mask and wig that go with it. I’ll be right back.” Cat barely heard a word the clerk said, she was focused on her reflection. The dress fit perfectly. Its bodice molded to her form like a corset and then slightly flared out reaching her ankles. The bodice had a criss-cross pattern made of silky white ribbon. The shoulders were slightly puffed up with a white ribbon tied around each one, giving it a very regal look. The white petticoat was barely visible. She turned around to look at the large black bow that ran from the middle of the dress and almost touched the floor.
I wonder what Ryan will think? Stop it Cat. Don’t think like that! The past few weeks had been a challenge to keep her feelings for him in check. It helped that after the first study session the library had opened again, so every session after that had taken place there. Ryan seemed distant as of late. She noticed he tried not to touch her and when he did, he acted like he hadn’t noticed. He was friendly, but more like how Matt acted toward her. Maybe she had imagined everything and read too much into it. It was just as well as he was a natural tutor and so far she had aced every quiz since, much to Mr. Crawley’s chagrin.
