Dark Night: Episode 2 (The Darkest Nights Series)

by Stefany Rattles

  "How did you know? Are you snooping around my things now?" I asked annoyed. We were now walking down the stairs, once again the halls were empty and I wondered where everybody was.

  "No. I helped Isabelle pick it. Do I have good taste or what?" The grin on his face made me roll my eyes.

  "I wouldn't say good taste because that's just not my style, but it's not ugly either. I'll wear it though." I glanced at him to discover that he was staring at me, then he looked away.

  "You have to. Everybody is required to be dressed formal. Females wear big fancy dresses and we get to wear the usual tuxedos. Lucky us." He winked at me.

  "Yeah not fair," we were now on the first floor. We went through some doors and it was dark. When the lights came on, I realized we were in the auditorium.

  "What is this?" I asked.

  "It’s just a regular school meeting. The whole student body is here, let's sit there." He pointed at the last row in the back. I followed him and I was glad no one looked at us. Everyone seemed to be into their conversations. The auditorium was full of students but it was too dark to see clearly. We sat quietly and then we saw a lady walk up to the stand on the stage.

  "Good morning. I am sure you are all waiting for breakfast. This will only take a few minutes." she said looking down at some papers she was going through. "We are having the Fifth Annual Ball Room Dance tonight." To that announcement, the students applauded. "We will have contests and serve dinner as usual. Some received their clothing yesterday and some will today. But as usual you will all be dressed appropriately by this evening. We will have a band play for us tonight."

  She hesitated before she continued, apparently not liking what she was about to announce.

  "Today's activities will be limited, because of the ball. But go about your day as normal as always. If you would like to volunteer to help out, see me or God Frederick. Thank you, have a good day. You are released." She left the stand in an instant.

  "That's it?" I asked expecting it to be longer. "Pretty much, yes," he said standing up.

  "I already like it here." I stood up and followed him.

  "Good, you' are making progress." He smiled at me.

  Suddenly someone interrupted us.

  "Mia? Oh my god. Oh. My. God, Oh my god! It's really you!" It took me a minute to really see who I was looking at.

  It was Mereily.

  CHAPTER 6

  “Give her some space to breathe.” Robert said.

  I could hear everything. I wasn’t faint but I wasn’t there completely. The whole time I had been hoping that my friends were alive. Now there was Mereily standing in front of me.

  She was so different and I was still in shock staring at her. Her hair was so long and it looked so smooth down. She died it? No but it was just darker than I remembered. Her skin was looked almost white and her eyes were an even brighter blue. She was wearing a purple skirt that was too short for my taste, with a really pretty black blouse. She did always look her best.

  To her left, friends of hers stood looking at me oddly. To her right was a girl that I had seen before. Oh yeah, Genevieve.

  “I’m fine, I think.” I told Robert who was standing over me. I stood up and moved him out of my way to have a better view.

  “Only here a day and already causing trouble.” Genevieve said loud enough so people could hear as they were trying to exit the auditorium.

  “That’s not nice Gene, she’s my friend.” Mereily said to her but Genevieve snorted.

  “I am.” I glared at her.

  She rolled her eyes at me and turned away. “See you around Mere.”

  “You let her call you Mere? What happened to you?”

  “The same thing that happened to you apparently,” She waved her hand up and down at both of us. “It’s still me, okay? Look, maybe we should go.” She grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the auditorium.

  I didn’t argue and followed her out.

  No one else followed us, not even Robert. We went through so many doors I was afraid we’d get lost.

  “I’m so glad to see you!” She hugged me and I hugged her back. It was a relief to know that at least one of my friends was safe.

  “Mereily, I was hiding in an old building somewhere in Maine for the past five months! Where have you been? That last night I saw you, I don’t know what happened and I can’t seem to remember, do you know?”

  It wasn’t completely true. I mean, I remembered most of what happened. I even remembered seeing Robert there but it was still a blur.

  “No. I don’t know what happened to you, just what happened to me. We can talk about that later but tell me why were you hiding in a building, an old building?” She said with disgust.

  “Because, it’s a long story. Tell me, are they treating you right?” I wasn't comfortable talking about this with her just yet, so I quickly changed the subject.

  “Are you kidding me? This is better than it used to be. It’s awesome!”

  “Yes, the gifts and all, but how are you?” I felt like she was just saying that but didn't really mean it.

  “What do you mean?” Her excitement faded.

  “How are you? How do you feel?” I didn't believe her.

  “I’m fine, Fabulous actually.” She tried smiling but I could see thought it.

  “You look odd, like there’s something off. I’m not sure, is it the change?” Honestly, she looked fragile, like touching her felt risky as if she would break.

  “Oh. That is the change that’s all.” She said. Not sure if she was trying to convince me or herself but I wasn’t buying it. Standing close to her, I could see her bones. That was definitely not healthy.

  “Well, if you say so. Hey, where’s everybody else? Bonnie, Dana, the guy’s and__?” Changing the subject seemed like a good way to go. I didn’t want to be pushy on my first day here.

  “They were sent to other schools.” She sighed crossing her arms as if she were cold.

  “But why?” I was disappointed at hearing they were somewhere else. On the bright side though, at least they were safe.

  “That’s how it is, we’re not allowed to ask. I do talk to Bonnie and Dana though. I know what schools they go to.” She uncrossed her arms and gazed at the garden, as if the conversation was making her uncomfortable.

  I was not happy with the idea of not being allowed to ask questions about my friends, “Really?” I was going to talk to Robert about it, “Where’d they go?”

  She thought for a minute. “Damn it! I can’t remember. But Bonnie is somewhere in New York and Dana is in Hawaii.” She said “frustrated”, I wasn’t buying it either.

  “How do you communicate?” I wanted to speak to them to be sure they were alright.

  “There is a computer lab. Um, I’ll show you tomorrow. I have their email addresses.” She said instead.

  “You don’t have their phone numbers?” That was weird. Mereily of all people didn’t have much information about her friends?

  “Yeah, but they never answer.” She said like everything was as normal which it totally wasn’t.

  “Right.” But I let it go, for now. “Changing the subject, why do you talk to that girl and what did you call her?”

  “Gene? She’s my friend. That’s why I talk to her.” she said, obviously defending her.

  “Well, she’s kind of a bitch and I don’t like her. She has a major attitude problem.”

  “What did she do to you?” She asked like I was the bad guy. I wasn’t sure I wanted to tell her about the whole Robert thing. At least I wasn’t telling her everything.

  “She’s jealous because Rob_ I mean Lord Robert is watching out for me. It’s not like he has a choice. Plus he’s my roommate. I had just arrived yesterday when she showed up to my room and started yelling at me. She said something about owning someone?” I exaggerated, just a little.

  “Be reasonable. That’s her boyfriend and you are sleeping with him,” she paused and thought better about her wording, “I didn’t mean it like tha
t I meant that you two are living in the same room. How would you feel?”

  “No. He’s not her boyfriend. That girl is crazy! Even Robert said so.” I shook my head, “How would I feel? I wouldn’t feel a damn thing, because I dumped my ex.” I snapped, I didn’t mean to get upset but just thinking about it made me feel horrible.

  Mereily looked surprised, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you and – what was his name?”

  “It was Cole.” My eyes started to tear up.

  God I was so emotional these days.

  “We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to but I really am sorry. Mia I’m here. I know Bonnie and you were inseparable since ever but I’m your friend too.” I could tell she meant what she said. We were both now being emotional.

  “No. You’re one of my best friends too. Who said I can’t have more than one?” We laughed about it and within seconds felt better. “I guess I see your point about Genevieve and Robert but still he said it wasn’t true.”

  She nodded. “It probably isn’t but Robert isn’t a saint here either. You should hear the things he’s done. His father isn’t here to tell him anything so he does what he wants and he gets what he wants. If you know what I mean.” She raised her eyebrows.

  “I’ll be careful.” l believed he wasn’t the nicest guy in the world, point. But I didn’t really know what she meant by saying “he gets what he wants”.

  “Please do.” She insisted.

  “Finally! Can someone explain to me what in the world is going on?” A very short girl came around the corner and stared at us with wide eyes.

  “Hey Sophie! This is Mia the friend I told you about,” Mereily said.

  “She’s the one that likes to read?” I could see the excitement on her face. Sophie was tiny. In a way she reminded me of Bonnie. They both had long curls except Bonnie was about my height.

  “Nice. Have you been telling people I’m a nerd too?” I said jokingly.

  “No. She actually said you were cool because you weren’t like the other girls. Preppy, bossy and stuck up like Gene. I heard that you like to read books and study hard. I’m that way too and that’s why Gene picks on me sometimes. She pretends to be my friend in front of Merry, but behind her back she’s so mean to me.” Her personality was cute and she liked to read. It was good to hear I wasn’t the only “nerd”. “Oh nice to meet you, you’re like an idol to me,” she said sincerely stretching her hand out.

  “Thanks, I’m flattered really and it’s nice meeting you too.” I shook her hand.

  Whoa, the girl was as delicate as Mereily.

  “We should go now.” Mereily said and we both nodded.

  On the way back I noticed were in a patio outside but still inside the school. I would have to remember that place. It was a pretty garden.

  We got back inside and went to a dining area where I was getting the “new kid” looks.

  “I’m being stared at.” I pointed out as we looked around the room. Everything was elegant. Starting with hardwood floors and then there was a big fountain along the side of the walls ending by the giant window that was covered by golden drapes. It was as if they had brought in an interior designer which would not have surprised me. Black table covers and white chair covers that went with the theme. No one was sitting on that side of the room everyone stood by.

  “I forgot to mention that lunch was being served outside today, by the small garden.” The same lady from the auditorium said. Everyone politely exited the room forgetting about me.

  “I guess that’s where the ball is going to be held,” Mereily pointed out.

  “What’s the deal with the ball?” I asked and regretted I did when Mereily and Sophie all but glared at me. “What did I say?”

  “It’s like the F’ing academy awards!” Mereily shouted with excitement, “Only the best of the most outstanding students get awards during the ball and it’s not just candy prizes or a gift certificate to go shopping. No, you actually get a trophy slash Grammy looking thing with your name on it.” She said barely taking a breath, “and you get to keep it.”

  “Yeah, only the students that have been here for like ever get them. Only be the best though…” Sophie trailed off.

  “What’s the matter?” I asked.

  “Sophie has been here for about a year already. She’s on level six of her sophomore year, almost a junior. And she hasn’t gotten any awards. That looks bad on you. She’s been studying hard and A’s her tests and everything since her second level and still nothing. She doesn’t know why. Most students that get rewarded are on their fifth levels.” She put an arm around Sophie, while we were still walking.

  “How old are you Sophie?”

  “Only fifteen and I had good grades in junior high so I got into high school early."

  “Don’t worry then, you still have two more years for rewards and stuff, you’ll get them.” I told her. “What level are you on?” I asked Mereily.

  “Only third. I flunked the second level twice but I‘m a senior.” The sad expression on face told me that it upset her.

  “What happened?” I whispered.

  She hesitated but then decided to answer, “I was sick, they detected leukemia and I was in therapy for two months. But now I’m okay, that’s the reason why I look like this. They stopped giving me V2 in order for me to take medications for a while but I’m beginning to get better. When I’m a hundred percent, I’ll be taking the V2 again.” She was looking down as she spoke.

  It made sense. “Mereily, why didn’t you tell me earlier when I asked you if you were okay?” I asked her as we sat on a picnic table. There were plates already served and drinks in our cups.

  “I don’t like talking about it.” She shrugged, “I’m really okay now. I used to have bruises and you could see my bones, it was disgusting.” She looked like she was about to cry.

  I knew it. She didn't look that healthy to me. “Well if you’re all better now, then we should do something fun?” I asked her. I saw her face soften then brighten.

  “What are you up to?” She asked trying to figure out what I was thinking. I didn’t answer for a while, because I had no idea what to say.

  We had pancakes and sweet tea. When I looked around and saw others eat quietly and having their conversations, that’s when I spotted Genevieve eating with some of the girls that were with her and Mereily earlier. Not knowing why suddenly, Genevieve stopped chewing her food and glared at me until I heard the voice.

  “How about a tour?” It was Robert who startled me. “Hello girls. Are we making friends?” He said nicely.

  “Yes sir.” Sophie answered.

  I knew why Genevieve was glaring at me now and didn’t really care, “Right now?” I said looking up at him.

  “Do you want to be lost tomorrow when you need to go to your classes?” His eyebrows raised questioningly.

  “No, actually its perfect timing,” I said as I got up and glanced back at Genevieve. She hated me, I knew. “I’ll catch up with you guys later, I’m in room…” I had forgotten the number.

  “Fifty.” Robert told them.

  After that, we walked away.

  CHAPTER 7

  “What tour?” I asked when we left the garden.

  “You were supposed to get a tour yesterday but it was late. The tour of the campus, do you know where the school is?”

  I shook my head.

  “That’s why. Besides, you have been losing track of time.”

  “What?” I didn’t really know what time it was.

  “It’s eleven o’clock.” He said pointedly.

  I didn’t get it, “And?”

  “You’re not going to like this but every other day at lunch time you must get your V2.”

  “What’s that? Everybody keeps talking about it.” I had a feeling that he was right and I wasn’t going to like it.

  “Venom.” he said and I stopped walking.

  “What kind?” My voice cracked a little at that.

  He chuckled. �
��Not the kind that kills insects. It is the kind you need in order for you to become a vampire. There’s two ways you can get it. One way is biting and another is injections but those you need to do every 24 hours. Biting is once every other day and can even hold you over for three days at times. If the V2 comes straight from another person, it just works better.” He was standing three feet away from me wearing dark sunglasses so I couldn’t see his eyes.

  “I don’t understand, what are you telling me? If you say for example a student bites another then where does that student get the venom from?”

  “Well, once you have enough in you. You will begin to change and you don’t need it anymore. At that point your body will produce it itself. That’s how you know that you’re close to turning too. My graduation is this year and I will turn into a full blooded vampire by then. That is why they picked me to help you. But you do need to choose now. So what will it be?” I felt bad for him and I knew he didn’t want to be taken away so I didn’t know what to pick. It was a dilemma, remembering the feeling of when he had bit me before sent shivers down my spine, the good kind. Mereily would say that’s a bad idea.

  “Can’t I think about it?” I all but begged.

  “No. it’s not something you can think about. You need to choose now because we are going to our room.” He said walking ahead of me.

  I didn’t want to pick the injections, no. I hated needles so I just told him, “um, I sort of don’t like needles. But I don’t want you to think that, you know__”

  “I know.” He simply said without looking at me. We stayed silent the rest of the time.

  We reached the bedroom.

  “Ready?” He even asked me this time.

  “Yeah, let’s get this over with.” I said feeling a little nervous.

  He got close to me and put a hand around my waist, then held my left hand and pulled it up to his lips. He was so tall and good looking that I just couldn’t help but look into those eyes of his. Then they suddenly turned black and he closed them as he bit into my wrist.

  I felt something different. It wasn’t the same as the last time. This was a strong sting it went from my wrist all the way up my arm and it spread throughout my body. The change was going to happen little, by little and I could feel the difference from the V2 being inserted into my body now. It was not the best feeling.