Descendant

by LJ Amodeo

  “You see, that’s where you are wrong. You need to learn how to look past what’s on the outside, Beth. This is what makes you and me different. There is still so much you need to learn about people and this town. And for this reason, we’d work perfectly together. I am powerful, so I can protect you. But, you . . . you have a gift, Beth.”

  I flinched wide-eyed at her words. She knew. She found out about my secret. My gift. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Sam.” I immediately denied it.

  “Your intuition. That’s got to be the reason why you hardly have friends. Maybe the little voice inside your head––your gut, tells you that these clowns aren’t good enough for you. To stay away from them. But make sure to tell your gut to trust me.” She growled teasingly. There went that word again. Trust. Did I have trust issues? Had I become my mother?

  “That’s my mom’s fault, Sam. Not mine. Besides, why wouldn’t I trust you.” I replied.

  “Good. That’s what I want to hear.” Sam winked, opening up two bottles of beer. One for me and another for herself. I stared at the bottle. First a cigarette, now a beer. My head spun. I never drank alcohol before, except for a sip of my mom’s champagne once at grandma’s seventieth birthday party.

  “Drink up, Beth!” Sam cheered.

  “I don’t think I should. I’m on meds for the headaches and. . .”

  “Drink!” Sam insisted. “Anyway, back to your little pompom queen. She has a bit of a dark side to her.” Sam whispered, enjoying the revelation of Sophie’s secret between sips.

  “Really. Sophie? I had no idea. Tell me everything!” I teased, leaning closer to Sam and slowly bringing the bottle to my lips. It was cold, bitter. Not something I’d prefer to drink often. But I sipped the fizzy golden liquid anyway.

  “Let’s just say that she’s had to leave East Hampton because of the very peculiar things she’s done to itty, bitty innocent animals,” Sam said, pouting her lips.

  “That’s ridiculous, Sam? You’re kidding me.”

  “Wish I was. Her parents were so ashamed of her that they had to move out of town,

  A-Sap!And that’s how they ended up here in this tiny spec of a town that is hidden from the rest of humanity. Their perfect little debutante shattered their high-society reputation—and it wasn’t the first time either. You know how it is among elitists, well, maybe you wouldn’t know, but we all travel in the same circles. News travels rather quickly.” She raised her brows teasingly.

  Oh, I knew all too well how fast news traveled in Caneadea. I found out firsthand when I was nine.

  “Are you saying you’ve seen her before in your . . .circle?”

  “We’ve been in the same crowds once or twice.” She replied unmoved.

  “Then why do you pretend you don’t know her?”

  “Beth! I’m insulted that you would even think I’d be friends with a dark, sadistic monster like Sophie. Shame on you, girl!” she stared wide-eyed at me with a less-than-convincing look of shock on her face. It was nice spending some girl time with Sam. She made me feel comfortable, not inferior like Sophie did. I could be myself around her. She understood me.

  “Was she really abusive to animals?”

  “Worse. Ready for this?” She whispered, looking around the kitchen as if someone were listening. “When the night sky turned dark, she’d go out looking for the poor animal that barked at her on her way home from school earlier that day and she’d . . . you know.” With a cutthroat motion of her finger, she gestured the horrific replay of the animal’s fatal extermination. “Sophie would mutilate the poor thing, pulling out its vocal cords so she would never have to hear the mutt bark at her on the street again.” Sam said, sitting back in her seat pleased with the story.

  “That’s horrible! What kind of disgusting, sick mind does she have?”

  “Yup. . .sick is an understatement!” Sam whispered raising her brows.

  “Ugh! That’s gross!” I said, cupping my hand over my mouth in shock.

  “Well, just be glad you two aren’t, you know BFFLs. Never know what she’s capable of doing to your yapping mutt.”

  Although bizarre, I couldn’t understand how Sam remained calm and unbothered by Sophie’s demented dark side. But getting to know who Samantha Gaven was, it didn’t surprise me much anymore.

  “So, how do you know all of this about Sophie, anyway?”

  “Let’s just say that my friend Ben Franklin is a very influential man in the Student Records Office.” She tugged on a one-hundred-dollar bill that was left on the kitchen island.Did Mr. Franklin share my personal file with Sam, too? I masked my concern.

  “That’s creepy. I always knew there was something about her. She doesn’t like me much, but she sure is trying hard to be your friend.” I said, taking another sip of beer.

  “Please! She’s always tried to suck up to me, but I’ll deal with her in time. Maybe one day, someone can rip out her vocal cords. Karma sure is a bitch!” Sam sneered tapping her bottle to mine.

  After our disturbing chat about Sophie, Samantha’s face brightened with a sudden epiphany. “So tell me about that guy you have the hots for.” She raised an inquisitive brow, showing disapproval on her lips.

  I immediately blushed. “He seems nice.” I grunted fighting the urge to scream.

  Her eyes studied my face as I fluttered my lashes in glorified euphoria. Everything about Michael made my cheeks blush, my heart race, and my stomach tingle. Just thinking about him was enough to send my pulse into a frenzy. But her reaction today when she saw Michael made me wonder how this conversation would end.

  “Let’s talk about something else.” I suggested, flushing under the pendant lighting.

  “Look at you! You’re a hot mess, Elizabeth Morgan. Let’s go upstairs, and you can fill me in on all the details. Grab the beer! I’ll bring the smokes.” She demanded, rolling her eyes and heading for the circular stairs.

  Her room was still uncomfortably warm. Samantha seemed very relaxed in the balmy hotness of her room. I wiped my forehead with the bottom of my tee. I opened the French-door to her balcony a smidgen to let in some cold air.

  We sat on her bed talking and laughing while we finished the bottles of beer through most of the night. We spoke of school, clothes, and our lives. Our fathers. What could have been if Dante wasn’t killed. Or how my life could have turned out differently. Better, perhaps if my dad hadn’t left me. It was comforting to have someone who knew what it felt like to lose a parent. A friend who understood what I was going through. Who like me, grasped what I meant when I said I felt like an orphan when I learned of my father’s death. Although, we both had our moms, we shared an unspoken emptiness. A void. A sadness. Finally spent, and a bit tipsy, we rested on her oversized bed covered in the finest Egyptian cotton, felt cool against my balmy skin.

  As we both lay still in her bed, staring at the ceiling fans turning slowly, thoughts of Michael stirred in my head. I smiled to myself, marveling over him in my mind—wanting to know more about this angel in Caneadea.

  Sam continued to stare up at the ceiling too. Her hair spread out on the pillow like black vines against her creamy skin that glowed beautifully compared to my dull, insipid complexion. She turned to face me exposing a huge grin on her glossy lips. “I need guy details!” she shouted.

  We laughed simultaneously like I imagined best friends should. Maybe the beer was taking effect on us, not sure. Who cared? I had finally found what I had been looking for: a friend (who wasn’t an obnoxious boy) and Michael.

  “Nothing happened, really. He only introduced himself, that’s all,” I blushed.

  “Elizabeth Anne Morgan!” she shouted. “You give me every bit of detail about this guy of yours, or else!” She stooped her brows playfully. I thought it strange that she called me by my full birth name. I didn’t recall ever telling her that my middle name was Anne, but then again, it was easy for her to gain access to student files with the help of her friend Ben. I let it go.

  I started to t
ell Sam about my fascination with Michael, stopping occasionally to revel in my newfound obsession. “This morning when I arrived at school, he was waiting for me outside. Sam, you had to see how gorgeous he looked just sitting there on the boulder in his leather jacket.” I paused picturing the moment all over again. “He asked if I’d mind walking to class with him and, of course, like an idiot I couldn’t respond. Ugh! I felt like such a moron. Sam, you need to give me some guy pointers. I just don’t know what to say. God knows, I could definitely use your help!” I giggled to myself feeling the alcohol taking effect on me.

  “I think he has a pretty good handle on you, but only say the word and I’ll be more than happy to turn you into a bad girl.” She remarked villainously bouncing her brows. I blushed.

  “Anyway, in class, he told me that he received the other music scholarship that we both completed for. What are the odds of that?” I grinned from ear to ear. “He is different from the dorks that go to our school. And he has the most adorable accent.” I sighed dreamily, perhaps rethinking my spring audition with Juilliard.

  “What’s with the guys around here, anyway?” she shuddered, expressing a look of disgust on her face.

  “Ha!” I let out a loud laugh. “Now you know why I’ve never had a boyfriend. They’re gross.” I hiccupped feeling tipsy and blaming boys for my boring, love life.

  “They’re a waste of human space, if you ask me. So, go on. Continue your story.” Sam insisted.

  “Where was I? Oh yes, in Spanish class, he said something soCasablanca, but I’m not sure what he meant by it.”

  Goosebumps crept visibly under the smooth skin on Sam’s arms. She stayed quiet, keeping her eyes fixed on the vaulted ceiling.

  “What did he say?” she whispered.

  “I know it’s probably not a big deal, but he told me it was a privilege to help me with my coat.Privilege—who even uses that word anymore? It’s as if he’s from another time.” I visualized that moment again. I smiled at how bizarre Michael’s manners were for today’s generation. “Where does he come from?” I asked with hopes that I’d soon find out.

  "I have a pretty good idea," Sam emphasized sleepily.

  I stared blankly at the wall. How I yearned to be near him, to smell him, to know him. Never before, had I desired a boy like I do him. His voice enraptured me, his lips captivated me. I yawned dreamily, fighting the exhaustion. Sam remained hushed. I turned to her and saw she had fallen sound asleep. As I stared at her sleeping, I wondered why seeing Michael made her so angry today. I’d have to put the thought aside for another day.

  “Some boy talk this turned out to be.” I muttered with heavy lids. So I rolled to my side and joined Sam in sweet slumber.

  Running through a clearing alongside Genesee River, the jagged stones beneath my feet unbalanced my every step. My head swiveled frantically side to side, as I hurried my pace. I could feel my heart pounding and my legs aching, pushing my body to keep running. The river weaved through the towering pines as I followed its dimly lit path. The heavy breathing of the beast was cold on my back as it followed closely behind me. Its fowl scent reeked against my cheek as it tried to outrun me. Whatever it was, was not of this earth. It wasn’t human. I ran faster, but the moist earth beneath my feet made my sprinting almost impossible to outrun the uninvited predator. Sharp stabs tore at my skin, marking up my legs and arms, when a force rushed past me, almost knocking me down. The sound of a demonic roar followed with a thunderous snap echoing through the forest. Piercing shrieks and howls vibrated off the soaring trees that jarringly sketched across the ghostly sky in the far distance. Vultures, some balanced on bare tree limbs, waited to feed, while others more aggressively plunged down toward the earth looking to strike their prey. I lunged faster still into the thick forest until something hit me like a hurdle. My body collided hard against it, as my legs lurched forward almost throwing me to the ground. I tried to back away from whatever it was that obstructed my path, but the pain in my ribs was too excruciating. In desperation, I shut my eyes, ducking my face behind my hands, praying it did not continue its assail. My body trembled uncontrollably, as this powerful force tightened its grip around my back, pulling me toward it. I fought hard to release its hold on me, but fell powerless when my lungs inhaled a familiar scent. I stopped fighting, yet keeping my hands up, shielding my face. “Michae—” unable to finish saying his name, he pulled me deeper into the misty woods. My feet moved easily this time over the uneven earth, as he held me tight against his body.

  The sound of the assailant significantly backed away. The fear inside me was beyond my control. In the distance, another image raced toward us, weaving in and around the trees with unearthly speed. I focused on this image. A boy no older than I was advancing toward us. The rapid pulse of my heart was enough to send me into shock. Freddie raced past us with agility and power, yelling to Michael to get me out of there. In a split second, he vanished into the woods, and I kept turning my head to look behind us as we kept running, wondering and worrying about Freddie.

  “What’s happening?” I yelled in hysteria.

  “Keep running!” Michael shouted.

  The harsh sound that followed us faded into a defeated howl beyond the depths of the misty woods where Freddie’s image vanished moments earlier. Michael’s speed slowed from a sprint to a quick pace, finally stopping. I had a hard time breathing, when I eventually pulled myself away from him. Balancing my weary body onto my knees to catch my breath. I raised my head to look at him.

  “How did you know where I was? How did you find me?” I asked him nearly breathless.

  “I’m everywhere you are.” “Have you been following me?” I asked Michael, who stood tall, breathing slowly and evenly, unlike me, who was panting like an overheated dog.

  “What about Freddie? Will he be all right?” my voice echoed.

  He took my hand and raised me upright. With his other hand, he cupped my chin. The warm sensation tickled my skin where his hand had touched me. My heart pounded through my chest. His eyes stared into mine-as he tilted his head slightly, moving his lips closer to mine. An uncontrollable fire burned in my veins with every step that closed the gap between us. I couldn’t stand it any longer. I wanted to throw my arms around him. I hungered for him badly. My head inclined, and closed my eyes to take in his scent.

  “Michael, what are we doing here?” I asked him, waiting for his lips to touch mine. “One day you will know how sacred you are. Look around you. Here is the only place where the truth is easily proclaimed. You will understand when you begin to listen with your heart.” He leaned forward . . .

  I heard a faint giggle when I awoke dizzy and sweaty. I felt a shove.

  “Morning.” I felt another shove. “You must have had quite a dream last night. You were all over the place. Are you always such a restless sleeper?” Sam laughed, clutching a down pillow in front of her chest.

  Embarrassed, I answered, “Sorry. I had the strangest dream.” I couldn’t help but to stretch a big smile across my face. “Ugh! Why did you wake me? He was just about to kiss me!” I dropped the pillow over my head.

  “Kiss you. Michael, I’m guessing?” she jeered.

  “Yeah! It was so weird.”

  “You thought Michael kissing you was weird?”

  “No! It was another part of the dream that was weird. Michael’s kiss would have been incredible hadsomeone not awoken me!” I growled through gritted teeth.

  “So what was so weird about your dream?”

  “It’s nothing. Just weird stuff about being sacred and something about listening. I don’t have a damned clue about that dream! But just as he was about to kiss me,someone,I won’t mention who . . . woke me up!” I smirked, giving Sam a sinister look for interrupting the best part of my dream.

  “Sounds like Prince Charming was rescuing his damsel in distress. How sweet! I guess you don’t need yourPrinceanymore, the barking one at least, now that you have the real deal,” she said.How uncanny,a prince for a Prince.
I thought to myself.

  Flushed, I placed the pillow over my face again until the oppressive heat stifled my lungs.

  “Geez Sam! It’s unbearable in here. I must have shed ten pounds sleeping over. Your room is a sauna.” I rolled off her bed and walked over to the French doors when an abrupt burning sensation, like a blow torch, erupted deep beneath my rib, in the pit of my stomach. I keeled over, holding my belly to stop the unusual burning pain. It was not the same pain I suffered from the fractured rib. This was deeper. More intense.

  “Is something bothering you, Elizabeth?” Sam’s merciless voice whispered in my ear, as though she were standing directly behind me. Eerily similar to the voice in my car, the morning I drove to Angelica’s library. I spun around to face her only to find her casually lounging on her bed checking her text messages. The chilling feeling was enough to raise the hair on my skin, exactly as her father’s portrait had.

  “Did you say something?” I asked Sam disturbingly.

  “Nope.” Was her curt reply.

  The fresh, cool air felt wonderful against my clammy skin. From the gray skies, little snowflakes made their way toward earth, resting gently on the peaks of the pines and the tip of my nose. Chills crept along my spine while a fury still burned in my stomach. It left me flinching with pain for several grueling minutes, gradually subsiding.

  From inside the room I heard Samantha complaining, “You’re going to get pneumonia if you stand out there too long.” She poked her head out.

  “You really don’t want another trip to the hospital, do you?” she grimaced.

  I took one last breath as my body relaxed, admiring the scenic views instead. “I can spend eternity here,” I whispered to myself.

  “That can be arranged!” Sam barked from inside her room.

  Chapter 8: O Holy Night

  The simple shepherds heard the voice of an angel and found their lamb; the wise men saw the light of a star and found their wisdom.