For Blood & Glory

by Cassandra Hendricks

  “Well whatduhya know…it’s only a little after midnight, the night is young.” He clicked another overhead light on. “What you doin’ back so—wait.” He looked her up and down. “Holy hell! What happened—"

  Blythe’s arms shot up like goal posts. “I thought you said there was nobody else out there like me?”

  “What?”

  She palmed her forehead. “There’s a girl. Tonight, I met a girl and she’s a freak like me.” The night’s events had finally sunk in and Blythe was pumped.

  “You’re not a freak…most of the time.” Fredo scratched at the peppered hair peeping through the t-shirt on his chest. “What happened, did you get into a fight?”

  “Yeah, as a matter of fact I did.” She laughed threading her fingers through her loosed hair, wondering if she looked just as maniacal as she felt. “But it’s not what you’re thinking. It wasn’t with the girl.”

  Fredo stroked his chin then placed a hand on his hip. “Well, I’m not getting any younger, who were you fightin’ with this time?”

  Blythe bit her bottom lip, shaking her head. “I don’t even know what it was.” She paused, still trying to make sense of things. “I know you guys talked about the Feds and stuff, but this guy? I swear….” Propping both hands on the glass table, she leaned in Fredo’s direction. “He wasn’t human.” She sighed, looking him dead in his eyes. “Fredo, this is serious. What’s really going on?”

  “I don’t know, kid.” He shrugged, walking past her toward the living room. “Hey, I’ve been looking for my black bag, have you seen it?”

  Her face soured as she straightened up. Just like him to gloss over everything. “Yeah, and I’m okay, thanks for asking.”

  He turned around. “Well, you’re standing right in front of me, so I assumed you took care of it.”

  “Can’t you at least pretend like you’re concerned? Why did you bother taking me in if you don’t care?” Blythe threw her hands up.

  “Who said anything about not caring? You know I care about you. But you just-don’t-listen to me. If you had stayed ‘round here and done what normal kids do instead of stayin’ out at all times of the night drinkin’ and smokin’, none of this would’ve happened.”

  “Why are you always blaming me? You act like I somehow brought this upon myself. If Natalie were here, I know she’d see things differently.” Blythe slumped.

  Tilting his head, he looked at her, swallowing. “You’re right, I’m sorry.” He pulled some frozen veggies from the freezer and tossed them to Blythe. The package crinkled as she applied it to her jaw, wincing. A chair squeaked against the linoleum floor as Fredo pulled a chair and sat down at the table. “Here.” With his foot, he pushed a chair in her direction. “Sit down.”

  Blythe obliged.

  “Truth is,” he continued, “I miss her. She always kinda knew what to do in situations like this. And me…I don’t know. I’m old and tired. If something were to happen, how would I defend you? Honestly, I don’t feel like I’m much use to ya anymore.” He sighed deeply and leaned across the kitchen table. It took a while before his gaze met hers. “Kiddo, you’ve learned all you can from me.” His heavy peppered brows furrowed.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean it’s time you sprout your wings and fly.”

  “More like sprout fur and fangs,” she muttered.

  “What?”

  “Nothing. Never mind. What are you tryin’ to tell me?” Pulling the veggies from her face, she sat up. “You kickin’ me out or something? I mean, I didn’t think I was that bad, I can change—”

  “No, I’m not kickin’ you out. That’s not what I mean.”

  “Then what are you saying?”

  “I guess it’s time that I give you a little more insight as to what went down sixteen years ago.” From his pocket, he pulled out a small tattered picture and slid it across the table to Blythe.

  “What’s this?” asked Blythe.

  “That’s your mother—and your sister.”

  “What? Where did you get this?” She pulled the picture closer to get a better look.

  “It’s a long story, kiddo.”

  “Well, I’ve got nothin’ but time.” Her chair squeaked as she leaned back, settling in. She wasn’t about to let him wiggle out of this one. Fredo was going to have to drop every last detail, and to her surprise, he did.

  “So wait a minute.” Blythe’s brow creased. “Are you telling me that I’m a twin? I could have a sister somewhere out there?”

  “Yep,” Fredo sighed. “I am.”

  Blythe shot up from the table, her hands flailing wildly. “How could you keep something like this from me?”

  “We did it for your own good. Look, we had no idea what became of your mother or sister. Natalie tried to find her in the beginning, but all leads ended. So, we chose to keep things under wraps. I mean, why give you false hope?” He laid his arms on the table. “Besides, clearly, you’re some type of commodity to the government. We couldn’t risk having somethin’ happen to you. We figured the less you knew the better. One day, when you were old enough, we’d tell you the truth. Guess that day has come.”

  Blythe sat, floored. Her mind was all over the place, as question after question emerged. Most of them Fredo was unable to answer, but there were a few he could address. “You think my mom’s like me?”

  “According to Natalie, she jumped from the sixth floor of the building, so I’m guessin’ she’s somethin’ like you. Your sister probably is too—blood work came back the same.” A thought hit her like a Mack Truck. Her lips curled into a slow smile but she remained silent. Fredo articulated her feelings. “You think it’s her, don’t you? That girl? You may have met your twin sister and didn’t even know it?”

  “I don’t know.” Blythe was conflicted. “It all seems a little too coincidental. I mean, I’ve got the Feds after me, weird creatures, and now this girl just pops out of nowhere? Maybe it’s some kind of trick. Either way, I won’t rest until I find out.”

  “Get some sleep, kiddo.”

  “I think I’ve slept long enough,” she uttered, mostly to herself. She glanced at the potted plant on the counter. It could’ve been the cheap lighting, but it looked a lot greener. Leaning forward, looking squarely into Fredo’s eyes, she said, “Thanks for the truth. I’m awake now.”

  Shrink

  A quick knock sounded on Sefira’s door. “Sefira, honey, are you up?”

  “Yeah, come in.”

  Celeste looked disheveled. She’d changed out of her bedtime garb and had two cups of hot somethings in her hand.

  “How are you feeling?” she inquired delicately.

  Sefira reclined on her bed, tossing a pillow in the air. “I guess I’m doing pretty well considering I’m like an X-men or X-woman, whatever.”

  “X-man? What?” She placed the cups on Sefira’s dresser.

  Sefira sat up, resting her elbows on her knees. “I mean, what kind of normal person can do stuff like that?”

  “Fira—I’ve thought about things—extensively. And I think that maybe you should talk to someone about…your experiences. I mean someone other than me.”

  “Like who? I mean, who else is gonna believe something like this besides us?”

  “Well, I did a little research…and I found a local doctor who is excellent in his field an—”

  “You want me to see a shrink?”

  Celeste averted her eyes, grabbing one of the cups from the dresser and offering it to Sefira. “Well if you don’t feel comfortable seeing somebody new, I’m sure we can call Dr. Leonard.”

  Sefira waved it off and Celeste put it back. “You don’t believe me. You think I’m crazy, don’t you? Just like Delilah?”

  “No, no, sweetheart. You’re not crazy. But, you know, our minds can take ill, just like our bodies, and it may be that you are facing something that neither one of us can handle alone.”

  Sefira sighed, and cupped her forehead, feeling defeated.

  “Celest
e, if this is in my head, then I need serious attention.” She looked up. “But what if it isn’t?”

  “Isn’t what?”

  “In my head.” She shrugged. “I mean, if I’m not imagining this, it would mean that something else is going on, and that I need to figure out what it is. It would mean that I need—”

  “Your real mother. That’s what you were going to say, right?” Celeste rested her backside against Sefira’s dresser and crossed her legs. “You want to find Delilah?”

  Sefira bit her lip. “It’s nothing against you, mom, but if anyone would have answers, she would.”

  Celeste looked worried. “You realize that your mother was committed because of psychiatric issues, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” Sefira nodded, grabbing a pillow off her bed to rest her chin on. “I know. But she may have answers for me, answers that no one else can really provide.”

  Celeste looked off into space, appearing to ponder the thought, but then she shook her head. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.” Leaning back, she propped her elbows on the dresser. “I didn’t want to say this before, but Fira—you haven’t seen or heard from her in years. I don’t even know if she is capable of conversing with you. Besides, we’ve made so much progress. You’ve opened up, made friends—you even kicked that—that habit of yours. I don’t want you throwing all of that away.”

  Sefira looked at Celeste. “I realize that what I’m asking may be difficult for you.” She tossed the pillow aside and sat up, hands resting on her knees. “I don’t say it very much, but I do love you. I appreciate everything you’ve ever done for me. Nothing will change that. But this is important. I need this.”

  Celeste was momentarily quiet, eyes flitting. “Listen. I hear you, I really do.” She smoothed her hair. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea. I’m sorry.” She grabbed her cup and headed for the door. “Drink your tea, maybe you’ll feel bet—“

  “Mom.” Making haste, Sefira stood up and caught her arm. “What if I could prove to you that I’m not crazy.”

  “I told you,” she answered, “I don’t think you’re crazy.”

  “I know, I know. Just—entertain me, okay?” Sefira waved her away, trying to put some space between her and Celeste. “Do me a favor, stand back.”

  Celeste’s eyebrows furrowed, and she bit her lip. “Honey, you don’t have to do this.”

  “Just—please.” Sefira outstretched her arm, waving her back. “Stand back. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Okay.” Celeste took a step back, caressing her cup, eyes focused on her daughter.

  “Alright.” Sefira shrugged her shoulders and stretched both sides of her neck, trying to get comfortable.

  “Fira, don—”

  “Sshh. I’ve gotta concentrate.” She closed her eyes and focused, trying her best to replicate what had happened the night before. She even went so far as to clasp her hands together and raise them towards the ceiling. Seconds felt like hours. Nothing happened.

  “Sefira,” Celeste’s voice was calm. “I’ve got to get ready for work.”

  “Okay, okay. Wait just a minute. I’m probably not in the right frame of mind to do what I was going to do.”

  “What were you going to do?”

  “Uh—nothing. Okay, watch this.” Again, she focused, eyes narrowed, concentrating on the cup of tea on the dresser, trying her best to make it move. Again, no dice.

  “You look constipated,” said a voice.

  Sefira turned to see Carli in the doorway, fully dressed, with a smirk on her face.

  “You do realize it’s 7:47, right?” Carli added.

  “Oh my gosh, I’m not even dressed! I gotta go.” Celeste scurried out, then turned and said. “Hey, we’ll talk more about this later, okay? Take some time off. Watch a movie or something.” The stairs creaked as she walked down, shouting that she’d be home early, around three.

  The bed wobbled as Sefira sat down. She doesn’t get it. I’m not crazy. The room was quiet now. Planting her elbows on her knees, she leaned over the bed. So, what now? Where can I go from here? It didn’t take long for her to arrive at her conclusion. Sorry Celeste, I’m going to find my mother—with or without your blessing.

  Kaetano

  “Here comes your stalker,” Jorell said.

  “Who?” Kaetano turned to see Giselle and a couple of her cohorts sashaying in his direction. The pleasant feeling he had quickly spoiled. What does she want now? “Man, it’s too early in the morning for this.”

  “Hello, boys.”

  “What’s up?” The guys replied almost in unison, looking underwhelmed. Although they all agreed that Giselle was a piece of work, Kaetano knew that any one of them would probably give their right arm and throw in a few other limbs, to go out with her. All except his friend Jorell. Kaetano and a couple of his friends sat on top of the blue metal lunch tables dotting the middle of the quad area, their long legs dangling over the benches.

  “To whom do I owe the honor of your presence?” Kaetano shifted his position on the table a little, waiting for a response to his sarcasm.

  “The better question might be to what,” answered Giselle.

  Here we go again. “So, what’s up? The last time I saw you, I think you were telling me my days were numbered.”

  “You make it sound like I threatened you. We both know I could never hurt such a handsome face.” She reached out to caress his jaw but he grabbed her wrist mid-air and promptly returned it to her side.

  “You’re 0 for two now. What do you want?”

  “Is this how you talk to someone you once loved?”

  “I never said—”

  She withdrew her cell phone from her bag, unlocked her screen, and tossed it on Kaetano’s lap as she continued her monologue. “I mean, I could certainly find other ways to entertain myself. Hell, I’m sure there’s no shortage of guys who’d want to entertain me. Yet, here I am taking my precious time out, to try to enlighten you….”

  “What’s this?” Kaetano asked as he slowly thumbed through the pictures illuminated on her phone.

  “What, you don’t recognize your new girlfriend surrounded by the demonic red halo?”

  “Oh, so you’re like LAPD now, just investigating folks?” Kaetano scoffed as he swiped through the photos. He sat, enlarging the pictures and squinting. “Enough with the games. What am I supposed to be looking at?”

  “Oh, it’s Sefira. She’s a witch. I mean, I knew that before but now I can confirm it literally.” A nasty grin spread over Giselle's face. Meanwhile, Jorell grabbed the cell to take a closer look himself.

  “What is that?” he asked, pointing and looking to Kaetano for answers.

  “It explains a lot, actually,” Giselle continued. “I think she put some kind of mojo on you.”

  “Well, you’re right about one thing. She put something on me.” He grabbed the phone from Jorell and handed it back to Giselle. “It’s got nothing to do with mojo, though.”

  “What’s wrong with you? I gave you irrefutable proof that she’s a 100% certifiable freak, and you act like this is no big deal? How do you explain this?” Annoyed, she pointed at the lights surrounding the girl’s picture.

  “My little brother’s iPad app can do that.” The guys snickered at the response. “Seriously, I think you need to stop trippin’ and get a life, or focus on track. Something else besides messin’ with this girl.”

  “Yeah and do us all a favor. Ride your broomstick back the way you came.” Jorell pointed in an Easterly direction. The guys got in one more good chuckle before Giselle sneered.

  “We’ll see who has the last laugh.”

  “Oooohh. You better watch out, Kaetano,” said Jorell. “She sounds like she’s about to put a spell on you.” Kaetano smirked, but silently wondered what that was all about. That is undoubtedly Sefira in the photo—Giselle isn’t that creative.

  Jorell’s inquiry interrupted his thoughts. “Where is your girl anyway?”

  “She’s not m
y girl. I was just messin’ with Giselle a little bit. And I don’t know where she is. I haven’t seen her around today.”

  “Not your girl, huh? So, you don’t mind if we decide to step to new girl?” Angel joked.

  “Eh, I didn’t say that.” Kaetano smiled. “Open season on Giselle, though.”

  “She a dime-piece, but she crazy. How come all the fine girls is crazy?” Angel said.

  “What an idiot. Did you see how he treated me when I showed him those pictures?” Giselle fumed, tossing her hair.

  “Yeah,” said Monica.

  “I mean, we both saw what we saw, right?” Giselle looked to Monica for reassurance. Her entire crew was there, all staring and listening intently to everything that was said.

  Monica rubbed her hands together and did this thing where she fiddled with her feet. “Yeah. I mean—it was kind of dark….”

  “What do you mean it was dark? You took the darn pictures.”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s just that we were kind of far away and everything happened so fast.” Her gaze fell to the ground. “I’m not quite sure what I saw.”

  If eyes could burn, all the girls would’ve been fried.

  Jessica’s lips curled as if to stifle a laugh. “Giselle, are you seriously saying that you think that Sefira is like an alien or something?”

  Crystal added, “Sounds like you guys were drinking a little more than the SCU punch.” That last jab was enough to send all the girls into a giggling frenzy. Giselle fought the urge to slap them.

  “Look, I know what I saw. What we both saw.” She shot Monica an icy look. “We didn’t imagine what happened, and I’m not gonna let it go.” The girls shifted uncomfortably and all giggles and jabs ceased. They parted like the Red Sea as Giselle stormed off.