Bloodstone: Written in Stone

by R. J. Ladon

  Annie’s only friends were the string of boys she dated. Not men, boys. Only a child was foolish enough to fall into her trap. Tony was in line right before Kevin. Before Tony, there was Mark, Vincent, Nick, and countless others. But Tony seemed to have a higher place in Annie’s heart than the others.

  When school started sophomore year, Annie burst on the stage as the catch of the town. There was something special about Annie. She had charisma that no one could resist. Not that any of the guys complained, they all seemed happy to do her bidding.

  It was too bad Kevin was involved with Annie. Soon, he’d be just like the mass of guys before him. Dating Annie was a curse, not the honor they all thought.

  Megan parked and climbed the steps to Bonnie’s front porch. She heard a shuffle along the sidewalk. A man in his thirties walked alone, eyes on the ground, hands in his pockets. Further up the street, a twig snapped. It was quiet. No dogs barked, no cars, it was too silent. Instinct forced Megan to investigate the broken twig. Nothing except for the smell of soil and mold. She went back to Bonnie's house and climbed the porch steps.

  She knocked on the door, then turned and watched the man walk down the sidewalk, rocking back and forth like a pendulum. He didn’t lift his head and watch where he walked. He was too young to be the man from the tan car. Still, his presence bothered her. Megan shrugged it off; her mind and her senses were playing tricks. The air felt dense and moist. The door opened, and Bonnie stepped out.

  Megan held up her hand. “Just a minute.” The hair on her arms rose. Something was off. She blinked her eyes, trying to clear them. Was that additional movement? She frowned. Her gun was in the car. A lot of good it did there.

  Bonnie stepped next to her. “What’s going on?”

  “Get back inside. Lock your door,” Megan demanded. The man who walked down the sidewalk doubled back. “Do it now!” She hissed at Bonnie. Her fingers worked at the seams of her light jacket, pulling the steel needles free. Her ears twitched, was there another person behind that tree?

  “Why?” Bonnie had one hand on her hip. “I thought we were going to the library.”

  “Go!” Megan settled in a fighting stance, low and ready, watching the man approach, suspecting another hiding nearby. The man’s eyes snapped upward and locked on hers. She felt transfixed; she couldn’t look away, couldn’t move. “Go,” Megan repeated, but it came out as a breathy sigh.

  “I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell is going on!” Bonnie said.

  Pounding feet landed on the wooden porch behind Megan made her tense, but she couldn’t move her eyes off the strange man at the bottom of the stairs in front of her. A second attacker. She tried to turn, but her body seemed compelled to face the man on the sidewalk.

  Bonnie screamed, and she fell to the porch floor.

  “I have a message for Bonnie. Stay out of Annie’s business,” the second man said behind Megan. Bonnie screamed again as something substantial connected with her flesh.

  Megan felt her anger ripple across her body, like the vibrations of a tuning fork, breaking against her brain in a crescendo. She threw the four-inch needles into each of the man’s eyes. The hold he had on her broke. With the tension gone, she fell forward, rolled, then jumped to her feet, turning to face Bonnie’s attacker.

  The other man wore all black, and there was something odd about him too. Megan could feel it. “You’re going to come to a sticky end, my pretty,” he said, licking his lips. His creepy eyes spasmed in their sockets as he looked at Megan. “You’re next.”

  “Perhaps, you’ll be next,” Megan hissed. She jerked her head in the direction of the man sprawled on the sidewalk.

  The man looked to his motionless companion and roared with fury, sounding more animal than human. His lip retracted, displaying sharp teeth.

  A man with a Mossberg 500 tactical shotgun burst out of the house. “What the fuck is going on?” He racked a round into the chamber and aimed at the man’s torso. “What did you do to my daughter?”

  The man stood tall. He raised his hands. “Teaching a lesson.”

  Bonnie’s father clicked off the safety, secured the shotgun to his shoulder, and pulled the trigger. The buckshot barely had time to separate while leaving the chamber. Nine marble-sized pellets struck the man center mass. He flew off the porch, landing on his back.

  The bark of the shotgun sounded muffled to Megan. She expected an echo off the houses in the neighborhood, but it never came.

  “Sally, did you call 911?” Bonnie's father yelled. He lowered the shotgun.

  “They’re coming,” Sally said, stepping on the porch. “They’re coming.” She saw the man lying lifeless. “Oh, Howard, you could go to jail.”

  “Self-defense.”

  Bonnie moaned.

  Mrs. Schumacher bent by her side. “Bonnie? Darling.”

  Bonnie’s eyes blinked then opened. “My stomach.” She pushed her body up with one arm and retched.

  Megan noticed Bonnie’s legs didn’t move with the effort of vomiting. She looked at the man’s heavy work boots. “He’s wearing steel toes.”

  Bonnie groaned, falling forward.

  Mrs. Schumacher tried to move her daughter’s face out of the vomit.

  “No, stop!” Megan bent and pulled the vomit away from Bonnie’s mouth and nose. “He might have broken her back. If you move her, you could make it worse.”

  Sirens broke the stillness, followed by a dog bark, then another.

  Chapter 15

  K evin walked with Annie to her house. He leaned in for a goodbye kiss. Annie grabbed the back of his neck, holding him, kissing him hard. She moaned, moved closer, rubbing his thigh with her leg. Annie released him, looking up at him through her eyelashes. She bit her bottom lip, eyes dilated. Without a word, she took the front of his shirt and pulled him toward her door.

  Kevin followed. He balked, looking down the street toward his house.

  “Come on, Kevin, my parents won’t be home for a couple of hours.” She turned his head back to her, pulling him into a lingering kiss.

  They parted breathlessly. Annie smiled, rubbing the charm on her necklace.

  “I want to, Annie. I really do.” Kevin stammered.

  Annie’s smile disappeared. Her eyes narrowed.

  “I have to check on my grandma. If I don’t, I’ll be distracted. I don’t think either of us wants that.” Kevin sighed and stepped away from Annie.

  “You need to grow up, Kevin. Your grandma won’t be with you forever, but I could be.” She opened her front door and stepped into the foyer. “The decision is yours.”

  “I’ll be back.”

  “I might not be here.” She slammed the door.

  Kevin hurried home. Thoughts of Annie kissing Tony flitted about in his imagination. He shook his head, not wanting to believe she would cheat on him.

  He ran up the porch steps and entered the living room.

  Grandma Ruby rushed into the room and pushed Kevin aside, slamming the door. “He’ll get out,” she whispered. She looked behind the curtains.

  Kevin looked at Rapscallion, sleeping on a bookshelf. “Who?” he whispered.

  “Mr. Tibbles.”

  Kevin stopped in his tracks. “Ruby, Mr. Tibbles isn’t here anymore; he’s gone.”

  Grandma spun and turned on Kevin. “You let him out?”

  “No, no, I didn’t.” Kevin dropped his book bag and held up his hands.

  “Well, if you didn’t let him out, he is here somewhere. I just saw him.” She tried to get on her hands and knees, but her broken arm wouldn’t let her. “Here, kitty, kitty, kitty,” she trilled.

  “Ruby,” Kevin touched his grandma on the shoulder. “Have you eaten today?”

  “Just my pills.”

  “Ruby,” Kevin took a deep breath. “The doctor said you have to eat a sandwich or something when you take your medication.”

  Grandma stopped searching for her cat and looked at him with big doe eyes. “Did he?”


  “Yes, he did. Let’s get you something.” Kevin took her hand and guided her into the kitchen, directing her to the small table while he opened a couple of ravioli cans. He dumped each into separate bowls and then set them in the microwave.

  When the timer dinged, he pulled the bowls out and sprinkled shredded cheese on top. He set a bowl and fork before his grandmother and the second before the other chair.

  Kevin watched and noticed that her eyes became less wild as she ate. “How are you feeling, Ruby?”

  “I’m doing fine. Did you know I broke my arm yesterday? Hurts like the dickens.”

  “I know, Ruby. I took you to the hospital.”

  “Oh, yes, that’s right.” She reached across the small table and squeezed Kevin’s arm. “Now I remember, you drove, and we picked up hamburgers afterward.” Her hands went to her mouth, eyes full of mirth. “And you helped me with my shower.” She giggled like a girl.

  Kevin felt his cheeks burn hot. “I only washed your arm.”

  “Oh, Kevin, it’s all right. You don’t have to make up stories.” She grinned. “So, how was school?”

  “Good, good,” Kevin commented. “I walked my girlfriend, Annie, home and was going to hang out with her, but I wanted to make sure you were okay. After what happened yesterday and all.”

  Grandma Ruby’s eyes twinkled. “Oh, I was in love once, but that was a long time ago. That love died with your Grandpa. You should see her after you eat. You know if you cast that spell of protection for me, you’d have more time with her because then I would be safe.”

  Kevin took another bite. “I’ve read some of the books you gave me, and it seems the spells are personal. Almost like you should do the spell.”

  “I need you to do the spell so your youth and strength can help look over me. To keep me safe. If I did the spell, it would be my youth and strength, which is non-existent.” Grandma Ruby knocked on the hard-outer coating of her cast.

  “Oh, I guess I didn’t read far enough into the books to understand that part.” He scooped the final bits of ravioli into his mouth. Kevin looked at her half-eaten bowl. “Can you tell me about that crazy orange tabby you had?”

  “Mr. Tibbles?” She lifted her eyebrows. “What is there to tell? He passed about five years ago.”

  Kevin sighed in relief. “When I came home, you were trying to find Mr. Tibbles. You said you saw him and were looking under furniture, and well, you scared me.”

  “Did I now?” Grandma scratched her head. “Stupid dementia.”

  “I think it was because you didn’t eat with your medication.”

  “You think so?” She shoveled more into her mouth.

  Kevin shrugged. “Hard to say. You’ve seen things before that no one else has.”

  Grandma Ruby looked crestfallen. “Really? Do you all think I’m nuttier than squirrel droppings? I’ll have you know I’m fine.” She looked up at the clock. “Look at that; my show is on.” She squeezed Kevin’s hand. “Go see your girl.”

  Kevin smiled at the thought of spending time with Annie. “I’ll only stay for an hour or so.”

  “Take all the time you need.”

  Kevin stepped onto Annie’s porch and rang the bell. He waited a few minutes, pressing his ear against the door. Nothing. He climbed the corner post of the porch and got onto the roof. He went to Annie’s window and knocked.

  The curtain moved aside. Annie stared at him, surprise evident on her face. She opened the window and screen. “I didn’t think you’d be back.”

  “I told you, I would.”

  Annie laughed delightedly. “Get in here.”

  Kevin slid through the window. Annie sat on her four-poster bed, patting the mattress next to her.

  “I’m glad I went home. Ruby was in bad shape. But I got her some food, and now she seems good. She told me to come and be with you.”

  “Doesn’t she know to eat?” Annie looked incredulous. “Everyone knows to eat.”

  “Her pain medications are strong. I think they were making her see things.” Kevin shrugged. “She asked me to cast a spell on her to keep her safe. Then we’d have more time.”

  “A spell? Are you serious?” Annie fell back on the bed, laughing. She caught her breath then said, “Of course you should do it. Make the old hag happy so we can be together.”

  “Old hag?”

  “Shhh.” Annie reached out a hand and pressed a finger against his lips. “You read too much into things.” Her hand slipped off his mouth, down his neck, and then stopped on his chest. She gripped the shirt and pulled him toward her.

  Kevin let her. Thoughts of Annie calling his Grandmother a hag ran through his mind, but he didn’t want a fight. Especially at a time like this.

  Annie ran her fingers through his hair. He kissed her on the mouth, then moved to her neck. She grappled with his shirt, pulling it over his head. Kevin sat back, letting his eyes drink in her beauty.

  A car in the street honked. “Get out of the way!” an angry man shouted.

  Kids shouted obscenities at the driver.

  Kevin looked out the open window. “I think it’s your dad,” he said to Annie.

  She smiled coyly. “It’s alright; Dad watches television after work. He won’t come upstairs for hours.” She wrapped her arms around him.

  Kevin moved closer, kissing and caressing her. Thoughts of Annie’s father being nearby concerned and excited him.

  Annie’s dad cursed. “Yea? Well, I know your parents.” The car revved and moved into the driveway. The engine turned off, followed by the sound of the car door slamming shut. The front door of the house opened and closed with such force Annie’s windows shook. “Annie? Annie!” Feet pounded on the stairs. “Annie, so help me. You better be home.”

  “Shit, get out, get out,” Annie hissed, shoving him toward the small window.

  Kevin dove through the window, making it onto the roof before Annie’s dad threw open the door.

  “You have a lot of explaining to do, young lady.”

  Annie drew the curtain but didn’t have time to close the window. “What’s the problem, Dad?”

  Kevin sat close to the dormer. He heard his shoes scrape the shingles. He had to hold still, or her father would notice. Kevin held his breath, clutching his shirt to his chest.

  “Where is your purse?”

  “Here. What are you looking for?”

  “I need to see your wallet.” Annie’s dad sounded panicked.

  “Is this about money? Really?” Annie laughed.

  “Just give me the wallet.”

  “I’ve got private stuff in there.”

  “Oh, no, you don’t. Sit!” Annie’s door slammed shut. “Here is your credit card.” He paused. “You can’t lie and tell me it was stolen, like last time.” Another pause. “A six-hundred-dollar payment to a woman’s health clinic? What was that for?”

  Annie cried, intense, sobbing tears. “You…wouldn’t…understand.”

  “Oh, Annie,” his voice soothed. “Try me.”

  Annie’s sobs sounded muffled like she was crying into her father’s chest. Annie said something, but Kevin couldn’t make it out.

  “Birth control? Six hundred dollars? What kind of fool do you take me for? You’re grounded. You can spend the rest of the night on the couch, sulking.”

  Kevin heard Annie’s father continue to scold her, but the voices were getting smaller. They were probably going downstairs. He climbed off the roof and headed home. Six hundred dollars. His eyes went wide as he figured that it was likely what an abortion cost. Who was the father? Tony? Kevin tried to dismiss the thought, but it kept rising to the surface. As he walked toward home, his gut twisted and turned, wrenching him into dark thoughts. His phone rang. “Hello.” His voice cracked.

  “Kevin, I need you now more than ever,” Annie said through gasping sniffles.

  “What about the abortion you had? Whose was it, Annie?” Kevin yelled into the phone.

  “Before we got together, I was…” Annie brok
e into a fit of crying. “I was raped. It wasn’t a good time in my life. I got drunk at a party and woke up naked.” She sniffled. “But now, I have you. You’re good to me. You showed me how a real boyfriend treats his girlfriend.”

  “So, you don’t know who the father was?”

  “No. That is why I did it. I needed to start over. I knew you were the one. I want to be with you forever.” Annie paused, “I can’t believe I said that it sounds so corny. But it’s true. I want to marry you.”

  “Marry?” Kevin stopped on the sidewalk. “You want to marry me?”

  “Well,” Annie said quietly. “Yes, I love you.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Tell me you will come to my house tonight and make love to me.”

  “What about your father? Your mother?”

  “Don’t come over until after ten; they’ll be asleep by then,” Annie said.

  “I’ll be there.” Kevin turned off his phone and slid it into his pocket.

  Annie loved him.

  Chapter 16

  M egan parked her car in the garage, grabbed her backpack, and went into the house. Her father waited in the kitchen, disapproval on his face. “You’re late.” He swung his keys around the ring and caught them.

  “I take it you heard.”

  “Of course, I heard. This community is small. News travels fast.” Artem walked into the living room and motioned for her to follow. “I took the liberty to pack your things.”

  “You what?” Megan put her bookbag down and placed her hands on her hips. “Why?”

  “You were attacked by the mafia. It’s time to go.” He picked up two suitcases and took them into the kitchen.

  Megan sat on the couch and crossed her arms.

  A few minutes later, Artem returned. “We don’t have time for this nonsense. We need to leave. Now!”