After Forever

by Krystal McLaughlin

  “It’s a late one, so don’t wait up. Love you.”

  “Love you too.” I listened to mum go downstairs and a few minutes later I heard the car pull out into the road. I tried finishing my homework, but I was soon distracted when I felt someone watching me. Turning to the window opposite mine, I saw a dark silhouette being framed by the curtains.

  “Is it time?” I asked, closing the math book.

  “Yes. Do you want me to come over?” Orlie asked.

  “Nope.” I stood up and moved to the middle of my room. I closed my eyes and thought about standing in Orlie’s bedroom. When I felt his hands on my waist I knew it had worked.

  “I’m impressed,” he whispered in my ear. “That was your first time and you executed it so well.”

  “Thanks,” I said looking up into his handsome face. I saw that his eyes were full of concern. I hugged him tightly. “Are we doing the right thing?” I asked against his shirt.

  Orlie’s arms held me protectively against him. “Yes.”

  We headed downstairs and found Faith standing at the sink, gazing out the window. The sky had grown black and was dotted with small twinkling stars.

  “Mum?” Orlie said. Faith turned toward us and managed a tiny smile.

  “Hello, Cali.” She took a deep breath then slowly let it out. “Have you had dinner, dear?”

  I glanced at Orlie who was watching his mum, frowning. “I’m okay, Faith, thanks,” I replied so she nodded.

  “Mum, can we talk?” Orlie asked, moving over to his mum who looked rattled. “Let’s go into the living room.” he placed his hands on his mother’s shoulders and started to guide her out of the kitchen. “We’ll be back,” he said to me over his shoulder.

  I sat at the table in the quiet kitchen and tapped my fingers on the smooth, polished wood. I was taking in the dark-stained cupboards and stainless steel refrigerator when I was joined by Benedict who looked surprised to see me.

  “Cali, I didn’t know you were visiting.” He had a coffee mug in his hand and a paper folded under his arm.

  “I just got here,” I said watching him closely as he placed the mug in the sink. I bit my lip as rage boiled inside me. I was facing the man who had made me fatherless for the last sixteen years. “I remember what you did.” I said the words before I could stop myself.

  Benedict looked at me, confused, before a dark cloud crossed his expression. “You accused me of murdering your father.” he crossed his arms over his chest. “Dharkar Blithe was a criminal.”

  “A criminal?” I said outraged. “What was his crime?”

  “Falling in love with a mortal. He broke a law and Dharkar needed to be punished.” Benedict looked amused as I gravitated towards him.

  “Why did you kill him? If he needed to be punished then you should’ve thrown him in prison.”

  Benedict sighed, irritably. “I’m not wasting my time with this.” he went to walk past me, but I shoved him into the stove. I heard his head hit he range hood as his eyes turned dark with anger. He grabbed my arms and shook me, hard. “How dare you!” he roared in my face. “I did our world a favor by exterminating that piece of trash.” He shook me again. “You should be begging me to let you live…you’re not even a full-blood.” Tears fell out of my eyes and this made Benedict sneer.

  “Let. Her. Go!” Orlie snarled from behind his father. Benedict tightened his grip on my arms, making me cry out, and then he threw me to the floor. I hit my shoulder on the cupboard door and jarred my wrist trying to break my fall.

  “What did you say to me, boy?” Benedict growled. I lay at his feet in a heap. “She’s nothing but an abomination.” He pointed a finger at me.

  “Calista’s my soulmate,” Orlie fired back. He knelt beside me as his father chuckled menacingly, looming over us.

  “Your soulmate?” Benedict spat. “You are but a boy. Don’t tie yourself to a half-blood.”

  Orlie glared at his father while helping me to sit up on the floor. “Don’t call her that.” he wiped a tear from my cheek then pulled me to my feet. I noticed when he put himself between me and his furious father.

  A nasty smirk appeared on the silver-haired man’s lips. “Are you standing up to me, Orlando?”

  Orlie straightened his back while looking his dad in the eye. “Yes, I am. Cali is special to me and I won’t allow you to talk badly about her.”

  A silent minute passed before Benedict shifted his gaze to me. “You told him! You little bit-” he lunged past Orlie, reaching out for me. I jerked back as Orlie pushed him back. Benedict growled. “She’s a half-blood and needs to be killed! Nightfallers should reign the world!” His voice boomed in the kitchen.

  “You’re a murderer!” I yelled over Orlie’s shoulder. I cringed when Benedict’s black gaze bored into me. Before I knew what was happening, Benedict’s arm shot out, aiming for my throat. Just as fast, Orlie batted his father’s arm away causing Benedict’s body to shake with rage.

  The air crackled with tension as the men stared each other down. I thought it would go on forever, but again, Benedict’s arm shot out and his hand clamped around Orlie’s throat. Orlie sputtered and gurgled while his hands clawed at his father’s firm grip. I watched, frozen, as Benedict pulled his son towards him and pressed his lips to Orlie’s crimson mouth.

  The kiss lasted no more than two seconds and when Benedict released his grip, Orlie’s body crumpled to the floor. My body shook with fear as Benedict moved to loom over me. Before I could protect myself, Faith appeared behind her husband. I saw something odd clutched in her hand then realized what it was as she raised her arm and plunged it into Benedict’s back.

  “A Falling Star.” I quickly shielded my eyes when Benedict’s body burst into millions of tiny moonbeams. When I removed my hands I found Faith kneeling beside her son’s limp body.

  “Oh, no!” my hands flew to my mouth as tears rush to my eyes. I slowly sank to my knees as a sob rose in my throat. “Nononono!”

  “He’s dead,” Faith sobbed; her fingers on Orlie’s wrist. When our eyes met, hers mirrored my own: heartbroken and watery.

  “He can’t be…” I whispered. I gently touched Orlie’s shoulder and shook it, expecting him to open his eyes. But he stayed silent with his teardrop eyes closed. My vision faded in and out while my head started to spin. I went to steady myself, but the blackness swept me up.

  The soft pitter-pattering of rain guided me out of a deep sleep. I opened my eyes to a squint and saw a chocolate brown pillow under my head. I was lying on my stomach in a queen-size bed. It was Orlie’s bed. I could smell his musky scent on the sheet. My stomach clenched as last night hit me like a Mack truck.

  I rolled onto my back and reached towards the ceiling, stretching my arms. Tears stung my eyes. I took one last sniff of the familiar smell then climbed out of bed. I straightened the blanket before heading downstairs while smoothing out my clothes and finger-brushing my hair.

  The kitchen was empty and hazy from the dreary weather. I flicked my eyes to the place I had last seen Orlie, but it was just floor and bench. Pulling out a chair, I sat at the table and waited for Faith. I didn’t know what else to do.

  I was twiddling my thumbs when Faith appeared in the kitchen. She smiled, but it was forced and sad. “Good morning, sweetheart,” she said coming over to me. “How did you sleep?” Faith smoothed my hair with a motherly hand.

  “I slept okay,” I lied, folding my hands on the table. “Where is…” tears choked me up.

  Faith sat beside me, holding my hands. “He’s resting in the sitting room. I couldn’t bear to move my son to the basement.” Her voice trembled. We were both close to tears.

  “What about my mum?” I took a shaky breath then wiped my eyes.

  “I spoke to Anna while you were sleeping. She thinks you had watched a scary movie with…with Orlie.” Her voice shook saying her son’s name. “I said you slept over after having a late night. Anna rang your school and you’re having a sick day.”

  I manag
ed a smile which vanished when I thought of Orlie. “What happened to him?” I frowned. “He was protecting me…did Benedict kiss him?” I sounded confused while searching Faith’s face for answers.

  “What did Orlie tell you about us?”

  I took a few minutes to recall what Orlie had told me. “Nightfallers are born during a blue moon…they can appear without sound…and they can take life.” my eyes grew wide. “He kissed Orlie! He took his life,” I said, bewildered.

  Faith gently squeezed my hands. “I’m afraid so.”

  I slowly nodded as a single tear slid down my cheek. My eyes stared absently at our hands. “Can I see him?” I murmured.

  Faith rubbed my fingers. “Of course you can.”

  I stood up and slowly made my way to the sitting room. I had never stepped foot in the room before, but I had seen it once in passing. The walls were cream, the floor was polished wood, and a six-foot fireplace sat dormant with two brown leather armchairs facing it. Bay windows showed the pouring rain outside, but my attention was claimed by the four-seater couch sitting in front of the dreary view.

  Lying peacefully beneath the windows, dressed head-to-toe in black was my soulmate. His long fingers were laced together on his chest and a maroon velvet pillow was placed under his head. Orlie’s chocolate brown hair was combed neatly, but the adorable flicks and waves cascaded over his ears.

  Tears raced to my eyes and a sob started to rise in my throat. I felt myself swaying on the spot so I lowered myself to sit on the coffee table. I leaned my elbows on my knees and rested my chin on my clamped hands.

  The tears I had been holding back surged forward with vengeance. The sob erupted while my cheeks were flooded. My eyes were blurry, but I never took my gaze off Orlie’s still body.

  “I’m so sorry…” I whispered. I reached my hands out to touch him, but I pulled back at the last second. “I should’ve done something; protected you.” I bowed my head and closed my eyes. My chest felt tight and my heart ached so badly.

  When cool hands touched me, I let out a shuddering sob. “Oh, sweetheart,” Faith said, sitting beside me, hugging me tightly. “Let it out. You’re alright.” Her voice was soft and motherly as she stroked my hair.

  When the tears dried up, I pulled away from Faith and wiped my eyes. “He shouldn’t be dead,” I said in an unsteady voice. “He shouldn’t be…”

  “Calista, Nightfallers can take life…” Faith’s eyes held mine as she spoke. “Daybreakers can give life.”

  I frown, staring at her confused, until Faith’s words register with my brain. “I’m a Daybreaker!” I faced Orlie’s still body, taking in his peaceful face. “What do I do?”

  “Follow your heart,” Faith gently said before standing and leaving the sitting room. I stare at Orlie for a few more seconds then reach out, laying my hand on his.

  “You told me that you loved me,” I said in a low voice. “I should’ve said it back, but I ran away.” I stood up and moved closer to the couch. I bent over Orlie’s body and traced his strong jaw line with a finger. “I love you, Orlando.”

  My lips gently pressed to Orlie’s crimson ones. They were tender and cool and lifeless. I scrunched my eyes closed and kept kissing him. After a minute I pulled away, scanning his face for signs of life. I sat down, hoping he’d come back to me.

  An hour passed. The rain settled into a rhythmic pitter-patter. Orlie stayed deathly still. I ran a hand over my face then went to find Faith.

  “He hasn’t woken up,” I said, finding her sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of tea. “How long does it take?” I slid into a chair opposite her.

  She put the china cup down and I saw her hand slightly shake. Faith clasped her hands together before saying, “It can take minutes, hours or a day. Death is swift, but life takes time.”

  “A day?” I sighed heavily. I closed my eyes and leaned back in the chair. “I can’t stay here.” I shook my head then stood up. “I’m sorry, Faith, for everything. You lost your family because of me.”

  “Do not say that!” Faith stood up, coming around to me. “This happened because of Benedict. He’s the evil one.” She held my hands. “My son adores you and I can see that you adore him too. He’ll come back to us.” She hugged me tightly.

  Entering my house I heard mum moving about in the kitchen. I quickly checked my reflection in the foyer mirror and saw that my eyes were bloodshot. I knew I looked like I had been crying, but mum would just put it down to a late night. I gave my eyes one last wipe then headed towards the sounds of my mother.

  “Hey, darl,” mum said when she spotted me. “Wow! You look like crap.” She smiled as I slid onto a stool.

  “I feel like crap.” I mocked a yawn. “How was work?” I leaned my arms on the island as mum finished the washing up.

  “It was long and quiet.” She hung the dish rag on the clean plates as the sink emptied down the drain. “We had about thirty customers over eight hours. I had to keep myself awake. How was your night?”

  “It was…okay.” I wanted to tell mum the truth, but I knew she wouldn’t understand. “We watched Wolf Creek and it’s really scary. You’d hate it.”

  Mum made a face. “I don’t know how you can watch scary movies.” she shook her head while rubbing her hands up and down her arms like she was cold. “I like romance and love stories.”

  I rolled my eyes making her punch my arm playfully. “What’s for dinner?” I asked as the rain petered out to the occasional shower. Mum had gone over to the refrigerator where an assortment of takeaway menus had been pinned with magnets. She perused the covers then plucked one from its frog magnet.

  “What about hamburgers?” she held up a menu with ‘Aussie Joe’s’ printed in bold black writing.

  “Sounds good,” I said, sliding off the stool. “I’m going to see if I can get some sleep.” I was being overtaken by tears again.

  “Okay, darl,” mum said putting the menu on the bench. “I’m going to the shops. We’ve run out of milk and bread.”

  I climbed the stairs and entered my room with a heavy heart and watery eyes. I sat on the window seat, bringing my knees up to my chest, and laying my cheek on my arms while staring into Orlie’s bedroom.

  “Please come back to me,” I whispered as his curtains danced in a cool breeze. “How can I survive an eternity without you?” the tears fell from my eyes, landing on my arms.

  As mum and I sat in front of the TV; eating overflowing hamburgers and slurping on soft drink, I felt a sudden shift in my body. The deep aching in my heart wasn’t as noticeable and the damned tears dried up all on their own. What did this mean?

  After dinner, I went upstairs after telling mum I wanted an early night. I grabbed my pajamas then headed into the bathroom. I scrubbed my skin then my hair and dried myself with a big fluffy towel.

  I sat on the window seat and brushed my wet, blond hair with its saffron and primrose hues. After fighting all the tangles, I braided my hair, letting it hang down my back. Glancing at the clock radio I saw that it was seven-thirty pm. I grabbed my math book and decided to try and tackle the remaining questions. After working out one equation I closed the book, going to bed.

  A warm breeze drifted over my bare skin as I stared into the dark. I was lying on top of the covers as the air was humid and the temperature was in the low thirties. Mum had mentioned it was thirty-two Celsius. It was a hot night.

  I stretched my legs out and folded my arms over my head making my singlet ride up on my stomach. As I slowly relaxed, my eyelids closed, and I soon drifted off.

  The red digits on the clock radio flicked to three am. Something had woken me from a deep sleep. I yawned then moved my arm across the bed. My hand was resting against something hard and cool. I turned my head and squinted into the dark. I saw an outline of a person. I was contemplating turning the lamp on when the object moved. A cool hand held mine; long fingers lacing with mine.

  Tears immediately jumped to my eyes.

  “Cali…” his velvety
voice tugged at my heart.

  “You’re here! You’re breathing!” I whispered.

  Orlie rolled onto his side, his arm snaking around my waist, and he pulled me closer to his body. His tender lips found my shoulder and they slowly moved up to my neck, stopping on my temple.

  “You brought me back to life,” he murmured in my hair. I couldn’t answer. I sobbed while clinging to his shirt. His strong, protective arms cradled me while I cried against his chest.

  When my sobs finally ceased, Orlie kissed my head before moving his mouth to my ear. “I love you, too,” he whispered. “I always will.”

  DESTINY

  By: Cindy Bartolotta

  ©2013 by Cindy Bartolotta

  He knew from the sound, that the batter hit a home run. It had that certain THWACK to it, more than just a normal CRACK. It was how the bat resonated when the tempered ash met leather. Peeking through the worn knothole in the back fence, he was right. The ball gracefully arched, hung in the air, then dropped with amazing speed into the outfield bleachers. The crowd went wild, especially the man who held up his hand, clutching the ball like it was a huge diamond.

  It didn’t matter to the boy that the team was Class A and considered sub-par, many of the players were local boys and most everyone in town supported them. Tickets were not very expensive, but sometimes even twenty-five cents was too much for him.

  ‘Bottles’ Steadway watched every home game, though most were from the outside of the fence. He and the other veteran ‘wall rats’ were as well versed in team statistics and baseball rules as the players and coaches. Unfortunately, they were the only ones who knew it. Seeing a game from inside the fence was a rare treat.

  Born twelve years earlier, an only child, his given name was Ralph Waldo Steadway. His mother, a school teacher, named him after the poet Emerson, not realizing she doomed her son to being called Ralphie or Wally. Given the choice, he preferred Wally. That name blessedly lasted until he turned eight. Then the townspeople dubbed him Bottles, because he was always scrounging around for empty glass soda bottles to return for the few cents deposit. He took a fancy to the new moniker, proud that he was not only earning a meager personal income, he was helping keep the town clean by clearing out litter.