“You’re so beautiful, Mage. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
I push the side of my face deeper into the palm of his hand. I feel so much love for him, but at the same time I feel fear for him, too. I realize that while I’m in his arms and loving every minute of it, I’m absolutely afraid that I’ll never see him again.
“What would I do without you?” I ask.
“That’s not something you’ll ever have to worry about,” he says.
He closes his eyes and leans in.
Adam’s going to kiss me! After all the years of wondering what this would be like; it’s actually about to happen! I close my eyes and eagerly anticipate his kiss. My nerves feel like they’re out of control and my knees are getting weaker. I start to worry that they’ll give out and I’ll fall into the sand when his lips connect to mine. I wait, but nothing happens.
I open my eyes and Adam’s there in front of me, except something’s wrong. His eyes are wide with horror as if he’s in pain. His head is cocked up and his mouth is wide open like he’s screaming, but there’s no sound coming out of his mouth.
I step back out of his arms, but he remains still. He stands there as if he’s frozen in that specific pose. He’s not breathing and his skin is turning ashy blue. Suddenly, he lets out a growl and anguish covers his face. He never takes his eyes off mine, but there’s something different. Adam’s beginning to glow! Bright red light reflects off of his skin. I lift my arm to cover my eyes from the brightness.
“What’s happening, Adam?” I scream.
Finally, I look past Adam and see a lady standing far behind him. She’s looking right at me and laughing. Her laugh is an evil high-pitched chime. It sounds like a million tiny bells ringing all at once. I cover my ears to keep them from burning.
She’s breathtaking, with long, curly, platinum blonde hair that shifts with the winds. It reminds me of white silk ribbons blowing around her face. She’s pale and unique; like a gorgeous porcelain doll. Willowy beauty dances around her as her long red coat flows with every aerial lift. Her eyes glow with an evil crimson pallor.
With her hand, she’s controlling what’s happening to Adam. She’s hurting him! Who is this woman and where did she come from? Why is she doing this to him?
“Stop it!” I scream at her.
The woman staring back at me laughs harder. Her laugh is causing pressure to build in my ears—they feel like they’re going to explode. Out the corner of my eye I see something rise out of the water. I look over quickly to see what it is. It isn’t something coming out of the water, it is the water. It lifts, forming a massive wall at least thirty-feet high.
Rapidly, the aqueous barrier begins to move quickly towards the shore—towards us. I’m in full panic when it reaches the shoreline. It wobbles like it has a life of its own, then leans as it prepares to crash on top us. I scream!
I jump up from my nightmare screaming out loud. Sire’s growling as if something’s there. I lean over and brush my hands across my handsome protector to calm his nerves.
“It’s okay, boy. It was just a nightmare. You can go back to sleep.”
He doesn’t move from his defensive pose as he barks at a specific spot in my room. I look harder at the wall that’s bothering him. Standing there in my bedroom is the red-adorned woman from my dream staring straight at me. I lose my words.
I reach over quickly and turn on the lamp, but when I look back she’s gone. Sire runs to the spot where she had stood and paws at the floor.
Things are getting scary! Who’s this red lady that I dreamt of and why is she stalking me in my room? The whole situation has me on edge. I can’t help but feel anxious and afraid. I don’t know what the crimson beauty wants. What if she means me harm?
Whatever her reasons, I hope she doesn’t come back. And from this point on, Sire will be sleeping in the bed with me.
I spend the rest of the night searching the house and locking the doors. I check every room just in case she’s hiding, while praying it was just my imagination. I fall into bed just before dawn to catch a few minutes of sleep.
**********
In the morning, I run downstairs for some breakfast. I open the refrigerator and bend down sticking my head inside. I decide to make myself a ham and cheese omelet. I grab the ham and cheese and two eggs from the egg rack on the refrigerator door.
My grandmother’s standing behind the refrigerator door when I close it. I scream and drop everything on the floor—egg and ham end up everywhere. After the night I had I’m on edge and my nerves are a wreck.
My grandmother looks at me oddly. It’s not often that I get spooked.
“Are you okay?” she questions.
“Yeah, I’m okay. I just had a pretty bad nightmare last night. I’m sure I’ll get over it. It’s just got me a little jumpy.”
“You had a nightmare? What was it about?”
I proceed to tell her about my nightmare as I clean up cracked eggs and bits of ham. By the time I’m done with my story, I’m not even hungry anymore.
My grandmother now has a frightened look on her face.
“Have you told your grandfather about this?”
“No, I haven’t even seen him yet today. Besides, why would I tell him? It was just a nightmare, it’s not like it was real or anything.”
“You don’t sound so sure about that. Are you telling me everything?”
I didn’t want to, but I told her about the lady in my room. I never worry about my grandmother thinking I’m crazy. After all, she’s dead and here I am talking to her. It doesn’t really get much crazier than that.
She makes me promise to tell my grandfather about the events of the night before. I have no idea why, but she seems pretty persistent about it—that concerns me. My grandmother’s usually so calm and serene, but today I see something in her that I’ve never seen before—she’s afraid for me. Why that is, I don’t know, but I plan to find out
Chapter 7
Movie Moments
I try to talk to my grandfather, since I promised I would, but it’s useless. He stares at me while I talk then calls me Rose, my mother’s name. I make sure he’s comfortable and get him some breakfast. I sit with him for the day, and after lunch I leave him alone.
It’s funny, even though my grandfather has moments where he either has no idea who I am or thinks I’m my mother, he seems to always remember how to care for himself. I dread the day when he forgets how to do that. Not like I’d mind, but when that happens I’ll have to be with him at all times—that might make school difficult.
After leaving my grandfather alone with a book, I run downstairs and spend the rest of the afternoon talking to Thaddeus. He’s in a foul mood today too. There must be something about today that’s making everyone so grumpy.
Once I’ve killed enough time, I go to my room and start to get ready for the movies. I can barely contain my excitement! I’m going to my very first movie with my very first living, human friend.
Go Mage!
I take the hottest shower my skin can stand, and then dress in my favorite jeans with my black quarter sleeve shirt. I blow dry my hair—which I never do—then I smear on some lip gloss and stick in a pair of old hoop earrings—also a first. In no time, I’m ready for my first official Saturday night out on the town.
“I’m going out for the night, Pop!” I call into his room.
My grandmother doesn’t have a specific room in the house, like Thaddeus, so I stand at the bottom of the stairs and talk to the air.
“I’m going to a movie with a friend. Please listen out for Pop—he’s having an off day.”
It’s not like there’s much she can do for him, but I still feel better knowing that someone is paying attention while I’m gone.
She appears in front of me with a smile.
“Well, that sounds fun. I’m happy you’re finally getting out and making friends. It’s not good for a girl your age to stay cooped up all the time with no socializing’. Mak
e sure and have lots of fun.”
“I will,” I lean in and pretend to kiss her on the cheek.
I go to the library to say goodnight to Thaddeus, but he’s nowhere to be seen.
“Thaddeus?”
I hear the jingle of his pocket watch chain and I know he’s there.
“You look mighty nice tonight, Miss Mage,” he whispers in my ear. He steps around me taking in my new style. “I’ll tell ya’, if I had a pulse I’d take ya’ out myself,” he smiles and winks. “It’s like watching my very own dear, sweet, daughter go out into the world for the first time. Where’s my hankie?” he pretends to wipe away a tear.
I giggle. “You’re too much! Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome darlin’. Y’all have fun now, ya’ hear?”
And then he’s gone. Thaddeus always makes me feel so much better. Here I am worried that I look awful and he proceeds to fill me with compliments. Leave it to him to put a smile on a girl’s face. I bet he was quite the ladies man in his time.
“Goodnight,” I whisper into the empty room before shutting the door behind me.
Waiting for Bernie, I sit on the porch with my notebook in hand. These days, my writing has taken a bit of a turn. I used to write about dark and dreary things, but recently it’s all sweet and dreamy stuff. Adam’s had quite an effect on me, that’s for sure.
Come to me my sweet and let me fill your head.
Give your heart to me—awaken mine that is so dead.
Say my name so softly and take my breath away.
Vow to stay with me, my love, forever and a day.
Bernie pulls up at exactly six o’clock—If only she could be that punctual when it comes to school. It’s already dark outside so I squint when her headlights blind me.
We drive to a little Chinese restaurant in town and eat dinner.
“Ever wonder what these people are saying about us in Chinese?” she sips her sweet tea.
“Oh, I’m sure they have plenty to say about me,” I joke.
“Oh, whatever! You’re totally full of awesome sauce. Trust me, I know awesomeness when I see it,” she sticks her tongue out.
I tell her about running into Adam after school on Friday. I make sure not to mention anything about him getting pushed over the side of the water tower. How would I explain why he’s not dead when she sees him in school on Monday?
“So, who were they?” she asks when I tell her about the fight.
“I don’t know. Some guys he works with or something. You should’ve seen them fighting. It was crazy.”
“Man, I wish I could’ve been there. That’s way cray-cray! I always miss the drama,” she rolls her eyes while she plays with her straw.
She doesn’t push for more information and starts talking about boys as usual.
“So, there’s this dude in my Algebra class. His name’s Kale. Oh my God, he’s totally hot. Seriously, I caught him looking at my boobs the other day. You should’ve seen me trying to poke these bad-boys out,” she demonstrates by poking her chest out. “Hmmm, I just want to do bad things to him.”
We laugh loudly and the little Chinese waiter shakes his head.
“Pre-vert,” I chuckle.
“What the hell is a pre-vert?” she giggles.
“You haven’t graduated into a pervert, yet. So, you’re still a pre-vert. We can still save you!” I joke.
“Oh, whatever! I’m a total pro-vert!” she throws her fortune cookie at me.
We burst into a fit of laughter.
After we stuff ourselves with sweet-and-sour chicken, we go to the movies. I react like a child when I see the brightly colored theater and Bernie laughs at me. Making friends with her was the second best thing I’ve ever done; saving Adam’s life being the best.
I slouch against the brick wall of the theater as we wait in the ticket line. Seeing all the people lined up laughing and talking makes me smile. People actually have lives, who knew? It’s good to see people out and living, other than in school of course.
There are two guys standing in front of us. One of them turns around and starts talking to Bernie. When the other turns around I find myself face-to-face with Adam, again.
“Mage, this is Kale…we have Algebra together,” Bernie says with a wink.
Okay, so I’ll give it to Bernie on this one…Kale is really cute. He looks exactly as she’d described him earlier at the Chinese restaurant. He’s almost as tall as Adam, but with a much stockier build—definitely high school wrestling team material. I’m sure he’s the captain.
His shirt is pulled tightly across his muscled chest and his arms are twice the size of the other guys his age. Shortly-cropped, sandy blonde hair bleeds into his long sideburns that lead to the little patch of fuzz on his chin. Baby blue eyes pop against his dark skin and I smile when I see them light up at the sight of Bernie.
He’s completely adorable—for Bernie, of course. No one’s more attractive than Adam in my opinion. I put on my best friendly face and smile at Kale.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I say before turning to Adam. “Hi.” It sounded rude, but it was the only word that would come out of my mouth once I saw his face.
“Oh, that’s right! You guys know each other already,” Bernie smirks and lifts a brow like she knows a dirty secret.
Adam and I grin at each other as he nods at me—no one needs to know that we actually do have a secret.
“Y’all should come see the movie with us,” Kale says as he looks Bernie up-and-down.
And that’s all it takes. Bernie decides we should see the action comedy movie the guys are going to, instead of the chick-flick we were supposed to see. Works for me! I would much rather spend my time watching a comedy than some sappy chick-flick.
Bernie and I sit next to each other and the guys take it upon themselves to sit on either side of us—Kale’s idea I’m sure. It looks like a planned double date, which makes me so nervous my palms start to sweat. I wonder to myself if Adam realizes it looks like we’re on date.
My hands start to ache because they’re clasped to the armrest of my seat so tightly. It’s like I’m on some scary rollercoaster ride. When I see my fingers turning white I let go. The theater goes dark and the previews start. I jerk a little when Adam leans over and whispers in my ear.
“Sorry—didn’t mean to scare you. Do you want anything before the movie starts? I could get it for you.”
“No, I’m okay—thank you,” I whisper back.
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
He squeezes through the aisle and then out the theater to go to the concession area. I use this time to try and catch my breath. My spine still tingles from his whispers and even though no one can see me in the dark, I know I’m blushing all over.
“I think Adam likes you,” Bernie whispers in my other ear.
I roll my eyes and suck my teeth.
Yeah right!
He’s just being nice because I saved his life. The only thing Adam finds interesting about me is the weird stuff I can do. I know I’m interested in Adam and everything Adam related, but I’d never tell another soul that—the risk of looking like a complete fool is just too large.
“I seriously doubt that,” I shake my head.
And then there he is again—sucking the breath right out of me. He sticks a bottle of water in my drink holder and sits next to me.
“Thank you,” I smile.
He gives me his sideways, sexy smirk and I spend the next five minutes replaying that smirk in my head over and over again. I’m becoming pretty pathetic when it comes to him and I’m pretty sure he knows it, too.
The movie makes us laugh-out-loud constantly and I can’t believe how much fun I’m having. My first movie experience is turning out to be everything I’d hoped it would be and more.
I reach down for my bottle of water and my arm brushes against Adam’s. The electrical pulse that shocks me is definitely not the kind produced by static. I envision bright electrical sparks flying from our ar
ms where we touch. We both look up at each other when it happens.
Did he feel it too?
I turn away quickly and drink my water. His concentrated stare is branding the side of my face, so I try extra hard not to spill any like an idiot. When I return the bottle back into the drink holder, I rest my arm there. From that point on, I have issues paying attention to the movie. I stare straight ahead and pray for it to be over soon. Being this close to Adam is driving me nuts.
There’s something warm brushing against the top of my hand. I look down to see that it’s Adam’s finger as he softly writes gibberish on the top of my hand. He turns my hand over and begins writing on my palm. My heart slams against my ribs and I feel like I’m about to have a panic attack.
Air! Please someone give me mouth-to-mouth! Adam? Mouth-to-mouth…please?
He’s not looking at me as he softly touches me; instead he watches our hands. And then it stops. I look down in time to find him making a fist as if it’s the only way he can stop himself.
“Sorry,” he whispers.
I say nothing since I can’t breathe, much less talk. Our hands are so close—almost touching and I can’t take it anymore. With a sudden stroke of courage, I grab his hand. He intertwines his fingers with mine and squeezes lightly. We’re silent for the rest of the movie.
Holding Adam’s hand feels right, like it’s the most natural thing in the world for me to do.
Occasionally, he looks over at me and shyly smiles, but that’s it. He holds my hand throughout the movie and doesn’t let go when it’s time to leave. A big goofy smile is plastered on my face. I try to push the corners down, but I can’t. One minute he’s offering to buy me a drink and touching me softly on my hand, and then the next minute we’re holding hands like it’s something we do every day.
Adam and Kale walk us to Bernie’s car and we all say our goodbyes. Adam and I secretly smile at each other as he walks away.
“Holding hands now, huh?” Bernie smirks. “Adam and Mage sittin’ in a tree K.I S….”she sings.
I shush her.
“It was nothing…I think,” I blush.
Wicked Fate (The Wicked Trilogy) Page 6