MoonNight

by Thacker, Renee

  My hands reached into my pockets and fumbled around for my phone. I dialed my parents’ number. A really terrible feeling in my stomach was frightened to hear who was on the other line. And the phone was answered. The butterflies flew away when it was my mother.

  “Hi, mom, hey you there it’s Leslie.”

  “Yeah honey you haven’t called in so long.”

  “I know mom, I’m sorry. School has been so busy. Did the school give you any calls?”

  “No,” she replied. “Why?”

  “Just checking in on how the school keeps in contact with my parents you know me mom.” I squeezed my eyes shut wondering if I sounded too obvious. I had never been this way.

  “So how is school, your friends, sorry we can’t be there for your graduation. We are so busy over here. We will be waiting at the airport in two days for you! Can’t you believe it Leslie?”

  “Mom I already have plans to fly over there with a couple friends.”

  “Friends? You made friends Leslie?” In all my life I had never had friends. The most of a relationship I’ve had with a guy before Alaska was probably school project partners. And the biggest relationship I’ve had with a girl is a few losing fights. My whole life I had been bullied. I have been lower class and made fun of. But now that I’ve been involved with everything I have been I understand that this is the role I was meant to play. Carson was meant for me and I was meant for him. The other werewolves were meant to be my best friends. And Galen was meant to be my big brother. The school was meant to be a personal prison. But life was meant to fold out.

  “Yes mom I made amazing friends... they’re... just like me.” I had to tell her friends were coming with me so I had an excuse for them to protect my parents while still interacting with me.

  “Shouldn’t you have told your father and I a little earlier than this?”

  “Mom, I know but I forgot. And it’s okay don’t even worry about trying to come to my graduation. It’s no big deal.”

  “So what were the best and worst times at your school?” my mother asked. What was I supposed to say? My worst time is when I let my best friend be murdered. My best moment is when Carson gave me an unbelievable kiss in the pouring rain?

  “Well I don’t know mom. The best part was meeting my special friends. The worst part is having to dissect an animal in science class.”

  “Sound like my little girl is growing up,” she said.

  “Thanks mom, it’s about time to eat so I’ve got t-to go. Bye.” Before my mom could say bye I hung up before even a sniffle of crying came out.

  Chapter 12

  People passed by with shopping carts, happy families, nice warm clothes. I held the very opposite. Inside the store they were putting Halloween decorations up a month ahead of time. I approached one of the ladies at a empty cash register.

  “Excuse me ma’am,” I asked politely.

  “Yes?” she looked down on me.

  “Do you know where the nearest hotel is?”

  “Yes, there’s a bank about two blocks north of here. A pretty big building you can’t miss. The hotel is right next door.”

  “Thank You.” I smiled and nodded heading out again. The forest was directly behind here. The rain and fog did some help to cover up. After disappearing into the forest I just started running as fast as I could. Everything I love is killing me, but everything I love I cannot give up. That lined just played over and over again. On the way I smelt a familiar smell. One I hadn’t smelt since I had turned. A snow white rabbit dashed behind a tree. Enough to fuel me for a month. It was impossible to catch one, let alone sense one as I had in human form. I saw it dash back out and into a thorny bush.

  My instincts kicked in. My wild, mad, hunting ones. I crouched low snarling. Then leaped forward into the bush in less then a second catching the animal. Streams of blood seeped slowly down my arm. The thorns on the bush had made marks all over me. But I watched them heal and disappear. I laid the animal on the forest floor, picked up a stick and drove it easily into its neck as if it were mud. I lowered my body and supported myself on my hands and knees. My head curled, and mouth down to the rabbit. My teeth sank in delightfully as the energy coursed back through me. I kicked the animal far enough out of my sight, found a leaf, and wiped my mouth off.

  When I straightened up and walked off I was back to being the normal me. The one who didn’t have rabid instincts. It was strange to think how this worked. If I find a target and approach it then it just kicks in, but when I happen to see one and pass it: nothing changes.

  My tennis shoes were thin converse which had no support of the terrain I had been going through lately. I was wearing my normal jeans and dark shirt. I had been wearing dark my whole life. It had nothing to do with the vampire factor. Most vampires were light. In fact if you are a vampire your hair naturally turns blond. Like Galens. But since I was bit by a werewolf beforehand the little effect let my hair stay its natural dark.

  The level energy I had made it possible to increase my speed more and more without feeling any tiredness. I guessed I was at about the right distance and headed out of the forest.

  I came up behind some more usual store buildings. There were no bigger buildings or banks that I could see. Giving up I headed back deep into the forest, jumped in a tree like a monkey, and curled up on a branch. Until I laughed at myself. I couldn’t sleep. I could clothes my eyes and rest but not sleep. So I got up and wandered the forest floor. When people think forest they think a group of trees. It is thick and dense with lots of trees, darkness is everywhere, shadows cast everywhere during the night, and the moon cast down beautiful light in a clearing. And then I saw that a trail led to either end of the forest. My eyes made out an abandoned railroad track.

  Cautiously I stepped forward and kneeled down next to it. To the left it went under into a pond. I went over and kneeled down looking at my reflection. The face that looked back at me was a beautiful girl. One the old me doesn’t remember. I stood up, stepping on the tracks and started walking on it holding my hands close to my heart. Those two bracelets on my wrist contrasted so much.

  Snow started falling, stinging me like little pricks of needles. A little husky came out into the clearing. Sniffed around and left. Maybe it was lost. I kept on walking on the track. For about two hours I probably got four miles. So I headed back out. There was an empty park, the same one where I had brought the Riccoli's I thought. My head turned to the sign and it was written in plain text, ‘White Claw.’

  I picked up my speed faster and faster until I got to the city. Then faster until the airport. I braced myself up against the wall and started whispering Galen and Carsons name over and over again. My back pocket revealed a few hundred dollars Carson had snuck in while hugging me. The airport was open twenty four seven luckily. When I stepped through the doors heat rushed over me. I know Carson said wait until morning then go. But I couldn’t wait any longer.

  Luckily there were seats open. I sat awkwardly between two elderly women. Six hours later I found myself boarding off the plane to L.A. California. Born and raised in this state. My hot dry homeland. Reaching in my back pocket I pulled out money for a taxi. The taxi man asked what my destination was so I gave him my exact address. To my annoyance of course he knew exactly who my parents were.

  I still had no Idea what I would say to them. Showing up as a whole new person with no luggage.

  “Is this your house ma’am?” The driver asked coming upon a wealthy three story.

  “Yes sir,” I replied. Before shutting the door I gave him the remaining money. Taking a deep breath I put one foot in front of the other up the walkway. The taxi man was still looking at me strangely. So my knuckled pounded the door. A little more than I intended.

  No one answered. That’s when the real fear set in. And I panicked. My hands turned the knob ignoring the lock altogether. I slammed the door behind me and shouted, “Mom! Dad!” I ran to every room of the house and couldn’t find them. When I smelt everything I didn�
��t catch any abnormal scent. Calming down I walked up the stairs to my room. The same as I had left it. Plain, clothes in the closet, desk filled with papers, books scattered all over. I walked up to one of the books and picked it up. Scary stories I read in Junior High. The ghosts of Okinawa. It was funny to see how I spent my lonely nights and how I spent them now.

  Slam! The sound of a heavy door shutting.

  I stepped down the stairs. Both my parents not noticing me yet were linked arm in arm in formal clothing. Business convention again I guessed. Damn it. I thought. I really should have called my mom beforehand. I looked at their faces full of so much worry and confusion. Oh yeah the doorknob. I stepped down the stairs more and cleared my throat loudly.

  “Oh my!” My mom jumped back. They were both completely shocked. “Leslie what are you doing here?” She asked. “You’re supposed to be coming tomorrow with your friends.”

  “Always changing my mind as you know,” I told her.

  My father was just taking it in and not asking. Being Mr. motionless in his suite.

  “Next time you call me first!” my mom said sternly. Ever since becoming a vampire I had been forgetting I even had a phone that existed. “Now-” my mom ran towards me as I walked down to her and embraced her into a hug.

  “I love you mom.” I said. “I love you too dad.” I told him hanging my head over her shoulder.

  “Love you too sweetie,” they both told me.

  “Are you hungry?” she asked.

  At first I was caught up in a silence and then I said, “No thanks mom. I ate before I left anyways. I’m eighteen now remember?”

  “I’m so sorry your father and I couldn’t be there for your birthday but we have a surprise waiting for you outside. Come see.”

  For their sake I followed them outside. This home was going to be terribly bland now. A black dodge charger was waiting for me outside on the side of the garage.

  “Oh mom you didn’t have to get me something as big as this.” I told her hugging her again. On top was a big gigantic bow.

  “Thank your father, it was his idea.”

  “Thanks dad,” I said nodding towards him.

  “No problem,” he told me.

  “Are you sure you’re not hungry?” my mom asked. “You look like a vampire.”

  It took a lot of self-force to keep my mouth from bursting out laughing.

  “Just the Alaskan atmosphere.” I smiled and laughed.

  My parents looked at me and laughed too.

  The house was so familiar. It was now nine in the morning. We went back in the house and played board games as we had when I was little. Then my mom gets all my yearbooks down for me to look at. It was fascinating. I could tell they were wondering what had happened while I was away for two months. Still all my senses were on at all times for any danger. There were still plenty of hunters heading straight for this house. And one vampire protecting.

  Lunch time came. I told my mom I would get something to eat while I tried out my new car. Anything to make excuses now. Even though I hate driving, or anything that had to do with cars. Around town was so crowded. This was L.A. after all. Taxis filled the streets. Pedestrians walk back and forth. The fastest I was going on this downtown road was ten miles an hour. So I turned around and headed back. I kept getting strange feelings the werewolf protectors or someone would show up while I was away.

  And believe it or not when I got back, a car filled the drive way. A beautiful red convertible with that west coast sign. It was empty meaning they had already weirded my parents out. I hopped out of the vehicle and burst through the front door. The first person I hugged was Carson.

  “I love you babe.” he smiled to me.

  “Love you more.” I said slowly letting go of him.

  There were four couches in the living room. The werewolves were squished onto one. My parents giving me a strange look on the loveseat. And Galen sitting on the biggest couch all by himself smirking.

  “Hello Loren, Dimitri, Jeremy, Regan...” I cocked my head to the side. “And Galen.”

  “Leslie, your friends showed up while you were away. We were just telling them some stuff about you.” My mom gave me a meaningful look.

  My stomach dropped in embarrassment as they all secretly held in laughs. I was afraid of what she told them.

  I stood there like a statue by Carson. I also forgot to inform my mom that I had a boyfriend.

  “Well,” she broke the silence. “I’ll get dinner started. Anything you guys prefer?”

  “Chicken!” Jeremy said and smiled.

  “Yeah chicken,” Regan replied.

  “Well I’ve got to go take care of my room.” I got up stretching my arms.

  Galen stood up and followed me. Carson glared. I ignored it, afraid they’d make a scene in front of my dad.

  “Hey,” Galen said when we were alone in my room.

  I ignored him and hung up some of my clothes lying around.

  “Fine I’ll just sit here,” he said seating himself on the side of my bed.

  I walked over and lied down on my bed next to him splaying my hair out. Carson then walked in and sat down on the other side next to me.

  I took both of their hands. “I'm scared.” I whispered to both of them. “If anything happened to any of you guys I would never forgive myself for ever going to that summer program.” And I broke down crying.

  They hugged me on either side even though I just knew they were glaring at each other.

  “Don’t be babe.” Carson told me.

  Loren poked her head in the door with her beautiful red hair. “Your mother’s calling you Leslie.”

  I quickly wiped my tears and headed down to the dinner table with them. At least I could still eat without puking it up.

  When we were all seated eating our baked chicken my dad asked, “Aren’t you guys a little young to be getting tattoos? And are you guys all siblings?”

  “Dad they’re eighteen that’s not too young. And no best friends try to be alike.” I told him.

  Even though I knew he didn’t comprehend any of this he said, “Ah I see.” He turned towards Carson. “Are you forgetting to ask something?”

  “SIr?” he asked puzzled.

  He just leaned his head forward as if saying, ‘you know it’.

  “May I please be your daughters’ young partner?” Carson asked.

  I scrunched my eyes. My dad always had to make things as awkward as possible.

  “Whatever makes her happy.” My dad said.

  Apparently no matter how many times I say I’m eighteen he still has complete power over me.

  And that’s when everything became a blur. Carson jumped up onto the table shattering every piece of glass. And then they all did. And I knew why. The door crashed down. Sondra came in first.

  “Run Leslie! Run!” She screamed at me. And then three vampires came in behind President Alijondra. Their eyes were shifting colors and they were baring their teeth.

  “Mom, dad run to your room and lock it!” I screamed at them. They didn’t have to think twice.

  Then the Riccolis stepped in. Including Lea. Who in their right mind would bring her in?

  I thought they would pounce and attack immediately. But then five wolves came in behind. The one that had bitten me and four other ‘protectors’.

  Carson jumped down and covered me. We all stood there in three groups.

  “Well well well,” president Alijondra spoke up. “I think it’s time to choose.”

  And I knew what she was saying. Three people couldn’t fight the other while revolving around one target.

  “We’re staying together.” Jeremy glared down at her.

  “Alex.” I heard Carson’s hot breath next to my ear.

  “Have you even given the girl the choice? Told her both sides? Told her how weak you guys are?” Alijondra sneered.

  “I stay with them.” I said stepping out from behind Carson. “Who’s joining?” I looked at each one in turn. Sondra stepp
ed forward next to me. Then the Riccolis. I nodded to them respectively. “Anyone else?” I asked.

  The rest stepped besides Alijondra and her vampires. “And what exactly,” she started. “Are five werewolves, two vampires, and one fairy going to do against my thousands?” She asked.

  “Everything.” I told her.

  “So this is it?” Regan asked. “Anyone else want to join us?” And I knew he highly doubted what I had said. But that’s okay because I was too. It was silent for a minute.

  “Yes, your clan is a traitor to the wolves. You lie, you deceive. It’s time to ally with our enemies. It’s not about who is who anymore. It’s about who stands on which side. And you weaklings have chosen that.” Alex finished off in his raspy voice of a chain smoker.

  Still no battle was breaking out. In a second I bolted out of the room and to my parents. They started screaming and closed their eyes.

  “Mom, dad, It’s just me. Leslie.”

  They slowly looked up and gulped. “What’s going on? Your eyes are completely red!” my mom asked crying.

  “Just trust me. Stay here and stay safe. I’ll protect you.” And I ran back out and down the stairs.

  The werewolves had become wolves. The vampires eyes had become the same red as my mom saw in mine, and Sondra the only fairy had a glowing aura around her. And the kitchen, the whole floor of the house had become a disaster. Walls broken into, couches thrown across the room, broken glass everywhere. But the rest had left. It was only us and Sondra who had decided to side with us.

  “Are you guys okay?” I asked running up to them.

  “Yes!” Galen glared. I’ve never seen a face so full of hate and anger displayed on anyone’s face in my life. It didn’t match his personality with his blonde hair and sparkling eyes. But his eyes were red right now too. I picked a shard of glass up and saw that my eyes were no longer red.

  “What now?” I asked.

  “We clean this place up as much as possible before we let your parents come down.” Loren said. “Sondra can you look after them when we leave? We need to get back and inform our clan. And the Riccolis please stay here safe. A-and thank you. For everything”