The grief I felt from Rafael’s family ached, pounding into my skull, and I told myself it was the punishment I deserved. But not everyone grieved. Two rows in front, gleeful relief came from a small huddle of girls from school. I wondered what Rafael had done to them, whether they were on a long list of blackmail victims. I told myself that no matter what he did, he didn’t deserve to die, but I had to work hard to force a wicked smile off my face.
After the ceremony, I wandered through the crowded church, exploring the mix of emotions held by the funeral-goers. Some kids from school just thought it was cool to be there, since Rafael was so popular. His death made big news, and parents were already lobbying to have the “death trap” film set demolished. They all believed it was an accident, and nothing could have been done. I was the only person who knew that wasn’t true. I could have tried to save him. My brain played through hundreds of alternate endings for the night if I’d made different choices. I wish it would stop. I couldn’t take back the choice I’d made.
There were a couple of guys I didn’t know drifting through the crowd, taking donations for some anti-teen-death charity. They looked like brothers. Both had the same cute, roguish charm. Their faces showed commiseration, but my powers told me they felt smug, the same kind of smug Rafael had felt as he pulled his trick. Every single person gave them money. I watched with interest from a quiet corner.
Gavin, Rafael’s best friend and blackmail confidant, found me there.
“You were with him, weren’t you?” His voice was a growl.
I faked scandal. “Me and Rafael? Why would he have been somewhere with me?”
“I know he was going to meet you. You had something to do with him dying. I know it. You’ve been weird all week. Why were your hands all scratched up? What happened?”
He loomed over me. I saw anger in him like the glow of lava bubbling under his skin. But now I knew what I could do with someone else’s anger.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I drawled. I rested a hand on the crossbar of a stone crucifix next to me. “But whatever happened to him could happen to you too if you don’t keep quiet and leave me alone.”
I squeezed my grip and the stone crumbled like chalk. The patter of the pieces falling to the floor was covered by the talking crowd. Satisfaction at my strength and the effect the demonstration had on Gavin chased away any last scrap of guilt I felt.
Gavin ran away from me. If I wasn’t in the midst of a somber funeral, I would have cackled like an evil genius.
The older boy with the donation bucket stared at me. I stared back, waiting for him to glance to my scar, be disgusted and turn away. My glare was a challenge.
But then he smiled.
He came over and introduced himself. Jake, with his little brother Jamie. They’d read about the funeral in the newspaper and came to see what donations they could get for their own charitable cause.
“I saw what you did,” Jake whispered, dramatically low considering no one was interested in our conversation anyway. He kicked at the broken stone on the floor and raised his eyebrows.
“I didn’t do anything. It was dodgy craftsmanship, broke on its own.”
“You’re a fast thinker, too. Perfect,” he said. “Don’t worry, I know what you can do, because I can do it, too. I’m so glad I spotted you. It’s rare to find someone special, like us. How about we get out of here and talk more. Doesn’t all this sadness give you a headache?”
I couldn’t stop my eyes widening. “You really feel it too?”
Jake grinned.
“Come on. I want to tell you how sticking with me will give you everything you ever wanted. Everything that people like us deserve.”
Every nerve inside me ached to go with Jake, my body rebelling against my better judgment. Jake was charming and so handsome it made my palms sweaty. There was something downright supernatural about how tempting he was, but I wouldn’t fall for sweet talk again.
"No. Go away. You’re not my type."
Jake looked stunned. I doubt he got turned down… ever. He stared, assessing me again, his gaze lingering on my face.
He handed me a business card.
“What's this?” I asked.
“A gift, something I’m guessing is high on your wish list. I'll let Dr Rachenko know you're coming and to put any work on my tab. I’ve written my number on the back so you can get in touch again when you’ve seen what I can do for you.”
I stared at the card. Dr Rachenko- Discreet cosmetic surgery and enhancements.
Jake tapped the card as I held it in my hands.
"Everything you ever wanted starts here."
Jake called his brother over and the two of them left the building.
I stared at what Jake had given me, my fingers clenched and shaking around the thin cardboard. Jake had offered me a new life, a new skin, and I couldn’t stand the idea that it wasn’t true. I would make him follow through on what he promised, if I had to.
I know now that I was born to be something other than a hero. I never had that sort of strength in me, the strength to stay beautiful on the inside. Ugliness had crawled inside me, driven in by the cruel words and games of my peers. It sat there, next to the dull ache I felt in my chest whenever my mind replayed the night at Siren’s Haven. A montage it chose to replay often.
It didn’t matter anymore. I would become beautiful on the outside. Everything I wanted, I would take. I had great plans. Operation: New Me, Mark II would not fail.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
When I decided to write Emma’s backstory, I knew that it was going to be the tragic origin of a villain, rather than the normal hero’s tale. That’s the sort of story I’m used to writing, and that we’re all used to reading- a person surmounting all the terrible trials thrown at them to become something better. In my mind, the difference between good people and bad people are the decisions they make in their darkest moments. Not everyone has it in them to rise above, and it’s the ones that fall, that are beaten down, that tragically become villains. That’s the story I wanted to explore in Emotionally Scarred. I don’t want readers to think that Emma’s actions are to be condoned, despite Raphael being not too nice himself. Emma has it in her to become a true super-villain. Will she, or will she have a chance to redeem herself?
Thanks for reading my short story, I hope you enjoyed it. You can read more about Emma and whether her “Operation: New Me, Mark II” plan succeeds and how she has to deal with what she’s done in other books from the Empath Chronicles series.
If you enjoyed my story, I’d love it if you’d take the time to leave a review for me on Amazon or Goodreads. I read every review and appreciate all comments and opinions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in 1981 to Australian and Maltese parents, Selina lives on the Central Coast of Australia with her husband, her baby girl, an unnamed cat, and a lorikeet who is far too clever.
During her life Selina has found ancient Roman treasure, survived cancer, had knights joust at her wedding, been mugged for doughnuts, made a living as an artist, eaten every bizarre and wonderful food put in front of her, and enjoys sharing her stories through self publishing.
Contact Selina or read more about her on her website and blog- www.selinafenech.com
ALSO BY SELINA FENECH
Empath Chronicles- Emotionally Charged
When an earthquake hits her hometown, teenage Livvy thinks this is her chance to make her dull life exciting and indulge her special skill of reading others' emotions. Amid the disaster, she is threatened by looters and fights back with a newfound quickness and strength. Livvy is aided by the arrival of Jake, a gorgeous boy who has an otherworldly ability to bend others to his will.
Jake sweeps Livvy into the world of the Empaths, paranormals who have everything she has ever wanted. She learns she shares their power of feeding on other's emotions; happiness energises them, fear makes them fast, anger makes them strong and lust makes them hypnotically charming.
&
nbsp; When Livvy meets the Empaths' opposite, one with the ability to stop their powers from functioning, she is caught up in a supernatural battle. Livvy soon realises that judging on first appearances is a mistake and one that could cost her life.
A bite sized paranormal romance for young adults, Emotionally Charged is a novella of 26,000 words, or 120 pages, about a third the length of a normal novel.
Available from Amazon.com
Memory’s Wake
Lost in a world full of monstrous fairies, a troubled sixteen year old has to find out who she is and why her memories were stolen before she is found by those who want her dead.
She takes the name "Memory" and knows she has just one goal - to find her way home, wherever that is. But this land is strange. No technology to be seen, and iron is banned, thanks to a pact the humans have with the magical creatures who share their pre-industrial era world. In her t-shirt and torn jeans, Memory knows she's different, even before she performs impossible magic.
Haunted by her past, chased by a dragon, wanted by the king and stalked by the strange, handsome savage that seems to know her, everyone is after Memory, and she suspects it's not just for her eye-catching outfit. Her forgotten past holds dangerous secrets that will challenge everything she believes and risk the lives of everyone she loves.
Memory's Wake contains 44 black and white illustrations by the author and artist. Approx. 80,000 words or 320 pages in paperback.
Available from Amazon.com
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
First Published by Fairies and Fantasy Pty. Ltd. June 2012
Kindle Edition
Emotionally Scarred copyright © 2012 Selina Fenech
Cover Design copyright © 2012 Selina Fenech
All rights reserved.
www.selinafenech.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Book Description
Emotionally Scarred
Author’s Note
About the Author
Also by Selina Fenech
Copyright Information
Table of Contents
End
Emotionally Scarred Page 2