One Of The Enemy (Hidden Descendant Series, Book 1)

by C. M. Chidgey

  “Maybe some other time, my Uncle is going through a hard time at the moment.”

  He frowned at me before nodding. “Ok, let me know when it’s good for you.”

  I smiled. “Will do.”

  My Math and English teachers both seemed quite concerned about my bruised face and it wasn’t long before everyone knew that the new girl had been beat up by Maddy Rowe.

  “Ouch.” Dominic said when I walked into history and sat down. “I thought people were exaggerating.”

  I sighed. “Nope, I really do look terrible.”

  Mr Lewis turned towards the class then and took a double take when he saw me and opened his mouth to say something. Before he did I groaned and pressed my forehead on the desk. Was it going to be like this with everyone that saw me?

  “Is she ok Dom?” He asked.

  “Hey, Cayla you ok?” Dom asked poking my arm.

  “Go away, I look like a panda.” I mumbled completely fed up with being stared at.

  I heard his Dad chuckle before he addressed the class and explained what we were going to be doing. Dom was trying to talk to me, but I ignored him and before I knew what was happening my eyes had closed and I was asleep.

  My usual nightmare plagued my sleep and suddenly I sat up breathing heavily. I can’t have been asleep for long because Mr Lewis was still writing on the board. Both Dom and his Dad looked towards me with similar frowns on their faces as if they could see right through me, but I calmed my breathing and forced a smile wincing slightly at the movement of my jaw.

  After that he started talking to me about every day things and I actually managed to answer him some of the time despite wanting to keep listening to his voice. Lunch came way too soon and I quickly located Andrew to tell him about spending history talking to him.

  “I know I told you to stay away from him, but I have totally changed my mind now.”

  I laughed. “I’ve only known him since yesterday I think you’re just assuming things here.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t think I am, the only person he ever has actual conversations with is Matt and they’ve been friends since Kindergarten. Apart from that he’s not a very talkative guy.”

  I shrugged. “So, he’s just being nice because I’m the new girl.”

  He chuckled. “Whatever you want to believe.”

  I rolled my eyes at him and he grabbed my arm. “Don’t roll your eyes at me girl and come on, we need to get to kickboxing so Dom can stare at you some more.”

  “Ha ha very funny.” I said dryly.

  He grinned at me before pushing me into the girls changing rooms and then walking into the guys changing rooms. I was half way through changing when a group of girls came over and one of them said.

  “I hear Maddy totally kicked your ass in kick boxing, but by the looks of your face I can see the roomers were true.”

  The whole group burst into giggles and I ignored them while I finished getting dressed. I could never understand why girls had to be such bitches. Seeming satisfied the group walked off and I sighed before walking into the sports hall. When I reached Andrew I whispered in his ear.

  “I can really tell why you prefer men, girls can be so horrible.”

  He raised his eyebrows at me. “You do know that you’re a girl right?”

  I shrugged. “I guess, but if I ever start acting really mean you tell me ok?”

  He chuckled. “I will.”

  “Ok, everyone pick a partner!” Mr West shouted upon entering the room.

  “You are so not abandoning me to Maddy this time.” I hissed at Andrew.

  He grinned. “I would totally love to be your partner, but Dom is heading this way.”

  “So?” I questioned following his gaze to see him walking over here followed by an attractive guy with black hair almost identical to Dominic’s, brown eyes and he was slightly shorter than Dom.

  “Maybe he wants to be your partner.” Andrew whispered.

  “Don’t be ridiculous, he’s huge, he’d kill me.”

  He laughed and when he reached us I looked up into his eyes zoning out for a bit before he introduced his friend. I managed to drag my eyes away from his gaze to look at the guy next to him when he said.

  “This is my friend, Matt.”

  I smiled. “Hi Matt.”

  He looked at Andrew questioningly and I realised he might not know him even though they had been at school together for I don’t know how many years. “Oh, this is my friend, Andrew.”

  He held his hand out to Andrew and his eyes widened before he took it. “Hi Dominic.”

  He smiled and dropped his hand. “It’s Dom.”

  I saw Maddy staring daggers at me from the other side of the hall and tensed before returning my gaze to Dom and Matt. “So, what brings you to this side of the hall?”

  “Well, I was wondering if you wanted to partner up.” He asked.

  I couldn’t help it I gaped at him looking him up and down not believing that Andrew had been right. Andrew elbowed me to snap me out of it and I shook my head to clear it before saying.

  “Well, I promised Andrew I’d be his partner.”

  Andrew decided to pipe up then and say. “Oh, I don’t mind I’m sure I can find another partner.”

  I glared at him before turning back to Dom. “He’s just saying that to be nice, but he realllllllly wants me to be his partner.”

  I saw Andrew smirk before saying. “No, really it is totally fine.”

  “You shouldn’t lie Andrew it’s not very nice.” I hissed at him.

  Matt and Dom were shaking with silent laughs at our argument.

  “No, we shouldn’t lie, should we Cayla?” He said with emphasis on my name.

  “Have you four decided who your partners are?” Mr West asked stepping towards our little group as we were the only ones not moving towards crash mats.

  “Cayla and Dom are going together.” Andrew said before anyone could answer.

  “We are not have you even seen the size difference? He’ll break me!” I blurted.

  Dom smirked and winked. “I promise I’ll go easy on you.”

  I groaned and said to Andrew. “Traitor. If I’m broken by the end of this, I blame you entirely.”

  He chuckled. “And if you’re not?”

  “I’ll consider myself lucky.” I admitted looking Dom up and down again not missing the chance for an excuse to admire his looks.

  I heard Matt and Andrew laughing behind me as Dom led the way to a crash mat. When we reached it we faced each other and Dom asked with a serious look on his face.

  “You don’t really think I’ll hurt you, do you?”

  “Not on purpose.” I admitted. “But with the size difference, you might by accident.”

  He gave a slow smile. “I promise I’ll be very careful.”

  “Ok.” Was all that I could reply.

  Glancing towards Andrew I saw that he had partnered with Matt and they were already fighting.

  “Impressive bruise that’s come up there eh Cayla?” Mr West pointed out as he walked past us.

  I gaped at his retreating back. “Impressive? More like hideous.” I muttered.

  Dom chuckled. “It’s not that bad, I’ve seen worse.”

  I sighed. “Ok, I’ll take your word for it, just don’t give me anymore bruises.”

  He just smiled in response and soon after he was teaching me defensive manoeuvres. I had never realised that someone could be so gentle whilst they were fighting, but Dom was doing it. Whenever he touched me he left behind goose bumps on my skin and I felt safe in his arms despite the fact that he was showing me an example of an attack and telling me how to defend against it. I didn’t even care that by the time we were done I still wasn’t any better at defensive moves than when I had started. Dom however seemed quite insistent that I should learn them, when we were done he tried explaining to me that I never knew when I might need them.

  I promised him I’d try harder and after saying my goodbyes to Dom, Matt and A
ndrew I began my walk home.

  I felt happier than I had for a month, but then my feet lead me into the forest again and memories flooded my head. As I stepped towards the trees the same black cat from yesterday rubbed up against my legs before following me into them. It wasn’t long before I was consumed by the guilt and pain of that day and collapsed into a crying ball against one of the trees while I wrapped my arms around the cat and pulled him to my chest like a teddy bear. He purred softly in my ear and for some reason it comforted me.

  The minute my tears had dried up I headed back to the apartment still followed by the mysterious cat. I was dreading walking into the apartment, but this time there weren’t any sounds of movement. It didn’t take long to find my Uncle passed out on his bed with empty bottles around him.

  Sighing and wondering how I was possibly supposed to help him I wandered into my bedroom and got some homework done. When I got hungry I made a quick microwave meal and ate it before going back into my room. It wasn’t long before I had completed all of my homework and pulled on a too big t-shirt to wear to bed. After opening the window to get some fresh air into my room I curled up in my bed and slowly drifted off.

  As usual my eyes snapped open before I sat up panting, but I was so used to this by now that it almost seemed normal. Despite still having nightmares I seemed to be getting a bit more sleep I noted glancing at my clock and seeing that it was gone 8am I jumped out of bed, took a quick shower, got dressed and ran out the front door. This time I didn’t see my Uncle due to not having the time rather than wanting to avoid him.

  Chapter 3

  The rest of the week was followed by the same things, getting up, going to school, partnering with Dom while he tried to teach me defensive moves that I just couldn’t get the hang off, walking into the forest where the black cat met me and I cried, go home to find my Uncle passed out on his bed, eat dinner, do homework and fall asleep to have nightmares.

  When the weekend came around I couldn’t avoid my Uncle any longer so I walked into the kitchen to find him sitting at the table adding more alcohol to his system. He jumped and looked up when I walked in.

  “Oh, Cayla I haven’t seen you all week.”

  I shrugged. “Sorry, I’ve been busy with the new school and stuff.”

  “Of course.” He murmured. “Me too, with work and stuff.”

  It only dawned on me then that he probably didn’t remember anything after a certain amount of bottles of alcohol so I just nodded going along with his fantasy that he thought he was hiding his drinking from me.

  “So, how’s school been?” He asked me.

  I smiled. “Not bad, I’ve made a couple of friends. Speaking of which, is it ok if I go to see him later?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Did your parents let you go to boys houses?”

  I shook my head and couldn’t help, but chuckle. “But he doesn’t erm like girls so I think its ok.”

  His eyebrows went higher before he sighed and said. “Well, I guess that’s ok.”

  “I don’t have to if you want me to stay here.” I added quickly feeling guilty for even asking to leave him, but I knew no matter if I was here or not he would still get drunk.

  “Well, I did think we could sit and watch some movies like a movie marathon, you know like we used to with your parents?”

  I swallowed back tears before nodding. “That’s fine I can cancel until tomorrow.”

  “No, no I don’t want to ruin your plans.” He insisted.

  “Its fine they aren’t ruined, just rearranged, family is more important.”

  He gave a tight smile before nodding and I said. “Well, I should call him to tell him the plans are now for tomorrow.”

  He nodded. “I’ll get the tv setup, anything you had in mind?”

  I shook my head and smiled. “You pick.”

  “Ok, don’t be long.”

  He smiled back and I went into my bedroom to call Andrew. He answered and as soon as he heard my voice he said.

  “Hey girl, are we on for tonight?”

  I sighed. “Can we change the plans for tomorrow, my Uncle wants me to hang out here today?”

  “Yeah that’s fine.” He said his voice softening. “Are you ok? You sound kind of sad.”

  Well that would be the result of the fact that I was about to do a movie marathon with my Uncle for the first time without Toby and my parents. Instead of telling him I shook my head before realising that he couldn’t see me.

  “I’m fine, everything is fine, I’ll see you tomorrow ok?”

  “Definitely, are you going to call Dom and Matt?”

  I swallowed still trying to hold back tears knowing that I wasn’t up for another conversation I asked.

  “Actually, can you call them please? My Uncle kind of wants me to hurry.”

  I could hear the frown in his voice when he said. “Sure, that’s fine, but are you sure you’re ok?”

  “Yeah, everything is ok, just a little tired.” I said. “Anyway I better go.”

  “Ok girl, I’ll see you tomorrow ok? No cancelling.”

  I couldn’t help, but smile I had already made a good friend and I hadn’t even been at school a week. I didn’t really deserve to have good friends after what I had done and I wasn’t sure I would have any if everyone knew the truth. No one would like someone responsible for the death of a three year old.

  “Yeah, Ill definitely see you tomorrow.” I said.

  “Good, I’ll see you then bye!”

  “Bye!”

  I hung up and took a few deep breaths as I tried to hold back the tears. After a week at school I had almost become an expert at holding them back so it didn’t take me long until I was ready to go back to my Uncle so we could start the movie marathon with three people missing who were meant to be there.

  My Uncle had chosen to watch the Star Wars films today I noticed as I walked in to the sound of the unmistakable music. We barely spoke as we sat there watching the films and it took all of my willpower not to say anything as my Uncle made it through bottles of alcohol quicker than we were making it through the films.

  I made lunch for us both and my Uncle seemed like he preferred the alcohol than any food, but he reluctantly ate it. When we reached the last film I just couldn’t hold it in any longer.

  “Maybe you should slow down on the drink.” I murmured.

  “What did you just say to me?” He almost roared.

  I shrunk back against the couch, I should have known he would be too far gone at this point. Maybe I should have said something earlier, but it was too late now.

  “I w-was just saying th-that maybe you sh-should stop drinking so much.” I stuttered.

  He stood up so he towered over me, I quickly shot to my feet not willing to let him get that much taller than me. Admittedly it didn’t make much of a difference, but I didn’t feel quite so vulnerable if I was standing too.

  “The fact that I’m drinking is entirely your fault.” He slurred at me while blinking, as if he was trying to focus.

  He grabbed hold of my wrists and started shaking me angrily. The more he shook the tighter his grip on my wrists became and I knew that by morning they would be circled with bruises.

  “Let go!” I cried as the pain became so unbearable that I was sure my wrists were going to snap in half.

  He shoved me away from him making me stumble back a few steps before he slowly walked towards me again as if he was a tiger hunting its prey. I kept taking steps backwards until my back was flat against the wall. The look in his eyes told me that he wasn’t going to hold back. Grabbing my sore wrist he pulled me away from the wall and I started to really wish I had paid more attention to Dom when he had tried to teach me to defend myself. I couldn’t stop the tears from running down my face.

  “Stop crying, you have no right to cry! You’re pathetic.” He hissed.

  Without warning he punched me in my midsection hard enough that the crack of one of my ribs was unmistakable. Well, there was no doubt that, tha
t was broken I thought as I fell to the floor and curled up clutching my side. Before I could do anything he began kicking me in the ribs. I lifted my hand away from my side before he kicked me again and another crack echoed in the room.

  At that moment I was certain he was going to kill me, but to my surprise the moment I thought that he took a step away from me shaking his head as if he was trying to clear it. Taking my chance I struggled to my feet and walked over to him slowly.

  “You should get to bed Uncle.”

  He blinked and nodded letting me lead him to his room despite the agony slicing down my side from my two broken ribs. He didn’t seem to be aware what he had even done as he sat down on the bed and mumbled.

  “Thank you for staying with me today.”

  I nodded. “No problem.”

  Almost immediately he curled up and began snoring, the moment he did I left the room and into mine as I struggled to breathe through the pain. I knew I should go to the hospital, but that would only lead to questions and I couldn’t get my only living relative arrested, he was all I had left. Besides, he was right it was all my fault, if his son was here he would have never started drinking like this again and thanks to me he was gone along with my parents. After laying down on the bed for I didn’t even know how long I finally either fell asleep or passed out, I wasn’t sure which, but I didn’t wake up until the next morning.

  To my horror it was 5pm when I woke up panting with tears springing to my eyes from the pain it caused me. My cell phone had five missed calls and ten messages from Dom and Andrew. After struggling to sit up my phone rang again and I answered it my voice sounding husky.

  “Hello.”

  “Wow, finally! We have been trying to get hold of you for hours!” Andrew exclaimed.

  “Sorry.” I mumbled. “I erm overslept.”

  He laughed. “Cayla, its 5 ‘o’ clock.”

  “Yeah, I just noticed.” I murmured before wincing out loud as I swung my legs over the side of the bed.

  Luckily he hadn’t heard my wince and he asked. “So can you meet us? Dom and Matt are already here.”

  “Sure, I just need to get dressed. Where are we going?”