“And I wasn't that close to Uncle Charles.”
“Alright, baby.” Pressing her chubby lips until they became thin, the woman peered at Eden with big, worried eyes. “Then you go run along and see Thema. You may not be sulking, but she most certainly is.”
But that only brought more anger into her heart like poison. “I wasn't moping.”
“Of course you weren't, baby.”
Eden began to fight the confines again. This was crazy. She wasn't Adanna. Maybe she had gone back in the past and possessed Adanna by mistake. Even after all the crazy things that had happened to her since her death that seemed farfetched.
I can't believe that I have to go and pat Thema on the back. I hate my mom. Why can't she mind her own business for once?
She felt more resentment that wasn't her own as she began to move. A strand of black hair fell in her face, and she pushed it back with a sigh of annoyance. That was when Eden realized something. She didn't have black hair. She was in Adanna's body, and she couldn't have been dreaming, because she was dead… and ghosts couldn't sleep.
Stupid sister. Always having to be babied all the time. Thema this, Thema that. And she's always taking my stuff, but does Mom care?
She stomped down the hallway with a vengeance, and she went left and headed toward a bedroom. There was a sign on the outside that said "Thema" in bright pink and green. She tried to barge inside without knocking, but it was locked.
“Let me in, Thema.”
There was noise inside the room as somebody walked around. Hope filled Eden again. Maybe Thema had been knocked into this strange time warp too and still had control over her body.
“I know you're in there,” she said, annoyed.
There was more scuffling, this time louder, then a noisy, dry sob. She felt her anger dissipate and become replaced with worry.
“Please, go away,” Thema said.
Thema was crying. Did that mean Thema was in control of her body, unlike Eden? But would Thema even recognize her like this?
“Don't worry, Thema.” Her voice softened. “I'll be able to help. Just let me in, please.”
“Okay.”
Wow, she is upset. I hadn't thought that.
When Thema opened the door, she expected to see a full grown, hot headed Thema. Instead Thema was a small girl in pink overalls. Her hair was in piggy tails with two dangling strands hanging around her pudgy face. Large, tear-filled eyes stared up at her.
“Hi," Thema said.
There was none of the gruffness in her voice that the Thema in purgatory had. This girl couldn't be her Thema, could it?
“You were crying, weren't you, Thema? Why didn't you come up and get me?”
“Mom said ever since you hit adolescence, you turned into a tiger.” Thema bobbed up and down as if she was on the verge of telling a secret. “I didn't want you to eat me.”
Then, to Eden's surprise, she said, “Yes, I'll eat you!”
Thema gave a loud squeal and stepped back, her eyes wide with fear. But then she smiled. There was a moment where they stood studying each other, and then Thema gave a loud, playful shriek and leapt across the room. Eden raced after Thema in hot pursuit and caught her around the middle, tickling her sides.
As Eden tickled Thema, guilt filled her heart. This was her own emotion. It felt as though she was stealing this memory, one that she had always longed for.
That was when everything went black. She tried to call out but found herself still paralyzed. Was she going back to purgatory? A part of her would have rather stayed here, lingering in this foreign, bizarre world.
Eden thought about what was going on — the dark ringlets, the little girl, the mom. She was living through Adanna, though she didn't know why. What was there to prove, putting her in Adanna's place? Were these memories or just a strange twist in a world that appeared to get more and more bizarre?
Then she was in the light again. This time, Eden was ready for it.
Eden was in the same room, but it was also different. There were brightly colored pictures on the wall that showed Adanna's parents, Thema, and a bunch of poorly taken snapshots of Adanna's friends. A lot of the room was empty.
She had gotten so tall her feet hung off the bed. Her brain felt foggy. Tired. She also felt annoyed. As if her body had heard her, her legs tightened and bent at the knee. Was she in control this time? Eden tried to open her mouth to talk. No, this was exactly the same. There wouldn't be any movement for her.
That was when Eden realized the room smelled like a camp fire.
What's that smell? It's fire? And after mom took the fire alarm out two days ago, too.
She ignored the smoke and stared straight ahead, but she felt terrified. Finally, she got off the bed and headed over to the window. When she peered outside, she saw the whole bottom of the house was smoking.
What's going on?
She gasped and spun around. Already, the smoke had started to flow into the room through the bottom crack of the door. With a cry of panic, she ran to the door and grabbed the metal handle.
Pain shot through her palm. She withdrew her hand and yelped, examining the damage. Her skin was covered in blisters and red and white decomposing flesh. She quivered as she closed her eyes.
Mom. Mom and Dad. Why haven't they come?
She began to cry. "Please help me. Please. Hurry."
But no one came. She gave a terrified glance at the door before going back to the window and peering outside through the thick smoke that curled around the house. Adanna gazed at her neighbor's house. She saw the blinds were drawn.
They won't notice. Not until it's too late. What am I going to do? I can't get through the door.
There was a call from downstairs. A loud, agonized yell.
Mom? That's Mom. I've got to get out.
She rushed to her closet and pulled out one of her shirts. With her heart filled with terror, she returned back to the door, but this time, she had a plan.
Please be okay, Mom. Please be okay.
There was no more screaming. The fear increased tenfold.
Maybe they're dead… No, they can't be dead. They can't be.
She stared at the door in determination. Wrapping the thick shirt around her hand, she grabbed handle with her unburned palm. It was still hot, just not enough to injure her.
She threw open the door. The whole house smelled of smoke, and red flames danced up the walls. It was hard to see and to breathe. It was as if the air was solid.
Where are my parents? I don't hear them anymore. Please let them not be…
Every step she took was a pained one. The inferno caused tears to fill her eyes. She felt like she was in a giant oven, being roasted and cooked for dinner. Soon she hacked as the overpowering hands of the smoke gripped her throat and choked her. She grew light headed from the lack of air.
Where are they? Please let me not die.
She pulled her shirt over her mouth so she would have an easier time breathing. It helped, but she still couldn't see. Sweat poured down her face, neck, and back. She pivoted and headed toward her parent's bedroom door which was ajar. After she entered, she gasped.
It was a bedroom. The bed was king sized and was currently unmade and empty. It was hard to see the rest of the room because of the thick black smoke and the flames licking the walls.
Please help me. Mom, Dad, where are you?
To her right, the fire flared out of nowhere. In her effort to get away from the blue, orange and red nightmare, she smacked against the archway and fell to the floor, stunned.
Help. Somebody help.
Up above her, the blaze ate away the trim on the door. Dark red dots danced over the wood, and she gasped, pain and panic filling her.
The top of the exit came down in a chunk of burning wood. It landed on her chest, and she withered and cried in agony as a second burning piece of the wood collided with her throat. It stopped her cries, and blood filled her mouth, tasting of iron. As she coughed, she placed her blood
ied hands against the flames, and pushed it from her. She lay still, continuing to cough and feeling blood trickle from the side of her mouth.
Then there was a voice in the distance, low and male. “Adanna, Adanna."
Dad. That was Dad's voice.
She struggled to her feet just in time to watch her dad be consumed in flames as he attempted to jump through the fire to rescue to her. Beyond him, she saw her mom's festering, dying body where it lay in the burning flame.
When she attempted to shout "Dad!" she coughed in agony.
She reached for her dad as he wrestled with the fire. His face contorted in agony as he was burned alive. She put her hand to her mouth as vomit rose up her throat, burning the wounds that were already there. When he disappeared in the fire, she fell to her knees, crying silent sobs.
Then there was a second yell, louder. She jerked around, eyes wide.
"Adanna. Adanna, help me."
Thema. Even though she was in pain, she stood up anyway.
She didn't hesitate this time. She was at her sister's door in a moment, despite the smoke and flames. As throbbing spread through her injured hand, she opened the door and went inside.
Thema's face contorted in relief when she saw Adanna. “Adanna, Mom is…”
Adanna nodded and then peered around. The room was full of smoke, which made it impossible to see. There appeared to be no hope. That was when she saw a large opening, one that was big enough to crawl through.
The only way out is through there.
She pointed at the hole, her hand quivering. Her whole body cramped with torture.
Thema bounded over to the window, her eyes filling with tears. As the tears spilled down her cheeks, they left trails in the soot on her face.
I have to save her.
She attempted to force the window open. No matter what she did, it wouldn't budge. It took three more excruciating tries, and finally, it burst open, leaving enough room for them to climb out, securing their freedom.
She helped Thema get through the frame first, since she was too short to get through without a leg up. After that, she threw herself through the space too.
Pain burned through her as she landed on her knees.
I'm never going to see my mom and dad again.
“Adanna?”
Her eyes swam as she tried to focus. Blood poured down her skin and soaked through her clothes. She pointed desperately at her neighbor's house.
Go get the neighbors, tell them to call 911.
Then the world began to fade again, whisking Eden away from the horrible memory. She was on the black slide once more. She then began to see light flicker in the distance. Oh no, not again. I don't want to see any more of this.
When light shown in her eyes and her surroundings changed, she did not find herself curled up on a bed. Instead she was downstairs in a bleak, unrecognizable kitchen. She was also in a different house.
Thema, sitting across from her on a bar stool, was older now. Her hair was short and cropped, and she wore too much makeup. Thema's lips were puckered with anger. The Thema Eden knew now was in front of her, slender legs crossed.
I can't believe he would let her do that. And after all we went through, she's going to get herself killed.
The excitement in Thema's eyes gave her a rush of anger.
“You should have seen me drive, Adanna. It's truly amazing. When I turn sixteen, driver’s education is going to be a cinch.”
What would mom and dad do if they were here? Probably holler I suppose, or at least Dad would.
Eden wondered how many years had passed since the death of Adanna's mom and dad. When she thought about them, there was still pain laced into her words. Was this how life would have been had Eden survived her fall down the stairs unscathed?
“Now, don't give me that look.” Thema crossed her arms and legs at the same time. “Taking driving lessons from the neighbor will be helpful later on, and you know it.”
She began to do sign language and felt pain and stiffness because her right hand — the burned hand — could not open or close properly.
You will not go again.
She thought along with signing. Relief filled Eden along with irritation and anger.
“Of course not.” Thema's lips curled over her teeth.
Once again, she began to sign. Pain filled her hands.
If you go again, Thema, I swear I'll tell Aunt Sarah.
“You wouldn't actually do that to your sister, would you?” Thema asked, her eyes flashing with anger. What used to be big, innocent eyes were now so filled with hatred that they were almost hideous. “Ever since Mom and Dad died, you've been nothing but a nag.”
She gave a quick flick of the wrist.
Enough.
Thema scowled. “Fine.”
Then the doorbell rang, and she spun around and headed toward the front door. Halfway down the hallway, Thema pushed her aside.
Thema said, “I'll get it.”
No.
When Thema opened the door, she laughed and said, "Hello." She then stepped outside and shut the door behind her.
It's him. It's Carson. I told her to stay away from him.
She slammed her hand against the wall, and pain burned through her fingers. She gasped and then shook her head.
I'm going to wallop that girl over the head so hard she'll be hurting for weeks. I can't believe she would do this — not with that boy.
After shaking her head again, she continued her journey to the front door and opened it. There was a car parked in their driveway that appeared like it belonged in a junkyard. Carson, the driver, was on the verge of backing out of the driveway when the car spluttered and the engine stalled.
Today is my lucky day, I guess.
She reached the car when it sputtered back to life. Grunting in frustration, she yanked open the back door and climbed in.
I'm going to tell Aunt Sarah. I hope Thema enjoys being grounded for a lifetime, because that's what she's going to get.
“Get out,” Thema shouted. “Get out, get out.”
She shook her head.
“Get out.”
“Calm down,” Carson said. “If your sister wants to come with us, she can. Want to try to drive the stud mobile, Adanna?”
She shook her head again.
The car was worse on the inside than on the outside. There were cigarette burns on the smelly, carpeted seats, and there were so many fast-food wrappers that she couldn't see anything around her.
What does Thema see in this guy?
Carson had dark brown hair hanging in big, russet eyes. Every time he gazed at her to give her a smile, Thema threw her a malicious look. Carson rarely kept his eyes on the road and nearly took down a garbage can, a cat, and a slow old woman crossing the street.
“So,” Carson said, “I hear you can't talk. Give me an example of that sign language you do.”
She shook her head. When he finally gave up and gazed back at the road, he gave a throaty chuckle.
“What are we doing today?” Thema asked eagerly, trying to get his attention back to her. “Last time was so much fun.”
When they stopped at a red light, Carson shrugged and then twisted in his seat to look at her again.
“Adanna, have you ever raced a train before?” Carson asked.
The hair on the back of her neck stood up.
No, I have to get out. It's too dangerous. For both of us.
But when she reached for the handle on the car, he sped up so she couldn't get out. He started to laugh.
“Look, Carson,” Thema said, “if Adanna wants to chicken out, you should let her. She might screw up your concentration.”
She repeated the same signs between the seats multiple times, but it still went ignored — Leave, Thema. Leave, Thema. The car slowed to a stop right outside the grassy train station. She once again began to sign.
You have to come with me, Thema. If you do, I won't tell Aunt Sarah about any of this. Just please come with me
.
Thema frowned and gazed at her shoes, and then she shot a fleeting look at Carson. Hopeful. Carson smirked at her, and Thema whirled around in her seat again with a look of determination and anger on her face.
“Go away, Adanna. Just because you have issues with safety and parents doesn’t mean I do.”
Hurt radiated through her as she watched Carson give Thema an appraising smile. Their eyes met, and Thema blushed. She began to sign again.
I'll come, but when — if — we get home, I'm telling Aunt Sarah everything.
Thema sighed. “She's coming with us.”
“Woo hoo. Go babe.” Then Carson flipped the car around and pulled into the grass.
It would have been a beautiful view had it not been for what they were about to do. The hills were full of lush green grass. A couple of trees dotted the hills, their leaves dancing with the wind. Birds fluttered through the air like it was any other day.
Carson pulled onto the train track. Thema's face was tense and probably was the reflection of her own.
Thema asked, “When's the train coming?”
“9:45, mini babe,” he said, and then he checked his watch. It was broken with a cracked face plate. “Give it ten more minutes, and we'll be flying.”
Her breathing became tense and irregular, her heart playing music on her ribcage.
We still have time. We shouldn't be here. I feel it. I need to get us both out.
The train honked shrilly behind them.
She spun around in her seat, her heart beating so fast that Eden couldn't hear her thoughts. She watched the black monstrous snake heading toward them.
“Start the car,” Thema said.
What is he waiting for?
Carson chuckled as the train drew closer and closer. His voice was carefree. “Just wanting a challenge today, ladies.”
Then he twisted the key, unlatched the brake, and stomped on the gas. There was a mighty moan and splutter — the car stalled. His face became white as he stared at the train in the rearview mirror. The train wailed wildly at them now, warning them of its whereabouts.
Thema said, "Oh, no."
She had to protect Thema at all cost. If they ran now, maybe they would be able to make it. After hitting Thema's head to catch her attention, she signed wildly.
Until We Meet Again Page 6