by Tony C. Skye
“Sub-prophecy bloodlines are usually part of the Network,” Victoria says while nodding her head towards the sounds coming from the garage area, “Those guys are all Network.”
“They’re sub-prophecy bloodline?”
“No, just Network. People like us weren’t treated to well. The higher-ups of the Network thought that sub-prophecy bloodline family members were just in the way.”
“In the way of what?”
“Ambition,” Victoria says while her eyes become distant, “They would lie and present false evidence against us. The main-prophecy bloodline would have no choice, but to order our termination.”
“Like death?”
Victoria refocuses her eyes upon her daughter. She nods.
“That’s messed up.”
“Members of the main-prophecy bloodline never involved themselves with the inner-workings of the Network. They had no idea what was really going on.”
Victoria takes a deep breath and sighs.
“You have an aunt who died before you were born, my twin sister, Jaquelin.”
“You had a twin?”
Victoria’s eyes water. She nods while wiping the salty tears from her eyes.
“We all called her Jackie. She had a wonderful personality – so full of life. She loved everyone. And anyone who met her felt the same way about her.”
Victoria’s saddened stare changes to that of resentment.
“Except those guys in the higher-ranks. They thought she was only there because of privilege. She tried to make changes – too many changes. She was killed for it. And that’s when I ran.”
“And they didn’t come after you?”
“There’s no hiding, Caroline,” Victoria says, “They use the term runners, but it is used loosely. Someone has been watching us always. But as long as I never posed a threat to the bloodline or to them, I was safe.”
Victoria reaches across the table and pats Caroline on the left hand, “You were safe.”
“Why would I even say yes to something like this?”
Victoria removes her hand from her daughter, “From what I can tell, it seems your cousin has been making a lot of changes to the way things are handled. But I haven’t seen enough to say definitively.”
“The Network is complicated,” Victoria continues, “It is worldwide, in all branches of government, and in every occupation you can possibly fathom. The watcher teams report to a higher authority than the ones who set your aunt up. After I ran, I was safer because of this. If the higher-ups ordered my execution without just cause, they would have all been put down. The watcher team would have seen it all and reported it. There has never been any tolerance for selfish gain or decision-making. And at the end of the day, I am still of the bloodline – as you are.”
“What kind of evidence did they make up against her?”
“I honestly don’t know. She wouldn’t tell me. But did say that she had found something out that she wished she had never known.”
“This is some serious James Bond crap,” Caroline says before pausing to take in everything.
Victoria takes a deep breath and exhales, “I would have to agree with you.”
After a few moments of silence, Caroline makes eye contact with her mother.
“So if I did say yes, then I would work for the Network?”
“I don’t know what your cousin wants,” Victoria answers truthfully, “But from what I can gather, the sub-prophecy bloodline holds equal value to the main-prophecy bloodline. It is one of the many changes your cousin has made. Or at least, that’s what they told me on the way here. I am skeptical – too much water under my bridge. But that doesn’t mean they were lying. Your cousin may have very well made those changes. You will have to ask her for yourself.”
“You sure know a lot about this stuff.”
“I grew up in it, sweetie. It’s easier for me to see the subtle changes made.”
“We are still safe then?”
“Absolutely,” Victoria reassures with a mother’s comfort. Her demeanor changes to a serious nature, “But do not go against her about her identity. This is not a game. It is serious business. She can order your execution with a single look. Never cross her.”
“I won’t mom. But I don’t understand something.”
“What’s that?”
“If she’s so scary and powerful, then why did she not have Tamara killed when she beat her up?”
“Tamara beat her up?”
“Yeah – and Mandie – I mean Julianna looked really, really bad. But tonight, when I saw her, her face was almost completely healed.”
Victoria reaches across the table and takes hold of her daughter’s hand again, “Listen to me very closely. Do not interfere with your cousin’s plans. You must keep her secret. If she allowed Tamara to do something like that, then she has her reasons. Do not push her for knowledge. Live your life like nothing has changed at school. Julianna is a big girl.”
“I will be driving up in a Bugatti,” Caroline points out the obvious, “I think acting like nothing has changed will be a bit overboard.”
“Don’t involve your cousin into your story,” Victoria warns.
“I won’t,” Caroline promises. She pats her mom’s hand, “Don’t worry, you raised a very smart kid.”
“I know. But I am your mother. I will always worry about you.”
Victoria’s head cocks to the left ever so slightly, “I thought you said that Tamara had stopped doing that sort of thing?”
“Um - I lied,” Caroline confesses, “So I guess that makes us even.”
“Hmm. I don’t know about that,” Victoria softly scrutinizes her daughter with her eyes, “Our reasons are very different.”
“A lie is a lie, mom – no matter how you try to justify it.”
“Maybe,” Victoria answers with the bitter taste of having her own words thrown back at her. Caroline grins knowingly.
“You need to tell Tamara to make an appointment at my office.”
“Stop it,” Caroline responds with a teasing nature.
Victoria grins.
“That’s what’s weird about it. Julianna brought it on herself.”
“Nobody deserves that sort of thing, Caroline. You should know better than to say something like that.”
“That’s not what I mean, mom. First, she almost caused Becca to hit that beat up old truck she drives. Then later, she embarrassed Becca in Greek Mythology by challenging her intellect. She really made Becca look stupid.”
“She challenged the social order – is that what you’re trying to say?”
“Yeah. But no. Julianna parked in Tamara’s spot after that. It was like she was setting herself up to…”
Caroline’s words leave her as she begins to see the unfolding of a plan in which she does not yet fully understand.
“Like I said before, if she allowed Tamara to beat her up, she has her reasons.”
“This is deep,” Caroline sounds both confused and awe-struck, “You weren’t kidding about this stuff.”
“This is not a game, Caroline. It is very real.”
“And how in the heck could she have known about the blood..?”
Caroline stops herself mid-sentence.
“Nice try daughter of mine,” Victoria says while releasing her daughter’s hand, “What in the world got into you girls that you would do something so foolish?”
Caroline acts innocent, “Demons?”
“Not funny, young lady,” Victoria scolds, “I almost lost you. Do not joke about it.”
Caroline looks down at the table as she sees her mother’s eyes water.
“I’m sorry, mom. I couldn’t stop it. I tried.”
Caroline looks up with apologetic eyes.
“I know you did, sweetie. And it’s over now. Julianna took care of it.”
Caroline nods within her regret. She looks at her mom questioningly.
“But why? How did she even know? We did that ritual before we ever knew Mandie – I mean Julianna.”
“You must not make that mistake at school.”
Caroline nods, “I know. I’ll be careful, promise.”
“You touched Julianna, remember? It shocked you.”
“But I touched a lot of people. I didn’t get shocked by any of them.”
“Julianna is different in ways that you can’t yet comprehend. She is gifted with this sort of thing.”
“How am I supposed to repay her for saving my life? That thing almost killed her.”
“She did sacrifice her well-being for you. But that means you must be very special to her. The main-prophecy bloodline does not act carelessly. And I believe this to be especially true with Julianna.”
“But I barely know her.”
“But she knows you, Caroline. And she found something that I have always known.”
Caroline looks at her mom with a curious, yet guarded gaze.
“I promise you that it had nothing to do with popularity or the acceptance of the school’s social pecking order. You are insightful, intelligent, and think very deeply. It is your inner-qualities that has peeked her interest in you. Of that, I am sure.”
“But how can I repay her for something like this?”, Caroline questions. She waves her right hand towards the front door, “Or that?”
“That,” Victoria motions towards the door with her eyes, “is not something you owe for. It is a gift. She expects nothing in return.”
“How do you know that?”
“It’s how our family believes. If it were not so, she would have given you a condition upon receiving the gift.”
“Like keeping her identity secret,” Caroline answers with her understanding.
“Exactly. And that is how you repay her. She expects nothing else. But if you break the condition, you forfeit your life. There is no slack given. She saved your life. In doing so, she had to reveal who she was – probably before she wanted to; especially, if what you say is true about school and Tamara.”
“It is,” Caroline confirms.
“Then you must understand that she has her reasons. And you must repay her by keeping her secret.”
Caroline pauses within her thoughts before answering.
“I will. It’s the least I can do for her. Besides, I don’t want to get whacked.”
She grins, but her mom doesn’t seem to share the same amusement.
Knock - knock - knock.
Caroline jumps up from the table and runs to the front door. She jerks it open. A man stands there smiling.
“Ma’am,” he says with a nod, “Your garage has a new tenant right now.”
He hands Caroline the keychain, turns, and leaves the porch.
The excited cheerleader shuts the door, turns, and dashes through the house until she reaches her garage through her house’s entry.
“There’s my baby,” Caroline coos as she takes in the Bugatti’s beauty.
The blue-metallic paint job is a perfect match to all of her friend’s vehicles, but hers seems better. Four painted blue hell hounds adore the left and right side of the car. Each hound has a gold dog chain around its neck with an initial. From left to right, each initial reads: R, C, J, and T – the reflection of the S.V.C’s names…well, the ones that matter anyway.
“It is beautiful,” Victoria quietly says from behind her daughter.
“Yes it is,” Caroline agrees with a sense of reverence to her tone. She clicks a button on her keychain.
“Alarm is set,” a woman’s voice speaks clearly – almost human-like, “Please stay clear of the vehicle.”
“Whoa.”
“I have to agree,” Victoria says with a grin.
Caroline flips the garage light switch. The four hell hounds glow.
“Oh yeah – now that’s what I’m talking about. Right there.”
“Pretty snazzy,” Victoria agrees once again.
Caroline turns and follows her mom back into the house.
Victoria watches as her daughter closes the door. When she turns, Victoria takes hold of both of her hands, “If you make the choice to follow her it is lifelong. Never forget what it means to struggle. Always keep yourself humble. Money is very seductive. Do not let it cloud or distort your judgments and decisions.”
“I won’t,” Caroline answers. Her eyes widen with panic as her memory jars itself against her thoughts, “What am I going to do?! We have a pep-rally tomorrow!”
“One of the gentlemen escorting me handed me a note from your cousin. There will be a make-up artist here in the morning when you get up.”
“Are you serious?”
“I am.”
“This is blowing me away.”
“Welcome to your family.”
Caroline hugs her mom, “You are my family.” She steps back with her hands on her mother’s shoulders, “Julianna is still on probation.”
Victoria smiles appreciatively while patting her daughter’s right hand.
* * *
Julianna sits in her rusty brown truck. From her spot in the third row, she has a clear view of S.V.C. Row. Jennifer, Rebecca, and Tamara are gathered around Jennifer’s blue Bentley. They seem to be gawking over Rebecca’s senior invites to the Amy Lee party.
Julianna observed Tamara glancing at her earlier. But since then, the tall cheerleader hasn’t acknowledged her presence. It is disheartening. Julianna tried not to fall in love whenever she felt it coming on. But fighting it made it even worse.
Julianna perks up when she see the blue Bugatti.
“Here we go,” Julianna whispers as though someone might hear.
A blue-metallic Bugatti, slowly, drives the street in front of the school from left to right. Students and teachers alike stop to stare at the beautiful machine. Tamara pats Jennifer on the shoulder and says something. Julianna takes in the triumphant sight as her cousin waves at her friends while she makes the pass. The Bugatti takes the first right on the next street and makes a roaring sound as Caroline revs its engine upon entry into the parking lot.
Caroline finds two open slots in S.V.C Row and parks diagonally across them both. She gets out of the vehicle, holds her keychain above her right shoulder, and activates the alarm. The cheerleader never looks back.
“You do know how to play,” Julianna amuses, “Good for you. At least I got one right.”
Julianna opens her squeaky driver’s side door, locks it, and slams it shut. The older truck doesn’t respond well to a gentle touch. She double-checks her blue sparkle fingernail polish on her nails, readjusts her blue sweater, and heads for S.V.C Row.
“Where did you get that?”, Rebecca questions loudly while walking towards her bff. Tamara and Jennifer are close behind Rebecca. Julianna picks up the pace so she can hear her cousin’s response. She, purposefully, failed to give Caroline a cover story.
“I had an aunt who died,” Caroline recites her rehearsed answer, “I never even got to meet her. But I was left with some money.”
Nice.
“I know for a fact,” Jennifer chimes in, “You have to go through a literal hell to get that car – let alone a customized version of it.”
Crap.
Caroline pauses for a brief second before shrugging her shoulders, “Yeah that’s what I hear. My mom was in on the family secret until it was ready. She figured there was no hurry to bring up my aunt until everything was in place.”
Quick on your feet.
“Well that is a beautiful ride and I’m jealous,” Rebecca says while checking out the four hounds of hell from a distance. She looks to her left and sees Jennifer eyeing the car as though it is the sexiest thing in the world.
She grins, “I think Jennifer’s panties are wet.”
“You’re disgusting,” Jennifer says while gently shoving Rebecca on her left shoulder.
“It’s a great pick, Caroline,” Tamara says, “Your mom did us justice.”
“Thanks,” Caroline says while glancing over to Julianna.
Rebecca questions, “Why can’t I feel our bond anymor
e?”
“Geezus Becca!”, Caroline scolds while motioning towards Julianna with her head. The other three S.V.C members turn around.
“Hi,” Julianna waves innocently. She glances to Caroline, “Nice car. It’s pretty.”
“Pretty,” Jennifer shakes her head, “You don’t know the first thing about cars, do you?”
“Sorry,” Julianna says while looking downward.
Tamara speaks, “Becca has the invites ready, but she still needs the time.”
Julianna looks back up. She makes a pointed effort to land her gaze upon Rebecca.
“Can I see?”
Rebecca walks over and hands Julianna a folder. Julianna opens it and examines the paper within. Each page has dark blue edges, a gold swirling border, and the inside is a light blue. Julianna closes the folder and hands it back to Rebecca.
“I see you left out Amy. I’m impressed. They’re perfect.”
Rebecca’s blue eyes light up as Julianna feeds the goddess.
“Time?”, Rebecca questions.
“Nine on Saturday,” Julianna informs, “That’s when she’ll be ready. But we need to get everyone else there earlier, sevenish maybe?”
“Gotcha,” Rebecca answers as though she is the ultimate professional party hostess.
A moment later, Rebecca’s blond brows lift, “Hold up.”
She looks at Tamara, “I thought you said you were going straight home yesterday?”
“I did,” Tamara gives Becca a strange look, “Why?”
Rebecca reaches down and grabs Julianna’s right hand and lifts it up, “Then how did you know what brand to buy?”
“I gave her a quick rundown whenever I seen her at my mom’s office yesterday,” Caroline quickly answers.
Rebecca releases Julianna’s hand and turns to look at Caroline, “And why would she be at your mom’s office?”
“Appearances,” Caroline says with a duh-factor within her expression, “The school would wonder why she didn’t show up after they offered to pay like that.”
“What’s your problem?”, Caroline turns the tables on her bff.
Rebecca turns towards the school, “Nothing.”