Mother of Darkwaters: Book one of the Vessel series

by Tony C. Skye

  “Where’s Becca and Caroline?”

  Julianna turns. Tamara’s long fingers interlock with the fingers of her left hand. She adores the taller woman before her. Tamara silently adores her back with the same envious gaze.

  “You two can’t even mess this up for me.”

  Julianna rips her stare from Tamara and looks at Jennifer. The girl is looking at the stage.

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “I still think she wants to watch.”

  Jennifer stares straight ahead, “Forget it, Tam. You can’t do it.”

  “Heh,” Tam amuses, “I bet if I was Amy Lee you’d do it.”

  Jennifer looks to her left with a glare, “That’s blasphemous.”

  Tamara enjoys the moment, “I love you, too.”

  Jennifer looks back at the stage, “Whatever.”

  Tamara feels a hand touch the left side of her cheek. She looks down and smiles – her heart fluttering with the joy of her evening.

  “I love you,” she speaks with a whisper.

  With the crowd’s noise level, Julianna only sees the movement of Tamara’s thin lips. But she understands the words clearly. She smiles and says the phrase back. For the first time in her life, Julianna understands real love.

  “Coke okay?”

  Tamara quickly releases her girlfriend’s hand and steps back. She looks at David with startled eyes.

  “It’s okay,” David says while offering Tamara a soda, “I’m here to have fun. That’s all.”

  Tamara smiles. She takes the soda and looks at Julianna with questioning eyes. Julianna nods. Tamara turns and leans in towards David. She kisses him gently on his right cheek.

  Tamara whispers, “I wish all the boys were like you.”

  When Tamara steps back, David nods with appreciative eyes. Within them, he gives Tamara and Julianna his blessing. He points towards the concession stand.

  “I’ll be over there,” David says, “If you need anything, just wave.”

  “Can I?”

  David looks at Julianna curiously. He nods with an awkward smile. His heart races as the girl steps closer. She motions him with her right hand. He leans down and receives his second kiss of the night – his other cheek no longer jealous.

  “The girl that loves you back will be the luckiest girl in the world,” Julianna says.

  Tamara and Julianna look at each other with amused eyes as the junior grins from ear to ear. They both wave at him with girlie fingers as he turns and heads towards the concession stand. They know it is a night he will never forget.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about’, Jennifer announces loudly. Smoke begins filling the stage from the fog machines. She looks over at Julianna with the biggest smile ever. Julianna can’t help, but to laugh.

  Jennifer, immediately, turns her attention back to the stage. She can see silhouettes passing in and out of the growing fog. A few moments later, her chest thumps with the sounds of a bass drum.

  “Gawd,” Jennifer says while cupping her mouth with both hands, “It’s really happening.”

  Guitars start playing. Lights begin moving in the rhythmic patterns set by the drum beat. The crowd begins screaming in anticipation.

  “Thanks for having us,” a woman’s voice kindly speaks through the PA system.

  Julianna delights in Jennifer’s frantic searching of the voice’s owner. The cheerleader’s eyes are darting all over the foggy area in hopes of catching a glimpse. Julianna looks at the stage.

  A moment later, a woman dressed in black boots and a white bridal gown marches towards the front of the stage through the fog. The outfit reminds Julianna of something a zombie bride should be wearing. Amy bows her head. The drums stop. The lights go out. The guitars silence.

  The crowd whistles. As the silence grows, the crowd’s whistling turns into more cheers and screaming. Then as quickly as they begun, the crowd silences to the roar of the occasional whistle.

  The sounds of strings begin playing. A voice begins singing, “Please, please forgive me…”

  Jennifer begins singing with the angelic voice. She sways dizzily when Amy Lee looks directly at her and waves.

  “Okay!”

  Tamara gives Rebecca a strange look as the captain of the cheer squad pulls on the back of her girlfriend’s shirt. She watches as Rebecca says something in her ear and then proceeds with a follow-up hug.

  Julianna looks at Caroline with prideful eyes before looking at the observant Tamara.

  “What was that all about?”

  Julianna smiles at Tamara, “She was thanking me for the party.”

  “Oh,” Tamara says loudly to combat the growing intensity of the music filling the air. She looks at Rebecca. The girl with long blond hair has her arms above her head while singing with Amy Lee. Caroline is doing the same thing next to her. She looks over at Jennifer. She isn’t positive, but she thinks her bff is on the verge of crying. Tamara wraps her right arm around Julianna and turns her attention towards the stage.

  * * *

  Sweat pours down Amy’s face. She has been performing for the past two hours.

  “Thank you all for having us,” Amy says breathlessly.

  The crowd erupts into screams and whistles.

  “We still have a couple more for you – songs only my friends have ever heard.”

  The crowd yells victoriously.

  “But there’s a few thing I want to do first. Is that alright with you?!”

  The crowd screams with its approval.

  “Thank you,” Amy says. She locks gazes with a girl having long curly blond hair, “Rebecca Hindsworth?”

  Rebecca freezes within her terror.

  “Rebecca, come on up here.”

  The captain of the cheer squad faintly notices Julianna’s hands pushing on her back. Her heart pounds as two security guys escort her upon the stage.

  “Come on over here,” Amy instructs.

  Rebecca smiles nervously as she walks across the stage. Her peers of the student body begin yelling out their delight. She stops within arm’s reach of the Amy Lee.

  Amy looks at the crowd of faces, “None of this would have been possible without Rebecca’s help. When you go back to your school, remember that she is the reason that you are here.”

  The crowd whistles and claps their pleasure.

  “Is that all you got?!”, Amy pushes.

  The crowd begins screaming at the top of their lungs.

  Amy turns and gives Rebecca a hug. She nods at one of her security guys. He walks over and takes hold of Rebecca’s right arm. The newly fed goddess follows her escort’s lead within her haze.

  “Tonight,” Amy speaks, “It has come to my attention that a very special fan has come to see me.”

  Jennifer covers her mouth when Amy looks her way. She watches as the most talented artist ever walks to the edge of the stage.

  “Would you please honor me by coming up here, Jennifer?”

  “Uh-oh,” Tamara says while dashing to her swaying bff. She barely has time to catch Jennifer as she passes out.

  “It doesn’t last long,” Amy says, “Bring her up here anyway. I love my fans.”

  The crowd erupts into more cheers.

  Tamara allows one of Amy’s security guys to pick Jennifer up. By the time he reaches the stage, her bff is awake. He gently maneuvers her to her feet and offers his left arm for support. Tamara smiles as Jennifer holds the man’s arm like a vice-grip – her unsure legs moving across the stage.

  Amy smiles while motioning to the back of the stage. A man runs out with a box and hands it to her. She looks at the crowd.

  “I deeply appreciate all of my fans…”

  The crowd roars.

  “And it is a great honor when I get the chance to meet my devout fans like Jennifer Hammond here.”

  The security guy uses his large right palm against Jennifer’s mid-back to steady her.

  “This is for you, Jennifer,” Amy says.

  Jennifer lo
oks at the offered box and holds out her shaky hands. The man beside her realizes she needs help and grips her solidly around the waist.

  “Open it, let’s see what’s inside.”

  Amy watches as Jennifer clumsily fumbles with the impossible box. She looks at another one of her security guys and nods. The man quickly runs over, lifts the lid on the box, and leaves.

  “Pull it out,” Amy coaches.

  Jennifer’s eyes widen as her mind begins registering what is happening. She pulls out a dress which looks exactly like the one Amy is currently wearing.

  “It’s signed,” Amy says, “And I better not see it up on an auction site.”

  Jennifer grins within her woozy state. Amy nods at the guy helping to steady her. He escorts the cheerleader off of the stage and back to her friends.

  “It’s signed,” Jennifer says while holding up the dress to show Caroline. Tamara barely catches her as she passes out.

  “I’m a sucker for a good love story,” Amy speaks, “And one thing I can’t stand is a bunch of shallow haters!”

  The crowd returns with whistles and cheers.

  “Tonight,” Amy continues, “I have a very good friend with me. And she’s in love.”

  The crowd coos with awes and clapping.

  “Come up here you two,” Amy says while beckoning Julianna and Tamara.

  Julianna gives her a look, but Amy ignores her, “Come on now, let us all see that kind of love we only get to read about.”

  The crowd cheers.

  Julianna apologizes to Tamara with her eyes. The tall girl stands up leaving Jennifer to Caroline and Rebecca. She interlocks her fingers with Julianna’s left hand and escorts her to the stage.

  “Most of you already know Tamara Stilliard,” Amy says while presenting the two women walking towards her, “And the girl next to her is my dear friend, Mandie EvéMari.”

  The crowd whistles.

  I want you two to kiss right here and now,” Amy says, “In front of anyone who is a hater.”

  Julianna gives Amy a subtle disapproving look while the crowd cheers. Amy smiles back as though she is oblivious. Julianna, however, knows better. In fact, this is the second surprise Amy has thrown her tonight. The first was the fact that Amy’s band came with her – something Amy made clear was not going to happen. But then again, Amy enjoys this sort of thing – almost too much.

  “We don’t have all night”, Amy says, “Kiss.”

  Amy grins while the crowd begins chanting – kiss…kiss…kiss…

  Julianna looks at Tamara with nervous eyes. The tall woman searches her eagerly – down to her very soul. Julianna staggers a breath as Tamara leans down. She stops and grins playfully. Julianna tiptoes – her lips softly pressing against the patient woman before her. Tamara parts her mouth.

  The crowd screams out its approval. Amy turns to face the rest of her fans.

  “Let’s rock this night on out!”, Amy yells out through her microphone.

  Julianna lowers herself to the flat of her feet. Her heart flutters with the adoring eyes left upon her. She barely notices Amy’s security team as they move to escort her and Tamara from the stage. At this very moment, Julianna feels as if time should stand still and wait. It should wait…until she has had her fill of her lover’s eyes.

  Whenever Tamara and Julianna find their place by Rebecca and Caroline, Jennifer is awake and alert. She walks up, playfully shoves her bff away, and greedily hugs Julianna. When she steps back, she nods once within her newfound respect for the Mother of Darkwaters. Julianna nods back.

  “Hey!”

  Tamara turns and looks at David Snow.

  “I need your help,” David yells over the loud noise of the concert.

  Tamara glances over at Julianna.

  “It’s okay”, Julianna says loudly, “I’ll be right here.”

  Tamara turns back and looks at her plus one, “Let’s go.”

  Tamara follows David around the backside of the stage. He leads her over the enormous tarp that covers Rebecca’s back yard golf course.

  “What’s up?”, Tamara says. She is thankful the need to scream in order to be heard lessens with each step they take.

  “It’s just over here,” David points to a set of ropes surrounding a sand trap, “I couldn’t believe it whenever I saw it. I didn’t know what to do.”

  “What is it?”, Tamara questions within her concern.

  “I don’t know,” David answers while entering the area, “Some girl. She looks hurt.”

  “What?!”, Tamara says while quickly catching up to the frantic boy. She stops and looks around.

  “There’s no one…ugh.…”

  Tamara’s eyes go wide as she fills a burning sensation in her side. Hands touch her back and force her into the sand below.

  “Yes there is,” David Snow corrects.

  Tamara pulls her bloody hand away from her right side. She starts screaming. David cocks his head to the right and grins. Tamara can see her blood all over the knife held within his right hand. The boy, nonchalantly, kneels by her left side. He tenderly caresses his hand through her short bleach blond hair.

  “They can’t hear you, my love”, David softly whispers.

  “Ahhh!”, Tamara cries out as David sticks the blade deep within her left thigh. Tears rush out of her eyes.

  “Why?”, Tamara sobs, “Please don’t kill me. Please…”

  “I love you,” David answers as though she should already know of his response.

  Tamara whimpers within her fear as the maniac firmly presses a kiss against her lips.

  “Hey!”, a man’s voice yells out, “You two aren’t supposed to back here!”

  David jumps up and takes off running in the direction of the loud music.

  “Hey!”, a man’s voice yells out again, “Didn’t you hear what I said?!”

  Tamara fights the fogginess that desires to consume her.

  “You can’t be back…”, the man stops mid-sentence as he spots Tamara’s bloody body. He, immediately, snatches his emergency walkie-talkie from his utility belt.

  “Captain,” the man pushes the button and releases.

  “Go,” Captain Woods answers.

  “We need a medivac. I’ve got a girl – stabbing victim by the looks of it. I believe it is Tamara Stilliard, sir. I saw someone running towards the back side of the stage, but didn’t get a clear look at him. The suspect has on black jeans and a black tee-shirt.”

  “Where you at?”, Captain Woods replies with urgency.

  “Sand trap one,” the man answers.

  “Medivac is enroute,” Captain Woods informs, “Stay with her.”

  “Affirmative,” the man answers. He belts his walkie-talkie as he rushes over to assess the victim’s wounds. He quickly removes his jacket and tee-shirt. Ripping the shirt into a couple of long strips, the man ties off her left thigh. He reexamines her right side. It’s bad. The victim begs him with terrified eyes. He places his shirt against the wound and presses. She cries out. The man attempts to coach her, but truth is, he doesn’t believe his own words. Her side-wound is extremely bad.

  Julianna observes Captain Woods quickly approaching. He has that concerned safety look about him. He walks up and grabs her right arm. By now, she understands when she can argue and when she can’t. This is one of those can’t moments.

  Captain Woods says nothing as he quickly moves with Julianna around to the stage’s backside. She sees four Network security positioned by the rear stage. Six more are scouring the grounds with flashlights.

  “It’s Tamara,” Captain Woods informs when he releases Julianna.

  Julianna looks at him and follows his eyes towards an area in the distance. She can see all kinds of Network personnel around a roped off area. She takes off running.

  Whenever she reaches the velvet rope chain, three security guys step up to block her.

  “Let her through,” Captain Woods orders while jogging to a stop behind Julianna.

  The security
team parts to allow Julianna a clear view of the love of her life. She pauses. Tamara has her eyes closed and is breathing shallowly.

  “Tamara!”, Julianna gasps. She darts forward – her knees dig into the sand next to Tamara’s left side. She looks at the man holding his shirt against Tamara’s right side. He shakes his head grimly. Tears fill Julianna’s eyes. They race their way down her cheeks and drip into the blood-soaked sand beneath her.

  Julianna, gently, picks up Tamara’s head with her right arm. She scoots over and slips her right leg underneath her blond hair. The confused woman, nervously, caresses Tamara’s right cheek with her left hand.

  “Tamara, I’m here,” Julianna quietly speaks within her tears, “Wake up, baby. Please wake up.”

  Tamara groans – her eyelids flutter.

  “Please wake up,” Julianna begs. She can hardly see through the thick salty water flooding her eyes. Julianna vaguely notices the thumping of a helicopter’s overhead blade off in the distance. Her subconscious registers an abrupt stop to Amy’s performance, but it refuses to bring the information to the forefront of her mind. The love of her life is dying in her arms.

  “Please baby,” Julianna begs again, “Wake up.”

  Tamara’s eyes sleepily half-open. She coughs. Blood spews out. Julianna wipes the red liquid from Tamara’s lips.

  “You’re gonna be okay.”

  Tamara attempts a smile, “Liar.”

  “Help’s on the way. Just hang on. I need you to hang on.”

  Julianna lifts Tamara’s head as she coughs out more blood.

  “Who did this?”, Julianna desperately seeks answers to make sense of the terror within her hands.

  “Boys,” Tamara chokes out a mix of blood and a weak grin.

  “He’s real,” Julianna fights the urge to breakdown, “He is so real. Ask Him to forgive you baby.”

  Tamara chokes up more blood. She spits the remaining mess from her mouth. Her brown eyes lazily find their way to Julianna’s teary gaze. Tamara forces another weakened grin.