by J. N. Colon
Holy ham hocks. I think hell just froze over. Or pigs grew wings.
“I was so filled with hate I was poison to everything good. I couldn’t see you or the vampires for who they really were. Only evil monsters.” Tears shimmered in her dark eyes. “I was wrong Rubi. You’re not monsters.”
I leaned forward and embraced Madison, surprising her. Thankfully she was still corporeal and I didn’t go face planting into the dirt. “It’s okay Madison. I forgive you.”
As if those three simple words released something powerful, Madison choked on a sob and her body shook against mine. “Thank you Rubi,” she whispered. “You’ll never know how much I needed that.”
A brilliant light suddenly opened up in the night sky raining down on earth. I knew no one but Madison and I could see it. A girl with raves waves of hair hanging down her back, dark eyes, and a garnet and silver ring hanging around her neck stepped out.
Sara, my great great grandmother greeted me with a smile. “Hi Rubi.”
I motioned with my finger toward her navy pleated skirt, white collared shirt, and navy cardigan. “I thought you hated that uniform.”
She shot me a smirk and shrugged, plucking up the hem of her skirt. “Meh. I figured I wear it for old time sake.”
“Sara!” Madison stepped forward and hugged her. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to get Madison.”
My brows arched questioningly as I looked between them. “You two know each other?”
The dead ex-hunter wiped the tears from her eyes. “Who do you think’s been helping me get redemption?”
“And now she’s finished.” Sara reached for Madison’s hand, pulling her closer to the beam of light.
A thick knot formed in my throat as I peered at the girl who pretended to be my friend to torture and kill me. The girl who haunted my dreams, trying to send me signs, and the girl who eventually became my real friend in death. “You’re leaving?”
She smiled. “I’ll still be watching over you. And I’ll visit.” She winked. “Who else is going to help you decode those cryptic messages in your dream?”
“True.”
Sara and Madison waved goodbye as they stepped into the beam of iridescent light. My vision turned watery and tears filled my eyes watching their bittersweet departure. By the time they spilled down my cheeks they were gone.
Mac held his arms open for me when he spotted me coming through the crowed. “You okay baby?” he asked.
I nodded. “Just saying goodbye.”
He leaned forward and kissed my lips and then my dimple. “I’m sure you’ll see her again. I doubt we’ve heard the last from Madison.”
I smiled at his words, feeling more lighthearted than I had in months. That feeling was quickly extinguished by the unexpected scream that split the night.
The entire group froze as a disheveled human student tore into the party. She halted, her brown eyes big as saucers and face drained of color. “T-There… are…” She pointed a trembling hand over her shoulder. “Zombies!”
Panic slammed into my chest immediately picturing a horde of undead vampires descending on us. Mac grabbed me close as a foul stench hit the air, making me choke back a gag. The royal guards began to spread out, preparing for a fight.
Slow moving figures appeared through the misty fog curling in the distance, shuffling toward us and moaning lowly. Grotesque gray skin hung loosely, deteriorating and falling off. Eyes milky and glazed over peered dumbly at us. I was pretty sure I heard one of them mumble brainsssss.
My brows drew together. These were not undead vampires. They looked like they stepped right off the “Thriller” set.
Rufus zoomed forward, punching the closest one. His head concaved with a sickening splat and he crumpled to the ground, unmoving. Rufus looked back at us, confusion glittering in her dark eyes. “They’re just human corpses.”
I scoffed and tossed my hands in the air, frustrated. “Come on! Now there are zombies?”
Mac shrugged. “I guess so.”
Well it wouldn’t be Highland Academy without a clandestine party hosted by vampires, compulsion flying around, creepy fog—and dead bodies.
The End.
Thank you for reading the Secret Salem series. I hope you enjoyed getting to know my characters as much as I did.
Tormented’s Playlist
“Dead In The Water” by Ellie Goulding
“Begin Again” by Measure
“Blinding” by Florence + the Machine
“Someone That I used To Know” by Gotye (feat. Kimbra)
“All Fall Down” by OneRepublic
“Lving Dead Seduction – (Subliminal Seduction Mix)” by Rob Zombie
“I Put A Spell On You” by Annie Lennox
“Lucky You” by Deftones
“In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins
“What If?” by Godsmack
“You Are Mine” by MuteMath
“Awake” by Godsmack
“Cosmic Love” by Florence + The Machine
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