by Jada Tarrant
Mom got me out of the hospital before work, and it was her first time encountering Drew. Her eyes were mainly fixated on him as he looked out the window the whole ride. It was like she saw him before, but wasn't sure of what to say. I'm sure she's seen him before since he was our next door neighbor. But honestly, I didn't know.
“Thanks Ms. Terrent,” Drew said when he shut the car door. “Nice meeting you.” Then mom blinked, lost in her thoughts. Since she didn't answer back, Drew walked home.
“Honey, Jada's home. I got to go to work,” mom said as she rushed out the door. It didn't even give dad the time to say goodbye as he came down the stairs. What has gotten into him?
Dad frowned, but he slightly touched my forehead as he brushed a hair away. “What did they say?” he asked. “Just low blood sugars,” I said and he had me follow him into the kitchen. He started going through the medicine cabinet and put a small bottle on the table. “No diabetes?” he asked. “Nope,” I said. The bottle of medicine was his and it was labelled 'hydrocortisone.'
Then he gave me a quick look. “I have that same issue, but diabetic. This is usually what I take along with the needle,” he said as he was grabbing the orange juice out of the fridge. “You need some sugar, and if you need it I have a stash of candy under the nightstand in mom's room. Don't tell her though or she'll eat it all.” I definitely believe that, but a thought pounded at the back of my head.
“Dad, am I your kid?” I asked questioningly. He had a look of utter shock and confusion as I looked at him.
“Yeah why?” he asked, approaching me slowly. “Who did you meet?” It seemed like he was figuring out things quicker than I thought he would.
“Coach Posedon told me you and Damnfelt made me,” I said and dad lunged for me, swinging me into his arms. He then gave me a quick kiss on the forehead.
“You don't want to know. Trust me. You'll be in a great world of pain if I knew everything and same with your mom. But her memory was wiped,” dad said as he grew silent for a moment. I could feel his heart flutter in his chest. “We're lucky enough to have you. Please don't pursue it.” The ring in his voice was desperate as if I would die if I tried. “Okay,” I said as I headed for my room. Dad passed a small smile off to me. “Goodnight,” he said before I slipped into my bed.
The whole weekend I spent in bed resting as the rest of the family carried on with their activities. Dad seemed to be the only one concerned bringing me food and meds to take. I was dizzy and stuck in some sort of haze I couldn't understand. Most of the effects had blown over me by Monday morning, but I had a little shaky start as I woke up in the morning.
Drew had his arm around me, keeping me steady as I walked up to the bus stop. “Feeling better?” he asked. “Sort of. Kind of not here though,” I said, leaning against him. His shirt clung with cologne that drove my senses wild. I shook my head as I tried to keep my mind out of romance land. He had already ruined that chance. So he looked at me as he let go of my hand as the bus rolled up to our stop. We took separate seats, but Drew was always watching. At least the man knew how to give me some space.
School seemed to be completely normal now except for the fact that the faeries seemed to be following me around closely, especially Emily. The guy I had a crush on also peeked on me in the hallway. In class, I heard that faeries could pry into your thoughts if they wanted to so I remained quiet. But I always blushed and lost my concentration when I saw the guy. He turned around this time, heading straight for me.
The faerie slightly touched my shoulder and I turned around. He stopped so close that I could feel his breath on my skin as it tested the boundaries of my strength. I bit my lip trying to control myself. There seemed to be a playful personality underneath the calm facade that was placing on his face right now.
“Hi,” the faerie said, beaming at me. The bell rang as I came to my senses. Damn, I'm late. “Hi,” I said back, clenching my books. He looked down at them before his eyes lingered on my face. “Emily said you were pretty awesome for a human,” he said as he reached for my books. My guard dropped as he took them away, slightly brushing his arm against mine. “I said I might give it a try, if you like me.”
His lips were mere inches from mine as my mouth quivered. He grinned, knowing that I liked him as he held me against him. The taste of his lips made me ecstatic as I felt his powers drum through me.
“The name's Anthony,” he said in mid-kiss as I took a gasp of air. Then he pulled my leg behind him, as I straddled him for support. I couldn't feel my surroundings as the world spun. Through my blinding tears I caught a glimpse of Sophie watching. She looked worried, and she must have left to get Drew.
“Dude,” Drew said, tapping on the faerie's shoulder. He looked at me, noticing I was delusional. Then I heard someone hit the floor and it was the faerie.Sophie and Drew stared uncomfortably at me as I slowly came back to my senses.
Sophie had her arms crossed. “Didn't think the rumors were true. The faeries want to turn you into one of them,” she said. Then I dropped my jaw as I was shocked. Was that the only reason the guy approached? It seemed like Drew was agreeing with her.
“There's also a rumor going around that you're not normal, but you are. As far as everyone knows,” Drew said. His voice held a tone as if there was something hidden in his words, like there was something that he didn't want to say. The witch looked at me with a cautious look. “Be careful,” she said and left. Now what?
Later in the evening, I felt like I didn't exist as everyone was oblivious to me as I walked in. The only one to cross gazes with me was dad. There was a concern hidden in his eyes as he held his hands. It seems like tonight will be another quiet night where I get my homework done with the mystery of my parents thrumming in the back of my head.
I woke up in the morning with a mix of dizziness and fear as I felt as if I was falling in the dream where I was. Stumbling outside the room, I pulled myself up to look in the mirror. Shocked by the glow I saw in the reflection, I ran back to my room. What's happening?
Waiting in my room, I watched as my brother and sisters got ready for school. They didn't seem to notice anything, so I guessed I was hallucinating. I'd be fine for school, I hope.
Drew noticed the fanatically terrified look on my face as I rushed past him in a hurry. He tapped my shoulder and my body flinched up on contact. His eyes scanned me up and down; trying to find what was ailing me. He raised a brow in confusion and he opened his mouth to form a question. What is wrong? I'd have to write him a note to keep things low.
He proceed to take a seat next to me as the bus began to roll. “What's wrong?” he whispered in my ear as he slipped his arms around me. So I pulled a sheet of paper out and wrote down what had happened earlier. It seemed to worry him, but it seemed like had had a solution of some kind. Drew reached out into his bag, pulling out a necklace. “Put it on.” Reluctantly, I did even know I had no idea what it was for. The chain disappeared once it settled onto my neck, and it freaked me out. Magic? I must have powers then, and the only reason I could think of wasn't even clear to me. My dad said to stay out, and it sounded like a good idea even though the phone that sat in my room caught my attention every now and then. Now I was tempted to call the man.
“Thanks,” I said as I felt comfortable with the necklace on. It seemed to calm the panic within me. A small smile escaped from his weary expression. “No problem,” he said and kissed my forehead. I felt blood rush up to my face as it reddened. He laughed. “You're too cute sometimes, I know.”
School slipped by fast, at least it felt that way. The faeries eyed me with genuine interest as Sophie kept a close eye on me. The rest of the witches ignored me, which was fine by me. There just seemed to be an unsettling thought about the faeries staring at me.
CHAPTER 8
JANUARY 10TH, 2013
JOLIET, IL
“You're all sluts!” someone yelled then everyone heard a big bang in the hallway. Along with the other students we all took a peak into the hallwa
y. The faerie had slammed the witch into a locker. We all saw her response as the witch drove her powers into the faerie sending her into a locker. More of the faeries flooded into the hallway to protect the girl.
“You'll never learn, will you?” the witch said, throwing her hands into the air. “Go ahead, run to your little man for help.” Then out of nowhere a male faerie slapped her across the face as she glared at them.
“The humans are watching,” he said, looking around at the cracked open classroom doors. “I don't give a fuck,” the witch said, smiling mendaciously. “If they want to watch, then they'll have to stay.”
A huge array of light overshadowed the classroom as we all closed our eyes. When I opened mine, I noticed we were in the hallway. There were chains on every door, and a flood of panic overwhelmed me. Are we trapped? So then I tried the gym door, and it wouldn't budge. Ashley looked up at me, disheartened. We were going to be here all day, I could just feel it.
“This is ridiculous,” Mr. Traffen said with his arms folded. “Against school rules.” Figuring that much, I looked over at them. The way things were looking no one would be leaving until they compromised or tuckered themselves out.
The exchange of words continued for hours and the rest of them watched us humans like hawks. An uneasy feeling swept through me when I felt something tugging at me, then at the next second I was in a classroom. Anthony and Emily were in front of me. What do they want?
“Look outside the room,” Anthony whispered. “Are they still distracted?” Emily gave a slight nod of the head. Then his attention was on me with a hint of a malicious smile hiding behind his focused eyes.
“We're going to find out what you are,” he whispered, lips pressed against my ear. Ker-chunk! I looked up to see my hands were handcuffed hanging on a chain. How come I didn't feel them do it? None of it made sense as I shook my head. The room started spinning once he laid his hand on my stomach. I'm sure I heard them mumble because surely it was a spell making me numb.
“Emily, she's ready,” Anthony said as touched my face, watching my eyes go out of focus. Quick enough, she was towering over me and threw her powers into me. “mm,” I nearly choked out as I felt my throat constrict. They both were grinning at me. What did they know?
Anthony was patting my head as Emily was doing something. From the corner of my eye, I could see her holding a needle as my pulse quickened. “Look at me,” Anthony said, stroking my face. “We're almost done.” Then I felt a sharp pain enter my side as I felt my heart jump.
Thump-thump, dub-dub. I could feel my blood roar through my veins as I felt something strange. I blinked, realizing that they were both tied up against the wall now. Moving my head, I tried to see who did it. Everything became a blur, but I knew Drew was behind it.
“Fucking faeries,” he mumbled, trying to bust the lock on the hand cuffs. Clink! They fell to the floor as he hoisted me up into his arms. I laid my head against his chest, hearing his heart pound.
Either I'm delusional or sleeping, but I'm pretty sure Drew just walked through a wall. Powers? I'm pretty sure that would explain everything that I felt off about him the day we met. If only he would tell me.
Ashley, Matthew, and Mr. Traffen ran towards us once they realized I was back. But I noticed no sound would leave my lips, as it hurt to move as I was limp in Drew's arms. Drew seemed breathless as his eyes had widened in fear. I'm was pretty sure he knew what was going on more than me.
“Is she okay?” Mr. Traffen asked, rearing to touch my forehead. Then he pulled his hand away. “Someone casted a spell on her, and by the looks of it she's gained faerie sight from it.” What?
Somehow Anthony had got out because he was heading straight for Drew. I couldn't move a muscle as Drew set me down. He gave Drew a sly look. “Darkling's got to stick together, hey?” he asked. Then Drew stiffened, as if I wasn't supposed to hear it. What's a darkling?
“She's not one,” Drew said as he folded his arms. Then Anthony broke out into hysterics. “Of course, she's human until she turns 16. Then it's all downhill from there,” he said, raising a brow at me.
Everyone was gone. Not a single soul was in the hallway except Drew, Anthony, and I. This was either an illusion or I was hallucinating which I was pretty sure off. “Nope. Sent everyone away,” Anthony said, his mouth curved upward into a cruel smile. “We all need to have a little chit-chat.”
CRACK! BOOM! The witches descended into the hallway glaring at all of us. “So this was all set up,” the witch said through pursed lips. Her gaze fell upon me. “And thanks for the gift.” She then touched me so gently it sent goosebumps all over. “Another demon's magic to take.”
Everyone's words made my head spin alarming me of the danger around. I lurched forward and twirled around her. The second she seemed distracted I made a break for it as I came to a dead stop as I hit the administrator of the magic department. My eyes flashed at me within the woman's eyes for a quick second, and she had me follow her back. I'm in trouble, aren't I?
“All the witches and faeries report to the gym,” the woman's voice boomed. Her voice made the hall tremble as they all revealed themselves as they followed her directions. Then her gaze fell on me. “You need a faerie nurse.” So I followed hr to the department and sat down. The nurse gave gave me an odd look, but before she could ask the woman a question she was gone.
“There's a lot of magical residue in you,” the nurse said as she rubbed my back. “I need you to lie back.” Obeying her order, I flattened myself onto the table trying to be comfortable. Once her hand was on my stomach I felt my pulse throb. “Something might pinch.” Oddly enough, my hold on the world before me slipped from my eyes as I fell into the dark abyss of nightmares.
-
“I've had enough of these rules,” Gage said, pounding on the table. The darklings jumped, startled by his rage. “My daughter's alive. Once I get her back here, everything will return to normal.”
One of the darkling's opened his mouth to protest, but before he could Gage held him by the throat. “None of you will get in my way,” he growled. “I will get what I want.”
-
Gasping for air, I realized I was at home. Dad was staring at me from the corner of the room, watching me uncomfortably. He also held the phone Viper gave to me, crushing it before my eyes. Something tells me he's not happy.
“I told you not to pursue,” he started. Then I shook my head, as he had the story all wrong. “I'm not. The faeries pursued me,” I protested as I tried to make him understand. He raised a brow. “They wanted to uncover who I was.” Jeez,it sounded so horrible coming out of my mouth.
“One more strike,” dad said, pumping his fist in the air, raising a finger. “Then you're out of my house.” I opened my mouth, but I didn't have a comment as nothing came out. He sighed. “I will not accept violence in this house and...,” His voice began to falter a little. “Or deans calling me wanting to have a talk.”
The room fell silent, and all I felt was my dad's rage pressed against me. Violence? I hadn't even started the damn nonsense. But I do have questions I want answered, and all I've done is kept my mouth shut. I've pretended that nothing is wrong, but then it reminds me as it slams itself right into my face. Making it much more difficult to ignore..
In the morning, Drew was waiting for me in my driveway. He held his head low, his arms crossed, and when he came across my face I saw dark circles underneath his eyes. Something's definitely bothering him, but I'll wait.
“So now you know my secret. I'm a darkling,” he said and frowned. “Pretty sure a lesson on them in mythology is coming up soon.” Sounds like I got some research to do.
“Thanks for everything,” I said, unable to meet the look in his eyes. There just seemed to be a troublesome darkness growing within them as he stared. “Is my duty,” he said with a quirky smile. Right after that, we both became silent as we bordered the bus and sat next to each other. I felt a weird static in the air between us as Drew's eyes remained focused on my
hand he was holding. What was he thinking?
As school commenced, I was called into the dean's office around lunch. The faerie and witch were here along with my dad. My stomach lurched forward, and I nearly fell over taking a seat. Dad's eyes pierced mine with their anger. It looked like he hadn't slept as if he was preparing for today. I'm hoping he'll be knocked out by the time I get home.
“Mr. Terrent I know you are fully aware of the fight yesterday. But we have questions we hope you have the answer to that concerns,” the dean said, tapping her fingers. As I stared, I could tell she was doing that just to build the tension between everyone. Her eyes then steadied themselves on me. “Your daughter flashed her eyes yesterday, and the nurse said it wasn't because of the spell the faeries had influenced on her. What are you?” Well, that's definitely one way to be blunt.
Dad took in a deep sigh, stretching in the chair. The other two students just stared at him waiting for an answer. “Well for one. Not a darkling,” he said, keeping a steady gaze on the dean. “Nephilim and Darklings get confused a lot, especially since they go through similar phases. I'm Nephilim.” The dean and everybody else looked lost and confused as he spoke.
“So should I worried? Powers?” the dean asked, wanting answers. Dad just shook his head. “Nope, just strong and fast. Only thing magical is the ability to talk to the mind,” he said, tapping his head.
The dean sighed in relief, but the other students gave me the silent stare.If I wasn't paying attention I'm sure I would have believed my dad too. But once I saw his jaw shift, I knew he was leaving something important out. It was probably for my own good.