Dark Revelation

by S. E. Myers

  Ryleigh scoped out the lunchroom as she made her way through the line. She didn’t bring her lunch today. Her aunt gave her money to choose something a la carte. It didn’t matter what school she was in. The food was all the same. Disgusting.

  She didn’t like vegetables and avoided them at all cost. It didn’t matter if it was at home or at school, if there were vegetables, she would not eat them. She grimaced at the vegetarian menu the school had. She couldn’t understand how anyone could consume something named “bean curd” and looked like sewage. It boggled her mind. Instead, she chose a hamburger, fries – the only vegetable she would eat, and a soft drink.

  She paid for her meal and surveyed the room. Suddenly, she could feel someone standing next to her. Turning her head, she sighed, it was Tristan.

  “Need some place to sit?” he asked nonchalantly.

  Ryleigh, ever the one for sarcasm said, “No, I think I would just rather stand here and eat my lunch.” Tristan laughed, “Come on.”

  Ryleigh stood there for a minute just wondering what the catch could possibly be. He turned around and motioned for her to follow him. Instead, she walked the opposite direction. She didn’t feel like being friendly and didn’t feel like being made fun of. She didn’t look back but she could feel her gaze on her back. And for the first time, she didn’t feel self-conscious about it. Which was weird… Even for her.

  ***

  The school day continued to progress normally, but, by the end of the day Ryleigh could feel the tension building in her body. She felt on edge. She didn’t have problems with anyone but she could feel the stress. Somehow, some students were aware of her parent’s death and gave their condolences. Offering a fake grin and saying thank you was a little too much for her to bare when didn’t even care about these people.

  After school, Siegfried was waiting for her in the car. If she could even seem even more like a rich kid dork, this was it plain as day. She rolled her eyes at Siegfried when she got into the car. “Really,” she questioned. “Right out front?”

  “Yes, Miss Ryleigh, it is as your aunt instructed.” As Siegfried pulled away from the school, she saw Tristan looking at the car intently.

  Siegfried stared at her in the rear view mirror, “Did you make any friends today?”

  “Um, not really,” Ryleigh responded jamming her headphones into her ears not offering a response. The ride continued as she listened to her music and she stared blankly out the vehicles tinted windows.

  They pulled up to the house in no time. The view still amazed her every time she saw it. The fact that she still lived in this house amazed her, every single time.

  She noticed a few cars out front but didn’t think anything of it. Her aunt always had visitors at the house. But as she looked at the cars, she noticed a trend. Each car had a unique sigil or symbol. It was the same one she discovered on what she assumed was her family crest. The symbol resembled an ankh with a tail. It drew her in and yet at the same time repulsed her. She wasn’t sure why and she hadn’t yet asked her aunt about it. It was on her ever growing list of things to do. She still needed to have a conversation with her aunt about her family, but there was always something that came up.

  Ryleigh entered the house expecting to immediately go upstairs to become invisible until dinner but Siegfried stopped her, “Miss Vera wants to see you in the study.”

  Ryleigh was a little surprised as she rarely saw her aunt until the evenings. “Really? You couldn’t tell me this prior to walking in the door?” She was annoyed. Siegfried took her things and Ryleigh entered the study.

  The study was more like a library. Each wall had built-in bookshelves from floor to ceiling. The décor continued the theme of the house - dark wood inlaid with gold trimming. The smell of old books, paper, and scented candles gave Ryleigh a sense of comfort.

  “Come in darling, there are some people that you need to meet,” Vera said opening her arms for an embrace. Hugging her aunt she noticed three separate couples sitting around the room. What stood out to her is that their faces seemed similar in appearance – the only differences were their ages. Vera, behind her desk, motioned for Ryleigh to take a place on the settee just to her left, facing these strange people.

  “These are also members of our family,” Vera started pointing them out as she stood up from her desk and walked behind each person. “These are your grandparents, my mother and father,” she said smiling reflecting her pearly whites at Ryleigh. As Vera introduced each adult, she touched them briefly on the shoulder. Ryleigh smiled and said hello. “These are your mother and Fin’s grandparents,” Vera pointed out. Again Ryleigh offered another “hello” and faint smile not knowing how to respond. She decided to wait until the introductions were complete.

  “And this lovely couple,” Vera said touching both of them at the same time, “are your cousins.” Ryleigh noticed they stiffened a little when Vera placed her hands on their shoulders. “They also have children that you will be meeting shortly. They go to the same school as you do.” Ryleigh stared at this beautiful group of people. Although they had the same facial characteristics, she noticed the differences between each of them. Either pair of “grandparents” looked similar and yet different. It was as if they were a plastic image of what a grandparent were supposed to look like. The lines and wrinkles were apparent. However; their eyes looked much older than the image their body projected. There was a cold hardness to the way they stared at her, although their facial expression showed they were happy to meet her.

  Vera motioned Ryleigh over to her relatives for formal introductions when the door to the study opened. As she glanced at the door she stopped mid-track.

  “The children are here,” Siegfried said. As he stepped away two shadows emerged from behind him. The first person who entered the study was a girl about Ryleigh’s age. The first thing Ryleigh noticed about her was her long hair, white as fresh winter snow. She had high cheek bones, a small upturned nose, and violet eyes. She was beautiful and gracious. As she moved in the room, her clothes flowed with her walk. It was as if an invisible breeze encased every movement, allowing the wispy fabric to participate in each step. Her clothing was lightly colored and matched the radiance that emanated from beneath her skin.

  “This is Illeana,” Vera said gesturing to the girl. “And this…is Tristan.” Tristan emerged from behind Illeana. Ryleigh sucked in her breath sharply.

  Vera glanced at Ryleigh seeing the recognition in her eyes. “Ah,” Vera commented. “I see that you two have met then have you?” Ryleigh nodded,” Yes, we met today and have some classes together.”

  “Well then, come greet your family properly,” Vera encouraged.

  Ryleigh greeted each family member as if it were a wedding or funeral line – trying to shake or at least grip each person’s hand in welcome. Or rather, they would grab hers and hold on for a second. By the time she got to the end of the line, she felt sapped of energy and her hand was warm and sweaty.

  When she approached Illeana, Illeana placed both hands on Ryleigh’s shoulders, “Greetings cousin, I certainly hope to get to know you much better.” Ryleigh stared into Illeana’s eyes marveling at how translucent and yet dense they seemed at the same time, entranced with their violet luminescence. Ryleigh nodded automatically and snapped back to reality when Illeana broke the physical connection.

  Tristan placed his hands on Ryleigh’s shoulders as she stood in front of him, “Greetings cousin,” he said. Ryleigh felt a little uncomfortable and embarrassed. “I am glad to meet you,” he continued.

  “Did you know who I was before?” Ryleigh asked, curious to see if she would get an honest answer. “Yes, I knew who you were. But, it was not my place to say anything at the time.”

  Vera cleared her throat. Ryleigh didn’t realize he still had his hands on her shoulders until he removed them.

  Ryleigh’s face felt flush and dizzy. Beads of perspiration broke across her forehead. “Aunt Vera,” she started. “I think I am going to go change a
nd take a shower. It’s been a long first day.”

  Vera nodded, “Come down when you are finished. Everyone is staying for dinner.” Ryleigh left the study. Half way up the stairs she heard the study door open behind her.

  “Wait,” she heard Tristan say.

  She stopped thinking that she owed Tristan an apology for earlier. “Look, I’m sorry about earlier. I’m not normally that rude but… it was the first day and…” Tristan interrupted her. “It’s fine,” he said. “However, I do need to talk to you…but not here.”

  Ryleigh cocked her head to the side wondering what this new cousin could possibly have to talk to her about. Tristan gazed back with his piercing blue eyes. Ryleigh found herself thinking about Tristan in a way that one should never think of a cousin and immediately shut those thoughts down. “Um, okay,” Ryleigh said. She was unused to all this newness. It was hard enough to adjust to this new life, but now adjusting to a new family, it was all happening too quickly.

  “Okay, when do you want to talk,” Ryleigh finally decided - curious. Tristan drew closer to Ryleigh, leaning into her, whispering in her ear with hot breath standing the hairs on her body to attention.

  “We’ll talk tomorrow at lunch,” he promised. Tristan turned abruptly and walked back to the study.

  Ryleigh shook her head gathering her senses. What was wrong with her?

  ***

  Dinner went by without a hitch. It was politeness with an edge of nervousness thrown in. Ryleigh chose not to stick around after dinner and instead retreated to her room. She jumped on the computer to see if Cy was online. He never was anymore and that hurt. It was severely disappointing. Even though she had only known him for a year, he was the only friend that she’d actually kept over the years and made an attempt to stay in touch with.

  Prior to falling asleep that evening, Ryleigh replayed the afternoon’s scene with Tristan over and over. Ryleigh wasn’t sure what he needed to tell her, but she knew it couldn’t be good.

  8

  All those dirty little secrets

  School the next day was the same as the previous, except, Ryleigh wasn’t as nervous. Tristan was in her homeroom as well as her History class. She offered him a hello from across the room. The morning passed and before Ryleigh knew it, it was lunch. She meandered through the line picking a hamburger, no bread, and a soft drink.

  Ryleigh woke up with her stomach complaining. She was ravenous. For breakfast, she downed four eggs, eight pieces of bacon, orange juice, six sausage links, and two glasses of milk. She attributed it to starting her running regimen and going to school. She decided to take it easy on lunch, although she felt she could eat an entire cow and its calves.

  She saw Tristan waving at her from across the room motioning for her to come to his table. This time she didn’t walk away.

  Walking over to the table she passed by the usual conglomeration of cliques. The gorgeous, the geeky, the inept, the socially awkward, the artistic, etc… She wouldn’t have anything to do with any club or group. Ryleigh was comfortable being herself and didn’t feel as if she needed to project any outward façade to incorporate into any group or clique within the social order of high school. Today, she wore her favorite pair of dark blue jeans; band t-shirt, and black combat boots. Regardless of where anyone thought she “belonged”, she never gave into the stereotype. She dressed and did things her way.

  “Glad you decided to sit with me today,” Tristan remarked with his winning smile.

  “Yeah well, you said you had something to tell me,” Ryleigh replied hoping this wouldn’t take too much time and she could eat and get out of there.

  “I am not going to tell you here,” Tristan motioned around the cafeteria. “Eat your lunch and then we’ll go.” Ryleigh looked at Tristan as if he were nuts.

  “What do you mean go?” Ryleigh asked.

  “Off campus.”

  “I am not skipping school,” Ryleigh replied adamantly. “I have plans to graduate early and there is no way I am jeopardizing that by cutting class.”

  Tristan leaned in across the table, “You need to know what happened to your mom and dad. You need to know who you are.” Ryleigh stilled. She was as a stone gargoyle forever guarding a chapel. Swallowing her pride and realizing the information could be more important than an early graduation date, she agreed. “Fine,” she said. “I’m done now. Let’s go.” Ryleigh grabbed her tray as she stood up and walked to dump it in the garbage. She turned expecting to see Tristan behind her, but he was still sitting at the table. “Are you coming or what?” she asked as she continued out the cafeteria. Tristan, a little surprised, followed suit.

  Ryleigh waited for him outside the cafeteria doors. “So, where are we going and how are we getting there?” Ryleigh asked impatiently.

  “We are getting away from this school and from prying ears,” Tristan said. How aggravating. Ryleigh wanted answers. Now would be her chance to finally get them.

  The pair walked off the school campus and into the surrounding neighborhood. Ryleigh followed Tristan until he stopped beside a golden toned mini cooper. He pushed the button on his key ring disabling the alarm and unlocking the doors, “Hop in.”

  Ryleigh was hesitant. She hardly knew Tristan, even if he was family, but she had an internal whisper that said he wouldn’t harm it. That it would be okay. She knew that no harm would come to her because she trusted him. She knew in her core that she would be alright. She opened the door and got in.

  *~*~*~

  Tristan jumped in and started the car. “We are going to just go for a bit of a drive. We’ll be back in time for Siegfried to take you home. He will never know you left and Aunt Vera will assume you’ve been in school this whole time.”

  “What about the automated system that says I’ve missed a class,” Ryleigh asked knowing that the school would call if she was marked absent or even tardy. Tristan turned to her and smiled, “Don’t worry about it. That system calls out randomly all the time. You could tell her it was a mistake, or, that you volunteered in another classroom and that it will be cleared up the next day. Don’t sweat it.”

  Ryleigh shrugged. She would play it off like Tristan said as a mistake. Hopefully Vera would just accept it.

  They drove for about twenty minutes into the desert. If Ryleigh wasn’t sure of her instincts she would probably be panicking. Driving into the desert with someone she hardly knew was the perfect scene for stupid-girl-gets-murdered. Tristan pulled the car over, turned the engine off, and got out of the car. Ryleigh watched him for a moment. He was so sure of himself. He had an air of confidence that surrounded him. It seeped from his pores and almost drowned her.

  This was so far out of Ryleigh’s comfort zone. She opened the door and sat in the car for a moment. Only known him two days and they were already breaking rules. She laughed silently to herself. She’d wanted adventure in her life, but not this kind of adventure.

  “Okay,” Ryleigh questioned. “What is so important that we need to drive into the middle of the desert for you to tell me?” Throwing a bit of sarcasm his way as Ryleigh approached Tristan, “You don’t have an axe behind you do you?”

  Tristan grinned and paced backward a few steps. He turned looking at her and took a deep breath. As his chest rose and filled with air, Ryleigh, for just a moment, noticed saw a glimmer. A shift. A wave that erupted from his body and looked as if it were a mirage in the desert. Ryleigh stepped back blinking away the illusion. “Don’t be afraid,” Tristan said calmly.

  “What – What the heck was that?” Ryleigh asked her heart rate continuing to increase with her nervousness.

  “Don’t freak out. But what I am going to tell you…it could be kinda scary,” Tristan said very calmly.

  Ryleigh swallowed, “What do you mean… scary?” Her voice started to quiver and her hands started to shake. She felt the pounding in her chest and knew that if she allowed panic to overtake her, she could react. Violently.

  “First of all, my parents are not my parents,�
� Tristan remarked. “They are - something else. Something dressed to look like my parents.”

  “Wait, wait, wait a minute,” Ryleigh scrunched her face in disbelief. “How are they “dressed” to look like your parents? How are they not your parents?”

  Tristan stepped closer to Ryleigh who stepped back. “I know my own parents, don’t you think?” Sarcasm slowly dripped from his voice like molasses onto pancakes.

  “I guess so,” Ryleigh agreed. “Okay, so if they aren’t your parents, then where are your parents?” Ryleigh just wasn’t sure what to make of this talk they were having. T Tristan rolled his eyes. “My parents? I don’t know. I suppose they are with your parents.”

  “Wait, you think your parents are dead?”

  “No, and your parents aren’t dead either.”

  Ryleigh suddenly felt nauseous. The words slowly rolled from her tongue, “My parents are dead. You are not funny.” Tristan stared at her. She could feel it emanating from his skin. The truth. The truth tasted bittersweet.

  “They aren’t dead Ryleigh. Things are just not as they seem.”

  Instead of contradicting him, she wanted to know the truth. She’d felt as if things were off since leaving the hospital and moving in with Vera. “Then tell me. Tell me everything.”

  Tristan nodded. “I’m really not sure where to start,” he began. He rifled his hands through his hair and closed his eyes for a moment. Taking a breath, he started, “Other than what Illeana and I have found out recently, I’ll start at the beginning.”

  9

  The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth

  “I overheard them talking,” Tristan began. His gaze seemed far and distant although he was staring directly into Ryleigh’s eyes. “My fake parents or, the FP’s as Illeana and I call them…” Ryleigh nodded and tried to not let her mind wander. It was strange. Bizarre. Something unreal and unexpected. She thought for a second that maybe, just maybe, the entire family was crazy and she would make a break for it, run away, and get out of there as soon as possible. “…they were saying something about how Tom and Adrianne were holding up nicely. They were talking to someone else on the phone, and I assumed they could have been talking about someone else, but, we figured out that it had to do with your mom and dad.”