“You should take it back, Jenna. It’s stealing and besides, coming from that house, it’s probably bad luck or something.” Kitty glared at Colt as if begging for a little help.
He snatched it from her fingers and studied it. “Gross, it looks like bone, and… I think it’s a moth,” said Colt. The detailed lines of the moth’s wings were raised with silver and here and there were the indentations where the stones or ivory should be. The chips that were there filled in a beautiful pattern and were intricately carved to fit the design.
“Whatever, I’ll just wear it for our video, and then I’ll leave it there,” Jenna said. “You two aren’t any fun.” She grabbed the pin back and attached it to her sweater. “So what are we doing tonight?” Jenna asked.
Kitty quickly stood and grabbed her jacket. “I need to get going,” she said as she shrugged it on.
“I’m afraid I can’t do anything either. My mom wants me home for family night, but I’ll call you later.” He stood up and took the small pizza box to the trash. “Kitty, I’ll walk you out if you want?”
Kitty shrugged him off. “No thanks, I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” She turned and hurried out before Colt could follow.
Dominic took flight and grounded in a patch of trees, changing to his own form to wait on Kitty. As she got to the end of the road, he waved at her. “I thought that was you,” he said as she came to a stop. “Where’ve you been?”
“What’s up?” she asked. “I’ve just come from Jenna’s house.”
“That’s great. So the two of you have mended fences?” He was eager to see what was going on with the two girls. He knew his sister was targeting Jenna and he figured that no matter what happened Kitty would be devastated even though she despised the girl.
“We’ll always be friends I suppose. I’ve known her my whole life; Colt too, the jerk. I just never thought they’d do me that way, though. I must admit I haven’t cared so much about them since I met you.” She averted her eyes and then glanced back at him.
“Kitty, I’m glad things are working out with your friends, but I’m afraid you and I shouldn’t see each other like we have been. It’s just…I don’t see it working out for us. I’m sorry.”
Kitty opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She shook her head and turned away as her foot hit the gas pedal. Not looking back, she drove off into the night toward home.
Dominic watched her go, and as his chest tightened, a lump formed in his throat. Once she was out of sight, he walked home to Whisper House with an empty feeling in his heart.
He found Dahlia was still there, standing near the window. “It’s done,” he told her. “I’ve gotten rid of her. Jenna has your pin, but I want you to let me fetch it. Once I’ve gotten it, we’re moving on. There’s nothing for us here, sister, not this year. Let’s travel to the city, find some desperate souls, and do them a favor. This isn’t the place for us.”
Dahlia turned and let the wind blow her hair forward into her face. “There you go again, telling me what to do. Tsk, tsk.” She clicked her tongue at him. “I promised you I’d leave Kitty alone, but that thieving little bubble head is mine. I intend to have my fun and fulfill the terms of my punishment right here in Willow Haven.”
“Your fun? You’re deranged, Dahl. Just let it go. Besides, Kitty told her to return the pin, and she said she is. I watched through the window.”
“Fine, Brother, I’ll let you choose. Colt or Jenna? You can spare only one, and I’ll leave here and take a stranger.” She smiled coldly at him.
“I’m not killing one of them. I’m leaving for the city and finding some loner or felon. You’re not putting me in the position to choose. I will not hurt Kitty in any way. Why here Dahl? Why always here? Is it because of him?” Years ago, it was Dahlia who fell in love at Willow Haven. She was jilted like Kitty and never forgave the boy, perhaps not herself. She’d never been the same, and though she never would admit it, Dominic was sure it was why she liked to come back to their old summer home. Her hunger for revenge that would never be quenched was her perfect excuse to fulfill her punishment in the quiet, lakefront town. “This is about Liam.”
The sly smile turned down at the corners of her lips, leaving her scowling. “Don’t speak his name to me. He was just a boy, Brother. Just a boy.” She disappeared through the window leaving Dominic to ponder. If he was just a boy, then why was he and his new love their first sacrifices?
***
The moon was small and barely lit her path, so Kitty cut on her headlights as she traveled the darkened road with Mrs. Thompson’s latest order. She was hoping she’d not have to think about Dominic anymore, but she couldn’t seem to get him off her mind. Especially as she turned onto Colt’s road and passed the last place she’d seen him just hours before. She kept on going determined not to dwell, but she wiped tears from her eyes as she approached Colt’s door. She stared up at the moon and thought how ridiculously late it was to be knocking, but she rasped her knuckles against the wood anyway. Mrs. Thompson liked her mix for breakfast, and she was already out of her last order which should have lasted another week.
Dahlia threw the door open giggling, but quickly hushed when she saw Kitty. Colt stepped up behind her with a stupid look on his face. “Hey, Kitty, what’s up?” he asked. Kitty stood there dumbstruck. “Um, you know Dahlia. She just stopped by to say hi.”
Dahlia stepped up and put her arm around Colt. “Hello, Kitty. Good to see you again.” Kitty could see that the girl was not sincere, but she smiled anyway.
“I’ve got your mom’s goods,” she said lifting the bag. “Sorry for the late night delivery.”
Mrs. Thompson walked up behind Dahlia and passed a check through the doorway. She smiled and winked as if to say thank you, and then gestured to the phone at her ear so Kitty would understand why she wasn’t able to chat. Awkward silence was left in her wake as the three stood there, not quite sure what to say. Dahlia’s sly grin thickened the air between them.
“So, yeah, well…you two have a good night,” Kitty said. She turned to leave, but Colt followed her out to the end of the walkway.
“Hey, Kitty, it’s not what you think, okay. I mean, I do like Dahlia and all, I mean, wow— she’s gorgeous— but …well I’d appreciate it if you not mention—“
“Any of this to Jenna,” Kitty said. “Look Colt, you could have told me about you and Jenna for months, but you didn’t. That was the worst part of what you did to me. If you care about Jenna, just tell her about Dahl’s visit. I mean, if it is as innocent as you make it out to be, I’m sure she’ll understand.” Jenna would be livid either way, but at least she wouldn’t be duped. She shook her head and patted him on the shoulder. “Good luck,” she said, watching as Colt tried to find his words before turning to leave.
***
The covers tangled around Kitty as she tossed and turned that night. She hurried to bed early with mixed emotions about everything that had happened. Dominic had dumped her, and Jenna’s heart was bound to be broken soon too. She didn’t understand boys. How could they kiss you one minute and be with someone else the next? Dominic didn’t even give her reason. Was he seeing someone else, or was he just a jerk like his sister? And what was up with those two, and where did they live? More questions made her restless until she had finally had enough.
Crossing the room, she stared out her window. The moon hung lower tonight, not quite full, but enough to make the night sky bright. She looked out over her lawn and down the street as far as she could. It was barely after ten, technically her curfew was eleven, and if she hurried, she’d have just enough time to drive to Whisper House and see if she could find Dominic. He owed her more. He owed her a reason, an explanation, anything. Besides, if she found him still there at this hour, she’d know her suspicions were true. The strange siblings were likely living there instead of down Deerborne Lane like he said. As much as she was upset with them, no one should be homeless. She’d still offer to help them any way she could.
She
jumped out of bed, still wearing her flannel sleep pants and faded t-shirt. Sliding her feet into her shoes, she ran her fingers through her long hair. She was a mess, but she couldn’t care less. She only cared about making it there and back in time to avoid being grounded by her mother. Hurrying to the cart, she shuffled her feet, still trying to get her shoes on properly. When she jumped on the cart, she lost one in the drive. She scooped it up and slid it on her foot, taking time to use her finger to pull it on over her heel. She fixed the other, threw the cart into gear, and then punched the gas. Determined to find Dominic, she sped toward Whisper House. With her foot to the floor, she made it down the road in record time. Pulling up behind the azaleas, she found the large branch was back to obstruct her parking space. This time she suspected it had been Dominic that had put it there. She stopped the cart just short of being hidden and jumped off, leaving the key in the ignition.
The old steps creaked under her feet as she stomped up the front steps, threw open the door, and stood in the doorway. “Dominic,” she shouted. Desperation in her voice made it crack. “Dominic, are you here? I need to talk to you.” She ran out front to look up to the balcony. She didn’t care that she was standing in the front yard, clearly visible under the nearby streetlights. She didn’t care who told her mom where she was. She glanced around for any signs of life, but only found the bats and moths circling the streetlamps. She hurried back up to the steps and threw herself down to sit on the top one.
“What are you doing out this time of night?” asked a familiar voice.
Kitty looked up to see Dahlia looming over her. “I’m looking for your brother,” she said. “I want to talk to him.”
“And what makes you think he’d be here?” Dahlia narrowed her eyes and glanced to the house.
“Why are you here, Dahlia?” Kitty’s tone was acidic as she stared into the raven-haired girl’s cold, pale eyes. Hers were not as kind as her brother’s by far.
“I was just walking home from Colt’s house when I saw you here, acting like a crazy person and shouting out my brother’s name like some lovesick fool.” Dahlia picked at her long, red nails.
Kitty stood up and glared at Dahlia. “I’m not in love. I just want to talk to him. Do you love Colt? I mean, you know he’s with my friend, right?”
“I think he’s fun and handsome. And as for Jenna being your friend, from what I hear, she’s not a very good one. So why do you care?”
“She doesn’t deserve to be lied to. I just want Colt to tell her, I mean, if there’s anything to tell.” Kitty watched Dahl’s expression for any type of clue, but Dahlia’s poker face was unfailing. Before Kitty could speak again, something swooped in and fluttered around her face. She brushed it away, ducking from the insect as it landed on the post beside her.
“Careful, you might kill it,” Dahlia said. She clicked her tongue and took the moth from the post and held it.
Kitty had never seen anyone hold a moth that way, like it was a pet parakeet. The moth was huge, but it was just like Dahlia’s brooch. Kitty started to get nervous, knowing Jenna still had Dahlia’s pin. “You sure have a way with moths. It’s so big,” Kitty said softly, afraid that the moth might fly away. But it didn’t. It stayed lit on the girl’s finger, and now and then she’d stroke its fuzzy little body and coo at it.
“It’s a white witch moth. Moths are my favorite creatures on earth. They are the butterflies of the night, you know, beauty and darkness.” She switched the little creature to another finger and her eyes met Kitty’s directly. “Did you know that moths are thought to be an omen of death? In some cultures, if a moth flies to each corner of your house, someone in that house is going to die soon after. I love them so much that I have this beautiful moth brooch. I don’t wear it too often, but I always keep it near me. It seems I’ve misplaced it, though, and that’s really not like me.” Her predatory tone made Kitty’s skin crawl. “It would be such a shame if the moth myths were true. I mean, if someone were to have taken that pin, perhaps they themselves might die.”
Kitty’s eyes widened. Was this some death threat? Was this girl insane? “I’m sure if someone did find the pin, they weren’t trying to steal it. I’m sure it will turn up. I can see it’s very important to you.” Inside, Kitty’s nerves were on edge, but she wasn’t about to let Dahlia know it. She thinks I’ve taken it.
“Let’s hope for their sake,” Dahlia said. Then she lifted her finger and as if the moth sensed she was done adoring it, it took flight and fluttered away. “As for my brother, Kitty, I treasure him much more than I do my pin. I’d hate to lose him, too, and I’d not be so kind to those who try to take him from me. He’s all I have.”
Growing tired of the girl’s threats, Kitty quietly walked around her and headed to the bushes where the cart was parked haphazardly. She couldn’t believe the nerve of Dahlia and decided she’d wait and talk to Dominic when she wasn’t around. She glanced back to the porch to see that Dahlia wasn’t there, and sped off into the shadows toward home.
***
Dominic perched in his nighthawk form in the willow tree of Whisper House and listened as his sister toyed with the girl. He took flight once he saw that his sister had gone inside the house, so he had a good head start on Kitty as she left towards her own. He perched by her window and waited for her to go to her room. He hopped to the other dormers and found her mother was already asleep in her bed, so he flew to the ground and morphed back to his own form and grabbed a few acorns from the lawn. Tossing them up at her window, he knew he’d regret what he was doing. As Kitty peeked out the window, he waved her down.
Minutes later, she appeared from the shadows and met him out on the lawn. His inner struggle had stolen his smile as she approached, her arms waving as she tried not to yell. “What the heck are you doing out here? Throwing pebbled at my window? Really? Could you be more original?” She crossed her arms and waited for his excuse.
Releasing a long breath he studied her. She was angry, and even in her nightclothes with her hair a mess, she was beautiful. Her face was flushed, and her cheeks were growing pink. He watched her beautiful, Cupid’s bow lips until they stopped moving. “It was acorns, if it helps.” When she didn’t react right away, he was worried. Had he completely ruined his chance with her or had Dahlia scared her away? What am I thinking? There’s no chance. Ever.
“Stop trying to be charming and clever. I went to see you earlier, and Dahlia all but threatened me to stay away from you. So you win, okay. I didn’t plan on coming around again. I only did to give you a piece of my mind.” She set her jaw and stared away into the distance.
“Kitty, I—“
“I get it. You’re not into me, and that’s cool. I’m not so sure I want to date someone who lives in that creepy house anyway.” She glanced at him sideways, watching his brow furrow. “I’m not wrong am I? You and Dahlia have been living in that house.”
“How’d you—“
“Figure it out? It wasn’t that hard with your sister leaving her things around. And if her pin wasn’t lost then she left it there, and if it was so important to her that she has to threaten me and Jenna, then she wouldn’t leave it just anywhere. It’s obvious you’re very familiar with the place. I was going to offer to help you both with a better place to stay until she freaked out on me.”
Her words struck him right in the heart. She was not only the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen, but the most generous and kind—caring about people who’d betrayed her and charitable to strangers. “It’s not what you think. We’re not staying here forever, and we have a home. We’re here for—. Look, I can’t explain things to you, it’s not safe.” Dominic hated keeping secrets from her and even more so when he saw the look she gave him in reaction. Her eyes were the palest gold green, and they sparkled with tears of anger which she wouldn’t let fall.
Kitty stepped closer, gesturing in frustration. “What can you tell me? How about why you even kissed me in the first place? You knew you weren’t staying around. Did
you think I’d sleep with you or something? Is this what you and her do—come around to break hearts? You’re horrible, horrible people!”
“You’re right, Kitty. We’re horrible. I’m sorry I’ve dragged you into all of this, but you’ve got to stay away. Dahlia won’t stop until she gets that pin back, and maybe not after that. I’m going to try and make her leave with me so you’ll be safe.”
Kitty laughed. “I’m not scared of your sister, Dominic. What’s she going to do, hit me?” The lack of laughter from Dominic made her pause. “Dominic, why should I be afraid? There’s something you’re not telling me. Does it have to do with the disappearances? Did you know those girls?” Kitty grabbed his arms and held them, staring into his pale blues. “Why should I be afraid?”
Suddenly his eyes lit up with anger and he pushed her away. He’d told her more than he should, and it was because her beauty made him weak, just like Dahlia had warned. “I shouldn’t have come here. We’re done, Kitty. Please, please just stay away from me and Whisper House. Do your report on something else. It’s not safe there.” With that he turned and ran toward the street. Once he was safely down the road he shifted into the nighthawk and headed home.
He flew inside the broken window and shifted back into form. Dahlia was not there and that was fine with him. His temper was flaring so badly he thought he might just strangle her. He was tired of the curse and the punishment. He wondered what it would be like to grow old someday, like normal people. He had centuries ahead before he had to worry about such things because witches aged differently. As a human, he could grow old with someone like Kitty and have a normal life. He wouldn’t have to kill anymore or worry about his sister’s issues. The only reason she wanted that pin back was because she needed it to resurrect her precious vampire.
Darkness Echoes: A Spooky YA Short Story Collection Page 12