Revelations (The Revelations Series Book 1)

by Pamela Daniell

  “Hi.” Jenna wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say. Here was this woman who she knew nothing about and was supposed to trust.

  The woman walked over to Jenna and extended her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Jenna. Your mom has told me so much about you.”

  “I wish I could say the same,” Jenna replied instantly regretting the words. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.” Jenna bent her head and studied her hands. “It’s just that my mom never mentioned you, and now all of a sudden I find out she wanted me to live with you if anything ever happened to her. It’s a lot to take in.”

  Arlene lowered her hand. “I understand,” she told Jenna. “But your mom was doing what she thought was best. If she told you about me and you mentioned my name to just one person then it wouldn’t have been safe for you to come stay with me.”

  Jenna answered with a nod of her head. This wasn’t a conversation she wanted to be having now. She knew they needed to get out of town, not stay here talking about her mom.

  “Is that all you have?” Arlene asked gesturing toward Jenna’s suitcase.

  “Yes, I don’t really have a lot of stuff. I packed all the clothes I had, but it wasn’t much.”

  Alex picked up Jenna’s suitcase. “I’ll put it in the trunk with mine,” he said as he headed out the door. “Are you ready?” he asked Jenna over his shoulder.

  “I guess so,” Jenna whispered as she headed for the door. She turned as she got to the door, took one last look and then flicked the light switch plunging the room onto darkness. She followed Alex and Arlene out the door and down the steps. They stopped beside the car and Arlene popped the trunk so Alex could put the suitcases in it.

  “Do you want to sit in the front or back?” Alex asked as he closed the trunk and came around the side of the car.

  “The back,” Jenna replied. “I’m still tired so I’ll sit in the back so I can go back to sleep.”

  “Are you both sure you have everything you need?” Arlene asked as they all got in the car.

  “I do,” Alex said as he buckled his seatbelt.

  “Yes,” Jenna replied although she wasn’t happy to be leaving her mom’s stuff behind. She would have loved to take it, but knew it would be useless to her. She had the bracelet and that was all she needed.

  “Good, then let’s get going.” Arlene pulled down the road and out onto the highway.

  Jenna looked back over her shoulder at the house, then turned around in her seat and closed her eyes.

  “WE’RE here,” Arlene announced as they passed a sign that said Welcome to Chesterville and drove over an old rickety bridge. By the way it creaked and groaned Jenna was surprised it didn’t collapse under the weight of the car.

  “Don’t worry; it’s stronger than it looks,” Arlene said as they got to the other side.

  Jenna watched out the window as they drove through what she assumed was Main Street. All the shops were housed in red brick buildings except the library and town hall, which were much larger in size and constructed of stone.

  Jenna touched her mom’s bracelet. This seemed like a place she would have loved. It was a place that she could possibly call home again. She made a mental note to take a walk through town one day after she got settled. She wanted to get a better feel for the town, and not to mention familiarize herself with it. She was determined not to have to move again, even if it meant defending herself here.

  About ten miles out of town, Arlene turned down a long dirt road that was lined with apple trees. Behind them, Jenna could see nothing but mountains. It was beautiful the way the clouds hung over the tips of the mountains, almost as if they were sitting on top of the peaks.

  “It’s breathtaking, isn’t it?” Arlene asked.

  “Yes, it is. Are there any hiking trails in them?” Jenna asked. She hoped there was. She loved to take long walks to clear her head when life got hectic. And, life couldn’t get any more hectic then it was right now.

  “There are a few. One of them starts beyond the pasture behind the barn,” Arlene pointed out as she stopped the car in front of a two story Victorian house. It was snuggled into a hillside and behind it sat another small apple orchard.

  Jenna climbed out of the car and looked at the house that was to be her new home. She scanned the property, which consisted of the house and a huge barn that sat further back towards the woods.

  “Well, it’s not a Palace, but it’s home,” Arlene said as she opened the trunk of the car. “I fixed up your rooms before I came to get you. They’re at the top of the stairs to your right. You’ll be sharing a bathroom. I hope that’s okay?”

  Jenna grabbed her stuff out of the trunk and started toward the house. “That’s fine, I don’t mind sharing, and I’m sure the house and bedrooms are great.” Jenna had to admit she wasn’t thrilled to have to share a bathroom with Alex, but she was determined to make this a new beginning for her. If this was what her mom had wanted then she would try to make the best of it. But, she couldn’t help feel guilty for being here in this beautiful place without her mom.

  She waited for Arlene to unlock the front door then followed her inside along with Alex. The house was nothing less than perfect. It was decorated in neutral colors that gave it a country feeling. The furnishings were sleek and comfortable and nestled between two windows was a stone fireplace that went from floor to ceiling. The living room seemed cozy and she could already see herself reading one of her mystery novels in the armchair by the window.

  She followed Alex up the stairs to what would be their bedrooms. She smiled when she opened her door and saw that her room had a window seat. She had always wanted one in her room since she was a little girl. But, that was a dream she had given up on along with many others.

  Torn by conflicting emotions, Jenna hesitated. She was already wracked with guilt about being here without her mom, but now that she loved her new room she felt even worse.

  “I hope you like it,” Arlene said walking into the room. “If you want to move anything around it’s fine with me. I want you to feel at home here.”

  “It’s perfect just the way it is,” Jenna assured her as she sat down on the window seat. “It’s funny,” she said as she ran her hand over the blue and purple striped cushion. “I’ve always wanted a window seat in my room.”

  “I thought this room would fit you better, that’s why I chose it for you.” Arlene sat down next to Jenna. “You know, your mom and I used to be best friends all throughout high school and college,” she said as tears glistened in her eyes. “I was so sorry to hear about her death. If there is anything I can do to make this a little easier on you, I want you to let me know.”

  A faint smile found its way to Jenna’s lips. “You’ve done enough just by taking us in. I don’t know where we would have gone if it wasn’t for you.”

  Arlene’s eyes cleared as she reached over and squeezed Jenna’s hand. “You know, when your mom first contacted me years ago about taking you in if anything ever happened to her, I never once hesitated. She had done so much to keep me on the right track that I felt as though I had let her down somehow when she told me she had considered suicide. I knew it wouldn’t be easy. She told me everything about you after your father left. Unfortunately, we had to cut all contact after that to keep you safe. I knew it was for the best, but it was hard for me to lose her like that. I really hope you can come to trust me as you trusted her. I want to make sure you understand that I know everything; even that Alex isn’t your real brother. Upon her death, I was mailed a package that explained it all.

  “Feel free to look around. The only thing I ask is that you let me know where you’re going if you leave the house. It will make me feel better about becoming an instant parent to two teenagers.”

  Jenna smiled and glanced out the window at the orchard.

  “It’s pretty isn’t it?” Arlene asked nodding toward the orchard. “It was a selling point when I bought the house. It’s hard to keep up with so I had to hire
a local teenager to help me during the harvest and around the house. But, it’s worth it. What I don’t sell at the farmers market and to local apple pickers I make into jam and sell on the off season.”

  “I’ll be glad to help you any time you need it. I’d be especially good at getting the apples that are high up down for you.”

  “That’s something I may take you up on someday,” Arlene said laughing as she got up and headed for the door. “Well, I have to return some calls so I’ll leave you to unpack. Let me know if you need anything.”

  “I will; and Arlene, thanks again.”

  “No problem, sweetie.”

  Jenna stood up and shut her bedroom door. She picked up her suitcase and tossed it on the bed. She quickly put away the few clothes she had bought with her. Then set the photo of her and her mom on her nightstand. She put her father’s book on the top shelf of the closet until she could find a better place to hide it. As she got to the bottom of the suitcase she noticed the journal her mom had given her on her birthday. She was glad her mom had been able to save them from the fire. She looked at the door, raised her hand and the lock clicked into place.

  She walked over to the desk and sat down. Opening the top drawer, she found a pen and took it out. Her mother had told her to use the diary to keep things in perspective and if there was ever a time to try to work things out it was now. She opened the diary and began to write.

  Dear Mom,

  It’s been a little over a week since you were murdered, and I still can’t believe you’re gone. I look for you everywhere. Every night I pray I’ll wake up in the morning and find out it was a horrible nightmare. At least I know you’re with dad and happy. Don’t worry I’ll be okay. We’re with Arlene now and she seems great. It’s hard not having you here. I wish you could see this place. You’d love it. It’s beautiful.

  I miss you,

  Love Jenna

  Just as she was putting the journal under her mattress for safekeeping she heard someone knocking on her door. She hurried over, unlocked it and opened it to see Alex standing there.

  “So, how do you like your room?” he asked as he strolled in and sat down on the bed.

  “It’s fine. How’s yours?”

  “It’s the same as this without the window seat. So, do you think you’ll like it here?” he asked as he looked around her room.

  “Actually I do. It seems like a nice place. What about you? You were really quiet on the trip here.”

  “I’m fine, just thinking some things over. This place seems okay, we just have to remember to lay low and stick to our cover story.”

  “What is our cover story?” Jenna asked.

  “Our parents’ jobs were transferred to China and instead of dragging us there they let us stay here with our Aunt Arlene so we could graduate on time.”

  “That’s a good excuse. What’s our last name this time?”

  “Connors. We’re going to say Arlene was our father’s sister. Arlene already has all the paper work she needs to sign us up for school. I know how much you wanted to go, so we’ll try it here. But, it’s important you don’t use your abilities.”

  Jenna felt a wave of annoyance. “Why would I do a stupid thing like that?”

  “I just mean that we don’t know when something will trigger you to use them,” Alex pointed out. “Like getting angry at some stupid teenager for being mean.”

  Jenna shook her head; she couldn’t believe Alex had just suggested she couldn’t control her abilities. “Please, Alex, I can handle my emotions. But, I’ll make sure to be extra careful if that makes you happy.”

  “It does. I have to help Arlene finish the paper work later so we can start school when the summer’s over.”

  “Thanks for taking care of all of that. It’s a relief to know we can at least try and be normal teenagers again.” Jenna said.

  Alex stood up. “Arlene said I could take her car into town to look around. Do you want to come?” Alex asked as he headed toward the door.

  “No thanks,” Jenna told Alex as she sat back down on the window seat. The truth was, she didn’t want to do anything but sit here.

  “Okay, I’ll see you later.” Alex left the room closing the door and leaving her alone again.

  Finally, she was alone. She glanced at the photo on the nightstand and was suddenly overwhelmed by the past week. She covered her face with her hands and cried.

  JENNA pulled the covers over her head, closed her eyes and moaned. The memory of her mother’s body lying on the floor crept into her head. She scrunched her eyes tight trying to force the image out of her mind.

  She couldn’t believe her life had come to this. Her only reason for living this horrible complicated life was now gone; murdered by the same people who hunted her.

  Jenna threw the blankets off and reluctantly climbed out of bed. She glanced around the room and thought about getting dressed, but ultimately decided against it. She didn’t have the energy to change out of her pajamas and into regular clothes. It wasn’t as if she was going anywhere anyway.

  She made her way over to the window seat and plopped down. She wasn’t sure how long she had been sitting there staring out the window at the orchard when she heard a soft knock on her bedroom door.

  “Jenna, honey, it’s me, Arlene. Can I come in?” Arlene asked through the door.

  Jenna sighed. She really wasn’t in the mood to talk. “Come on in,” she reluctantly mumbled, her gaze never wavering from the view outside her window.

  Arlene came into the room with a cup in her hand. “I thought you might like some tea.”

  Jenna glanced at Arlene. “No thanks,” she murmured returning her gaze out the window.

  Arlene set the cup down on the dresser then sat down next to Jenna on the window seat.

  “Jenna, I’m not going to pretend I know how you feel, because I don’t. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to lose my mom when I was a teenager. Finding out about your true heritage, then losing your mom shortly after I’m sure has taken its toll on you. Arlene paused. “I’m worried about you. You’ve been here for almost two weeks and you’ve barely come out of your room. Alex is trying to give you the space you need to heal, but he’s worried too.”

  Jenna turned and looked at Arlene. “I’m sorry I’m being such a bother. I can go if you want.”

  Arlene took Jenna’s hand into hers. “No, that’s not what I want. I just wish I knew how to make things easier for you. Maybe if you get out of the house for a while? Maybe take a hike on the trails I told you about?”

  “Maybe tomorrow, I’m not feeling up to it today.”

  Arlene forced a weak smile. “Well, if you need anything feel free to ask.”

  Jenna nodded, waited until Arlene left the room then made her way back to her bed and climbed under the covers again. She knew Arlene meant well, but she just wanted to be left alone to figure things out.

  A few hours later, there was another knock on her door.

  “Jenna, I’m coming in,” Alex called from outside the door. He opened it and walked into the room.

  “Go away, Alex,” she mumbled again without bothering to uncover her head. She was in no mood to talk to anyone.

  “I’m not going away this time,” Alex responded. “It’s about time you got out of bed, went outside and got some fresh air.

  “No!” Jenna exclaimed from under her covers. “I don’t want to.”

  Alex walked over and sat on the edge of her bed. “You know, Jenna, I understand you’re still upset over your mom’s death, but it’s been over two weeks and the only time you’ve come out of this room is to eat.”

  “So,” Jenna replied.

  “It’s not healthy.” Alex pulled the covers off her head. “You need to come downstairs, hangout, watch some TV, or at least take a walk. It’s the only way you’ll start to feel better.”

  Jenna pulled the blanket back up over her head. “I’m fine. Now, please, go away.”

  Alex stood up and yanked the blan
kets off the bed. “Damn it, Jenna, don’t you see I’m worried about you,” he exclaimed. “You’ve been cooped up in this room for way too long. Now, get your butt in the shower, get dressed and come downstairs and have some lunch with Arlene and me, or I’ll throw you in the shower.” Alex stood up, glared at Jenna and waited.

  Jenna sat up in bed. “You know, Alex, sometimes you irritate me,” she said as she climbed out of bed.

  “Jenna, please just take a shower and come downstairs. Arlene is really worried.”

  Jenna folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t see what the big deal is. So what if I want to sleep all day. It’s my life, not yours.”

  “So what?” Alex asked sarcastically. “First of all,” he exclaimed. “It’s not just your life, it’s mine too. What do you think will happen if they find us again and all you’ve done is waste your time up here not practicing your abilities? We’ll be killed. That’s what. And, I didn’t sign up for that.” Alex ran his hand through is hair. “I promised your mom I would take care of you and that’s what I’m going to do. If you don’t want to start feeling better for yourself, then do it for your mom.”

  Jenna glared at Alex, “Don’t you bring her into this.”

  “Why not? This is, after all, because she died. Now, you’re going to let the people who killed her get away with it.” Alex took a deep breath, and then slowly released it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that,” he said.

  Jenna felt as if she had been slapped in the face. “Yes, you did,” she whispered as she sat on the bed. “I’m sorry. I just don’t know what’s wrong with me lately. I can’t seem to find the energy to do anything.”

  Alex sat down next to Jenna. “There’s nothing wrong with you. Your mom just died, it’s perfectly normal to feel this way. I know I did.”

  “How did you get over it?” Jenna asked.

  “I didn’t. After I escaped the Denson Institute, I did what you’re doing. Then one day I realized that she wouldn’t want me living that way. So, I got up, took a shower and tried my best to live my life. It was hard at first, but each day it got a little easier.”