by C. A. Kunz
“My sister’s going to sneak us in through the back. She said this is the only time she’ll do this. She kind of owes me a favor.” Everyone stared at Matt, looking as if they knew there was more to it. “Okay, okay, I kind of blackmailed her. But we don’t need to get into that,” he said, smiling evilly.
As they traveled to the theater, Cat and her group stayed close to the shadows and vigilantly watched for any sign of trouble. After arriving at the back of the theater, Matt sent a text to his sister letting her know they were there.
A few minutes later, Sara opened the door and they scrambled in. “You guys have to hurry, there are police officers doing a scan of the theater. They mean business, so be quiet and sneak into the balcony seats. The stairway is here on your left,” she whispered hurriedly. The group made their way to their seats and slouched down as they waited for the theater to darken and the previews to start.
The signature for the Craven movies appeared on the screen, a full moon turning red and then waning to form a crescent moon like the C in his name. They sat glued to their seats for the entire movie and not one word was said.
“Boy, what a ride! I could’ve easily sat through several more hours of that,” Matt said as they made their way up the aisle.
“I’m glad the ending wasn’t too sad,” Elle commented as they reached the exit door.
“Those special effects were awesome! I mean, man! Those creatures looked freakin' real!” Matt exclaimed as he pushed the bar on the exit door. It didn’t open. “How can this door be locked? It’s an emergency exit,” he whispered, intently staring at the bar in disbelief. “I’m going to text my sister,” he said, frantically pulling out his cell phone.
“I knew this was a bad idea! We’re going to get caught! Hurry! Let’s go into that hallway over there. People are starting to come out of the theater. Someone’s going to see us,” Cat whispered nervously moving quickly into the adjacent hallway.
“She’s saying that security has locked all of the doors and they’re having everyone go through the front of the theater. She’ll be over here soon with the keys to let us out. We need to be invisible until she gets here. Yeah, like we can do that,” Matt muttered, looking around nervously.
Sara rushed around the corner making them jump. “Hurry guys! I’ve got to get these keys back to my boss before he gets suspicious. We’re even now, Matt!” Sara whispered, unlocking the door and pushing them outside. The door closed firmly behind them. After they retrieved their bikes from behind the dumpster, the group made their way down a darkened alleyway. Turning onto a well-lit street, Matt noticed a police cruiser turning the corner just ahead of them. A bright light briefly blinded them.
“You on the bikes, stop! You are in violation of curfew,” A loud voice came from the vehicle, echoing in the empty street.
“We need to split up!” Matt yelled.
Cat quickly turned down the nearest alley and exited onto a quiet street at the other end. The scenery passed by in a blur as she pedaled faster down another darkened alley. She was thankful there were no obstacles in her way. As she turned onto another street, Cat finally slowed down and looked behind her. There was no sign of the police cruiser or her friends. A flapping noise drew her attention to the papers hung on the telephone pole beside her. Dozens of pictures of the missing girls stared back.
The wind seemed to pick up speed as Cat pedaled cautiously toward her house. She heard sirens in the distance and hoped her friends were okay. The streetlights were few and far between on the back streets she was traveling on. Every shadow looked like a person watching her. She began pedaling faster. Her breathing became more labored as she climbed the steep hill that led to Nehalem Avenue. All she wanted was to get home to the safety of her warm and comfy bed.
Andrei watched Cat struggling to get up the hill, finally alighting from the bicycle and walking it. “My, my, my, it’s the little red-headed girl from the beach. Let’s try and not have a repeat performance from last time, shall we,” he joked with himself. Leaping effortlessly from tree to tree, Andrei’s jet black eyes gleamed in the darkness, anticipation building inside of him.
Cat turned around feeling that something was wrong, dread building up inside her. She quickened her steps toward the large Sitka spruce where Andrei sat, waiting to pounce. Her feeling of being watched intensified as she continued up the hill. Upon passing the large tree, she shivered as a cold chill ran down her spine. “Get a grip, Catherine Colvin! You just saw an awesome, scary, and intense movie and you’re just wigging out. Nothing is going to jump out and get you!”
Leaping from the tree above Cat, Andrei reached out to grab her. He was blown back suddenly, like as if he had been bit by a semi-truck. Andrei quickly recovered and backed away, hiding again in the shadow of the massive tree. He watched as something around Cat’s neck began to glow.
A loud meow from the tree looming above Cat’s head almost caused her to drop her bike. Looking up, she watched as Jewels gracefully jumped and landed in front of her. Cat laughed nervously. “Jewels, you scared the hell out of me! Long time no see stranger, where have you been?” Jewels purred as Cat propped her bike against her hip, leaned down to pick her up, and placed her in the bike’s front basket. “You’ve been eating well I see, you must’ve gained at least a pound or two,” she said, rubbing Jewels behind her ears. Jewels turned in the basket, staring at the large spruce. A violent hissing erupted from her, which puzzled Cat. “What’s up, sweetie? Seeing shadows like I am, huh? I saw a scary movie, what’s your excuse?” After seeing nothing, Cat continued walking the bike up to the top of the hill, noting all the while that Jewels’s attention was fixed on the large tree behind them.
Catherine Colvin…hmmm, Andrei thought to himself while watching her walk away.
As Cat pulled up to her house, Jewels jumped out of the basket, looked back at her and then ran back down the street. What’s got into her? She wondered and then focused on quietly putting her bicycle back in the shed. Carefully, she climbed up the lattice, avoiding the hole she had made earlier. After reaching the balcony, Cat opened her window and entered her darkened bedroom. The room suddenly filled with light, and to her dismay she saw her parents waiting for her. Their faces were grim. The fact her mom was biting her bottom lip and her father was removing his glasses, pretending to clean them, told her she was in big trouble. Cat’s stomach sank as her mom stood.
“Where have you been?” Rachel demanded, her voice laced with anger. Before she could explain herself, her mom held up her hand. “On second thought, your father and I have been waiting for about two hours now, but we will discuss this in the morning. We want you to think about what you’ve done tonight. And you will be lucky not to be-” looking at Sam for help.
“Grounded,” he replied.
“Yes…for the whole summer.” With that Rachel turned and stormed toward the door. Before opening it, she stormed back and took Cat in her arms. “We’ve been so worried. Don’t you ever do this again,” Rachel said sternly, her voice breaking. She avoided Cat’s eyes as she turned, and this time walked out the door. The stairs groaned as she made her way down them.
“Good night, Cat,” Sam said with a sigh while putting on his glasses.
Plopping back onto her bed, Cat let out a huge groan. Her cell phone lit up, and a small beep signaled a text had come through. After reading the message, she realized she was the only one who had been caught. Amanda’s text message read:
Did u get home ok? Is Julie with u? We lost her after u split. We didn’t get caught! The p-rents didn’t evn kno we were gone!
Cat wrote back:
Julie’s not with me! Don’t plan summer with me n mind! My p-rents were here when I got home! BUSTED!! Grounded 4 life! L
Waiting for Amanda to respond a text came through on Cat’s cell phone from Julie:
I’m fine. Hope u are 2. Cell dying! TTYL J
Across the street, Claire Winters hoped the text sounded legit and had fooled Cat. She sat down on Julie�
��s bed to read the reply from her. Relief flowed through her knowing that Cat was safe. Claire lay down on Julie’s bed, waiting for her return.
Texts flew back and forth, sympathy, anger, and shock at the news of Cat’s plight until she finally told them all she was calling it a night. She needed her strength for the trial in the morning.
Lucien sat in his chair as Ulla ushered in their guest. “Well, I see you haven’t moved very far since I visited last.” Andrei sneered at him.
“So tell me, why are we being graced with your wonderful presence again so soon?” Lucien asked sarcastically.
“Lucien, control yourself! Remember who you are addressing,” Ulla said forcefully. “Sorry Andrei, he hasn’t been feeling well as of late,” she continued, flashing a glare at Lucien.
“No need for apologies, Ulla. We are all well aware of Lucien’s sickness and his love for the bottle,” Andrei replied smugly.
“How dare you come in to my home and insult me!” Lucien said vehemently. “It is you who should apologize to us! Especially with your recent act of carelessness that has brought suspicion our way! You might as well have just put a spotlight on Astoria with your blatant actions!” he blared.
“What do you expect me to do? Feed off little animals like you do? I am sorry, but I have standards, old boy,” Andrei said arrogantly.
“No, I think it would be better for you to leave and never return!” Lucien angrily replied. Ulla gasped, looking at Andrei to see his reaction.
“And who would dare cast me out? You? You pathetic creature. You were once a nobleman, but now you associate with those hairy abominations,” Andrei growled, his fangs descending from his mouth.
“What is your business here, Andrei? I am tiring of the sound of your voice,” Lucien said, taking another swig from his bottle.
“Well, if you must know, I was instructed to give you a message,” he said, grinning evilly. “Lisbeth and the Parliament feel your seer’s power is greatly inhibited by your drinking. You must cease. If not, consequences will follow and I am sure you will find them undesirable.”
“The only thing I find undesirable is you in my house!” Lucien roared.
“This is not a warning Lucien, it is a threat! The Parliament is through giving you chances. If it wasn’t for Lisbeth, I would be here to dismantle you! But as it is, you have been given another chance to redeem yourself.”
“Is this where I’m supposed to be scared of you? Next I bet you’re going to tell me Cain is personally going to hand out these consequences. Like I give a damn.”
Andrei glared at Lucien, and then the glare turned into a smirk. “Well then, I guess I shall take my leave now. There seems to be no reasoning with you, old boy. Do not worry, dear Ulla. My report about you will be favorable. You are truly a loyal member of this coven and will be rewarded as such. Good day, Lucien,” Andrei said, leaving the room quickly before Ulla could move.
“Lucien, you idiot! What have you done?” Ulla blasted him.
“Don’t worry, my dear. You are safe, the Master’s slave said so,” Lucien drawled, taking another long drink from the amber-colored bottle.
“It’s not us that I’m worried about! It’s our children! If the Parliament ever finds out about our kids, they will burn us all. We came here for a fresh start, Lucien, a new life. And you should be thankful the Parliament allowed us to leave with no consequence!”
“Maybe not for you, Ulla. Maybe there was no consequence for you, but I had to pay the ultimate price!”
“Well, you’re not making things easier by being so disobedient to their orders! You’re going to get your whole family killed a second time,” she yelled, slamming the study door behind her. Lucien took a look at the bottle in his hand and dropped it on the floor. The alcohol slowly poured onto the carpet as he lay back on the couch. “What a mess you have created for yourself, Lucien, what a mess indeed,” he murmured.
18
Something’s Wrong
Grounded again! Cat thought while sitting on the iron bench outside her bedroom window. No cell phone to call or text her friends. No laptop to IM or Email, and a curfew set by her parents, on top of the already implemented curfew, equaled no fun for Miss Cat Colvin. She still had her study sessions with Ryan, but she wondered how her relationship would survive over the summer with her stuck in a cage. Not to mention, it would put a damper on her going to the cabin with Julie and Linda. Sighing, Cat rested her chin on the banister and looked out at the muddy sky. No moon in sight added to her dull mood. The moon was her energy producer. It made her feel alive and free.
“I’d rather it be raining,” she muttered to herself. “At least then it might wash away my boredom.” Cat wished she was getting ready to go to prom, like her brother was. Since finding the body of the first girl, parents and the authorities had been vigilant in their determination to keep Astoria safe. The prom, it was decided, would have an increase in the number of security officers present, and have every faculty member be a chaperone.
Cat pondered her night ahead. Her choices were playing a board game with her parents, watching crappy television, or burying her nose in a book. Joy oh joy, she thought. After climbing up the ladder to the roof, Cat scurried onto the widow’s walk. She had to be quiet, her mom made it quite clear that she hated her doing this. She sat down and saw a tiny golden figure dart from the tree in front of her and land on the roof. “Jewels, hey stranger. Where have you been?” she asked, rubbing behind her ears, and then smiled as Jewels purred with delight. “Did you hear through the cat grapevine that I was grounded?” A knock at her bedroom door had Cat zipping off the roof. She slid into her room, jumped onto her bed, and pretended to read. Jewels followed and jumped up beside her.
“Hey, Cat, can I come in?” Taylor’s voice was muffled through the door.
“Sure,” she responded, watching as the door opened and he entered.
“I must’ve grown a lot since I last came up here. That stairwell’s really tiny,” he said, standing beside her bed. Looking him up and down, she let out a loud wolf whistle, and to her amazement he blushed. Though he looked very sharp in his black tuxedo, she giggled to herself when she realized he was wearing chucks instead of dress shoes. “Cat, I need to be serious for a minute. What do you think of this corsage I bought for Trish? Do you think she’ll like it?” Taylor handed Cat the box. It was beautiful, a delicate orchid that she knew their mom had special ordered for him. She had never seen her brother so unsure of himself. The love bug has bitten him good, she thought. The teasing remark that sprang to her mind was forgotten.
“This is the most beautiful flower I’ve ever seen, Taylor. I know she’ll love it,” Cat replied, smiling sincerely.
“Thanks, Cat.” He took the corsage back from her outstretched hand and stared down at it.
“You better get a move on. Your Cinderella’s waiting,” she said, looking at her bedside clock. Taylor leaned down and quickly hugged her before rushing out of the room. As Cat slumped back against the pile of pillows on her bed, she let the shock of what just transpired soak in. “Can you believe it, Jewels? He asked my opinion and hugged me! What’s up with that?” She swore she saw Jewels smile at her remark as she jumped from the bed, and then out the window into the night. “She’s such a free spirit, I wish I could come and go as easily as that.”
Rachel’s heart was pounding as she ran up the attic stairs. “Cat! Cat!” she cried, as she flung open her bedroom door. “Claire’s on the phone,” she said in a breathless voice. “Julie’s in the background crying hysterically. Claire wants you to try and talk to her.” She handed Cat the phone. Cat could hear Julie sobbing in the background as Claire was telling her to calm down and take the phone. She could hear her friend mumbling over and over.
“I should’ve known! I should have known! Why wasn’t I told?” The voice became louder as she realized the phone was pressed up against Julie’s mouth.
“Julie, what’s wrong?” Cat asked, chilled by the desperation she he
ard in Julie’s voice.
“Oh Cat,” she wailed. “She’s missing!”
“Who’s missing?” she demanded, clinging to the phone.
“Linda…she’s gone…vanished!”
“Linda?” Cat repeated anxiously. “But we just saw her in Madison two days ago!” Tears welled up in Cat’s eyes.
“Her mom and dad are on TV! It’s all over the local news!” Cat grabbed the remote, turned on the TV, and watched as Jillian Brown, Astoria’s favorite news reporter, appeared on the screen. She was standing in front of a very familiar house, Linda’s. Cat and Julie had spent numerous hours studying and hanging out there. Happy times. A numbing despair came over Cat.
“Cat,” Claire said into the receiver, “put your mom on the phone again, please, sweetie.” Cat handed Rachel the phone as if in a trance.
“Cat, honey,” Rachel said in a choked voice. Cat looked up at her mom with tears streaming down her face. “Claire’s bringing Julie over. We both think you should be together tonight. I’ll be right back, I’m going to go let them in,” she said, kissing Cat’s forehead and then headed downstairs. Cat felt large warm arms embracing her. She looked up into her father’s worried eyes.
“Dad, why is this happening?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart, I just don’t know.” He felt a stab of pain as he watched his only daughter’s shoulders shake with silent sobs. The next thing Cat remembered was another’s arms embracing her, holding her so tight she could hardly breathe. Julie hung on for dear life, tears soaking Cat’s shirt. Cat raised her head and saw the three adults retreating from the room. Both mothers sobbed as Sam tried to console them. Cat made shushing noises as tears ran down her face, continuing to hold Julie tight.
A while later, Rachel tip toed into Cat’s room and found the two fast asleep. She reached down and adjusted the comforter on the bed and then retraced her steps back downstairs to the meeting being held in the study.