So, let me first start off by saying thank you to all of my fans that waited patiently for this next chapter. It took longer to write because I was finishing up my externship and last minute things for graduation...and I wanted to really think about this chapter. That being said, I'd like to thank those of you that stuck with me through the first five chapters even though all of the answers weren't "right there"...it says a lot about a person when they will stick around even when they don't have every piece of the puzzle. Again, thank you <3
Happy Reading!
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Chapter Six
I ran, and ran...and ran; the vampire speed would've been exhilarating if I was in a better mood. I weaved in and out of the forestry with no set destination in mind, but I ended up somewhere familiar. My parents were owners of a cabin in Ontario before they died-it now belonged to me, and that's where I found myself.
The cabin was just as I remembered, made of dark wood that I couldn't name, surrounded by trees, and nestled along a small lake. I lifted the worn mat in front of the door and relief flooded through me as I picked up a rusty key—now I wouldn't have to break down the door or climb through a window.
The door unlocked with ease, swinging open to reveal a scene that I hadn't laid eyes on in years. The green, corduroy couch still faced a flat screen television with the quilt my mother and I made draped over the back. My fingers trailed across the fabric as I eyed the fireplace that sat proudly under the television; the wood in it was dry, but I would have to get more. Winter was going to set in soon, and I wasn't sure if my human half would appreciate going without the fire. I was sure my human half wouldn't enjoy the emptiness that found me in the kitchen, either.
If I was thinking this situation through, I would've picked a place that actually had sustenance for my stay, like a hotel or even my old apartment rather than a cabin that had been desolate for almost five years. As if on cue, my stomach did a somersault and gurgled like a geyser.
"Damn."
I went through all of the cabinets in the kitchen, my only gain being an extremely expired can of clam chowder. I stuck my tongue out in disgust, although part of me wanted to open the can just to see how nasty it would smell and look.
It was obvious I needed to go to the store, and the nearest one was about ten miles back. "Damn, again," I muttered as I made my way to the "cash stash" drawer my father invented. He was a smart man who always wanted to be prepared for the worst; too bad it didn't save him in the end. He, nor my mother, were prepared for the drunk driver that took their lives away. I found two hundred dollars and some change in the drawer and sent up a litany of thanks to whomever was listening before running to the "mom and pop" store I saw on the way to the cabin.
"Hey there! Welcome to Clark's," a bubbly, petite brunette greeted me as I walked through the door.
I muttered my thanks before taking a shopping cart. I made quick work of my trip, grabbing items that wouldn't need a freezer or refrigerator, except for eggs. I needed those to fry fish.
"Would you like help getting these to your car?" the brunette asked after she bagged my goods.
"No, thank you. I r-uh...I walked."
Her eyes grew big. "But the nearest place is at least five miles out! You're going to walk five miles, or more, carrying all that?"
"I'm a tough cookie," I faked a smile for the girl and went about my way. I could feel the girl's eyes on me as I crossed the parking lot, so I waited until I was deep into the trees and shrubbery before starting to run. Even though I was weighed down by the groceries hanging from my arms, my feet still moved with amazing speed; so much so that I made it to the front door of the cabin before I realized there were lights on inside. My nose lifted in the attempt to pick up any smell out of the ordinary. When I found nothing out of place, my spirits lowered.
I hated to admit it, but I hoped I would find Damian or Kenna sitting on the couch, waiting to drag me back to South Bend. I wanted someone to come and tell me everything that happened over the past day and a half had been one big joke; but I knew that was a vain hope. My almost death was real, the nameless prisoner was real...Damian's rough past was more than real, as was my reaction.
I tried to forget, but the image of me blue-eyed and illuminated was hard to shake—it's not every day you see yourself looking like a character straight out of a Marvel comic book. I still couldn't believe the mess I left behind; not one aspect of Damian's house was intact. Shutters hung from the house at abnormal angles, every window was shattered, even the lawn bared the signs of my tantrum with torn up shrubbery, potholes, and a dramatic fissure that curved through the front yard. I raked my hands through my hair in my attempt to push the thoughts away. I wasn't ready to think about that stuff yet, especially since I was bound to be left with more questions than answers. My feet carried me to the closet just to the left of the cabin's entrance where my parents and I kept our outdoor gear. Behind the boots, coveralls, and backpacks was my prize: the fishing poles. I picked mine out of the bunch and took to the dock with the bait I purchased at Clark's.
I had always loved to fish with my parents. They taught me the best times to catch unsuspecting fish, how to bait a hook, how to "reel them suckers in", as my father used to say. They taught me the importance of being quiet and still, so as not to scare the fish away. Now that I had come back to the cabin as a half vampire, I knew I would be more than fine in the quiet area; physically, anyway. Mentally, there was so much noise going on that I could barely focus on the task at hand.
It was outside the prime fishing time, but I had to try. Ever since my parents built the cabin, the family tradition was that the first meal of the trip was to be caught; it was a ritual that had never been broken, and I wasn't going to be the first to ruin it.
Besides, if I don't catch a fish, I can test out my vampire weapons arsenal to catch something in the woods
, I smirked and wiggled the fishing line. My time on the lake was cut short by the pulling of my catch on the other end of the line. "Tug, tug, reel," I recited the steps my father taught me to secure a catch as I stood up on the dock. The fish broke through the water and I cracked a smile. "Walleye." With my catch in hand, I ventured into the cabin and straight to the cabinet in the kitchen where my dad's special fish batter recipe was kept. I went to work, thankful for a distraction from my thoughts, and it worked for a while; until my phone started ringing again.
I continued to prepare my lunch, but when the homey sound of my catch sizzling and popping in oil was drown out by the incessant ringing, I went to switch the volume to silent mode. I said I wouldn't, but I looked at the texts and missed call log. I even had the gall to listen to the voicemails.
The frown I was sporting became more pronounced as I listened to and read the messages. It pained me to know I hurt Kenna and Damian by leaving, but it was in their best interest for me to go away. If something tipped me over the edge, I didn't want to be around and end up hurting them. Damian could probably live through most of the damage I could inflict, but Kenna was still human and I couldn't be responsible for her death if something went wrong. I probably wouldn't live through her death; I already lost my parents, I wasn't going to lose my best friend too.
My finger hovered over the "power button" when a new text came in. The name on the ID startled me.
"Carter?"
I opened the message, my curiosity awakened.
*
I know where you are ;p
*
I laughed in spite of my anxiety.
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No you don't.*
His responding text was a picture of my location on Google Earth. I almost dropped my phone into the frying pan.
*
WTF Carter???
*
*
These vamps around here have all these special gifts, but all you really need is a cell phone number and you can find virtually anyone on the planet.
*
*
So I should probably turn it off. Not that it'll do any good since Damian CAN READ YOUR MIND!!!
*
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He's not worried about my mind when he's about to lose his.
*
I had to change the subject as quick as possible before guilt had me running toward South Bend.
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Where's Kenna
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Apartment...waiting for you. She thinks you'll go there...
*
That didn't help.
He fired another text before I could begin typing a response.
