St. Martyr's day part 1

This last 2 weeks I’ve been a bit anxious, not Christopher neither Leonard have been coming to school since then.  

And the weirdest thing is that people didn’t seem to worry about it. As if it was normal for two students to vanish like that…well actually it is. Here in Zoneville that happens a lot but back to my point. My point is that is weird. Leonard just came from Italy and I don’t think he would start missing school as soon as he gets to start it. And Christopher…well he’s a lost cause.

This is so annoying but what annoys me the most is that I give it more attention that I should. They don’t know me and I don’t know them so forget about it!!!

But I can’t cause that’s the thing, they don’t know me so why do they hate me, it just doesn’t make sense. Specially Leonard, when he’s seen me just once in his entire life. Aaaaah Annoying!!!

Even Mr. Kent doesn’t miss his favourite student *sigh* why should I care.

*************************************************************

Today is going to be a good day...I think. I dreamed of dad for the first time in my life and I don’t know how to interpret that.

Anyway today is the so expected St. Martyr's day and everybody seems to be excited. I really don’t understand why, if somebody is bound to die today I don’t see the joy in that. Since who knows when, people has been dying on this day, of course not just in this day but is more pronounced today anyway.

Jenny, now so confident about her powers has been throwing spells everywhere hoping that this year it will all work. Jeremy's been preparing his weapons to go hunting...idiot, seriously this people just don’t learn, why can't they just enjoy the day in a normal celebration? Why do they need to hunt? They could put traps in the border for the animals not to come near us or do something else like run from them maybe? *sigh* I don’t know how but I'm kind of predicting today's outcome, still...even like that I still thinking is going to be a good day.

Elizabeth left early in the morning, something about the council she said, I didn't pay much attention. And as for me, I'm getting ready for the festival and the rave, I won't wear any costume I don’t think I would look good in a 17 century dress -well...in my dream I don’t look that bad though is a dream, perception altered- but Jenny is wearing one, from her mum's early days on high school. Brook...I don’t know what she'll do.

We'll meet in school in a few hours; we have to help with the preparations. I finally accepted to help out and give some entertainment for the kids, I'll tell horror stories, brook will draw people and can you imagine what Jenny will do? Yes exactly read the cards. When I got downstairs I was alone already, I just worn my blue jeans and grey jumper and have a few crepes with syrup for breakfast. While in the car I was trying to think about a few horror stories to scare the kids.

I was a few miles away of the house, surrounded by trees when I saw something crossing the road in a blur, I lost control of the wheel trying to stop and I almost hit one of those weird trees. After a few minutes quiet in the car, I got out “please tell me I didn't hit it” I got out of the car looking around but I didn't see anything, no body no blood, I sighed in relieve and got back into the car as quick as I could. It was probably one of those animals they are going to hunt; I kind of fell sad for it.

Town was full of people; kids were playing outdoors, streets full of decorations and kids running from one place to another. I even saw a few adults with those red lenses, a few of them looked really sinister but I didn't pay much attention.

I drove to school without knowing that another nightmare was waiting for me.

I parked my car and saw jenny and Brook already waiting in the parking lot, Jenny was in costume already, Brook was wearing a white gown and she was carrying something on her arm, as I walked closer I saw what it really was, and I didn't want to think that it was for me.

"Is for you" Brook said giving it to me

"I'm not wearing that"

“Yes you are”

“No I'm not”

“Listen” jenny finally said interrupting us “you are a story teller, this is what story tellers used to wear so you need to wear it”

“Is a dress”

“What do you have against dresses?? You don’t need to take your clothes off just wear it on top of them…c’mon where did you leave the spirit?”

“In my closet”

After a few minutes of them chatting me into it I agreed. Everybody was wearing something so I also had to.

Ben was going to share kisses with the girls, with all of them cause they all wanted a piece of him, but I was more interested in seeing if the cousins where here.

Mr Garcia our Latin teacher took us to one of the upper level rooms where we could find a few chairs and decorations to finish up with the Gym's make up for tonight. Yes the rave will be in the gym and as Brook said we’ll have a lot of fun after we finish entertaining the little ones.

While coming and going I checked the corridors and the rooms which doors were open to see if I could find them. I really shouldn't even think about it cause it will get me into trouble but I just couldn't help it.

“Don’t look so anxious or they'll know you are looking for them” said Jenny ooops BUSTED!!

“I don’t know what are you talking about Jenny, I’m looking for no one, I’m just paying more attention you already know hoe clumsy I am sometimes”

“And it looks like sometimes you forget who you are talking to” she said with a smile “don’t worry is St. Martyr’s day and there is no way they are missing it, Leonard came specially for that so they are here”

I felt relieve, I wanted to confront them, both of them.

“Why aren't they here working like everybody else?”

“They do other things” Brook said

“What kind of things?” I continued asking

“Well their family are part of the council so they help them out” Brook said

“Help them out how?”

“Why are you so interested? Said Brook with a frown Busted again!!!

“I just want to know how important what they do is that frees them from wearing costumes and play around with kids while we are here” uuuf safe

“I see...we don’t actually know what they do, but they might as well go hunting like everybody else”

“Huh!!” My heart almost stopped beating. “How can they hunt their kids!! Do adults let them?”

“Don’t worry, they are stronger than you think” said Jenny

“What do you mean?”

“They are not actually kids and neither are you, Leonard is 19 and Christopher almost 18 so don’t worry they always go together, you should see them fighting”

“What?”

 “Not in between them of course, even though they have the little tension going on just god knows why we haven't seen them fight each other. What I meant is when they defend themselves from others is like woow!!”

“They fought on school?” I was glad to see I wasn’t the only one punching people on school

“No, Brook saw them outside town tell her Brook” Brook didn’t look like that was appealing to her, I wonder if she stills feel uneasy about them.

“I went to glitz to get ink and stuff for my drawings a few months back before Leonard left to Italy, and there were this guys playing around you see or that's what I thought they were doing when I realised that they were beating up one of the guys, they wouldn't stop and they almost get me too if not because of Christopher and Leonard. They came from nowhere and in no second everything ended, it was so fast and so quiet that you wouldn't even have know there was a fight around the corner”

“Do you still feel uneasy about them?”

 “No...I don’t even know why I told u that, I just felt like that at that moment if you know what I mean, I guess the way they looked at you disturbed me a little but I don’t have anything against them”

“We've never had” continued Jenny smiling

“You are happy today aren't you?”

“Yes I am indeed, I'm so happy to see that my spell worked”

 “You think it did? Said Brook arching a brow

“Yeah I think so...we are about to start and nothing has happened”

“You shouldn't be so calm yet they day just started” said Brook and we let the conversation trail off.

The afternoon passed quickly, members of the council including Elizabeth gave a little speech about today's meaning and celebration and then got ready to go hunting. I observed how they were getting their weapons, it made me shiver, I didn't like it at all, then I saw that the woman's of the council were getting them too, wait a minute I thought just mans went!! Without much thinking of what I was doing I walked towards Elizabeth and got the arch and arrow from her hands.

“What do you think you are doing?”

“No what are YOU doing, why are you going do you have a death wish?” She looked me into the eyes and then gave me crooked smile

“Give me the weapon Gabrielle”

“No”

“Gabrielle!” I gave it to her and she continued “this is something I have to do I've done it before I'll b fine”

“I really don’t understand you people. You say that people are dying and there you go, getting in the mouth of the wolf by your own free will, if you so much want to die give me a gun I'll shoot you myself”

“Gabrielle!  I'll b fine ok don’t worry about me”

“I'm not” I said in a rush “I'm just concerned about this stupidity that you all are committing that's all” she gave me another crooked smile and I walked away. I didn't usually care about what she did but this just wasn't right and I cannot believe Jeremy is backing her up, member of the council or not she shouldn't go...and don’t get me wrong, I'm not worried about her.

As I walked towards the exit I saw 2 beautiful women, both with long blond hair, amazing figure and her faces were a mix of perfection and fantasy but they were pale, really pale. And next to them was Christopher...I should've known better, pale woman? They must be his family. I walked towards him and he suddenly turn to face me before I could poke him, as if he knew I was there all along. He just looked me in the eye without saying anything for a while, it shocked me. We don't usually have the chance to talk because he always kind of avoids me but when we do talk I can never get my eyes off of him.

“What do you want?” He finally said with that rudeness he's known from

“I...why are u going?”

“Excuse me?”

“You guys shouldn't go...is dangerous” one of the women from across the table half turned to look at him and he nodded. Did I miss something?

“Gabrielle what we do or stop doing is not of your concern so don't butt in”

“But you are too young how can they let you go?!”

“I don’t need your permission to do what I must”

“I know...I'm just saying is dan..”

“Enough!!” He cut me off with such a powerful voice that all I could do was turn around and walk away. I don’t know why I even bother he's so impossible and so rude, at least Leonard is not like that, he just doesn't talk to me at all. Seriously what have I done to those two to be treated like this?!

In my frustration I bumped into Ben, I really felt like beating up somebody, where is Sarah when you need her?

“Are you ok?” He said so attentive as usual

“Yeah I'm great” I said not hiding my lack of enthusiasm

“Well we'll start in 5 min so you better go to your tent”

“yes sir” I said in a military way and he laughed, he really has a beautiful smile, and I started walking away when he called after me again so I turned.

“If u need to talk you know where I am” I frowned for a moment thinking about what he said an he just smiled “or you can come if you want a kiss too”

“Sure, I'll think about it” POOM!!! Somebody shot a gun and I screamed

“Hey you ok?” he asked

 “What the heck was that?”

 “Ooh right is your first time, it indicates that the hunting has officially started” my heart shrank as I saw Jeremy and Elizabeth walking pass me with weapons followed by Christopher and Family and the rest of the council and hunters. This is crazy, I walked away leaving Ben behind poor him I think he was still talking.

I found Brook and Jenny and together we went to our tents, I felt really annoyed which helped me with my stories. I talked about a lost girl in a weird town, meeting weir people and dying at the end as well as I talked about a mutant killer mum and about monsters in the woods. That will help to keep them from going near it for a while.

It wasn't really that bad telling stories, I was kind of enjoying it but even denying it I was worried. Damn I was scared myself because of this freaking situation. They are the only family I have left and they go on a hunt? Seriously if something happens to them I'm gonna kill them, even after dead I'll re kill them so they better come back. The sun was disappearing leaving space to the dark of the night and the moonlight. We were wrapped as soon as the sun started disappearing so the kids could go home safely and now was our turn to rave.

But my worry was growing bigger when I saw that a few members of the council plus a few hunters came back already but neither Elizabeth or Jeremy, Christopher or Leonard were back. What to do now? How do they expect me to enjoy the celebration like this?

“Hey Gabrielle, have you seen Ben? Mrs Laurent is looking for him” said Brook

“No, I haven’t” I said looking far into the woods

“Are you ok?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?

“Why don’t you just admit that you are worried?”

“Cause I'm not, I'm just upset ok? Is late and they are not here yet”

“Look, I’ve actually seen your mum using those things”

“She’s not my mum”

“Whatever girl, just don’t worry she’s a pro”

“Talking about me?” said a voice coming from behind me, I turned and there they were. Elizabeth and Jeremy in front of me, no scratches no blood anything.

“What took you so long” I finally said breaking the silence

“I told you not to worry”

“I told you I wasn’t”

“Good then cause I’m going back…” What is she talking about “to the office, see you later” Tsk tsk

“Jeremy take care of her” she said and left

“Did you really go on a hunt?” asked Brook “what did you actually do? How big small were the animals that I don’t see a scratch on you? Jeremy smiled his same annoying smile.

“We didn’t bump into any”

“That’s a good thing right?” I said

“Yeah it is. Actually it might be that we won’t need to do this anymore, it’s been ages since the last victim and now is…9pm and still nothing happened….shall we get in? I need a drink”

“Yes let’s get in” Brook said. This two are sharing more smiles than necessary GROSS!!

“Ok guys you go ahead” Jeremy suddenly gave me a sharp glance “relax I'm just going to the tent to get my bag, I’ll be right back in 5 min”

“You’ve got 5 min starting from now” he said very serious and I left.

As I walked to the tent I realised that nobody was outside ooh spooky.

I took my bag and got out, on my way to the gym everything was darker, but the night was amazingly beautiful.

As I got closer to the side of the gym I heard a strong noise. Kind of like to rocks smashing, like what I heard when I went after Christopher out the cafeteria.

I should’ve walked away, it could have been an animal, in fact all my senses were telling me to run away from the danger but something wanted me to see what was going on. As I turned around the corner I saw Ben on the floor, faint or dead? Oh my god I hope he’s not dead! I wanted to go towards him but something else caught my attention. Is that Christopher what is he doing? I stopped in place just looking at him; I couldn't move I was just watching. He was acting weird, what was he doing out here? His beautiful face was shining with the moonlight, his brown eyes, his lips…hold on. What’s wrong? His expression is different is not like the indifferent face that he always carries around, his lips are parted, pushed back showing…canine teeth??? The way he moves is funny…elegant, fast!! I couldn't work out what was happening and then I realised that he was being attacked…by another beautiful man, dark long hair, pale skinned like Christopher, his movements were elegant too but sharper, he looked stronger; his face had the same expression, why are they fighting?? His lips were also parted and his eyes…I gasped, RED EYES!!!

“We hunt for those with red eyes” Jeremy told me that, and I could sense that these weren’t lenses, they were real.

They both turned to look at me and for the first time I really saw what Christopher looked like. Not sure if the moonlight made an effect to it but it didn’t look human.

He wasn’t human, my heart was beating really fast, I was shaking. If I were Spiderman that alarm of danger in my brain would have started to ring. But I wasn’t scared, not of Christopher at least. I always knew something about him wasn’t normal, I knew he was different and before I could think about something else, the other beautiful man jumped over me.

I tried to cover my face but I could see him trying to thrust his teeth everywhere, I screamed and suddenly he was yanked off me. He tried to get me again but Christopher pulled him back again and again till we heard the town’s alarm.

People were coming towards us; in the distraction Christopher grabbed the man and threw him into the woods. He went after him but not before glancing at me.

I could see the frustration in his eyes…pain maybe? He had that look again, the painful one, I hate that look. And he disappeared.

I quickly went to check on Ben that was starting to wake up when Mr Garcia came and saw us.

“What happened here?” asked Mr Garcia very alarmed

“I don’t know” said Ben finally awake and very confused, people were gathering around us wondering what was going on, I even heard somebody saying that somebody else had been attacked close to the bridge. Mr Garcia asked me too and I said that I didn’t know either, and that was true…I didn’t understand what happened.

“I found him here…alone” I lied; something told me that Christopher didn’t attack him, he saved me from the other man he was protecting Ben, how could he be the one. It couldn’t, it doesn’t work like that.

“Hey here!!!” somebody yelled from the woods, my heart stop beating for a moment, oh my gosh they found Christopher, they’ve got him!! I helped Ben up and we all went together to the woods, it was safer not to leave anybody behind. We followed the man and after a few minutes walking we finally got to….I shouldn’t but I felt relieve when I saw that Christopher was nowhere to be seen instead there was a body, and strangely enough everything about it was familiar to me; from the clothes she was wearing to the position she was holding, wow!! This is weird it looks exactly the same as Brooks sketch, the one I saw inside the weird stuff file. And now that I think about it, something in that sketch called my attention last time and now I could see what it was. The two wounds on her neck…

Then my mind started working fast, red eyes, canine teeth, pale skinned, strength…I gasped.

*************************************************************

We were sent home after that. There have been three attacks and one death...too much for protection spells. 

When I got home I had my shower and went to bed, after everything I've seen tonight I couldn't eat anything instead, I switched off the lights and I stared at the darkness thinking about everything that's happened since I came to Zoneville, I found out that one of my friends is a witch that the other one draws what's going to happen cause that's what she does even though she doesn't know yet, then there's this two gorgeous weird boys that everybody seems to be scared of. He rescued me from that hole without the adequate equipment and then tonight... I know what I saw, and he looked at me with those painful eyes again, it wasn't normal.

He didn't want me to find out there's no other explanation, it has to be what I'm thinking. I was supposed to b scared from all this revelation but I wasn't. I felt really good actually, like I was about to find the answer of all my questions.

I was really intrigued by this guy, in the outside he looked like a normal 17 year old teenager but he was stronger, he was faster, he was a vampire and he was in pain.

TO BE CONTINUED…..

HE'S BACK

I felt really tired, to open my eyes was causing me trouble, and my eyelashes were sealed.

I could hear noises, didn’t know where I was but by the smell I could tell that I wasn’t going to like it when I open my eyes. My head was pounding like a drum with maracas and it hurt…a lot. I could feel somebody next to me holding my hand, it was warm and soft so I made a last attempt to open my eyes, little by little y opened them, the light was strong and when I turned to my hand’s direction I saw her, looking at me with tortured eyes, a pain and frustration that I never saw in her before, she smiled at me but I was still feeling dizzy.

“Are you ok?”

“Huh mmh…where am I?”

“We are in the hospital Gabrielle” I never heard her talking with that sweetness before, did she just say hospital?

“What am I doing here? where is Jeremy?”

“He went home to rest”

“Mmh…what happened?”

“You don’t remember?” I shook my head which didn’t help me ouch!

“Does it hurt much?” she asked me “no, it’s ok”

“You fell into a hole…but I don’t understand how you didn’t see it, well it was covered but still you could tell by the grass” I tried to think, to remember what happened…“ I saw something”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, I'm not sure I think it was an animal, I got distracted. After that I just remember waking up here, how did I get here?”

“Christopher brought you here, he found you in the woods”

“Really?”

“Yeah…you hurt your head pretty bad”

“And my leg?” I said looking at the cast

“They just put it on for precaution, is nothing serious, you also have a few broken…”

“Don’t sweat it I’ll survive. Where is Christopher, is he still here?”

“He’s waiting outside, he hasn’t left since he came with you”

“Could you please call him…I have to thank him”

“Sure” and she left. Why is he still here, is not that I don’t want him to be here, cause I do, I’m happy that he’s here but that’s not the point. I thought he didn’t like me; he did his work bringing me here but why wait if I was alright. After a few seconds she came back with him “I’ll leave you two alone I have to make a few calls” and she left again, this is so weird but I’ll take care of her later, now I have to focus on him staring at me, why is he staring?

“Hi” I tried to make space for him to seat beside me on the bed but my broken ribs sent a lash of pain which almost made me scream.

“Don’t move, I’ll stand” he said with a frown

“Don’t be so tense, why don’t you relax a bit we are alone now, don’t you get tired of being in defence mode all the time?”

“I’m fine” he snapped like always

“What were you doing in the woods?”

“What were YOU doing in the woods?! I thought I told you to think less and pay more attention”

“You could treat me with a bit more of courtesy you know, in case you haven’t notice I’m a patient”

“I’ve treated you with enough courtesy already, I waited to see if you were alright, now I see that you are so I'm leaving” not even when I'm hospitalized he’s going to change he turned and walked to the door, I didn’t want him to leave now, what to do!! So I called after him and he stopped without turning to look at me, the only thing I could say was thank you but he kept walking as if I hadn’t say anything. I really can’t figure this guy out, but I will. At least he saved me.

*********************************************************************

I've been having a few dreams since the accident but this time about the woods, me in that dark place with lot of pain and dizziness.

I saw that animal lying down again and again, its eyes were wide open and it looked in pain, something was hurting it and that something was after me, I could feel it.

I haven't gone to school since then, I don’t have a cast or anything anymore but I have to stay home till my swollen ankle and painful ribs get better.

I didn't actually want to stay home even with the pain I could have gone to school. Elizabeth’s been getting in and out my room checking on me all the time, by that now she already knows that I prefer pain than pills. I hate medicine, so she would come and check if I was in pain otherwise I wouldn't call anyone and suffer in silence. Our fights and fuses are on stand by, in the hospital her face was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. She wasn't crying or anything but her expression disturbed me…a little. I didn't like how I felt so I didn't make any more fuses but still we are awkward together.

At nights Jeremy would come with a cup of herbal tea to help me sleep. Brook and Jenny came more than enough to check on me and give me my assignments for the week, they told me that everybody was talking about the power punch that broke Sarah's nose, and for sure nobody would dare look at me in a while. As days passed I started to feel uneasy, something wasn't right and I couldn't figure out what it was, I didn’t stop having those dreams about the woods and I wanted to see where I fell in so I called the girls and when my ankle was good enough to support my weight we went into the woods. Jenny couldn't understand why I wanted so much to see where I fell in but I couldn't say anything either, not until I see the place. We walked deep into the woods, it was a scary but beautiful place, and I didn't notice it before. My eyes where filled with tears, but I could see it now. We finally got to the spot and we could see that part of the grass in one side was darker than in the other and it was a good extension of the area, I got closer to it pulling up one side of the heavy grass, it was fake and it was like a carpet. Underneath it we could see wire covering the hole, so this time you can step on it without falling in. I got my flashlight out of my backpack and looked into it, it was so deep that I couldn't see the bottom, did I fall in here? Sure? I couldn't believe it, how was possible that the only damage is a swollen ankle a few broken ribs and a bump in my head… and he got me out of here??? Impossible... “what are you waiting for you've seen the hole let's move I don’t like this place” said Jenny. She feels uneasy in the woods, I understand why...it feels a little bit overloaded…Goosebumps,

 and I kind of learned to trust in her intuition. After all she's a witch. I bet she could resolve this mystery but I couldn't tell them yet, I needed to talk to him and that's what I was going to do.  This place is just becoming weirder and weirder. When we got home I told Jeremy that the hole was huge and of course he told me off

“What were you doing again in the woods!!?” But yes he was shocked when he saw the huge hole the first day after Christopher let me in the hospital and told them where he found me. What I don’t understand is how it didn't seem to bother him or to anyone that Christopher was unharmed. Is not that I wanted him to be but c'mon...for what I’ve heard, he was just passing by. Can anybody explain me how did he manage to get me out of there if he wasn't prepared for it? He must've been with somebody else in the woods that’s for sure because I couldn't believe he jumped in and out. 

After 2 weeks at home I finally got to go on with my normal life well...normal, you know what I mean. 

A few people were still staring at me in school but the rest just forgot about me. Sarah didn't look or talk to me either. Good. I was still ignoring Christopher when I saw him in history but I couldn't contain myself anymore. So after class I walked towards his locker, I knew I could find him there, and there he was.

I walked firm and secure towards him but that was just on the surface, deep inside I knew that this would blow on my face, like everything that has to do with him.

“Can I talk to u for a minute?”

“I'm kind of in a harry right know” he said closing his locker and turning to walk away

“It will take you just a minute” he stopped and looked at me “thank you…you know I was in the woods last night” he looked at me with a frown again, why is he always frowning at me? “Don’t worry I didn't go alone”

“I wasn't”

“*sigh* of course you weren’t...I just wanted to see where I fell in. It was a huge place to fall in wasn't it?” it looked like he was thinking about something

“I don't have time for this” and he said and started walking away

“Hey!!” He stopped and turned so I walked towards him

“You are driving attention towards us” he said with a crooked smile

“I know and I hate u for that” I said but he continued walking so I grabbed him before he went away “how did you get me out of there, were you alone? It was deep and huge, how did u do it if u were alone with nothing to bring me up

“I just did and you thanked me for that can't you just move on?”

“Why should I?”

“Cause I already did” and there he runs again...he’s is hiding something but I'm going to find out what it is. You can bet your life on it, nobody bits me at being stubborn. After that I went to class, time passed really slow and when we finished we went to the cafeteria. To my surprise he was sitting a few tables behind us; I've never seen him here before... I wonder if something happened. I left my food on the table and walked towards him ignoring Brook's and Jenny's glances and sat in front of him. He looked at me with a frown

“You are starting to annoy me” he said

“You've been annoying me since the first time I saw you”

“What do yo u want?”

“The truth, do you think you can do that? Just tell me the truth”

“What are you looking for Gabrielle? ask the chief of police he'll tell you how I got you out and now if you'll excuse me I need you to free the table” our eyes stayed locked for a few seconds and then I stood up and walked away, I need you to free my table, stupid!...is he waiting for somebody? He is never here otherwise I don't get it. But is ok he can play numb with me I won't let it go so easily. I walked to the table and of course the girls were looking at me with questioning eyes but then Jenny said,

“And the bird came to the nest”

“What?”

 “He's back” she continue with a smile

“Who?”

“That guy over there” said Brook “is Leonard Trivani, the dark hairy one, the one with the tray” I turned to look at him and god he was gorgeous

“Is he new here?”

“No, but he spends just half of the school year in here and the other half in Italy”

“Is he Italian?”

“Half, his dad is. I don’t know how he has it going on but that's how he does it”

“Well with all the money they have is not actually impossible” said Jenny, with that comment she just reminded me to Zoe, and that I have to call her…

“They're cousins you know” said Brook

“Who?”

“Trivani and Martyrs they're cousins, but they have something weird going on in between them”

“How do you mean?”

“I don't know exactly how to explain it but there's kind of like tension every now and then”  I couldn't help by looking back to Christopher’s table, were now Leonard was seating too, and when I did, something strange happened.

Christopher was looking at me with a frown like always but Leonard was looking at me with shock, his eyes froze me in place for a few seconds, it was as if he was given a huge surprise, something he didn't expect and at the same time he looked like he was suffering. I remembered seeing that same look in Christopher's eyes the first time I saw him but why? Then Leonard was standing up when Christopher pulled him back down and I finally could look away, breaking that strong link that I felt inside me

“See I told you, I knew something was going to happen” Brook said

I could see from my periphery that they were arguing, I didn't look back cause I was afraid, afraid of Leonard's eyes, afraid of what could happen, I don't know why I felt like I had something to do with his behaviour which makes me believe that Christopher didn't have stomach ache the first time he saw me but something else. There's something wrong with me, there must be, they must have something against me I don’t know but this is not normal.

After a few minutes Leonard left, Christopher after him and me after Christopher.

I heard Brook's braking voice asking where I was going but I just kept walking, I didn't know what to expect, what I was gonna find out there but I kept walking. I could feel eyes on me and people talking around till I left the cafeteria.

I couldn't see them anywhere, the corridors were really long they couldn't be out yet, they weren't that fast, were they? I heard a noise like two rocks being smashed together in the far east of the corridor so I ran towards it. When I got there I found nothing and the bell to go back to class rang so I had to harry back to my side of school. While running I couldn’t stop thinking of explanations, making up reasons for their hater towards me and then I found Christopher leaving some books into his locker and getting his back pack as if nothing happened.

Everybody was getting in their classrooms but I didn't care I needed to talk to him.

“Are you leaving?” He started walking away and I followed, I’m starting to get tire of this walking after him thing.

“What did just happen in there?” He kept ignoring me “are you avoiding me again?  He turned suddenly making our faces stay a few inches away from each other

“Will you go away if I say yes?”

“No!”  he stepped back and looked passed me ”then why ask?”

 “Cause I care about you”

“I didn't give you reasons to care” I gasped, how could he say that...I couldn't believe it, he wasn’t even blinking, but for a second I could swear I saw him hesitant

“Look I don't want to hurt you and I won't let anything hurt you either but you must stay away from me”

“But why?”

 “Cause is the best thing I can do to prevent that from happening”

“Why would I get hurt?”

“Please just stay away” he started walking again and for a second I couldn’t move, I couldn’t follow, I didn’t understand, I really didn’t. Yeah is right that he’s always rude and unpleasant with me, but this? Now it was completely different. Why is he being like that so suddenly? Is it because of his cousin's arrival?

“Does that include Leonard too?” I don’t even know why I said that, his eyes widened a bit when I said his cousin’s name and then frowned, his gentle face really looked agonizing but in no second his expression changed.

“Stay away Gabrielle” he said with threatening eyes and walked away, disappearing thru the door.

Why is he being like this? Why does it hurt this much?  

“What’s wrong with you Gabrielle? We’ve been calling you all along” Jenny was angry

“Sorry girls, I just needed to talk to him”

“What happened back there?” said Brook, she looked concerned

“Yeah, what happened? Did you see Leonard eyes? It looked like he was about to explode, what was that all about?” said Jenny

“That’s what I would like to know too”

“Those two…don’t get in between them Gabrielle” said Brook very serious, this time I had to stop thinking and look at her. Her expression was disturbing

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know, is just that…I don’t know. Let’s just go to class”

While in class I really couldn’t get around it, what did I do that made him so angry?

That’s it! He doesn’t want me close to Leonard but then he doesn’t want me close himself either, well whatever I do I cant stay away, not anymore, I really need to know what’s going on and I haven’t forgot about my recue issue either. He’s hiding something and it has to do with me, I know it.

TO BE CONTINUED……

WORDS THAT HURT

I was in a huge bright living room, with huge windows and marble floor. It was filled with paintings and really expensive decoration. I was afraid to move just in case I break something. I didn't know where I was but I was calm anyway, relaxed sitting in a golden sofa. One of the maids was offering me tea, I took it just to be polite and then I saw three men getting into the room.

I personally didn't know who they were but I acted like I did. They got closer and I could make faces out of the shadows, still didn't know who they were. They looked alike, the two mans in front looked much paler and younger than the one behind, maybe the father? Then the two young mans stopped leaving the man behind go first towards me. By that time I was already on my feet. He took my hand into his and kissed it making a reverence, then he introduced me to on of the young mans.

“This is…and …” his voice sounded distorted but I smiled and made a reverence. The young man was pale, black haired and blue eyes…he kissed my hand too and I felt fire inside me, then the older man continued.

“And you already know my son” he said pointing to the other young man that after that kissed my hand too and then winked at me. At that moment I felt uneasy, my heart was about to explode, I felt butterflies in my stomach at the touch of both of them, but I surely liked the blue eyes one more than the other. The old man left us alone saying that he had some business to take care of.

The blue eyes young man sat beside me while the other one walked towards the window. I felt like going after him but the one beside me started talking to me…”so you are Gabrielle” I nodded, his voice was so sensual that it made me burn inside “I’ve heard that you were attacked a few months ago and that my cousin saved you” he continued, and yes was the only thing I could say…I actually didn’t remember anything about being attacked, I actually couldn’t remember anything before being there, it was like if somebody had erased my memory.

“Gabriella” the voice of the man beside the window sounded almost the same as the one beside me, when I looked at him he was frowning at the blue eyes man, I felt tension building up so I stood up dropping my little purse on the floor, I was about to get it but the man beside me took it before I could even bent and offered it to me, when I took it from his hands our hands touched, he had a really cool touch but I didn’t slid my hand away, instead we stood a few second looking into each other eyes….and then I woke up.

I woke up smiling, couldn’t know why, I couldn’t remember my dream but I was in a good mood. I could have slept a bit more but I just woke up and a name was ringing in my head…Gabriella, Gabriella…how strange.

I went to my window and pulled open the curtains. I opened the window so I could sniff the fresh air…it was relaxing, nice, I didn’t know why I felt so happy.

I had my shower, brushed my teeth, and then I went down stairs to have breakfast.

The house was very quiet, nobody was here or at least that’s what I thought as I walked to the kitchen I head water running, somebody was washing the dishes, I walked closer thinking it would be Jeremy but it was Elizabeth, her long black wavy hair was different though.

“Breakfast will be ready in a minute” she said and her voice sounded different too, I didn’t say anything just walked to the table and sat down but there was something weird about her. After a few minutes Jeremy came through the door which drew my attention to him.

“Hi Gabriella” here we go again “why do you keep calling me Gabriella!!” he smiled “I wasn’t talking to you, but to her” he pointed passed me and I turned…it wasn’t Elizabeth but me…she smiled at me, a disturbing smile and sat down, Jeremy did too. They started eating as if all was normal, I must be daydreaming this wasn’t possible, Jeremy told me to eat but I felt like something was stuck in my throat, I tried to swallow but still was there so I grabbed my glass of juice and drank it but it tasted horribly, it tasted like…blood, I spilled it al out. Jeremy and the other me started laughing, I couldn’t breathe, I was feeling lightheaded, I needed air I was dizzy, I couldn’t even scream and then I woke up in my bed. First thing I did was wash my mouth; I could still taste the blood even though it was a dream…I think.

Then as I walked downstairs I couldn’t stop feeling that something was wrong, the house was quiet again. I pinched my cheeks to make sure I was awake and it hurt which meant that I was awake. The water was running again in the kitchen so I walked towards it and there she was again. I started shaking this couldn’t be happening she was washing the dishes again, I shivered, I leaned to my side trying to take a look at her face…please, please let it be a dream. Then she turned looking at me with astonishment.

“Are you ok?” and I nodded partially in shock partially in relief “breakfast will be ready in a minute” she said and I walked to the table. I breathed deeply…and laughed at myself. For a moment I thought…forget it was just a nightmare. But why is she here? I asked Jeremy when he came down and he just said “is Saturday Gabrielle” right…it was Saturday which meant that I was going to be here stuck with her. For a moment I got depressed but then I remembered about a sleeping over Jenny’s tonight and I prayed for her to not forget and call to ask permission to Elizabeth, I changed my mind, I really didn’t want to spend the night here, not tonight at least so if she didn’t call I would tell her myself. I never thought about it but this house frightens me a little. And this morning I’m more sensitive than ever.

After breakfast I went upstairs and switched on the computer, I googled Zoneville. Like I said before, the location and information about this town did not appear anywhere but a weird supernatural website did. The first time a saw it I didn’t read it but I'm about to do it now. I've never had this kind of nightmares in my life and the fact that the McGraw’s was disappearing one by one was making me curious, was it possible that animals were doing this to the town? How big are they anyway? And if it were really animals this is something that would have attracted the attention of hundreds of people around the country, animals eating humans sure would be a good title for a newspaper magazine, anyway this was something to look out for.

Till that moment I never thought about me being attacked, but it could happen, or Brook or Jenny…now that thought was dancing in my mind. It's just the tree of us Jeremy said that day…who’ll be next? So I started reading and then stopped in the middle of the page. This say anything, I've been told already about this things, animal attacks and disappearances, the only thing you could find were theories but not explanations or information that might help, this was just to attract people…worthless, useless. So I closed the window and got into the chat but not Zoe neither Miranda were connected. I didn’t know what else to do, so I got my homework out. I was almost done with the assignments when Elizabeth knocked on my door and got in. She told me that Jenny called and that I could go, but if we were going out we had to make sure to be home before eleven o’clock, I would love to know about her fixation with being home before eleven, do we actually have werewolves in town and they turn after eleven??? Hahahhah anyway I packed a few stuff, took my homework and asked Jeremy to take me to Jenny’s, it was almost lunch time but I was sure Jenny wouldn’t mind having me earlier, in fact when we got there, there was already a plate for me on the table, when I asked her about it she said “I guessed you would want to get out of there as soon as you got permission” she was a perceptive girl or like she said, a witch…we had a nice time with her family and Brook came late afternoon.

We went into Jenny’s room and made our homework. I was actually waiting for her to show us what she wanted us to see, but she didn’t mention it and I didn’t want to be the first. Brook was quiet, just doing her homework.

The evening was getting darker and we could hear Jenny’s parents moving from one place to another, it looked like they were going out or something.

Linda –Jenny’s mum- came to the room to let us know that they were leaving and that she left for us food in the fridge.

When we heard the door close Brook stood up and looking at Jenny said “ok…we are alone now so start talking” oh so that’s what we were waiting for, to be left alone I don’t know why but I'm not having a good feeling about this. Jenny smiled at Brook “I see that you know me better than I thought, follow me” she said and we followed her downstairs and into the living room, she pushed the table aside and put a few cushions on the floor for us to seat on them and went to the kitchen, coming back with candles did I say before that I don’t have a good feeling about this??? She put the three candles on the floor and looked at us smiling. “What is all this about?” said Brook impatiently, I was too but I didn’t say anything I was rather waiting for her to show us…”look at the candles” said Jenny “don’t stop looking at them” and we did not stop looking at them for a while but nothing happened. I was about to look away when one of the candles lightened by itself before my eyes, then another one and then another one. “What the hell was that?” I said, I didn’t believe in magic but that for sure was something. “Me…I did that…with my mind” Brook and I looked at each other and then at Jenny. Did she just say that she did that??? And then she continued talking “I wasn’t sick ok…I was afraid. I know I've always said that I was a witch but I never started seeing or doing anything till I read your hand Gabrielle” back again with the hand reading thing “all this time enchanting or throwing spells didn’t actually work but I saw something when I read your hand and that caught me off guard. I’m letting you know this cause you are my friends and I trust you with my secret” how could she trust me that mush when we just met?? “I know what you are thinking Gabrielle and yes, I trust you, grandma said I should”

“Did you really see something?” said Brook and Jenny nodded, “like I said your present is filled with complications, your future…you might not like this but all I could see was blood, and your past…your past was what I couldn't understand” she said with frustration “what do you mean?” I said, I was curious “it was like it wasn’t yours, like it was somebody else’s I don’t know how to explain it…” “Why were you running from us? −”I wasn’t…I just needed time to think, at that moment I confirmed that I really was a witch I needed to see grandma and that’s all I had in mind. After school I went down and told her everything…it was so weird, of course she told me to embrace my inheritance and that we should stick together, the three of us” “why?” asked Brook, “cause hard times are coming” Jenny said, very serious as if saying a prophecy. I couldn't say anything for a while, I sure wanted to know more about my future, it was weird enough that last night I dreamed with blood to now find out that there’s more blood in my future. But what really intrigued me was the thing about my past, past life…somebody else’s? Brook asked Jenny to do the candle thing again, it was shocking.

Like I said, I never believed in magic but here she was, showing off her powers in front of my own eyes. There were no tricks, the lights were on we could see everything. It was amazing and scary, cause if magic and witches do really exist, what else is out there that we don’t really know about??

I wanted to know more but I couldn't bring myself to ask afraid of what I could find.

For now, I found out that one of my friends –well…best friend to be, that’s what she said- was a witch and it was cool.

My Sunday was good, I didn’t leave Jenny’s house till late evening. We had fun, and Jenny was making prank on us all the time moving stuff with her mind. We sworn not to tell anybody and even thought I was expecting a few nightmares, I woke up on Monday fresh like a normal day, if a dreamed or not I couldn't tell, but of course with all the information echoing at the back of my head.

School was ok, like I said, I wasn’t going to pay more attention than necessary to Christopher, if he wanted to be rude, I could be rude too.

Weeks passed by like that, things were kind of normal, in the house I kept ignoring Elizabeth and I spent most of the weekends in Jenny’s house. Jeremy finally sort the truck thing out, he wouldn’t need to take me to school anymore, I had my own car now, it was quite old and small…it was nice and I was happy till he told me that Elizabeth bought it. I wanted to smack the back of his head; he’s always getting me to talk to her. So as a good girl that I was I had to thank her, and Jeremy went from 50points to 0 in no second.

In school Ben became a good friend, Brook said that he liked me but I didn’t see that, I just saw him being a good friend anyway I wasn’t interested, he was a really nice guy and as we were getting closer, Sarah’s anger towards me was growing.

Christopher ignored me more than I could handle, I actually stopped talking to him cause I thought this mind reverse psychology was going to work with him, but it doesn’t and I don’t like it. It was like if he’d been born to annoy me but sometimes in class I could swear that I saw him staring at me from the corner of my eye.

The dreams and déjà vu’s stopped drastically, everything seemed normal as it should be except of course for Jenny, she was introducing us into the world of magic, she really was enjoying being a witch. But today I woke up with a bad feeling, first of all the sky was filled with clouds and the streets were full of a dense mist. Then in school Sarah was teasing me all the time, I felt like about to explode but Brook distracted me with success a few times. Then lets not forget Christopher, by that time my plan of ignoring him was already closed and buried and he still the same whenever I tried to talk to him he reminded me why I was trying to stay away from him.

In our break Sarah came towards me and at that moment I knew that nothing good was going to come out of this conversation. Of course she started talking nonsense; talking about Elizabeth and her relationship with a few more man doesn’t she have anything else to talk about?? And she started comparing me with her, saying meaning things that I let go till she mentioned my father. Oh no, that wasn’t going down like that… so I punched her and we both ended up in detention.

I don’t consider myself a trouble girl, I'm the opposite, very quiet, running from these things but she was calling for it, she was talking about my dad and that I don’t allow it.

Unfortunately my behaviour lead me to the one thing I was constantly avoiding…a little chit chat with Elizabeth.

They called her and she spoke with the principal. I knew that after class troy was about to start, and like I predicted she was waiting for me in the living room. I let her go on, talking and complaining about my behaviour…about how humiliating?? I stopped listening…but hell was about to break loose if she didn’t stop soon.

After a few minutes she started talking about us when did this conversation turn around and be centred on us??? “I thought this was about me punching Sarah”

“Do you think this is funny?”

“A little bit yeah, listen you don’t have to show concern or anything ok it doesn’t suit you” and I'm damn right, I’ve been the last 17 years without any concern from her!!!

“What did you say?”

“You heard me”

“I had enough!! Now you listen to me spoiled little brat, I’ve put on a show being indifferent trying to respect your pain, ignoring your behaviour, you lost your father and I understood that but this I won’t allow it you hear me? I opened the doors of my house for you I make sure you have an education and all that” and all that??? “But I won’t have unswerving me back and being disrespectful with me anymore, I give you everything and the only thing I ask you is to go to school and not to cause trouble!!” “If is so hard on you send me back, I didn’t ask for this!!”

“Neither did I!”  Ouch, that hurt me

“That’s not what I meant it came out wrong”

 “Save it, I don’t need any explanations” I wanted to walk away but she wouldn’t stop

“Why are you so hard on me? Normal children would be happy to find their lost mother, to be taken care by them but you…you hate me”

“And what do you expect! You weren’t lost Elizabeth, you abandoned me. You never called not even once to ask how I was, to listen to my voice even, you never worried about me and you call yourself a mother?!! Did you know that everybody looks at me weird at school? Everybody seems to know things about you that I don’t; they look down at me because of you”

“Listen to me”

“No you listen to me! Do you know what they say? That you have an affair with Sam from the grocery store and god knows with who else!”

“Is not what you think Gabrielle”

“Oh is not? I thought that was your thing that’s what you did to dad anyway, isn’t it? She crossed my face with a slap. I wanted to cry but I held it in, I wasn’t about to let her see me crying because of her, instead I ran through the back yard and into the woods. I felt the rage through my veins, my heart was beating fast, uneasy, unconsciously I walked deep into the woods and then tears started pouring, blurring my vision, it was the first time I cried since my father’s funeral so I wasn’t happy about it at all. I got deeper and deeper into the woods;

 I just wanted to go as far as possible from the house, and then I saw something moving…I could just make shadows out of it, I don’t know what it was but it gave my Goosebumps.

I got closer and I saw what I thought it was a big animal on the floor, is that…blood?!! There was a pool of blood around it and the shadow; I wanted to see what that was so I walked a bit more and then I fell.

It was really quick and I couldn't see anything, I just know that I feel deep. As I fell I hit my head, my leg bumped into something hard a rock maybe and my full body landed over my leg aaaaah!! That hurt I started feeling weak, my head was bleeding, I felt pain everywhere, I was about to pass out when I saw a shadow up where the light was still light but even like that it was still dark and blurred, I was panicked I wanted to scream and I passed out but I could hear it calling my name. Gabrielle!! Gabrielle!!

TO BE CONTINUED……

Copyright ©Nansi n

Today is the day

I hardly slept. I was rolling over and over my bed all night. My eyes are so sore; I’ve spent the night in between consciousness and unconsciousness, with my eyes closed but all my other senses working.

I could hear the wind, I could hear the trees scratching my windows and then all that information…I could hear their voices in my head all night long.

- The lines around you are too short

- But everybody else is pretty much dead, didn’t they tell you?

- Do you believe in supernatural stuff?

- Is she being bitchy with you?

- How are you so clumsy?

Aaaaah! I wanted the voices to stop and the only way was opening my eyes and getting into the world of consciousness. But I was tired; I wanted to stay under my sheets for a bit longer. But I had to open my eyes, I had to wake up.

I had my shower and came out fresh, that’s exactly what I needed. I went downstairs and of course Jeremy was waiting for me so I gave him a dark glance and sat down. We stood in silence for a while till he broke the ice:

“Why are you so moody?” he said with a smile

“Don’t make me talk” I said very serious

“I told you, you would have to talk to her one way or another”

“Thanks for that” I said very harshly

“If you act with me that way, I don’t know if I’ll back you up when she comes” so now you are threatening me…good way to go Jeremy

“You won’t let it go, will you?

“Nop!” I stopped what I was doing and look straight at him

“Why don’t you understand that I don’t want to talk to her?”

“Maybe you will. With time” I didn’t say anything just stared at him and he continued talking “she wanted to get you something you know, but she didn’t know if you would wear it”

“I wouldn’t” I said at once and he looked at me, this time frowning

“This isn’t easy for her either, you know”

“Look” I took my medallion from under my sweater and showed it to him “I’m already wearing this so don’t ask for more” he focussed on my medallion “you’re wearing it” he said in disbelieve and surprised.

“Dad begged me to so erase that smile from your face, I’m not wearing it because of her” he was now looking at an empty space, like thinking and then spoke.

“She said she lost it, ha! And she gave it to you” I looked at him in wonder, it looked like my medallion meant something to him, so I asked what it was. He said it was an old family relic that it’s been around for ages. I could actually guess that, it was a weird medallion; it was a purple mineral, inlaid in a gold rounded base with weird designs. You could tell it was old.

“It was from our ancestor our great, great, great; grand whatever cousin back in 1703. That’s when they found it”

“What do you mean when they found it?”

“It was hers but it was founded away from her body…she was killed” ooh really…and he continued “so is important for us”

“Why?” I couldn’t understand the importance of a medallion, it was nice but weird.

“It’s been around to remind our family what St. Martyr’s day is about” he said and I remembered Jenny talking about it yesterday.

“It’s in a few weeks right?” He nodded “and what is it about?” I asked

“Well is just an old story” I just waited for him to continue “ok, we are suppose to go hunting…for the darkness for those with red eyes but we hunt animals”

“Animals, is that legal?” as much as I hate them, we need to be fair with nature

“It is in here, that one day besides, we need to chase them out of the border” I wonder how my face looked like cause he suddenly said “but we don’t all go hunting, that’s just a man thing”

“A man thing?” so sexist

 “Is dangerous, like I told you…people dies”

“I see…and what does everybody else do while man hunt?

“Is a celebration isn’t it? Is not all about hunting, there’s parties and people wears costumes simulation the 18^th Century, even a few wear red lenses, you just have fun” and in the middle of our conversation Elizabeth came. I looked at him and told him to move in a low voice. He smiled and stood up, then I realised that I forgot to tell them something about tonight so I turned to look at Jeremy but I spoke loud enough for her to hear me. “I forgot to tell you that I’ll go to the Zet zone from Brook’s house so there’s no need for you to pick me from school, I’ll probably have dinner in her house and she’ll bring me home after that” claver said Jeremy under his breath so I guessed he understood what I was doing. I walked towards the door when she started talking.

“Don’t forget to be here”

“Before 11 I know” I cut her off and kept walking, she called after me so I had to stop and turn, she walked towards me and looked at the medallion…”you’re wearing it” she said and when I looked at her face I don’t know if I liked what I saw. She had a smile on her lips and her eyes were…watering? Is she going to cry?? So I took it from her hand put it back underneath my sweater and kept walking. Jeremy came after a few seconds and then drove off. While in the truck I couldn’t stop thinking about St. Martyr’s day. So they went hunting even though they knew people died…that’s just mere stupidity.

After he left me in the park lot –early by the way- I went to Jenny’s first class hoping to see her so I could talk to her. I waited even though the bell rang but she never came, so I went to my class.

I recognised Ben -the nice guy- he was in one of the front seats and he smiled at me, I smiled back. When I was walking thru the classroom I noticed a ginger haired colour girl looking at me as if I’ve done something wrong to her, I quickly looked down and sat in the first free chair I saw. For my “good” fortune, I was surrounded by the basketball team players and they were saying stupid things to me.

“Hey, new girl” said one of them “would you like me to seat next to you?”

“Hey! New girl” said another one “why don’t you give me your number?”

“Hey...” the voices trailed off when Ben caught their attention with a hiss. They all stopped in no second. So they respect him…good cause I want to pay attention!

Even though I was taking notes from the blackboard I couldn’t stop thinking about Jenny, is she ok? Maybe she’s late, there might be nothing to worry about, I thought. When the class finished Ben came to my desk and asked me if I was going to the Zet zone and I told him that I was going “good, I’ll see you there then but now you better hurry if you don’t want to be late again” he winked at me and then left and as I stood up somebody pushed me. I turned to realised it was the ginger girl, she apologised but I knew she didn’t mean it I could see it in her face but I let it go. I had better things to worry about like Jenny. Our next class was gym and we would all be there, I wonder if he would be there too, that rude guy. So I went to my locker to get my stuff. Brook was already there waiting for me. I told her about Jenny and she said that she couldn’t get hold on her mobile phone.

“So are we still going to the Zet zone?” I asked a bit dubious

“Hell yeah!!”

“Maybe we should call her at home” I said

“Let’s do that and if not we can go check on her before going”

We changed our clothes and went outside, we were playing Rugby today…I’m not really good with sports but I’m sure I can run faster than any girl here, cause I know how to run from danger and people running after me plus hard balls means danger for me and for them.

After warming our bodies up a little the coach divided us in groups so we could play, after that I could see that Jenny wasn’t here and neither was he.

In my team were Brook, the ginger girl, Ben and two other guys. Brook was glad to have Ben in our team cause at least he could play out of all of us. The other two guys looked like they were about to brake with a single touch, but then there were another teams were no one could even retain the ball which made us happy. I didn’t lie, I told them that I could run which was a good thing to play this game but I didn’t think they would take it seriously.

Ben started preparing our tactic:

“ok, Brook and Sarah –that was the ginger’s name- you will run with Gabrielle and if anybody gets close, push them out of the way, we” indicating the guys “will make sure they don’t have a chance to get close” then he looked at the guys  and corrected “well I’ll make sure of that” “Done!” said Brook. “Do you want me to use my body as a shield to protect her?!” said Sarah pointing me with her finger. “Yes, that’s exactly what I want you to do, nobody will hurt you, you are girls and I’m here they won’t dare” said Ben, “right, unless that big girl over there gets us first” said Sarah pointing to one of the girls from the opposite team, wow she was big. “Don’t worry, I’ve got your back baby” said Brook smiling at me and Ben kept explaining.

So the plan was that one of the guys would pass him the ball and then he would pass it to me without the other team noticing which meant that Brook and Sarah would have to distract them with the other 2 guys, then Ben would run away from me simulating that he still have the ball. After that Brook and Sarah would have to run with me to make sure nobody blocked me and then I would do the touch down. I should have closed my mouth.

“Are you ready?” said Ben

“I don’t think this is a good idea” I said “me neither” said Sarah

“What if I loose the ball?” I said pleading for him to give it to someone else

“You won’t” he said

“But what if...”

“You won’t, we trust you” and he walked away. Good! Now I’ll be held responsible if I loose the ball, just how I like it…more pressure?

Our team was playing next and the opposite team would have the ball in the first round, I didn’t want to play this game is dangerous. Why would they make us play this stupid, hurtful game? The whistle sounded so we had to get in position, we needed to get the ball from the other team and as I looked at them I agreed with Sarah in one thing. That big girl could smash the 3 of us with just a push from her elbow, but she wouldn’t be able to catch me. I think.

Piii the whistle sounded again, we were about to start. I was really shaking; we weren’t even wearing helmets for CRYING OUT LOUD!!! We were supposed to play soft, but that’s a girl thing, playing gently. How can man play gently when they were so competitive!!! Suddenly Hip Hip GO!! We started running trying to catch the boy with the ball. I could see Brook from my periphery, she smashed the girl on the floor before she could get the ball from the guy so I ran towards it but Ben got it before I could and he told me to run away, so I did. I ran towards the line when he threw the ball at me. I was about to get it when somebody jumped over me and smashed me on the floor, but it wasn’t just a playful smash, it hurted, it really hurted.

I stood on the floor for a few seconds and then I heard the touch down!!! We lost.

Brook helped me up and when I turned…of course Sarah was the one.

“Sorry Gaby, I didn’t see you” she said with a smile, at that moment I wanted to punch her but I just smiled back and corrected her “is Gabrielle”.

Ben came around in no second and put his hand on my back, checking for injury I guessed. After everybody made sure that I was ok, we started the second round, this time we had the ball and were going to put our tactic to the test.

“She did it on purpose” said Brooke in my ear while taking our positions, that I already knew so I smiled at Ben making sure that Sarah saw me, it was obvious that she liked him, and because he was being attentive with me, she was taking it on me. Piii, it sounded again. I was shaking, the adrenaline ran thru my veins, I wanted to win but I feared Sarah taking me down again. Then Brook winked at me I’ve got your back Hip Hip GO!! It all happened really fast, I ran away from them. I could see Ben getting close to me with the ball, he gave it to me and ran away then Brook and Sara went behind me. A few girls followed him but the big girl wasn’t fooled, she was coming to get me. “Slow down!” yelled Brook, so I did and both Brook and Sara situated in front of me, they attacked together and pushed the big girl down, WOW!! So I kept running. I could see Ben crashing people when finally TOUCH DOWN!!! I did it. Ben came running and carried me up, and then I saw Sarah on the floor and Brook leaning over her, what was going on? After a few more teams played that was it. I could finally be me again. It was the first time I played good, I usually run from those things, dangerous games; I have a healthy respect for my body so I never plaid. Back in California I used to fake an illness or dad used to call saying that I couldn’t play sports, but here who was going to do that for me. Anyway I enjoyed today. But I won’t do it again. After we washed up and changed we went to the cafeteria, I asked Brook what happened in between her and Sarah and she told me that after they took big mama down she saw Sarah’s intention in taking me down too so she crashed her, I just laughed at that, I couldn’t deny that Brook was a tough girl, when I asked her where did she learn how to crash people like that she told me that she has 4 big brothers. I understood. After that we called Jenny’s house and her mum picked up saying that Jenny’s been feeling bad but that she was with her grams. Brook knew where she lived so we were going there before the Zet zone. It was a relieve to know that she was ill, is not that I was glad that she was ill but at least I knew that something normal happened, if that makes sense.

We went to Latin class, my first Latin class since I got here, I was exited, I love languages and more ancient languages, I don’t know why so don’t ask, I just like them. It was one of the classes the tree of us shared; strangely enough we were into languages. I was chatting with Brook, she sat next to me which was cool cause I could copy everything she had from prior classes that I didn’t have. The teacher wasn’t here yet so we kept talking…when I saw him coming thru the door. You are joking!! I thought, I’ve been like crazy looking around for him and he was in my Latin class…He sat a few desks behind me but I could glance at him every now and then over my shoulder. He didn’t look at me, not even once. I didn’t know anything about him and I was curious, today was the day I would know his name, so I asked Brook.

“Who’s that guy?”

“Who?” she looked around

“The one with the brown golden hair” and I moved my head pointing to him

“Oh, THAT guy, he’s Christopher Martyr” ???????? I thought.

“As in Stephen Martyr?”

“Yeah, they are related” I just nodded and she continued talking “his ancestor founded this place, he and his family live in a huge house like a castle outside town, but don’t waist your time he’s just not into anybody from this school believe me, every girl have tried but they have come empty handed” I looked at her wondering if she had tried too, I guessed she knew what I was thinking cause she quickly said

“Is not like I’ve tried, I’m just saying that it would be a waist of time”

“Sure” I said, I never thought about trying anything anyway but there was something about him…then Brook looked at him and back at me, she gasped “don’t tell me that he’s your mystery guy? Brown hair, brown eyes and pale” I nodded and she continued “girl…don’t waist your time”. And that was the end of our conversation. Mr Garcia the teacher came in, I was paying attention but I glanced at him a few times, he never met my eyes but he looked very focused in something. The class went by quickly, I didn’t want to leave cause I didn’t know when I would see him again but Brook dragged me out and told me to wait for her in my locker after our last class, so we could go together.

After that Brook went to music and I went to History. I was a bit happy now. I won a game today and we would see Jenny afterwards. I was glad to at least have the both of them by my side considering how most of the people looked at me, it sure wasn’t like having Zoe and Miranda around but it was nice enough. And most of all, I was happy cause I saw him.

I went into class with enough time to choose my desk, after a while everybody was getting in and you wouldn’t imagine who else got in. Yes exactly, Christopher…at least now I knew his name and I wouldn’t have to call him the mystery guy or the rude guy, I wouldn’t mind keep calling him rude though, cause that’s what he was.

Once Mr Kent saw him coming thru the door his expression changed, it was like by seeing him in class he was happier.

“Well Mr Martyr, why didn’t you come yesterday?” said Mr Kent

“I was not feeling well but I’m good now, thank you” Christopher said. Listen to them talking was like watching an old movie, the way they talked to each other so politely and with words that I didn’t think people still use. So he’s the one that was missing yesterday, I wonder if him being ill was the reason why he looked at me like that, yeah that might be it, maybe he had stomach ache and was in pain…I laughed at my stupidity, thinking before that he had a problem with me. And after their little chit chat he sat down, again away from me but this time there was just one desk in between us, nobody sat there, so I could secretly look at him without another eyes on me. Ben was there too and Sarah but I didn’t care about them.

I could see from my periphery that Christopher was glancing back a few times, like if he was listening to something but the only one talking was Mr Kent and he was at the blackboard in front of us. The curiosity was killing me and I couldn’t help by looking back, the only one behind us was Ben and I had to smile at him cause he was looking at me, I then turned slowly and as I did my eyes met Christopher’s and I quickly look at the blackboard. I wanted to look at him but Ben was behind. So I just glanced from the corner of my eye. I spent the whole hour like that.

Class ended and I started putting my stuff together when Ben came to my desk and remembered me that we’d see each other in the Zet zone tonight. I don’t know why I felt a bit angry at Ben. I didn’t want him to mention that we’ll see each other in front of Christopher; I didn’t think he cared but I didn’t want him to think that there was something going on in between Ben and me. After Ben left I turned to look at Christopher I wanted to ask him if he would go too but he was gone.

I met Brook in my locker and we went to her house. It was a nice house; she lived with both her parents, lucky her. We went into her room after greeting her parents. Her room was bright and big. She told me it was one of her big brother’s room and she got it after he went to college. She had sketches all over the walls; one of her walls was a bright red colour, when I asked her about it she said that one day she just woke up wanting it red, so she got it red. Nice…She had a big guitar on one of the corners of her room, I bent down to pick it up and my medallion came out from under my sweater.

“What’s that?” Brook said grabbing my medallion

“Oh, this…is Elizabeth’s”

“Why do you keep calling her Elizabeth?”

“Mmn…cause is her name?” I knew what she meant by that but I wasn’t going to explain, not yet. I moved onto another subject, her sketches. She had beautiful stuff on her walls, from babies to sun sets, from animals to the sea. It was beautiful and I told her that. Then I saw a file on her desk, it had weird stuff printed on the front page.

“What is this?” I asked her showing her the file “it is what it says, weird stuff” she said, I asked her if I could see it and she nodded so I opened it. It really was weird, there were sketches with a lot of faces, beautiful faces but their expressions were horrifying, like if they were in shock or like if they were seeing something bad, really bad, one of the sketches had a woman running from a shadow and another one a woman faint or dead in the woods, something about that picture caught my attention, it had something familiar but I didn’t know what, anyway she took the file from me before I could think in anything else and then she led me to her closet. She was picking cloths and giving them to me, shirts, jeans, dresses? When she looked at my unhappy face she said “there’s no way you are going like that to the Zet zone” indicating what I was wearing “well there’s no way I’m wearing dresses” I said and she took them from my hand and put them back in the closet, “then wear this” she said giving me a red low cut shirt that left nothing to the imagination “mmh nop” I said, I wasn’t going to wear that, no way. So she moved from her closet and said “pick something and wear it” so I got a black long sleeve shirt that said kiss me in red blood. After a while we went down to have dinner.

It was nice to have a funny, chatty dinner. It’s been ages I haven’t had one. I used to do it with my dad; he always made me laugh with his occurrences…I kind of felt sad a little and I couldn’t help by wonder how was he doing up there, was he looking after me? I don’t even know if I believe there is something up there but I hoped he was good.

After our fantastic dinner we went to Jenny’s gram’s house but she said that Jenny wasn’t there, that she mentioned something about a pub, so we guessed she’d be in the Zet zone and we left. Her grams sure looked like her and sometimes she looked at me a bit weird…I didn’t give it much thought.

We were finally out the pub and a big sign welcomed us with a red Zet Zone printed on it crossed with a sword in the middle.

The pub was big enough, the music was nice too and it had a pool table in it. Ben was already there with the basketball team and Sara looked a bit drunk and Christopher was in one of the corners, not talking with anybody, not drinking, just standing there…but we were looking for Jenny. We couldn’t find her anywhere when she suddenly appeared behind us making us jump a little.

“Hey! Are you all right?” I said with a bit of hesitation

“I’m fine” she replied smiling at us as if nothing happened and I saw a brightness in her eyes that I never saw before…”well are you going to tell us what happened yesterday cause if you were sick you didn’t look like it and look at you now smiling like if nothing happened” Brook said breaking thru my thoughts but Jenny kept staring and smiling at us till she finally broke her silence “are you girls up for a sleep over? I have to show you something” “when tonight?” I said “no, tomorrow, I need to prepare myself and we could do our homework” Jenny said.

“Prepare for what” Brook asked her “you’ll see” Jenny said giving me a glance that disturbed me a bit and then she smiled again. “I’ll tell you tomorrow but now can anybody explain me what is Christopher doing here?” Jenny said.

“Why do you ask? I thought you said everybody comes here” I said

“Well everybody but not him” Jenny said, I was already lost in thoughts

“You can barely see him outside school” said Brook explaining it to me

“Not him not his family, they are just weird like that” said Jenny and continued “but they all come out from their hiding place in St. Martyr’s day” I just nodded, I didn’t really understand it.

“He’s been looking at you since I came” said Jenny, I felt the need to look back but she told me not to.

“Jenny…he’s her mystery guy” said Brook and Jenny looked at me surprised “he’s your mystery guy?”

“What’s wrong with that? I’m not going hyper about him so don’t worry, he’s rude and unbearable anyway” I said remembering the few times we’ve met, then I saw their questioning eyes on me “*sigh* we’ve bumped into each other a few times and that’s it…can we change subjects?” Jenny’s eye brows were getting into her normal position by then.

“Ok are you coming tomorrow then?” she asked

“Is a good idea and as much as I’d love to go I don’t think I can make it” their questioning eyes were on me again so I explained “I don’t have a good relationship with Elizabeth and to have a sleep over I would have to ask her for permission, thing that I won’t do cause I’ve talked to her to much already, that’s too much for me to handle”

“You don’t talk to your mum?” said Jenny

“She’s not my mum” I said sharply

“Of course she is…isn’t she?” said Brook hesitating

“Just because we share the same blood type it doesn’t mean she’s my mum. I don’t have a mother she’s just Elizabeth”

“How can you said that?” said Brook

“And why not? I’ve been 17 years of my life without her, knowing just her name, seeing just a picture of her when she was 17 so how do you expect me to call her mother when I don’t know what that is. I’ve never had one.”

“Sorry” said Brook with understanding

“That’s ok; just don’t repeat what I’ve said or you girls are dead”

“So what now? I really need to tell you something, well to show you something” said Jenny

“This mystery you is driving me nuts” Brook said

“Do you think if we talk to her it will be ok? Said Jenny ignoring Brook’s comment

“I’m not going to make you do that”

“It’s ok, I was going to do it anyway” said Jenny, that thing she wanted to show us must be really important then. So after a while chatting and playing on the pool table I went to the bar to get some refreshments and there he was…I was confused, for a moment I thought I saw him still standing by the wall but he was at the bar. I tried hard not to look at him. I asked for 2 sodas and while waiting I couldn’t contain myself so without looking at him –I could see him from my periphery-  I said:

“I’ve been told you never come here, what are you doing here?”

“I don’t see how that’s your business” he said with a harsh voice without looking at me either, grrr so rude like always, I wanted to smack the back of his head…

“Why were you looking at me?”

“How do you know I was, were you?”

“Don’t turn this on me I asked first” then he turned to face me and in a harsh tone he told me to go. I stared at him for a few seconds before I got my drinks, and walked away until he called after me and I stopped. When I turned I thought he would say something but he just looked from my face to my…neck? I didn’t take my eyes off him and he looked disconcerted.

“Nothing” he said so I walked away filled with frustration, why was I hoping he would say something coherent? I can’t figure this guy out.

I went to the pool table were I left the girls and where now Ben was, we talked for a while and laughed when Sarah came along…she’s so annoying.

“Look who we have in here Gabrielle Thomas or should I say McGraw?” McGraw was Elizabeth’s surname.

“Thomas is fine thank you, what do you want?” she was drunk so nothing good

“Nothing really…I just saw you talking with gorgeous Christopher, it looked like you guys had a bit of a tension there and now here you are, getting a piece of Ben too…like mother like daughter”

“Meaning?” said Brook, she was already pissed with her so just imagine, she was about to jump on her, I had to put my hand before her to limit her access to Sarah.

“Oh c’mon, everybody knows about your mum and Sam” said Sarah ignoring Brook

“They are part of the town’s council and you know that so shut up” said Ben

“Why don’t you say what you really want to say?” I asked I really wanted her to leave me alone, what have I done to her? She’s starting to piss me off.

“You are not welcome here, I don’t welcome you here”

“Like I care” did she really think I cared about what se thought or what she wanted? So she continued talking I couldn’t bear with it anymore so I stopped her “now you listen to me, if you’re pissed cause I’m getting more attention from him that you are that’s your problem not mine, is not like there’s something in between us anyway so back off” she was drunk so I didn’t want to make a fuss but I couldn’t hold it all in. Ben took her away and after that people started looking at me weird. I haven’t done anything to her so what was this all about? “Complications” said Jenny answering my question? But I wasn’t talking I was thinking, she gave me that weird glance again and then she started smiling and continued talking “she just likes Ben so that’s her problem isn’t it?” …something was wrong with Jenny, if people couldn’t notice it I could and it was weird.

After a while I asked Brook to take me home, I had to obey Elizabeth’s request to be at home before eleven, so I did.

I was actually happy to be home, I just wanted to have my shower and get into my bed. Is not like I didn’t have fun cause I did, but there were just so many weird stuff happening around me that the only place I felt save and secure was in my room, I needed to think, like I seem to do a lot lately.

When I got into my bed I couldn’t sleep for a while, I felt so much frustration from talking to Christopher…knowing his name didn’t help me cause now it was the only thing I could hear in my head. It was driving me crazy…who the hell was he to talk to me like that? What have I done to him? Why was he treating me with such anger...maybe he hates me, like the other kids he might think that my mothe…well Elizabeth was having affairs too, maybe he believed what Sarah said about me and Ben…aaaaah! I don’t know…but if that’s the case I won’t talk to him anymore, I won’t even look at him…and like that I slowly got into unconsciousness. Sweet dreams Gabrielle.

To be continued…

                                                                   Copyright© Nansi N