A/N: I know it's different but if I'm thinking it maybe some of you guys are thinking it too. :) In this version Holiday and Burnett are already married, but they don't have any children. Everybody remains at the same age as in the first book. I'm sorry for any spelling/grammar mistakes I make. This might be a little OOC at some points but I will try to keep it the way the characters are written in the book. Well here we go. I hope you like the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
My parents died two days ago and while I didn't like them I still can't believe they were gone. When they first died I soon understood that I would be put up for adoption and did the only thing I could think of at the time. I ran from everything and found myself standing in front of a camp called Shadow Falls. It has a weird reputation but that was what I needed, a place that nobody would think of me going to.
I was walking up to the office when I realized that almost all of the teenagers there were twitching their eyebrows at me. I did the same back, to soon find that they weren't human. This still didn't make me feel any better because other than my parents I haven't met any supernaturals. I don't necessarily think that I could be classified as a supernatural because I see ghosts but other than that I haven't discovered what I am. Knocking on the door I was greeted by a huge guy. I looked up at him only to see him staring down at me with a look on his face that sent shivers rolling down my spine. I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out, he was just too intimidating.
"Why are you here?" he questioned.
Seeing how every passer by stopped to look at what was going on I asked "Um. Can we go inside?" He opened the door to let me in and then shut it behind me. A very nice looking lady was walking up to me.
"Hi, I'm Holiday and this is my husband Burnett. What can I do for you?"
"I'm Kylie Galen and I know that I'm here late but do you have any available cabins? I have enough money with me to pay." I explained while taking out the folded envelope with most of my money.
"And how would you have that kind of money with you now?" questioned Burnett. This is where the tricky part comes. From what I can tell he is a vampire that you don't want to mess with.
"My parents gave it to me."
He tilted his head as if listening to something. "Stop lying and tell me the truth."
I had to fight back the tears that I felt prickling in my eyes. I couldn't stand how I felt so fragile all the time.
"Burnett stop it, you're scaring her." Holiday scolded him. She took my arm with the black and blue bruise I received from my dad causing me to wince noticeably. Holiday removed her arm but her eyes held a question that I knew I didn't want to have to explain the answer to.
"Are you okay honey, what's wrong?" she sounded like a perfect mother, the kind that I wish I had. I don't know what it was that made me cry but one tear leak out. I lifted my hand to wipe away the tear while looking the other way.
"I'm fine." I lied.
"No you aren't." Burnett contradicted. He grabbed the collar of my jacket and pulled down revealing the multiple bruises and scars that I had on my arm, thanks to my dad. I turned to see both Holiday and Burnett's faces that showed the same questioning looks. However Holiday was nice enough not to ask. I couldn't say the same for Burnett. "Where in the world did you get these?" he asked through gritted teeth. It's a good thing he grabbed that arm because my other one was way worse, but I wasn't about to show them that. When I didn't respond he asked me again. This only made me cry more.
Burnett's point of view
Looking at this girl's arm made me mad beyond belief. I didn't come from a perfect background, but I was never beaten like Kylie clearly was. I couldn't imagine her doing anything bad enough to receive something like this. There weren't any available cabins left but I couldn't just let her go back to her old life. I might be tough but I wasn't cruel. Holiday and I would have to talk later, but right now there were bigger matters to take care of.
Kylie's point of view
"Kylie, where did you get these?" Burnett asked again. I don't know if it was me or not but he sounded concerned more than mad. That would take some time to get used to.
"The scars are from my dad, but the bruises are from my mom." I whispered knowing that he would be able to hear. He did. The instant the words flew out of my mouth his grip tightened on my sleeve.
"Could you take off your jacket, I want to see your other arm." I didn't want him to see my other arm; it was still wrapped in a bandage, and was somewhat still bleeding.
"I… I don't want to." I replied with a pleading tone.
"I'm sorry but I need to see your other arm." I knew he wasn't doing this to make me sad so I started to shrug off my jacket, wincing when it hit cuts. I heard two sharp intakes of breathes and I looked up to see their faces. Holiday looked like she was starting to cry and Burnett's face held no emotion. He was mad but I couldn't do anything about that after all it wasn't my fault my parents were awful. Looking down I realized that I needed to re-wrap it.
"Can you point me to the bathroom?" There was no response. Eventually Burnett walked over to the first aid kit on the wall and pulled out supplies.
"This might hurt but I want to make sure that it isn't infected." I stood there while he unwound the bandage repeatedly apologizing every time I winced. Burnett growled when he saw the cut that was on my arm.
"It doesn't hurt as much as you think." I quickly explained.
"Look me in the eyes and tell me that because I don't believe it for a second." He won, I've never been a good liar and it showed. "What did he do to you? I mean how did this happen?"
"My dad was a drunk and he never wanted me to begin with. He constantly blamed me for the problems he had with my mom. I guessed he never cared what he did to me I was just his punching bag when the alcohol didn't get the job done." I answered icily.
"Was? Does that mean…"
"Yes he and my mom both died two days ago. That's why I came here. I have no place to go and I don't want to be adopted. When I left I told the government that my mom already signed me up for camp and that when I get back I could go up for adoption." By the time I finished tears were streaming down my face and I couldn't stop crying.
"I was going to talk to Holiday first but I'm not about to let you leave. There aren't any more cabins available but you can stay with us this summer."
"Thank you I really appreciate it. Do you know where Holiday is?"
"I'm right here. Sorry I left but I went to get you a change of clothes. I hope they fit." She said as she walked through the door.
"Thanks. Um where's the bathroom?"
"Oh, turn left and it's the third door on the right." I went to go change while Burnett and Holiday talked about me staying with them. I knew they weren't going to like seeing me in shorts but I didn't want to stay in my jeans. Luckily I only had bruises on my legs so they would go away eventually. Looking in the mirror I saw another problem. I wasn't given the opportunity to eat that much either and you could tell. Well here goes nothing, I told myself as I walked out to the office. They looked up when I was in the doorway but Burnett quickly looked away and Holiday had the same expression as before. Hearing a shuffling of feet I turned to the door to see that there was another camper in the room. He had dark hair and bright blue eyes. By the look his face he didn't like what he saw.
"What happened to you?" he questioned. The tone of his voice made me cry the tears that I had been holding in ever since I walked in the room.
"Lucas you can leave now." Burnett cut in.
"I wasn't doing anything. I just asked her what happened."
"Guys I'm right here you don't need to talk about me like I'm not. It's what my parents did. Oh and by the way my name is Kylie." And with that I walked back to the bathroom to change. I could already tell I wasn't going to be showing any skin before everything healed. The last thing I need is for the whole camp to be talking about me.
When I was done changing I went back to where Burnett and Holiday were talking. Holiday noticed me come in and came to give me a hug. Surprised I pulled back. "What did I do?" I asked.
"You didn't do anything. Burnett told me your story and of course you can stay with us. Besides how else are we going to have ice cream parties if you're all the way across camp?" I laughed at the end of her sentence.
"I've never had one before." Talking about food made me realize that I haven't eaten in a day and my stomach agreed with me. "Do you have any food, I'm starving."
"No kidding. I think the dining hall has some food left, I'll take you there now if you want?" Burnett answered.
"Cool, thanks." I motioned for him to lead the way, and followed him out. When he opened the doors all the eyes turned on us. There were multiple gasps that could be heard. I looked down to make sure that I had my pants on or something, check. So why was everyone staring at me. I soon realized that I don't have my jacket on and that could scare anybody away. Turning around I ran back to the office, grabbed my jacket and put it on as I walked through the dining hall doors.
"Take two." I whispered to Burnett.
"You didn't need to go and get your jacket; you must be boiling in that thing. They should get used to you being yourself." I started laughing when he said that. All I got was a questioning glance.
"Oh you were being serious when you said that."
"Of course I was Kylie. It's a serious problem."
"Can we just get some food please." I asked before he could say something that I don't want everyone else to hear. And make me start crying. Did I know that what happened to me was serious and against the law? Yes I did. But is that going to change anything? Not at all. I guess he heard how fragile I was and gave me a nod before showing me the food. I sat down with two slices of pizza and began eating. When I was done I threw away my plate and walked back to where Burnett was sitting.
"I'm going to go back to the office. Do you think we could go shopping later; I need new pants and tank tops? I understand if you don't want to go I was going to ask Holiday but I figured that I should get your permission first."
"Yes the three of us can go shopping later. I appreciate you asking for my permission first though."
"Force of habit. If I didn't I used to get… well you know. They weren't very forgiving saying the least." I didn't want to look up and see his face so I started tracing the lines of the wood on the table.
"Kylie, look at me. I would never hurt you if you didn't ask permission for something, okay? Nobody here will hurt you. You don't have to be afraid."
"Well, I guess I have to get used to that don't I? I'm going to go talk to Holiday."
Burnett's point of view
When Kylie walked out I called Della, one of the vampires at our camp, to come over.
"Um, Burnett who was that, and why won't she open up? I can't read her pattern and it bothers me."
"Her name is Kylie and I want you to show her around. She is staying with Holiday and I. As for the brain pattern I don't think she knows how to open it. From what Holiday said she can see ghosts but doesn't know what she is."
"I'm not hanging around a girl that can see ghosts, that's just creepy. I don't mind it with Holiday because I know her but I don't trust new people."
"Neither does Kylie. That's why I think you two should hang out. Try to get Miranda to go with you guys also. After all you two are roommates."
"Fine. I'm only doing this because you asked though. What's with the bruises and cuts on her arm?"
"It's a long story but she was abused by her parents. Try not to make a big deal about it. I can tell it makes her uncomfortable."
"Wow. I think you're softening." Della commented.
"It scares me."
Kylie's point of view
I was so hot walking back to the office so I took off my jacket. Nobody was around to see it so why would it matter. I finally had time to reflect on today and my mind was going everywhere. I was thrilled that Holiday and Burnett are letting me stay with them but I miss my school. My only friend there was Sara but she isn't the same anymore. Nothing in my life is going in my direction. Well maybe coming to shadow falls is, although I still don't know what I am. My parents did but they are dead now and possibly buried in the ground. I wouldn't know because I didn't stick around long enough for the wake or funeral. If they didn't care about me why should I care about them?
I was so lost in thought that I didn't noticed when I bumped into a wall of flesh.
"Oh I'm so sorry I wasn't looking where I was going." I apologized.
"It's okay calm down. My name is Derek by the way. Your new here right?" Derek asked.
"Um yeah. My name is Kylie."
"Are you okay?"
"Yes I'm fine. Why does everyone care so much? They take one look at me and shudder. I hate it."
"I meant you seemed out of it when you bumped into me, that's all."
"I'm sorry I just assumed you were talking about… well you have eyes so. I should get going, bye." I tried stepping around him but the path narrowed so much that I couldn't unless I want to step in poison ivy. I needed to get around him, I could feel the tears starting to form and it was blurring my vision. I kept my head down and tried to move around him, again, but he wasn't moving. Can he please just take a hint I thought to myself. "Can you move please? I need to go." I mumbled while looking away so he couldn't see my tears.
"What's wrong? Don't even try saying nothing is wrong because I can feel your emotions and they are all over the place."
I looked up at him and didn't even try to brush away my tears. "Fine. I'm not okay but I would really like it if you moved so I could cry in private." Thankfully he moved out of my way and I bolted to Holiday and Burnett's house, which is nicely located next to the office. Neither of them was home yet so I plopped down on the couch and let all my emotions out. I wasn't alone for long though because twenty minutes later Holiday and Burnett came inside to grab some paper work they left and saw me lying on the couch.
"Kylie are you okay?" Holiday asked as she walked over to the couch. I wiped my eyes and stood up.
"Yeah, actually I was coming to ask you if we could go shopping later when I got sidetracked." I quickly explained, hoping I could successfully change the subject. It worked on Holiday but Burnett mouthed the words we are talking about this later. Great.
"Of course we can. Besides you must be melting in those pants right now. Let me go get my purse!"
"No Holiday its fine I've got money with me."
"Kylie really it's not that big of a deal."
"I have money with me and I can't let you guys spend your hard earned money on me. I don't deserve it anyways." I whispered the last sentence hoping they wouldn't hear me. Holiday didn't but Burnett did. I really have to be careful around him. Luckily he just gave me a stern look and didn't say anything. Holiday might not have heard me but she could feel my emotions just like Derek.
"Man there really is no way getting around you two is there? Whatever you can't hear you can feel, whatever you don't feel you can tell if someone is lying and if they whisper words that aren't meant for anybody to hear." I was smiling by the end of my little rant. It was nice to know that they were made for each other. Unlike some dead people I know. I wasn't the only one smiling because thankfully they both took my exasperated tone as the joke it was intended to be.
"I am just going to bring the papers over to the office and you two can walk to the car. I'll meet you there." Holiday explained. She grabbed the folders and left Burnett and me standing there. Oh great. This is the perfect opportunity for him to chew me out. Surprisingly he just led me out and to his car. Thank you God.
An hour later we were walking through the mall looking at the manikins in the windows. So far I have 10 tops, 4 shorts, and 2 pairs of pants. Holiday and Burnett are holding hands walking behind when I stop at the musical store. A feeling of longing runs through me. I wasn't allowed to do many things that I wanted, but my parents did let me play the guitar as long as I taught myself. I was too busy worrying about where I was going to go when my parents died that I left my guitar at the house.
I was too lost in thought that I didn't remember Holiday and Burnett were standing behind me. I jumped when I felt Holiday's soothing touch on my forearm. Immediately I feel a rush of calm wash through me.
"Do you play?" asked Holiday.
"Yes, I love it. There wasn't many things that I could do while living under my parents roof but they let me play the guitar. When I left I forgot to take my guitar with me. Burnett do you think I could go back to my house and get it?"
"Of course but I don't want you to go alone."
"Thank you. When can we go?"
"Why don't we head back to the camp and drop the bags off. Holiday you should probably stay behind to watch over the camp. I left Della in charge and while I trust her I just don't want any fights to happen."
"Good idea." Holiday replied. "I can't believe you left Della in charge. I do have to say though I thought you were going to say that you left Perry in charge. That would have been a nightmare."
"I'm more nervous by the second. Let's just go." Burnett stated.
When we got back to the camp Holiday reached over, gave my hand a squeeze, and hopped out of the car. I climbed into the front seat and gave Burnett directions to get to my house. He drove around the block and parked a couple streets away. The rest would be walking. I didn't know what I was prepared to see but I did not expect a guy sitting on my front steps. He looked up as we approached and I immediately recognized him.
"What are you doing here?" I asked Trey.
"I came to see you but you weren't home so I've been waiting. Look I messed up Kylie; I shouldn't have broken up with you."
I budded in so I wouldn't have to hear the rest of his apology, which by the way was awful. "Whatever you say isn't going to change anything so you might as well just leave." I informed him.
"But Kylie."
"Nope, goodbye Trey." I do have to say it feels really good to see him upset. Normally I'm not the kind of person to think these things because of what I've been through but he deserves it. With one last sigh he got up and walked away taking one piece of me with him. After everything he's done I still did love him but I couldn't forgive him.
"Should I be worried?" questioned Burnett.
"No I think he's gone." I have been really good at hiding my emotions. My dad would always tell me that showing emotions is a sign of weakness and then any time I did you can best believe I got punished. Lately though I've been weakening and it needs to stop. "Alright I'll run in and get the case with the music sheets and then we can leave. Okay?" I didn't wait for a response before turning the knob and stepping inside. The memories were just too painful so I ran up the stairs quickly grabbing my guitar and the music on my desk. I looked around my room for the last time my eyes caught sight of two objects. One my necklace that my grandmother gave me before she passed away and a picture of Sarah and me when we were little. I grabbed them too and shoved them in my hoodie. When I went outside Burnett was waiting there for me. I took one last glance at my house and walked away.
A/N: Please review but gentle on me it's my first fanfic. I also wanted to mention that I am going on vacation for the next two weeks and I will not have any access to civilization. Nothing, not even cell service. So I can't update till I get back. Let me know if I should continue with this story. I most likely will but I still would like some feedback. Thank you for reading!