Luminous Night

By: Patrice Robinson

Preface:

Have you ever felt like you were being pulled towards one person every time you saw them? And the person you were being pulled to you couldn't be away from long? What if you sensed something was strange about the guy… and his 'friends'? Would you continue to like him or just ignore him and move on? What if you had no choice and you two just have to be together, because it felt right.

I stared into his eyes and knew that this was going to be where my life truly started to begin. He held out his hand and led me into our unknown future. I knew that someone was going to die, but I prayed it was going to be him. He told me I would be safe and that everything was going to be fine. Before I knew it he was gone and I was alone. Then, there were eyes; blood thirsty, crimson eyes. They took me in and I was trapped. I only hoped that this was the end, and the pain… the pain would end.

1. Landing

I made my way through the planes aisle. Could these people move any slower? I had my duffle bag slung over my right shoulder, while I finally made my way out of the planes door into the tunnel. I looked out the window hoping my ride was already here so I wouldn't have to wait around in this Seattle, Washington terminal full of strangers. I didn't see anyone I recognized out the window so I kept walking. I slumped down into a chair in the waiting area, next to the entrance. Since there's nobody here for me yet I decide to look around. My mood was already cloudy; once we landed it started raining. But the best part actually was that I was going to Forks. And it rained more on that insignificant town than all of the United States. Great, I thought. I painted a fake smile on my face and when I looked up a middle aged woman was staring at me. Her eyes said it all.

That girl is strange. Hmm I wonder who she is….

The curiosity in her eyes over powered her perception of me, but who cares what she thinks. She doesn't know me. Maybe I am crazy. This made me laugh. Then from the corner of my eye I saw the woman get up and leave. She sat down in a seat with her back to me which made me laugh even harder. I felt a strong hand on my shoulder and lifted my head to see who it was. It was my dad; Sheriff James Cane. He worked all day at the station, but promised he would pick me up from the air port. I got up and he took my bay and set it down. I was confused by this action and then out of nowhere he pulled me into a fatherly hug. I could totally feel the shocked expression wash over my face. Um, okay, I thought. Actually it felt kind of nice that he was trying. At least he acted like he was glad I was here….

I was at home and my mom and Dad were having one there nightly fights…about me. They were deciding, better yet trying to figure out who I would live with and who I would visit. Of course mom was playing the 'I'm her mother, of course she should live with me, James,' my mom said in a stern voice. My Dad and I knew the truth though. 'Your always at work Kathy, she's basically going to be on her own,' he had said so sure, that that's when it hit me. I was going to be lonely, and really it was my decision on whoIwanted to live with. My mom wasn't the type to leave her work to spend time with her bored daughter, but maybe my dad was. We never talked and every time we were in a room alone she would be so anxious and have nothing to say she would just leave. No connection with me what's so ever, but it wasn't like I didn't love her. It was like she didn't love me, well at least not enough to try to know me.

Suddenly I got tired of them talking about me instead of talking with me, so I made the decision for them. I ran down the steps and stomped into the room. They stopped arguing for once since the divorce and looked at me surprised. I took advantage of the attention and looked them right in the eye. 'This is my life, how come you never ask me what I want?' They didn't answer; they just stood there quiet, I think a little guilty too. But I continued; starting to feel anger and irritation now, so I let go and turned to face my mother. 'I agree with Dad your never there. What am I supposed to do all day, stare at the wall? And it's not like your gonna put done your work for me. Are you?' I asked curiously, but at the same time afraid of what she might say. She looked up at me then and said the stupidest thing any mother could have said in that moment. 'Kelline, you know how important-' But I cut her off. 'Great, so I know my answer, and it's not you.' I took a deep breath and thought for moment. I looked my Dad right in the face, and said, 'It's Dad.' He looked at me and smiled. I smiled too, the gesture easier to give than I thought. My mom however started crying, but I didn't look at her because I was sure, that I was more hurt by her than she was by me. She latter left the room and me and my Dad talked about the arrangements. The next day my dad left; and the week after that, here we were.

He let go of me, but thankfully not before I was able to remove the shock from my face and replace it with a smile. He stood back and looked at me like he was my uncle and hadn't seen me in years. I smiled.

"Dad, we were only apart for a week. I'm totally the same." I reassured him.

"No, you're even better." I blushed; feeling my cheeks warm.

"Come on, let's go. We have the rest of the day to catch up." He smiled.

He bent down to pick up my bag his front curls falling in his eyes as he did so. He slung it over his shoulder and continued to walk out; leading the way to his car.

It was his cruiser; a police cruiser. What the hell, I thought as he went around to unlock and pop the trunk. I shook it off and hopped in; riding shotgun. He walked in the other side of the car and got into the driver's side. He was such a careful driver, but so was I though. I watched him thoughtfully as he turned the key in the ignition, put the car in drive and pressed down lightly on the gas pedal. We pulled out of the Airport and began the hour drive…home. I looked out at the drizzling sky. I would have to get used to this. Constant freaking rain: how dull. But I had to remember this was my choice. I looked down from the sky and out at the forest spreading wide along the highway. Then there was a flash of color and I took in an audible gasp. I looked back at my dad, who was looking at me in confusion. I had to lie, and quick.

"It's just the forest it's so…." I trailed off; looking for the right words.

He smiled at me and said, "Beautiful, right?"

"Right, beautiful." I said a little shakily when I turned back to the window and saw the same color flash behind the trees. I must be paranoid, I thought. But yet again I saw the flash. This was really weird. Or maybe it was a bear, I told myself. For some reason my own reassurance provided me little comfort, so I asked James.

"Hey Dad, are there bears in the forest?" I asked."

"No, only up in Goat Rocks. Why you scared, Kel?" He smirked at me.

"No," I scowled. "I was just wondering." Actually, I was just hoping. I said in my head. He continued driving, smiling to himself; happy he got to me, and I continued staring blankly out the window. I kept trying to tell myself it was just some really common animal that I just couldn't find the name of at that moment, but I couldn't convince myself. It wasn't like it was a little splash of color I was seeing through the trees, it was huge. And it was moving. Weird, I thought.

"Kel…Kelly…Kelline?" My Dad was shaking my shoulder, and the car was suddenly parked. I'm must be going crazy. Washington was definitely having that effect on me; must be the rain. I turned to my father then.

"Huh?" I asked in a dazed voice.

"We're here." He said proudly; undeterred by my absentmindedness.

I looked out the window, and saw the little white house. It was two stories and had three windows in front: two on both sides of the house, on the first level and one right in the middle on the second level. I stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind me carefully. The rain was falling harder now, and I lifted my hood over my head.

"It's okay, I got it." My Dad said in a patronizingly sarcastic voice. I rolled my eyes and kept walking. I made my way easily up the front steps and to the door.

"Under the eave, Kelly!" My Dad said as he came up the stairs a little out of breath; probably because of my luggage. Oh well, he's a guy that's what they're supposed to do. I bent down and lifted the eave; the only eave. Very inconspicuous Dad, I thought. I put the key in and unlocked the door. The first thing I saw was the stair case to my left, then, the kitchen to my right and the living room (with the TV.) Further to my left. I walked in and dropped the key on the coffee table. I looked at my Dad who had shrugged out of his jacket after setting down my bags. I went and got them. I totally forgot how heavy they were. I headed for the stairs, one at a time. I came upon three doors one directly in front of me and the others on either my right or left. Still, which one was mine? Did he decorate already? Paint maybe? As if he could hear my thought's my dad chimed in:

"On your left, Kelly!" He shouted up from the bottom of the stairs.

"Thanks." I muttered over my shoulder, and set down my bags in front of my room. I opened the door and walked in. Whoa, was all I could think. It was so cute; so me. I had to admit I was shocked. Me and my dad were close, but we kind of drifted apart when the fighting and the divorce began; a year ago. Thank god he still knows me. Well he is my father. The paint was a soft lavender, bordering on cotton candy pink, but not too girly. There was a new wooden desk in the corner across from my bed, which was creamy ivory; filled with fluffy pillows; all different soft colors. I could tell from here that there was no denying that I would sleep comfortably content. On the desk was a green Apple laptop; my favorite color. A couple of books and a green North Face bag pack. I had to smile.

I stuck my head out of my door and shouted.

"Way to go Dad. You're the best; always know what I want." I heard him chuckle.

"No problem Kel, you deserve it." His voice kind of wavered at the end, and I couldn't help but pick up on the double meaning in his words. What he really was saying was that he was sorry; sorry about the divorce and our lives over the past year.

Then I bit my lip as I soon looked at my bags on the floor leaning against the wall. I had to unpack. Well the faster I do this the faster I can go on my new laptop. I squealed to myself and began the 'organization process.'