Eyes On Fire
Chapter One: Whispers In The Dark
Cadence
My eyes fluttered open, blinking away the pouring rain that was falling from the midnight-black sky. Lightning was the only form of light, except for another, much brighter orange coming from my left. Flames, I realized. They were licking the building, slowly burning it to the ground. I focused in on it and I realized it was the old Danvers colony house.
Caleb.
My mind thought his name and I jumped into a sitting position, my eyes searching the field frantically, looking for him. I heard the sounds of a struggle behind me and I looked around to see him, his back towards me but those broad muscles of his shoulders told me it was Caleb.
"Ah, our little princess is awake, is she?" A voice I did not recognize spoke cruelly, from the other side of the field. A boy about 20 was standing there, his eyes a cruel black color that made me gasp softly, knowing it was the Power. I could feel it ebbing off of him.
Caleb spun around, facing me, a look of horror in his eyes, which was coal black with Power. "Cadi, you have to run!" The cuts on his handsome face told me that the struggle I had heard was between him and the other boy.
"Caleb—" I started to reach for him but I blacked out again, falling back into a puddle of mud.
I jumped awake, gasping for air. My eyes darted frantically around my dorm and I saw the sleeping form of my younger twin sister, Brianne. I ran a hand down my face, feeling my clammy forehead drenched in a cold sweat.
I kicked off my sheets, glancing at the iHome on my nightstand. 3:45 in the morning. I moaned softly, getting up and walking over to the small bathroom that was in the deluxe dorm my sister and I shared. I shut the door behind me, flicking on the light and turning to face my reflection in the mirror.
My eyes were practically bloodshot, from the nightmare, no doubt. My face looked pale, almost a sickly green color that made me reach up, barely touching my cheek. I splashed some cool water on my face, trying to calm my nerves but all I saw was the eyes: those coal black eyes that meant death, Power, and fighting. Who was the other boy and why was he fighting Caleb?
I took a deep breath, my hands bracing the sides of the sink, looking into the mirror. Caleb, I thought his name quietly, looking in my sea-green eyes for some sort of answer. Maybe I should call him about the nightmare…
Sure enough, my phone started singing Paramore in the room and I dashed from the bathroom, reaching it before it could wake Bri.
"Hello?" I answered quietly, going to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me again.
"Cade?" A deep voice said on the other line and I didn't have to second guess that it was my older brother, Pogue Parry. "Hey, I got a feeling that you were freaking out or something. You ok?"
I sat down the on the edge of the small tub, rubbing my forehead. "I…I guess I am. I just had a freak nightmare." I laughed a little on the end, trying to calm myself but the hysteria was clear in my voice.
"A nightmare? What happened in it, Cade?" Pogue asked quietly and I heard him grunt once, like he was pulling himself into a sitting position.
I gnawed on my lip, debating whether I should tell him. But he knew me too well for me to lie. "Um, well it was about the Power, I know that much." I said, stalling in a way.
"You say that because?"
I cursed silently, my attempts failed at evading Pogue's worry. "Well, Caleb's was there…And he was Using big time. There was another boy there, but I don't know who it was, just that he had the Power, too. Cale told me to run and I blacked out in the nightmare."
There was a silence on the other end of the line before Pogue spoke. "What did this other boy look like?" He asked quietly, trying to hide the worry that I could plainly hear in his voice.
"I don't know, just like a teenage boy, I guess. A little older than Caleb." I twirled a strand of my hair around my index finger, a nervous habit I had.
"Hmm…" Pogue sighed. "Well, meet me and the boys in the cafeteria in the morning and we'll talk about it, ok?"
"Um, can just you and I talk about it? I don't wanna freak Cale out, since he was the one in the dream anyway."
"Sure thing, sissy. Now go try and get some sleep, ok?" He asked softly.
"I'll try, Pogo." I used the nickname for my big brother that I had given him when I was a little kid.
He chuckled a little. "See you in the morning, sis."
I hung up the phone, sighing heavily. I reluctantly got up and going back to my bed, shutting off the light before sliding under my covers.
I knew I wasn't going to be getting any sleep though, so I laid awake thinking.
Caleb. I think that was what scared me the most about the dream. He was the oldest of the Sons of Ipswich, followed by my brother, then Reid Garwin, then Tyler Simms. All were close to me but Caleb was different than the others. He was always there for me, no matter what.
I smiled a little, thinking back to when I was a sophomore and Caleb came to my rescue.
"Hey, Parry. How about a little kiss for me, huh?" Aaron Abbott pulled me roughly to his chest, those ugly lips sneering at me.
"Um, no, Aaron. Now let me go." I struggled to get out of his grip but it was no use.
He tightened his grip more, sneering and Brody laughed, along with his other cronies. "Take her out back, Aaron. So no one can hear her scream." Ryan grinned, causing the others to laugh in agreement.
Before I could argue, Aaron grabbed me around the waist, dragging me out the back door of Nicky's, the local bar all the Spenser kids hung out at. He clamped a hand over my mouth, drowning out any attempt I had at screaming.
As soon as the door slam shut behind him, Aaron shoved me against the wall, keeping one hand around my lower back, the other roaming the skin of my leg that was revealed by the denim skirt I was wearing.
"Now, Cadi…I'm gonna have my own way with you and you're gonna love it, understand?" He spat out cruelly.
I shook my head, spitting in his face but he growled, throwing me back against the steel wall. I let out a cry of pain, tears falling from my eyes just as he grabbed my face, pulling it to his.
"Hey!" A voice shouted, causing Aaron to snarl, looking toward the back door of Nicky's.
I followed his gaze and standing there, looking murderous, was Caleb Danvers. My heart lifted, a smile coming on to my face.
"Let her go, Abbot. Now." Caleb growled out, his hands jammed into the pockets of the jacket he was wearing. I had never seen him so angry, other than when he yelled at Reid for Using.
"What makes you think I'm gonna do that, Danvers?" Aaron snarled, gripping my waist harder and I cried out.
"I didn't think you would so I'm gonna make you." Next thing I knew, Caleb's fist connected with Aaron's jaw, knocking him back, letting me go. Caleb grabbed my arm, pulling me behind him as Aaron cradled his jaw on the ground, on his knees.
"Son of a—Danvers, I'll kick your ass!" Aaron spat out blood.
"Go home, Aaron, before I tell Nicky you tried to rape Cadi." Caleb shot back, his hand tightening around mine.
Aaron stood, glaring Caleb down as he turned back down the alleyway, leaving. Caleb waited until he turned around to face me, looking down into my eyes. "Did he hurt you?"
I shook my head, but Caleb took my arm in his hand, his fingers gingerly touching the skin of my arm. Below my shoulder were bruises the size of Aaron's fingers, from where he had gripped my arm. I gasped softly and looked back up at Caleb, just as his eyes flashed black, Using. My arm went numb a little, the bruises disappearing completely before Caleb's eyes flashed back to normal.
Our eyes locked for a few seconds before the back door of Nicky's opened, Pogue stepping out. "Hey, what's going on? I felt someone Using." He looked from Caleb to me, worry in his hazel eyes.
"Nothing, man. Abbott was just messing with Cadi and I ran him off." Caleb answered simply, shrugging out of his bulky green jacket to place it around my shoulders.
"Ah," Pogue nodded, a small grin appearing on his face. I felt my face blush and Caleb shook his head, chuckling.
"Come on; let's go inside, you guys." Caleb said, gingerly placing an arm around my shoulders.
From that moment on, I knew I was falling in love with Caleb. As we got older, the harder it was for me to hide those feelings. Eventually, I told Bri and Pogue used his big brother sense to figure it out on his own. But they both kept quiet about it, never speaking about it until we were alone or if it was just the three of us.
I think that's what scared me the most about the nightmare, that Caleb was at risk for getting hurt. He had Ascended last fall, during his junior year, gaining his full Powers. Bri and I had been on a scholar trip for school so I hadn't been around at the time of his birthday, but when we returned, the boys had changed a little. Reid and Ty wouldn't Use as much. Caleb and Pogue always seemed to be looking over their shoulders like crazy. Kate and my brother had broken up as well, for some reason no one really knew.
And according to Reid, Caleb had had a girlfriend. Sarah Wenham or something. But she had transferred out again with Kate right before Christmas, dumping Caleb in the process and nearly breaking him. I remember the night Reid told me about her and I found Caleb in the kitchen of his house, a small shot of liquor in his hands.
I walked into the kitchen of Caleb's house, my mind clouded with the thoughts of Caleb and this girl that had broke him, and how I wanted to break her. Not only for hurting him but for just dating him in general.
I gasped at what I saw.
Caleb was leaning against the counter by the sink, a shot glass in his hand, a bottle of whiskey in the other. Caleb was drinking? Something wasn't right. I knew he had a deep hatred for alcohol after seeing what it did to his mother but seeing him drinking the poison scared me to my core. He would never stoop that low.
"C-Cale?" I whispered his name.
His head shot up, just as he poured a little of the whiskey into the glass. "Cadi. I didn't see you there…" His eyes looked pain and I knew I had startled him.
I slowly stepped up to him, looking from the glass to his glazed eyes. They looked bloodshot, whether from the alcohol or crying, I'll never know. I couldn't bare myself to ask. "You're drinking?" I asked quietly, my voice barely audible.
Caleb shrugged, setting the bottle and glass on the counter beside him. "I've…just got a lot on my mind. Figured I'd give it a try." He smiled sadly and my heart almost broke.
"But...I thought you hated the stuff. You always told me you'd get rid of the stuff the moment your mom wasn't looking." I swallowed the bile that had risen in my throat.
He licked his lips, looking out the window at the night sky over the sink. "I just needed something to calm me down, Abri." The special name for me that only he called me shocked me a little bit, which was part of my middle name, Abrielle. He only called me that when something was seriously wrong.
"Cale…" I put my hand on his shoulder gently, looking in his cloudy brown eyes. "Reid told me about what happened while I was gone."
Caleb's eyes narrowed and I swallowed nervously. "What?" He hissed.
I swallowed again, looking at my feet. "About Sarah." I felt his shoulders relax a little bit, like he wasn't expecting me to say that.
"Oh…Well, I'm glad someone besides me did. I don't want to talk about it, Abri, ok?" He murmured, looking down at his own feet sadly.
I squeezed his shoulder gently, tiptoeing to kiss his cheek, much like I did to the other boys. "If you need to talk, you know where to find me." I gave him a soft smile, turning away and walking out of the room.
I pursed my lips at the memory, remembering how angry I was at this girl I had never met for doing that to Caleb, for making him face the demons that had haunted him. He had actually fallen to the aid of alcohol instead of talking to one of us like he usually did. It hurt me a little to know that he was so torn up about this girl. But that didn't sound like Caleb. Something else must've happened, besides Sarah Wenham.
When I woke the next morning, Bri was shaking my shoulder almost violently. Bri was four minutes younger than I was, though we looked exactly the same. The same blue-green eyes, the same blonde hair with brown streaks in them that we hadn't gotten in junior high. Most people couldn't tell the two of us apart so when our mother went through the stage of dressing up like one another, the only difference was the two lockets each of us wore. Mine was of a sun, almost ancient-looking in a way, while Bri's was of a crescent moon. We've worn them since we were kids and we still do to this day.
"Come on, Cadi! We're gonna be late!" She was already dressed in the school's uniform, her hair falling down around her face.
I moaned sleepily, sitting up and glancing at the iHome. The clock read 6:30, which meant we had two hours to get ready, meet the guys and eat breakfast before school started. I got out of my bed, going into the bathroom to change into the simply navy blue skirt, matching jacket and white blouse. I pulled on my white stockings that went to my knees and stuck my feet into my ballet flats while Bri was wearing her gray Converse. I pulled my hair into a side-ponytail, adjusting my make-up and grabbing my schoolbag. By the time we left our dorm, it was 7:15 and we were running a little behind than usual.
Bri and I walked into the cafeteria, spotting Pogue standing next to the table where Reid, Tyler, and Caleb sat.
From a distance, I could see the obvious difference between all four of them and it hit me why every girl at Spencer-besides us-was in love with them.
Reid Garwin was the appointed "sex god" of Spenser, though Bri and I both knew he was a virgin. But he didn't dare let anyone know that. It would "go against my reputation", he told me once. He had this shaggy blonde hair that fell over green eyes that could turn to stormy blue or ice blue, depending on his emotions. He was the bad boy also, acting like he didn't care about anyone or anything but in a serious situation he could be the best person in the world to go to. Like the others, he'd fight for anyone he loved. But Reid just liked to fight for the hell of it.
Tyler Simms was the quietest of the four, always shy in a cute way that he could work without looking 12. He always spiked his hair in a cute little disarray of brown spikes, leaving his ice blue eyes for the world to see. They really were a pretty blue color that had me and Bri envious, along with any girl in Spencer. He owned our group's vehicle, a big black Hummer promptly named Beast. Reid and he were always seen together because they were best friends if I had ever seen any. They used to Use the most but after last fall, they both changed, no longer Using to win a game of pool against Aaron and the boys. Tyler was all around cute but he could be a tough fighter if the situation called for. Like the time Ryan tried to grab Bri's butt, Tyler punched him so hard his two front teeth went flying. Oh, and he's also madly in love with Bri, too. He tries to pass it off like he doesn't but all of us beside Bri know he loves her.
Pogue was the best big brother any girl could ask for. He didn't live to make your life hell, though he made it his point some of the time. His baby was his Ducati that he wrecked last fall-another mishap that went wrong while we were gone. Put the big lug in the hospital for 3 weeks is what Ty told me but I just shook my head, muttering "He better wear his helmet". He had this shoulder length chestnut brown hair that he got from Dad, along with his hazel brown eyes. Most people don't know Bri and I are related to him until they hear our last name or someone tells them in gossip. Pogue had dated Kate Tunney since they were freshmen but I was never too fond of her. She'd flirt with whoever she wanted behind his back and I was pleased to hear that they broke up while I was gone, too. I loved Pogue in a way that most sisters wouldn't love their big brother but Pogue wasn't your average brother.
Caleb Danvers was pretty much the most perfect person I knew. He was gorgeous, putting it lightly and showing my slight crush/love of him. Short, buzzed black hair and deep brown eyes that were pretty much always laughing, even when he was chewing out Reid. He was the bona fide leader of our little crew, probably because he had that attitude and he was the oldest. According to Pogue, Caleb's dad died also last fall, amongst everything else that was going on. Caleb's dad had Used and Used when he was younger, which drained his life out of him, killing him before he should've died. I never once asked Caleb about it. Whenever Caleb wanted to go to his father's grave, I'd go with him, being that shoulder to cry on that he was always for me. He was super protective of me and Bri, never letting anything bad happen to us. Everything he did made me fall in love with him a little more but could I tell him that? No, never. Because I was a chicken.
Bri and I walked across the cafeteria to their table, setting out bags down next to the boys'. "Mornin', boys." Bri and I said together, smiling at them.
They each greeted us with hugs and we gave them kisses on their cheeks. Reid grinned as he hugged us at the same time. "Ah, my day's better now that I've seen you two angels."
Bri laughed once, smacking his arm, crossing her arms over her chest. "Nice try at brown-nosing, Garwin."
"Don't act like you didn't love it, Parry." Reid grinned, messing her hair up with a gloved hand.
Bri glared at him as she plopped down next to Tyler, fixing her hair. Tyler smirked a little, causing him to get smacked upside the head by Bri before she kissed his cheek. "Sorry, Ty. Couldn't resist." She smiled innocently.
She might not have noticed, but Ty ducked his head, fully intent on his waffles because he was blushing a little bit. It was so cute that I almost blew his cover going "Aw" but I somehow resisted. I took my seat next to Caleb, who was buttering his toast quietly.
I kissed his cheek in greeting, like always. "Hey, Cale." I smiled softly, propping my cheek in my hand.
He gave me his heart-melting smile, his dimples showing fully. "Hey, Cadi." He kissed my forehead, probably meaning it innocently but it was enough for me to duck my head a little, thinking it meant everything I wanted to hear from him.
And it seemed to Reid like a good time to let out an "Aw". I threw him a death glare so bad that he jumped back a little, adjusting his black beanie nervously.
"So who's not ready for that test in History?" Bri raised her hand a little. "I know I am!" She said in fake chirpiness.
I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Instead of messing around on your guitar all weekend, you should've been studying like the rest of us." I looked around our group, my eyes stopping on Reid. "Well, most of us." I said with a smile, my own little personal payback for him embarrassing me.
Bri rolled her eyes, taking a drink of the orange juice on Ty's tray. "Well, if I fail I know Mom will have my ass."
Pogue shook his head, chuckling. "I might, too. We're all trying to get a free-ride into Harvard and you're not going to if you flunk this quiz, Bri."
She crossed her arms, pouting and batting her eyes. Ty cleared his throat before speaking. "I could help you during study hall. You have History 5th, right? I'll meet you in the library during hall, ok?"
Bri smiled warmly, throwing her arms around Ty's neck. "Oh, gosh, Ty! I love you!" She kissed his cheek softly, picking up her bag before glancing at her phone. "Cadi, it's 8:00. Wanna head over to Brinkman's?"
I nodded, grabbing my bag and sliding out of the booth. I kissed all the boys' cheeks with my sister and we turned, leaving the cafeteria and heading to our first period.
They day went by pretty uneventfully. Same boring lectures, same boring tests that freaked us out until we got them, realizing how ridiculously easy they were. I arrived to my 7th period before anyone else, ready for the last class of the day to be over. I took my seat in the 3rd row of the stadium-like seating just as Caleb walked in. He took his usual spot beside me, smiling warmly at me.
"Hi, Cale." I smiled as he leaned down, allowing me to kiss his cheek in greeting.
"Hey, Abri." He grinned that heart-breaking smile and I felt my heartbeat accelerate. "You going to the Dells tonight?"
I shrugged, twirling my hair around my finger. "Probably. You know Bri will drag me there by my hair if she has to."
"Well, actually, Reid finally got Tyler to admit that he likes her. Baby Boy's supposed to make his move tonight." Caleb grinned, getting out his notebook for class.
"Oh, really?" I smiled, happy for my little sister. "She'll probably scream 'yes' before he has time to finish the question."
Cale shook his head, chuckling. "Yeah, that's Bri. So do you need a ride to the Dells?"
I nodded, shrugging my shoulders a little. "Yeah, but I'll find one."
"No, I'll take you." He said, shaking his head. "We're supposed to meet on the cliffs again anyway."
"Ugh, we're jumping again? I really don't want to. You guys all know how much me and Bri hate that." I groaned, thumping my head against my desk softly.
Caleb chuckled. "I'll take you down then." My heart sped a little at the small on his face, the way he said the innocent little sentence. Caleb would hold me as we'd jump, making sure I'd land safely. God, I was truly in love with this boy.
"Alright, class. Time to engross ourselves in the wondrous land of American literature." Mr. Russell said, getting everyone's attention. I perked up a little, since this was my favorite class. English had been my favorite subject since I was younger, always writing in my notebooks when I was supposed to be taking notes. I nonchalantly slid my story notebook under my real notes, causing Cale to chuckle a little. "Now, today's lesson is all about the colonial times. And I've chosen a riveting book for you to read. You will pick partners—" There was a slight clatter as people called dibs on their partners. Caleb grabbed my arm so fast that it took me second to realize he wanted me as his partner. I smiled softly at him before listening to Russell continue. "And read the novel separately. When the two of you finish, you will write a report on how the book appeals to you, what moved you as you read."
Mr. Russell picked up the novel from his desk, holding it up. "It's called Curse by Jane Ackerson. She's a local author, from Ipswich herself, and wrote this about the apparent 'witch hunt' during colonial times."
Caleb and I looked at each other nervously, not so keen about our history being revealed through a book, fiction or not.
"I found this book quite interesting. It uses fact and fiction, winding them together in a true masterpiece. I'm sure all of you will enjoy them." He smiled softly before placing the book down again. "Now, when I call your name, I want you to come down and get a copy of the book from the box over there." He pointed to a half-empty box beside his desk, copies of the book inside. He started calling off names off the roll list. When he called Caleb's, he walked down, picking up 2 copies of the book, placing one in front of me with a wink.
"Thanks," I smiled at him, looking at the book. A pentagram was on the front of the book, along with its title written in fancy handwriting. I flipped it open, reading the first page silently.
"'It is not known how the Power came to be—'"
I snapped the book, shutting gasping softly. Caleb looked up from the back of his own book, where he was reading the summer. "What's wrong?"
"Cale," I whispered softly. "The first line is from The Book of Damnation."
Caleb's eyebrows creased together on his forehead, flipping open his own book, reading it silently to himself. "The entire prologue is the first page of The Book."
"Coincidence?" I asked quietly.
Caleb shook his head, setting the book down. "Everyone's going to know the true story." He ran a hand through his hair, sighing loudly.
Author's Note: Hello everyone! ^^ Sorry it's been awhile that you haven't seen my name or any of my stories updated. I've been ridiculously busy in the past few months and I've writer's block like you wouldn't believe. But this idea hit me randomly and I had to write it if it was going to kill me. It's taken me a month to start it out but I've finally figured out how I want the storyline to be I hope you've enjoyed the first chapter and that you plan on sticking around for the rest Read & Review, please
-Much love, Dani-Renae
Disclaimer: I don't own the Covenant characters, only my own and the storyline. I also don't own Whispers In The Dark by Skillet (the song I've based this chapter on). I, again, do not own the song Eyes On Fire by Blue Foundation, which I base the story off of.