Chapter 2
As soon as they arrived at Aunt Lia's house, Diana ripped open the boxes full of her belongings and found her skates along with her skate clothes.
"Where's the rink?"
Melina looked ready to protest, but Aunt Lia gave her a look. Her cousin dipped her head in compliance.
"Its on Main Street, near the Animal Clinic," Lia said, smiling a little.
"Great," she said, running to the bathroom. After changing, popping in her contacts and pulling her long hair into a ponytail, Melina reluctantly grabbed her car keys, worry written all over. But Diana needed this. She needed the cold comfort of the rink. The feeling of the crisp air on her skin, the feeling of freedom that always took flight in her heart. She needed to get away from her thoughts.
"I can walk there," she told Melina as they walked down the driveway.
"No, I'm driving you. And I'm driving you home."
"I don't need a chaperone," she snapped.
Melina grabbed her shoulder. Diana nearly yelped. Her cousin's fingers ground into her shoulder bones with a vise grip.
"You know about the murders and disappearances right? I know what happened was terrible, but your parents wouldn't want you acting recklessly, risking your life."
Diana's hand strayed to the necklace nestled between her breasts. It was simple oval stone, a milky white colour. A moonstone maybe. Her parents had given it to her.
Her answer was sliding into the passenger seat of Melina's bright red Hyundai. She didn't slam the door or glare at nothing. She just smiled slightly at her cousin as she sat in the drivers seat, cradling her skates in her arms. Her fingers traced the peeling spots of white leather, the long skinny lines where her blade accidentally cut.
It was a short drive to the rink. Diana knew it wouldn't be much, considering where they were. Some small-time American town, where it only had the basics. Here, apparently they had a sheriff's station and everything.
Next thing you know, there will be hillbillies cooking a spit in front of their trailer, Diana thought sarcastically. That was very exaggerated and mean, but Diana wasn't feeling in a particularly kind mood. Usually, she would never think such mean things.
I guess that's what happens to someone who lost his or her family. They become something different.
The rink manager wasn't particularly happy to see them so late, but was cheered when Melina aimed her bright smile at him. Diana left the two chatting while she went to the stands, expertly tying her skates. The laces rubbed at her calluses, turning the insides of her fingers bright red. Rubbing them a bit, she pulled on her gloves, took off her guards and stepped onto the ice.
Smiling, she took off, her toe picks crunching into the ice as she pushed off. She skated lesiuriely at first, letting herself gain speed. Then she really went to it, turning backwards, letting her legs power her through. After, she glided across the ice on one foot, presenting herself to the empty stands.
She warmed up her jumps and spins, not caring that she was completely off. It just felt good to be back, feeling the edges she carved with her blades, the bumps and holes of the ice. She could imagine her parents watching her, happy that she was feeling more complete than she had in a while.
But as she skated, the feeling of being watched heightened. Diana's shoulders squared as she looked around. She swore that she saw some silhouette in the hallway just outside the actual rink, but it was gone when she looked for it again.
A chill ran down her spine. Her heart thundered in her chest.
Without another thought, she got off the ice, quickly undoing her skates. Melina came up, sitting beside her. Her eyebrows crinkled.
"Is there something wrong?"
"No, I thought I just saw- never mind. It was nothing."
Her cousin shrugged, tossing a tendril of golden hair.
Diana smiled slightly. "So, did you like him?"
"Who?"
"The rink manager."
"Shut up."
She laughed. "That's a yes."
"Well, thanks to me, you're allowed to come whenever you want. As long as you help out sometimes. Like supervising the public skating?"
"Am I getting paid?"
"You're getting paid with ice time."
"Fine."
The two girls left the rink, unaware that someone lurked in the shadows, watching them.
….
Liam knew he needed some fresh air. And since it was still summery weather outside, it seemed there was only one source of really cold air. And that was the ice rink, near the Animal Clinic.
He was about to enter when he saw someone on the ice. He checked his phone. It was almost midnight. Who would be skating in the middle of the night?
Liam found the stairway, and entered the rink from the second level. He watched as a girl sped across the ice with expert grace. He couldn't comprehend how she could jump and spin in the air at the same time, or contort her body in such positions while spinning fast. A figure skater. It was something else.
As she passed at the sides, he took a glance at her. He didn't recognize her. She must have been new. Her long brown hair swung as she skated around the ice. He slightly gulped as she took off her sweater, wearing only a tanktop, if you could call it that. It was one of those fancy sport shirts, a sports bra with draping fabric that covered her front and back. But it revealed skin on her sides.
He marveled at how small she was, how her bones stuck out. She was one of those girls that were built tiny, short and almost delicate. But when he glimpsed the muscles moving under her skin, he knew she wasn't some delicate flower.
The girl looked around, her eyes alert as they roved the rink. Liam caught a waft of her fear. Swallowing, he tucked himself into a corner before she could see him.
He wondered who she was.
Sighing, he left before the girl could spot him. Liam slowed as he neared the exit. There was someone else there. Besides the girl, the rink manager, and the blond girl talking to him. And they had the scent of a werewolf.
Liam frowned. Why would a werewolf be there? Were they interested in this new girl?
Maybe she was even more interesting than he thought.
…
Diana jolted out of bed, sweat coating her skin. Her breath rasping in her ears, she leaned over to the bedside table, turning on the lamp. The room lit with a warm gold glow. The moonstone around her neck felt ice cold against her hot flesh.
She felt the nightmare lingering like a cloak over her. It was of the Thing. Again.
Terror clogged her throat, blocking the scream building up in her chest. Her head wound pulsed, her vision swimming with tears. Diana dragged herself down the hallway, her broken leg burning with pain. It made matters worse that the backs of her ankles were bleeding. Whoever had broken into the house had cut her ankles so she couldn't get away.
Her fingers ached as she pulled herself along. She looked behind her. A slick trail of blood followed her progress. Her breaths came out hiccupped and wheezy. She grabbed for the doorway, using it to pull her into her parents' room. She knew that her dad had a military knife hidden in their closet. If she could just get that…
Diana shook off the images. Padding as quietly as she could, she went downstairs to the kitchen. She turned on the stove light, filling the room with blue-white light. The shadows of the furnishings stretched skinny and long, warping the cheerful kitchen into some horror movie scene.
Trying to ignore the chill lingering on her skin, Diana opened the fridge, pouring herself some chocolate milk. The house was quiet, except for the whir of the air conditioner.
There was a subtle click. The lock of the door being opened. Diana immediately reached for a knife, clutching it tightly. The sweat on her hands made the handle slippery in her fingers.
Diana flattened herself to the kitchen wall, peeking over. The front door swung open with a creak, a set of feet appearing on the rug. Padding on tiptoe, she drew closer to the door, raising the knife. Diana grabbed the door, swinging it completely open, the knife prepared to stab.
Melina yelped when she saw her cousin, placing a hand on her thundering heart. Her eyes darted to the steak knife clutched in her hand, poised above her head. Diana dropped the knife, sagging with relief.
Melina took the smaller girl into an embrace, one of her hands petting her long brown hair.
"Hey its okay. Its alright," she murmured to Diana.
Diana didn't even realize that she was crying, hot tears running down her cheeks.
"I won't let anything happen to you," Melina whispered to Diana. "I promise."
Hey guys! So here's a new ff on one of my favourite shows. Hope you enjoy it and please comment! :)
