I stand at the top of human pyramid formed together by twelve girls with their hair tied back into a high ponytail and all clothed in a uniform of a pure white sweater with three bold strips of the striking colour red marking three quarters down and a pleated skirt in a deep shade of burgundy that reaches the middle of my thighs. The reinforced structure of girls cooperating as a team to accomplish a goal is steady; there isn't a single jerk or movement to disrupt the shape we have created. After one last bark of our school football teams name in unison the practice comes to an end as night fades in. I glance up at the sky; the sun has completed its performance of the day and has vanished for the moon to arise. Little sparkles of the stars are almost visible on the inky canopy that is the night and a frosty temperature replaces the cordial heat of earlier.
"Do a back-flip Sierra!" Star encourages me from the wooden stands where she sits waiting with Michael and Jimmy. I cheekily stick out my tongue at them and peer down at the many short strands of fresh emerald grass below before snapping my eyes up to look my three friends whooping, urging me to follow out Stars instructions.
I prepare myself, nervous in a way since I haven't done this move in at least two months. But the hoots of inspiration from good friends boost my confidence; I swiftly flip myself off the top of the pyramid, feeling the air collide with my skin and land safely on my feet.
"See you later Sierra!" all of my teammates chrous in a farewell as I casually stroll over to Star, Michael and Jimmy who greet me with sprightly claps and cheers. I wave back to the girls; they disclose a matter they were discussing, turning around to wave back. I rotate my head back around to the view of my closest friends walking over to me with smiles sewed to their lips.
"Do you know what I love about you being a cheerleader?" Jimmy rhetorically asks as he shamelessly inspects the rest of the cheerleaders behind us "The fact I have a reason to watch hot girls in short skirts for hours without there being a problem" I knew he was going to say that without even having to think twice. Jimmy, River and Jude have been coming along to cheerleading practices since I can remember, with only one purpose in mind – to overlook the women.
Michael laughs buoyantly at his so-called joke, but really it is a truthful confession. Jimmy winks at me to hint this; I just smirk at him.
"You were great baby, honestly you –" Michael abruptly stops his words, a faint voice is calling my name.
"Sierra!" I hear Edgar yell in the distance as the voice becomes transparent. I spin my head around in the calls direction, Edgar and Alan are sprinting towards us; something is agitating them. I can tell by the extremely frightened expressions on their faces. What mischief have they involved themselves in this time?
"What are you guys doing here?" I question, jogging over to them "Where's Laddie?" Edgar and Alan are breathless as they lean on each other, desperate for air.
"Sierra... it's... it's..." Alan wheezes, he trades a look with Edgar, informing him he is the one who must break news to me.
"It's Laddie" Edgar admits, something has spooked him. I can tell by the slight quivering in his words. Instant panic and fear triggers all my emotions. My eyes widen with curiosity for him to go into more detail. What about Laddie? What has happened to him? Is it serious? "He took him... he's back" my eyes increase in size even more. Please don't let me hear that dreaded name, he can't have returned "David... David's back"
My heart rate throbs intensely in my chest, the beats per minute climaxing as if it's about to rip free. A sudden bloom of coldness invades my body. David is back. He has Laddie. I feel as light as a feather. I am getting weak with the phobia of my once brother figure coming back to haunt me. My legs feel like they are twigs, fragile and easy to snap into two. The whole world surrounding me swivels around like a roundabout going at the speed of light. I cover my mouth, attempting to mask my laboured breaths of distress. David can't be in Santa Carla, he can't have Laddie. How can David get pleasure from torturing our lives? Is it like a sickening game to him? Why does he have to do this? Everything was going so well, this was supposed to be a new start. Another chance of life, but he had to ruin that chance. Laddie enters my mind, without a word I dash across the field and into the desolate changing rooms. Hurried footsteps chase after me. I can just imagine a pair of those feet running belonging to David, nearing to get me tangled in his perilous claws.
"Sierra!" Star bellows "Sierra, what's happened?" I halt sharply. It's night. David could be waiting outside those doors for me. Ready to make that first kill - ready to steal me once again.
"Sierra, we're –" Alan starts off saying in an apologetic tone of voice, I twist around immediately to face him.
"What the hell happened? How could you let him take him?" I confront the two of them who look as nervous as first time performers who are about to go on stage to be greeted by thousands of eager fans. Edgar closes his eyes and lets out an elongated breath.
"We got him from Mrs Emerson's and brought him to the comic store" Edgar notifies me, my ears listen attentively, and as the others catch up, they do the same "Alan and I were teaching him how to play pinball when the phone rang. I answered it and the voice on the other end told me it was for Alan. The voice sounded familiar, so Alan came over. Before Alan could even say hello, the other person hung up. We turned around, we saw David's face and before we could even blink the kid and him were gone" It had to be David who called them. Then again, what if Dwayne had betrayed me and ricocheted right back to enlist himself in David's army? "We searched all over for him, I thought David could have came here, you know after the whole 'I will have you Sierra' thing"
"Laddie's gone?" Star gasps; her face almost instantly manifests concern "We need to go to the Boardwalk. Now" before I can say anything, Star drags me out the entrance in a hasty pace. We all clamour into the Chevy, Michael revs up the engine and without it even warming up properly, he speeds off. We need to find Laddie, before David does something to him. I tremble just to think what David has planned for Laddie's fate.
Star and I race into the Boardwalk with Michael, Jimmy and my brothers behind us. A group of rebellious teenage boys wolf whistle flirtatiously at the both of us. I take a peek behind my shoulder to see Michael glaring at every one of them, advising that they should keep their distance. Edgar and Alan hadn't uttered a single word on the way here, guilt is devouring them; I can't blame them for what has happened, but in a same sense I am fuming that they could naively turn their backs on a little child who is vulnerable to anyone, let alone David. Star and I make our separate ways as I descend into the active cluster of people, losing Michael in the process. My eyes frantically quest in the maze of humans for at least a glimpse of Laddie's cherubic eyes; where could David have taken him to? What if Dwayne was the culprit on the phone? Could the both of them be partners in crime?
I stagger a bit as one of the lively spirits brushes past me. Their appearance would have remained incognito if it wasn't for the waterfall of chocolate brown locks that graced my porcelain skin, smelling like that recognizable aroma of beer and cigarette smoke. Is it who I think it is? Or is it just my imagination? No, it couldn't be Dwayne. He wouldn't be so foolish to return back to Santa Carla. I told him never to come back. He wouldn't ignore my commands like that. I pursue after the mysterious figure who is far in front of me, making his way into the concert hall.
"Sierra!" I hear Michael call above the ruckus of babbling people. My mind is split into two, do I flee back into Michael's arms, avoiding any unwanted trouble or should I go against my desires and investigate further? What if it is Dwayne? Maybe, just maybe he is watching over me. I choose the second option, and barge through the strained crowd, embarking my way into the concert hall.
The concert hall is dark, only the strobes of neon laser lights reveal the dancing occupants. My eyes stalk the crowds desperately. Where is he? Does he have Laddie? Is it even Dwayne who I saw? The cascade of dark hair flowing down on a jet black leather jacket comes into my view again. Once again I hear Michael's voice say my name. I can't let Dwayne go, not without interrogating him on Laddie's whereabouts, and not without seeing if he is safe. The jostling parties of energetic humans thrust looks of annoyance at me as I gush past them. I am nearing who I suppose is Dwayne; I can already smell his familiarity embracing me.
"Dwayne!" I shout, he doesn't respond "Dwayne!" He sweeps around another corner. It feels like a game from my childhood that will go on for an eternity "Dwayne!" I repeat as I follow in his footsteps. My once widely spread grin disintegrates – nobody is there. No man with beautiful lengthy hair is by the deserted bar except that kittenish punk bartender who always attempts to flirt with me.
A sweet, warm breath plays with my earlobe, as much as I want to turn around to see who it is, I can't dare myself to do so. In a way I am scared to. The roaring sound of the bass numbs into the background. The only sounds I can hear are my bolting heartbeat and the exhaling from the unknown mouth. Is it Dwayne? Somehow, I hope it is. On the other hand, I am terrified if it is him.
"Sierra" it's Michael, I let out a sigh of relief and clasp my arms around him as soon as I rotate around, his arms also envelop around me "Hey" he whispers angling my head nimbly to look up at him, concern demonstrates over all of his features "What's up princess?"
"Nothing, I'm fine. Honest" I pin a tiny smile on my lips; Michael doesn't fall for my fake act.
"Sierra, don't lie to me. I know when you're lying. What's the matter baby? Something's upset you, and it isn't the fact Laddie's missing" I just shake my head, withholding from throwing myself around him and bursting into a heap of forlornness and keep that artificial smile as a part of my veil to shield my true feelings. I can't help but miss Dwayne, after he kissed me something sparked like an unexpected firework. Something that I have never felt for him before came to life. I love Michael, but there is a little fragment of love there for Dwayne. I will never fully understand why it was only when Dwayne and I combined together, that something hidden slowly started to become apparent. When I thought I saw Dwayne, was it really just my imagination distorting reality?
"I'm not lying to you Michael, I'm ok" he isn't convinced "Really!" Michael just shakes his head; he knows I'm being untruthful. I can't tell him about that unimportant little feeling of love I have for Dwayne, not without telling him I also let him escape. I love Michael, not Dwayne. I just need to stop all those emotions that urge me to find Dwayne, if I do this then I can live my life with Michael.
"Fine. Whatever you say" he snaps quietly without any anger but his frustration is clear; as my crystal blue eyes stare into his fierce eyes that play a ferocious ballad, he discovers that I can't tell him what is really bothering me and his more loving side comes back into the spotlight as he wraps an arm around my waist caringly "Come on baby, let's go back to the others" Michael chaperons me out of the concert hall where everyone's hearts pumped in one great orchestra. One of those hearts could be Dwayne's. I shall never know the identity of who really glided past me.
The twinkling stars appear like rare diamonds tonight, the velvet black sky makes them seem even more bewitching than usual. The white crumbled tissues, damp from saddened drops of water are condemned in my fist as there is a ceaseless trail of teardrops plunging down my cheeks. Why did David have to take another thing dear to me? I know all the areas of this town like they are tattooed on the back of my hand, yet it seems like I am new to it all. There are so many places Laddie could be but he might as well be invisible the way we're scouring around for him.
Why am I suddenly having the same feelings for Dwayne as he had for me? Could he still have them? The enchanting stars, I once wished to fly up to them. For a little while I stayed there, and then Marko and Paul took me away from them. Once Michael had driven me back here, I immediately got changed into my nightwear t-shirt Dwayne had bought for me. I'm wearing the necklace Michael had presented me with as well, two items with so much meaning on me. I'm finally alone now, just me and my thoughts as I sit on the oak bench on my porch that overlooks the lit up street. The front door screeches open; I would stop weeping and portray a jubilant character who hasn't got any worries, who hasn't got memories of four men who they adored reviling their mind, and who hasn't got a flame of love arising from the ashes for one of those men who felt the same way. But I can't, the sadness overwhelming me is too strong.
Dad sits down next to me, his eyes looking directly into mine with the look of a father worried about his daughter embodying them. He doesn't smell like his usual self with the essences of pot and sex vanishing from his persona completely.
"Whenever I get upset, I come out here too" he informs me as I gaze in awe at him, I've never seen this side to him – ever "It clears my mind, makes me feel at ease" he looks over and seriously stares at me "I heard you crying this morning; wanna tell me what's up?" I feel slightly disturbed that this seemingly brand new side to him has appeared to me yet ecstatic that our relationship is healing after so many battles. He rubs my trail of marked tears "I'm not the father you think I am Sierra, you're my little girl. No father wants to see their little girl get hurt"
My bleak mood is piling up and up until I can't restrain it any longer. I fling my arms around him and clutch him to me, allowing cries of sorrow to break free.
"It's alright my little princess, let it out" he soothes me "Let it all out" I do as he says, sobbing with my heart content, the heart that has been broken so many times within this short period.
"I do-don't know, wha-what I can do any-anymore" I wail between tense breaths, Dad lifts my chin to face him.
"You wanna tell me whats going on?" he knows, he just wants confirmation.
"Those fucking vampires really know how to toy with me" surprisingly a corner of his mouth elevates slightly as if my recognition of David and the others has made him happy.
"Edgar and Alan told me what happened. There's something else you need to tell me though Sierra, a certain vampire being alive perhaps?"
"David he –"
"I meant Dwayne" Dad interrupts me. My mouth is agape, how did he know? Did Edgar and Alan tell him?
"How did you –" How does he know of Dwayne's true state? Dad cuts my words off again, chuckling softly to himself.
"You forget I use to be a vampire slayer myself, I know what every vampire looks like in this town! Your Grandpa taught me just like I taught Edgar and Alan. Before David and the other vamps came to Santa Carla there used to be a whole different crowd of vampires and me and your Grandpa hunted 'em down and staked 'em. You know why I taught your brothers?" I shake my head, unsure of the answer "It was your Grandpa's last wish right before he died. I remember that night very clearly; we were in this alleyway, it was dark and we thought it'd be the perfect place for vampires. We were right. One of the vampires came out of nowhere and launched at me. If it wasn't for your Grandpa helping me, I wouldn't be here today. It ended in him not being here today though; the vamp grabbed his stake and drove it right through his stomach. He said to me 'Judd I want to keep this town safe, teach my grandbabies what I've taught you. Create the next generation of vampire slayers' and then he took his last breath and went. I was only seventeen, your age. It's such a frail age to be hurt at, I tried so hard to prevent it from happening to you" I always wondered why I had never met my Grandpa, my mom told me a long time ago when I was a child that he was living someplace in Nevada. I asked her every day why I couldn't visit him; Mom just bluntly stated 'He doesn't want us'. Now I know why I couldn't travel to Nevada, he was never there.
"Woah... that was heavy. Anyway, you need to get yourself to sleep, you have school in the morning and I need something to chill me out" that father I had captivated all my attention onto hastily faded away with those last few words. But we had something I thought we wouldn't ever have together – a father and daughter bond. I'm not going to school tomorrow though, not when my baby boy is in the care of a complete maniac whose only desires are to feed off of innocent humans and snatch me from the heavens of life. I follow him inside the house, also hoping that I will never cross pathways with Dwayne again. I need him out of my life, out of my mind. If he doesn't remove himself, I'll never be at peace.
Thanks for reading guys! And here's a reply to the reviews:
booklover457- Thank you for the idea! I'm liking it! :D
SkittleMachine- Thank you so much! And here's your update! :)
Sarah-Frog-Brothers-Fan - Hehee thank you for the welcome! I'm glad you like it. You will have to wait and see about Dwayne :3 (yeah, I've kinda got a crush on him as well :') )
Keep the reviews coming guys, they inspire me and I enjoy reading your opinions :D