Author's Note: Since I let you all down by taking this long to actually post this chapter so you can see it, I decided to make it up to you by updating it early. How neat is that?
Lastly, here is where the plot actually begins! Enjoy! (It's like I'm serving you guys soup or something… "enjoy!")
Only now do I realize that it was stupid of me to ignore that awful headache a few days ago. Now it's morphed into some sort of migraine. Light hurts my eyes. I feel dizzy and see black spots whenever I stand. I can't forget the constant pulsing inside my skull, like my brain is pushing against the bone in an attempt to break out. I've been cocooning in my bedroom since yesterday.
Since then, I have been joyfully writhing in the dark and silence. Christi's distance is now a blessing.
Suddenly, I hear the door creak open, and I hear a voice. Ever so ironically, it's Christi's voice. "Dominic, how're you holding up?"
I want to say something along the lines of leave me alone, but I just say "Fine," to be somewhat diplomatic.
I hear the door close and assume she's gone, but then I hear her sit on a chair near to my bed. Whatever.
Christi is silent for what seems like a solid hour, and then speaks. "Dominic, when do you turn eighteen?" she asks.
Immediately I answer "In a week, I think." Truthfully, I haven't looked at a calendar recently, so I could very well be off.
More silence.
"What are your parent's names?"
I can't help but think she is suffering from amnesia. Everyone knows who my parents are. Or were.
"Sebastian and Janet Strata, of course," I remind her.
Her barely audible gasp in response surprises me.
"Of course," she murmurs. "I can't believe…"
She hurriedly stands up and dashes out of the room.
By now, I've learned to expect such behavior from her.
However, I still can't help but wonder what's going on…