A.N.) Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own The Night World Series or the song Love Shine.
Late Happy Birthday Sumbunnyluvsu77!
Daybreakers of Tomorrow
Chapter 14: Love Shine
7:00 a.m.
Mary-Lynnette Redfern stormed into her bedroom. She tightened her jaw and clenched a tiny piece of pink notebook paper in her hand. She was scared, not for her safety, but her daughter's safety. Her husband stayed sleeping, and turning over without opening his eyes at least. A glint of determination flashed in Mare's expression. In a swift glide, like a snake in tall grass, she was at Ash's bedside, and gently shook his shoulder. She would've smacked him awake, but she wanted to be the calm adult in the situation.
"Ash. Ash, wake up," she said in a hurry. All Ash did was murmur, "Come back to bed." Then went back to sleep.
"ASH WAKE UP!" Mary-Lynnette yelled and punched Ash's shoulder to wake him. All calmness out the window. Ash yelped and jump out of bed startled. He and Mare stood in their bedroom, still in their pajamas, now wide awake.
He expected to see his wife angry, because of her tone. But she looked rushed, worried, pressured, and afraid. The day had just started and already Ash could tell something was very, very wrong. He stopped looking startled, and switch to a look of concern.
"Mare, what's wro-"
"She's gone!" she shouted, cutting him off. And leaving him stunned. He shook he head and went to an angry face.
"What do you mean 'she's gone'? What happened damn it!" he shouted back. Then Mare looked angry.
"Don't curse at me Ash Redfern! I went to wake May-Lee up for school-"
"And?"
"AND she wasn't in her room!" she finished. Ash suddenly looked calm.
"She's probably somewhere else in the mansion, then. Mare."
"No," Mare said as-a-matter-of-fact. Ash then looked surprised at her comment.
"Excuse me?"
"She left a note!" She lifted her still clenching fist to show the paper. He took it, and read it. With each word written with curved Y's, i's dotted with hearts, and a smiling face next to the signed name, Ash hands tightened on the paper. No doubt this was by May-Lee Angry raised, because he was mad at himself for not being there to take care of his little girl. Where did she go? WHERE DID SHE GO? he thought out of frustration.
"She couldn't gotten far," Ash said and went to the report it to Thierry.
"Ash! You need to change out of your Pjs at least!" Mare said, grabbing her clothes to change. Ash stopped and gave her a look.
"I am reporting a runaway 8 year old! I'm not going to a catholic church!"
"Wipe that look off your face, and change. Now," Mare demanded with a voice of authority. Ash complied, and was out the door in 2 minutes.
My little May-Lee, Ash thought. She might in bloodlust. Cold? Scared?
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7:00 a.m.
"Sun will shine
You look so happy under blue skies
It's such a lovely day
You're with me and I just melt away
Love will call
And we can stay up 'til the night falls
Floating in ecstasy
I'll keep on dreaming you can set me free!"
May-Lee sang her favorite song with huge smile on her face. She used this song to describe her feels with a crush at school, but she would never tell her friends that! Dancing with hip hop moves, she moved closer to the town of Briar Creek.
"If you could give me just a little sign
I'll tell you how I feel inside
I need some courage and the strength, then I will try
I want to tell you how good it could be (hey!)
To live every day with you here by my side
I want to treasure each moment with me
I know the love will shine
Let's GO!
La La Lalala La
La La Lalala La
La la lalala la
La la la
I love you love you
Love you love sunshine!"
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7:45 a.m.
In her form as a fox, Cally from roof top to roof top. Legends, she thought in denial. Only legends. She repeated this thought over and again. Hopping down into the streets and racing forward, she made it to a low populated suburb. As she started to ache with exhaustion from going through this workout twice a day, a one story house came into her view. It looked like a simple home, except the backyard. The backyard was overflowing with planted Northern Catalpa trees, Sugarberry trees, and several types of ash trees. To try maintaining so many plants in a modern, wooden fence was futile.
Cally picked up speed, leaped over the fence, flew through the barrier of green, and landed on the brick walkway. Her mother built the walkway to lead to the backdoor. Follow the red brick road, Cally thought.
Switching back to human form, Cally slowly walked to the door. Bird feeders hung on tree branches, same with bird houses, and several bird baths were spread out the grounds. The millions of chirps from the birds who took refuge here gave Cally migraines.
She entered her home. "Mom! Mom I need to talk to you!" she called out. The house was dark and quiet. Her mother was very wise and calm. It built such tension between her Cally. The two were so different it was like suffocation.
"You always seem to be so happy-go-lucky with your friends. Why are you so serious with family?" a wiser voice called back. Cally's eyebrow's furrow and she crossed her arms.
"I have every right to be serious right now. I want to know what's going on."
A mid aged woman emerged from the shadows. Dressed like any other person, the only thing that stated her true being was a dove that stood on her fingers. "What is making my daughter so cold today?"
Cally still had a serious face. She took a deep breath before explaining. "Last night. I couldn't shapeshift. I had to walk all way home. Why is that?"
"Why didn't you ask me this before leaving for school this morning, and then running all the way back, Cally?" Cally's mother asked, saying Cally's name with a more taunting tone.
Cally growled in annoyance. "I forgot!"
The mother performed a gesture telling Cally to follow her to the dining room. "It is sign, my child. The time where you assist the witches that will free our people."
Here we go, Cally thought rolling her eyes. "Mom, you've been saying that ever since I can remember. Where did you come with such a blunt destiny for me?"
"I have my reasons. I know you don't believe me, but it is true. You will help free your other ancestors, your father, and your brother."
The younger girl sighed. "They chose to go with the Night World officers."
"Our blood is sacred. Night World enslaves our family and prepares us for mass murder. Our ancestors used the Chamber of Stages to grant use the curse of 10. It shall be you and the three chosen witches to cure us, and deliver your family from the Night People. I know you know where the chamber is."
Cally said nothing, but looked away. "Now that we are of an understanding I will explain how you shall find the three witches." Cally's mother paused before continuing.
"The Chamber of Stages is located at a cave, in a mountain. It has three floors. The main room will lead you to the ancient staircase. You can go either up one floor, or down one floor. The middle, and most important, floor is hidden. They represent the layers of the world: the bottom, hell, the middle, living life, earth, and the top, heaven.
"One of the three witches must be put one on each floor. What they do from there only they know."
Finally Cally spoke up. "How will I know the witches?"
"The witches will show themselves to you. They are known as The Angel, The Prophet, and The Orphan. You will know when you find them. You will know…"
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8:00 a.m.
Maia sat at her new desk in her bedroom. To her left was her algebra 2 textbook. To her right was her notebook. She fiddled with her pencil in her right hand, she wasn't thinking about the equations, but of what happened to Seth. He got tossed into a lake!
The curtains were adjusted to make sure no sunlight could get in the room. Only a bed lamp on the far corner of the desk lit the room. I should get back to work, Maia thought. Quinn told Maia he wanted her write down her work for each equation. After that, Quinn told her she had to read the rest of Romeo and Juliet. He's probably making me read it because he was there to understand old English. That's cold! I hate homeschool, she thought and sighed. At least he said he would come and help me later. And mother is supposed to train me this afternoon.
Then, something started to scratch the window from outside. Maia got up and walked to the window. Curious about what was behind the window, she opened the window a crack before thinking who it was. She made sure the curtains covered her from the sun. The same delivery cat from days ago hopped into the room. The kitty was trying not to show it, but he was ready to collapse.
Seth's starting to get too obsessed with this girl, the kitty thought. This cat had a bouquet of yellow tulips and a card strapped his little cat body. As soon as Maia took the flowers and card, he dove for the window and ran like hell.
Maia blinked, That was quick. Yellow tulips means… hopelessly in love? She refused to believe it until she'd hear him say it. She smiled. We'll wait and see if he means it.
She unfolded the card. It read:
Dear Maia,
I hope you didn't get into too much trouble. I had to doggy paddle to get out of that lake! But I hope I get to see you again very soon.
Love,
Seth
Maia blushed and smiled wider. He's so sweet, she thought. After putting the flowers in a glass vase, she turned back to school work before Quinn came back.
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10:44 a.m.
At a corner shop in Briar Creek, Bunny sat at the register. It was a slow day, or year. Only 16 minutes! 16 minutes and she'd be off work. She knew working here, meant not expecting anything big to happen except being robbed. Nothing interesting ever happens in Briar Creek. The bell over the door rang, which meant a costumer had just walked in.
"Feel so good you give me something I can't get enough
It would be wonderful
Too have this true feeling every day
Come to me and then I'll hold you for eternity
Who knows what love could bring
You could give me everything!"
Bunny looked over the counter to see a bubbly little girl. She looked about 7 or 8, and she reminded Bunny of someone she'd hadn't seen for years. She was dancing and singing, an ideal child. From the bulky backpack, Bunny assumed she was either supposed to be in school or she was a runaway.
"Hey kid," Bunny greeted. The girl stopped dancing and turned to Bunny.
"Yes?"
"What's your name?"
"My mommy said never to tell strangers my name," the girl said back like Bunny was calling her dumb. Then there was silence, until the girl spoke up again.
"Hey, do you know a good place for stargazing around here?" she asked. Now Bunny knew this girl was connected to something. She reminded Bunny of her good friend Mary-Lynnette. She and Mare hadn't spoken to each other in a long time. Mare left to go live with some guy in Las Vegas. She remembered when her father threw a fit, but got over it. And now that she thought about it. This little girl looked an awful lot like the man Mare left with.
She might like Mary-Lynnette's hill, Bunny thought. I'll call Mark about this kid later.
"There's a really good hill around here perfect for the occasion." Bunny smiled a kid's face light up with gratefulness. "I get off in 16 minutes. I'll take you there if you answer one question honestly for me. Is that okay, Little Dancer?" Bunny continued giving the girl a nickname, since she didn't want to tell her real name.
"Okay!" the Little Dancer agreed happily. Then she started to twist her body in abstract shapes and positions. Once she got over the shock of that, Bunny asked her question.
"Okay, where are your parents?"
"Back in Nevada," the Little Dancer answered. Bunny raised and eyebrow at her, but didn't ask anymore of it.
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12:30 p.m.
"If you could just give me a little more
I'd tell you what I feel for sure
I need the courage and strength to make you mine
I want to tell you how good it could be
To live everyday with you here by my side
I want you to treasure each moment with me
And let the love shine!"
Bunny and the Little Dancer walked up to the spot where Mary-Lynnette use to sit with her telescope and gaze at the stars. Well, Bunny was walking, but the Little Dancer was doing cartwheels to the top. The little girl was still singing that song. And Bunny liked it; it was nice that this girl was so happy. It livened up the hick town Briar Creek was.
The soon made it to the spot. "Okay, Little Dancer, this is it. I gotta go now. I got an extra job at the movie theater for kicks," Bunny explained with a grin. The Little Dancer stopped dancing.
"For kicks? This town must really bore people then."
"You don't know the half of it," Bunny said and started to walk away. "See around!"
"Bye-Bye!" the Little Dancer yelled and waved her hand high above her hand, saying good-bye. And as soon Bunny disappeared in the distance, the little girl grumbled. "My name is May-Lee."
May-Lee tossed her backpack to the grass, and took a spot next to her bag. "This will be a while." Then, she pulled out her Geronimo Stilton book and started to read. Then she started to sing again.
"I want to tell you how good it could be
To live each day in the lovely blue sky
I want you to treasure each moment with me
And let the love shine
(Let's go)
La La Lalala La
La La Lalala La
La la lalala la
La la la
I love you love you
Love you love sunshine"
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12:30 p.m.
As soon as the Little Dancer was out of sight, Bunny pulled out her cellular phone and dialed. She pressed confirm, put the phone to her ear, and waited for someone to answer. Ring… Ring… Ring… Then some answered.
"Hello?"
"Mark, there a new kid here I think you should see."
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9:00 p.m.
"So make it true and not bittersweet
Just feel the power of magical dreams
When I'm with you,
The love will always shine
So if I pray to god to help keep me strong
I know he'll call before too long
And then you'll run to me
And you will make love shine
And then you run to me and you will make love shine
Just carry on it's you who makes love shine, shine, love shine
Love shine!"
May-Lee finished her book a long time ago. She finished the song yet again while looking at the sky with her binoculars. "It's a ghost doughnut!" May-Lee exclaimed with happiness. This was perfect. She loved it here! She missed her parents a lot though. She'd miss the sky when she'd go back home. She was going to stick around until the day after tomorrow. It would be difficult. This would be the first night where her father wasn't out on duties, and he wouldn't tuck her in bed and give her a kiss goodnight. And she forget Mr. Bear! Sleeping would be rough tonight…
"Hello! Little girl!" a voice said. May-Lee looked up to strangers. One guy and three ladies. She didn't know it, but it was her uncle and aunts, Mark, Rowan, Kestrel, and Jade.
"Yes? Can I help you?"
Kestrel crossed her arms. "What's your name?" she asked with a masculine tone.
Mark, Jade called with telepathy. I think she really is May-Lee.
Mark looked at jade with skepticism. None of us have seen our niece since she was a baby.
But she looks exactly like Ash! She has his hair, her eye color changes like Ash's, and didn't you hear about the ghost doughnut!
We'll wait and see what her answer is, Mark said back. The two turned their attention to the others.
"My mommy said never to tell strangers my name," May-Lee answered Kestrel, mimicking what she said earlier to Bunny.
That sounds like something Mare would say, Mark thought. Kestrel looked angered.
"Tell us your name," she demanded.
"Calm down," Rowan said. "Please tell us your name."
May-Lee glared at the group and put her hands on her hips. "No!"
"That's it!" Kestrel yelled. She reached down to grab May-Lee.
May-Lee did a side cartwheel to evade Kestrel's hands. She, then, grabbed her aunt's arm and threw her down the hill. As the child was laughed at how Kestrel was rolling, Rowan came up behind May-Lee. With on hit to the neck, the little girl was knocked out cold.
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9:15 a.m.
At the crowd's home, Jade opened the door and let her to sisters and her boyfriend, with their knocked out niece on his back, inside. Mark placed the child on the loveseat sofa.
"I'm going to go take a shower. The brat got me covered in dirt," Kestrel grumbled and headed upstairs.
Rowan went into the kitchen. "I'll make us some hot chocolate for us."
May-Lee started stirring and breathing heavily. Jade frowned at that. Mark grabbed the home phone and dialed Ash's cell phone number. "What are you doing?" Jade asked. Her boyfriend didn't look up.
"I'm going to call Ash. We're going to find out if this is really May-Lee," he replied. She nodded. Mark waited as the phone was calling. In seconds Ash finally answered.
"What?" Ash said on the other en of the phone. He sounded very frustrated and angry. "Who is this?"
"It's Mark."
"Mark? What do you want? I'm busy."
"May-Lee's missing?" Mark asked to see if that was what Ash was occupied with.
"… How do you know about that?"
"Bunny told me a little girl came to town, and that she could twist in ways she thought only a cat could do. We met her, and she looks exactly like you. She wouldn't tell us her name though."
"Put her on the phone."
"Rowan knocked her out."
"Wake her up."
Jade tapped Mark's shoulder. They saw that the child was gasping for air, but still asleep. She was having a nightmare. Jade shook the kid gently until she was awake. May-Lee opened her eyes. Mark handed her the phone. "It's your dad," he said seeing if she'd respond. She took the phone and put the headset to her face.
"Hello?"
"May-Lee?"
May-Lee softly smiled. "Hi Daddy."
"May-Lee…" She heard him sigh, relieved. "You scared me and your mother."
"I'm sorry," she said, tears swelled in her eyes.
"-Sigh- I was really worried. Just go to sleep now. Your mother and I will come get you tomorrow."
May-Lee smiled. "Okay. Goodnight Daddy."
"Goodnight May-Lee."
Slowly, she drifted asleep, smiling. She was more composed now that her dad said goodnight to her.
Jade took the phone. "Ash, she fell asleep, but don't sweat it! We'll take care of her," she said.
"Thanks Jade. Mare and I will come get her. We'll be there by morning," ash said about to hang up.
"Wait! Brother, why don't you guys just come and stay here for a few days? This is the first time we've seen May-Lee since she was a newborn!" Jade asked.
"I'll think about it," Ash said and then hung up.
A.N.) I hope you liked this! What do you think, should Ash stay a while or leave immediately? Happy late birthday Cally!
Oh! And please review!