Hope you all enjoy the chapters :)
Whatever it is, it's just laughing at me. I just want to scream...
Rihanna, What Now?
At Michael's command, I clamor into the backseat of Grandpa's Chevy with Sam who screams out in agony, his fingers compressing down onto my hand to alleviate some of the torturous pain as I offer it to him. Edgar and Alan attempt to also climb into the back seats, but due to lack of space, Edgar ends up sitting in the front with Michael, gawking at him in fright, a pale color flourishing in his skin tone that exhibits the amount of fear he is experiencing. We're heading to the hospital.
"Please don't eat me" Edgar stutters, incessantly flicking his head back to plead with Alan, negotiating a swap every so often. Alan shakes his head and cackles though at his brother's so-called misfortune before tending to my own wounds. "Oh wait! My bad, you're not a vampire anymore. It's all good!"
"Well, considering the blood bath in there and the lack of Leonardo's presence, you should have guessed that by now!" I snap, rolling my eyes at Edgar before concentrating on Sam again.
"Why does it smell of vomit in here?" Alan asks as he climbs into the back of the car.
Due to the image of blood and guts on the kitchen floor mixing with sheer excruciation from crushed bones in his leg, Sam threw up just as we were getting into the car. It's a common aftershock one has when they have broken their leg. In reply to Alan's question for Edgar to recall this event, Edgar grunts with a nod, pinching his nose to be rid of the revolting smell of Sam's stomach contents. Edgar groans dramatically and throws his head into his hand, muttering away curses to himself; vomit isn't his strong point.
We should be at the hospital soon, and hopefully we shall be informed of the severity to Sam's injuries.
For the final time, we have evaded death and the loss of our humanity. Regarding sanity, my mind is twirling in an ungraceful manner, teeming with the resuscitation of the human that has just slaughtered the vampire into a vacant abyss. In its hollowness, it shall die and never return to render me powerless. I shudder at those words; they remind me of what Leonardo had said. The most enigmatic inquiry of tonight is: Who was Leonardo?
I was waiting with Edgar and Alan until Michael entered the room subsequent to discussing false recent events concerning Sam on the phone to his mother. The nurse repairing my wounds from Leonardo's serrated claws asked me earlier if there was anyone I'd favor to inform of my visit to the hospital, disbelieving without any information that I am below the age of eighteen, but I courteously declined her, not wanting my mother to know for one second what dangerous affairs occurred tonight. I happily conversed with her though, mainly about things girls prefer to talk about such as retail therapy after this hospital trip and cosmetics.
My head snaps towards Michael the moment he accesses the room, a smile rising instinctively on both of our lips.
"With those eyes, try a darker shade, like blend black with silver. You've got nice eyes and long eyelashes, so it'll work. You've got good genes, honey!" the nurse named Loretta laughs, finishing cleansing the impairments where she will later encircle a bandage around.
I giggle, then thanking her as she tells me she'll be back soon with a bandage and a trashy magazine for us to scan whilst awaiting Sam's results. I then move all of my attention onto Michael, wanting to know about Sam's welfare as I am worried about the extent of his injuries. The poor boy was beyond pain, and I had told the surgeon myself that I surveyed his leg and discovered bones had shattered, but there was apparently more damage much to my sadness and worry.
"Is Sam going to be okay, Michael?" I ask, patting down onto the seat next to me as a gesture for Michael to sit down. After all, he deserves a rest as his mind is most likely consumed to the brim with apprehension. He wraps an arm around me, inviting me to rest my head on his leather-clad shoulder.
"He's going in for surgery now. Got a compound fracture and a few broken ribs" Michael mutters, bringing my hand to his lips where he allocates a single kiss as he strokes my voluminous tresses.
"We've got a story for when your mom arrives by the way. Leonardo came over with his dog to give Sambo something he left at Marlon's. Sierra answered the door controlling the dog who had just been diagnosed with rabies, that's how she got the claw marks. The dog attacked Leonardo, and Leonardo died instantly, dragging Sammy all the way down into the dungeon where the brave and gallant Edgar Frog hauled him out. The game tug of war commenced between the demonic dog and us -" Edgar begins, only for me to interrupt with a displeased cough and Alan also mimicking it to express his own distaste.
"Hey, what about me?" Alan snaps, then allowing me to say my opinion.
"This isn't some comic book, Edgar. That idea sounds insane after the whole random, and most likely non-existent, dog contracting rabies" I say, sighing as I lean back in my seat, sipping on the icy cold water provided to me by Loretta. "Plus, you two were outside at that point, remember?"
"Okay, I can put in how you defied death by doggy and that you saved Sam from the dungeon instead of me. Happy?" Edgar growls, leading me glaring at him and rolling my eyes. Edgar soon cowers, my glower not being one I like to inflict onto people. I sigh, continuing to drink the water to lubricate my dry throat.
"What about the blood on the floor? The guy practically exploded" Alan chimes in, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms to question Edgar's alibi.
"We could just say it was a –" I say.
"Drugs raid!" Edgar shouts, leaping out of his chair to point at me with a grin penciled on his lips. "It's perfect! Leonardo was a drug-lord member of Santa Carla's mafia, and the cops got to him as he was using Sambo and you two as hostages to get drugs! I'm a genius!"
I allow this notion to drown into my head, my jaw suspending as I can't believe Edgar fathomed something so implausible. I only have one remark for that and I'll confine it so it is never freed beyond the walls of my brain: What the fuck?
"I was going to say... actually, I don't know now. Really, Edgar, a drugs raid? Jesus..." I sigh, my head falling into my hands as I shake my head at the stupidity before sharply raising it again. "Or, Plan B. We tell Lucy the truth. Leonardo said he was Marlon's roommate. Marlon will realize that Leonardo's gone and when he does, considering he drove Sam home, he'll start asking questions. More importantly, he'll start asking us questions" The emphasis on the 'us' causes Edgar to bite his lip, anxiety beginning to exude from his slouched posture.
"Mom will start, too. She seems pretty loved up with this guy. Not only that, but I'm pretty certain the smell of blood won't be removed by air freshener. She'll figure something's up" Michael interjects before Edgar can retaliate my perception.
The more fabrications verbalized, the more trouble we'll be in. She deserves the truth. Lucy is such a kind-hearted woman with a compassionate nature. I wouldn't be able to abide by deceptions in order to gift her with another moment of comfort just for her to discover the honest truth later on.
At that, Lucy and Marlon with sweat glowing from their foreheads rush into the room. Lucy has evidently been crying and soon runs into Michael's arms, asking where Sam is in a frantic tone. I avert my eyes from Michael's attempt to comfort his mother, wanting to give them some privacy.
"He's going in for surgery, Mom" Michael has revealed a morsel of the truth of what has manifested tonight as a consequence of Leonardo embarking on a mission to kill Michael and I, but now, with my nod persuading him, he must confess the complete truth. "Marlon may just want to leave for this one"
"Sorry, Michael, but I'm staying here for your mother" Marlon's gruff voice answers immediately, his arm enveloping around Lucy's waist.
"He's right. It's not exactly something you'll understand, nor will you want to hear" I interpose as I can see a scarlet hue trickling down Michael's face, betraying the composed demeanor he wants to preserve for Lucy's sake. Marlon will only assume that we are feigning this if he is present, and it may affect Lucy's future relationship with him.
"No, I want Marlon to stay. Especially after we both saw the state of the kitchen – and that writing on the wall" Lucy asserts, unwavering concerning her wish for Marlon to hear our truthful excuse. "Why would someone want to kill you and Sierra? It doesn't make sens – " she pauses, alarm bells ringing deafeningly in her ears and an upset daze flooding onto her face. Finally, it sinks into her mind as her fingers cover her gaped lips, all the while Marlon demanding for answers. "He's back, isn't he? David's back"
"Who on earth is David?" Marlon's infuriated and perplexed voice manages to ask.
"Yeah, he is. Your roommate knew him. Leonardo was the one who wrote that message on the wall" Michael professes, hauling Lucy into his arms for a consoling hug as she weeps. "It's okay, Mom. He can't hurt us"
"How does Leonardo know you two though? He introduced me to Lucy at his store. He offered her the job after that Video Max store closed down. His brother owned that place and told him about Lucy"
And so we finally realize Leonardo's scheme. By introducing Marlon to Lucy as a colleague, a person he took on with the surreptitious intention to get to her eldest son, which in favor, would lead him to me and complete the revenge he was dying to enact for over a decade. Lucy's face instantly is swarmed with dread and terror. The memories are still sorrowful for her, too.
"Where's Leonardo gone then? Roommate or no roommate, I'm calling the police if what you say is true" Marlon turns on his heel subsequent to a hasty kiss on Lucy's cheek.
"No!" We all scream, myself springing out of my chair. Marlon twists around in confusion, anger leaching into his cheeks.
"My son was around that man! I want him locked up if he's a danger to him!" Marlon shouts, not wanting to be cruel, but is just protective of his son, like Lucy is of hers. "Where is the bastard now?"
There is silence, and the sound of footsteps informs me Edgar is approaching Marlon. I heighten my eyebrow and permit a caution to radiate from my ocean blue eyes as Edgar captures a glimpse of me. He sighs mournfully and pats Marlon's back.
"Drugs raid" he declares in a sympathetic yet matter of fact timbre. Those who heard this defense earlier groan out of disillusionment. Trust Edgar to break the uncomfortable silence with something like that. Marlon stares blankly at Edgar in utter bewilderment. "I know right, shocking shit right there"
"Save it for the drama classes, Ed" Alan groans, burying his shaking head in his crossed arms.
"Hey, you wanted an excuse, I made one. Do not chide me for participating!" Edgar shouts, slumping down with an 'Hmf' into the seat nearest to him. Unfortunately for him, it's adjacent to me.
"You klutz" I murmur and slap his arm with the cheap magazine I was reading earlier. I can't believe Edgar chose this exact moment to uncover his folly.
"We'll discuss this more tomorrow" Lucy sighs, massaging her temples as Edgar's idiotic outburst most likely prompted a headache.
"I'm going to drive Sierra and these two back home. I'll be back soon, Mom" Michael says, helping me up then going to Lucy who gives me an apologetic look. I shake my head and hug her. She doesn't have to apologize for anything.
Hopefully, we can put all this behind us now and progress with our lives. For now, my motto is 'Never look back and never give up', something that I hope David and the others won't intervene with.
Sierra's House, The Next Day...
The remnants of last night terrorized me in my slumber and as I awaken the sunlight scratches at my hypersensitive eyes. Nothing will be the same now. Michael and I will persist to adore each other, the sun will ascend and descend, and the night will still haunt us. David and the others needn't obliterate the chosen slogan of my life, the complexity of the situation has already exerted that negative magic for them. I can't just forget about something like that.
With my back bruised and a mental groan echoing in my thoughts, I crawl out from under my lilac blankets. The room is chilly, and soon enough, I notice the window is wide open, the sunlight seeping in and dancing on the collage of memories visible on my wall, accentuating the happiness of those times. My body lugs itself over to the window, but my eyesight is soon preoccupied. Next to the golden dance trophy on my desk cluttered with notes from school rests a snow white piece of paper. My nimble fingers pick it up and I scan the words that are instantly familiar with me, the voice of the man who composed the doting message booming as my eyes briskly survey the words whist my brain registers them before discarding their meaning. After all, I do not care for counterfeit words. Especially from a man who put on a deceptive pretense. He never wanted to love me; he just liked the idea of controlling someone he sought after.
Dear Sierra,
Now you are free. Though I still possess that lust for you to be mine, I now have a deal to abide by. The rules I am to adhere to include not going near you from this moment onwards, and the same applies to David. Regarding Delilah, she is your sister by blood, and so, only you can decide whether you wish to accept her back into your life.
Dwayne.
Inhaling a deep breath of humid air, I walk out to the balcony, the balmy and soft air caressing me. Before I can affirm that I have done it, I watch the strips of ripped paper float around, breaking the laws of gravity. Minutes after they have fluttered away into the distance, I remain on the balcony with my stomach pressed against the wall. With a deep sigh, I narrow my eyes as I peer up at the globe of fire above me. Michael and I are free now and we can roam and thrive underneath the sun as much as we please. Dwayne and David shan't bother us again in the physical form. Last night though, David whispered something mentally in my ear that sent a horrified shiver down my spine:
I shall not harm you, you are human and free – for now.
