Monday 7th September 2009
Angelina blots upright her chest heaving for air as she looks around frantically with unseeing eyes. Her faithful companion, well used to the familiar routine, nuzzles up to her making sure to lay her large head onto her owners legs.
Angelina startles, looking down at her dog and blinking a few times to clear the nightmare from her eyes. She takes a shaky breath and runs a had through he sweat soaked hair.
It was the same nightmare she has every night. Getting that same call. Hearing that same taunting twisted voice. The heart stopping terror, racing to try stop it. Hearing the bangs. Her heart being brutally ripped out of her chest at the bloody scene.
Shuddering violently Angelina quickly throws back the covers, strides across the room and flings open her balcony doors, the fresh air immediately helping to clear her mind. Angelina wanders further out onto the balcony and leans against the railings, watching the dusky sun peak up over the large lake.
Hearing the patter of paws behind her , Angelina turns her head slightly to see Molly, her Bernese mountain dog, standing in the doorway her head cocked.
"I'll be alright Miss Molly." Angelina chuckles softly, stroking Molly's big head when she plods over to sit beside her feet.
Angelina bends down to kiss Molly's head only to be met with a slobbery tongue licking up the side of her face.
"Ugh! Molly!" Angelina exclaims wiping her face with her pyjama vest, as Molly barks at her wagging her tail looking very pleased with herself.
Rolling her eyes Angelina goes back into her bedroom, waiting for Molly to go in before closing the double, black framed glass doors behind them.
Angelina's bedroom isn't very colourful, unlike her childhood house that burst with bright colours that contrasted sharply with the atmosphere that lingered like a dark cloud.
Angelina has a large black metal canopy bed on one wall with two black bedside tables with a wood top. On the opposite wall are two large floor to ceiling windows, that match the balcony doors and are framed by beautiful gold curtains. A black fireplace is set between the windows with a large tv above it. In front of the fireplace a black Chesterfield couch sat, adorned with gold pillows and a white shaggy rug at its feet that contrasted beautifully with the dark walnut floors. The walls are a plain white, with black sconces in each corner, and a vaulted ceiling overhead that has stunning dark wood beams.
Angelina saunters past the bed towards her bedside table, taking note that her white bed covers need washing as they are covered in black dog hair again. She grabs her phone and checks the time, disappointed but unsurprised to see 5:30am blinking back at her. She's long been resigned to the fact that she'll never get a lay in, her nightmares make sure of that.
Sighing Angelina begins to get ready for the day, walking through her black bathroom to enter her white walk in wardrobe. Quickly donning her favourite red work out leggings and her cropped long sleeved black workout top, Angelina grabs a bobble tying up her vibrant red hair and strides out of the room, Molly at her heels.
Angelina pauses, before walking quietly towards the bedroom down the hall. Opening the door slowly, she peaks in and an involuntary, but beautiful smile slides across her face.
There laying peacefully in his bed is her Oscar, his blond curly hair in complete disarray and his burnt orange bedcovers a complete amuck, with his dachshund puppy hanging half off the bed.
Rolling her eyes fondly Angelina lightly enters the room, lifting the puppy into her arms and gently pulling the covers over Oscar.
Perching on the edge of his wooden tepee bed, she strokes his fluffy hair flat, revelling one of the only moments her little man is still these days. Leaning forward and kissing his forehead softly, Angelina breaths in the unique baby smell he has, that she so adores.
Angelina rises to her feet, the puppy still underarm, and passes Oscars favourite lion painting that hangs on the white wall as she exits his bedroom, now satisfied that he's still safe and sound in bed.
Stepping down the stairs, Angelina heads through the open plan living room and opens one of the large double doors leading to the massive garden. Placing down the newly awakened puppy, she lets both him and Molly outside, leaving the door open.
Angelina wanders into the adjoining kitchen and makes herself a bottle of water before heading down to the basement, ready to start her morning workout.
Over an hour later Angelina pads out of her master bathroom and into her walk in closet, after having a long relaxing shower. She absently plaits the front sections of her newly blow dried hair, tying them behind her head with a bobble as she heads to the madly ringing phone. Hesitating for a moment she picks it up 6:50 flashes upon the screen as she answers it.
"Angeli..." Angelina begins impassively, before being cut off, a very rare occurrence.
"Oh my god Angie! I need your help! I don't know what to do! I'm not used to this! I..." a familiar feminine voice babbles through the phone causing Angelina to relax.
"Jenna!" Angelina says calmly down the phone "Calm down and speak clearly."
Hearing a few deep breaths through the phone, Angelina heads into her closet and starts picking her outfit for the day.
"Okay... it's Elena and Jeremys first day back at school, I need advice! do I need to make pancakes? What do I do? Do i..." Jenna begins to babble hysterically again as Angelina pulls out a red thick-strapped vest top and black skinny jeans.
"Jenna, what time do you need to be at your presentation?" Angelina asks already knowing the answer, as she puts the phone down onto her white ottoman on loud speaker.
"What?... um... at 7:45... why?" Jenna questions baffled.
"And how long does it take for you to get there?" Angelina replies with another question, as she slides on her underwear and rolls on some deodorant.
"Thirty minutes... where are you going with this?" Jenna asks suspiciously, finally sounding calm.
"Humour me." Angelina states dryly, pulling her jeans on "How long does it take you to get ready?".
"About an hou... SHIT! WHAT AM I GONNA DO! IM GONNA BE LATE! OH GOD!" Jenna practically shrieks panicked.
"Jenna." Angelina says down the phone, only to be unheard in her blind panic "Jenna!" She repeats, this time it's barked sharply down the phone.
"Yes!" Jenna squeaks.
Angelina rolls her eyes, pulling down her vest and applying a little lip balm and mascara. "Calm down, I'll be there in an hour with Oscar, you get ready for work I'll make sure they both get off to school." She states sliding on some knee high black boots.
"Oh my god! Thank you so much! You Angelina Asterseul, are our guardian angel." Jenna replies gratefully.
"Your laying it on a bit thick there." Angelina comments dryly "You better be gone when I get there and stay out of the kitchen." she orders hanging up before she can reply, putting on her aura quartz necklace.
"Lets hope she hasn't blown up the kitchen." Angelina mutters to herself, turning off everything in the bedroom and stripping the bed.
She quickly heads to the laundry room bedding in tow, closing the front door now the dogs are inside, on her way. She starts the washing machine, putting a load in the dryer and taking another into the living room to fold.
Finished putting the clean clothes away, Angelina saunters into the living room after making herself a hot drink and giving molly and the puppy their food.
She grabs her folder and melts into one of her warm white comfy sofas, sipping her mocha whilst reading through some paperwork that needs doing for her various businesses.
Molly helps the puppy onto the sofa before jumping up herself, all of them snuggled together, waiting until Oscar wakes up.
Half an hour later, Angelina hears the pitter patter of tiny feet upon the hard wood floors.
"Mummy?" a questioning little voice calls out.
Angelina can't help the automatic smile "I'm here Oscar!" She calls back, placing her folder down, she stands following the dogs as they leap up racing to the bottom the stairs.
"Mummy!" Oscar squeals running down the black metal and dark wood stairs, lion teddy in hand, and throwing himself into her arms.
"Morning little deer, did you sleep well?" Angelina greets her voice gentle and warm as she kisses his chubby little cheeks, a complete one eighty from how she is with others.
Avoiding the dogs clambering around her feet with ease, Angelina holds Oscar tightly taking him back to the sofa she just left.
"I'm not little! I'm four now!" Oscar pouts holding up five fingers.
Angelina laughs, it's warm and so full of adoration, another rarity that is only for him, and gently puts down one of his fingers.
"I know, you are getting too big! I might have to stop carrying you." Angelina teases finally seating herself on the sofa, Molly jumping up next to her and the pup left scrabbling at Angelina's legs.
"What?!" Oscar gasps in horror quickly clinging to his mother. "I'm not dat big mummy! I'm still your wittle one!" He amends quickly looking at her, his beautiful blue eyes wide.
Angelina smiles gently, stroking his hair in a poor attempt at taming it, "You'll always be my little man.".
Finally having enough of being ignored Molly leaps forward, but before she can squash them on the sofa, Angelina leaps up Oscar still in her arms at a near inhuman speed.
"Again! Again! Again!" Oscar chants between peals of giggles, looking up at his mummy with a beaming smile.
Angelina shakes her head, her smile full of love aimed straight at him as always.
"I think someone..." Angelina pauses looking at her feet where the pup is jumping up her legs "...or two," she amends "may want your attention.".
Oscar follows where she's looking before squealing "Puppy! Put me down Mummy!".
Squirming Oscar looks at his mummy and upon seeing her raised eyebrow he tacks on a quick "Pwease Mummy".
Once placed obligingly upon the floor Oscar scoops up his puppy, giggling madly as he's almost licked to death, before racing to get him a toy from the corner puppy in tow.
Smiling Angelina turns to look at Molly, before smirking at the put out looking dog peering over the side of the sofa, from her dodged leap that sent her there.
"Better look next time Molly." Angelina says thoroughly amused at the almost pout upon her dogs face.
Twisting around she watches Oscar and his pup, racing around the living room both tumbling over now and then.
After a minute Angelina calls out "Oscar!".
Oscar quickly stops and spins to look at her "Yes mummy?"
Angelina smiles amused "I think you've forgotten someone.", she states pointing to the sulking Molly, who is now sitting with her back to them and kept glancing over before looking away quickly.
"And she is very upset about it." Angelina adds not even trying to keep a straight face, as her lips twitch.
Oscar gasps running to Molly, nearly tripping over the pup, and throwing his arms around her "Sowwy Mowwy! I wove you. You want a tweat?".
Molly spins around wagging her tail and licking his face, almost bowling Oscar over in the process.
"I think your forgiven." Angelina informs him amused, as Oscar quickly goes to kitchen to get the treat tin, the dogs following him excitedly.
Entering the kitchen, Angelina is just in time to see Oscar drop the treat tin on the floor, making the treats fly everywhere and the dogs pounce on the treats thrilled at the new development.
Oscar turns to her, bottom lip trembling and tears filling his eyes.
"I'm sowwy!" Oscar wails, extremely upset.
Crouching down Angelina scoops him up.
"It's okay Oscar, it was an accident." Angelina reassures him, carrying the sobbing boy upstairs.
"There wasn't many treats left in the tin and, my little deer, that is certainly one way to get Molly to stop sulking." Angelina teases him gently, entering his bedroom and placing him on the floor.
"They did wook vewy happy." Oscar giggles wetly, wiping his eyes on his lion pyjamas.
"That they did, but let's not do it again we don't want them to get fat." Angelina warns him with a brief laugh, as she fishes out his clothes from his dresser.
"What about bweakfast?" Oscar asks frowning, his mummy never forgets about his breakfast.
Angelina smiles indulgently, how quickly children's focus changes.
"We're going to have breakfast at aunt Jenna's today." Angelina explains whilst stripping him of his pyjamas and pulling on his pants and kaki trousers.
"Weally?!" Oscar questions excitedly a beaming grin stretching across his face, "Does that mean- Does that mean we wiw see Wemy?!".
"Really and yes we will see Remy." Angelina confirms, suddenly blowing a raspberry on Oscars cute tummy, before pulling his top down as he lets an adorable string of giggles.
Only he will ever see this side of me, Angelina thinks to herself, my little ray of sunshine.
"Come on, lets get you all loaded up." Angelina says rising and taking Oscars tiny hand in hers.
Pulling up at the familiar white Gilbert house in her ford truck, Angelina raises an eyebrow. Jenna's car is still there. She unbuckled her seatbelt, turning in her seat to look at Oscar.
"So have you finally decided a name for the little scoundrel?" Angelina asks, looking between Oscar and the puppy in his lap.
"Mummy! He not a scow... scowdel?" Oscar scolds, stumbling over the hard word.
"Scoun...drel." Angelina enunciates slowly.
"Yes that!" Oscar nods, his cross frown still in place.
"I was only joking Oscar." Angelina assures him gently "Have you thought of a name yet?" She asks again.
"Yes!" Oscar exclaims proudly, a ecstatic smile on his face "His name is Puppy!".
"Puppy?" Angelina repeats questioningly.
Oscar nods his head quickly, practically vibrating in excitement.
"That's an amazing name Oscar." Angelina smiles, knowing it's better than what he wanted to call Molly. Molly probably wouldn't have appreciated being called Poop Bum, Angelina muses to herself.
Angelina opens her door and hops out, shoving her phone and keys in her leather jackets pocket, as she strides around the truck to open Oscars door.
"Come on trouble, pass me Puppy and lets go see why Aunt Jenna isn't at work yet." Angelina says to Oscar scooping up Puppy and placing him on the ground, making sure to keep hold of his lead.
"And see Wemy?" Oscar asks as he quickly unbuckles himself, before starting to try climb out of the truck.
"Yes and see Remy." Angelina agrees, watching Oscar amused as he struggles getting down from the high vehicle.
"Ugh!" Oscar whines, him bottom lip trembling as he struggles.
"Would you like some help?" His Mummy asks, a single eyebrow raised.
"No!" Oscar snaps, voice wobbling, just before his foot slips causing him to fall out of the truck.
Angelina lunges forward, grabbing him before he hits the ground.
"Are you alright?" Angelina asks, holding him on her hip as she shuts the door, grip still tight on Puppy's lead.
"Yes." Oscar sniffles, head buried in his mummy's shoulder.
"Next time just ask for help little man." Angelina says before looking at the bed of the truck.
"Molly down." Angelina commands, causing Molly to jump out obediently.
"Now I thought you wanted to see Jeremy?" Angelina questions, placing Oscar down and handing him Puppy's lead.
Head snapping up Oscar grins, before racing to the house with Puppy and banging on the door, Angelina following leisurely with Molly.
As Angelina approaches the door Oscar knocks again, there's still no answer. Curious Angelina grabs their key out of her pocket to let themselves in.
Grabbing Puppy's lead Angelina lifts him into her arms as Oscar races up to Jeremys room.
"In Molly." Angelina orders, letting Molly into the house first before closing the door, watching as Molly curls up in her usual spot in front of the tv.
Wandering into the kitchen which is surprisingly still in tact, Angelina finds a strangely calm Jenna trying to cook breakfast, her lightly curled brown hair flowing around her face.
"Jenna." Angelina greets leaning against the door frame Puppy resting on her shoulder asleep, as Jenna spins around in shock, hand shooting to her chest.
"AJ!" Jenna says sighing in relief, "You never make a sound!" She complains making Angelina laugh lightly, before turning back to the brown bubbling lump in the pan.
"Jenna, one what are you doing in the kitchen? and two what are you still doing here? You're gonna be late." Angelina wryly states glancing at her black and gold trimmed watch.
"I still have plenty of time." Jenna says waving her hand flippantly.
"Jenna?" Angelina ventures, securing Puppy as wriggles to get comfier.
"Mmhmmm!" Jenna hums furrowing her brows are she pokes the ominous lump in the pan.
"It's 7:40." Angelina says bluntly, thinking its better to rip the plaster off.
"What?!" Jenna screeches, spinning to look at the clock for confirmation, she freezes for a split second, before racing out the house.
Angelina rolls her eyes fondly, before walking around the corner to get Jenna's bag and placing her phone, purse and keys into it and grabbing her coat.
Venturing to stand in the front door, Angelina holds them aloft as Jenna races back, grabbing them then running back to her car, scrambling in.
"THANK YOU!" Jenna shouts out of her car window as she squeals down the road.
A small smirk plays at Angelina's mouth as she closes the door and makes her way to the kitchen to cook blueberry and banana pancakes, as well as a big pot of the 'heavenly nectar' called coffee. Jeremys words not hers.
Jeremy makes his way down the dark wood stairs, Oscar in his arms who's chatting his ear off, with a small smile upon his face which grows slightly bigger as he sees Angelina.
"What are you doing here?" Jeremy questions, helping Oscar onto the dining table bench, before pouring himself a coffee and seating himself down.
"Jenna was late for work." Angelina answers dishing him and Oscar up their favourite breakfast, some pancakes.
"Oh." Jeremy grunts digging into his pancakes and practically moaning at the taste, "You could be a professional cook." he says through a mouthful of food.
"Thanks." Angelina says dryly an eyebrow raised, slightly disgusted at the sight.
Angelina joins them at the table as they tuck in, "Where's Elena?" She ask as she cuts up Oscars pancakes.
"Probably writing in her diary again about how depressed she is and how new beginnings are upon us!" Jeremy shrugs, rolling his eyes.
Angelina cocks an eyebrow at him silently demanding an explanation.
"She mutters under her breath as she writes." Jeremy smirks darkly amused, despite himself.
Angelina hums slightly in acknowledgement.
"Slow down Oscar, you're gonna choke." Angelina says sternly as she sees him eating too fast. Rolling her eyes as Oscar gives her a sheepish grin before doing as his mummy says.
"How are you coping?" Angelina questions Jeremy her face completely calm.
Jeremy looks at her for a beat before breathing deeply.
"I'm coping." is all Jeremy says.
Angelina looks at him before turning and wiping Oscars face clean, sending him to watch tv in the blue walled lounge where Puppy is flaked out on the sofa.
"Help me clean up Jeremy." Angelina says rising from her seat, her tone of voice making it clear it's not a request.
As Jeremy loads the silver dishwasher and Angelina wipes down the wooden counters and table, she turns to him.
"And what about the drugs?" Angelina asks, making sure to keep her voice down.
"What about it?" Jeremy says defensively turning to her, face closed off and eyes narrowed.
"Your gonna throw away all you drugs." Angelina states impassively, holding up a hand as he opens his mouth to speak angrily.
"I'm not finished speaking." Angelina says still impassive.
Jeremy nods grudgingly, knowing better than to argue.
"Your gonna throw away all of your drugs and cut off from them completely. I let you have the summer to do whatever you needed to cope but I have a much better way for you to deal with all your feelings." Angelina orders him calmly,
"I'm going to pick you up after school and show you what I did to cope." She adds, it needs to be dealt with sooner rather then later.
Jeremy looks at her with his brown eyes before nodding.
"Alright." Jeremy whispers "I trust you.", he'd do anything for her, his big sister, his rock.
Angelina gives him a small smile and reaching up on her tip toes ruffles his dark brown carefully spiked hair, causing him to smile despite himself at the familiar gesture.
Angelina turns towards the stairs just as Elena descends.
Elena freezes on the bottom step at the sight of Angelina and Oscar.
How she didn't hear Oscar Angelina didn't know, he was singing along to Bob the Builder at the top of his lungs.
"Elena." Angelina greets, ringing out the dishcloth and draining the sink.
"Where's Jenna?" Elena blurts out, looking around with her doe brown eyes as she stands in the doorway confused.
"Jenna left for work, I'm here to make sure you're both alright and don't skive. Do either of you need a lift to school? Have you got everything? " Angelina asked coolly as she turned off the television.
"No I'm fine thank you." Elena answers politely, her smile more of a grimace as she looks anywhere but at Angelina, or more specifically the scar that adorns the left side of her face.
"I would like a ride AJ." Jeremy requests his voice rough as his tall lean form makes its way upstairs.
"Where are you going Jeremy?" Elena questions demandingly, her eyebrows furrowed as she brushes back her straight brown hair.
"I am keeping to a deal." Jeremy snaps harshly "Not that it's any of your business." he adds storming up the stairs.
Angelina seeing that Elena looks like she's about to snap into a rant intervenes.
"That's fine Jeremy, we'll meet you in the truck." Angelina says walking to the door and shrugging on her leather jacket, "Come on Oscar, time to go."
Elena stands behind Angelina grimacing at the scars on her back, that can be see around the Angelina's vest straps, before their covered by her leather jacket.
Angelina turns to her knowingly before gesturing for Elena to go first as Angelina hands her a portable coffee.
"BYE Ewena." Oscar shouts as he races out of the house "Come on Puppy! Come on Mowwy! Wast one to the twucks a wodden egg!" He declares with a cute lisp, still running as fast as his little legs can carry him.
Molly bounds after him as Angelina stops to scoop up Puppy and walk with him to the truck, not yet trusting him off the lead.
"I WIN!" Oscar shouts excitedly as he slaps his hand on the truck a big smile on his face, before he's bowled over gently by Molly.
"AAGH!" Oscar shouts in shock as he goes tumbling down falling into a fit of giggles as Molly attempts to lick him to death.
Angelina smirks as she approaches Puppy in tow.
"Molly Off." Angelina finally commands, causing Molly to reluctantly clamber off Oscar and jumps into the bed of the truck as Angelina helps Oscar to his feet.
"Did you see how- how fast I went mummy? Did you? Did you?" Oscar asks very proud of himself, looking up at his Mummy with a big smile.
"Yeah little man I saw! You were so fast you were a blur!" Angelina exclaims, a slight smile on her face as she opens the truck door for Oscar to climb in.
Oscar smiles before scrambling into the truck and waiting for his mummy to buckle him in.
After Angelina buckles him in, she plops Puppy onto his laps who proceeds to take Molly's lead and lick his face, upset that he missed out earlier.
Angelina turns around at the sound of a car pulling up as she absently closes Oscars door. Angelina gives a small smile recognising the car.
"Angie!" Bonnie calls as she stops her car, a smile on her light brown face.
Angelina smirks lightly and strides towards the car.
"Bunny." Angelina greets, leaning against the car.
"How are you and Oscar?" Bonnie asks as Elena clambers into the car, "Can I come around sometime soon? I'd like to talk." She requests a slight pleading look in her olive green eyes.
"Of course, You know my doors always open." Angelina confirms knowingly, "You better get off to school, you're going to be late." she adds.
"Thank you Angie." Bonnie sighs in relief, "I'll see you later, love you!" She calls out.
Angelina gives her a small smile before walking back to the truck and getting in, as Bonnie drives off.
A few minutes later Jeremy emerges from the house, a carrier bag in hand and a backpack over his shoulder, locking the door behind him.
Jeremy climbs into the truck, showing Angelina the carrier bag.
"That's all of it, it's all in there." Jeremy quietly states, looking Angelina in the eye.
"Well done." Angelina replies, a small proud smile on her face.
"So, what was that all about with Elena? " Angelina asks, as she drives Jeremy to School.
"She's very... pushy and bossy and..." Jeremy sighs as he runs his hand through his hair in frustration.
"She keeps trying to parent me and act all superior. And it's really bloody annoying!" Jeremy exclaims trying to keep his voice low, well aware of Oscars parroting.
"She probably feels responsible for the accident, so is trying to make up for it by looking after you and helping Jemma." Angelina tells him insightfully. "And she's most likely to distract herself by focusing on your problems and not hers." she adds thoughtfully, as she pulls into school parking lot.
Jeremy looks at Angelina incredulously before snorting.
"All right miss crazy observant!" Jeremy exclaims teasingly causing Angelina to give him a small smirk.
"That does make sense though." Jeremy says as he jumps out the truck and swings his backpack onto his shoulder. "Thanks for the ride AJ." he says giving her a smile.
"Anytime." Angelina replies peering over her dark sunglasses.
"WAIT!" Oscar shouts as Jeremy goes to close the truck door.
Jeremy pauses and looks at him questionably "What's the matter Oscar?" He asks his eyebrows furrowed.
"Where's my hug?" Oscar asks his bottom lip trembling, thinking that his Remy forgot about him whilst he was playing with Puppy.
Jeremy smiles before closing the truck door and wandering to Oscars door and opening it, making sure that Puppy doesn't jump out.
"Like I could forget about you!" Jeremy laughs as he gives a beaming Oscar big hug.
"Have a good day!" Oscar says smiling, because his mummy taught him to be polite and that's what polite boys say, he thinks to himself proudly.
"I will. See you later." Jeremy replies as he shuts the door and finally makes his way into school, looking lighter then he did earlier that morning.
Angelina quirks her lips and drives out of the school car park ready to spend the next hour and a half with Oscar before he has to go to Nursery at 10.
"What do you want to do today little man?" Angelina asks knowingly, already driving towards the park.
"The Park! The Park!" Oscar chants thrilled, as though he's never been there before, causing Puppy to bark in excitement.
"The park it is." Angelina says, predictable as always Angelina thinks, as she smiles at him in the rear-view mirror. But she wouldn't have it any other way.
Angelina sat on the bench an expression of fondness on her face as she watched her little man run around happily on the play ground.
"Mummy wook! wook!" Oscar calls giggling madly as he slides down the slide, Puppy right behind him as Molly sits at the bottom of the slide waiting for them.
"I'm watching." Angelina calls back reassuringly, brushing strands of her red hair away from her face.
Seeing Oscar now struggling with the swing she stands up and walks towards him, gently lifting him onto the swing as he gasps in surprise.
"Mummy!" Oscar cries out surprised, "You sneaked up on me!" He exclaims trying to look angry, his mummy is very good at being sneaky.
"Sorry little deer." Angelina says thoroughly amused "Would you like to push you on the swing?" She asks.
"Yes pwease!" Oscar squeals distracted from his failed sulk, as he starts swinging his legs.
"Okay." Angelina chuckles before pushing him high, like he always requests.
Oscar giggles madly, he loves it when him and mummy go to the park.
After a few moments, feeling her phone buzzing in her pocket Angelina quickly plucks Oscar off the swing.
"Why don't you go see if you can climb the climbing frame?" Angelina asks him quickly halting any complaints.
"Okay!" Oscar chirps racing to the climbing frame, the two dogs in tow.
Angelina sighs and hesitantly answers her phone.
"Angelina Astaseul." Angelina greets her voice neutral, watching Oscar closely as she wanders back to the bench.
"Angelina it's Elizabeth. We have a problem." Sheriff Forbes voice rings through the phone, her voice serious and tense.
"What's happened Lizz?" Angelina asks her voice authoritative, as she watches her son try to clamber the climbing frame stubbornly.
"We need you to come in, we've found two dead bodies just on the inside of Mystical falls." Elizabeth answers immediately, knowing Angelina means business, "It's council business." she quietly adds.
"Give me half an hour." is all Angelina says before she hangs up.
"Oscar!" Angelina calls out, "It's time to go. You've got nursery!".
"OKAY!" Oscar shouts racing towards his mummy absolutely covered in mud from playing with the dogs, Molly and Puppy equally as filthy.
"Oh God!" Angelina groans as they all skid to a stop in front of her, all looking very pleased with themselves.
"It's a good job I bought you spare clothes and lots of wet wipes." Angelina says dryly.
Angelina ducks underneath the police tape and strides towards Elizabeth who is standing talking to her deputy, her blonde hair short as ever.
"Angelina!" Elizabeth calls, sighing in relief as she catches sight of her.
Angelina strides towards her, her face impassive as her jade green eyes analyse the crime scene
"What have you got?" Angelina asks emotionlessly as they walk away from the deputy and towards the victims car.
"The usual Vampire signs, puncture wounds in the neck, happened at night, both dead, no witnesses." Elizabeth lists completely professional, "Both victims are dead and have been identified as Mr Darren Mollory and Miss Brooke Felton."
"Can you piece together what happened?" Elizabeth asks.
Angelina's the best detective around for a reason after all.
Angelina stands her arms crossed across her leather encased chest her mind rapidly spinning and piecing the clues together.
"I would say the victims where on their way back into town, it was dark, probably foggy and the vampire stood in the middle of the road and got hit by their car. Which would explain the dent on the front of the car" Angelina explains as she walks around the crime scene. "A classic vampire trick." she adds.
"They slammed the brakes and the car span over here, where I'm guessing Mr Mallory got out to check on the 'person' they had hit whilst Miss Felton called for help. Vampire pounced on Mallory, waited until Felton exited the car then dropped the corpse onto the bonnet as a scare factor, Felton ran and then got snatched here." Angelina says walking out the scene as it practically plays out in her head.
"Makes sense." Elizabeth states, as always amazed by how Angelina's mind works.
"Then I'm guessing they left Miss Feltons body up there for pure dramatics?" Elizabeth questions looking up at Brooke's body that was laid over a branch in a tall tree, a puddle of blood on the ground beneath her.
"Yes." Angelina confirms, "Did you need me for anything else?" She asks curious.
"I just ask that you keep an eye out for this vampire and do what you always do, protect Mystic Falls and keep the council informed." Elizabeth requests giving Angelina a small smile.
"Always will." Angie says in affirmation, "I'll get the vamp, don't worry about it. You just worry about how you're gonna cover this up. A mountain lion or a vampire wannabe perhaps?".
"That is always one of the worst parts. Finding a viable excuse for this." Elizabeth huffs slightly and pinches the bridge of her nose.
"I'll leave you to it." Angelina says giving her a weary smirk "Email me the pictures and I'll have another look!" She calls over her shoulder as she strides back to her truck, the rangers parting for her, as people always do.
Elizabeth shakes her head "For such a tiny woman she sure is intimidating." she murmurs to herself before calling over her colleagues.
Angelina steps gracefully into her truck before shutting the door.
Angelina closes her eyes briefly.
This is all far too close to her son for comfort.
She takes a deep breath and opens her eyes determined.
She'll keep her family safe and she doesn't care who she has to kill to do it.
If only she knew...
Edited!
